Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Week 12 Summary (November 28, 2016)

The Fantasy Footballers hosted a comprehensive and engaging Week 12 episode, delivering valuable insights into fantasy football strategies, player performances, and upcoming matchups. Here's a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, analyses, and conclusions from the episode.

Introduction and Recap

The hosts began by celebrating the success of their previous Megalodon episode, highlighting its record-breaking downloads and sustained listenership throughout Week 12 ([01:29]). Andy Holloway expressed gratitude, stating, “The downloads of that podcast. People listening throughout the whole week and getting ready for week number 12" ([01:38]).

They set the stage for a content-rich episode, promising analyses of fantasy studs, duds, rising stars, Monday Night Football previews, and listener mailbags ([02:36]).

Strategy Discussion: Acquiring and Holding Waiver Players

A listener named John (@theFFBallers) posed a strategic question: Should you acquire and hold players off waivers to prevent other teams from starting them?

Jason Moore responded thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of this strategy, especially during playoff runs. He shared a personal anecdote: “This last week I was... I was able to play keep away from Andy. You lost Andrew Luck...you lost me” ([04:55]).

Andy added, “It's good. Know your matchups. You should also be signing teams for the future” ([06:26]), reinforcing the idea that strategic waiver acquisitions can provide significant advantages.

Injury Updates & News

Key Player Injuries:

• Rob Gronkowski ([09:01]): Gronk exited the game early due to a back injury, initially not expected to miss time. However, he may miss 2-3 weeks, prompting the need for backup tight ends.

• Jordan Reed ([11:03]): Suffered a Grade 3 AC joint separation but returned to play, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming games.

• Derek Carr ([12:16]): Dislocated his pinky, one of the most painful injuries, affecting his gameplay.

• Lamar Miller ([12:41]): Limped off with an ankle injury, necessitating close monitoring for future updates.

• Jeremy Hill ([13:00]): Ankle injury led to underperformance despite being on the field.

• Chris Ivory ([13:00]): Started strong but left with a hamstring injury, leading to considerations of picking up T.J. Eldon as a replacement.

• John Brown, Tyrell Williams, Patrick Peterson ([13:42] & [14:07]): Multiple wide receivers faced injuries, impacting their fantasy value.

• Andrew Luck ([14:07]): Returned to practice and is expected to play, providing relief for fantasy managers.

These updates underscored the critical need for fantasy managers to stay informed about player health, especially as playoffs approach.

Weekly Rewind

Quarterbacks

• Colin Kaepernick ([09:01] & [35:53]): Delivered a standout performance with a game-clinching 43 points. Jason highlighted his consistency since Week 6, noting, “he is a viable option” ([36:42]). Despite a challenging schedule ahead, Kaepernick remains a valuable asset.

• Kirk Cousins ([17:47]): Achieved 41 completions for 449 yards and 3 TDs, showcasing record-breaking efficiency. Although facing a tough playoff schedule against Arizona, Philadelphia, and Carolina, his current form makes him a strong contender.

• Big Ben Roethlisberger ([18:21]): Jason expressed a preference for Big Ben due to his talent and favorable matchups, despite an overall challenging playoff schedule.

• Other QBs: Discussions touched on performances of Cam Newton, Blake Bortles, and others, highlighting inconsistent starts but potential for turnaround performances.

Running Backs

Stud Muffins:

• Mark Ingram ([25:00]): Overcame concussion concerns to post 146 yards, a touchdown, and a 21-yard receiving TD, proving his resilience and value.

• Jonathan Stewart ([25:15]): Scored two touchdowns with Carolina, affirming his role as a reliable RB1.

• David Johnson & Ezekiel Elliott: Both had impressive performances, with Ezekiel delivering a monster game that solidified his position as a top running back.

• LaShawn McCoy ([26:18]): Despite a rocky start, McCoy finished with 103 yards and two TDs, demonstrating his explosive play capability.

• Carlos Hyde ([26:51]): Recommended as an RB1 due to his versatility in both running and receiving, along with favorable upcoming matchups.

• Kenneth Dixon: Finally secured more snaps, consistently producing double-digit fantasy points weekly.

Duds:

• Frank Gore ([48:26]): Underperformed due to ineffective offensive play-calling, becoming a disappointment for fantasy managers.

• Matt Forte ([49:03]): Faced tough upcoming matchups and inconsistent performances, leading to benching considerations.

• Rob Kelly ([48:28]): Despite some disappointing stats, remains a viable option with favorable schedules ahead.

• Others: Rashard Matthews and DeAndre Washington were noted as underperforming, adding to the list of RB duds.

Wide Receivers

Stud Muffins:

• Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr.: Delivered strong performances, with Beckham scoring two touchdowns, solidifying their status as top WR1 options.

• Taylor Gabriel ([29:19]): Despite being released by Cleveland, Gabriel excelled with two TDs for Carolina, emerging as a rising star.

• Tyreek Hill ([37:46]): Achieved a rare feat with a rushing TD, receiving TD, and a kick return TD in a single game, showcasing his multidimensional threat.

• Malcolm Mitchell ([40:29]): Showed potential, especially with Chris Hogan’s involvement in the Patriots’ offense, making him a valuable addition.

Duds:

• Brandon Cooks: Failed to register a single catch in a game where his team scored 49 points, marking a significant letdown.

• Allen Robinson, Amari Cooper, Julio Jones, Steve Smith, Jarvis Landry: Struggled to perform, leading to frustration among fantasy managers.

The hosts emphasized the importance of monitoring these WRs closely, especially for potential benching or trading during the playoff push.

Tight Ends

Stud Muffins:

• Travis Kelsey ([34:28]): Achieved 101 yards and a touchdown, reinforcing his position as a reliable TE1.

Duds:

• Antonio Gates ([52:29]): Unexpectedly recorded zero fantasy points due to lack of targets, causing confusion and frustration. Jason shared his bewilderment: “I was caught in this loop while I stared at Antonio Gates. Number going, wait, I know that San Diego played” ([52:38]).

• Hunter Henry ([52:22]): Although he scored touchdowns, overall performance was lacking, sparking debate over whether to start Gates or Henry.

The hosts debated the merits of starting Gates over Henry, ultimately suggesting that Gates should still be considered, albeit with caution due to his unpredictable performance.

Defenses and Matchups

The discussion focused on the importance of streaming defenses and understanding team matchups to maximize fantasy points:

• Patriots Defense ([06:55]): Highlighted as a solid option with favorable upcoming matchups against Cleveland and Miami.

• Bills Defense ([06:55] & [07:38]): Initially deemed a good pick, though recent performances suggested mixed results.

• Tampa Bay Defense ([32:03]): Praised for recent performances against Chicago, Chiefs, and Seattle, though Jason expressed skepticism about their long-term elite status.

Hosts emphasized the necessity of matching defenses to opponents’ weak points and the value of rotating defenses based on weekly matchups.

Rising Stars

Identified Rising Stars:

• Colin Kaepernick ([35:53]): Viewed as a rising star due to consistent performances and high fantasy rankings since taking over as a starter.

• Tyreek Hill ([37:46]): Recognized for his explosive play style and versatility, making him a valuable fantasy asset.

• Malcolm Mitchell ([40:29]): Emerging as a potential breakout player with increased opportunities in the Patriots’ offense.

The hosts encouraged listeners to monitor these players closely for potential trade or start opportunities as they continue to develop and perform at high levels.

Monday Night Football Preview

The hosts briefly previewed the upcoming Packers vs. Eagles game, discussing the over/under of 47.5 points and strategizing which players to start or sit based on defensive strengths and offensive potentials.

• Running Backs: Mike Wright opted to start Smallwood, while Jason highlighted the importance of defensive matchups affecting RB performance.

• Wide Receivers: Emphasized the significance of choosing between Devonte Adams and Jordan Matthews based on defensive coverage.

• Defenses: Analyzed the strengths of the Eagles' defense, noting their ability to limit receptions and force turnovers.

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers concluded the episode by reaffirming their commitment to supporting fantasy managers throughout the entire season and into the offseason. They highlighted upcoming content, including waiver wire opportunities, draft strategies, and award shows, ensuring listeners remain engaged and prepared for future fantasy football challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Kaepernick: “he is a viable option” ([36:42]).
• Mike Wright on the Patriots Defense: “The Patriots are a solid defense we've talked about for a while” ([06:55]).
• Jason Moore on tight end strategy: “You have to start Gates on a weekly basis over Hunter Henry” ([53:11]).
• Andy Holloway on team improvements: “These ones are really out of the park” ([32:03]).

The episode provided a wealth of information, blending strategic advice with player-specific analyses, ensuring that both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers gained valuable insights to enhance their teams and approach to Week 12 and the approaching playoffs.