Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Week 5 Summary Episode: Week 5 Matchups, Daily Dose, In-or-Out Release Date: October 7, 2016

1. Introduction and Community Engagement

The episode kicks off with Andy Holloway expressing gratitude to the listeners and promoting their fantasy football community at jointhefoot.com. He highlights the benefits of joining, including exclusive shows, giveaways, flex rankings, and premium projections. Jason Moore and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright join in the banter, setting an engaging and friendly tone for the episode.

Andy Holloway [00:00]: "We have the best fantasy football community as part of this show... the best fantasy football community in the world."

2. Review of Week 4 Highlights

The hosts delve into last night's games, particularly focusing on David Johnson's standout performance with the Arizona Cardinals. Despite a challenging start for the Cardinals and their opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, Johnson emerged as a fantasy football savior.

Jason Moore [04:07]: "19 carries for David Johnson last night... 157 yards on the ground, had another three catches, 185 yards total, two touchdowns."

Andy Holloway praises Johnson's dominance, noting his resilience and importance to fantasy teams:

Andy Holloway [05:05]: "Both guards went down, which is something we should monitor for moving forward."

The discussion also covers Larry Fitzgerald's impressive game despite quarterback Drew Stanton's struggles, emphasizing Fitzgerald's reliability as a fantasy asset.

Mike Wright [05:56]: "Larry Fitzgerald succeeded in spite of Drew Stanton playing horrifically."

3. News and Updates

Jason Moore leads the news segment, addressing the impact of Hurricane Matthew on the Miami vs. Tennessee game, with both teams preparing to play in Miami. The uncertainty around Cam Newton’s participation due to injury is also discussed, along with potential adjustments in quarterback strategies.

Jason Moore [08:11]: "The Dolphins are preparing as if the game is happening as is."

The hosts provide updates on various players' injury statuses, including Matt Forte, Carlos Williams, and Dez Bryant, advising listeners on who to start or bench based on current health reports.

4. In-or-Out Segment

In the "In-or-Out" segment, the hosts evaluate players' statuses for the upcoming games:

• Matt Forte is confirmed to play after negative X-rays for his injuries.
• Charles Sims is uncertain but likely to start due to his workload in recent games.
• Dez Bryant is assessed as out based on practice reports.
• Julian Edelman is tentatively in, with concerns about his recent performance.
• Stefan Diggs and Eddie Royal are discussed with varying degrees of uncertainty.

Mike Wright [09:01]: "Cam Newton out."

5. Matchup Analyses

a. Jets vs. Steelers

The hosts analyze the challenging matchup between the Jets and Steelers, considering quarterback performances and defensive strengths. Matt Ryan is a focal point, with different opinions on whether to start him or opt for alternatives like Joe Flacco.

Jason Moore [23:06]: "Anderson can succeed. His yardage totals have been tremendous."

Andy Holloway and Mike Wright debate the merits of starting Matt Ryan versus other quarterbacks, weighing the Steelers' strong pass defense against Ryan's potential ceiling.

b. Bengals vs. Cowboys

Discussion revolves around Dak Prescott as a streaming quarterback option against Ezekiel Elliott's consistent performance. The hosts debate whether to start Prescott or stick with established running backs.

Jason Moore [30:18]: "You can stream Dak Prescott this week?"

Mike Wright and Andy Holloway share strategies on exploiting matchup advantages and player efficiencies.

c. Bills vs. Rams

The Bills' offense under pressure against the Rams' defense is analyzed. The focus is on whether to start key running backs like C.W. McCutchen and Todd Gurley based on defensive vulnerabilities.

Andy Holloway [33:40]: "I'm going to start McCoy and Gurley."

d. Chargers vs. Raiders

The clash between the Chargers and Raiders is dissected, highlighting defensive strengths and running back opportunities. Potential value plays like DeAndre Washington are examined.

Mike Wright [37:09]: "DeAndre Washington has upside but also downside if Jalen Richard steps up."

6. Daily Dose: DFS Picks with Ben Cummins

Ben Cummins, a staff writer from fantasyfootballers.com, joins the hosts to provide Daily Dose insights tailored for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) participants.

a. Quarterback Recommendations

• Tom Brady: Despite a drop in pass attempts, Brady is a viable option given the Patriots are favored by 10 points, aligning with his historical performance.

  Ben Cummins [49:42]: "Tom Brady is definitely in play. Over his entire career, Brady has averaged 35 pass attempts in games where they've been favored by 10 or more points."

• Aaron Rodgers: High upside at home, especially with defensive injuries on the Packers' side.

• Eli Manning: Strong against a Packers' pass defense struggling this season.

• Derek Carr: Noted as a top-tier option against a Chargers' defense allowing the 6th most pass yards.

b. Running Back Recommendations

• Le'Veon Bell: Highlighted as the best running back option, consistently handling a high volume of touches.

  Ben Cummins [52:18]: "Le'Veon Bell is always in play. He's the best running back in the NFL."

• DeMarco Murray: Increased usage makes him a solid pick against the Dolphins' stout run defense.

• Melvin Gordon: Emphasized for his volume and involvement in the Chargers' offense.

c. Wide Receiver Recommendations

• Odell Beckham Jr.: Reiterated as a premium GPP (Guaranteed Prize Pool) play due to his high target share despite price concerns.

  Ben Cummins [55:21]: "Odell Beckham is an elite GPP play."

• Brandon Marshall and Amari Cooper: Identified as high-upside options in pass-heavy matchups.

d. Tight End and Defense Recommendations

• Zach Ertz and Will Tyler: Recommended for their favorable matchups against defenses vulnerable to tight ends.

• Broncos Defense and Vikings Defense: Suggested as affordable yet high-potential defensive plays based on opponents' offensive struggles.

7. Shoutouts and Community Highlights

The hosts commend listeners like Owen and his family for their engagement with the fantasy football community, recognizing how fantasy football has positively impacted their lives during tough times.

Jason Moore [59:00]: "They said that fantasy football has been part of getting them through some difficult things."

Additionally, giveaways and sponsorship acknowledgments are mentioned, encouraging listeners to participate for prizes and check out sponsors for exclusive offers.

8. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a recap of key takeaways from the week, emphasizing the importance of monitoring player statuses, leveraging community resources, and making informed decisions based on matchup analyses and DFS strategies. The hosts encourage listeners to join their community for continued support and insights.

Andy Holloway [60:19]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andy Holloway [00:00]: "We have the best fantasy football community as part of this show."
• Jason Moore [04:07]: "19 carries for David Johnson last night... 157 yards on the ground, had another three catches, 185 yards total, two touchdowns."
• Mike Wright [05:56]: "Larry Fitzgerald succeeded in spite of Drew Stanton playing horrifically."
• Andy Holloway [43:27]: "You do not play a running back from the Giants if you're in an absolute pinch."
• Ben Cummins [55:31]: "If you look at his first four weeks, he's actually had pretty similar stats."

Conclusion

This Week 5 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a comprehensive analysis of recent NFL games, player performances, injury updates, and strategic recommendations for both fantasy league managers and DFS participants. With expert insights from Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike Wright, and guest Ben Cummins, listeners are well-equipped to navigate their fantasy football decisions for the upcoming weekend.

For more detailed analyses and resources, visit jointhefoot.com and follow the Fantasy Footballers on Twitter @theFFballers.