Fantasy Football Podcast 2016 - Starts of the Week, Week 17 Matchups, Boom-Boom!
Release Date: December 29, 2016
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
1. Introduction and Banter
The episode kicks off with the typical playful banter among the hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright. They joke about the day being “Thursday” and engage in light-hearted conversation about Mike’s unverified Periscope account, which was a significant talking point among their listeners during 2016.
- Jason Moore (00:27): “Welcome in Thursday. Thor's Day. Whatever you want to say.”
- Mike Wright (00:38): “You did it.”
This segment sets a friendly and engaging tone for the episode, emphasizing their rapport and connection with the audience.
2. Quick Question/Trivia Segment
Mike introduces a trivia question prepared by Brooks, focusing on the top five running backs by snap count for the season. The hosts discuss their guesses, debating players like David Johnson, DeMarco Murray, and Le'Veon Bell.
- Jason Moore (02:00): “Who are the top five running backs in number of snaps on the season? You can only pick five guys.”
After some deliberation, they reveal the correct answers:
- Jason Moore (04:06): “Number one in snaps at the running back position, David Johnson. 949 snaps.”
- Mike Wright (04:18): “Number two, DeMarco Murray. 828 snaps.”
They engage in friendly wagering about their predictions, highlighting the competitive nature of fantasy football.
3. News and Notes
The hosts provide updates on significant NFL news, focusing on player suspensions and injuries that could impact fantasy lineups.
- Jason Moore (07:20): “Doug Martin is starting a four game suspension for violating the substance abuse policy.”
- Mike Wright (07:42): Clarifies that the suspension is due to Adderall use, which the NFL categorizes differently in-season and off-season.
They also discuss the uncertainty surrounding Doug Martin’s future with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, expressing skepticism about his return next season.
- Jason Moore (08:10): “The percentage chance of him returning to Tampa Bay, he's down to 10-28%.”
Additional updates include players on injured reserve (IR) like Charles Sims and the status of key players like Antonio Gates nearing retirement.
4. Week 17 Matchups and Starts
A significant portion of the podcast is dedicated to analyzing Week 17 matchups, discussing which players to start or bench based on their performances and upcoming games.
a. Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Running Backs: Discussion on Jeremy Hill’s declining performance versus T. Rex Burkhead’s steadiness.
- Mike Wright (15:39): “I would be leery to start Jeremy Hill.”
- Wide Receivers: Brandon LaFell is scrutinized due to the Ravens’ strong pass defense.
- Jason Moore (18:48): “I like Brandon LaFell. This week I'd start him as a wide receiver.”
b. Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Quarterbacks: Cam Newton’s struggles are analyzed, predicting a bounce-back next season.
- Jason Moore (26:03): “A bounce back is more towards his career average of probably low 20s touchdowns through the air.”
- Running Backs: DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are evaluated for their Week 17 roles.
- Mike Wright (29:56): “Derrick Henry is going to get some more work.”
c. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Quarterbacks: Blake Bortles is highlighted as a key player due to the Colts’ defensively weak secondary.
- Jason Moore (32:18): “Blake Bortles is playing for his job.”
- Wide Receivers: Allen Robinson’s adjusted role under new coaching strategies is discussed.
- Jason Moore (32:28): “You like Allen Robinson enough this week to make him your start of the week.”
d. Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Running Backs: Jordan Howard and Jerick McKinnon are recommended over more traditional backs due to favorable matchups.
- Jason Moore (41:03): “I love Jordan Howard this week. They’re going to give him the rock.”
- Wide Receivers: Stefan Diggs vs. Adam Thielen debate, favoring Thielen due to Diggs’ injury concerns.
- Jason Moore (43:37): “I think you’d go with Thielen this week.”
5. Player-Specific Discussions
a. Ezekiel Elliott Andy passionately argues the importance of playing Ezekiel Elliott every week, insisting he must be started due to his workload and potential for big plays.
- Andy Holloway (45:04): “He is going to get work. There's no chance on planet Earth that when he gets out there for carry one, he is not trying to get that 178 or whatever.”
b. Cam Newton The hosts debate Cam Newton’s performance, with Jason predicting a return to average performance next season while Mike questions his future as a dual-threat quarterback.
- Mike Wright (27:14): “The thing about Cam Newton is this, this was the year I feel like nowhere he really got beat up.”
c. Doug Martin Jason and Andy discuss Doug Martin's suspension and uncertain future, with Jason lowering his chances of Martin returning to the Buccaneers.
- Jason Moore (08:02): “He's going to fall in drafts like crazy.”
d. Antonio Gates As Gates approaches retirement, the hosts speculate on his final games and potential impact on fantasy records.
- Mike Wright (59:07): “Antonio Gates is retired. Oh, this is a sad face.”
6. Bets and Water Bets
The hosts engage in friendly wagers, particularly focusing on whether Ezekiel Elliott will be a top performer in Week 17.
- Andy Holloway (47:42): “How about this higher priority water bet that Ezekiel Elliott is a top 15 back this week?”
- Jason Moore (48:08): “I said top 12.”
This segment underscores the competitive and fun nature of fantasy football among the hosts.
7. Boom-Boom! Kicker Segment
In their signature “Boom-Boom!” segment, the hosts debate which kickers to start based on matchups and game conditions.
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Andy's Choice (62:29): Matt Bryant is selected due to a high-scoring game between New Orleans and Atlanta.
- “Put Matt Bryant in. He was my first Boom Boom kicker of the week.”
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Jason’s Picks (62:10): Justin Tucker, Steven Guskowski, and others are mentioned, but Andy emphasizes choosing Bryant for this week’s high-scoring game.
8. Championship Stories
The podcast touches on a listener’s heartbreaking near-win in their fantasy league due to last-minute stat corrections.
- Jason Moore (59:27): “He ended up… winning by 125.06 to 124.72. But he had Amari Cooper and no. Got a point adjustment, lost by half a point.”
This story highlights the importance of accurate scoring and the emotional highs and lows of fantasy football.
9. Closing Remarks and Promotions
The episode wraps up with the hosts promoting their community platforms, such as JoinTheFoot.com and PristineAuction.com, encouraging listeners to engage further with their content and participate in fantasy football-related activities.
- Jason Moore (64:50): “Check out fantasyjocks.com for fantasy trophies and rings for those sweet rewards.”
- Andy Holloway (65:04): “Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast.”
Key Takeaways:
- Player Evaluations: Detailed analyses of Week 17 matchups and player performances, emphasizing the importance of making informed start/bench decisions.
- Strategic Insights: Insights into quarterback performances, running back workload, and wide receiver potential based on team dynamics and defensive matchups.
- Engagement with Audience: Interactive segments like trivia questions and friendly bets foster a community atmosphere.
- Fantasy Football Strategies: Emphasis on leveraging high-snap count players, understanding defensive strengths of opponents, and capitalizing on favorable matchups.
- Emotional Elements: Stories like the listener's narrow loss add depth and relatability to the fantasy football experience.
Notable Quotes:
- Jason Moore (04:06): “Number one in snaps at the running back position, David Johnson. 949 snaps.”
- Andy Holloway (45:04): “There is no chance on planet Earth that when he gets out there for carry one, he is not trying to get that 178 or whatever.”
- Mike Wright (27:14): “The thing about Cam Newton is this, this was the year I feel like nowhere he really got beat up.”
- Jason Moore (47:42): “He’s going to be stuck to the level of making start of the week.”
- Jason Moore (59:27): “He had Amari Cooper and no. Got a point adjustment, lost by half a point.”
This episode provides comprehensive coverage of Week 17 in the 2016 NFL season, offering listeners valuable insights, strategic advice, and engaging discussions to enhance their fantasy football experience. The hosts balance expert analysis with entertaining banter, ensuring the content is both informative and enjoyable for seasoned fantasy players and newcomers alike.