Fantasy Footballers Podcast: “Starts of the Week + Week 9 Breakdown, Awww Shucks!”

Date: October 30, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Episode Overview

This episode features the iconic Fantasy Footballers trio delivering their signature blend of deep-dive fantasy football analysis and comedic banter. In anticipation of Week 9, they provide a thorough rundown of their “Starts of the Week,” discuss key trade deadline news, tackle major injury updates, and offer actionable matchup previews for the upcoming games. Listeners get an entertaining, expert-driven forecast aimed at helping them make winning lineup decisions.

Major Segments & Timestamps

• [03:48] Agenda Rundown & Trade Deadline Discussion
• [09:52] NFL News & Notes
• [17:06] Starts of the Week (Presented by US Bank)
  • QB, RB, WR & TE picks
• [35:25] Fantasy Forecast: Week 9 Matchups
• [56:19] Deep Dives: Team & Player Dynamics
• [70:49] Listener Lineup Dilemmas, Final Injury Updates

Key Discussion Points

Trade Deadline Approaching

Timestamp: [03:48-07:38]

• Mike asks about the NFL trade deadline: Confirmed for Tuesday, Nov. 4.

• Rumors circulate about the Patriots eyeing a running back, raising fantasy implications.

• Andy’s Take: Frustrated about the Patriots’ handling of Travion Henderson; wants to see him “unleashed” with real volume.

  • "You can go get something and not know how to use it." (Andy, [04:33])

• Jason & Mike: Note that sometimes talent isn’t everything—NFL decisions factor in pass protection, ball security, and practice performance. Henderson’s lack of mistakes in college praised, but still blocked by coaching decisions.

Dynasty League Outlooks

• Buy-low candidates: Jason says he’d trade a 2nd round pick for Henderson, but stops short at a 1st.

NFL News & Injury Updates

Timestamp: [09:52-16:32]

• Saints QB Change: Tyler Shuck to start.

  • Jason expects a “sideways, neutral” impact for skill players like Kamara and Olave ([10:40]).

• Terry McLaurin (Commanders): Re-aggravates quad – OUT for Week 9.

  • Andy: “I don’t think you drop Terry.” Though Jason notes concern about IR.

• Other Key Injuries:

  • Puka Nacua (Rams), Drake London (Falcons), Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots), Josh Downs (Colts), and numerous Bears pass-catchers limited or DNP.

Starts of the Week

Timestamp: [17:06-35:04]

Quarterback

• Andy: Daniel Jones vs. Steelers
  • “Great spot – Steelers are dead last in passing yards allowed.” ([17:41])
• Mike: Kyler Murray vs. Cowboys
  • Argues he’s a sensible, available spot start: “We've seen greatness from him before … If there is a quarterback on a week that plays the Dallas Cowboys, you should probably play [him].” (Jason, [19:38])
• Jason: Jordan Love vs. Carolina
  • “With Josh Jacobs banged up, they’ll need Jordan Love.” ([20:54])

Running Back

• Andy: Bam Knight vs. Cowboys (assuming limited Trey Benson)
• Mike: Kimani Vidal vs. Titans
  • “He's earned it with 20 opportunities a game … Titans rush defense has been a punching bag.” ([23:04])
• Jason: Travis Etienne vs. Raiders
  • “It's been Etienne's show … he's still dominating usage.” ([24:30])

Wide Receiver

• Andy: DK Metcalf vs. Colts
  • “This is a matchup where they may have to target him more ... Colts give up a ton through the air.” ([26:27])
• Mike: Jaylen Waddle vs. Ravens
  • “Must-start, especially with Tyreek out ... Ravens 29th in adjusted points to WRs.” ([27:17])
• Jason: Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Steelers
  • “Number one target for the number one offense ... people keep waiting for it to stop but Pity City is strong.” ([27:58])

Tight End

• Andy: Colston Loveland vs. Bengals
  • “Finally saw season high snaps, best matchup for TEs.” ([30:36])
• Mike: Kyle Pitts vs. Patriots
  • “Safer floor at tight end. Patriots almost dead last in points allowed to TEs.” ([32:06])
• Jason: Brock Bowers vs. Jaguars
  • “He hasn't played since Week 4 but is expected to be pummeled with targets.” ([33:10])

Fantasy Forecast: Week 9 Matchups

Timestamp: [35:25-74:59]

Quick Team-By-Team Highlights

• Bears @ Bengals:

  • If Joe Flacco starts, play all starters – Chase, Brown, etc.
  • “With Jake Browning it was 12 (points per game); with Flacco, almost 30.” ([37:02])

• Vikings @ Lions:

  • Lions D “scarier in real life than fantasy.”
  • Andy: “I’d play Kareem Hunt over Aaron Jones.” ([43:42])

• Panthers @ Packers:

  • Packers favored by 13.5. Mike: “If Bryce Young starts, ugly for Carolina.” ([49:28])
  • Christian Watson discussed as the Packers WR to play. Jason: “Dobbs is Dobbs.” ([51:44])
  • RB: Rico Dowdle draws debate as a start vs. Bam Knight due to matchup.

• Chargers @ Titans:

  • Cam Ward excitement has faded; offense in shambles.
  • WR rotation (Keenan Allen, McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Gadsden) is week-to-week roulette.
  • “All four of those players are excellent … just hope it’s your week.” (Jason, [63:08])

• Falcons @ Patriots:

  • Jason predicts: “Atlanta upset of the week.” ([65:34])
  • “Booty, yes. Bijan, yes. If London is healthy, yes. For Mooney, wait and see.”
  • Kyle Pitts is called a strong TE start.

• 49ers @ Giants:

  • Giants’ offense rests on Jackson Dart’s shoulders; “Go figure out how to play football.” (Mike, [69:16])
  • Tyrone Tracy dubbed a volume-based RB2.
  • Darius Slayton a speculative WR add; Theo Johnson (NYG TE) not a priority.

• Additional Injury Notes:

  • Ricky Pearsall (49ers) and Brock Purdy facing further absences.
  • Nico Collins (Texans) trending toward return.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I think we could start [Colston Loveland]. You get the opportunity, you get the matchup. I like it.” (Andy, [30:44])
• “The city (Pity City) is strong ... we rebuilt it with former taxes. Now we’re just living in now.” (Jason, [28:36])
• “Jaylen Waddle...he’ll limp off three or four times and then limp back on.” (Mike, [27:44])
• “All four of those [Chargers] receivers are excellent, they can all do it if necessary... hope it's your week.” (Jason, [63:08])
• “If people have broken legs and they race, someone wins that race… you may not finish.” (Mike, [60:15])

Tone, Style & Banter

The show maintains its signature mix of sharp analysis and humor:

• Early banter about “Deucers Alley” and bathroom jokes—but quickly pivots to focused fantasy discussion.
• The crew isn’t shy about roasting NFL teams for management decisions, especially regarding player usage.
• Frequent callbacks to personal league struggles, offering relatable anecdotes about starting “gross” players during bye weeks (“I’ll be starting them... that’s how my team is looking right now.” – Mike, [46:24]).
• Playful debates over segment names, especially for tight end Colston Loveland ("Mr. Bigglesworth," "Catston Loveland”), bringing community vibes and inside jokes.

Episode Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Start the hot hand but monitor practice and injury news closely; several starter jobs and upside flex plays depend on late-week health reports (especially at RB: Bam Knight, Rico Dowdle, Chase Brown).
• QB streaming: Daniel Jones, Kyler Murray, and Jordan Love are strong Week 9 targets, each with a clear matchup rationale.
• TE roulette continues: Lean into Loveland, Pitts, and Bowers in plus matchups.
• Watch for trade/restructuring impact: Teams like the Patriots or Lions may shuffle touches post-deadline.
• Expect volatility: For teams with ambiguous WR depth charts or multiple flex plays, “hope it’s your week” is the practical approach.

Essential Lineup & Sit/Start Insights

| Player Name | Start/Sit & Reason (Week 9) | |----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Daniel Jones | Start – Facing Steelers, worst against the pass. | | Kyler Murray | Start – Good streamer vs. Cowboys, spot for points. | | Jordan Love | Start – Carolina defense vulnerable; Josh Jacobs potentially limited means more passing.| | Bam Knight | Start – Good Cowboys matchup, Arizona backfield injuries. | | Kimani Vidal | Start – Earned major workload, Titans are a fantasy RB goldmine. | | Travis Etienne | Start – No usage concerns, matchup is not as scary as it appears. | | DK Metcalf | Start – Volume on deck in shootout vs. Colts. | | Jaylen Waddle | Start – Target volume with Tyreek out, even in tough matchup. | | Michael Pittman Jr. | Strong Start – Locked in volume, safer than name value implies. | | Colston Loveland | Spot Start – TE-friendly Bengals matchup, bigger role with Cole Kmet out. | | Kyle Pitts | Start – Patriots get destroyed by tight ends; high-floor week for Pitts. | | Brock Bowers | Start – Full go, Jaguars a plus matchup for tight ends. | | Chase Brown | Start if Flacco goes; sit if Browning starts at QB (Bengals). | | Christian Watson | Flex Play – If healthy, has upside on limited snaps. | | Darius Slayton | Speculative Add – Could emerge as volume leader in depleted Giants’ WR corps. |

Final Words

The tone is light but the advice is actionable. Week 9 is about surviving the byes, tracking injuries, and trusting upgraded opportunity and matchups—sometimes with players you wouldn’t dream of starting in September. The Footballers’ blend of info and entertainment will send you into Sunday with confidence, and maybe a few laughs at your (and their) roster misery.

Memorable Quote:
“If people have broken legs and they race, somebody wins that race. You know what I mean? ... You may not finish, but someone’s the winner.”
— Mike Wright, [60:15]

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