Fantasy Footballers Podcast – 2015 Week 6 Summary

Release Date: October 15, 2015

Introduction

In the Week 6 Fantasy Forecast episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright dive deep into the latest fantasy football insights, providing listeners with strategic advice for their lineups. This episode covers player starts, injury updates, team matchups, and valuable news to help fantasy managers make informed decisions ahead of their Week 6 matchups.

Key Discussions and Insights

Player Starts and Must-Starts

One of the primary focuses of this episode is the discussion around Drew Brees, Brandon Cooks, and Willie Snead as potential must-starts. Mike emphasizes the importance of these players:

Mike Wright [02:26]: "The Falcons allow 288 passing yards per game. That is 29th in the league. Drew Brees, Brandon Cooks, and Willie Snead are must-starts for the game tonight."

The trio debates whether to prioritize Brandon Cooks over Willie Snead, with Jason advocating for Cooks due to his role as the primary target:

Jason Moore [18:39]: "Cooks is the first target. They're both good options, but I would go Cooks over Snead."

Conversely, Andy supports Willie Snead, arguing that Snead is emerging as the Falcons' top option:

Andy Holloway [18:46]: "I'd go Snead over Cooks. It's just everything looks like that Snead is turning into the number one option right now."

Injury News and Impact on Lineups

The hosts provide critical updates on key injuries affecting fantasy decisions:

• Andrew Luck: Concerns persist about Luck's availability, with some beat writers questioning his ability to play. The consensus remains optimistic about starting him if he’s active.

  Mike Wright [06:52]: "Now, ESPN Colts writer Mike Wells. Now, he's not the only one. There are several beat writers who seem to think Andrew Luck is not a sure bet to play on Sunday."

• Lorenzo Taliaferro: Placed on injured reserve, leading to increased value for Buck Allen.

  Mike Wright [08:22]: "Lorenzo Taliaferro is on injured reserve with a foot injury. This bumps up Buck Allen a lot."

• Odell Beckham Jr.: Not practicing, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming game.

  Mike Wright [10:26]: "Odell Beckham Jr. Is not practicing on Wednesday."

Fantasy Forecast by Position

Quarterbacks:

• Eli Manning: Andy endorses Manning as his quarterback of the week, citing his favorable matchup and consistent performance.

  Andy Holloway [43:46]: "My quarterback of the week is Eli Manning."

• Andy Dalton: Jason champions Dalton as a top fantasy QB, emphasizing his role in convincing signees and favorable matchups.

  Jason Moore [45:14]: "I'm going to claim him as my start of the week."

• Colin Kaepernick: Mike recommends Kaepernick for his advantageous matchup against Baltimore’s struggling pass defense.

  Mike Wright [46:07]: "I'm going with Colin Kaepernick. He faces Baltimore, who gives up the second most points to fantasy quarterbacks."

Running Backs:

• DeMarco Murray: Mike highlights Murray's potential against the Giants, noting his past performance and the Giants' defensive struggles against the run.

  Mike Wright [47:28]: "DeMarco Murray is rounding into form. The Giants are in the bottom half and points given up against running backs."

• Justin Forsett/Buck Allen: Jason recommends Forsett or Allen based on their advantageous matchup against San Francisco's weak run defense.

  Jason Moore [47:46]: "I put a big bid in for him because you don't know. Maybe, maybe this is just the opportunity he needs."

• Shane Vereen: Andy suggests Vereen as a PPR (Points Per Reception) play, especially if Beckham is limited.

  Andy Holloway [48:28]: "Shane Vereen is going to be very involved."

Wide Receivers:

• Willie Snead: Andy confidently starts Snead against the Falcons, citing his growing role and trust within the offense.

  Andy Holloway [49:40]: "Every week his snap count has climbed... He has the trust of Sean Payton and Drew Brees."

• Golden Tate: Jason opts for Tate due to his matchup against a Bears defense that frequently gives up touchdowns to wide receivers.

  Jason Moore [50:23]: "I'm going to say go ahead and play Golden Tate. Look for a bounce back game."

• Alshon Jeffrey: The hosts discuss the potential of picking up Jeffrey, especially if Des Bryant returns from injury.

  Andy Holloway [32:04]: "If it’s ahead. Have more confidence from that four yard line."

Tight Ends:

• Richard Rogers: Mike recommends Rogers for his increased involvement and favorable matchup against San Diego.

  Mike Wright [52:45]: "Richard Rogers is my start of the week and I am confident about him."

• Zach Ertz: Jason endorses Ertz, highlighting his talent and improved involvement in the Eagles' offense.

  Jason Moore [53:40]: "My tight end stream start of the week is Zach Ertz... he is a very talented pass catcher."

Strategic Matchup Analysis

The hosts analyze team defenses to identify favorable matchups:

• Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions: With Chicago giving up only one quarterback this season, Andy promotes Eli Manning against a potentially vulnerable Bears defense.

  Andy Holloway [26:45]: "Peyton Manning, the Hall of Fame quarterback versus an Oakland defense who's given up a quarterback one every single week."

• Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans: The Dolphins' defense, struggling against the run, makes Alvin Miller a viable RB2 option despite mixed performances.

  Mike Wright [40:49]: "The Dolphins are dead last against the run."

• Cleveland Browns vs. Denver Broncos: A discussion on Denver’s dominant defense and its impact on Peyton Manning’s performance.

  Andy Holloway [26:45]: "Cleveland is another plus matchup. Three of the weeks they've given up a top 12 quarterback."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mike Wright [02:26]: "The Falcons allow 288 passing yards per game. That is 29th in the league. Drew Brees, Brandon Cooks, and Willie Snead are must-starts for the game tonight."

• Jason Moore [18:39]: "Cooks is the first target. They're both good options, but I would go Cooks over Snead."

• Andy Holloway [49:40]: "Every week his snap count has climbed... He has the trust of Sean Payton and Drew Brees."

• Jason Moore [45:14]: "I'm going to claim him as my start of the week."

• Mike Wright [52:45]: "Richard Rogers is my start of the week and I am confident about him."

Conclusions and Recommendations

The Fantasy Footballers Podcast for Week 6 offers a comprehensive analysis tailored for fantasy managers. Key takeaways include:

• Prioritize Must-Stars: Players like Drew Brees, Brandon Cooks, and Willie Snead are highlighted as essential starts, especially against weaker defenses.

• Monitor Injuries Closely: Staying updated on player health, such as Andrew Luck and Odell Beckham Jr., is crucial for making last-minute lineup decisions.

• Exploit Favorable Matchups: Target players facing defenses that historically give up high fantasy points, such as Eli Manning against the Bears and Richard Rogers against San Diego.

• Flexibility in Lineups: Utilizing depth players like Shane Vereen and leveraging PPR opportunities with receivers like Kendall Wright can provide edge in tight matchups.

Overall, the hosts emphasize the importance of informed decision-making based on up-to-date news and matchup analysis to maximize fantasy football performance in Week 6.

For more detailed insights and daily updates, visit The Fantasy Footballers and follow them on Twitter @the_ffballers.