Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: Starts of the Week + Wk 15 Matchups, Gut Feelings
Release Date: December 13, 2018

In this episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright provide a comprehensive analysis of Week 15 matchups, discuss crucial injury updates, and share their gut feelings to help listeners navigate the high-stakes fantasy football playoffs.

Injury Updates and Playoff Preparation

As the playoffs approach, injuries become a critical concern. Andy Holloway jokes about dealing with his own injury tilt by referencing Melvin Gordon ([00:22] Andy Holloway), highlighting the unpredictable nature of playoff weeks where key players might be unavailable.

At [06:20], Andy shares troubling news about Odell Beckham Jr., who is "highly questionable" for the week due to a quad bruise. This emphasizes the importance of having backup plans in your fantasy lineup to avoid last-minute setbacks. Jason echoes this sentiment, stressing the necessity of being prepared for injuries, especially with multiple games on Saturday affecting roster decisions ([07:18] Jason Moore).

Further complicating matters, Carson Wentz is likely to miss the rest of the season due to an ACL injury ([09:09] Andy Holloway). This significant update impacts Philadelphia’s lineup, urging fantasy managers to reassess their strategies promptly.

Week 15 Matchups Breakdown

Browns vs. Broncos

With the Browns holding a 3-10 record against the Broncos' 4-9, Jason Moore expresses confidence in starting Jarvis Landry, noting his regained trust despite reduced target volumes ([22:11] Jason Moore). Andy Holloway highlights the matchup dynamics, particularly Baker Mayfield facing Denver's formidable pass rush led by Von Miller and Bradley Chubb ([24:22] Andy Holloway). The duo debates the potential outcomes, balancing Landry’s talent against the aggressive Denver defense.

Cardinals vs. Falcons

The Cardinals (3-10) take on the Falcons (4-9) in what Jason Moore describes as a disappointing matchup for Tevin Coleman due to his recent underperformance ([31:35] Jason Moore). Andy remains cautiously optimistic about the Cardinals' defense but questions Coleman's reliability. They discuss the merits of starting Edo Smith over Coleman, considering the Cardinals' weak run defense ([32:14] Jason Moore).

Buccaneers vs. Ravens

In a matchup featuring the Buccaneers (5-8) against the Ravens (7-6), Andy predicts an "almost upset," focusing on Lamar Jackson’s turnover issues and Tampa Bay’s offensive capabilities ([35:59] Andy Holloway). Jason agrees but underscores Lamar's strong fantasy contributions despite real-game uncertainties ([37:33] Jason Moore), illustrating the divergence between fantasy and actual game performance.

Cowboys vs. Colts

The Cowboys (8-5) face the Colts (7-6) in a game deemed crucial for fantasy playoff implications. The discussion centers around Dak Prescott’s improved performance with Amari Cooper's presence and the Colts' overall team strength. Jason leans towards James White as a safer RB option over Marlon Mack, while Andy considers both players' potential impact ([49:01] Jason Moore).

Lions vs. Bills

The Lions (5-8) go up against the Bills (4-9), with Andy expressing caution about Kenny Golladay’s performance against the Bills’ strong secondary ([53:07] Andy Holloway). Jason continues to distrust Golladay due to low target volumes and inconsistent production ([46:42] Jason Moore), advising fantasy managers to consider safer alternatives despite the challenging matchup.

Start of the Week Picks

Running Backs:

• Mike: Selects Justin Jackson ([53:54] Mike Holloway).
• Jason: Chooses Chris Carson for his consistent workload and touchdown opportunities ([54:36] Jason Moore).
• Andy: Opts for Dalvin Cook, anticipating he will be forced into the game against Miami’s defense ([54:12] Andy Holloway).

Wide Receivers:

• Mike: Picks Tyler Boyd, expecting a favorable matchup against Oakland’s vulnerable defensive backs ([56:36] Mike Holloway).
• Jason: Favors Julian Edelman, projecting high targets in a high-scoring game ([57:25] Jason Moore).
• Andy: Chooses Robert Woods, banking on his matchup against a struggling Philadelphia secondary ([56:36] Andy Holloway).

Tight Ends:

• Mike: Selects Ian Thomas, noting his increased target share since Greg Olsen’s departure ([58:47] Mike Holloway).
• Jason: Discusses the potential between David Njoku and Jalen Samuels, ultimately favoring safe options based on matchup dynamics ([59:43] Jason Moore).
• Andy: Teases using Jalen Samuels as a "cheat code" in certain league formats, emphasizing creative lineup strategies ([60:03] Andy Holloway).

Quarterbacks:

• Mike: Prefers Jared Goff, believing in his ability to perform against Dallas’s strong defense despite recent inconsistencies ([60:45] Mike Holloway).
• Jason: Surprisingly champions Andrew Luck, highlighting his impressive fantasy output and reliability despite limited recognition at the time ([62:19] Jason Moore).
• Andy: Supports Lamar Jackson, focusing on his consistent fantasy contributions through both passing and rushing yards ([61:54] Andy Holloway).

Kickers:

• Andy: Fully endorses Justin Tucker as a "boom boom kicker," emphasizing his consistency and reliability ([63:07] Andy Holloway).
• Jason: Agrees with confidence in Tucker while acknowledging general complexities with kickers that week ([63:34] Jason Moore).

Gut Feelings and Predictions

The hosts share their intuitive predictions based on the week’s matchups:

• Calvin Ridley or Mohamed Sanu: Andy boldly predicts that one of these Falcons receivers will score multiple touchdowns against the Cardinals ([34:41] Andy Holloway).

• Julian Edelman: Jason anticipates a high-output game for Edelman due to a potential shootout between Pittsburgh and New England, making him a reliable start in semifinals ([57:25] Jason Moore).

• Robert Woods vs. Jared Goff: Andy aligns with starting Robert Woods against a struggling Eagles secondary, expecting a monster performance ([56:36] Andy Holloway).

• Andrew Luck: Jason advocates for Luck’s consistent fantasy performance, predicting a stellar game regardless of real-game outcomes ([62:19] Jason Moore).

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore ([05:14]): “Fantasy is a roller coaster... you get to gloat, shove it in your opponent's face and then lose and they lick your tears.”

• Andy Holloway ([24:22]): “It comes down to how Baker Mayfield performs on the road in Denver against Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.”

• Jason Moore ([34:33]): “Julio Jones can disappoint. But you, he's a must start because look at last week, 8 for 106 and 2... you’re going to be pretty happy with Julio.”

• Andy Holloway ([63:07]): “You just can’t miss Justin Tucker. Did you know that there were 18 missed field goals or extra points last week?”

• Jason Moore ([62:19]): “Andrew Luck is a top 10 quarterback in nine of the last 10 games. I think you have to start Andrew Luck. I'm not worried about him at all.”

Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers provide a detailed and strategic approach to Week 15, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in the face of injuries and matchup complexities. By combining statistical analysis with gut instincts, Andy, Jason, and Mike equip fantasy managers with the insights needed to make informed decisions and secure victory in their leagues. Whether it's leveraging consistent performers like Dalvin Cook and Justin Tucker or taking calculated risks on players like Julian Edelman and Andrew Luck, this episode serves as an invaluable resource for navigating the fantasy playoffs.