Start Your Studs? Playoff Mailbag, TNF Preview - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/11

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Start Your Studs? Playoff Mailbag, TNF Preview - Fantasy Football Podcast for 12/11
Release Date: December 11, 2024

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Introduction and Overview

In this pivotal episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into the strategies and decisions that could make or break your fantasy football playoffs. The trio offers expert analysis, addresses listener mailbag questions, and provides a comprehensive preview of Thursday Night Football (TNF). Skipping over advertisements and intros, the conversation swiftly moves into substantive discussions tailored for fantasy enthusiasts aiming to secure victory in their leagues.

NFL News and Playoff Strategies

The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing crucial NFL updates relevant to fantasy playoffs. A significant focus is placed on waiver wire strategies, especially for those in playoff contention.

Playoff Mindset and Waiver Wire Strategies:
Mike Wright expresses his excitement about the upcoming waiver period, emphasizing the importance of other managers dropping startable players:

"I'm super excited for waivers to run and not because of who I'm picking up. I'm praying someone's dropped, man." [02:37]

Jason Moore and Andy Holloway debate the optimal approach for managers who find themselves as underdogs in their playoff matchups. They caution against relying too heavily on high-variance players (referred to as "dart throws") and instead advocate for a balanced lineup that includes both reliable performers and selective high-upside picks:

"Pick your dart throws wisely out there. Those of you that are underdogs, do what Mike said. You know, last week..." [06:24]

Key Player Insights:
The discussion includes specific player evaluations, such as Kendrick Miller and Troy Franklin. The hosts analyze their potential impact in the playoffs, weighing consistency against explosive upside. Andy Holloway notes the availability of multiple waiver wire options, stressing the importance of matchup considerations:

"There are multiple guys in the waiver wire right now that I would play over them." [04:15]

'Hungry for More' Segment: Player Spotlights

In the "Hungry for More" segment, the hosts highlight players who could provide the necessary spark for fantasy teams during the playoffs.

Jalen Waddle:
Mike Wright champions Jalen Waddle, citing his increased target share and red zone opportunities as indicators of his rising fantasy value:

"Waddle, you've got an uptick in target share... he even had three red zone targets last week." [14:19]

Brian Thomas Jr.:
Andy Holloway brings attention to Brian Thomas Jr., arguing against the skepticism surrounding his performance with the backup quarterback, Mac Jones. He underscores Thomas's consistent yardage and potential for explosive plays:

"Brian Thomas is a great player and it seems like Mac Jones has enough to get him to be a fantasy starter, at least a flex." [17:26]

James Cook vs. Ramondre:
The hosts debate the merits of James Cook over Ramondre Stevenson, ultimately favoring Cook for his touchdown potential despite recent fluctuations in workload:

"James Cook is a must start." [34:14]

Thursday Night Football (TNF) Preview

The trio provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming TNF matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. They analyze team performances, defensive vulnerabilities, and key player matchups that could influence fantasy outcomes.

Game Breakdown:
Jason Moore highlights the Rams' recent offensive prowess and the 49ers' defensive struggles against the run:

"The running back is the question mark for San Francisco in this game because it's a very, very vulnerable Rams defense." [25:13]

Player Considerations:
Andy Holloway and Mike Wright discuss the running back situation for the Rams, particularly the potential of Patrick Taylor versus Israel Abanda:

"I would have confidence. I would play Patrick Taylor as like a top 24 option." [26:51]

Mike Wright emphasizes the history of successful backup running backs in similar high-stakes situations:

"There's such a long history of backup running backs coming into great success with Shanahan's time at the end of the year." [30:13]

Mailbag: Listener Questions and Expert Advice

The mailbag segment addresses various listener questions, offering personalized advice based on current playoff scenarios.

Question 1: Starter Decisions in Close Matchups
Craig from California asks:

"Do I go Jaden Daniels on the road against New Orleans or Bo Nicks at home against Indy?" [35:48]
Advice:
The hosts unanimously recommend starting Bo Nicks over Jaden Daniels due to better matchups and performance trends:
"Personally, I cannot imagine benching Jaden Daniels for Bo Nick." [36:23]

Question 2: Tua vs. Jalen Hurts in Fantasy Playoffs
A listener wonders whether to start Tua Tagovailoa over Jalen Hurts despite being an 11-point underdog:

"Do I start TUA over Jalen?" [40:08]
Advice:
The hosts lean towards starting Jalen Hurts, citing his consistent performance and higher correlation with other high-performing players on the team:
"I'm going with Jalen Hurts... He's still the better starter." [40:18]
However, Andy Holloway expresses flexibility based on matchup specifics:
"I think I would go to Tua." [42:58]

Question 3: DK Metcalf and James Cook vs. Ramondre Stevenson
Listeners inquire about starting DK Metcalf and the dilemma between James Cook and Ramondre Stevenson:

"James Cook or Ramondre?" [46:54]
Advice:
The consensus is to prioritize James Cook for his touchdown opportunities, despite Ramondre Stevenson's potential for more carries:
"I think I've got to be on the James Cook side." [48:25]

Question 4: Fantasy Points Above Expectation (FPAE)
A listener requests an explanation of Fantasy Points Above Expectation and its application in start/sit decisions:

"Can you explain fantasy points above expectation and how to use it in start/sit decisions?" [48:56]
Advice:
Andy Holloway breaks down FPAE, explaining how it adjusts player scores based on the strength of the opponent's defense:
"It's looking at what is that player score on average before going into that matchup... It's very helpful." [49:04]

Question 5: Wild Card Playoff Addition
A listener from Instagram asks about adding a wild card playoff round in week 14:

"My league is voting on whether to add a wild card playoff for week 14." [50:21]
Advice:
The hosts express caution, arguing that additional wild card spots could disrupt teams with existing bye weeks, leading to imbalance and dissatisfaction:
"I would vote against it for sure." [51:06]

Key Takeaways and Recommendations

• Balanced Lineups: Avoid over-reliance on high-variance players. Incorporate a mix of consistent performers and selective high-upside picks to maximize playoff potential.

• Waiver Wire Vigilance: Monitor the waiver wire for startable players, especially as other managers make playoff moves that could free up valuable talent.

• Player-Specific Strategies:

  • Jalen Waddle: Increasing target share and red zone opportunities make him a valuable asset in the playoffs.
  • Brian Thomas Jr.: Overcome skepticism and consider him for flex positions due to his consistent yardage and touchdown potential.
  • James Cook: Favor Cook over Ramondre Stevenson for his higher likelihood of scoring touchdowns, despite Stevenson’s role in the Bills’ offense.

• Thursday Night Football (TNF) Tactics:

  • Rams vs. 49ers: Focus on the Rams' running back options. Patrick Taylor is a reliable start, whereas Israel Abanda presents an upside pick.
  • Defense Considerations: The Rams' vulnerability against the run and the 49ers' defensive shortcomings should guide player starts and sit decisions.

• Mailbag Insights:

  • Tua vs. Hurts: Generally favor Hurts unless specific matchup advantages suggest starting Tua.
  • DK Metcalf: Use caution; consider alternatives based on recent performance and injury status.
  • FPAE Utilization: Incorporate FPAE metrics to adjust player expectations based on opponent strength, aiding in more informed start/sit decisions.

Conclusion

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast equips fantasy managers with the insights and strategies necessary to navigate the high-stakes environment of the fantasy playoffs. From waiver wire tactics and player evaluations to in-depth TNF previews and listener-specific advice, Andy, Jason, and Mike provide a wealth of knowledge to help you optimize your roster and secure a championship title. As the playoffs intensify, their expert guidance ensures you're well-prepared to make informed decisions and outmaneuver your competition.

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Notable Quotes:

• Jason Moore on Playoff Lineups:

  "Pick your dart throws wisely out there... Hitting on all of them is just so improbable." [07:14]

• Andy Holloway on Brian Thomas Jr.:

  "Brian Thomas is a great player and it seems like Mac Jones has enough to get him to be a fantasy starter, at least a flex." [17:26]

• Mike Wright on Backup Running Backs:

  "There's such a long history of backup running backs coming into great success with Shanahan's time at the end of the year." [30:13]

• Jason Moore on FPAE:

  "It's giving you a different baseline than just looking at the raw numbers and giving more context." [49:09]

• Andy Holloway on Wild Card Playoffs:

  "I would vote against it for sure." [51:06]

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For more insights and detailed discussions, tune into the full episode on YouTube or visit the Fantasy Footballers website.

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

This episode is brought to you by Amazon Prime. In my fantasy league, gift giving is almost as competitive as the playoffs. And every year I use Prime's fast free delivery to grab the perfect gifts, like a jersey for the league champ or let's be honest, something ridiculous for whoever finishes last. And of course, Thursday Night Football on Prime keeps my eyes on the prize. From streaming to shopping, it's on Prime. Visit Amazon.comprime to get more out of whatever you're into.

[Jason Moore]

This episode is brought to you by Instagram. Though we can't all agree on our picks, we can all agree that we want social media to be a safe place for teens. So it's good to hear about Instagram teen accounts, which provide automatic safety settings for teens built with parents top concerns in mind. Things like making their teens profiles private by default, having automatic contact limits so they can only be messaged by people they are connected to, and content restrictions that place them in the most restrictive setting, limiting sensitive content they see in places like Explore and Reels. And all of these settings are built in, so no extra work for parents. Instagram is automatically placing teens into teen accounts and teens under 16 will need a parent's permission to change any of these settings to be less strict. Basically, Instagram teen accounts will limit who can contact teens and the content they see and help ensure teens time on the app is well spent. And that's something everyone can agree on.

[Mike Wright]

The Fantasy Footballer Studio is brought to you by Amazon Prime. Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Jason Moore]

Ah, welcome in. They call it Wednesday, December 11, the fantasy footballers Podcast.

[Mike Wright]

Some call it hump day.

[Jason Moore]

Jason Moore is here.

[Andy Holloway]

Mostly camels. What are you doing over there? You got some hot news, Jay? You're leaving the show there to look at your watch?

[Mike Wright]

I left nowhere. I just got a text message.

[Andy Holloway]

Is it from Shefty?

[Jason Moore]

No, no, it was a reminder. It said reminder. You have to start someone off waivers this week in your playoffs and you don't know who it is.

[Mike Wright]

I will say this for my playoffs. I am super excited for waivers to run and not because of who I'm picking up. I'm praying someone's dropped, man. I'm like, come on people drop someone that's startable.

[Jason Moore]

You know the dragon meme with the like really scary looking dragon.

[Andy Holloway]

The Hydra.

[Jason Moore]

The three headed Hydra. And there's a hydra. The Hydra. And then there's Jason in the playoffs. Like Jason's the third Hydra for sure. You should find that Al. You should find that meme here for the YouTube audience, but, oh, they know it.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, if you're on YouTube, you know exactly what we're talking about.

[Jason Moore]

You know, I guess they were down with the Forrest Gump reference.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

So we're good.

[Andy Holloway]

These are Internet people.

[Jason Moore]

These are Internet people. There it is. Yeah, that's the one. Hungry for more? Today, the NFL News. We've got some for you. We got Thursday night preview. We got some mailbag and we'll be talking everything playoffs. Everything fantasy playoffs. And how. You know the mindset. We'll have waivers go through at some point and. Yeah, yeah, Jason's doing good. Jason's doing real, real good. Got news this morning. I mean, a little preview of the news, but Breeze Hall.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Uncertain for week 15.

[Mike Wright]

Fantastic. Who needs them? There. There I am.

[Jason Moore]

There he is.

[Mike Wright]

There's Mike.

[Jason Moore]

There's everyone else in the league in the playoffs. There's the six seed.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Right over there on the right.

[Mike Wright]

Trying to find someone better than Kendra Miller or Kareem Hunt or MVS or Calvin Austin.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, if you want to go on a. Where's Waldo? Jason, there are multiple guys in the waiver wire, in my opinion right now that I would.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, I.

[Andy Holloway]

Playing over them.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, for sure.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, Where's Waldo is.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Well, I don't want to give them the names.

[Jason Moore]

No, but that's.

[Andy Holloway]

There are like, there are some neon signs in our waiver wire right now. They're like, for your team. Everyone else. Everyone else is a.

[Mike Wright]

No one's claiming these players. Like, I get whoever I want.

[Andy Holloway]

This is a zero dollar fab bit.

[Mike Wright]

Right? Well, I have zero dollars, so that's great news.

[Jason Moore]

You are so. You are so, like, how are you in the playoffs?

[Mike Wright]

I shouldn't have been. And that's how I want to win it. I'm telling you, I want three wins in a row and I don't want to score more than 80. I want. I want to back my way into that ring.

[Jason Moore]

You need to play Kendrick Miller because do you really want a title where you haven't played Kendrick Miller as your flag that is perfect for you?

[Mike Wright]

So I'll be honest. I'll just reveal. I know my opponent is in the room, but when I'm looking to make a start the way that my team is, I want glory. I'm going Troy Franklin or something like that over Hunter Henry. Who? Okay, maybe he's got a higher baseline. Like, I don't care because I want my glory. I want my name on it.

[Jason Moore]

Let's talk about this for A second. This can, this can be in lieu of our quick question for today, because I think, I think it's an interesting discussion to have. We often give the advice if you're a major underdog, which a lot of people, you're going into your playoffs this week, you're like, Jason, you're the, you're the kind of weird looking hydra, right? You don't belong.

[Andy Holloway]

He's really a cuddly hydra.

[Jason Moore]

And we say, well, you need to take your shots, right? You want upside. But we know this from the world of the great parlay out there. You can't hit six. You can't hit a six lane.

[Andy Holloway]

You're not hitting a plus 50,000 record playoff week.

[Jason Moore]

And so like, if you, what I'm saying is if you have too many pieces of your, of your lineup that are all dart throws, you're not hitting that plus 115,000 parlay with your lineup. Troy Franklin plus Kendra Miller, plus, you know, MBS, plus Don Tavion Wicks, like, they're not all hitting together.

[Mike Wright]

So what would the advice be?

[Jason Moore]

Well, to me, it's like fewer injuries. Well, sure, that would have come weeks ago or, you know, having your backups or whatever. But I would say that you got to pick a couple. I think it's just got to be one or two. It's got to be the baseline plus a couple of lottery, you're saying.

[Mike Wright]

That's all I'm saying, what you're trying to say, not for me, but for the Footland. If you're, if you've got a couple of holes to fill instead of just going for the touchdown variance, upside, the RASHAD BATEMAN Times two.

[Jason Moore]

Correct.

[Mike Wright]

You're saying get one guy, maybe it's Ray.

[Jason Moore]

Ray McLeod.

[Mike Wright]

Exactly. A McLeod, a Hunter Henry, someone that has the targets, has a baseline and then throw in another shot for a.

[Jason Moore]

Dennis down up, Xavier Worthy, then it's Bateman, then it's, it's an upside guy. I don't know if you have a different thought, Mike. It's just.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I'm in completely agreeing.

[Jason Moore]

Hitting on all of them is just so improbable that you'd hate to hit on two and lose because the other two did nothing. Right is my point.

[Andy Holloway]

And factoring in, like, looking at your matchup like I will like, no, he's.

[Jason Moore]

Looking at your matchup, Jay.

[Andy Holloway]

No, like legitimately look, it's trying to identify on the other team's side, like, who has an actual chance of not coming through.

[Mike Wright]

Do you think it's Karen Williams, Justin Jefferson or no of the Josh McBride.

[Andy Holloway]

Or Josh Jacobs is the player I would identify this week.

[Mike Wright]

Really good team.

[Andy Holloway]

It is a very good team owl but like obviously Josh Jacobs a little too good. Jacobs. Jacobs will be ranked very high because the guy's having a fantastic season. But he is getting super lucky when it comes to touchdowns. Last week, what it was like 60 something rushing yards for Josh Jacobs. I know he scored three times. Awesome for fantasy football. But he's against Seattle on the road and the Seattle defense of late has been much, much better.

[Jason Moore]

Held Conor to 9 yards rushing two weeks ago.

[Andy Holloway]

There is, there is a chance that players on the other side have subpar weeks. You like factoring all of those things in to your whatever your witch's brew dirty mojo that you're. You're cultivating over there.

[Jason Moore]

I'm looking at this thing, man, and.

[Mike Wright]

You have no shot.

[Jason Moore]

You got a real uphill battle, man.

[Mike Wright]

I'm going to need about four or five injuries on Jerry Bears.

[Jason Moore]

No, what you need. What you need is a Jameis Winston.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, you're trying to give me to put Davis back in.

[Jason Moore]

He's in there right now. So look, I just think pick your dart throws wisely out there. Those of you that are underdogs, do what Mike said. You know, last week, for example, I went into a matchup. I was a 30 point underdog. Things happen quickly. We don't know if Kenneth Walker's back. We don't know if Breece hall is back. We don't know if George Pickens is back. We have not. Well, they said, you know, there's a slim chance but injuries can happen. Underdogs win all of the time. By the way, shout out to all of the people sharing their own six stories.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I love those stories.

[Jason Moore]

Getting into the playoffs, it's awesome. So what do you do if you do. If you're in a different situation than. Than Jason Mike if it.

[Andy Holloway]

So you're on the bi week.

[Jason Moore]

Let's say you're on the bi week.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure.

[Jason Moore]

Hypothetically speaking, you're on the by.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean by week is if you want to sit and do nothing. Okay. I wouldn't recommend that. I would be looking around of like there are like our league of record. There are still a couple backups. Maybe these are not backups to starting running backs for the playoff teams but those are the guys that if something goes wrong, the value absolutely skyrockets. Find your future Garando and. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Find the future Garando. And then I had someone ask me like, hey, I'm on the bye week. Is it fair game? Because they have kickers. Like, could I drop my kicker and pick up whatever, a backup running back? I'm like, absolutely. You're not. You're not fielding a roster. You are not. You're not tampering with your matchup. You're trying to make your team better. So it's things like that. Maybe you're.

[Jason Moore]

That's a good one.

[Andy Holloway]

Or you're like, my defense is. I wasn't able to, like, load up and prepare for that. You got crap defense. I would rather have some insurance running backs on my. On the bench while I'm not playing, just in case. So there are tiny little strategic moves that you can do to try and shift the balance of power into your favorite.

[Jason Moore]

All right, let's move forward.

[Mike Wright]

Welcome to Hungry for More presented by Uber Eats.

[Jason Moore]

By the way, I don't know if you guys knew this, but I have given up the habit. Like, I'm no longer. No more chewing tobacco on the show.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, that's good. Did you switch to the pouches?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, yeah, I know that. Is that what the. Falcon. Falcon.

[Andy Holloway]

What are those things called?

[Jason Moore]

The Zins.

[Andy Holloway]

Zins. Zins. Okay. I thought I would ask the young buck, but I just wanted you guys.

[Jason Moore]

To know I gave up the habit.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, good for you.

[Jason Moore]

Ever since my days as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, probably, but.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that why the tooth fell out in the first place?

[Jason Moore]

That's right. Yeah. It was deterioration. All right, Hungry for More. I'm taking an angle here with Hungry for More of. It's not always the diamond in the rough that you need in the playoffs. Sometimes you just need a little bit of consistency. And so my hunger for more is actually Brock Purdy. Not for Brock Purdy's sake. For Juwan Jennings and George Kittle, I need.

[Mike Wright]

What about me?

[Andy Holloway]

Debo.

[Jason Moore]

Debo is the dart throw.

[Andy Holloway]

But when I was good, I feel.

[Mike Wright]

Like Debo is that meme right now. It's like, oh, and the other two.

[Jason Moore]

Are Kittle and Jennings.

[Mike Wright]

And then there's Debo.

[Jason Moore]

And there's Debo.

[Andy Holloway]

I need the ball more, guys.

[Jason Moore]

If only I had the ball. No, I want. I want to be able to count on George Kittle for the remainder of the year. And I want to be able to count on Juwan Jennings for the remainder of the year. Those are the two players that have been so good when Brock Purdy is good. He has been a top 10 quarterback himself in five of seven starts, and the division's close enough where the 49ers are still alive. So I am hungry for more consistent offensive performances from the 49ers that guarantee me that George Kittle and Juwan Jennings are key parts of a fantasy championship run.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm just. This is, you know, just. It's an aside, but I'm having the realization here of, like, Joanne Jennings is like, this is more San Francisco Magic of like, he's Brock Purdy. Like, they. They drafted Trey Lance at the. They traded everything to get Trey Lance moved up to the three, and then they got Brooke Purdy with their last pick of the draft. They gave Brandon Iuk all that cash, and they gave Joanne Jennings just a little bit of an extension this off season. Well, I think Joanne is everything that they wanted Debo and Iuk to be.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I thought you were going to bring up, you know, it was Pierce. All that was supposed to have the role, and it's Juwan Jennings. No, I mean, by the way, Debo Samuel. Fewer receiving yards this year than Hunter Henry, Alec Pierce, Chris Godwin, who hasn't played since week seven. Kate Otten, Ray Ray McLeod, Christian Watson. What is that voice? I don't know. Oh, man, that's Debo has fallen.

[Andy Holloway]

That's Debo.

[Jason Moore]

So, Jason, who's your hungry for more candidate?

[Mike Wright]

My hungry for more candidate was Mike's last week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, baby.

[Mike Wright]

It was great. And so I'm going back for second helpings or dessert. I'm hungry for more Jalen Waddle. And really what we saw last week was awesome. The way that the Dolphins offense worked was better.

[Andy Holloway]

Why is that, Jason?

[Mike Wright]

Well, it might just be because they started targeting Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle instead of John. Who? Smith and Devon Achan. And lo and behold, more explosive, bigger plays, higher scores.

[Andy Holloway]

They had to go to overtime.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I was gonna say. And then they had to lean on Johnny. They had to lean on Johnny to win the game.

[Mike Wright]

First read targets. This was pointed out by Jared smola. Tyree killed 34%, Jalen Waddle 34%. John, who was down at 9%. They still won the game. But Tyreek and Jalen Waddle had good games.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

And honestly, Waddle, you know, the last few weeks, you've got an uptick in target share. You know, he was 15% the first 11 weeks. He's been 19% the last three weeks. Finally getting it done, you feel like you could start him, and I think you can start Jalen Waddle. The matchup this week, it's a. It's a good team. But this Is I think the actual specifics of how he's matching up against that defense works for him. They're getting him yak opportunities the way that, I mean that's really his superpower, you know. And he even had three red zone targets last week, which he had three in the previous eight weeks combined. So let's, let's stay in the flames with Jalen Waddle.

[Andy Holloway]

I love it. He's a good player. He needs the ball. I want to bring up Brian Thomas Jr. Who I feel like is a little bit of a blind spot right now because the season started so well for him. I, you know, a later round rookie pick. He was a first round guy. By the selection by the Jags. It's coming out of the gates super hot. Then you had the. Just a weird lull in the middle of the season. Not weird. We knew what happened, but it just, it was frustrating of this player was this, he's the chosen one. He's supposed to be a superstar here. It had fallen apart. Trevor Lawrence is out. Mac Jones is in. And yet over the last three weeks, Brian Thomas 82 yards, 76 yards, 86 yards or 76 yards, then 86. Like he's putting up strong yardage totals. And it, he's kind of felt like, well, I can't possibly play him with Mac Jones. I just, it's not something I can do. And yet he's been producing. So I just, I thought he was an interesting player of having the conversation of like, I think we got to move away from, well, Brian Thomas can't possibly be a starter for you. He's back.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, he could definitely be a starter for you. Yeah, Mike. I need Brian Thomas to be started for me.

[Andy Holloway]

There's a lot of teams in the play side.

[Jason Moore]

Brian Thomas senior could start for Jason.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, probably do. Not too bad for me.

[Jason Moore]

His first two double digit target games of his entire career came the last two starts. Mac Jones. So there is a bit of a. Mac Jones is out there just throwing it around, right? Like Parker Washington had a big game with him and Brian Thomas Jr. Will get the opportunities. He might be missed on them, but I'll have the opportunity. So I think it's fair to look at him and say, hey, maybe we need to renew our confidence.

[Andy Holloway]

Like the last three weeks, you know, with Mac, Evan Ingram is, it's nothing, you know, like Mac Jones different play style here. We get like start to pay attention to the trends here and not just, oh, it's a backup quarterback. Brian Thomas is a great player and it seems Like Mac Jones has enough to get him to be a fantasy starter, at least a flex.

[Jason Moore]

Well, he's always a, he's always a threat for a big like long touchdown and he's still been double digits the last three weeks in fantasy so the floor is probably much higher than we thought it might be with Mac Jones, which is I think your point. So hungry for more opportunity for Brian Thomas because those are explosive plays 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. You can order now. All right, let's jump into the news.

[Mike Wright]

News and notes from around the league presented by USAA ins.

[Jason Moore]

He was and never was Zemir White on injury reserve for the Raiders. Yeah, he has a sweet 2.8 yards per carry this off season and is a perfect example of why moving forward and away from your franchise running back doesn't always go the way you hope.

[Andy Holloway]

It carries tremendous risk. The I don't remember the status because I don't have right in front of me, but he was, him and Zach Moss were the two players, you know, before the season of like guys. The percentage, the actual amount of people who break out in year four or wherever we are drafted where he is, it's like two people. And the odds were so against him. So hopefully you avoided him, which is wild considering he was supposed to be the starter. Pierce kept saying over and over he's going to be the guy. And Madison, like the backfield had value. Alexander Madison was very startable for a stretch there and sincere McCormick looks like he's a very startable.

[Mike Wright]

Only the backup can be good. Zemir was the starter and so he.

[Andy Holloway]

Was good when he was the backup.

[Mike Wright]

Exactly.

[Jason Moore]

And it was, it was a mirage to end the year. It was a lot of opportunities that didn't translate into him being proficient in this season. So Breeze hall uncertain for week 15. Their head coach said he is, quote, struggling a bit with his knee injury. Yeah, I mean that's how injury is.

[Andy Holloway]

Not improving as much as he'd like.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that means he's not going to play this week. If his if right now in the middle of the week, you're saying it's not improving. I'm struggling with it. I didn't play last week. That's not like, yeah, I'm a suit.

[Jason Moore]

Up or if you do suit up, I'm going to be a big part of the offense. When you know you can get something from Allen and Davis on top I mean, it's almost worse for fantasy players to like tease this out too long.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Make a different plan. Well, if you had a plan.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, you have to have a braceless plan because you're going to have a braceless team this year.

[Jason Moore]

I bet you wish some of your teams were briefless.

[Mike Wright]

I certainly do.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, they are.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, they are. Yeah. Hitching my wagon to breeze hall is hurt.

[Jason Moore]

George Pickens has a quote outside chance of playing in week 15.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I don't think he's going to play. I was on. I did the this week's episode of the Dynasty podcast and we were talking, you know, George Pickens long term outlook. So if you want to check out that conversation, it's on the fantasy footballers Dynasty pod. But we're talking with Matthew Betts, certified pt, and his opinion was more of. He's putting Pickens at very questionable for next week. Where I would. I was on the opinion of. I think there's a chance he suits up next week, but Betts is more concerned than I am.

[Jason Moore]

Well, it's just going to be what's on the line for the Steelers in the final couple of weeks. Is it playoff positioning, divisional, you know, championship, you know, what is. What is going to be on the line and how long can you wait on George Pickens?

[Andy Holloway]

Schedule wise, it's wild because Baltimore, right. Next week, this week is Philadelphia who they are. I mean, that's, that's a heavy underdog. Yeah. That's a tough match, I'm sure. Then the divisional on the road with Baltimore and then they get the Chiefs who. Which if they keep winning like that game against the Chiefs, there is a chance that the Steelers are trying to steal away a bye week. Like that's not. I know it's wild. Buffalo is there and everything where they.

[Jason Moore]

At 9 and 3.

[Andy Holloway]

I think they're 10 and 3. Let me, let me double check that. But it was. Yeah. Pittsburgh is a five point road dog. They are current. They're 10 and three. So they're 10 and three. The Bills are two games behind the Chiefs and the Chiefs are 12 and one. But they play the Chiefs.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

It just seems hard to believe that they're going to win against Philly and Baltimore the next couple of weeks. But we'll see. Sean Payton talked about Marvin Mims and his expanded role as a running back.

[Mike Wright]

Because why is this quote in?

[Jason Moore]

I don't know why it's in there.

[Andy Holloway]

Because it's funny every time Sean Payton talks about Marvin Mims.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

Isaac Grande did not practice in or did not participate in the walkthrough. Most people's opinion that I've read is that he's not going to play on Thursday. Now we don't walk, but it's a foot.

[Mike Wright]

It's a foot injury, Mike. I mean that's literally the hardest I.

[Jason Moore]

Would expect him to be able to be at the walkthrough. If you're going to play in the game.

[Mike Wright]

I would agree with that. If he's not participating in the walkthrough, seeming less likely that he will play. But we kind of talked about this yesterday. We know he's not going to practice if he plays Thursday. They basically said he's not practicing until then.

[Jason Moore]

That was today's news and notes presented by USAA Insurance. Learn [e-mail] insurance we'll take a break. We'll hit the Preview.

[Mike Wright]

This episode is brought to you by Peloton. Look, life's got a game plan and it's always changing. One season you're all about them 4 week strength building classes. The next it's squeezing in a run or hitting the bike after work. Whatever's on deck, Peloton's here to fit into your schedule. From strength, running and cycling and everything in between, Peloton adapts to your goals no matter the season of life. And with Peloton's All Access membership, you've got the flexibility to work out wherever you need to at home, on your bike, your tread, your row, or even on the go with an app at the gym. Whether you're gearing up for a marathon or just trying to keep your energy up for late night game replays, Peloton's got the classes to keep you in the zone. Find your push, find your power with [e-mail] this episode is brought to you.

[Jason Moore]

By Abbott Lets talk about a small thing that can make a big difference if you have diabetes. The Freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor. It's amazing how the sensor gives you real time glucose readings so that you can see the impact of every meal and activity to make better choices. The Freestyle Libre 3 Plus sensor can help you live life with diabetes on your terms. This is progress. You can try it for free at FreestyleLibre US. Offer available for people who qualify. Visit MyFreestyle US to see all terms and conditions. Certain exclusions apply for prescription only safety info found @freestylelibre us. All right, it's time to jump into our TNF Preview.

[Mike Wright]

Thursday night breakdown.

[Jason Moore]

Well, we just talked about Isaac Grendel so that will bring us into this discussion. The Rams at seven and six taking on the six and seven 49ers. The 49ers are two and a half point home favorites. The over unders 49 and a half. And you know, I think this is a pretty fun matchup.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

For Thursday night. This is a game where in the division right now the Seahawks are 8 and 5, Rams are 7 and 6, Cardinals are 6 and 7, 49ers are 6 and 7. So you know, you're here where Arizona plays New England at home. They're going to be favored there. They could go to 7 and 7 and if the 49ers fulfill the, you know, the line here, there'll be three, there could be three 7 and 7 teams with the Seahawks maybe, you know, a game ahead because they play the Packers. So it's a competitive division where literally all four teams are still in the mix. The Rams coming off their biggest win of the year, 44, 42 over the bills. It was an outrageous game to watch. It was outrageous for fantasy. Kyren and Puka and Cup all getting it done. Even Matthew Stafford, fantasy wise was very good. Obviously they played each other earlier in the year. The Rams won the game 27, 24. The running back is the question mark for San Francisco in this game because it's a very, very vulnerable rams defense. The 49ers are at home. The Rams are 23rd against the run. Tell the world what to do, guys. And totally don't include asking me.

[Andy Holloway]

If Garindo is out. I would have confidence. I would play Patrick Taylor as like a top 24 option. Jason, you seem to have more hesitancy than I do, but I would. It's a. It's tough. It's a really tough decision here. But I think the Thursday night with the early game plan and these guys, like, I'm not worried about Keyshawn Vaughn coming in. Abanakanda is. He's the more interesting player, but he was just added to the team. He was inactive on Sunday because of course, he just got there. And then with the short week, I think they would really lean on Patrick Taylor now. Can he get it done? I think I would have faith in the system and faith in the matchup. So all those things put together. Taylor is a startable guy.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. I mean, it is most likely going to be Patrick Taylor. My worries with being confident in him as the starter is that I can see a world where Israel Banaconda comes in and basically becomes this starter. And if he is, you know, he was Inactive. Last week he was new to the team. He is the best athlete of that running back room that is left alive and that is usually who they put in. So it's tough, I mean, to call your shot on a start for Israel, you know, Izzy would be very, very difficult.

[Andy Holloway]

I can't start him.

[Mike Wright]

You can't, Mike, you cannot advise starting.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, he may not even be active.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, right, right, right.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, obviously I do not recommend starting a guy ever tell me the odds. I'm still putting them in. You can't stop me.

[Jason Moore]

I think Patrick Taylor has one game where he was the guy in Green Bay a couple years ago. He had 11 carries, 53 yards, 4.8 a carry, scored a touchdown. Otherwise we don't have a huge sample size of what he'd be able to do. I mostly agree with Mike's take on this. If you were going to ride one, that would be the one. I'd. I'd give it a go. You know, we got seven carries last week after the injuries. And then really the advice on a Wednesday is not very good advice here. That's kind of part of. I mean, we need a little bit more on Garindo's availability and who's going to be active on this game. If you did get word that there's three backs active, lower your expectations for Taylor. It would just concern me a little bit.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I think they'll have. They might have three active. I mean, like Grendo's it. How have they been doing it? I mean, like when McCaffrey, McCaffrey, Mason and Grendo were all active in that Buffalo game. I think they'll have three no matter what. Yeah, I don't know if that's signal for Patrick Taylor or not.

[Jason Moore]

Are you at the point here? Let's say it is. Garando's just inactive and they have Taylor, Vaughn and abandoned Canda active. Would you just punt and play sincere McCormick against Atlanta or the Gus Bus or DeAndre Swift? Are you going to take your shot at getting what people got from Grindo last week, which is the production from Patrick Taylor?

[Mike Wright]

There's such a long history of backup running backs coming into great success with Shanahan's time at the end of the year. I mean, this is not a new situation where I want a. I want a piece of that. I want to take a shot at the big play. So I would. I would probably still put in Patrick Taylor.

[Andy Holloway]

It's like the Browns running backs. I would go with Patrick Taylor the out of it. I'D play him over Jalen Warren. I think I'd put McCormick ahead of Patrick Taylor against Atlanta. The like DeAndre Swift against Minnesota or take the shot on Patrick.

[Jason Moore]

No Patrick Taylor.

[Andy Holloway]

I would go Taylor.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

The last time these teams played Juan Jennings. Jen hangs Jennings 11 for 175 and three with Debo out of the game. Debo's in more of the kind of like active inactive state right now. He's hanging out but Jennings is in.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Kittle, of course.

[Mike Wright]

For sure.

[Andy Holloway]

Are you benching Debo?

[Jason Moore]

I think I'm trying my darndest. I, you know, there's a squeaky real narrative for the week. The matchup. The matchup is good. The last time we saw him fantasy relevant. It's been one time in the last seven weeks and it was the wide receiver 245 for 62 he's had.

[Mike Wright]

I mean that was 10 points on like the dot. Barely got Debo.

[Jason Moore]

He actually did that back to back weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Debo or DeAndre Hopkins against Cleveland.

[Mike Wright]

Debo.

[Jason Moore]

Can we shut the podcast off?

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, wow.

[Mike Wright]

No, I'm going to go. I'm going to go Hopkins.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'll go Hopkins.

[Andy Holloway]

I'd go Hopkins. Debo or Amari Cooper against a choker.

[Jason Moore]

Cooper.

[Mike Wright]

Cooper. Yeah. I think Debo is probably someone that you're looking to bench.

[Andy Holloway]

He's like, he's a wide receiver four.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, you know, if I had Adam Thielen off of waiver. Oh yeah, that's an easy feeling.

[Jason Moore]

But you know, otherwise Kyren, of course, get him in there. He's been scoring. And if you need to take a shot at quarterback for whatever reason, Brock Purdy I think is very, you know, I think, I think 300 yards is in the cards in this game and it's possible, you know, the running back.

[Andy Holloway]

You like it more than Stafford.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And the running back room being kind of depleted lends to maybe Purdy having.

[Mike Wright]

To do more with his legs and throw touchdowns. It's, you know, when they get around the goal line, I'm not sure. Usually they're just a run the ball in type of team and that can hurt your fantasy value. But when you're onto your 17th running back on the depth chart might be a little bit more difficult to find rushing touchdown success. So I like, you know, when you look at the two quarterbacks, I'm like, I kind of like Stafford and his weapons better and. But when they get to the goal line, Kyron is far more likely to score the touchdowns to take them away from Stafford than Patrick Taylor is for Brock Purdy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Stafford's high on the year in a four point is 27 points against New England. Even in that Buffalo game where if you started Stafford, you're thrilled with the outcome. But a team that scored 44 points, Matthew Stafford was the QB7. He just passed 20 points and Purdy's been very good.

[Jason Moore]

They're favored. They're at home. The defense for the Rams is not very good and I'd be playing him over, you know, a lot of options this week.

[Andy Holloway]

The case for Purdy is also, we're having this huge discussion, well, who's the running back?

[Jason Moore]

Like, it's Purdy, it's Brock Purdy. Yeah, to some degree it really is. He is, he's running the ball a lot more. He was the quarterback five last week. He's got a few games this year where he's, you know, rushing touchdowns in two of his last five games. It's, it's an okay play. I think it's a stable play. Is John Jennings a must start in your mind?

[Andy Holloway]

Like, are you about as close as you can get?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, he is a must start.

[Jason Moore]

What if you've been. This is going to hurt to ask the question. Yeah, but you talk about somebody who's been struggling with a bad matchup. A.J. brown.

[Mike Wright]

I knew that was the name you were going to bring up. I knew that was the name.

[Jason Moore]

Let's put you to the test. A.J. brown or Juwan Jennings.

[Mike Wright]

If I had those two players, I'd put Juwan Jennings in and I know that that's. It feels insane.

[Jason Moore]

The over under is almost 10 points higher.

[Mike Wright]

Juwan Jennings.

[Jason Moore]

How do you bench AJ Brown? How can you live with yourself?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I mean, the names make it very, very, very difficult. Joanne Jennings versus A.J. brown.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trying to tell people, is plug it in. It's Juwan Justin Jefferson Jennings.

[Mike Wright]

There you go.

[Andy Holloway]

Just do that and you'll feel a lot better about it.

[Mike Wright]

You would feel a lot better, But I mean, three of the last four weeks, A.J. brown has not gotten to 10 fantasy points in half PPR scoring the matchup against Pittsburgh. I mean, I'm not saying by any means, Ben, J.J. brown. This is more of a pro Jawan Jennings take than it is an A.J. brown take.

[Jason Moore]

All right, we'll turn the page. We'll jump into the mailbag. You ready, Mike?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Mailbag.

[Jason Moore]

All right. If you have a question for the show, go to the website, the fantasy footballers.com. visit the site, click that Submit a question button or you can dial our voicemail hotline, 302464. TFFB. All right, we'll go here. We'll start with the mailbag.

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, ballers, this is Craig from California.

[Jason Moore]

QB start.

[Mike Wright]

Sick question. Do I go Jaden Daniels on the.

[Andy Holloway]

Road against New Orleans or Bo Nicks at home against Indy?

[Mike Wright]

I got Cortland Sutton on the roster.

[Andy Holloway]

So I like that stack option.

[Mike Wright]

Just for reference, I'm the projected underdog.

[Andy Holloway]

Facing the borough chase Stack.

[Mike Wright]

No, that hurts. That last one facing the borough chase stack is not where you want to be. This is really interesting. Bo Nick has been on fire. Has the much better matchup. Personally, I cannot imagine benching Jaden Daniels for box.

[Jason Moore]

Me neither.

[Andy Holloway]

No, no, I would not do that.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Any other thoughts on that? Just definitively don't mess around.

[Andy Holloway]

I would. I would not. I'm going to be honest, guys. I'm scouring Twitter for news. I'm a little distracted. This is not fantasy related. But wait, this is football related.

[Jason Moore]

What is it?

[Andy Holloway]

It's football related. A bill has been introduced in Ohio that would make it a felony to plant a flag in the center of Ohio Stadium. Remember how Michigan put a flag down the middle of the field? We're getting the government involved. Ohio, what are you doing?

[Mike Wright]

Oh, my gosh.

[Andy Holloway]

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[Jason Moore]

Make it a felony to od.

[Andy Holloway]

Put your flag down.

[Mike Wright]

Win the game. All right, now teach.

[Andy Holloway]

Win the game.

[Mike Wright]

Teach me some politics. Can anyone write a bill, or do you have to be an elect? Like, can I write a bill?

[Andy Holloway]

You would have to get a bunch of signatures, but if you were in the government, you could.

[Mike Wright]

I'm just hoping that someone in the government wasn't the one that wrote this bill.

[Jason Moore]

It's the Ohio Sportsmanship Act.

[Andy Holloway]

It was drafted by State Representative Josh.

[Jason Moore]

Williams, who's wasting taxpayer dollars.

[Andy Holloway]

And now you're wasting our podcast time because I can't not talk about this.

[Mike Wright]

Deebot. The flag down in the middle of our stadium.

[Jason Moore]

Is that Debo?

[Andy Holloway]

No, that's Josh Williams, representative of Ohio.

[Jason Moore]

They put the flag down.

[Andy Holloway]

That's a felony.

[Mike Wright]

Felony.

[Andy Holloway]

A felony.

[Mike Wright]

You're going to prison.

[Jason Moore]

Execute them. Death penalty.

[Andy Holloway]

Right to jail.

[Mike Wright]

Right to jail.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, doesn't a judge see that and go, what? Or do they have to. I mean, the judge has to follow the law, right? Execute them.

[Mike Wright]

I really hope, like, I want to look this bill up. I hope it's like three. Three sentences. It's just like if you plant a flag. Right to jail. Right to jail.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, sorry, guys. It was. It was too much for me. To not bring it up.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, Jim. Jim Baco says tucker crafter, Sam LaPorta. I feel obligated to start LaPorta. Talk about obligation in the fantasy playoffs.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you owe Sam?

[Mike Wright]

No, I understand. Because the names, when you get in the playoffs, it's hard to bench those big names. Sam Laporta.

[Andy Holloway]

You know, laporta gets Buffalo.

[Mike Wright]

He was the first, you know, tight end or the second tight end drafted. Buffalo is top five against tight ends. It's not a good matchup. Kraft has a decent matchup this week against Seattle. You know, they're.

[Jason Moore]

Porter has two top 12 finishes in a row. He's piecing it together a little bit, but not.

[Mike Wright]

I mean, you would.

[Jason Moore]

Six targets or more. Four straight games. Five of six.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. But 19 yards, you're six yards.

[Jason Moore]

Who's going to score a touchdown? 54. Who's more likely to score a touchdown? That's the honest question in this one.

[Mike Wright]

I believe, matchup wise, I think Eileen.

[Andy Holloway]

Kraft, I think I'd play. I'd rather play Tucker Kraft, but it's.

[Mike Wright]

Back to back my rankings.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's how it always happens. I'd rather play Tucker Kraft, but at the same time, like, which one is more likely to shoot out? Yeah, the Buffalo and Detroit.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm going to play the Port. I'm gonna play the Porta. Yeah. The matchup, the fact that over under is 54 points. Yeah, that's gonna be my answer. Let's hit another voicemail. Which button did I push last time? Can you push the button of the one that I didn't push? I actually don't have them loaded in mine.

[Andy Holloway]

They're only on yours. Oh, you gotta take a shot. Let's go. Is it 50? 50.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, boy. I don't remember.

[Mike Wright]

What are our questions? Here we go, gentlemen, question for you.

[Jason Moore]

I'm an 11 point underdog.

[Mike Wright]

Good job. And I have Jalen hurts. And I also have Tyreek and HN on my team. Do I start TUA over Jalen?

[Jason Moore]

Thanks and love the show.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, my goodness.

[Jason Moore]

I've actually seen. I've seen Tua Jaden Daniels question thrown out there this week too on Twitter, where, you know, obviously we're in the overthinking part of the year. You know, a bet on Tua when you have Tyreek and HN is a full. All the chips are in on Miami. 11 points to me is not a huge underdog. Yeah, it's not an overwhelming underdog. And you can't really like if you have Tyreek and HN and they do well. And Tua scores 30 points, and Jalen Hurts scores 35. He's still the better starter, right? Like, you just want more points at the quarterback position. And I don't think I need the correlation to, you know, Jalen Hurts is probably who I'd go with. A lot of people want to start two of them the way he's been playing.

[Mike Wright]

Okay, but let me give you the last month of both player scores. Okay? One of these players last month has scored 18, 15, 17, and 24 fantasy points.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Mike Wright]

The other player in the last month has scored 23, 28, 25, and 23 fantasy just based on that alone.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that Tua?

[Mike Wright]

Which player?

[Jason Moore]

No, I think he's setting me up, and I think her says he got the better numbers.

[Mike Wright]

Tua has the better numbers.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, baby.

[Jason Moore]

So what are you doing, Jay?

[Mike Wright]

I think because of the correlation, I. That does push me over top. I would put Tua in the Houston Texans. I like. I worry about Tua in tough matchups, and that's where it's like, is this a tough matchup? Statistically speaking, they're middle of the pack. They're 17th against fantasy quarterbacks. Houston Texans are. You could see this game maybe getting into a shootout a little bit. It's a harder matchup if it goes.

[Jason Moore]

South for Tyreek and Hn if they're underwhelming your game over if you start Tula.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

It's just a matter of how do you really feel like you're a heavy underdog. I didn't think you have to bank on. It was 11.

[Mike Wright]

They were 11 point on.

[Andy Holloway]

That's nothing in project.

[Jason Moore]

I just. I would have a hard time, and I think Squeaky wheel. Squeaky wheel. A.J. brown is going to get the ball in the air this week. So that's. That's the way I'm going to go.

[Mike Wright]

Can I remind you that right now Pittsburgh is ranked number one against fantasy quarterbacks.

[Jason Moore]

No, you may not remember.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, I retract it.

[Jason Moore]

I don't feel like we answered the question, so. Mike, just give him an answer because me and you split. Jay. So just say the name. That's definitely going to score the most points. Mike.

[Andy Holloway]

I think I would go. Tua.

[Jason Moore]

Dear goodness.

[Andy Holloway]

I would go to a.

[Jason Moore]

Here we are. All right, let's take a break. We'll answer some more questions.

[Mike Wright]

This episode is brought to you by Mattress Firm. We've all been there agonizing over lineup calls only to deal with that one person who changes the rules in midseason or the trash talker who somehow gloats even after a loss. Makes me wonder. How do they sleep at night? Probably on a mattress for Mattress Firm. They will help you find the right bed for your needs because when matched with the right mattress, anyone can sleep at night, even the league's biggest villains. Mattress Firm offers quality mattresses at every price for your best rest. And with free and fast delivery, you could be snoozing in no time. No more restless nights worrying about your team. Get matched at Mattress Firm's semiannual sale and clearance and finally, sleep at night. Text Football to 766693 for $100 off your next Mattress Firm purchase restrictions apply. See mattressfirm.com or visit a store for details. This episode is brought to you by the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Celebrate the unexpected at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the most unique luxury resort and casino in the heart of the Strip. Discover a one of a kind restaurant collection, a vibrant mix of bars and lounges and three distinct pool experiences. From panoramic views on your private terrace to countless ways to be entertained, find a scene that suits your every mood and experience elevated luxury, nothing is off the table and temptations around every corner. Reserve your stay now at cosmopolitan Las Vegas.com.

[Jason Moore]

Was there, was there ever a point where you thought you'd be recommending Tua Tonga Wailoa over Jalen Hurts in the Fantasy playoffs about six weeks ago?

[Andy Holloway]

No. If you were like week three. Yeah, I can see that. But what, it's cold outside? I don't think so.

[Jason Moore]

It's, it's. There you are. We've got lots of DK Metcalf questions coming in because the question of start your stud or not. Metcalf has been struggling to produce for Fantasy.

[Mike Wright]

He's been very banged up playing through injury, not practicing.

[Jason Moore]

They play Green Bay Metcalf or Jameson Williams or Adam Thielen.

[Andy Holloway]

That's hot.

[Mike Wright]

I'm going Metcalf there with all of them.

[Andy Holloway]

Remind me of the Panthers matchup.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean the Metcalf's last four weeks. You don't want to look at them.

[Mike Wright]

They've been underwhelming. But the targets have still been there. Right? He's had, I believe he's had nine targets in a handful of games.

[Andy Holloway]

The Panthers.

[Mike Wright]

I don't have four.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, two of four. So the Panthers played Dallas averaging 7.3.

[Jason Moore]

A game in that stretch. But we also saw a lot of targets for Jameson Williams last week that games that 54 point over under eight targets, seven targets, seven targets for Jameson Williams.

[Andy Holloway]

If I need a good old fashioned 10 to 12 points. I would play Adam Thielen. And if I need. Like Thielen's not giving you the 20, the point outing, that would be Jameson Williams. But if I need.

[Mike Wright]

So is there no Metcalf answer?

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think I'm playing Metcalf, man.

[Jason Moore]

James Cook question is in a similar start. Your stud vein comes in from Baker. Drew, what do we do with James Cook? I've heard rumors that he's having his workload reduced for the Bills playoff run.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. I mean, that would make sense.

[Jason Moore]

He's explosive, but he's not involved. When they're in a negative game script.

[Mike Wright]

Where are we here in these rooms? We just hear someone saying they're hearing rumors and we're taking anything on Twitter.

[Jason Moore]

I think what Mike is alluding to is the fact that we were sitting there dumbfounded on Sunday when he had six carries and was not on the field for quite a stretch. Now, they probably wanted to win that game. You know what I mean? That's the opposition of. The rumor is that you're right there with a chance at the buy. You're telling me they don't want that buy from Kansas City and they didn't have James Cook out there. So to me it's not so much workload reduction. And by the way, they achieved a workload reduction last game. It's more game script. So how do you think that the week is going to go for them? That's more what I'm thinking. And I have James Cook in a couple of places for fantasy playoffs this week and he's right back in my lineup.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, he's right back in my lineup as well. Obviously last week was just an awful outing for him. Six total carries. But you go back the last handful of weeks, he's usually double digits. This game against Detroit, we talked about the over under.

[Jason Moore]

It's the highest of the year.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. So I want James Cook in my lineup.

[Jason Moore]

What about him or Ramondre? It's James Cook.

[Andy Holloway]

That one's easy.

[Jason Moore]

What about Dowdle against Carolina, who's coming off a couple big performances?

[Mike Wright]

Or James Cook? That one's easy for me. Still James Cook. I think that the touchdown opportunities, that's the issue with Dowdle. Dowdle's been running really well. He's clearly going to get the workload and the opportunity. If you say who's going to get more carries, it's Dowdle. But if you say who's going to score more fantasy points? Touchdowns are so valuable in fantasy. I Think I've got to be on the James Cook side.

[Jason Moore]

He has six touchdowns James Cook did in his previous six games and in four finishes in the top 10. We probably need to just trust that they're going to get him involved again. But it's. It's scary. Dowdle. Dowdle should be okay this week. Dowdle or Pacheco? I take Dowdle on that one. That question comes in from Big Dom.

[Mike Wright]

Big Dom.

[Jason Moore]

Big Dom.

[Mike Wright]

Dom sounded like you said big dumb.

[Andy Holloway]

It's Big dumb. Defeat Deforet.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Jason Moore]

All right. Colton wants to know if you can explain fantasy points above expectation and how to use it in start sit decisions.

[Andy Holloway]

Sure. So above expectation, you know, like they.

[Jason Moore]

This is our schedule adjusted, right? Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

If you're looking at our strength of schedule and you click the schedule adjusted button, basically it's saying it's looking at what is that player score on average before going into that matchup.

[Mike Wright]

Technically the team. What is that?

[Andy Holloway]

The team. The team position?

[Mike Wright]

Yes, correct.

[Andy Holloway]

The team position at quarterback or the team position at running back. And then in that matchup, looking at their average, are they against that defense? Is that defense allowing more points above average or are they holding running backs. Team running base under their average? Because it really, it's very, very helpful and it's a better way to look at schedule. The easiest way to point it out is like tight ends.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, right.

[Andy Holloway]

You can look at just raw points that a team has given up to the tight end position. And you look at their schedule like, oh, they played Trey McBride, Travis Kelsey, Mark Andrews, three games focal point tight ends in a row where this, this.

[Mike Wright]

Other team played Carolina and teams that.

[Andy Holloway]

The tight ends are just not involved. So you have. That's why we average it out or just for schedule based off of that positional average. So hopefully that made sense.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, it's just giving you a different baseline than just looking at the raw numbers and giving more context, which is hopefully going to benefit you long term in making those decisions. All right. Lady Nafi on Instagram says my league is voting on whether to add a wild card playoff for week 14.

[Mike Wright]

No. Is that so like a wild card playoff round, someone gets in? No, there are bye weeks in week 14 in the NFL now that's going to make it a disaster.

[Andy Holloway]

But so as in like the most of the league does not play, it's just the two wild card teams. Is that how it would function?

[Mike Wright]

I would assume that the playoffs would all start early.

[Jason Moore]

Matt, do you feel like you understand this question?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, I think Playoffs just start early. Yeah. Playoffs start in week three and more.

[Andy Holloway]

People have a buy.

[Mike Wright]

More people have a buy and more people get in. You can, you can argue on one hand that that's cool, that just more people get a chance at the playoffs and it's not really affecting others.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, I got a big reason.

[Mike Wright]

Why not to, but the week 14 buys that. That's going to ruin the, you know, all the teams that are playing. It won't feel good. You'll have a lot of upset, unhappy players. Whoever happened to have the week 14 by weeks in the playoffs, you just. I would vote against it for sure.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, the bye weeks are really disruptive. I mean, we just went through six teams with tons of fantasy players that are relevant, that made an impact all year, and then you don't get them. That's tough. That's tough. That would be hard to. Hard to swallow a loss. Tomorrow we have starts of the week and the matchup breakdowns for week 15. No bye weeks to worry about starting tomorrow. And we've got more matchups in the wheel of shame on Friday. Mike will be with you Sunday live. Make sure you tune in. Watch the show on YouTube. If you're listening, you can check it out YouTube.com the fantasy footballers.

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, Keon Coleman. Foley practice.

[Jason Moore]

Is that what we got? He's coming back.

[Andy Holloway]

It sounds like it. That's great news for Josh Allen.

[Jason Moore]

He doesn't need any more good news. He's breaking records without.

[Andy Holloway]

He'll still take it.

[Jason Moore]

Bad news for Amari Cooper, who's maybe. I thought maybe he started get going, but now we got Shakir and Coleman and Cooper. I bet you Kincaid will be back soon.

[Mike Wright]

How is Keon Coleman rostered in our league? I'm like, oh, yeah, baby. Let me go run to the waivers. They haven't ran.

[Jason Moore]

I got five more minutes. You're in dire straits.

[Mike Wright]

Everyone's roster.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Good luck.

[Andy Holloway]

Goodbye.

[Mike Wright]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter Heff Ballers.