Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary
Episode: "Pump the Brakes, Playoff Mailbag, TNF"
Release Date: December 7, 2016

Welcome to a comprehensive summary of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast episode titled "Pump the Brakes, Playoff Mailbag, TNF," hosted by the expert trio Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright. This episode delves into playoff strategies, listener questions, and a preview of the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs.

1. Pump the Brakes: Players to Avoid Starting

Marcus Mariota (Timestamp: 02:48 – 04:24)
Mike Wright initiates the "Pump the Brakes" segment by advising fantasy managers to avoid starting quarterback Marcus Mariota. Despite Mariota's strong performance during the season, Wright expresses concerns about his matchup against a Denver defense that has limited Mariota's touchdown opportunities.

Mike Wright [02:48]: "Marcus Mariota, to me, is not among that list. Zero touchdowns to Blake Bortles last week, one to Alex Smith the previous week."

Rashad Jennings (Timestamp: 04:39 – 06:27)
Andy Holloway adds Rashad Jennings to the list of players to avoid. Although Jennings has shown promising performances, his reduced workload and a tough matchup against Dallas's robust run defense make him a risky start during the playoffs.

Andy Holloway [04:41]: "We need to be a little cautious here with how we think about Rashad Jennings..."

Rashad Perryman (Timestamp: 06:27 – 07:00)
Jason Moore warns against chasing wide receivers like Rashad Perryman, who, despite momentary success, relies heavily on limited receptions for his fantasy value, making him an unreliable choice for playoff contention.

Jason Moore [06:27]: "I have to say you do not chase Prashad Perryman right now. He was the number 13 wide receiver last week..."

2. News and Notes

Joy Bell Re-signs with the Lions (Timestamp: 07:51 – 08:03)
The hosts discuss Joy Bell re-signing with the Detroit Lions, highlighting its potential, albeit minimal, impact on fantasy football.

Jason Moore [07:51]: "Joy Bell has resigned with the Lions, who had cut Justin for set."

Colin Kaepernick as a Starter (Timestamp: 08:34 – 11:05)
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the potential decision to start Colin Kaepernick. Andy Holloway expresses mixed feelings, recognizing Kaepernick's potential upside but cautioning against the risks associated with his inconsistent performances.

Andy Holloway [08:34]: "I think Colin Kaepernick is a decent play this week. ... he is as risky as any quarterback out there."

Rob Gronkowski's Usage (Timestamp: 13:08 – 13:19)
The conversation touches upon Rob Gronkowski's involvement in his team, with Mike Wright noting the need for Gronkowski to improve his route running and reception skills to enhance his fantasy value.

Mike Wright [13:08]: "Jay Gruden look great... Rob Kelly's got to get that part of his game a little bit better."

3. Listener Mailbag Q&A

Player Selection Dilemmas (Timestamp: 14:03 – 31:56)
The hosts address various listener questions, providing tailored advice on player selections, handcuffing strategies, and streaming defenses. Key discussions include:

• Gates vs. Fedorowicz (Timestamp: 14:52 – 16:14):
  Advice on choosing between Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski, with insights into their recent performances and touchdown potentials.

  Andy Holloway [15:12]: "I think it's very good... I would lean Gates."

• Handcuffing Strategies (Timestamp: 16:28 – 17:49):
  Recommendations on whether to handcuff running backs like Zeke or their backups, emphasizing the importance of securing reliable backups in keeper leagues.

  Mike Wright [16:28]: "Why not both?"

• Malcolm Mitchell vs. Demarius Thomas vs. Stefan Diggs (Timestamp: 17:55 – 19:32):
  Analyzing the best wide receiver options based on matchups and player performances.

  Jason Moore [18:07]: "I do not think in this Thursday matchup..."

• Collusion in Leagues (Timestamp: 32:48 – 34:26):
  Addressing concerns about league commissioners trading away their teams, with the hosts condemning such practices as collusion and advising listeners to focus on fair play.

  Andy Holloway [33:08]: "That is league wide collusion."

• Draft Strategies for Keeper Leagues (Timestamp: 34:41 – 43:05):
  Discussing optimal drafting strategies, emphasizing a balanced approach between wide receivers and running backs to maximize playoff potential.

  Andy Holloway [43:05]: "I don't like locking yourself into any specific..."

Weather Impact on Kickers (Timestamp: 24:22 – 25:54)
The hosts debate whether weather conditions, particularly wind and temperature, should influence the decision to start certain kickers. They agree that while wind can significantly affect performance, players like Justin Tucker remain reliable regardless of conditions.

Jason Moore [25:13]: "The only one that I would consider just not paying attention to at all is Justin Tucker..."

Streaming Defenses (Timestamp: 25:32 – 26:49)
Guidance on whether to stream defenses based on quarterback performance and defensive matchups, including the evaluation of the Seattle Seahawks defense against Aaron Rodgers.

Andy Holloway [26:17]: "Andrew Luck is taking on Houston's defense."

4. Thursday Night Football Preview

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Timestamp: 46:00 – 49:40)
In the final segment, the hosts provide an in-depth preview of the Thursday Night Football game between the Oakland Raiders (10-2) and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-3). They analyze key players, defensive strengths, and the implications of the matchup for fantasy football.

Jason Moore [46:19]: "But I got a question for you. Would you rather start those three or what if you replace Brait with Doug Martin..."

Andy Holloway [46:19]: "I think in this very cold weather game..."

Key Takeaways:

• Defensive Plays: Emphasizing the importance of start defensive ends and considering the impact of cold weather on player performances.
• Player Performance: Highlighting Latavius Murray's strong form and the potential of Tyreek Hill to deliver big plays.

Mike Wright [48:04]: "We are uneducated."

Jason Moore [49:40]: "I think Kansas City wins the game."

5. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with their community via jointhefoot.com and to stay updated with upcoming content, including matchups and premium projections.

Jason Moore [50:11]: "Thanks for tuning in. And definitely check out fantasyjocks.com use the promo code footballers to get trophies for your league."

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers valuable insights for fantasy managers navigating the playoffs, providing strategic advice on player selections, addressing common league issues, and previewing pivotal games. Whether you're seeking to optimize your lineup or enhance your league's integrity, this episode delivers actionable tips and expert analysis to help you succeed in your fantasy football endeavors.