Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2015 - Week 5 Fantasy Forecast, Starts of the Week, TNF Preview, News
Release Date: October 8, 2015
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with a light-hearted banter among the hosts, celebrating their progress into Week 5 of the NFL and the fantasy football season. Mike Wright expresses excitement about reaching this milestone, while Andy Holloway emphasizes that the season isn't over yet, even for teams struggling early on.

2. Week 5 NFL and Fantasy Football Overview

The hosts set the stage for Week 5, highlighting key aspects they will cover:

• Week 5 Preview: An in-depth look at upcoming NFL games and their implications for fantasy football.
• Thursday Night Football (TNF) Preview: Focused analysis on the crucial TNF matchup.
• News and Notes: Updates on player injuries, team dynamics, and other relevant news impacting fantasy decisions.

3. Key Matchup Previews

a. Thursday Night Football: Colts vs. Texans

• Quarterback Considerations:

  • Andrew Luck's Injury: Andrew Luck is expected to sit out the TNF game, significantly impacting the Colts' offense. Andy Holloway notes, “Andrew Luck's absence downgrades the team's odds” (02:01).
  • Matt Hasselbeck vs. Ryan Mallett: With Luck out, Matt Hasselbeck steps in as the quarterback against the Texans. Marshall Faulk and Mike Wright discuss the potential risks, emphasizing the Texans' strong defense.

• Player Impact:

  • Frank Gore: Even without Luck, Frank Gore remains a reliable option due to his volume workload. Marshall Faulk states, “Frank Gore is the safest play because he's the volume play” (09:48).
  • DeAndre Hopkins: Returning to form, Hopkins is reaffirmed as a top start, with both Marshall and Mike highlighting his reliability (10:20).

b. Bills vs. Titans

• Quarterback Status:

  • Tyrod Taylor: Despite a tough previous game, Tyrod Taylor remains a viable start. Mike Wright affirms, “I still believe in Taylor moving forward” (24:22).

• Running Backs:

  • Charles Clay: A standout performer for the Bills, Clay is recommended as a strong start due to his consistent involvement and rapport with Taylor. Marshall Faulk advises, “Charles Clay is a very good start” (25:30).
  • Antonio Andrews: While some worry about Tennessee's top rushing defense, Mike suggests stashing Andrews as a potential upside (25:22).

c. Browns vs. Ravens

• Ravens' Defense:

  • Josh McCown vs. Joe Flacco: McCown is favored over Flacco due to Flacco's limited involvement without Steve Smith (27:08).

• Wide Receivers:

  • Owen Daniels (TE): Despite the Ravens' strong defense, Owen Daniels is recommended as a top tight end start due to his favorable matchup against the Raiders (27:43).

d. Bears vs. Chiefs

• Bears' Offensive Changes:

  • Jay Cutler's Return: With Cutler back, Andy Holloway is confident in starting him, emphasizing the Bears' offensive potential (30:48).

• Chiefs' Defense:

  • Pass Defense Concerns: The Chiefs' secondary is struggling, making the Bears' offense a viable option despite Vegas favoring the Chiefs by a significant margin. Andy Holloway notes, “Vegas knows people are betting on Bears’ offensive history” (30:48).

e. Seahawks vs. Bengals

• Russell Wilson's Performance:
  • Seahawks' Struggles: Despite a miraculous play last week, the Seahawks are expected to face a tough Bengals defense. Mike Wright opts to stream Alex Smith instead of Wilson for this matchup, citing the Seahawks' defensive challenges (35:33).

f. Rams vs. Packers

• Todd Gurley's Matchup:
  • Packers' Balanced Defense: While Gurley is a top fantasy asset, the Packers' strong and balanced defense may limit his output. Andy Holloway expresses tempered expectations, stating, “This could be a very big disappointment game” (38:02).

g. Jacksonville vs. Tampa

• Defensive Strategies:

  • Jacksonville Defense: Struggling against the run, while the Tampa defense is porous against passers, creating strategic opportunities for fantasy players.

• Running Backs:

  • Charles Clay vs. Simis: Andy Holloway recommends starting Martin over Sims for consistent touches, while Mike Wright suggests Sims can be valuable in PPR leagues due to his pass-catching abilities (42:09).

4. Player News and Updates

a. Andrew Luck's Injury Status

• Out for TNF: Andrew Luck is confirmed to miss the Thursday game, impacting not only the Colts' performance but also fantasy owners relying on his production. Marshall Faulk remarks, “Season of disappointment continues for Andrew Luck” (02:13).

b. Handcuffs Strategy

• Philosophy on Handcuffs:

  • Andy Holloway: Views handcuffs as luxury items, preferable over bench wide receivers when bench space allows.

    "I would rather have a handcuff than some fourth wide receiver who might put up some points on a bench. And so yeah, give me a handcuff over those guys." (05:11)

  • Mike Wright: Emphasizes opportunity and quality of backups, advocating for securing reliable handcuffs like James Starks for Eddie Lacy's injury risk.

    "If I have five bench spots, one of those is James Starks. Just because I know that if I lose a running back one in Eddie Lacy, I'm getting a low end running back one in James Starks." (05:48)

c. Other Player Injuries and Updates

• DeAndre Hopkins: Reaffirmed as a top fantasy option upon return.

  “He is back at the top of my list.” - Marshall Faulk (10:20)

• Marshawn Lynch: Josh McCown is considered a streaming option due to Lynch’s uncertain status.

  “He needs touchdowns and Seattle is still ranked with the bottom for offensive touchdowns. They're just not happening.” - Mike Wright (11:06)

• David Johnson: Praised for his performance and role in the Cardinals' offense, with Mike Wright preferring him over Chad Ochocinco for fantasy starts.

  “He’s a stash, he’s not a start.” - Andy Holloway (13:19)

• Steve Smith: Out with rib fractures, affecting the Ravens' offense and making Dion Lewis a valuable fantasy asset.

  “Steve Smith's one of the toughest people in the game. Him and Anquan Bolden. I would play if it were humanly possible.” - Marshall Faulk (22:28)

5. Fantasy Forecast and Start Suggestions

a. Quarterback Starts

• Marcus Mariota (Indians vs. Texans): Recommended as a strong start due to favorable matchup and consistent performance.

  "Marcus Mariota I think is a great streaming option, a great start this week." - Marshall Faulk (46:41)

• Philip Rivers (Chargers vs. Steelers): Favored for his yardage leadership and solid matchup against Pittsburgh.

  "Philip Rivers, I think, leads the league in yardage. He has been tremendous this year." - Mike Wright (47:32)

• Josh McCown (Browns vs. Ravens): Considered a better option over Joe Flacco due to Flacco's limited usage without Steve Smith.

  “He's a desperation stream because he's at home.” - Mike Wright (27:08)

b. Running Back Starts

• Frank Gore (Indians): A consistent volume runner, recommended despite team challenges.

  "Frank Gore is the safest play because he's the volume play." - Marshall Faulk (09:48)

• Charles Clay (Bills): Highlighted for his consistent touches and rapport with Tyrod Taylor.

  "Charles Clay is a very good start." - Marshall Faulk (25:30)

• Dion Lewis (Ravens): Emerges as a key player following Steve Smith's injury, offering significant PPR value.

  "Dion Lewis is spectacular. He has five catches against Miami, nine last week against the Giants." - Mike Wright (52:32)

c. Wide Receiver Starts

• DeAndre Hopkins (ARI): Continues to be a top-tier option upon his return.

  “He is back at the top of my list.” - Marshall Faulk (10:20)

• Jordan Matthews (NYJ): Recommended as a bounce-back candidate despite previous underperformance.

  "Jordan Matthews is a great bounce back. I've got no problem starting him over." - Andy Holloway (53:00)

• Keith Mumfrey (SEA): Highlighted for his recent performance and opportunity in the absence of injured teammates.

  “Keith Mumfrey had four catches, two platforms for 54 for 56 last week.” - Marshall Faulk (14:29)

d. Tight End Starts

• Antonio Gates (SD): Strong start due to his involvement in the Rams' offense and favorable matchup against Pittsburgh.

  “Antonio Gates is a great start to Jason.” - Marshall Faulk (53:57)

• Owen Daniels (BAL): Recommended for his consistent target volume and favorable matchup against the Raiders.

  “Owen Daniels is playing against the Oakland Raiders... he's been involved more in recent games.” - Andy Holloway (55:16)

6. Community Interactions and Future Shows

The hosts encourage listener engagement through their website, Twitter, and community platforms like jointhefoot.com. They highlight upcoming segments, including a mailbag show and special Patreon videos, fostering a sense of community and interaction among fantasy football enthusiasts.

7. Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers provide final thoughts on Week 5 matchups, emphasizing strategic starts and the importance of staying updated with player news. They remind listeners to engage with their content across various platforms and tease future episodes covering additional matchups and fantasy strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway on Handcuffs:

  "I would rather have a handcuff than some fourth wide receiver who might put up some points on a bench." (05:11)

• Marshall Faulk on Frank Gore:

  "Frank Gore is the safest play because he's the volume play." (09:48)

• Mike Wright on Todd Gurley:

  "Todd Gurley tells me I need to adjust Gurley down a little bit in my rankings." (39:12)

• Andy Holloway on Jordan Matthews:

  "There's just about no lineup I can imagine that I would not have him in." (53:00)

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting strategic insights, player evaluations, and matchup analyses crucial for fantasy football success in Week 5.