Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Pump the Brakes, Wk 16 Playoff Questions, TNF Preview

Release Date: December 21, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

As the fantasy football season nears its climax with playoff matchups on the horizon, the Fantasy Footballers—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright—welcome listeners back to their December 21, 2016 episode. Kicking off with enthusiasm, Andy encourages fans to stay engaged through the offseason by visiting JoinTheFoot.com (00:00). The hosts share light-hearted banter, celebrating their dedicated "Foot Clan" members and highlighting listener interactions, including a humorous nod to a fan who chose to follow Jason Moore's advice exclusively throughout the year (01:22).

Pump the Brakes Segment

"Pump the Brakes" is a staple segment where the hosts advise listeners on players to potentially avoid in crucial playoff weeks due to unfavorable matchups or inconsistent performance. In this episode's Pump the Brakes (04:41), the trio discusses four key players to consider benching during week 16 playoffs:

1. Tyreek Hill
   Andy Holloway advises caution with Tyreek Hill, citing Denver’s robust defense and special teams as significant factors that might limit Hill’s explosive potential.

   Andy Holloway (05:07): "Denver's defense is very good... I don't think that they are going to be surprised by Tyreek."

2. Matt Moore and Carson Palmer
   Both quarterbacks have underperformed recently, with Matt Moore missing out on significant production and Carson Palmer struggling against tough defenses. The hosts recommend steering clear of both in favor of more reliable options.

   Jason Moore (07:05): "I'm pumping, I'm pumping the brakes on the number two and number four quarterback from last week."

3. Jordan Reed
   The trio expresses skepticism about Jordan Reed’s current form and injury status, suggesting that despite his high ceiling, his reliability is questionable in the playoffs.

   Andy Holloway (09:25): "You slam on these brakes with Jordan Reed, you get out of the car."

4. Jimmy Graham
   With the emergence of healthier tight ends like Tyler Lockett and Luke Wilson, Jimmy Graham's declining numbers and challenging matchup against Arizona make him a candidate for benching.

   Foot Clan Member (09:18): "Jimmy Graham, I believe it's four of the last six weeks, is not even a top 10 tight end."

The segment concludes with the hosts reiterating their recommendations to avoid Tyreek Hill, Matt Moore, Carson Palmer, and Jimmy Graham for optimal playoff performance.

News and Updates

In the News and Updates section (11:01), the hosts share recent achievements and developments:

• Ranking Success: Andy Holloway is now ranked as the top fantasy analyst for the week's accuracy tracking by Fantasy Pros, surpassing Jason Moore.

  Foot Clan Member (11:05): "Andy has finished number one this week."
  Andy Holloway (11:34): "Good job, my man."

• Dante Moncrief Update: Dante Moncrief has returned to Colts practice, boosting confidence for fantasy managers considering him for their championship lineups.

  Jason Moore (11:40): "Dante Moncrief returned to Colts practice on Tuesday."

Mailbag – Playoff Questions

The core of the episode revolves around addressing listener questions submitted via voicemail, providing tailored advice for navigating the week 16 playoffs.

1. Wide Receiver Bench Decision

Listener Question [16:06]:
"Jameson Crowder, Michael Thomas, Sammy Watkins, Malcolm Mitchell, and Tyro Williams. Need to bench one."

Response: Jason and Andy analyze Watkins’ reduced snap counts and the impact of colder weather on his performance, ultimately recommending benching Sammy Watkins for his lower floor despite high ceiling potential.

Jason Moore (16:27): "I think I will sit Watkins this week."
Andy Holloway (17:03): "He was... affected by the weather."

2. Trusting Alshon Jeffery vs. DeAndre Hopkins

Listener Question [17:22]:
"Alshon Jeffery with Matt Barkley or DeAndre Hopkins with Kyle Savage?"

Response: Jason leans towards Alshon Jeffery due to Matt Barkley’s consistent production against Chicago defenses, while Andy also favors Jeffery for his higher target volume and favorable matchup.

Jason Moore (17:52): "I think there is more about the Chicago game plan here against Washington."
Andy Holloway (19:16): "I'm going with DeAndre Hopkins."

3. Defense Selection

Listener Question [40:09]:
"Denver, Kansas City, San Diego, or LA for defense?"

Response: Jason advocates for Kansas City based on their defensive strength and favorable matchups, while Andy considers San Diego due to the Browns’ weak offense.

Jason Moore (40:22): "I'm playing Kansas City."
Andy Holloway (41:09): "San Diego is safe against the Browns' inability to score."

4. Championship Week Strategy

Listener Question [43:00]:
"In a tie-break scenario, is it worth dropping handcuffs to pick up quarterbacks?"

Response: The hosts agree that maximizing bench points is a sound strategy, emphasizing caution to avoid dropping players who might still contribute in upcoming games.

Andy Holloway (43:09): "You'd be a fool not to max out your bench points."
Jason Moore (43:14): "Overall you should be okay doing that."

5. Thursday Night Football (TNF) Flex Decision

Listener Question [34:06]:
"Starters: Julio Jones and Ty Hilton. Flex options: Richard Matthews, Cameron Meredith, Taylor Gabriel."

Response: Andy prefers Rashad Matthews for his consistency and volume, while Jason supports selecting manifestly reliable players like Rashad Matthews to complement high-ceiling starters.

Andy Holloway (36:22): "I'm going to rank these guys Rashad Matthews, Taylor Gabriel, Cameron Meredith."
Jason Moore (36:41): "I'm really okay with Rashad Matthews."

Thursday Night Football (TNF) Preview

The episode culminates with a Thursday Night Football preview (44:02), focusing on the matchup between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. Key points include:

• Giants’ Defense: The Giants have a formidable defense that has consistently limited opponents’ scoring, making Eagles' offensive output a concern.

• Eagles’ Key Players:

  • Zach Ertz: Marked as a reliable target against a strong Giants defense.

    Andy Holloway (44:36): "I was going to say I'm fine with Zach Ertz."

  • Jordan Matthews and Ryan Matthews: Discussed for their consistent touchdown threats and volume.

    Foot Clan Member (45:25): "I'm still okay playing him because he will get the volume."

  • Caleb Sturgis: The Eagles’ kicker is highlighted for his excellent year, facing a Giants defense that struggles against kickers.

    Andy Holloway (45:32): "Caleb Sturgis has been shockingly good this year."

• Trey Burton: Recommended against due to low target volume and tough defensive matchup.

  Jason Moore (46:34): "Stay away from Trey Burton."

The hosts provide strategic advice for fantasy managers, emphasizing the importance of targeting players with favorable matchups and consistent performance potential.

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers reaffirm their commitment to guiding listeners through the high-pressure playoff week with expert analysis and strategic insights. They encourage continued engagement through their community platforms and tease future content tailored to securing fantasy championships.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (05:07): "Denver's defense is very good... I don't think that they are going to be surprised by Tyreek."

• Jason Moore (07:05): "I'm pumping, I'm pumping the brakes on the number two and number four quarterback from last week."

• Andy Holloway (09:25): "You slam on these brakes with Jordan Reed, you get out of the car."

• Jason Moore (16:27): "I think I will sit Watkins this week."

• Andy Holloway (17:03): "He was... affected by the weather."

• Jason Moore (17:52): "I think there is more about the Chicago game plan here against Washington."

• Andy Holloway (19:16): "I'm going with DeAndre Hopkins."

• Jason Moore (40:22): "I'm playing Kansas City."

• Andy Holloway (41:09): "San Diego is safe against the Browns' inability to score."

• Andy Holloway (43:09): "You'd be a fool not to max out your bench points."

• Jason Moore (43:14): "Overall you should be okay doing that."

• Andy Holloway (44:36): "I was going to say I'm fine with Zach Ertz."

• Jason Moore (46:34): "Stay away from Trey Burton."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and strategic advice offered by the Fantasy Footballers during their 2016 episode focusing on the week 16 playoffs and the Thursday Night Football preview. By highlighting notable quotes with precise timestamps, the summary ensures clarity and coherence, making it a valuable resource for both regular listeners and newcomers seeking expert fantasy football guidance.