Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary

Episode: Starts of the Week + Week 3 Breakdown, Trade Techniques
Date: 9/18/2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway (A), Jason Moore (B), Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright (C)

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into week 3 of the fantasy football season, highlighting key matchups, player injuries, and the trio’s famous “Starts of the Week.” The hosts also provide nuanced trade tactics for maximizing your roster’s value as data accrues and fantasy managers’ patience wanes. As always, the tone is witty, fast-moving, and filled with practical advice for listeners from league newcomers to grizzled veterans.

1. Trade Techniques & Strategies

(02:04 – 06:33)

• Optimal Trade Timing
  • “This is a pretty good time to do sell high, do the buy low. Like couple weeks in … there’s a bunch of these rookies not performing. There’s a bunch of veterans.” (B, 02:04)
• Identifying Trade Targets
  • Andy’s tactic: Selling high-profile players for a ‘haul,’ only to flip those assets mid-season for present talent and ultimately field a dominant team. Jason: “He has such a better team, and I, I can’t stand it.” (B, 03:20)
• Trade Tools Are Coming
  • The team is building tools for the ultimate dashboard: trade analyzers and “league health” indicators to spot ideal trading partners and assets.
• Targeting Discontented Managers
  • “I identify trade partners by their record … If you have started the year, 0-2, right, or 1-3, 1-4. I’m definitely looking at those teams because I think there’s just a generalized discontentment and they may want to make a trade just to trade …” (B, 05:32)
• Notable Quote
  • “Try to see how discontent the other person is with their team, potentially.” (B, 06:22)

2. Key Injuries & Lineup News

(06:53 – 09:29)

• Jalen Waddle (Dolphins): Game-time decision; if playing, move from flex to WR spot for flexibility.
• Emeka Egbuka (OSU WR): Not seen at practice, but expected to be limited—trending positive.
• Jaden Daniels (QB): Knee injury, earliest practice Friday. “If he starts, he will be more limited mobility-wise. … I will still start him.” (A, 08:29)
• Other Key DNPs: Juan Jennings, Zach Charbonnet, Evan Ingram (calf/back), Tyler Warren (maintenance), Brock Bowers (limited), Christian Kirk (limited). Brock Purdy doubtful.
• General Advice: Don’t panic over Wednesday practice absences, especially for vets.

3. Starts of the Week

(10:06 – 25:05)

Quarterback

• Mike: Dak Prescott vs. Chicago Bears
  • “Not only are these two potentially high scoring … they both play fast … The Bears pass rush is 30th right now. … Dak is a top five option this week for me.” (C, 10:41)
• Jason: Jared Goff @ Baltimore
  • “I’m taking Jared Goff in back to back weeks … this idea that he’s only good at home hasn’t been true statistically. … I want a piece of Monday Night Football.” (B, 11:28)
• Andy: Justin Herbert vs. Denver
  • “He’s been on fire. … Number one in pass rate over expectation … number two in average depth of target.” (A, 12:47)

Running Back

• Mike: Jaylen Warren vs. New England
  • “Running backs with 30+ touches and 100+ receiving yards: CMC, Bijan, Jaylen Warren … Steelers are two point road favorites.” (C, 14:26)
• Jason: Travis Etienne & BayShawn Tuten @ Houston
  • “ETN right now, 7.1 yards per carry on the season … Buccaneers ran all over Houston.” (B, 15:57)
• Andy: Jordan Mason @ Cincinnati
  • “He was averaging over 90 rushing yards per game … Bengals have allowed the third most fantasy points to RBs through two weeks.” (A, 17:57)

Wide Receiver

• Mike: Ricky Pearsall (SF) @ Arizona
  • “I’m going with Pearsall to feel confident … The Cardinals are down currently three of their top cornerbacks.” (C, 19:17)
• Jason: Rome Odunze (CHI) vs. Dallas
  • “The Dallas Cowboys just gave up 264 deep passing yards … Odunze is that dude.” (B, 19:53)
• Andy: Michael Pittman Jr. (IND) vs. Tennessee
  • “Colts WR1 this week … Titans have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing receivers.” (A, 20:03)

Tight End

• Mike: Jake “Turd” Ferguson (DAL) vs. CHI
  • “Usage is elite, averaging nine targets per game … reliable top 12 option with sneaky high ceiling.” (C, 21:36)
• Jason: Juwan Johnson vs. Seattle
  • “Basically a slot WR playing tight end … 20 targets through the first two weeks … on pace for 170 targets.” (B, 22:44)
• Andy: Zach Ertz vs. Raiders
  • “Playing 90% of snaps, ran 41 routes, averaged 13.1 fantasy points across last 7 games. … He’s in that startable category.” (A, 24:03)

4. Matchups Breakdown

(25:34 – 67:44)

Packers @ Browns

(25:34 – 32:14)

• Jordan Love: “He’s spreading the ball around … highest odds for a TD go to the tight end, probably Kraft.” (A, 26:36)
• Josh Jacobs: Start, but temper expectations; consider ETN/Javonte over him if you have depth.
• Quinshon Judkins: Trending up after snap share rise, now atop Browns’ depth chart.
• TEs: Harold Fannin is a desperation start; moving away from Njoku. (C, 30:59)

Colts @ Titans

(32:14 – 36:12)

• Daniel Jones: Caution on ‘trap’ game; may not repeat Week 2 magic.
• Michael Pittman: Strong endorsement from Andy; clear No. 1 target.
• Tony Pollard: Solid RB2 value; lack of targets limits ceiling but favorable matchup.
  “He was really good last week … but no involvement, two targets on the season.” (A, 35:46)

Bengals @ Vikings

(36:12 – 41:07)

• Jake Browning: Viable 2QB/Superflex play; weapons ensure fantasy value still possible for Chase.
• Tee Higgins: “Bench for me this week because of the matchup … Vikings secondary has shut people down.” (B, 39:43)
• Hockenson: “I am looking for options on the waiver wire … a wait-and-see week.” (A, 40:36)

Steelers @ Patriots

(41:07 – 49:41)

• Metcalf: Play if Christian Gonzalez OUT, bench otherwise.
• Wide Receivers: Targets distributed; neither team funneling targets to WRs.
• Drake May vs. Bo Nix debate: “You go with the guy who has done it a lot of times … Bo Nix.” (A, 46:22)
• Rhamondre Stevenson: Volume RB2; speed backs have gashed PIT, but Stevenson not a speedster.

Rams @ Eagles

(53:37 – 57:57)

• All main WRs: “Too many stars to bench. You have to play A.J. Brown, Adams, Puka, Smith.” (Summary of ongoing segment)
• Kyren Williams: “Would play Warren, Javonte, Mason over Kyren this week; needs a TD to pay off.” (A, 57:11)

Jets @ Buccaneers

(58:03 – 61:18)

• Garrett Wilson: Startable; volume will be there with Tyrod Taylor.
• Breece Hall: Risky RB2; Bucs run defense is for real.
• Mike Evans: “Still on track for a thousand?” “No, on track for 909.” (B/A, 60:07)
• Godwin: Likely out this week.

Raiders @ Washington

(61:29 – 65:49)

• Bill: Divided panel. Jason is bullish, Mike and Andy want to ‘see it’ before trusting.
• Gentry (Ashton Genty): “Try to trade for him. They will figure it out and give him more touches.” (A, 65:49)
• McLaurin: Startable, despite QB downgrade if Mariota starts.

5. Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Classic banter:

  • Jason (re Andy’s trade style): “He has such a better team, and I, I can’t stand it.” (03:20)
  • Mike, on Ferguson: “If he just kind of Brian Thomas Jr.’d it, didn’t really go after the ball…” (21:36)
  • Jason, on the “booty” debate: “It’s Booty. You can go listen to him tell people…” (B, 53:03)

• Bathroom Humor Running Bit:

  • “You may notice that the show came out a little bit later than usual.” (C, 51:36)
  • Andy: “Some tummy issues … fully legitimate. I delayed the show due to … sorry, Foot Clan.” (A, 52:04)
  • This joke about Jason’s “toilet trophy” runs throughout the show, lightening the heavy analysis.

6. Other Notables

• Rest-of-Season Rankings Coming Soon: Membership site will feature continually updated, rest-of-season rankings.
• Injury Monitoring: Multiple DNPs and “questionables” at mid-week—check for updates before Sunday.
• Start Your Studs: Despite some low starts, the general consensus is to roll with proven high draft picks and bet on volume and regression.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trade Philosophy & Tools: 02:04 – 06:33
• News & Injuries: 06:53 – 09:29
• Starts of the Week: 10:06 – 25:05
• Matchup Breakdowns Begin: 25:34
  • Packers/Browns: 25:34 – 32:14
  • Colts/Titans: 32:14 – 36:12
  • Bengals/Vikings: 36:12 – 41:07
  • Steelers/Patriots: 41:07 – 49:41
  • Rams/Eagles: 53:37 – 57:57
  • Jets/Bucs: 58:03 – 61:18
  • Raiders/Washington: 61:29 – 65:49

TL;DR

• Week 3’s landscape is full of opportunity for trading—target the frustrated 0-2 teams, look for overlooked upside, and don’t be afraid to “sell high” early.
• Key veterans and rookies are shaking up positional ranks: Names like Jaylen Warren, Michael Pittman Jr., and Ricky Pearsall are highlighted as potential difference-makers.
• Injury news is fluid: Keep an eye on Friday practice reports for players like Jaden Daniels, Emeka Egbuka, and Brock Purdy.
• Start your stars—but be shrewd: Risks on guys like Kyren Williams and Breece Hall are outlined, and the pitfalls of trusting old narratives (e.g., Tee Higgins without Burrow) are called out.
• Classic Footballers energy: Irreverent humor, strong analysis, and practical advice combine for a can’t-miss episode for fantasy players searching for an edge.

Listen to the Fantasy Footballers for the full breakdown, but if you need the bottom line in time for waivers, this summary has your lineup and trading decisions covered!