Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Starts of the Week + Week 1 Breakdown – It’s Football Time!

September 4, 2025 – Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

Theme:
Kicking off the 2025 NFL and fantasy football season, the Fantasy Footballers trio is fired up for real football and fantasy action at last. This episode is packed: updated NFL news and injury notes, Week 1 “Starts of the Week” for each position, and a deep breakdown of the early Week 1 matchups, full of actionable insight and signature humor.

Excitement for the Season & Tonight’s Game

• Opening Sentiment:
  • “It’s football time.” (Andy, 01:34)
  • After a long offseason, the hosts are pumped for the NFL’s return, especially the Thursday night opener.
  • Andy is invested in the Cowboys-Eagles opener due to Dak-Pollard fantasy shares.
  • “This was one of the longest offseasons. It just felt like forever.” (Andy, 02:03)

Key NFL News & Injury Updates

(05:18 – 09:15)

Notable Injury Updates:

• Christian Kirk (Jaguars) – Hamstring, DNP Wednesday.
• Keon Coleman (Texans) – Groin injury, uncertain for Week 1.
• Marvin Mims (Broncos) – Practiced fully after groin issue.
• Jaden Reed (Packers) – Didn’t practice; ongoing concern.
• Najee Harris (Chargers) – Expected to play vs. Chiefs, but workload is capped.

Other News & Notes:

• 49ers re-sign Jauan Jennings with $3M incentives; mostly a non-event financially but “at least settled.” (Jason, 06:11)
• For Houston, Jaden Higgins could see immediate opportunity due to injuries. “Maybe Jaden Higgins needs to be more closely paid attention to.” (Jason, 07:44)

Starts of the Week – Featured Picks & Analysis

(09:20 – 21:22)

Quarterback

• Jason: Joe Burrow (@Cleveland)

  • “Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and company, they get it done. You’re going to be happy with Joe Burrow in week one for once.” (Jason, 11:57)
  • Browns allowed highest percentage of 15+ yard plays last year.

• Andy: Bo Nix (vs. Tennessee)

  • “Knix averaged 21 fantasy points per game... Denver should take care of business.” (Andy, 13:09)

• Mike: Jordan Love (vs. Detroit)

  • “Lower-drafted, but I think we get back to Jordan Love being the captain of the Packers.” (Mike, 13:40)

Running Back

• Jason: J.K. Dobbins (vs. Tennessee)

  • “I’m looking for veterans to play early. It’s not sexy, but it’s productive.” (Jason, 13:51)
  • Dobbins clear RB1 in Denver, expected significant early touch volume.

• Andy: Kenneth Walker (vs. 49ers)

  • “If he’s going to be on the field, and he is…he’s great.”
  • 49ers “lost a lot of weapons,” were bad vs. RBs last year (Andy, 15:41).

• Mike: James Conner (@Saints)

  • “For the first six weeks, Cardinals have the best RB schedule.”
  • Saints were “just a wet hot fart” vs. the run last year. (Mike, 16:15)

Wide Receiver

• Jason: JSN (Jackson Smith-Njigba) (vs. 49ers)

  • “He is the clear number one for Sam Darnold at home…20 targets in two games against SF last year.” (Jason, 17:21)

• Andy: Tetairoa “T-Mac” McMillan (vs. Jaguars)

  • “Everything is lining up for T-Mac to come out and show you he’s that dude.”
  • Jaguars were atrocious vs. WRs last year. (Andy, 18:03)

• Mike: Drake London (vs. Buccaneers)

  • “Drake London would not surprise me if he’s the number one WR on the week.”
  • Tampa plays the highest rate of zone coverage; London excels here. (Mike, 18:59)

Tight End

• Jason: Tyler Warren (vs. Dolphins)

  • “The top target in Indy is going to be Tyler Warren this year.”
  • Dolphins “gave up the eighth-most TE receptions last year.”
  • Projection: “Six for 72 and a touchdown.” (Jason, 19:50)

• Andy: Mark Andrews (vs. Bills)

  • “This is the highest over/under of the week. Andrews has a dreamy target share vs. two-high safety looks.” (Andy, 20:25)

• Mike: David Njoku (vs. Bengals)

  • “Cincinnati allowed the most TE receptions of any team in the past 8 years. Plus, narrative street: he and Joe Flacco are bros, I think they bro down this weekend.” (Mike, 21:45)

Week 1 Matchups: In-Depth Fantasy Forecast

(25:12 onward)

Chiefs vs. Chargers (Friday Night in Brazil)

• Key points:
  • KC: Is Pacheco finally healthy, and does he reclaim RB1 duties from Kareem Hunt?
  • LA: Omarion Hampton starts over Najee; “good for 15+ touches, but matchup is tough.” (Andy, 29:10)
  • Hollywood Brown is Jason’s WR to watch as a potential fantasy surprise.
  • For the Chargers, “Keenan Allen will be heavily involved early. Ladd McConkey is in play, maybe even special if field conditions are rough and favor quickness.” (Andy, 31:03)

Buccaneers @ Falcons

• Offensive bonanza likely:
  • “Both defenses were so bad for fantasy last year. I want pieces.” (Mike, 32:53)
  • Darnell Mooney is a deep-league dart throw if healthy.
  • Ameka Egbuka is a recommended start over George Pickens or Ricky Pearsall (34:03).
  • Bijan Robinson, Mike Evans, and Drake London: all must-starts.

Bengals @ Browns

• Expect a shootout:
  • “Burrow will be great…but this matchup terrifies me for survivor pools.” (Jason, 36:02)
  • “I think Joe Flacco can do whatever he wants against Cincinnati’s defense—one of the worst last year vs. QBs/WRs/TEs.” (Jason, 36:15)
  • Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku: “basically must starts.”
  • Cedric Tillman is a strong flex option (Andy, 37:29).

Dolphins @ Colts

• Likely high-scoring, fantasy-friendly game:
  • “I picked the Colts to win. Both coaches on the hot seat.” (41:05)
  • Tyler Warren is projected as a target machine from Daniel Jones, whose shortened passing favors TEs tremendously (42:26).
  • For Miami: Tyreek, Waddle, Achane are firm starts—Hill fell in some drafts due to outcome fear, but “can’t sit him.”
  • Jonathan Taylor is a start. Both hosts are comfortable flexing Josh Downs, Pittman, or Adonai Mitchell (Debo > Downs, but tight).

Raiders @ Patriots

• Low-scoring, unclear situations:
  • “Would you play Diggs or Keenan Allen? Keenan. Diggs or Jerome Ford? Ford.” (Mike, 50:12)
  • Expect Drake May to rely on pass-catching RB Travion Henderson, who the hosts suspect could start slow but catch 4+ balls (Andy, 51:24).
  • Raiders WR Jacoby Myers: “seems defeated, a possible midseason trade candidate” (Andy, 54:17).

Cardinals @ Saints

• Arizona: Massive favorites. “Start your Cardinals DST, start your RBs vs the Saints every week.” (Andy, 55:16)
• Kyler Murray mainly powers Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride (“his greatest fantasy purpose now”) (Jason, 56:29).
• James Conner is a must-start; Saints D was terrible vs. RBs.

Steelers @ Jets

• Ugliest game of the week: 38.5 over/under, “lowest in five years.” (Jason, 59:43)
• For the Jets: Only Garrett Wilson viable at WR, everyone else is “Reynolds and the boys.”
• Steelers: Jalen Warren is an RB2. Caleb Johnson only if desperate, projected for just 5–8 carries.
• DK Metcalf: Must-start but low expectations—“I’m just shutting down DK Metcalf,” (Andy, 64:56) with Jets’ defense and Sauce Gardner.

Giants @ Commanders

• Commanders -6, but expect an ugly NFC East slugfest.
• “Terry McLaurin...you know, he'll have to be started. I’m starting Eckler. Giant’s D is good, but RBs feast against bad teams.” (Andy, 68:47)
• Debo Samuel: “I feel fine with him, but would set the over-under at 10 fantasy points and take the under.” (Andy, 68:27)
• For New York: Malik Nabers’ role is one of the week’s key rookie storylines.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Saints Run Defense:
  “The Saints last year—just a wet hot fart. 30th in rushing yards allowed.” (Mike, 16:15)
• On Kyle Pitts vs. Bucs:
  “Let me give you some stats for Mr. Kyle Pitts against Tampa last year: 7 for 88, 4 for 91 and 2.” (Jason, 32:34)
  • Mike’s reply: “No, that didn’t happen. Kyle Pitts would never do that.” (32:41)
• On Dobbins:
  “Yeah, it's a great matchup. And he's got two legs right now. That’s a really important thing.” (Andy, 14:43)
• On Jacoby Myers’ attitude post-trade:
  “[He] was just like, defeated...[doing a] last-second proud money grab.” (Mike, 54:17)

Additional Insights & Advice

• Week 1 is notoriously weird—don’t overreact. Start your core guys, but some rookies and mid-tier players are flexable.
• Pay extra attention to injury situations and late-breaking news.
• UDK (Ultimate Draft Kit) members should transition to in-season tools now and can upgrade for added features (71:41).

Timestamps for Key Sections

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|---------------| | News & Notes | 05:18–09:15 | | Starts of the Week Intro | 09:20 | | QBs | 11:35 | | RBs | 13:40 | | WRs | 16:50 | | TEs | 19:45 | | Chiefs/Chargers Matchup | 25:25 | | Falcons/Bucs | 31:32 | | Bengals/Browns | 35:30 | | Dolphins/Colts | 40:23 | | Raiders/Patriots | 49:06 | | Cardinals/Saints | 54:48 | | Steelers/Jets | 59:33 | | Giants/Commanders | 65:47 |

Tone & Style

• Language & Tone:
  High-energy, irreverent, inside jokes and running gags (“wet hot fart”, “my guy”, “bro down”).
• Discussion-style:
  Friendly debate, digs at each other, quick pivots to stats, and a unique blend of sharp analysis and fun.

Conclusion

This episode efficiently arms fantasy managers with sharp start/sit takes, important player news, and game-by-game breakdowns laced with the trio's trademark chemistry and humor. Whether you’re looking for deep starts, injury pivots, or just a taste of football excitement, the Fantasy Footballers season kickoff podcast brings it all.

Closing words:
“It’s football time. Everybody, enjoy the game tonight.” (Jason, 72:52)