Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "Pump the Brakes, Playoff Q's + Breaking Wentz News"
Release Date: December 12, 2018
Introduction
In this episode of The Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into critical fantasy football strategies as the playoffs approach. The discussion is rich with expert analysis, player evaluations, and listener interactions, providing invaluable insights for fantasy managers striving to secure playoff victories.
Pump the Brakes: Key Player Evaluations
Derek Henry: Andy Holloway initiates the "Pump the Brakes" segment by scrutinizing Derrick Henry's recent performance. After 16 consecutive games with underwhelming rushing yards, Henry delivers an exceptional game with 217 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
- Andy Holloway (06:07): "Derek Henry is not going to do this unless he has found a very, very special illegal substance."
Holloway suggests that such a performance is atypical for Henry and advises caution, although recognizing his potential to rebound with touchdowns.
Kenyon Drake: Jason Moore shifts focus to Kenyon Drake, highlighting his inconsistency due to injuries and limited usage by the Miami Dolphins. Despite Drake’s talent, his fluctuating carry counts (ranging from 5 to 20) make him a high-risk, high-reward option.
- Jason Moore (07:05): "I just don't see a world where he has more than 60 yards."
Moore advises favoring more reliable players over Drake in playoff settings to avoid unnecessary risks.
News and Updates
Melvin Gordon Injury Update: A significant portion of the episode centers on Melvin Gordon's injury status. Gordon has limited practice participation, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming game.
- Andy Holloway (11:08): "Melvin Gordon says he is feeling much better and expects to be a game-time call on Thursday night."
Impact on Justin Jackson: Jason Moore discusses the dilemma fantasy managers face regarding Justin Jackson's lineup placement if Gordon returns.
- Jason Moore (12:02): "If Melvin Gordon is active, Justin Jackson should not be. And I don't believe Austin Eckler is going to play this week."
Moore concludes that Gordon should be prioritized over Jackson, given the uncertainty surrounding Jackson’s production and availability.
C.J. Anderson Waived by Raiders: The waiver of C.J. Anderson by the Raiders is covered, noting his pursuit of career longevity amid dwindling opportunities.
Vikings Offensive Coordinator Firing
The hosts express confusion over the Minnesota Vikings' decision to fire offensive coordinator John DeFilippo mid-season. Despite significant investments in players like Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Stefan Diggs, the team’s performance has been disappointing.
- Andy Holloway (17:03): "It doesn't make any sense. You don't give a head coaching job to a guy that was just fired midway through the season last year."
Both hosts agree that this move destabilizes the team’s offensive strategy, raising concerns for fantasy managers relying on Vikings' offensive players.
Mailbag: Listener Questions and Advice
Adrian Peterson as a Startable Play: Listener Stephen from Severna Park, Maryland, inquires about Adrian Peterson's viability in fantasy lineups.
- Jason Moore (28:26): "I think Adrian Peterson is a guy that you're going to have a really hard time."
Both hosts recommend benching Peterson in favor of more reliable options like Derek Henry, emphasizing the diminishing returns from Peterson’s limited usage.
Trusting James Conner: Brian Wentworth asks if James Conner can be trusted if he’s active.
- Jason Moore (30:31): "I would play James Conner if he's active."
Hosts advocate for playing Conner over less dependable backs like Gus Edwards, given the reliance on Conner’s performance if he’s available.
Hanging Out with NFL Players: A fun segment where listeners ask which NFL player the hosts would like to hang out with. Andy opts for J.J. Watt, while Jason prefers George Kittle for his fantasy insights.
Thursday Night Preview: Tyreek Hill vs. Travis Kelce
The hosts analyze the Thursday night matchup featuring Tyreek Hill against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tyreek Hill’s Performance: Andy Holloway praises Hill’s performance despite his team struggling.
- Andy Holloway (45:26): "Tyreek Hill is a much better road player than a home player."
Jason Moore is skeptical about Hill’s consistency, predicting a potential slump.
- Jason Moore (53:50): "Tyreek Kills Bump. He's never going to amount to anything. He's going to be bad this week."
Travis Kelce's Struggles: The discussion shifts to Travis Kelce’s declining performance against the Chargers, citing his lackluster recent stats.
- Andy Holloway (46:46): "Travis Kelsey's last four games against the Chargers, one catch, no touchdowns in four straight games."
Moore suggests leveraging backup players like Damian Williams if Kelce and Spencer Ware are questionable.
Off-Season Engagement Strategies
Listener Chris Q. asks for advice to keep the league engaged during the off-season.
- Jason Moore (41:15): "Listen to the podcast. Tell your friends about this podcast."
Andy and Jason recommend maintaining communication through platforms like Facebook groups, engaging in off-season transactions, and participating in year-round discussions to sustain interest.
Final Thoughts and Player Recommendations
Tyreek Hill vs. Mike Williams: In the final analysis, Andy advises prioritizing Mike Williams over Tyrell Williams due to potential matchup advantages against the Chargers.
- Jason Moore (53:18): "Anyone, one of those two will have a good game."
Odell Beckham Jr. Status: Andy provides an update on Beckham’s quad injury, predicting a 50-50 chance of his participation.
- Andy Holloway (49:58): "Beckham did not practice today."
Both hosts suggest monitoring the situation closely and making lineup decisions based on the latest updates.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a recap of key insights, encouraging listeners to join the Fantasy Footballers community online for ongoing support and updates. The hosts emphasize the importance of strategic decision-making in the playoffs, urging fantasy managers to carefully evaluate player performances and injury statuses to optimize their lineups.
- Andy Holloway (55:08): "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast."
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and expert advice offered by The Fantasy Footballers hosts, ensuring listeners are well-equipped to navigate their fantasy football playoffs with confidence and strategic insight.