Podcast Summary: Fantasy Footballers - "Starts of the Week + Wk 10 Matchups, Cougar Bait!"

Release Date: November 8, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright
Podcast Title: Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast

1. Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright delve into a mix of light-hearted banter and in-depth fantasy football analysis. Celebrating their milestone of 650 shows, the trio ensures listeners are both entertained and well-informed to make winning decisions for Week 10 of the fantasy season.

2. Holiday Banter

The episode kicks off with the hosts sharing humorous insights into their holiday preparations. Andy introduces a "quick question of the day" centered around their differing views on Christmas presents, specifically debating the merits of the "box in a box" gift-wrapping strategy.

• Andy Holloway [02:00]: "There are none. You should be putting your Christmas lights up now."
• Jason Moore [02:24]: "I love it. Oh, I am a pro. Box in a box in a box..."
• Mike Wright [02:43]: "It's dumb. Yeah, baby, it's dumb."

The discussion highlights the playful tension between Andy and his wife over gift-wrapping methods, eliciting laughs and camaraderie among the hosts.

3. Fantasy Football Strategies

Transitioning from holiday jokes to fantasy football tactics, Andy poses a critical question to the hosts:

Question of the Day: When setting your fantasy starting lineup, how much do you pay attention to your opponent's team? Do you ever let it impact your own start/sit decisions?

• Andy Holloway [04:24]: "I do let it affect my start sit decisions. Not as much in the beginning of the year, but once I have a gauge on my team and my opponent..."

• Jason Moore [05:08]: "There should not be a week that goes by where you set your lineup without looking at your opponent."

Jason emphasizes the importance of considering opponents' strengths and weaknesses when finalizing lineups, likening it to loading ammunition in a revolver.

Mike adds a humorous twist by revealing his unconventional strategy of benching all starters to "confuse" opponents:

• Mike Wright [06:11]: "What Mike has done is he has removed all of his starters."

The group laughs over the absurdity of Mike's tactic, agreeing it's more for trolling than a viable strategy.

4. News and Player Updates

The hosts move into a comprehensive "News and Notes" segment, covering pivotal NFL updates that impact fantasy football lineups:

• DEZ Bryant’s Signing with the Saints:

  • Mike Wright [10:38]: "Ben Watson is the bigger impact I think over the season that could happen because Des Bryant is a touchdown machine."

  • Jason Moore [12:01]: "Don't go nuts over DEZ Bryant. I would go make a somewhat cheap offer in every league for Michael Thomas because some owners think Michael Thomas is done."

• Injuries:

  • Andy Holloway [13:29]: "Darren Sproles aggravated the hamstring injury. He's going to miss week 10."

  • Jason Moore [14:00]: "This has to be the end of his career."

• Other Updates:

  • Doug Baldwin's groin injury sidelines him for the year.

  • Sam Darnold is out for Week 10, leading Josh McCann to start at quarterback for the Jets.

The trio discusses the ramifications of these updates on various players and their fantasy values, advising listeners on potential start/sit decisions.

5. Week 10 Matchups Analysis

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Week 10 matchups, providing strategic insights to help listeners optimize their lineups.

a. Lions vs. Bears

• Matthew Stafford's Performance:

  • Mike Wright [17:30]: "Stafford, I'm not playing. I'm saying Like Jones and Golladay."

• Game Prediction: Andy suggests taking the under due to the cold, windy conditions and strong Bears defense.

• Notable Quote:

  • Andy Holloway [19:44]: "Painful to get sacked 10 times."

b. Saints vs. Bengals

• DEZ Bryant's Activation:

  • Mike Wright [24:38]: "I would imagine he will [be active]."

• Fantasy Impact: With the Bengals' defense struggling, especially against tight ends, Ben Watson gains value.

• Notable Insights:

  • Jason Moore [25:22]: "Tyler Boyd is okay. But this is a situation where if you have deep wide receivers, you might bench Juju."

• Game Prediction: Saints favored, differences in defensive performances make the matchup ripe for fantasy scoring.

c. Falcons vs. Browns

• Baker Mayfield's Potential:

  • Andy Holloway [28:32]: "Baker's at home. Nick Chubb, I've got him very high this week."

• Running Backs Insight:

  • Jason Moore [30:15]: "Chubb's a great play. Duke Johnson is also a great play."

• Notable Quote:

  • Mike Wright [30:27]: "Duke Johnson has a safer floor than Mark Ingram."

d. Jaguars vs. Colts

• Leonard Fournette’s Return:

  • Jason Moore [47:37]: "This requires three practices in full this week. He's already one for one."

• Blake Bortles as a Streaming QB:

  • Jason Moore [35:29]: "I've made Blake Bortles the streamer of the week."

• Game Prediction: Andy leans towards a Jaguars victory, noting the Colts' defensive struggles.

e. Cardinals vs. Chiefs

• Christian Kirk vs. Larry Fitzgerald:

  • Jason Moore [40:07]: "Maybe I would lean more towards Christian Kirk than Larry in this matchup."

• Kareem Hunt’s Potential:

  • Mike Wright [41:08]: "He's going to break the single game record for carries and yards and touchdowns."

• Game Prediction: Chiefs' defense is strong, but opportunities exist for Chargers' offense to exploit.

f. Bills vs. Jets

• Josh McCown vs. Derek Anderson:

  • Andy Holloway [42:48]: "The Jets are six and a half point home favorites..."

• Game Prediction: Andy prefers Elijah McGuire over Sammy Watkins, acknowledging the Jets' defensive vulnerabilities.

6. Starts of the Week

Each host shares their "Start of the Week," highlighting key players they believe will perform exceptionally in Week 10.

a. Jason Moore

• Running Back: Leonard Fournette

  • Reasoning: Full recovery, increased workload post-injury.

• Quarterback: Philip Rivers

  • Reasoning: Favorable matchup against Oakland's defense.

• Wide Receiver: Juju Smith-Schuster

  • Reasoning: Increased target volume and strong connection with Tom Brady.

• Tight End: Greg Olson

  • Reasoning: High scoring potential against Pittsburgh's defense.

• Kicker: Adam Vinatieri

  • Humorous Rhyme Segment:
    • Jason Moore [62:10]: "Your kicker of the week...cougars want to marry..."

b. Mike Wright

• Running Back: Tevin Coleman

  • Reasoning: Strong matchup against the Browns' weak run defense.

• Wide Receiver: David Johnson

  • Reasoning: High usage rate and solid performance against the Chiefs.

• Quarterback: Baker Mayfield

  • Reasoning: Consistent performance and strong offensive support.

• Tight End: Travis Kelce

  • Reasoning: Dominant matchup against Arizona's defense.

• Kicker: Not specifically highlighted.

c. Andy Holloway

• Running Back: David Johnson

  • Reasoning: High usage and favorable matchup against the Chiefs.

• Flex Player: Maurice Harris

  • Reasoning: High target volume and favorable matchup against Tampa Bay.

• Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick

  • Reasoning: Consistent scoring potential against Washington's weak defense.

• Wide Receiver: Maurice Harris

  • Reasoning: Reliable performance against Tampa Bay's struggling defense.

• Kicker: Not specifically highlighted.

Notable Quote:

• Jason Moore [55:35]: "Juju Smith-Schuster... he's going to have an explosive big game tonight."

7. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts encouraging listeners to enjoy the upcoming games and apply the insights shared to optimize their fantasy lineups. They also humorously discuss potential sponsors while reaffirming the importance of making informed decisions for Week 10.

• Mike Wright [63:43]: "And if you're gonna play some daily this weekend, you gotta go to draft.comballers."

• Jason Moore [63:43]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the fantasy footballers podcast..."

Key Takeaways

• Fantasy Strategies: Always consider your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses when setting your lineup. While unconventional strategies like benching all starters can be entertaining, they are not recommended for serious fantasy play.

• Player Updates: Stay informed about player injuries and roster changes, as these can significantly impact fantasy values. For example, DEZ Bryant’s signing with the Saints has implications for Michael Thomas and Ben Watson.

• Matchup Analysis: Detailed evaluation of Week 10 matchups helps identify undervalued players and potential breakout performances. Key insights include leveraging weaker defenses and favorable weather conditions.

• Starts of the Week: Each host provides their top player picks for the week, offering diverse perspectives and justifications to assist listeners in making informed lineup decisions.

By blending humor, camaraderie, and expert analysis, this episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast equips fantasy managers with the knowledge and strategies needed to excel in Week 10, ensuring they are well-prepared to make winning decisions for their teams.