
Playoff Primer + Trade Targets & League Winners - Fantasy Football Podcast for 11/13
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Andy Holloway
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Jason Moore
Welcome to the fantasy footballers podcast with your hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.
Andy Holloway
Oh welcome in Wednesday November 13th the fantasy footballers, Jason Moore, Mike Wright, Andy Holloway. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for subscribing to the podcast. Thank you for listening. Thank you for being part of the foot clan. We appreciate you all. Welcome to week 11 as we venture into the near playoff territory.
Jason Moore
So big week, it's a big show because the playoff primer we are talking about big week, big week. Yeah, I mean this is, I think every year this is a show that helps take people from playing fantasy football heading towards the playoffs and turns them into championship winners.
Andy Holloway
I think one of the most difficult things for fantasy players and I mean this is just the competitive nature is you can have really, really good performances year after year in the regular season, feel like you've dominated, feel like you made all the right moves and you can fall short in the playoffs. I mean it is a head to head matchup. We've all had the weeks where our players don't perform and we get surprised. And a lot of the time I think why people take a break from fantasy football is the kind of irrationality that you don't win it on paper. I mean you can put the best team together and then just lose.
Jason Moore
Our league of record, our league of record, we have fixed things through the governing association of our league of record in the rules and by law very.
Andy Holloway
Bylaws association, over a thousand members prestigious.
Jason Moore
But several years ago I think we got to a place because it's a keeper league where you ended up every year with these like super teams like people who would sell out early the year prior, accumulate all the first round picks, get just this crazy team that you just feel like can on paper.
Andy Holloway
And we had that just give them the trophy.
Jason Moore
We had that for a long time, you know, eight, nine years and I think only one time did the clear and utter super team actually win because one bad week in the playoffs you're out. The main thing right now is you've got to make the playoffs.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, I mean if you catch Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Lamar Jackson on the other side in Week 1 of the playoffs it really, you could have a beautiful team on the other side and you probably aren't going to win. So I Don't say all this to make you feel hopeless. I say this because people write us and say, man, I can't get over the hump. I finished second three times. The best thing that you can do, the only thing that you can do is give yourself the best odds to have success in the playoffs. Which means doing more than just building that on paper team halfway through the year or at the trade deadline. Right at the trade deadline is the time you can go and get those assets that look great on paper. But maybe you're not setting yourself up for success in the playoff schedule. And last year it was Dak, it was Najoku. These were not. Dak was a waiver wire guy. Najoku was a. I'm sure through the.
Jason Moore
Beginning of the year he was a waiver wire guy as well. He was not good the first half of last year.
Mike Wright
It was last year it was Joe Flacco over those playoff weeks. A couple of years ago it was rookie who had done nothing for the Detroit Lions, Almond Ross, St. Brown. I mean you find guys who are peaking at the right time, guys who have a perfect aligned schedule or as perfect as you can get. And like that does it improves your probability.
Jason Moore
So that means what you got to do right now, focus on making the playoffs. Because you just got to get. I promise you can't win the championship if you don't get to the playoffs. That's one of our.
Andy Holloway
We've had nobody in our league do that.
Jason Moore
It's never happened once. And then once you're there, I'd focus on rabbit's feet. Four leaf clovers.
Andy Holloway
Okay.
Jason Moore
Voodoo dolls. If you want to go the other direction, you know, it's just going to take some magic.
Andy Holloway
But for the mark of the beast guy, I'm not surprised.
Mike Wright
Are you voodoo dolling? You're the manager.
Jason Moore
Yeah. The opponent, the manager, not the players.
Mike Wright
Okay.
Andy Holloway
Just making sure you're pro player.
Jason Moore
I'm pro player.
Andy Holloway
Yeah. I mean inversely to the good schedule is also just knowing that if you have a superstar that has a really rough playoff schedule, you might be peaked. Right. Like you're probably going to keep writing them, but maybe you can swap them at the trade deadline for a player with a better schedule. We can talk about that. That is what today is all about. The playoff primer. You can go to the website, the fantasy footballers.com. that's where all the weekly rankings, the Start Sit tool if you want any premium content from the JoinTheFoot.com community, which includes the ultimate dashboard, the custom waiver wire the spot starts, the consent, the strength to schedule tool, the stream finder, all of the resources, many of which we use to prepare today's show available to you as a member@jointhefoot.com A reminder, there's a new Dynasty podcast out today. Betts, Borg and Mike did the Dynasty situation room.
Mike Wright
We did. We broke down. We sent the call out and let people say, here's where I am. Like I am a contending team. Like, should I go after this player or I'm in a rebuild, you know, what am I doing? Just a lot of advice for all sorts of teams out there.
Andy Holloway
Yep. So let's jump into Hungry for more.
Jason Moore
Welcome to Hungry for More, presented by Uber Eats.
Andy Holloway
All right, Jason, why don't you kick us off for this week's Hungry for sure.
Jason Moore
Look, I mean if you've been holding on to him or if you picked him up late, for the most part all season, we've been hungry for even just a little. TJ Hawkinson finally got back, got healthy, is on the field, is active and is immediately the number two target that the Minnesota Vikings so desperately have needed the first week back. Limited snaps, still a pretty decent involvement in the passing game. But now this last week, nine targets, eight for 72, still on just 46% of the snaps. I mean, this is a need for this team behind Justin Jefferson. They have needed someone to step up. He was targeted on 32% of his routes this last week. Only Travis Kelsey had more first read targets in Week 10 at the tight end position. And so I'm hungry for more of TJ Hawkinson because I don't think that people remember how good he was last year as a Viking and how important he was, how impactful. And I'm going to leave it for the end of the show, but the playoff primer edition, you want to talk about a guy who's got a dynamite schedule in the playoffs is T.J. hawkinson. So I'm hungry for more of them this week and the rest of the season. But especially I think he's going to be one of those players that can help take people to championships.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, I mean Hawkinson looked great this past week. He looked great. He looked right back into the flow of what made him great.
Jason Moore
And he did look at towards the end of the game. Darn tired, man. I felt bad. He still like, dude, you got to give this guy a break. He was, he was, I mean, on his ninth target or eighth target or wherever it was, I saw him lay on the ground for at least a half second before getting up not because of injury. It was just like oh man this is, this game is brutal.
Andy Holloway
Mike, who do you have. And by the way you did point out Jason it might be trying to run up the value on Hawkinson for the trade deadline in our league of record.
Mike Wright
What?
Jason Moore
Dude, I have Hawkinson in the league of record. While that is true and he is incredibly valuable for the trade deadline this week and he is, I want to remind you he was the tight end two and the tight end for the last two years and now is going to be probably the tight end two or three wrestling way.
Mike Wright
Wow.
Jason Moore
But that's happenstance.
Andy Holloway
You didn't even know that he was on your team.
Jason Moore
That's coincidence.
Andy Holloway
Okay.
Jason Moore
I mean genuinely though I don't want the Foot Clan out there to think that this is a.
Mike Wright
No, I'm in a bit. I'm totally in on this.
Jason Moore
It is, it's both. I love to throw a bit on top but this is true like Hockette said should be a really important difference maker down the stretch. Much, much more different than the you know the Jake Ferguson's and the Hunter Henry's and you know even, even Evan Ingram who's now potentially lost his quarterback. I think Hawkinson is the only guy that's in that has not been a top tier guy who can now become a top tier guy rest of the way and join Trey McBride and join some of these high, high end. You know Kittle, I genuinely believe that's where Hawkinson lives.
Mike Wright
I was very happy to see the nine targets, the hope and everything for Hawkinson was we know when he will be back but will he go back into a prominent role like that was a, it was a devastating knee injury. So to have him be back, I mean he's only playing about half the snaps right now so. I'm in on that. The one I want to say I'm hungry for more for because this, this player has really only received nothing but slander. Not from just this show but how.
Andy Holloway
Speak for yourself.
Jason Moore
Well you've, you've enjoyed a slanderous moment or two. It's been very fun.
Mike Wright
Who hasn't gotten in on taking a cheap shot of low blow at Quentin Johnston?
Jason Moore
Wide receiver of the last, Quentin Dropston. You know in the past that's been fun.
Mike Wright
The rookie year was as close to a sure fire bust first round wide receiver that we have seen in a very long time and yet things have actually gotten better for him. He's look he scored in two straight games in points per game. He's actually right there with lad McConkey. Quentin's at 10.6, McConkey is at 10.5. And this team has really turned things around. In weeks one through four, they're averaging about 145 passing yards per game. Week six through ten, we're up to 262 yards per game. And the upcoming schedule for the Chargers, for wide receivers, it's actually, it's the third high or the third easiest for wide receivers and they have high totals over the next five weeks. Week 14 is the only bad matchup here for the, for the Chargers pass catchers. They take on the Chiefs in that time, but Bengals, Baltimore Falcons, Tampa Bay, these are great matches for him and the team is surging at the right time. I think that he is a really interesting guy who could just like, maybe he's a flex play for the rest of the season.
Jason Moore
How do you, how do you see?
Andy Holloway
I've always loved him. Yeah, that is sarcasm. But, but it's nice to see like we've reached the point where we're not wondering if the ball is going to be caught. Really. I mean, it is a man.
Mike Wright
The training camp videos of just him dropping passes combined with last year was like, this is, this is hilarious.
Andy Holloway
We didn't see enough of him last year and it's amazing.
Jason Moore
Yeah, I was going to say he was on the field so much.
Andy Holloway
That part is true. But remember, if you remember before the season, if you went back and watched the film, there were a lot of plays that looked promising from an after the catch standpoint, from the way he was running routes. It was just his drops were so egregious and headline making you just wonder what the confidence building ability of Harbaugh has been because he is.
Mike Wright
Yeah, that's a very good point.
Andy Holloway
A player's coach. But he's detail oriented too.
Jason Moore
If you haven't seen the video that the Chargers put out on X, Jim Harbaugh building up Herbert and talking to her. It is, it is a fun time. I'm telling you. Put that on your to do list. Just, just look up that video. I couldn't watch his video without smiling. He's talking to Herbert.
Andy Holloway
They're so enthusiastic.
Jason Moore
They're playing games with the opponent. I mean, he's apparently wanting to call him beast. I'm calling him beast now. I'm calling Harbaugh beast. Or I'm calling Herbert. Oh yeah, he's a beast. You haven't seen this video, Mike?
Mike Wright
No, I didn't watch it.
Jason Moore
Dude, you will love It. I'm falling in love with Jim Harbaugh right now.
Andy Holloway
It's great.
Mike Wright
The cycle continues. Talk to you in about three years. Two to three years.
Andy Holloway
I will be brief here.
Jason Moore
This car is the worst.
Mike Wright
Get him out of here.
Andy Holloway
I am hungry for more consistency from Kyler Murray. He has been okay. His great has been great. QB1, QB4, QB6, QB7. On the week, his bad, it's been bad. QB30, QB24, QB25. And so the fantasy schizophrenia has been destructive to your weeks. At times I have been somebody that has him rostered in multiple leagues. One week I'm winning because of him. The next week I'm losing because of him. He has a good playoff schedule. Kyler has like the Cardinals in general have a good schedule rest of season. And you have to look at the details here. One of the bad, the awfully bad games that I named. No Harrison. One of the awfully bad games. No McBride. He needs. I think we've seen this as Cardinal fans analyzing this team is that he needs every piece that's in that offense to succeed. Every core piece. You don't. If you don't have Harrison, all of a sudden you are. Your wide receivers are Michael Wilson and Greg Dorch. It disappears.
Mike Wright
It's terrible.
Andy Holloway
If you don't have McBride, suddenly it's we double team Harrison and it's over. Right. So he needs every piece or it falls apart. But the schedule is lining up very well for him. He runs. That is a fundamental baseline for quarterbacks. Two touchdowns on the ground this last week. But again, this is hungry for more. This is not saying Kyler's a guaranteed league winner. This is saying I am hungry for more of this consistency and this offense to do what it's been doing over the last three weeks in moving the football.
Mike Wright
So his schedule has to be in today's show.
Andy Holloway
It is. It is.
Mike Wright
Because it's not just I won't go over the playoff weeks, but yeah, he's on the bye week this week. The Cardinals are taking the old rest. But then Seattle, Minnesota, Seattle Patriots.
Jason Moore
All right.
Mike Wright
Ran into the playoffs. Sorry, sorry.
Andy Holloway
Don't tell anybody who they play.
Mike Wright
It's a wild run coming up here for Kyler and the Cardinals.
Andy Holloway
No, I had traded with you Mike for Jordan Love in our league of record.
Mike Wright
Yep.
Andy Holloway
Because I had been so frustrated with the down weeks from Kyler and I just kind of realized like, I can't let Kyler go. I need to play these guys off the good and bad weeks back and forth in terms of the Matchups like you mentioned, Seattle out of the by. Like I'm sitting Jordan Love that week. And I'm playing Kyler Murray that week.
Mike Wright
Gotcha.
Andy Holloway
Because the matchups are just. Some of these are too juicy. All right, that was hungry for more presented by Uber Eats, where you can get the best deals on game day food all season long. Uber Eats, the official on demand delivery partner of the NFL. Let's jump into the news.
Jason Moore
News and notes from around the league, presented by USAA Insurance.
Andy Holloway
49Ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said George Kittle left Sunday's game with, quote, hamstring irritation that will be monitored through the week. Not exciting to hear that.
Mike Wright
Not unless you got Christian McCaffrey.
Andy Holloway
Well. Or Piersol or T.J. hawkinson.
Jason Moore
I mean, you know, there's so many ways.
Mike Wright
What is happening out here?
Jason Moore
Look, I'm just saying this is a worry, you know, if your opponent is going down, build yourself up to go up.
Andy Holloway
I mean, it sounds to me like you are heading to a title. If you have Hawkinson, why would you ever move that guy?
Jason Moore
I could be.
Andy Holloway
Aaron Wilson said the expectation is for Nico Collins to practice all week and make his return Monday night against the Cowboys. Which brings us to disclosing the trade that happened in league of record because everybody right now on X or contacting Jason.
Jason Moore
What? Yeah. Mediocre signing of the week.
Andy Holloway
You know what? I think maybe my pinky hit something.
Jason Moore
You think?
Andy Holloway
I think that's. Yeah, that's in the corner there. Let's go to our mediocre signing of the week here.
Jason Moore
The mediocre signing of the week is that the Raiders are expected to make the change to Desmond Ritter at quarterback.
Andy Holloway
No, no, they're not. No, they're not. That's real.
Jason Moore
That is, according to the.
Andy Holloway
That's not exactly.
Jason Moore
No, I mean, that's April 1st. That's the mediocre signing of the week. There's a brilliant stroke of button pushing, Andy.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, well, I just setting you up for the news. I didn't know about. That is.
Mike Wright
I will not.
Andy Holloway
How can we do this?
Mike Wright
I will not tolerate any toxic group think against. Against Desmond Ritter in this podcast.
Andy Holloway
Okay, so can we make. Okay, so Miami's defense, Denver's defense, Kansas City's defense, Tampa Bay's defense, Atlanta's defense, Jacksonville, New Orleans and the Chargers. You would like those for the next seven weeks.
Jason Moore
I mean, Ritter's not going to make it seven weeks, but yeah, for the next couple.
Andy Holloway
If you're Desmond Ritter and you've been cut from multiple teams and you end up falling bass ackwards into this starting opportunity.
Mike Wright
It's your moment, man. Seize it.
Andy Holloway
All right, let's go back to Nico right now. Any Nico related news. Jason is getting tagged and it's important that the world knows that tag needs.
Jason Moore
To move to Andy. So our situation in the league of record, we're on our trade deadline, if you haven't figured that out yet.
Andy Holloway
And we've talked a lot about CD Lamb and whether you make a move. I've been tagged a lot. Are you sticking with it? Are you riding it out and with all of the answers, maybe, yeah.
Jason Moore
All of my injuries, I am on the outside. It would be a struggle to get over the top against some of the better teams in the league of record. So I'm having to choose to trade or sell now. And so I traded Nico Collins for a pick swap in my favor and CD Lamb to play. It's a hedge bet. CD can be okay this year, but more it's. It's a play for next year where I, you know, Nico could easily be ahead of CD Lamb and startup drafts next year if I had to put a dollar on it right now. I think CD will be ahead of Nico coming into next year. They obviously have a brand new contract for cd, brand new contract for Dak. So I think next year CD will be ahead, but it's a risk. Nico was the number one wide receiver.
Andy Holloway
Before he got in awe of that contract. For him.
Mike Wright
Yeah.
Andy Holloway
The move for me, just so I can help the fantasy community with this, is I was not going to force it with CD Lamb, but I was looking. Here's what I wasn't going to do. I wasn't going to go neutral because the. Because CD Lamb, I think, you know, if you're in a keeper league, obviously you want to hang on to him. I turned down Puka Nakua for CD Lamb. Maybe that's a bad move, but Pukinakua has the single worst wide receiver. Schedule rest of season in terms of schedule, adjusted fantasy points against that was too neutral for me. It could be the right move, but it was too neutral. I turned down Jaden Reed in a pick right. Like that was. I don't need to trade. Maybe some inconsistency with CD Lamb with definitely some inconsistency with Jaden Reed. I was looking at Malik Neighbors. But you're messing with quarterback problems in the same exact vein. Right. Drew Locke does not inspire me anymore than the Cooper Rush Trey land situation. So I wasn't going to go neutral. Nico to Me was an opportunity to potentially upgrade CD Lamb without a quarterback, without Dak. So that was the move and everyone's got to make that choice. And it also depends on how crucial CD Lamb's high end output was to your fantasy team. Do you have other players that are giving you high end fantasy production? Because CD Lamb is going to be good for 10 points on most weeks, I believe. Now, Mike, you, you like the move for me because you feel like, yeah, Nico, you said 99% chance in your mind that Nico outperforms CD rest of season.
Mike Wright
Yeah. And I was just, you know, being courteous to Jason's absolutely ridiculous trade that he made.
Jason Moore
100% agree. I want, I mean, CD Lamb should not be as good as Nico rest of season. No chance. This was a move for next year for me.
Andy Holloway
And yeah, Al, you offered me some combo of Devonte Adams and Sutton and Mooney and I said, no, thank you.
Mike Wright
Nico Collins, guys, has not been in a football game since week five where he played 13% of the snaps. So he basically has not played since week four. He is currently the wide receiver. 17.
Jason Moore
Yeah, like I said, he was the wide receiver one when he went down to injury, he was, you know, he's better than everyone.
Andy Holloway
And now here's the real, the real news is that now that he's not on Jason's team, those of you with Nico can relax.
Jason Moore
Yeah, seriously.
Andy Holloway
Because moments after he traded him to me, we got the news that he's going to practice all week and he's going to play on Monday and we've got him out of your clutches.
Jason Moore
Yeah, I'd be afraid if you got CD that shoulder injury about to put him down.
Andy Holloway
All right. Trevor Lawrence ruled out already, but might come back after the buy. He needs to come back if you have Brian Thomas. That is the number one reason I want Trevor Lawrence active in the NFL right now is to give Brian Thomas Jr. A chance. Because if he's not back, Brian Thomas Jr. Went from up and coming star to terror to start him to me.
Jason Moore
So he's out this week, then the bye week. Then comes.
Andy Holloway
Oh my gosh.
Jason Moore
Breaking news. No. No way.
Mike Wright
Well, there's a lot of quarterback moves being made out there in the NFL. The Colts are making another quarterback move going. They are promoting second string quarterback Anthony Richardson back to being the starter.
Jason Moore
Did they, did they look at Bryce Young and go kind of work for Bryce Young?
Mike Wright
Yeah.
Jason Moore
Wow.
Mike Wright
It's the path.
Andy Holloway
He just said that Flacco was the.
Jason Moore
Starter until he said otherwise. And he said otherwise.
Mike Wright
He is In a awful position where he can't say anything else. And they were. They were in the playoff hunt. Richardson was not getting it done. Joe Flacco has officially pumpkin the father Time seems to have caught Joe Flacco.
Andy Holloway
Finally, they said, for the rest of the season.
Jason Moore
Wow.
Mike Wright
I don't know why you'd say that.
Andy Holloway
Just stop talking. Yeah, stop talking.
Jason Moore
I like, I want to be on record here. I think Shane Steichen is a very good offensive mind. I really do think that he runs a good system and with the right player personnel can get the most out of them. This isn't someone that I think was built on the laurels of Peyton Manning like a. Like an Adam gaze, but with his current head coaching prowess of the leadership structure of. I'm brave enough to make a move. No, I'm not undoing. No. Both were forever.
Mike Wright
Arthur Blank.
Jason Moore
Yeah.
Andy Holloway
I mean, oh, Arthur Smith.
Jason Moore
Oh, yeah. It's. You know, I don't know. Maybe Steichen will be a great offensive coordinator.
Andy Holloway
He seems a little in over his head right now. I mean, this is comical. That's. I coughed the wrong name at first, but Arthur Smith, with the Ritter and the rotation at court, it reminds me of that last year. Like, here's the truth. And maybe this lets you forgive Shane Steichen for his somewhat strange behavior. Neither quarterback's good enough to get you to the playoffs.
Mike Wright
I agree.
Andy Holloway
That's the truth. The truth is you don't have him.
Jason Moore
You had to.
Mike Wright
You had to find out with Flacco, like the run that he went on last year. You have to see if did he have that magic left. At least right now, that magic, he does not know. The magic is gone. Richardson is back and. Well, good luck with your Colts wide receivers.
Andy Holloway
Do you guys realize what this means for my dynasty team? I have Kyler and Baker on by and I had Flacco as my last quarterback.
Jason Moore
Oh, nice. Didn't you also trade for Josh Downs?
Mike Wright
Yeah, he certainly did.
Jason Moore
Oh, goodbye. Yeah, I wish I traded him yesterday.
Andy Holloway
Can I ask you a question for a friend?
Mike Wright
Sure.
Andy Holloway
Cooper Rush or Mac Jones?
Jason Moore
Ooh, Mac Jones. In a. In a vacuum. I don't remember their schedules off the top of my head.
Mike Wright
And Cooper rushes Monday night, tell you that much against the Houston Texas.
Andy Holloway
Cooper Rush against Houston or Mac Jones.
Jason Moore
Against minutes against Detroit? I'd stick with Mac Jones. You're not going to be happy either way.
Andy Holloway
I stick with the poison you already got. Wow, what a. What a news segment. We got to take a break because we got more news to talk About. Did you want to add something, Mike?
Mike Wright
Oh, it's just we have more quarterback news.
Andy Holloway
Oh boy. Back in a minute. Want to shop Walmart Black Friday deals first. Walmart plus members get early access to our hottest deals. Join now and get 50% off a one year annual membership. Shop Black Friday deals first with Walmart Plus. See terms@walmartplus.com all right, on the other side of the break, I do want to ask you, do you think this is the right move with Richardson at this point? Yes, I kind of feel that way.
Jason Moore
Based on what we saw from Flacco. Like when Flacco came in and looked like he moved this offense, it was great. I understand making the move to Flacco. What we've seen since he was announced as the full time starter and given the opportunity to truly lead this team. I mean he was abysmal. It was weird too. It was like he wasn't let go of the ball when he always has. He just was holding on to it, getting sex. I. Yeah, I think, I think at this point, if you're not going to make the playoffs, let the young guy in.
Andy Holloway
The crazy thing is that, I mean he still threw for 272 yards last week. Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs all had okay games. All of a sudden that's off the table now it seems with Anthony Richardson, not that you can't start downs, it's just like Adonai Mitchell, like I'm going to go delete my waiver claim for him.
Mike Wright
Okay.
Jason Moore
Yeah, I mean Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce, I think those are still the types of players you can throw in a lineup and hope for a 50, 60 yard bomb from Anthony Richardson that you know they're boom, bust. But you don't expect a lot of passing yards. Anthony Richardson is never going to throw for 300 yards this season.
Andy Holloway
And they're playing the jets this week, is that right?
Jason Moore
Correct.
Andy Holloway
Mike, what's the other play? The news we got, we got Desmond Ritter starting, we got Richardson starting. What else we got? So.
Mike Wright
So appearing on a radio segment, Adam Schefter said, quote, I would guess that we don't see Daniel Jones play another down for the Giants. Schefter didn't bother to source the fantasy footballers. I understand, okay, that we were, this was us.
Jason Moore
We were talking about it yesterday.
Mike Wright
Yesterday. Because it is the clear and obvious decision that the Giants have to make. You can't risk Daniel Jones getting hurt and then owing him a bunch of money. If he can't clear a physical yeah.
Jason Moore
And if, I mean, Daniel Jones shaved his beard. So at that point you are Drew Locke. Drew Lock is Daniel Jones without a beard. So there's no growing beard. He should. He really, really should. But I doubt. I don't know if he can yet. So.
Andy Holloway
You ever googled Drew Locke face before?
Jason Moore
I. Oh, he's got some really good.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, he needs a beard. I'm looking at this guy.
Jason Moore
You put a beard on that, man, he could look better.
Andy Holloway
He needs a beard.
Jason Moore
Yeah. But yeah, so I don't think this makes a huge impact. I mean, you could play Daniel Jones for the rushing upside. You can't play Drew Locke. I presume that this will be pretty neutral for Malik Washington. Malik Neighbors. I don't think this is a definitely.
Andy Holloway
Neutral for Malik Washington.
Jason Moore
This move doesn't seem to be impacted. Impact. Malik Washington, who was the player that always came.
Andy Holloway
How does this affect Marlon Mack? Marlon Mack, yeah. Also neutral.
Jason Moore
Yeah. So, you know, I don't know if people are going to freak out and feel like Neighbors is dead. Neighbors hasn't been doing anything the last few weeks with Daniel Jones anyway.
Mike Wright
I think if anything you're like, oh.
Andy Holloway
Maybe, maybe there's a maybe.
Jason Moore
And that's where I say it's neutral because I doubt it gets much worse and I doubt it gets any better.
Andy Holloway
The Giants. The Giants are in trouble. For what it's worth, in the two games that Drew Lock started last year, completion percentage 71% and 67% through for 269 yards, 208 yards, three touchdowns, two picks, took six sacks. It's not Daniel Jones. Adam Thielen coming back off of injury off avenger reserve. He found his way off. Mike.
Jason Moore
They are on by no. But we will need to make a note to not again. Why did you wake me from my slumber? The next week waiver wire episode if you're needing a start. Adam Thielen with Deontay Johnson out and having enough time to recover, he's a sneaky guy that you could pick up off of waivers and play.
Mike Wright
I agree.
Andy Holloway
Out as in traded away, not just hurt.
Jason Moore
Correct.
Andy Holloway
Yeah. Najee Harris could be limited in practice due to an ankle injury. Expected to play on Sunday. Isaiah likely not seen practicing, missed last Thursday's game. I believe Andrews has four or five weeks in double digits right now.
Mike Wright
Mark Andrews is.
Andy Holloway
He is producing five touchdowns in five weeks.
Jason Moore
So he's been on a heater.
Andy Holloway
That was today's news and notes presented by USAA Insurance. Learn more at USAA.com insurance We'll preview the Thursday night game and get into that very important playoff primer.
Jason Moore
Thursday night.
Andy Holloway
Well, okay. Okay.
Jason Moore
Okay.
Andy Holloway
Washington seven and three, Philly seven and two.
Mike Wright
I'm concerned.
Andy Holloway
The DK sportsbook line, Philly minus three and a half. The over unders 48 and a half. This is a divisional battle. And your concern, Mike, I am guessing, is that Philly will smash them.
Mike Wright
No.
Andy Holloway
Okay.
Jason Moore
I'm guessing that you're concerned about the defense, Phillies defense.
Mike Wright
I'm concerned about both defenses.
Andy Holloway
For fantasy.
Mike Wright
Yes.
Jason Moore
Yeah. I mean, last year, this was a barn burner. These two games with Sam Howell were awesome. They were. Oh, rip. Yeah. But this Eagles defense, we've been saying it for a couple of weeks now, and I think everyone's caught up. They're great. They're really, really tough to play against right now. You adjust for schedule. They are literally top five. They're the only defense in the league that is top five against all positions of fantasy. Points given up to quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end. Last year, we were targeting the Eagles second.
Mike Wright
Yeah, it was great.
Jason Moore
I mean, you know, they were not good. So Cooper De Jean has made a big difference for this team. I believe that the actual defensive coordinator upgrade is massive. And so. And then the commander's defense has gotten a little bit better every week.
Andy Holloway
They are. I mean, he's. The commanders are eighth against quarterbacks over the last six weeks, fourth against whiteouts, and this week they add Marshawn Lattimore to the equation. So, yeah, you might not get the 34, 31, the 38, 31 games you got from last year, both up over 60 points, the over unders at 48 and a half. I mean, you do have nice. There's open options. You've got talent on both sides. But you're saying that the range of outcomes in this game go from, hey, we have the explosive game with the big performances, but it could also be, you know, Thursday night. It's tough for teams to turn around and play on Thursday night, especially if you're recovering from injuries or you get banged up. Execution seems to hit a lull sometimes on Thursday Night Football. And you've got two teams. Divisional battles in and of themselves can turn that direction.
Mike Wright
They can always go crazy. The as in like, just nothing happens. It's not, you know, it's not affecting who I'm starting. You know, Jaden, he's in. Jalen Hurts is in. You know, of course, Saquon, I mean, like, everybody on the. On the Philadelphia side is in, except for, you know, the look. Dallas Goddard was, he played. I think he caught it.
Andy Holloway
He scored.
Mike Wright
Yeah, he scored. But he was also limited. It was 63% of the snaps. There's only three targets for him. And then he was limited for Tuesday's practice. He concerns me. That's like, that's the only spot that over the past six weeks the Commanders have been a plus matchup for a position.
Jason Moore
So again, I'm certainly just playing Dallas Goddard.
Mike Wright
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Jason Moore
Dallas Goddard. They might, that might be where you can kind of attack the defense, but it would, you know, his, his breakout games were when Devontae smith got injured, A.J. brown was out and it was like, okay, it was clear how this was going to work out. I don't think Goddard has a lot of big fantasy games. What about when the wide receivers are there?
Mike Wright
So what about Brian Robinson who has been missing time due to injuries?
Andy Holloway
His injury situation is very frustrating for fantasy players because it's in, out, in, out, snip, snap and Eckler performs when he's not there.
Jason Moore
The hamstring injury has kept him out the past two weeks. Being on a short week, a limited participant in Tuesday's practice. I'm going to, I'm not playing him. I worry about re aggravation, I worry about bad performance against, you know, the number three run defense against running back. So with the injury, he's out. If he's in, then I'm not going to play Austin Eckler either. So this is one of those situations where if you want a running back to play, you're hoping Brian Robinson is out and then you can have Austin Eckler in kind of that flex caliber player. But of course, don't put Thursday night football players in your flex. Give yourself that flexibility for later in the week.
Andy Holloway
Other, I mean, Terry McLaurin, you're just going to start him because he's been so good.
Jason Moore
You have to, I mean you're going to start all these guys. And really it's one of those things where when I see prime time games, usually I view prime time games as great quarterbacks come through and I think you've got two great quarterbacks here. So hopefully they can overcome these tough defenses. But yeah, the range could be. I mean, I don't think we're getting the Lamar Burrow.
Mike Wright
I don't think so.
Jason Moore
I mean those two defenses, their secondaries are not good and the quarterbacks took advantage. Right now, I expect, you know, if I had to put a dollar on the over under, I'd probably put it on the under.
Andy Holloway
Who do you have to win the game.
Jason Moore
I've got the Eagles, Mike.
Mike Wright
Yeah, I'll take the Eagles.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, it seems like the right bet. All right, let's jump in.
Jason Moore
Playoff primer.
Andy Holloway
Well, just to remind you, some more names from last year that got you to title games that won you your league. Joe Flacco was one of those names. You could start him down the stretch. Maybe it'll be Drew Lock, Kyren Williams, James Connor. And the way he. Connor is so weird this year because. Well, we'll talk about him.
Jason Moore
Yeah, Connor every year.
Andy Holloway
But he normally finishes year strong and this year has just been.
Jason Moore
Well, it's tough because all the way through, in order for him to finish this year strong, he has to finish this year.
Andy Holloway
He has to play the whole year.
Jason Moore
And that's never happened. So something.
Andy Holloway
He also broke his rushing record last year. Like he is the Fred Jackson of this generation right now.
Jason Moore
Yeah, no, I agree. I mean he's. He is for two years in a row been a championship league winner.
Andy Holloway
You remember when Mari Cooper last year gave me 46 points against the guy in the middle, the bald guy in the middle of Deucers Alley.
Jason Moore
That was fun for you.
Andy Holloway
Did you feel every one of the 46 points?
Jason Moore
Papa Josh, dude, that was the worst.
Andy Holloway
He pooped on you. George Pickens also won people some titles last year.
Mike Wright
Going to do it again.
Andy Holloway
And David Najoku, we mentioned it. So we are looking at the best and worst schedules for every position. Let's start at quarterback.
Jason Moore
We are just for a point of clarification, we are using schedule adjusted metrics. That doesn't mean, you know, if it's not the team that has given up the most points to the quarterback position or whatever position, it's that we take a look at their opponents and what their opponents average and how much they have given up compared to their average and then rank those. We think it's a much more accurate schedule. And we're looking at the fantasy playoffs from week 15 through 17. If you're in a big larger league that starts early in week 14. A logger. Sorry, there's bi weeks in 14. Or if you go all the way to the final season, the final week of the season, which is dumb, change your league. That'll be 18. But all of the metrics we're bringing up on Today's episode are 15 through 17.
Andy Holloway
You want to join a big logger league with me, Mike Check. Yeah, we're in. Here's the quarterback schedules that I think are really interesting. One is Baker Mayfield, because he has been very, very good and will be getting Mike Evans back. And that is really, really a big deal with what they found from Kate Otten. Like, yes, you've missed Godwin, but you have discovered something with Kate Otten, I think. And this team gets Evans back. They play the Chargers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers for your three playoff weeks.
Jason Moore
All three of those are plus matchups for the quarterback position. You also have him, you know, on by right now where he gets to heal up his little toeski that's been bothering him. So him getting a little healthier getting Mike Evans back. I do think this stretch run, if you can acquire him for cheap, he will be a valuable option. If you don't have one of the studs like. And it's important that we make sure to not tell people when we say Baker's got a great schedule, I think he is worthy of winning a championship for sure. But that doesn't mean that someone who's got, you know, we're going to talk about the bad schedules too. Josh Allen has a bad schedule for the playoffs. I'm not going to trade Josh Allen for Baker Mayfield. I'm going to roll with the absolute studs. But, you know, we're going to, we're going to get into it. But context here and just use your brain.
Mike Wright
Yeah, yeah. And the. They're on. The Buccaneers are on the bi week.
Jason Moore
Correct, Correct.
Mike Wright
So I mean, if your quarterback situation is kind of in flux, drop it like it's hot. Man, look at that. Like coming off of the bad week last week, I think that there's a chance that Baker hits some waivers, so. Oh, I'm sorry.
Andy Holloway
Laser, Bo Nicks, Kyler Murray, Jordan Love are the three other names to highlight from our schedule. Adjusted strength to schedule for those playoff weeks. Bo Nicks has been. What I love about him is he has freedom in this Peyton offense to move around and find guys downfield. And it's, you know, in today's NFL, it's getting a little irritating to find guys that throw the ball down the field. I mean, we literally are having this discussion about Patrick Mahomes or Tua Tonga Bailoa in recent weeks. Whereas Bonix has been given freedom to escape the pocket. He looks a lot like. It's wild to say this. He looks a little bit like Stroud did last year. Stroud would escape the pocket with his eyes downfield and chuck it. And you want that.
Jason Moore
Except Bo Nicks actually takes off and runs sometimes and when he does, he gets chunk yardage.
Andy Holloway
Yeah. And Stroud probably completed more of the downfield pass. But Bo Nicks just pay attention. It's not that. That would be terrifying to me to go into the playoffs with Bo Nicks. As you're starting for three weeks, it doesn't mean you can't win.
Mike Wright
You have some weeks here to get that actual confidence.
Andy Holloway
Kyler Murray plays at home against New England.
Jason Moore
He's been awesome at home. Other he had one dud, but they dominated the game and beat the Bears at home. The Cardinals.
Mike Wright
Oh, the rushing touchdowns.
Jason Moore
Yeah, the Cardinals as a team have been playing excellent at home, which if you aren't familiar over the last several years they have sucked at home. So this is a nice change.
Andy Holloway
And then at Carolina, one of the worst teams against quarterbacks. Then at Los Angeles, controlled environment. You should pay attention to the weather at this time of year. But the Rams, you know, there's the potential for that to be a back and forth affairs and they're a plus matchup. So Kyler and then Jordan Love at.
Jason Moore
Seattle, this is the guy that I think is going to win the most championships based on schedule and health, the team and all of that at Seattle, which should be a very good back and forth fair. New Orleans in a controlled environment. Minnesota in a controlled environment. I really do think Jordan loves. I mean over those three weeks, I mean you could, you could see him throw 10 touchdowns easy.
Andy Holloway
Mike, talk to us about some of the worst quarterback schedules that are. People need to be aware of if you're planning on kind of writing one quarterback.
Mike Wright
So Jason mentioned it, but Josh Allen, it's. It's pretty tough. But he is of the guys we're going to talk about. He. It's fine. I'll just play Josh Allen. But Jared Goff has not performed as we hoped he would for fantasy. Nowhere close to what he was giving us last year. He's got three brutal matchups. Buffalo, Chicago and San Francisco.
Andy Holloway
The not winning titles this year, the.
Mike Wright
One that I think is like needs to be talked about and examined of just where we are because Joe Burrow is playing unbelievable. Like Joe Burrow is playing MVP caliber football right now. He's just crushing for fantasy football. Week one of the playoffs for him is on the road at Tennessee. It's an, it's an okay matchup. But that the Titans defense does show up. Yeah, they're very good from time to time. But then Cleveland and Denver, the Denver Broncos, it is at home, but it's the Denver Broncos and championship week that is going to be a, I think a very tough decision for People that, I mean, look, if you're, if you've been rolling with the Bengals, you don't like to see that the team that just held the surging Kansas City Chiefs, like it looked like Mahomes was back. He was not back in that game against the Denver Broncos.
Andy Holloway
Jason, other names that are worth surfacing.
Jason Moore
There, I certainly Echo Burrow. My fears of him are large. That week two against Cleveland, you know, last year against Cleveland, 181 and two the year prior, 82 yards and no touchdowns. Yeah, it scares me. And he's playing so good where he's one of those guys where maybe if you've got someone else, maybe you could trade him for Kyler plus or just, you know, something like that. I would, I would entertain it. But Sam Darnold is the name to me that people have done well with Darnold so far this season recently. And yeah, I mean, recently it's gotten a little bit worse. But Chicago in the first week of the playoffs, I don't think you get to the second week of the playoffs if you're playing Sam Darnold. So that's, that's my issue is, you know, some of these guys, I look more towards the first and maybe second week of the playoffs to just be like, you know, again, just like you got to make the playoffs to get there. It doesn't matter how great your championship matchup is if you don't get there. Worry more about, you know, week 15 to me.
Andy Holloway
You did mention, like, you're not going to bench Josh Allen to go play Baker Mayfield or go trade for Baker Mayfield. Are you willing to move Allen with the knowledge of these matchups for the guy that you, you know, Jordan Love? If it means you're going to add.
Jason Moore
To your team, I would, yes. I would only do that. Only do that in the situation where I'm adding a lot to my team. If it's Jordan Love plus a really impactful, you know, high end running back, okay, now I'm willing to take that on or Kyler plus a really impactful asset, okay? But I'm not, I would not move from Josh Allen to Kyler or Jordan Love. And then you've got guys like golf, Geno Smith and Patrick Mahomes who bad playoff schedules, don't, don't play them.
Andy Holloway
But yeah, yeah, it makes sense. If you look at running backs now, the juiciest schedules are some of these guys that have already gotten you to this point, which is kind of nice, right? Gibbs Montgomery, they faced the 31st, 22nd and 18th best running defenses. All plus matchups. Kyren. All plus matchups. And then you talk about focusing on the first two weeks. It doesn't get better than James Connors. New England at home, where Connor's been great. Caroline on the road, dead last against the run.
Jason Moore
The only team that I think might compete with that is Bijon Robinson and the Falcons. The first two weeks you've got against the Las Vegas raiders who are 28th. I mean, that's.
Mike Wright
They're starting Desmond Ritter.
Jason Moore
That's a great matchup for B. John. And then the next week is the New York Giants. And while the Giants defense, they've got a. They've got a great front right now, they're still 25th. It's scheduled. Justin against running backs. But I do expect they might towards the end of the season start to start letting some of their players get healthy. You know what I mean? Start letting little tiny tweaks in the hamstring be like, do you feel that? No, I'm fine. You felt that. You are going. You sit it down. We got a draft pick to achieve. So I love B. John's and James Conner's schedules and the Lions, man, those are great.
Andy Holloway
You need to pick up Benson and Algier if you have Bijon and Connor because you are promising yourself that schedule. That's what's beautiful about this juncture of the season in trading for an insurance pack.
Jason Moore
Yeah, we've talked about it for. I mentioned it a couple weeks ago, the stretch run for the jets run game. Breeze Hall, I don't trust him, but he's got a great schedule for the matchups. He's got Jacksonville and Buffalo in those three playoff weeks, if he is any. I mean, I'm just so scarred by Breece Hall.
Andy Holloway
I'm gonna say you're talking with a different.
Jason Moore
Yeah, you. I mean, he's.
Andy Holloway
There's less air in your lungs when you speak of him right now.
Jason Moore
Last year in our dynasty league, I believe I had a playoff week where Breeze hall and Bijon combined. Oh yeah, four fantasy points.
Andy Holloway
And when that happens, did you end up winning?
Jason Moore
I did not end up winning that week, but thankfully they did bounce back to an awesome game the next week when it didn't matter and I wasn't in. So I don't know. I'm sick of Breeze Hall.
Andy Holloway
Gun shy.
Jason Moore
Yeah, it's just personal.
Andy Holloway
Pretty nice schedule for Saquon, Aaron Jones, Josh Jacobs, who I feel like Jacobs is just sailing through the season. Kind of like not making headlines. Not a bust alert. But Just cruising through the year.
Jason Moore
That's because he hasn't had touchdowns. I mean he has had three touchdowns on the course of the season. Four if you include the receiving game.
Andy Holloway
So running backs that have terrible schedules for the playoffs, they're actually names that are not in the auto start category, at least several of them. So like Najee Harris and Jalen Warren have a terrible run. Deandre Swift, terrible first two games, maybe the worst. Minnesota to Detroit and not a lot of confidence in Swift being a special player, able to overcome that. And then people expecting and excited for Isaiah Pacheco's return has to face Cleveland and Houston. Cleveland on the road, Houston, then at home. That seems concerning where all three of those guys are in the.
Jason Moore
Yeah, I mean Kareem Hunt's done and Isaiah Pacheco is not someone you're going to want to start this. This Kareem Hunt is going to continue to get you towards the playoffs, but you have to have a backup plan. And that backup plan is not going to be Isaiah Pacheco because I do not believe for one second, like I was kind of pounding the table that when Christian McCaffrey comes back, he's just going to get it all. Because that's Kyle Shanahan's system. When Isaiah Pacheco comes back, he is not getting it at all. This is a player coming back off of a broken leg that they want for the playoffs. Kareem Hunt has been more than serviceable. They're going to bring Isaiah Pacheco back, have it be a rotation. I don't doubt that Isaiah Pacheco takes over in the playoffs, but not your fantasy playoffs. So I do think if you're, if you're riding hot with cream Hunt, make plans, find other even if it's those insurance backs that we were just mentioning. You know, grab Cam Akers, Tyler Algier, Trey Benson, Braylon Allen and hope that by the time the playoffs come, one of those guys is a starter.
Andy Holloway
Mike, talk to me about the Dolphins situation because sure, you know, most are suddenly doesn't get a carry. The schedule's tough. Houston, San Francisco, Cleveland. Achan's the guy but Jalen Wright's being worked in and the offense doesn't look normal. Is this is their schedule, their playoff schedule enough to get you it's not. No, I'm not pivot a chan at all.
Mike Wright
I'm not going to move off of hn pass catching running backs.
Andy Holloway
That's it.
Mike Wright
I'm not as concerned. And while it was only 15 yards this past week for Achan, it was. He caught all five targets and they just. They have some time here over the next couple of weeks to figure it out before I would have any kind of concern for him.
Jason Moore
The.
Mike Wright
Where are you at with Joe Mixon, though, of week one is Miami. That's fine, but I'm fine. You're fine?
Jason Moore
I'm fine.
Mike Wright
He's on the road against Kansas City.
Jason Moore
They're the number one. I mean, that is the literal worst matchup you can have. And I do not expect Joe Mixon to win you your week. I do fully expect Joe Mixon to be near 10 fantasy points and be fine. I mean, he's not someone I'm moving off of it all. He's just so integral to that team. We just saw him in a tough matchup where he got 25 carries, did nothing with it. He didn't get 50 yards, if my memory serves. I mean, if that's the case and they're still giving him that 25th carry, I'm not worried about that.
Andy Holloway
He's still at a top ten week.
Jason Moore
Tyrone Tracy. Okay, that's someone that I would be scared of. Bad schedule coming up. Not a lot of investment. Team's going to be phoning it in, you know, hard. You know, Baltimore, Atlanta, two tough matchups to start, but no Joe Mixon. No, I'm not scared.
Andy Holloway
Well, let's take a break. We'll get into wide receivers and tight end schedules. The tight ends in particular, big role last year in winning new titles. Be right back. Well, there are. There are some really juicy wide receiver schedules. When you talk about the playoff weeks, it's hard not to look at Calvin Ridley right now. I agree and say, well, is this. Did it just take a few weeks, a trade of Hopkins? It makes sense that it would. You know, just joining this team didn't. Levis has been hurt, but Calvin Ridley's schedule is amazing. Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Jacksonville.
Jason Moore
Outside of Baltimore, maybe Minnesota. I can't think of three matchups that I would. And they're all three. I mean, Cincinnati is going to score points on you and they don't have a good secondary. Jacksonville and Indianapolis, their defenses are so bad. Calvin Ridley, I know he got off to a really hard start, but he should have a great stretch run. He's been good every single week. Without Hopkins, I would be buying in. I would be buying in for the stretch run.
Mike Wright
Since the bye week, he is receiving a 32% target share, and that includes a 39% target share this first week of Will Levis back. You know, we had the. Of course, you should have a little bit of concern when Mason Rudolph has unlocking Calvin Ridley.
Andy Holloway
And then so the schedule for Levis is equally great. Just till you know it's not just the wide receivers. Obviously those are correlated, but Levis should be able to get some things done in this stretch.
Mike Wright
Yeah. For Calvin Ridley.
Andy Holloway
For Calvin Ridley, yes. Very. To be clear, I just want it to be, you know, it's not something that he has to overcome. Great quarterback defenses is what I'm saying. Malik neighbors. That one's tough because you're probably just going to keep playing Malik neighbors the rest of season. It's Baltimore, Atlanta, Indianapolis. Just what quarterback does he have?
Jason Moore
I think you're just happy about it. You're just happy that, you know, I just brought up.
Andy Holloway
It's not actionable. You're just happy.
Jason Moore
Tyrone Tracy has tough matchups when running backs have tough matchups. And the last year for Dak and cd, the reason we loved it wasn't just because they had good matchups. Yay. But they had the specific matchups where you can't run against them. There are past funnel defenses where you are forced to throw the ball on purpose, schematically or based on the personnel across the. Those are the best targets. That's why I love Baltimore. You're not running on Baltimore. Minnesota. You're not running on Minnesota very easily, either one of those. But you can pass the balls ball on them. So Malik Neighbors are going to start no matter what. So it's just. This is just good news. This is just like a cherry on top. Congratulations. You might have him back to, you know, he might have the best bread of a sandwich season of all time. You know what I mean? Get us off that hot start. The first three weeks. Yeah. Brings you, you know, an inside out Oreo. Your fingers are going to be sticky, but it's a lot of delicious cream.
Mike Wright
Have they done that yet?
Jason Moore
I hope not.
Andy Holloway
You'd already nailed the analogy and you jumped in on a new one.
Jason Moore
Just unnecessary.
Andy Holloway
Keep laying it on.
Jason Moore
Yeah.
Mike Wright
But now we got to talk to Nabisco.
Andy Holloway
Inside out Oreos. I can't believe that hasn't happened.
Jason Moore
I think there's a problem.
Andy Holloway
Or the Big Mac. Have they done the Big Mac? The Big Mac double stuff Oreo.
Mike Wright
Oh. Where there's an extra cooking in the middle.
Jason Moore
Oh, I'm sure they've done that.
Andy Holloway
I feel like a Big Mac because that's like a quattro stuff, right?
Jason Moore
Well, if it's a double stuff, it's a quattro Stuff. Because you got two stuff.
Andy Holloway
Yes, yes.
Mike Wright
That little cookie be checking in about 650 calories.
Andy Holloway
That little guy. Okay, so how do they pack it all in? Talked about, neighbors talked about. Ridley, the Packers.
Mike Wright
Yep.
Andy Holloway
Obviously, we talked about.
Jason Moore
Yeah, they really not made a Big Mac style Oreo. I mean, Oreo's made like a. Every style of mashed McDonald's.
Andy Holloway
Like fish. Have they, like, patented anything made from the same form?
Mike Wright
No one puts an extra cookie layer in.
Andy Holloway
In between Jaden Reed. And then by extension, I would say if someone gets hurt in that wide receiver core, then you can move to the Dobbs Wicks. Watson.
Jason Moore
Yeah. There will be players on waivers right now that win championships, and that could be Christian Watson. You know, he's. He's stunk this year, but he is, I think, a talented athlete in a great offense with great matchups. Those types of players are worth picking up and stashing in hopes that they catch fire. Not every player can catch fire fire, but we know we've seen Christian Watson. Watson catch fire for a month. Words are hard.
Mike Wright
Oh, man, you.
Andy Holloway
You got me. You got me good. I was just taking a quick look at the waiver wire, and Audric estimate went for a sweet $36 of fab. That's. That's a lot. That's a lot of cheddar.
Mike Wright
It's a lot of cheese.
Andy Holloway
I also knew that yesterday if we. If I mentioned that I had a bid in on Tampa Bay, I would be sacrificing Tampa Bay. I knew it instantly, and I knew for a fact that Al Borland would go at that moment and place a bid. And I am guessing that's what happened. That is exactly what happened. Yeah. So for those of you out there that think, did I get him?
Mike Wright
No, you didn't.
Andy Holloway
You didn't. But you outbid me by a lot. And I knew that you would. And I knew that by saying it on this show, I would be sacrificing Tampa Bay. And I did it for you. Foot Clan.
Mike Wright
What a hero.
Andy Holloway
What a hero. Cortland Sutton has a great schedule pairing with the Bo Nick schedule. Sutton could be a league winner. That is the name that sticks out as every year there's a few. Really. And that one, you know, Sutton's been playing so well the last, you know, five weeks. He has had four really good performances. He's on pace for almost 1200 yards and seven touchdowns, 85 catches, 122 targets in that stretch. It's been really good for Cortland Sutton. Like Cortland Sutton's having a number seven overall week without a touchdown. That didn't happen before and that happened two weeks ago. So Garrett Wilson, Devonte Adams, great first two weeks if you want to look at those. The Chiefs with Hopkins and eventually juju because Xavier Worthy is not involved. And then Tyree Kale if he can get it going.
Mike Wright
Yeah, there's.
Andy Holloway
There's a nice, you know, there's a three week stretch. That's okay.
Mike Wright
Yeah, they got the sandwich.
Jason Moore
Andy.
Andy Holloway
Yeah.
Jason Moore
Did you add Marquez Valdez Scantling in the league of record on waivers apparently. I just want that public record. I want that known and I want that shame to be felt. We can move on.
Andy Holloway
I spent. No. I spent no. Fab.
Mike Wright
Yeah, it makes sense.
Andy Holloway
I. Ironically, I had Adnai Mitchell ahead of him, but flip flopped them with the Richardson news.
Jason Moore
Don't worry, you got both.
Andy Holloway
Oh, I did.
Jason Moore
Yeah. Congrats.
Andy Holloway
I've got to drop one though because I got to move Nico Collins. Okay, let's talk about bad schedules for wide receivers and whether you'd move those players. Now the panic in the streets for Josh Downs, Pittman, Adnai Mitchell and Companies.
Jason Moore
I mean, the schedule was irrelevant. I was already panicking when the quarterback move got made, so. No, I mean you're not going to start those guys.
Andy Holloway
Brian Thomas Jr.
Jason Moore
Seems like huge panic in the streets for me.
Andy Holloway
I mean, he already was panicking. The schedule's awful.
Jason Moore
Yeah, I don't, I don't think. I mean, Trevor Lawrence, to his absolute credit, will 100% play through hardcore injuries. This guy will be on the. He is not one of those players that wants to take plays off, take games off. That being said, they're not winning ball games and they're not going to win ball games with Mac Jones and rushing him back from a. You know, it's unwise. He probably shouldn't come back. If he doesn't, Brian Thomas junior's toast. But if he. Even if he comes back, the jets, it's really tough. You know, that's. That's your first entry into the playoffs. I don't like that.
Andy Holloway
Metcalf, tough schedule. Not the end of the world.
Mike Wright
No, I'm okay with.
Andy Holloway
We talked about Burrows. So obviously Jamar Chase, it's not lining up for Chase and Higgins as well as it could be. But you don't bench those guys.
Jason Moore
No. You're just sad. I mean, the question is, do you look to, you know, move any of those guys? Do you look to take someone like Jamar Chase and try to get Nico plus something or you know, and I.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, I mean, that's a good point. You could, you could make that pivot, but I wouldn't. With Chase, no Cup and Nakua, I said they have the worst schedule. Not just. They don't just have a bad playoff schedule, which it is bad at San Francisco, at New York, like two road games. Stafford traveling to play outdoors somewhere else at that time of year against top tier past defenses. It's concerning. And then he goes to Arizona. But those first two weeks, it does concern me. It seems like I had two trains of thought when I thought about the Cooper cup or the Pukinakua trade for CD Lamb that led me out of it. But one was just, they'll be fine no matter what. Like these guys just, they're going to be fine because they, you know, they're the only options. They can have good games when Stafford sucks. But knowing that it's the worst schedule, not just in the playoffs, but here on out, like it's going to be. They've got to put it together in consecutive weeks here on out. That gave me hesitation. Do you care at all, Mike, about those matchups?
Mike Wright
Personally, I don't. Just like the way that Puka is being targeted right now is absolutely outrageous. I mean, maybe it concerns me a little bit for Cooper Cup. He doesn't look like Cooper cup, at least to me. I mean, fantasy wise, it's been fine, you know. Wide receiver nine, wide receiver 20. But he just, he, despite playing the whole game, I don't know, he looks a little slow to me. So he needs to recover. But Puka, I'm not worried about at all.
Andy Holloway
Tight ends. Jason, you talked about Hawkinson, but here's some comfort. McBride, an incredible schedule to end the year.
Mike Wright
Get this man some touchdowns.
Andy Holloway
They keep trying, Mike. Every week they keep trying and something goes wrong. They tried again every week they've gone to him. I think this might be the most open secret on the sideline of the Cardinals. Like they know that he doesn't have one.
Mike Wright
Did you know that?
Andy Holloway
But it has to come naturally.
Mike Wright
Trey McBride is the tight end three and he's the tight end three in points per game. He is the tight end three in points per Game and has zero receiving touchdowns.
Jason Moore
That's crazy. He does have two touchdowns on the season, one a fumble recovery, one a rushing attempt. But that is absurd. He's been great. The schedule is great. I brought up TJ Hawkinson, but all three are incredible. Incredibly good. Plus matchups for the tight end position specifically. I love like Chicago. I hate playing Wide receivers against them, they're going to. They're going to need Hawkinson, like, as a perfect matchup in the sense that you've got your guys focused on Justin Jefferson. They're vulnerable at the tight end position. Then Seattle and Green Bay, who are worse than 25th against tight end. But pairing with Jordan Love and tight end, you know, when you look at schedules and you're saying, who's got a good one, who's got a bad one? When it comes to running backs and wide receivers, I don't overdo it. I don't. If you've got a great option, I don't care. You know, it's like right now you might look at Cleveland and say, oh, they've got a. They've got a bad secondary. They give up a lot of points to wide receivers. No, they don't. They give up a ton to Jamar Chase before that game. You know, that's kind of screwing up a bunch of the metrics. Jamar Chase can be good against anyone. But with tight ends, there are literal schemes that. That's where you beat the team. And when you find.
Andy Holloway
Because they're willing to. The defenses are willing to accept it.
Jason Moore
They're either willing to accept it or they just don't happen to have the linebacker personnel to cover a tight end. And so if you're a good offensive mind, you go, oh, I'm going to exploit the matchup play. And it happens over and over and over. That's where Tucker Kraft, I think, is interesting for a playoff run. Same with David and Joku. Those two guys have really good entries into the fantasy playoffs.
Andy Holloway
Other names, I mean, the only other.
Jason Moore
Name is Brock Bowers. Who.
Andy Holloway
Yeah, you should probably play him.
Jason Moore
Yeah, you're going to play anyways. But it's just. It's like neighbors. You're just happy that you've got a good schedule.
Andy Holloway
Kelsey Andrews, not picture perfect.
Mike Wright
The Kelsey one. I. That's fine. I'll let that ride. The targets will be there. The Ravens and the Bills one that's a little sketchier.
Andy Holloway
So Kincaid and Andrews.
Mike Wright
Yeah, like the Bills one for sure. I like. I think we're kind of. We're kind of as a show out on. Is Dalton Kincaid going to be a difference maker? He's fine if you need a couple points at the tight end position. But the. What you were hoping for, I really don't think that's going to be there. And then Mark Andrews is. Do like. Does the usage continue? Because if Mark Andrews is actually allowed to run his full Allotment of routes which it had been trending up and then with Isaiah likely out, it was, oh, holy crap, it's all Mark Andrews all the time. Will like, does that go back down? Because if Mark Andrews is playing his allotment of snaps and routes, then I do not care about this guy.
Jason Moore
No. And I don't believe he will. I think when Isaiah likely comes back, you're going to see a player go back to, you know, he was, he.
Mike Wright
Was playing, but he was already on the rise. So it's like, what is, what is the truth about how many routes Mark Andrews will be running? I don't think we'll have that information for a while.
Andy Holloway
The touchdowns I don't think have been prolific right now. Like, you know, he's averaging one a game.
Jason Moore
And you don't need to benchmark Andrews because even if Isaiah likely is back and you get a 50% snap rate, you can still get a touchdown with Andrews. That's, that's fine. But I'm just saying I don't think you're going to see these good volume games that he's also been adding with likely missing. So I, you know, Mark Andrews is just a fine play. Dalton Kokaid is. I will not play.
Andy Holloway
Defensive schedules. We've mentioned Cincinnati, they play Tennessee, Cleveland, Denver to end the year. Specifically, let's look at those first two. Those are kind of the best of the best. The Colts play Denver, Tennessee. I don't love them on the road at Denver and I don't love the Colts defense. The packers, there you go. Seattle, New Orleans and the packers, they, they're a good defense. Tampa Bay plays the Chargers in la. I don't think that's a great matchup, honestly. But then they play Dallas Carolina.
Jason Moore
I think Falcons, the Falcons are the team you need to pick up. You'll need someone else for championship week because in championship week they play against the Commanders and Jaden Daniels and that might not, that might not be good. But right now they're opening to the playoffs. Are the Las Vegas Raiders with who knows who at quarterback?
Mike Wright
Right?
Jason Moore
Ritter?
Mike Wright
Who cares? They're all good.
Jason Moore
And then the New York Giants with who knows, you know, is Drew Locke the quarterback? Those are great entries into the play.
Andy Holloway
I like it. I like the Cardinals. I like the Cardinals at home against New England. Cardinals right now are middle of the pack to just above in points against and in defensive performance. And then Carolina, I mean, maybe you, maybe you pivot on the road against la, but they could be LA depending on their juncture of the season, you know, maybe not as much on the, on the line. I like Arizona.
Jason Moore
I like Arizona as well. I just don't think that they have as many playmakers. Like, they're, they're doing a very good job of team defense. But if I had to choose between the Cardinals and the Falcons, you know, I'm going to take Matthew Judon and the chance of just real big defensive.
Mike Wright
Plays and then just combo, like combo with the Buccaneers. You know, we. Not at this point, I'm not carrying two DSTs, but as you get closer to the playoffs, it's pretty common for my teams. You know, I've got my insurance running backs, I've got the couple depth pieces I need and then I'll roster the two DSTs. Because if you can go through with you pair the Falcons and then Championship week, you throw the Bucs in against the Panthers at home. That's. That seems like a good strat right now.
Andy Holloway
The Saints and Dolphins defenses specifically for championship week should be considered Las Vegas and Cleveland. So those are pairing defenses with maybe the Cardinals, maybe the Falcons.
Jason Moore
The Saints play Dolphins for sure.
Mike Wright
Dolphins I'd be open to.
Andy Holloway
Well, the Saints play Las Vegas.
Mike Wright
I know.
Andy Holloway
And they're at home.
Jason Moore
You want to know the grossest thing?
Mike Wright
Yeah.
Jason Moore
So I'm looking, I'm looking at just championship week, the schedule adjusted, who are the matchups to target, right. And then you look over and you go, well, okay, so who am I picking up? And you were hoping it's a good defense. The Dolphins, great. They are literally playing against the number one team to play against. But if you look down the list, the rest of them is the Saints, bad defense. Jaguars, bad defense, Colts, bad defense. So it's like dad Gummet, the Chargers, you could pick up the Chargers. They're going to get the New England Patriots for championship week.
Andy Holloway
And then we're getting towards the end here. And I want to remind everybody that there'll be an article that highlights all of the player primer information and you'll see the charts on it and go to the website, the fantasy footballers.com to see it. But here are the teams I want to highlight really quickly. On the bad side of the defense is because you're probably riding these teams all the way to the playoffs, but you probably don't want to play the Lions or the Bills against the Lions and Bills. Right. Like they're playing each other in week one of the playoffs. That's risky. The Eagles have to face Pittsburgh and Washington. You might just ride that. But it's also slightly risky.
Jason Moore
We'll learn a lot.
Andy Holloway
Not good matchups. So keep those are the three the Bills, Lions and Eagles that I think people will ride all the way into the playoffs, but then maybe needs to make sure they have a plan. And the Steelers might be in that category too, because they got to play Philadelphia in Philadelphia in week one of the playoffs. That's concerning to me. So that's the teams that I care about on the bad side of it, because you're not. You're not trying to play a bad defense, but you might accidentally play a good defense in a really bad matchup. So that's one to pay attention to. So there you go. There'll be the article will be up on the website if you want to look at the strength of schedule tool. We let you break it down by playoff weeks. We let you break it down by last five, whatever, you know, sample size you want. That's part of the tools@jointhefoot.com it's updated weekly. You get schedule adjusted or fantasy points against we focused on schedule adjusted, but if you want to go look at the best performers and just sheer points against numbers, you can do that. And again, that's not only on the website@jointhefoot.com but it's in our app, the Fantasy Footballers in Season app, which you can find on iOS and Android. That'll do it for today's episode of the Show Starts the Week, matchups tomorrow, matchups on Friday, Wheel of Shame and a whole lot more. We'll figure out what strange coaching decisions people make tomorrow morning on the show.
Mike Wright
It's always a good time.
Andy Holloway
That'll be fun.
Mike Wright
Goodbye everybody.
Jason Moore
Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on TwitterFFballers.
Episode: Playoff Primer + Trade Targets & League Winners - Fantasy Football Podcast for 11/13
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Date: November 13th
Duration: 71:08
Knowledge Cutoff: 2023-10
The episode kicks off with a warm welcome from the hosts as they acknowledge their loyal listeners, known as the "foot clan," and emphasize the significance of Week 11, marking the approach to the fantasy football playoffs.
Andy Holloway [00:36]:
"Welcome to week 11 as we venture into the near playoff territory."
Jason Moore introduces the "Playoff Primer," highlighting its purpose to transition fantasy players from the regular season towards playoff success. The hosts discuss the unpredictability of playoff outcomes despite strong regular-season performances.
Jason Moore [01:18]:
"This is a show that helps take people from playing fantasy football heading towards the playoffs and turns them into championship winners."
Andy Holloway elaborates on the challenges of head-to-head matchups in playoffs, where even excellent teams on paper can falter due to one bad week.
Andy Holloway [01:40]:
"You can put the best team together and then just lose."
In the "Hungry for More" segment, Jason Moore spotlights T.J. Hawkinson of the Minnesota Vikings, emphasizing his resurgence and potential impact in the playoffs.
Jason Moore [06:34]:
"I'm hungry for more of TJ Hawkinson... he's going to be one of those players that can help take people to championships."
Andy and Mike agree on Hawkinson's importance, noting his increased targets and involvement in the Vikings' passing game.
Andy Holloway [07:57]:
"Hawkinson looked great this past week. He looked great. He looked right back into the flow of what made him great."
The hosts transition to the "News and Notes" segment, presenting recent NFL updates relevant to fantasy managers. Key highlights include:
George Kittle's Injury: Injury status updates from the 49ers' head coach Kyle Shanahan regarding tight end George Kittle.
Andy Holloway [16:15]:
"49Ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said George Kittle left Sunday's game with, quote, hamstring irritation that will be monitored through the week."
Trade Discussions: Jason Moore discusses a significant trade involving Nico Collins, opting to trade him for a pick swap and C.J. Lamb to bolster his team's future prospects.
Jason Moore [19:19]:
"I traded Nico Collins for a pick swap in my favor and C.J. Lamb to play. It's a hedge bet... Nico was the number one wide receiver."
Quarterback Movements: Updates on quarterback changes, including the Colts promoting Anthony Richardson back to starter and critiques of Joe Flacco's performance.
Mike Wright [23:03]:
"The Colts are promoting second string quarterback Anthony Richardson back to being the starter."
The core of the episode delves into analyzing the best and worst schedules for each fantasy position during the playoff weeks (Weeks 15-17). The hosts utilize schedule-adjusted metrics to provide a more accurate assessment.
Best Playoff Schedules:
Baker Mayfield (Baltimore Ravens):
Receives the support of Mike Evans and faces favorable defenses like the Chargers, Cowboys, and Panthers.
Jason Moore [38:40]:
"Baker's got a great schedule... he's worthy of winning a championship for sure."
Bo Nicks (Peyton Manning's Offense):
Offers mobility and downfield passing, resembling last year's performance akin to the escape artistry of Bryce Stroud.
Andy Holloway [38:40]:
"Bo Nicks has freedom in this Peyton offense to move around and find guys downfield."
Worst Playoff Schedules:
Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills):
Despite high performance, faces tough defenses that could hamper fantasy output.
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals):
Excellent performance but encounters strong defenses like Tennessee and Denver in crucial weeks.
Best Playoff Schedules:
Bijon Robinson (Atlanta Falcons):
Faces defenses ranked 28th, 22nd, and 18th against running backs, presenting prime opportunities for fantasy points.
James Conner (Pittsburgh Steelers):
Scheduled to play against New England at home and Carolina, both favorable matchups.
Worst Playoff Schedules:
Deandre Swift (Detroit Lions):
Faces formidable defenses in Cleveland and Houston, limiting his fantasy potential.
Isaiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs):
Expected to struggle against tough defensive matchups in the playoffs.
Best Playoff Schedules:
Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars):
Faces Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville—teams with weak defensive secondaries.
Jason Moore [52:09]:
"Calvin Ridley should have a great stretch run. He's been good every single week."
Worst Playoff Schedules:
Best Playoff Schedules:
T.J. Hawkinson (Minnesota Vikings):
Continued focus and favorable matchups make him a key asset.
Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals):
Faces weak defenses against tight ends, increasing his touchdown potential.
Jason Moore [63:46]:
"Mark Andrews is just a fine play... I think I'm going to take Baxter in a playoff run."
Worst Playoff Schedules:
The hosts discuss strategic trades and waiver wire pickups to strengthen teams heading into the playoffs. Key points include:
Desmond Ritchie (Raiders):
Viewed skeptically by some hosts, with debates on his starting potential.
Mike Wright [17:58]:
"I will not tolerate any toxic group think against Desmond Ritter in this podcast."
Cooper Rush vs. Mac Jones:
A debated choice based on upcoming matchups, with mixed opinions on reliability.
Andy Holloway [25:28]:
"Cooper Rush against Houston or Mac Jones against Detroit? I'd stick with Mac Jones."
Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers):
A potential waiver wire gem with high upside despite current underperformance.
Jason Moore [55:14]:
"Christian Watson is worth picking up and stashing in hopes that they catch fire."
Understanding defensive schedules is crucial for fantasy managers to optimize their lineup choices during the playoffs.
Best Defensive Matchups:
Arizona Cardinals Defense:
Faces New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Rams—teams with varying offensive efficiencies.
Chicago Bears Defense:
Pairs against teams with exploitable tight end schemes, enhancing fantasy value for tight ends like Trey McBride.
Worst Defensive Matchups:
Buffalo Bills Defense:
Although strong, their playoff schedule poses challenges against high-powered offenses.
Detroit Lions Defense:
Faces diverse offensive threats, making it a tough matchup for any fantasy lineup.
Throughout the episode, the hosts provide insightful and sometimes humorous remarks, underscoring key points:
Jason Moore [04:31]:
"It's never happened once. And then once you're there, I'd focus on rabbit's feet. Four leaf clovers. Voodoo dolls."
Andy Holloway [12:26]:
"A player's coach. But he's detail oriented too."
Jason Moore [65:37]:
"Mark Andrews is just a fine play... but I don't think you're going to see these good volume games that he's also been adding with likely missing."
The episode wraps up with an invitation to listeners to access comprehensive player primer articles and charts on the Fantasy Footballers website. The hosts reiterate the importance of leveraging tools like the Strength of Schedule and Schedule Adjusted Metrics to gain a competitive edge in the fantasy playoffs.
Andy Holloway [69:40]:
"There'll be the article will be up on the website... it's updated weekly. You get schedule adjusted or fantasy points against... it's in our app, the Fantasy Footballers in Season app."
Listeners are encouraged to join the community at jointhefoot.com and utilize their premium tools for optimal fantasy performance.
For a deeper dive into player schedules and tailored recommendations, visit Fantasy Footballers and explore their extensive range of resources.