Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Starts of the Week, Week 16 Matchups, Boom-Boom!
Release Date: December 22, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Splitting Prize Money in Fantasy Football Finals

Timestamp: [04:18] – [06:08]

The hosts delve into the controversial topic of whether finalists in a fantasy football league should split the prize money. Mike Wright advocates for splitting, emphasizing agreements made before the matchup:

"I'm all for it. If you are in the finals with someone and you before the matchup happens, you make the agreement, say, hey, no matter what, we're just going to split the money." ([04:26])

Andy Holloway disagrees, arguing that splitting diminishes the championship's prestige:

"It's a season-long battle for a championship. If you do anything to diminish that single title holder, I don't like it." ([05:08])

Jason Moore adds a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the impact depends on the players' performances:

"I feel like it somewhat diminishes the championship like the trophy... I don't care if I win or lose because now I got the same money as the loser." ([05:26])

The discussion highlights differing philosophies on competition and reward in fantasy leagues.

2. News and Notes: Player Injuries and Updates

Timestamp: [06:13] – [16:02]

Injuries:

• Adrian Peterson: Sidelined with a new groin injury, likely out after Minnesota's loss.

  "I don't think he plays either way." ([06:57])

• Matt Forte: With a new nerve injury in his shoulder, his playtime remains uncertain.

  "Todd Bowles said that Matt Forte will not play if his new Nerve injury in the shoulder does not improve by Saturday night." ([07:04])

• CJ Fedorowicz (Mad Hatter): Cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice, expected to play.

  "He's a mid to lower tight end now. He's been a stud all year." ([07:34])

Player Performance and Strategy:

• Jarvis Landry: Despite a disappointing week, remains a staple starter due to the Bills' tight defense.

  "The Bills only give up 19.3 completions per game, which is second best in the entire league." ([14:05])

• Ted Ginn: Exhibiting high variance with a low floor but significant ceiling, making him a risky but potentially rewarding start.

  "His floor is the 2 for 21 game, but his ceiling is so high." ([18:06])

• Deion Sims vs. Charles Clay: Debates on whether to prioritize Sim's red zone opportunities or Clay's consistent yardage.

  "I would rather start Charles Clay because he's much more involved in the offense throughout." ([16:02])

The segment underscores the importance of monitoring player health and matchup-specific strategies as the playoff weeks approach.

3. Fantasy Forecast: Key Matchups and Game Scripting

Timestamp: [10:01] – [21:32]

Weather Considerations:

• Week 16 Weather Conditions: Andy Holloway emphasizes the impact of weather on player performances, noting adjustments based on forecasts.

  "Last week I made a number of morning adjustments, like dropping Mike Wallace down due to the wind in Baltimore and I dropped Aaron Rodgers down a little bit based on weather reports." ([10:16])

Key Matchups:

• Giants vs. Eagles: Anticipated as a solid game with Eagles' defense potentially limiting key Giants' players like Jenorris Jenkins.

  "Dorial Green, Beckham or someone like that. So I don't have confidence level in Watkins this week." ([10:14])

• Dolphins vs. Bills: Andy predicts a Bills victory due to defensive strengths and unfavorable weather conditions for Miami players.

  "I think the Bills are going to win it. And I don't like Matt Moore." ([11:02])

• Falcons vs. Panthers: Expected to be a high-scoring affair, leveraging Cam Newton's potential comeback.

  "This game's going to be a high scoring game in my opinion." ([16:40])

Strategic Insights:

• Jay Ajayi vs. Jonathan Stewart: A pivotal decision point for fantasy managers, with Jonathan Stewart being favored over Jay Ajayi due to consistency.

  "I have Jonathan Stewart 12 spots ahead of a Jay." ([20:32])

• Rushing Defenses: Analysis of teams like the Chargers and Browns, highlighting opportunities against weaker run defenses.

  "The Chargers are pretty solid against the run... but Crow hasn't done anything spectacular since week four." ([37:12])

This segment provides listeners with strategic insights into upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of matchups and external factors like weather.

4. Starts of the Week: Player Selection and Rankings

Timestamp: [47:09] – [60:26]

Running Backs:

• Rob Kelly: Highlighted as a top start due to high volume and favorable matchup against Chicago's run defense.

  "He is going to be a dominant type of a fantasy running back." ([48:48])

• Todd Gurley: Endorsed as a must-start for his potential against the relatively weak 49ers run defense.

  "Todd Gurley is a must start and he is going to win people championships." ([50:13])

Quarterbacks:

• Andy Holloway: Chooses Cam Newton for his redemption arc and favorable matchup.

  "I like Cam Newton to finish get this in the top five this week." ([52:33])

• Mike Wright: Opts for Philip Rivers against Cleveland, praising Rivers' consistent touchdown performance.

  "Philip Rivers can put up monster production." ([53:42])

• Jason Moore: Selects Jameis Winston for his potential against a Saints defense that struggles at home.

  "James Winston's going to have to go, you know, back and forth." ([54:23])

Wide Receivers:

• Michael Thomas: Favored by Mike for his consistent performance and strong matchup.

  "I like Michael Thomas... that's a vintage Kyle Rudolph line." ([55:29])

• Jason Moore: Chooses Malcolm Mitchell for his high involvement and favorable game script.

  "Julian Edelman... I am going with Malcolm Mitchell as my official start of the week." ([56:45])

Tight Ends:

• Kyle Rudolph: Selected by Mike due to high target volume and favorable matchup against Green Bay.

  "He just, he gets it done." ([58:24])

• Jason Moore: Advocates for Zach Ertz for his consistent targets and favorable defense matchup.

  "Zach Ertz has been a monster over the last... I think Zach Ertz, he's getting too many targets for me to sit." ([59:22])

Decision Highlights:

• Jonathan Stewart vs. Jay Ajayi: Andy favors Stewart consistently, while Jason adjusts his rankings to place Stewart above Ajayi.

  "Ajayi will be moving down for me, certainly below Jonathan Stewart." ([20:47])

• Pierre Garcon vs. Taylor Gabriel: Jason prefers Garcon for his steady involvement over more volatile options like Tyreek Hill or Ted Ginn.

  "Tyreek Hill, Ted Ginn, Taylor Gabriel. Their ceilings are higher than Pierre Garcon." ([31:12])

This comprehensive evaluation of player starts emphasizes the importance of matchups, recent performances, and strategic ranking adjustments to maximize playoff success.

5. Boom-Boom Kicker of the Week

Timestamp: [60:26] – [62:17]

Jason Moore introduces the "Boom-Boom Kicker of the Week" segment, discussing his selection for the top-performing kicker:

"So that's Goskowski, he's your boom boom." ([61:30])

He contrasts this with other kickers like Chandler Catanzaro, expressing a preference for veterans like Justin Tucker but ultimately selecting Goskowski for his reliability in scoring. Andy Holloway humorously critiques Jason's choice, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of kickers:

"This redemption story thing is just weaving its way through the show, even with Goskowski." ([61:54])

Jason defends his choice by highlighting Goskowski's ability to score in high-pressure situations, particularly during "garbage time" when teams are likely to attempt field goals:

"Once a team is up by 50, they can kick some field goals." ([61:30])

Despite playful disagreements, the segment underscores the importance of reliable kickers in fantasy football championships.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright provide in-depth analysis and strategic advice for fantasy football managers heading into Week 16 of the 2016 season. From debating the merits of splitting prize money to meticulously selecting player starts based on matchups and recent performances, the trio offers valuable insights aimed at helping listeners secure victory in their leagues. Their discussions balance statistical analysis with personal anecdotes, making the content both informative and engaging for fantasy football enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• "I think the Bills are going to win it. And I don't like Matt Moore." – Andy Holloway ([11:02])
• "Todd Gurley is a must start and he is going to win people championships." – Jason Moore ([50:13])
• "Philip Rivers can put up monster production." – Mike Wright ([53:42])
• "Zach Ertz has been a monster over the last... I think Zach Ertz, he's getting too many targets for me to sit." – Jason Moore ([59:22])
• "Once a team is up by 50, they can kick some field goals." – Jason Moore ([61:30])