Starts of the Week + Wk 15 Matchups, Gut Feelings

Summary

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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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.”

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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.

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

What's up, foot clan? Today's show is brought to you by our [e-mail] the best place to grab a fantasy football trophy. Whether you want a trophy for this year's winner or a perennial trophy. Some rings, some belts, they got bundles over there. They got custom fantasy football jerseys, a.

[Jason Moore]

Toilet bowl trophy for when you smash your opponents.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Brooks, the future champion of our dynasty league is going to get that for all the other owners in the league.

[Jason Moore]

Very kind, Brooks.

[Andy Holloway]

Fantasy Champs.com get ready for the end of this season and use the promo code ballers to save a little extra cash. This is Melvin Gordon from the Los Angeles Chargers and you listening to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Jason Moore]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast coming to you from Draft.com Studios with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Ah, welcome in. I think there's a lot of injury tilt going on right now, Jason.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, there has to be. It's playoffs. The big names are.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm dealing with my injury tilt by trolling Mike with the Melvin Gordon intro.

[Jason Moore]

Ah, I like it. Melvin Gordon introducing the show. He's got extra time on his hands.

[Andy Holloway]

Ah, you see he's big, he's strong and probably not going to play. Probably not going to play football tonight.

[Jason Moore]

I am so excited for this game tonight.

[Andy Holloway]

I am too.

[Jason Moore]

Is there a better situation in the semifinals of playoffs than kicking it off with so many fantasy relevant players, including pretty much the weak winning type of players like Pat Mahomes and Tyree Kill, that we get to get a head start on the semifinal week and go, what do I need? Do I need to swing for the fences? Am I already up big? So excited.

[Andy Holloway]

Why? It's my 10 year old's birthday today. He just turned 10. Caleb, happy birthday. And this game makes me feel like it's all our birthday. That's what I'm saying. Well, I mean the production.

[Jason Moore]

It's going to be half of our birthdays tonight.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh. Because you and I are kind of opposed in what we want Tyree Kill to do.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. This is not going to be a, a happy birthday for half the people. The half the people out there. Like, look, there's no. I mean, how many leagues are Pat Mahomes and Tyree Kill not still in the playoffs? They're playing in almost every league tonight.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And the Melvin Gordon owner is probably made. He probably made the playoffs too. And it'll be a fun one, it'll be an exciting one. And we were hearing that Melvin Gordon's unlikely to play and that is because they have called up a practice squad running back to back up Justin Jackson.

[Jason Moore]

In the off season. We say follow the money. Look at what the team is actually doing. You know, look at their transactions, what they actually choose in the draft says, what they believe about their team when they promote a guy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Troy Main Pope, promoted from the practice squad.

[Jason Moore]

You know him? Yeah, Troy Maine Pope, stellar running back. Out of. He was out of college and back when he was younger, he went to college and he played football there.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

And so they promoted him. Everybody knows all about him. The Pope.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, we can get some good nicknames going.

[Andy Holloway]

Shouldn't he be playing for the Saints?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, the Saints or the Cardinals. Yeah, one of those two. But yeah, that indicates that there's a good chance Melvin Gordon. And it's not to say Melvin Gordon is out. He's going to test it, be a game time decision. But the team clearly is preparing as if they will not have Melvin Gordon there.

[Andy Holloway]

As should you as a fantasy owner, have a plan. Have a plan for tonight? I got a plan.

[Jason Moore]

I have a plan, Arthur.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, quick question for today before we get into news and notes and all of. Well, all the matchups we can handle today. Tom in Pittsburgh says, what are your thoughts about hanging out with your opponent during playoff or championship week? Both of my opponents are very competitive. Or both, I guess he and I are very competitive. What do you think about that?

[Jason Moore]

Wow. That is. That's a good time. That's a good time to be had. I am 100% behind being with your opponent. If you're both good peoples, which, you know, look, you're listening to the fantasy footballers. You're part of the Foot Clan family. You're good peoples out there. You can talk some trash. You can get some trash, talk to you and be good friends in the morning. I love the idea because the usually. Look, fantasy is a roller coaster. I mean, this year alone, the amount of times I've gone into the week projected to win by 30 and losing or like all my wins I'm projected to lose and all my losses, I've been projected to win. So there's this, this fun time where you get to gloat, shove it in your opponent's face and then lose and they lick your tears. That.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that what they do?

[Jason Moore]

That's what my opponents usually do.

[Andy Holloway]

That's what. If you. If you play together, the loser has.

[Jason Moore]

To do that Cartman style.

[Andy Holloway]

That's gross.

[Jason Moore]

They're looking. Yes, it's. It's not a good time, but why not?

[Andy Holloway]

Why not? But what normally happens, I mean I've done this. Mike and I, we took, I took him on in the Dynasty league title game last year and, and it was really fun and competitive and then when Gurley broke off like a 80 yard run, you could see Mike just slowly melted away. And then he left. He left. So no, I would do that. Follow us on YouTube. You can subscribe. Click the bell. You'll know when our live stream happens on Sunday morning and you can watch the show over there. YouTube.com the Fantasy Footballers Twitter @The FF Ballers, follow Jason at Jason FFL. Follow me at Andy Holloway and then you can follow Mike at ffhitman. Mike will be back soon. JoinTheFoot.com is our fantasy football community. And don't forget to head over to footclangiveaway.com win some autographed NFL gear. Let's get into the news.

[Jason Moore]

News and notes from around the league.

[Andy Holloway]

Right before the show there's an update about Odell Beckham Jr. And that he is not practicing today. He is actually being further evaluated outside the facility. Most recent report I had read was at a local hospital getting the quad bruise evaluated. Now this is not a good, good thing I wanted to hear he's practicing. Yeah, he did go through the walkthrough this morning. So for whatever reason he's either being evaluated to see if this is more than a thigh bruise. So the team could be precautionary here. They don't want to let him proceed and play if it's more than. But right now there is high. I'm, I'm looking at Odell Beckham Jr. As highly questionable for this week. You have to have a backup plan. You have to have somebody you're willing to rotate in there if he's a game time decision. You can't get caught off guard like last week like we all did when suddenly he couldn't play.

[Jason Moore]

And here's the most important thing. We were talking about this beforehand. Footland. If you're in the playoffs there's a good chance you've got someone that's somewhat injured coming into Sunday's game. And you need to, you need to be prepared. But to this week it's different. There are two Saturday games this week. So perfect example here. You know Andy, you were talking about you would you picked up, you know, not a lot of options on the waiver wires. You picked up Robbie Anderson, you were thinking about maybe he is your Odell Beckham replacement if need be.

[Andy Holloway]

Correct.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean but you won't know, come Saturday.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, we could. We could know quick. If you don't know, you want the option to play Odell up until the final minute.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

And because of that, you might need to look somewhere else. You might look at Mohamed Sanu against Arizona with Peterson matched up against Julio all game long.

[Jason Moore]

Right. So the Texans, if you're looking at, like, Kiki qt. The jets, if you're looking at Robbie Anderson, the Cleveland Browns, you know, trying to get Callaway. Callaway. Denver Broncos pick up Daeshun or someone. Those players are Saturday.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

So be prepared. And also, same rules apply as the flex. Try to get them out of your flex.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, and the Giants game, to make it even worse, it's at 1:00pm on Sunday.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, perfect.

[Andy Holloway]

1:00Pm our time. Right. Is that 4 Eastern, Brooks?

[Jason Moore]

No, that's 1:00pm Eastern time.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, so it is the morning game.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, so tune into Sunday live. Thanks for putting the time zone in there, Brooks. Yeah, sorry about that. You know, I'm hard on him because I love him so much.

[Jason Moore]

He's.

[Andy Holloway]

He's like a son.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, when you're talking about a future dynasty league champion like Brooks, man, I really hope I win this week because we all know you're going to be in the championship next week, Brooks. And then it would be Mano Emano. Head to head. I'll bring you balloons. Oh, yeah, Cards.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you got to do it up. And we'll put that on Instagram. When he pre celebrates his title, then he knows he's going to win.

[Jason Moore]

As he's done all week, as he's.

[Andy Holloway]

Done relentlessly, it's like a different man. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Not humble. That's all I can say. Breaking news near the end of yesterday's show was Carson Wentz not expected to play? He's going to probably miss the rest of the season. Nick Foles takes over under center. Nick Foles, you know, you. You are. You weren't excited with Philadelphia's offense and the predictability of it anyways. It doesn't get better with Nick Foles on the road against Los Angeles after a loss.

[Jason Moore]

You're certainly not upgrading Alshon or Golden Tate or any of those options. You're probably going to stay away from all Eagles wide receivers this week.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, you're going to play Ertz because you got to play Ertz.

[Jason Moore]

Oh.

[Andy Holloway]

And he should be okay.

[Jason Moore]

He'll be fine.

[Andy Holloway]

The Saints have released Brandon Marshall.

[Jason Moore]

I remember him.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't know if there are Survivor fans out there, but in the second half of Every season of Survivor, the people that get voted off, they go to. They go to this cabin and they live there because they're serving on the jury and it's just for the losers. It's a loser's cabin. You've been voted off and you just hang out there and eat food. I feel like Brandon Marshall, C.J. anderson, they're all in this. They're just eating the buffet, waiting for someone to call them up. Waiting to judge on not going to happen.

[Jason Moore]

I don't understand why C.J. anderson is not a chief yet.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, come on.

[Jason Moore]

Stay tuned.

[Andy Holloway]

Brandon Marshall released by the Saints. Saints claim tight end Eric Swope off of the waivers from the by the Colts. This was crazy news. Darius guy who tore his ACL in the preseason was highly regarded would have been one of the players we'd been talking about all year long towards acl. Missed the season. Apparently he required three additional knee surgeries due to infection. Yeah. Which is a strange thing Alex Smith is dealing with.

[Jason Moore]

If you or someone you love is in the Washington D.C. area and you need surgery, please leave that area for yours because apparently the D.C. area where I mean, I'm assuming as a redskin, maybe it's something some in the red skin. I've always said facilities, water.

[Andy Holloway]

Bring some Purell to your own surgeries and then just squirt it in everywhere. Have them banaka style all over. Make sure you wake up once during the surgery. Put a little in there.

[Jason Moore]

Purell is the new.

[Andy Holloway]

You know what? I feel bad about this joke line because these have really happened to them. Like we're running away with it and it's really funny.

[Jason Moore]

We're bing bang, boom, boom, boom, bam. Just drink Purell but get, get well.

[Andy Holloway]

I feel terrible now.

[Jason Moore]

You made me feel bad.

[Andy Holloway]

Jay Grizz thought it was still funny.

[Jason Moore]

He's a monster.

[Andy Holloway]

Literally. All right. I think we got all the news Thursday night Football updates. We talked about it. Tyree Kill. We expect him to play Sammy Watkins officially out tonight. Keep your eye on Tyree Kill. Make sure that he's in there. The game time decision for Melvin Gordon is going to be challenging for him to play Justin Jackson. You can start him. If Gordon is out, where is Damian Williams if Spencer Ware is out because he is listed as downfall? I am. Ware's not going to play either.

[Jason Moore]

Right.

[Andy Holloway]

It's going to be no Gordon nowhere. It's a little a trade.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. They called each other up and said hey, what if we both just said our starting running back is that fair? And then they said yes to me, I think Damian Williams is a really solid play.

[Andy Holloway]

How solid? Like where would you rank him?

[Jason Moore]

Solid like in the teens, so.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, really?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I mean I would have a hard time deciding between Damian Williams if he's got the whole show to himself or Mark Ingram, who doesn't.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think he has the whole show to himself at all.

[Jason Moore]

Well, I agree, I agree with you. I think Shark Hendrick west will be.

[Andy Holloway]

Involved and Darrell Williams I think is going to be a messier situation. And you want to know why? Because Damian Williams, as you have been prone to say, not that good.

[Jason Moore]

He is not good.

[Andy Holloway]

And if he's not that good, not productive in the running game. Chark Handrick west will surprise people tonight. I have Damian Williams as a fringe 2, 3 even. Even if he's got the back. Yes, 20, 23, 24.

[Jason Moore]

The percentage chance of him getting a touchdown in this game is. Is high to me. So I would have him a little higher. You know, in that Gus Edwards conversation where you go if you're in a half point PPR league, Damian Williams can catch the ball. Gus Edwards not really involved in that way. Who would you start? That'd be tough. And I know you, Andy. You prefer. You always like having a player in the Thursday night game to give you more information heading into the week. So long as you're not making just a dumb decision for your lineup to hurt yourself for that information.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, yeah. I mean it's going to be all about Philip Rivers and all about Pat Mahomes tonight. That's what I think. And if the Chiefs win, they will. They win the division.

[Jason Moore]

Little windy, like 13 mile an hour winds. Nothing that well. You Mahomes can't throw the ball straight through.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, no, look, throw through. All right. In and out tomorrow, all the injury updates, which there'll be plenty of them and we'll go ahead and move on. Get into the forecast.

[Jason Moore]

Fantasy forecast.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. Saturday football. Jason, are you excited for Saturday football?

[Jason Moore]

I am not. I don't like it Saturday football.

[Andy Holloway]

Why?

[Jason Moore]

It just, it takes. Takes more time. I mean, you know, we've got our schedule really vigorously planned and so it throws a wrench in my normal operating.

[Andy Holloway]

Schedule because you don't like having to look through those two matchups a day early and.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Sort out that stuff.

[Jason Moore]

Saturday is like a family day. Not anymore. Sorry, family.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, the Texans take on the jets in New York. The jets are six point underdogs at home. The Texans coming off a loss. The jets coming off a win. DeSean Watson, Lamar Miller and company head into New York. Sam Darnold. Look, there are question marks all over the New York offense in terms of availability of players. Quincy and Nuno hasn't practiced all week, has an ankle injury. Elijah McGuire, Isaiah Crowell, both questionable right now. They didn't practice on Wednesday, so Elijah.

[Jason Moore]

McGuire I believe got in a limited practice. Crowell did not practice at all and Cannon was also limited.

[Andy Holloway]

So what are your expectations out of this game? The must starts in this game to Sean Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, Lamar Miller has morphed himself into a must start. He's too involved to play games with. I think he's just got to be in your lineup even in the semifinals. Congratulations to you, Lamar Miller.

[Andy Holloway]

Deshaun Watson's averaging just 208 passing yards per game over his last eight games. He's only thrown over two touchdowns once this season.

[Jason Moore]

Doesn't matter.

[Andy Holloway]

On the road, only nine touchdowns, almost four sacks a game.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean, I'm, I'm really not worried. I mean desean Watson, if you look at his game log this last week, he was the quarterback. 17, that's not good enough. That would hurt you. But the weeks prior, 12, 1, 10, 1. I mean he's usually, and those are with those stats. So he's usually getting it done. Enough with his legs to where I think he is a guy you start now would you start him or Cam Newton this week? That's where you get debate.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm a Cam Newton fan. At home versus Watson on the road in this game, the jets have, they've been a little, a little strange to predict from time to time. They're close, they're back to back. So you go with, you know, you think people own Cam and Deshaun and are facing this decision.

[Jason Moore]

Every time that I, every time we come on the show and say, you know, here's a crazy example and nobody will have this decision. We get tweeted out somebody's lineup who has it. So yes, someone has it.

[Andy Holloway]

I would not be surprised if Chris Herndon had a half decent game. If Robbie Anderson had a half decent game. Last week, the Texans gave up 199 yards to Ty Hilton, the deep threat. If a new misses, it'll be Anderson. It'll be Herndon. Texans dead last against tight ends over the last six weeks.

[Jason Moore]

Anderson and Mr. Anderson.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, four for 78 and a touchdown last week for Robbie Anderson looked pretty good to me, Made some big plays. They won the game, scored 27 points. And Sam Darnold, if you know he's going to make mistakes in this game. He throws more interceptions than anybody in football. But I like that.

[Jason Moore]

Right. You just.

[Andy Holloway]

I like that if I'm a Robbie Anderson fan because Chuck the ball.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. If you're not playing Robbie Anderson, it's not bad news that he's going to have to keep throwing the ball and throw further downfield. I agree. Robbie Anderson is the only guy in the playoffs that I'd be willing to take a shot. Chris Herndon, he could surprise. He could have a good game. Not in my lineup. In the fantasy playoffs. Quincy Nunois, he could very well play. He's had plenty of weeks where he hasn't practiced and played. I'm not playing him. What's the upside? But Robbie Anderson I would take. I would take, you know, a swing for the fences shot. If you need a flex play. And if you're in a deeper league dealing with injuries, Robbie could have a good game. I'm not going to play with Kiki Cootie.

[Andy Holloway]

No, no, no, no.

[Jason Moore]

Just because of the injury or Demarius.

[Andy Holloway]

Unpredictable, averaging 2.8 catches a game. Lamar Miller has been an RB2 in six of his last eight games. You can start him as an RB2. And then the Crowell, McGuire Cannon situation.

[Jason Moore]

If you have to pick one, you're picking McGuire. He was good last week and he.

[Andy Holloway]

But not if Crowell's active.

[Jason Moore]

You know the thing. If Crowell and McGuire are both active, I'm still choosing McGuire, but I'm not wanting to choose.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. I would bench them both in that situation against Houston's front myself.

[Jason Moore]

So you think demarius Thomas not worth playing?

[Andy Holloway]

No, I do not think so, no.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

You're okay with him?

[Jason Moore]

I'm okay. I mean he's, he's. He's not that great. I'm okay. I mean he's got big playability. We saw that with his two touchdown game. I got him a couple weeks ago.

[Andy Holloway]

I got him at 39. So. Yeah, that's not. I'm not a big fan. Dreason.

[Jason Moore]

Okay, that's fair.

[Andy Holloway]

Before we get into the Browns Broncos, the other Saturday night matchup, the Saturday Night Fever taking place up there in Mile High. I want to thank our good friends 23andMe for sponsoring today's show because now through December 25th, the 23andMe DNA kits are on sale. You've heard us talking about this. Give the gift of genetic discovery. They have an ancestry composition report that you can Explore where your DNA, you look at it. Out of 150 regions worldwide they tell you where you come from and this is a cool family thing to do because if you have yours done, I mean, it's kind of permanent. You've got, once they look at your genome and they check all this stuff out, you've got that record forever. You can compare with friends and family. You can find relatives on there. You can learn about the role your genes play in both your lifestyle and your well being. Tons of different genetic variants and genes that you learn about. Things related to things like muscle composition or your ability to match musical pitch or even things like how delicious are you to a mosquito?

[Jason Moore]

Super delicious.

[Andy Holloway]

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[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

All right, let's travel to Denver. The Browns at 5, 7 and 1, still with a 1% chance of making the playoffs. Take on the 6 and 7 Broncos. Broncos. They're more around the 5%, Jason. They're a little bit better off.

[Jason Moore]

Shoe in.

[Andy Holloway]

They are three point home favorites, 45 and a half point over under. Let's start with this. Has Jarvis Landry with 100 total yards in back to back games. Has he regained your trust?

[Jason Moore]

Dear sir, he has regained my trust. I realize that the target volume, which is what I usually look for, is it's not where Jarvis Landry was at the beginning of the year. Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Or his career.

[Jason Moore]

Or his career. I mean, you look at the beginning of the year, he had 15, 15, 10, 10, 10, 10. That's not what Jarvis Landry is doing right now. He only had four targets this last week, but it was still involvement. Right. Two different rushing plays, one near the goal line, that scores a touchdown. One that was the literal, exact same play, just not near the goal line. A 50 plus yard run. They are getting him involved. And the reason I trust him is twofold. One, Baker's great. Baker's a good quarterback. I mean, he's a rookie. He's going to have his mistakes. This is not the easiest matchup going to Denver, who's, I still think a very good defense. But Jarvis is great. Like he's just a talented player. Right. Is there any fate?

[Andy Holloway]

Great plus great equals good, huh?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, a lot of people don't know that. Yeah, a lot of people would say, well, that equals great.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I know Chris Harris Jr. In Denver. That's great.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

For Jarvis. He's in the slot. He's running around the middle of the field and they don't have their best. The best slot corner in the league. So that trends in his favor. We got him at 15 as a consensus wide receiver. Fifteen, that's high.

[Jason Moore]

That I will be honest. That feels too high. Like I'm sitting here saying, I think, like I said, great plus great equals good. 15, 15, I feel like is great. So maybe I'll move him down a little bit. But I still think I'm willing to put him in my lineup. I can lose with Jarvis, you know, this is.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, you can.

[Jason Moore]

I am okay. I believe I am okay mentally putting Jarvis in. I think the process is strong. He's got a career. Showing you enough. I mean, I'm not going to get cute and put in Antonio Callaway or someone else from this game over Jarvis. And I think Jarvis is a find. A fine, a fine and a find.

[Andy Holloway]

Find wide receiver three, David Njoku. Since the offensive coordinator change, he's averaging four targets a game. Where's your trust level with Njoku?

[Jason Moore]

It is. Here's, here's my trust level within Joku.

[Andy Holloway]

You have to trust him. We're going to talk about him a little bit later.

[Jason Moore]

We are going to talk about him. You have to trust him. Can he suck? Yes. Yes, he can. But so can every other tight end out there. You have to play. This is not just like is in Joku good. It's is in Joku better than other options? And the answer to that is probably yes.

[Andy Holloway]

See this matchup? To me, it comes down to how Baker Mayfield performs on the road in Denver against Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, who have the most sacks by any duo in the NFL. You know the pressure is going to be on Baker, but Denver is allowing 335 passing yards a game since Week 10. They don't have all their weapons in the secondary. They've been beaten, obviously. Look at last week. George Kittle ran wild against them. So it comes down to can Baker execute and if they get to him early, does he shrink back or does he step up? He's been playing well lately. I wouldn't start Baker myself. He's my 18 on the week.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I wouldn't start him either, but I can't wait to watch him go there and play. Yeah, he didn't scare me back.

[Andy Holloway]

It scares me as a Denver defense owner because I'm playing Denver's defense this week because I want the upside of a Von Miller strip sack, fumble return, all the upper big plays. But the the Broncos are going to give up 20 points in this game. Yes, it's going to happen. Nick Chubby has a rushing touchdown and five straight games. He's as safe as they come at the running back position right now. No reason to really discuss him. On the other must start on the other side of the ball. Case Keenum & Co. Keenum has struggled immensely. It's hurt Cortland Sutton. Daeshun Hamilton last week had seven catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. The excite, you know, Cortland Sutton right now he returned to limited practice on Wednesday. He should play. He's got that thigh injury from last week. Sutton or Hamilton? If you have to take a flyer on a Keenum target.

[Jason Moore]

If I have to take a flyer, I'm still sticking with Sutton. And the reason why I'm sticking with Sutton is because of Tim Patrick, because Daeshun Hamilton is the other option we're talking about. Okay. Is it Sutton? Is it Daeshun? Well, look, Daeshun had a good game, but Tim Patrick had 7 for 85 last week to Daeshun Hamilton 7 for 47. Daysean just got the touchdown. So I with with the volume kind of mixing in there, I want the deep target. I want the guy against the Browns that can go deep and have a big game. I still believe that's Cortland Sutton. We've seen it a few times this season he was obviously drafted to have that. I mean, two weeks ago, four for 85 and a touchdown, I would take my shot on Sutton now.

[Andy Holloway]

Let me ask you this though. Do we get blinded as fantasy owners sometimes? Cortland Sutton has been. He's a high pedigree draft pick. He flashed when Emmanuel Sanders and Demarius Thomas were there. So we've been hyping him up and I mean, we've been wrong. Yes, he has not performed.

[Jason Moore]

He has been a disappointment.

[Andy Holloway]

But last week Tim Patrick had seven catches for 85 yards. Like you said. Why do we not talk about Tim Patrick as a reaction to his performance? He was the leading target last week. He obviously has some sort of rapport with Case Keenum. Why is his name not bring being brought up amongst the kind of the hype train of Sutton and Hamilton?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

So he was the best.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, he was the best wide receiver of the three. And I mean.

[Andy Holloway]

And yet you. What your hesitation seems to reveal exactly.

[Jason Moore]

Well he's played. I mean if you look at his four previous games where he is Tim Patrick, the four games where he has been in there and been targeted and caught a pass, each one he's had one reception. So one for 26, one for 24, one for 17. I realize a change with Amanda Sanders.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. First time Without Sanders, he's seven for 85.

[Jason Moore]

I just, I have a, I, I couldn't in the semifinals just jump to that trust level of saying, well then Tim Patrick is the guy. Now if you're in a full PPR and you are the odds on favorite. Right. You're a dominant guy. Then the day Sean, Tim Patrick feels a little safer than the Cortland Sutton upside. But this is a Saturday game. I don't really want any of these three guys. We're talking about these guys like, but like, I mean my highest, my highest ranked Denver wide receiver here is Sutton at. You know, he's outside the wide receiver too.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay, well, we don't need to talk about him anymore. Let's move on. The three and ten cardinals taking on the four and nine falcons. Falcons eight and a half point home favorites a 44 point over under.

[Jason Moore]

Wow. These falcons are only favored eight and a half points. Does that surprise you or does that seem.

[Andy Holloway]

No, that seems right. These are both. We'll call these bad birds. These are bad birds. The Cardinals have one fewer win than the Falcons. So I. Eight and a half. I can see that the Cardinals defense is infinitely better than its offense. It's not. The Cardinals, if they had an offense this year they would have won more than three games. It's a matter of Josh Rosen going on the road and trying to get something done in Atlanta. I don't trust that whatsoever. I would play the Falcons defense with confidence and the Falcons defense is bad.

[Jason Moore]

The thing that really, the thing that really hurts my feelings here is I realize that the Cardinals are going to score 10 or fewer points. Like that's, you know, everybody knows that. Even on Atlanta's defense in a dome, I mean, David Johnson was limited. He's expected to play. But monitor that. If you're the David Johnson, there's no offensive line, there's no quarterback and there's no wide receivers. So how they put up points, I don't know. And they haven't. I mean, they put up three points last week at home against Detroit. So that means to only be favored 8 1/2 points, there must not be a lot of expected points. Going for the Falcons is my worry. And I'm playing Matt Ryan and I'm very fearful about it.

[Andy Holloway]

David Johnson, 12 receiving yards on eight receptions last week. That is terrible. He's averaging 20 touches per game, but he hasn't given you a big game in a little while. Atlanta has been perennially terrible against pass catching running backs.

[Jason Moore]

Did you know that?

[Andy Holloway]

Are you feeling okay about David Johnson?

[Jason Moore]

No, certainly not. Did you know that big play, percentage of big plays carries to result in the big play? David Johnson is bottom five in the league of qualifying running backs. He's. I mean, you would expect a guy that's getting volume with the talent of David Johnson to just break something off. Yeah, just have a 50 yard run every once in a while. He's done jack squat.

[Andy Holloway]

Speaking of Jack squad, Tevin Coleman, how do you feel about him? Last three weeks, total yardage 23, 11, 41. He's evaded one tackle in the last three weeks. I have nicely.

[Jason Moore]

I have evaded one fewer tackle than Tevin Coleman in the same time period. That's. I feel pretty good about that.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. No, that has to build your self esteem.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I feel like you should be able to play Tevin Coleman.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean the Cardinals, they have not been good against the run.

[Jason Moore]

You're at home, heavy favorite against a bad run defense, it's yes, yes, yes, you should be able to play. And yet in my rankings I've got them behind, you know, 25 other people. So. Man, it's tough to trust Tevin Coleman with how bad he's been. I honestly, I feel like maybe. Is Edo Smith a better Option. I don't want to play either, but they should. Let's talk through this because shouldn't they be a good start?

[Andy Holloway]

Should be a great start. The Cardinals are 30th in the league, giving up 28 for the fantasy points a game to the running back. There will be points on the ground and they should be winning. They're eight and a half point fans.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. You know, the Falcons are going to win the game.

[Andy Holloway]

So I don't mind Edo Smith over Coleman. If you want to make. If you want to retire Tevin Coleman due to one evaded tentacle in three weeks, you're sick of him.

[Jason Moore]

You're.

[Andy Holloway]

You don't want to lose with him in your lineup again. I don't know. Somebody's going to run wild on the Cardinals, but if, if you had to.

[Jason Moore]

Start one, I assume you would.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I would start Coleman myself. Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Last week, ito Smith was 11 for 60 while Tevin Coleman won fewer carry 10 for 45.

[Andy Holloway]

It seems like the coaching staff would like, you know, Smith to run away with this. He just hasn't done it.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I mean, if you look at the contract situation where coming up to the end of the year, Devonta Freeman still under contract, Tevin Coleman will be a free agent, almost certain to not be back, although he's really played his way out of a big money contract. So maybe, maybe they'll be able to bring him back.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't have them very far apart, let's put it that way. And 28 and 36 this week and I might, I might put it all right there with him.

[Jason Moore]

I think so. I mean, Ito Smith was even more involved in the passing game. There's literally, I think, I think I would rather start Ito.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I might make that change in my range.

[Jason Moore]

I'm gonna bump Ito Smith up. He's a sneaky, sneaky start.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Yeah. Julio Jones has had over 100 yards in eight of his last 10 games, but gets the Patrick Peterson treatment in this one. We saw Kenny Golladay shut down last week. Worried might be too strong a word for somebody like Julio Jones. But is there a world where playoff bound fantasy teams are disappointed in Julio this week?

[Jason Moore]

There's always a world where playoff bound fantasy teams are hurt by Julio Jones. I remember a couple of years ago they had like two. I forget if it was when Tampa Bay was bad or New Orleans was bad. I think it was New Orleans. And in the playoffs they had two games against them and it was like, you got to get Julio. And one of those games Was just a complete flop in a great matchup. I mean, look, two weeks ago, two for 18, that was Julio Jones line. So yeah, he can disappoint. But you, he's a must start because look at last week, 8 for 106 and 2. And at the end of, at the end of the week, I think you're going to be pretty happy with Julio. I got a bold touchdown.

[Andy Holloway]

Jones, I got a bold prediction for you. I think either Calvin Ridley or Mohammed Sanu, one of those two guys is going to have multiple touchdowns in this game.

[Jason Moore]

Multi touchdowns.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, that's my bold prediction.

[Jason Moore]

And that's because you think Julio won't have a good game then?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I think they're going to offensively move the ball with other pieces. I don't think they're going to force feed Julio in a game they can easily win. I think you're going to see a better performance from Sanu or Ridley. Predicting those two is very difficult.

[Jason Moore]

Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan touchdowns. Andy, I need those Matt Ryan touchdowns.

[Andy Holloway]

Because you have Matt Ryan.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

And you want to win and you want to win this week, don't you?

[Jason Moore]

I want to win and I want to then lose in the championship game to Brooks's juggernaut team, as he keeps calling it.

[Andy Holloway]

Last note, Austin Hooper questionable to play in this game with a knee injury. I think he'll play, but you know, do what you want with that information. The Cardinals are fifth against tight ends. Pretty darn good. The five and eight Buccaneers take on the seven and six Ravens. Ravens are seven and a half point favorites, 46 and a half point over, under. I'm looking at this game and I'm trying to look through the lens of the last 15 years of watching football and there's part of me that believes.

[Jason Moore]

What Andy's almost upset of the week. Wow, was this a surprise to you right now?

[Andy Holloway]

In the moment, it really was. See these almost upsets, they're really, I mean, they're, they're gut calls and sometimes I know them the second I see the game lines come out and sometimes I feel them. This is a feeling and I felt it. So I felt it when I looked at this baby.

[Jason Moore]

Josh, we need to track gut versus like the feeling versus gut.

[Andy Holloway]

They're the same. They're the same thing.

[Jason Moore]

But I'm saying the win, loss, all.

[Andy Holloway]

My feelings come from my gut.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, really?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Where do yours come from?

[Jason Moore]

Well, mine come from my gut, but I'm an overeater, so that makes sense. You know, all my feeling comes from my Tum tum.

[Andy Holloway]

All your feeling better as well.

[Jason Moore]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Comes from your tum tum. Tampa, Baltimore. The reason why I'm bringing this as an almost upset is because everything lines up as okay. The Ravens are going to cruise at home, but that hasn't been how the Raven season has gone this year. And Lamar Jackson got the nod. And Lamar Jackson has struggled with turnovers, specifically fumbles. Lamar Jackson has made some mistakes. And Tampa Bay, for all of its problems going up against this Ravens defense, they do have firepower and they have a quarterback that can air it out and they have. They can find a way to score. And my concern is not, oh, Tampa's going to go wild in Baltimore. I'm talking about if this happens. 1714.

[Jason Moore]

So you.

[Andy Holloway]

2117.

[Jason Moore]

So it's an indictment on.

[Andy Holloway]

It's an indictment on Baltimore being able to move the ball.

[Jason Moore]

So it's an indictment on Lamar Jackson. Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Which is not to say it's an indictment on Lamar Jackson, the fantasy producer.

[Jason Moore]

Right. Those can be very, very different things. The Ravens can put up 17 points. Lamar Jackson can fumble three times and still finish as a top 12 quarterback because he rushed for 100 yards. Because fantasy scoring is broken for quarterbacks. I completely agree with you, Andy.

[Andy Holloway]

Correct. Lamar Jackson, per Pro Football Focus, he's completing less than 50% of his passes. Downside wide receivers, that's not good. You know, you can't start a Ravens wide out of any kind. You can't start John Brown. You can't start Michael Crabtree. You can't start Willie Snead.

[Jason Moore]

There's not enough volume.

[Andy Holloway]

No, if you had to start one, I would.

[Jason Moore]

I would go John Brown for the deep threat against.

[Andy Holloway]

I would start Willie Snead hands down just because.

[Jason Moore]

Assured volume.

[Andy Holloway]

He's Targets have been. Have been there every week. The Ravens backfield's a mess. Gus Edwards, he's touching the ball, but he's only getting the. He's getting carries, no catches. Kenneth Dixon, big breakout game last week. Eight for 59 and a touchdown. Caught a pass. We call him Kenneth Dinker.

[Jason Moore]

Do we?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, we. That's what the notes here say because I accidentally called him Kenneth Dinker.

[Jason Moore]

Yes. Let's. Let's just make it official that I.

[Andy Holloway]

Don'T think he would like. You call him this. If we had him on for an interview. I don't think he's. I don't think he's a big fan of that.

[Jason Moore]

Can we get him to.

[Andy Holloway]

I kind of want him to struggle so we can say that Kenneth Dinker had A stinker.

[Jason Moore]

I like that. But I want him to come on the show and say, this is Kenneth Dinker of the Baltimore Ravens and you're listening to the Fantasy football podcast.

[Andy Holloway]

He might be, I don't know, he may have a sense of humor.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, here's the thing about the. You say the running back core is in shambles. Earlier in the year it was.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I didn't say that.

[Jason Moore]

You said it was a mess.

[Andy Holloway]

I'll put words in my mouth.

[Jason Moore]

You said it was a mess.

[Andy Holloway]

Get, get. What did you tell me? That I shut my stupid mouth.

[Jason Moore]

Well, it was a stupid face, so you had to shut your mouth. Yeah, no, I said it was regret nothing.

[Andy Holloway]

It was. Yeah. It's a little unpredictable, but earlier in.

[Jason Moore]

The season you could start Alex Collins and Buck Allen in certain games. Now I feel like almost like we've upgraded both of those guys to Gus and Dixon, to Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon. And now we're facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that while improved. If you look, you know, they were terrible against quarterbacks over the last six weeks. They're the seventh fewest fantasy points given up over that time frame. Two quarterbacks better against wide receivers at tight end, but still against the running game, they've actually gotten worse. They're the 30th best, so they're not good. And you've got a team that wants to run all day on them. I feel like maybe you could start both of these guys. Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon don't mind.

[Andy Holloway]

You taking a shot on them both. I don't. I just am not excited about the fact it's split, that's all. And if Lamar Jackson can't get things going and the running game can't get things going, it could be a struggle for them. Is Jameis Winston a full on sit?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, he is. He could 100% have a great game.

[Andy Holloway]

Is there anybody you play?

[Jason Moore]

You could see Ryan Fitzpatrick.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Who do you play for? Tampa.

[Jason Moore]

You're going to have to put Mike Evans in there because he is the number one target. He's a big body downfield. I mean, I. You'd have to have a great wide receiver core to bench Mike Evans. And I also think you put Cameron Bray in there because on the season, the Ravens, if you want to beat them, you beat them with tight end. Jameis goes to tight end. I think Cameron Brait is worthy of being a start of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

What about Adam Humphries? If they're playing catch up, if I'm wrong, if this is not an almost Upset. If they have the. If they perform according to Vegas and have the highest. One of the highest implied point totals of 28 points, which is where they're at right now. I'm sorry, that's where Baltimore's at. That means that Tampa has to come back in this game. Is the underneath target, the emergency target of Adam Humphries, Is he going to give you PPR value?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. I mean, that's what you're seeing from them. Giving up points against the tight end. They let that small middle of the field stuff. So you might have Adam Humphries there with six, seven receptions. If you're in a full PPR league, that could be. Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Pronounce that with an Humphreys for me.

[Jason Moore]

Humphries. Adam Humphries.

[Andy Holloway]

Any other questions from this game that you want to bring up or do we cover Barber?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Sip Hayden Barber and laugh at Ronald Jones next game.

[Andy Holloway]

I just saw he got picked up and dropped in one of our leagues. Just like a. Kind of. Just like a cursory.

[Jason Moore]

I was wondering if you remember how you are.

[Andy Holloway]

Let's get you in the logs.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I was wondering if that was an NFL transaction. Like, oh, they accidentally dropped them and they're like, oh, shoot, we should pick that guy back up. We're embarrassed about our draft pick.

[Andy Holloway]

We'll see what happens next year because he will. They'll probably change head coaches.

[Jason Moore]

Mm.

[Andy Holloway]

And he will not have been from.

[Jason Moore]

Ronald Jones is short for the NFL. And I don't mean that height wise.

[Andy Holloway]

He's short for the NFL.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, his career is not going to last long.

[Andy Holloway]

So you were. You were taking the not long for the NFL.

[Jason Moore]

Correct.

[Andy Holloway]

And you just made that short.

[Jason Moore]

That is perfect. Jason Morris.

[Andy Holloway]

That execution, very special. It's kind of like Baby Josh is short for the. For the fancy footballers studio.

[Jason Moore]

That's true.

[Andy Holloway]

Final day tomorrow.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, he's going to be a toddler.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm going to go out in the.

[Jason Moore]

World waddling around, still pooping in a diaper.

[Andy Holloway]

I just saw.

[Jason Moore]

No doubt about that.

[Andy Holloway]

We watched Home Alone with the kids yesterday.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, the one with the spider.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, the one with. The first one with the spider in it. And see a little more Coley Culkin running around reminding me of baby Josh.

[Jason Moore]

That's cute.

[Andy Holloway]

Baby Josh. That's what he can be someday. Ingenious.

[Jason Moore]

One of these days, genius little kid Macaulay Culkin and then grow up to be.

[Andy Holloway]

I wouldn't be adult. Macaulay Culkin. Not as good.

[Jason Moore]

No. You know, it's crazy. I was. I Was looking at. I don't know why. I was looking at pictures of adult Culkin earlier this week.

[Andy Holloway]

Sounds really weird, man.

[Jason Moore]

And I don't know what he looks like because half the pictures are like, yeah, that's a, that's a, that's a good looking, you know, 30 some odd year old. I don't know how old he is. And then some are like, oh, he does meth.

[Andy Holloway]

Right.

[Jason Moore]

Like he loves his home alone for the meth story.

[Andy Holloway]

And I think both are true.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean, I think both are true.

[Andy Holloway]

I think that that's part of his past.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, really?

[Andy Holloway]

I think he's moved on if it is.

[Jason Moore]

I feel.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, did you, did you not know that?

[Jason Moore]

No, I didn't know that.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm pretty, pretty certain. He has a. It's a tough show.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. He should have had Pierrot J.

[Andy Holloway]

Grace thought it was funny, though.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Me and Jay, we've got like a monster sense of humor.

[Andy Holloway]

Five and eight Lions against the four nine Bills. Bills are two and a half point home favorites, 39 point over under. The Josh Allen story continues. That's it for Buffalo. I don't want to start anyone else. No, not if you know Chris Ivory. If he was perfectly healthy in the Sean McCoy set, I would go, maybe.

[Jason Moore]

I would start Chris Ivory.

[Andy Holloway]

You would?

[Jason Moore]

I would. I mean, if Shady's out. Chris Ivory always has good games. It's still a cold weather game.

[Andy Holloway]

Have they even practiced this week? Brooks have. Has Chris Ivory gotten onto the practice field?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Ivory actually practiced in full yesterday. McCoy didn't practice.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. That makes a huge difference.

[Jason Moore]

Chris Ivory should be picked up as kind of one of those stashes if you need a flex type option. Because if Shady's out, this is a, it's still a cold weather game. It's not to the point, you know, usually under 30 degrees, that's where you, you get the boost for running backs. But it's under 40 degrees, some light rain, so it's going to be feeling even colder. And you have no passing game on either side of the ball. I mean, Kenny Golladay, I still somewhat trust him because he is a great athlete who's just taller. He can outleap people and Matthew Stafford can get it done, but everyone else has gone away. Bruce Ellington's banged up. The Bill Tate is gone. Marvin Jones is gone. The offensive line is banged up.

[Andy Holloway]

The Bills are number one against fantasy wide receivers over the last six weeks. Number one. They're at home. Trudevius White. We saw what happened to Kenny G against Patrick Peterson, you're writing something down on a piece of paper and I guarantee you what. I know. I know what it is.

[Jason Moore]

What is it?

[Andy Holloway]

What I write down, I'm writing down. Which is. You wrote it down.

[Jason Moore]

Arrow next to Kenny G. My paper says Kenny G. Down arrow. That is correct.

[Andy Holloway]

Number one against quarterback as well.

[Jason Moore]

Well, yeah, I mean, I.

[Andy Holloway]

And they're favored. And the Lions offense is atrocious.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Stafford is already. I mean, he's so low in my rankings right now. And I might adjust this. I probably will because right now he's under like Nick Mullins and Cody Kessler. He is untouchable. You can't even think about starting Matt Stafford unless it's just one of those crazy, fluky lucky games. But the process says no Kenny Golladay right now.

[Andy Holloway]

Now, if you're in a league that gives bonuses for being extra, extra smooth.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, well, then you've gotta start good old Kenny G. So smooth. Yeah, that didn't sound as good with the. The saxophone and the siren was.

[Andy Holloway]

No, that's your. That's your smooth alert. He's not going to be smooth up in Buffalo.

[Jason Moore]

No, he's my wide receiver. 29 right now.

[Andy Holloway]

If we had sits in the week.

[Jason Moore]

And he won't be soon, as you.

[Andy Holloway]

Say, if we had sits of the week, he would be. He'd be my sit of the week.

[Jason Moore]

Now, what's going on with Kerryon Johnson? I believe he still is not practicing at all. Do you expect him to be back? I mean. No. No, he's not going to play.

[Andy Holloway]

So you should do the question, but then also answer them all.

[Jason Moore]

Okay. Would you start Theo Riddick in a standard league? No. But would you, Andy, start him if. Let's say it's full ppr. You just want a safe option. I think about it. Okay. This is good. Where I get to ask the question.

[Andy Holloway]

I thought you were going to keep going. I thought this was a bit.

[Jason Moore]

It was a bit that I felt like. I felt like deserved a cricket strap.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. All right.

[Jason Moore]

I didn't get one.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I'm not touching anybody. To answer your Reddit question, no thanks.

[Jason Moore]

Zach Zinner.

[Andy Holloway]

He's on a roster. No, I'm not playing.

[Jason Moore]

Legare Blunt.

[Andy Holloway]

No.

[Jason Moore]

Luke Wilson.

[Andy Holloway]

I will not play him.

[Jason Moore]

I like that one a lot.

[Andy Holloway]

The eight and five Cowboys take on the seven and six Colts. That's. That's what's going to happen in Indianapolis. 47 point over under. The Colts are three point favorites. Does that surprise you?

[Jason Moore]

Does it surprise me that the Colts are favorites? No, I mean, you're at home with Andrew Luck. The Colts have been. I mean, the Cowboys are on fire, but so are the Colts. You take out that one Jacksonville game and they are. They're a team on a mission. Both of these teams are playoff bound.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Headed towards the playoffs. This is a huge game. So you're going to favor the home team with the better quarterback to the point where we're going to talk about Andrew Luck later. Because the Cowboys defense has been so good lately. Top 10 on the season against quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers. It's their defense just been clicking. That's helped everyone there ever since Amari Cooper is in town. The offense is going, but I am not worried in the slightest about Indianapolis's offense outside of maybe Marlon Mack.

[Andy Holloway]

So Marlon Mack, where does he slot in if somebody's making a running back decision? Marlon Mack or James White?

[Jason Moore]

Who? Marlon Mack or James White? I think I would go James White in that situation in Pittsburgh.

[Andy Holloway]

Damian Williams tonight.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, Damian Williams.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. And what about Jordan Howard or Marlon Mack?

[Jason Moore]

Oh, gross. That one's super gross. Grody.

[Andy Holloway]

Grody.

[Jason Moore]

I think I would go Jordan Howard.

[Andy Holloway]

How do you feel about Mack in general?

[Jason Moore]

What that says is, I don't like Marlon MacKay because I don't like Jordan Howard.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, that's what I was going to get at there. Is that Marlon Mack, for all of his maybe talent, ability, the things that you've liked about him in the past, at this point, are you kind of resigned to the fact that he is not.

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

A monster.

[Jason Moore]

No, he's a monster. He's going to have a great game next week, Championship week against the New York Giants. This is really a thing where I think Dallas's linebacking core, that they don't even have enough room for their great players to be on the. Because, yeah, they are just. It's their personnel that's stopping the run. And I think they are better than Marlon Mack. But New York Giants in championship week at home, if In Indianapolis, week 16, Marlon Mack could very well go from being kind of a pump the brakes this week to my start of the week next week.

[Andy Holloway]

Dak Prescott, 455 and three last week. Cooper giving him the bump each and every week. Mike has him up at 11 this week completing 72% of his passes since the Cooper trade. You can see a confidence difference in Dak Prescott, the kind of thing you saw when he had Des Bryant. Even though they didn't have a perfect connection all the time, it was confident.

[Jason Moore]

Absolutely. Since, you know his rookie year he came in and he was so consistent. I mean from week six. And you don't realize that it was this long ago because he didn't have Amari Cooper here. He, here's Dak Prescott's fantasy finishes on a weekly basis. Two he was the number two quarterback, number eight quarterback then their bi week 18. So that was a bad week. Then he was number seven, another bad week, number three and number two last week. So I mean he's been really solid for fantasy giving you a lot, you know, more than half the time he has been a quarterback. One at the end of the week this is a matchup that I like I said I think Andrew Luck is going to score at home against this great Dallas Cowboys defense. So Dax going to have to keep up and I think he will.

[Andy Holloway]

You're playing Zeke. I have him up at RB2. I you know some of the metrics this week suggested to move Zeke down. I'm not going to do it. He's too darn good, too important to this offense.

[Jason Moore]

But Andy.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, the voice of public opinion is back.

[Jason Moore]

But he's on the road and it'll turn into a passing game.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he's Zeke. And he also caught 12 passes last week.

[Jason Moore]

That's the thing I wanted to bring up. Are you kidding me? When did Ezekiel Elliott become a guy that's getting 12 passes? Did he get a new quarterback? No. A new coach?

[Andy Holloway]

No, no. He's always had the ability. They just didn't target him. And now see Dax completing 72% of his passes.

[Jason Moore]

Now he's like, oh, I found a way to pad myself and there's a.

[Andy Holloway]

Lot more room underneath than there was when Cooper was gone. So I think that Zeke, Zeke is a. He's Barkley. Zeke and Barkley are very similar.

[Jason Moore]

If you have not realized that Ezekiel Elliott has turned into a pass catching back. Not like, oh, he can. No, he's a pass catching back. Since their bye week. I mean 4 receptions, 6, 7, 5, 6 12. That's insane.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean that's, that's the kind of the dump off passes. They're productive. Zeke can do it. He's great. I have met two Hilton, seven straight reception or seven receptions or more in the four straight games. Basically since Mike said he was going to turn it on, he did. Eric Ebron, 12 touchdowns this year. He has tied the Colts franchise record and he could break it in this game. Do you like Eric Ebron? I guess you have to.

[Jason Moore]

You love Eric Ebron. He's been a savior at the Tight end position this season.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, let's get into the starts.

[Jason Moore]

Starts of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

Now, Mike was supposed to pass along some audio and he failed. So shame on you, Mike.

[Jason Moore]

I've never, like, I don't want to overstate this, but I've never been more disappointed in anybody in my life. I agree completely, Jay.

[Andy Holloway]

So Mike failed, but he did give us his starts of the week.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

And then the logic behind them. So I will bring them into the fold here. Let's start at the running back position. I'll start with Mike's start of the week and he has Justin Jackson.

[Jason Moore]

I like it.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, he actually has the Chargers starting running back. That's his start of the week. But it'll be Justin Jackson.

[Jason Moore]

More than likely it will be Justin Jackson. And I agree. I mean, I am of the mindset that I'm playing Justin Jackson and I'm playing Damian Williams if I've got them tonight. Assuming the starters are out, my running.

[Andy Holloway]

Back start of the week is actually Dalvin Cook against Miami. I think he's going to be force fed. You have the offensive coordinator change. The matchup looks good enough and I think there'll be enough baseline pass catching totals for him that you'll be really happy that you started him this week. Dalvin Cook, I've got him at number eight on the week, so I'm excited about Dalvin Cook this week. Jason, your running back start is.

[Jason Moore]

My running back start this week is Chris Carson. It's taken me a while to believe to buy into any Seattle running back because you just can't seem to trust them. But look, since he had the injury back in Week 10, he is an absolute workhorse. 17 carries, 16 carries, 13 carries, 22 carries. He looks great. He runs the ball hard. He's used around the goal line. Three touchdowns in the last four games, and those are one apiece. And now he goes and plays the San Francisco 49ers on the season. They are middle of the pack against the run, a divisional game. I think Chris Carson is one of those players that's worked himself into a must start especially. I mean, I would start Chris Carson in a bad matchup. And so I'm definitely going to start him if he's playing against the San Francisco 49ers.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you read anything into the fact the 49ers managed to be the first team to shut Philip Lindsay down last week?

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

And Lindsay was, I mean, it was surprising because Lindsey had been leading the league in per touch and I think he was 16 for 30.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I'm not worried about that. I mean every player has bad games from time to time. I don't think Seattle all of a sudden magically turned it around and said now we're the best at stopping running backs.

[Andy Holloway]

And you're talking about San Francisco.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, San Francisco. And if you wanted to find two more opposite styles of running back, it would be Chris Carson and Philip Lindsay. One is the sneaky, fast, quick guy. One is the. Here I am. Try to tackle me. Yeah, I'm running straight into you.

[Andy Holloway]

That's. That was a quote.

[Jason Moore]

That was an audio clip.

[Andy Holloway]

Wide receiver start of the week. Mike is going with, believe it or not, Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati wide receiver has a juicy defensive back matchup against Nick Nelson. Slot DB from Oakland. I can see the upside there. Oakland is vulnerable. Nelson is vulnerable. So Tyler Boyd, Mike started the week at the wide receiver position.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I like that. I think, you know, if you're in a multi quarterback league. Oh, Driskill.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, multi quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. If you're, if you're in a multi quarterback Lego Driscoll can hang with the Oakland Raiders should be able to.

[Andy Holloway]

I have Robert woods in a bounce back performance. He's my start of the week against Philadelphia. I think it's a great matchup. Obviously Philadelphia secondary has been struggling. Sean McVay wants to come back out here and perform and I'm buying into the full rebound narrative. Nick Foles and company are not going to be able to keep up and Jared Goff, Robert Woods, Brandon Cooks, they're going to put together a game at home, get the W and I think Robert woods is going to have a monster game to the tune of 100 plus yards and a touchdown. I've got him at 8 on the week. Big Robert woods fan.

[Jason Moore]

My start of the week is Julian Edelman. I mean I think that the Pittsburgh New England game is going to have a lot of points scored. New England right now according to Vegas is the fourth highest projected point total and Julian Edelman has been back into his role. Last week, nine for 86 and a touchdown. When I look at the fantasy playoffs, everyone's got good teams. The people that lose are those guys that just had the huge dud week. Their players that were great just had. They just. They're going to be on this week's pooped in their big boys pants segment. I would just be really surprised in a game like this if Julian Edelman is not a safety valve a go to guy. Him and Gronk will have a great game. And so Julian Edelman I think is as safe as they come. He might not have the biggest blow up game, but he's going to put up enough points to, to help you win in the semifinals. So I'm, I'm rolling out Julian Edelman in almost all situations.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, tight end start of the week, Mike went with Ian Thomas who has 19% target share the past two weeks since Greg Olson left. Ian Thomas tight end for the Carolina Panthers. Good game last week and you know Mike's wondering if Cam's shoulder is having him favor and prefer the big man Ian Thomas. So when you're at the bottom of the barrel for tight end, Mike wants to go with Ian.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, and that's, that's the issue is the bottom of the barrel.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it's not fun down there.

[Jason Moore]

It is not my start of the week. We kind of talked about it earlier. It's David and Joku. He is not a guarantee he could crap out like he did two weeks ago. Three for eight or like three weeks ago, five for 63 and a touchdown. We just saw Denver torched at the tight end position. I believe in Baker and once you're outside of those top six or seven tight ends and you're middling around with okay, do I keep rolling out David and Joku, who you have on your lineup and you've had two bad weeks in a row and you're going, I think I need to pivot off of David and Joku and look to the waiver wire. I would not, I would keep rolling with David and Joku, hope for the touchdowns as opposed to going out there and you know, picking up Chris Herndon or trying to get.

[Andy Holloway]

Do you like in joku or Vance McDonald more this week?

[Jason Moore]

Vance McDonald I have right now. Let me check because that's, that's a high scoring game and I've got Vance McDonald ironically one spot below David and Joku this week.

[Andy Holloway]

So real close. But you go within Joku. Your start of the week. I've got Jalen Samuels, you know, the running back.

[Jason Moore]

This is my trick last week.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I got to bring him to mind because if you're in Yahoo leagues or a league format that allows Jalen Samuels to be a tight end, which is what he practiced as in the, at the combine last week. You got a pretty nice day from your tight end, Jalen Samuels. So I'm gonna cheat and make him my start of the week. Bring him to mind once more because look, you're gonna play your big boys, right? Kelsey, Ebron Ertz, Gronk Kittle, Jared Cook versus Jalen Samuels. I'm playing Jalen Samuels. I'm playing Samuels over everybody else at the tight end position. So if you've got the cheat code, continue to roll it out there. Mike's quarterback start of the week. I guess he's buying into my Robert woods narrative is Jared Garf.

[Jason Moore]

Jared Garf. I actually, I don't know if you know this. I had Brandon Cooks in as my start of the week.

[Andy Holloway]

And you changed it.

[Jason Moore]

I changed it because you went with Robert woods and I didn't want to have both.

[Andy Holloway]

But woods and Cooks are both going.

[Jason Moore]

To be great, which speaks to Goff.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, Jared Goff. Here's the thing. If you have him, you might be out of the playoffs because of last week.

[Jason Moore]

That's very.

[Andy Holloway]

If you played him last week, he was not good.

[Jason Moore]

Pick him up off the waivers when someone rage dropped him.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, but Philly secondary is quote, just the worst according to Mike. And he's back home. We talked about it earlier. I love him. My quarterback start of the week despite the almost upset prediction because these things are counter. They don't matter the difference between what happens in reality and what happens in fantasy. They're very, very different for running quarterbacks. And I've got Lamar Jackson against Tampa Bay. He's the name starter. He always does enough in fantasy. I've got him over Rogers or Baker or Winston this week. Lamar Jackson, 70 plus rushing yards in four consecutive starts. It's been the same narrative every week. He will do enough to make you happy and then if he does extra, you will be very happy. That is the recipe for success for Lamar Jackson.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. One of these weeks he's going to pop. And I agree. Even if they lose the game, he could be fine in fantasy because once again fantasy scoring for quarterbacks are broken. I'm glad we agree.

[Andy Holloway]

I haven't heard of this guy that you're bringing up.

[Jason Moore]

Well, it's the playoffs. You got to put your best foot forward.

[Andy Holloway]

Shake what your mama gave you.

[Jason Moore]

Andrew Luck. Ever you. I'm surprised you haven't heard of him. He was the number one draft pick. He was coming out. You remember?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, years ago.

[Jason Moore]

He's pretty big.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Anyways, Andrew Luck Leinart, is that.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that who you're talking about?

[Jason Moore]

No.

[Andy Holloway]

Matt Leinert.

[Jason Moore]

No Matt Leinert. I would not start him this week.

[Andy Holloway]

Andrew Jamarcus Russell, that's who has been.

[Jason Moore]

A top 10 quarterback in nine of the last 10 games. I'm not going with start of the weeks in the semifinals, and we talked about this beforehand. I'm not looking for a guy off the waivers. You're going to play. This is fantasy. You have your quarterbacks. I'm telling you who's going to have a great game. And a lot of people are worried about the Dallas defense. I'm not. It doesn't appear that Vegas is saying that Dallas defense is going to stop Andrew Luck either. I think this game will have its scoring. But to be a top 10 quarterback in nine of the last 10 games, that is rare for anyone. And his only bad game was the putrid game against Jacksonville two weeks ago. He's getting it done. I think you have to start Andrew Luck. I'm not worried about him at all. And he's going to have a huge game. Jason Moore's ironclad, locked and loaded, 100% guaranteed boom boom kicker of the week. I know my boom booms have been an absolute blood sucker.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay?

[Jason Moore]

But this week changes everything with the Ravens. Justin Tucker.

[Andy Holloway]

Big things from Dustin Tucker.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, it's gonna be huge.

[Andy Holloway]

Over. Under 10 vehicles. Over, over.

[Jason Moore]

Don't be ridiculous.

[Andy Holloway]

Otherwise it would just be one boom.

[Jason Moore]

This is a boom boom. Locked and loaded, fully guaranteed ironclad kicker.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. You just can't. You can't miss Justin Tucker. Did you know that there were 18 missed field goals or extra points last week?

[Jason Moore]

I believe it.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, it was one of the worst.

[Jason Moore]

What game was it? Weeks.

[Andy Holloway]

Ever.

[Jason Moore]

We were watching the studio and it was basically over because someone need a field goal. Yeah. And I'm like, not this year.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it was Bucker.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Like, I don't. This. This game's going overtime. I don't have kickers this year.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, you would have thought, baby. Josh was kicking these things. I mean, left, right, center, all over the place.

[Jason Moore]

Center is fine.

[Andy Holloway]

So that's true.

[Jason Moore]

Center's where you want to be for the.

[Andy Holloway]

No, no, no. Right into the center.

[Jason Moore]

He kicked the ball right. That would hurt.

[Andy Holloway]

Right into the.

[Jason Moore]

That would hurt a lot.

[Andy Holloway]

The rear end of the center. It's not good.

[Jason Moore]

No, they kicked pretty hard.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trying out. I'm going to try out. Check out draft.comballers if you're going to play some daily this week. And thanks for tuning in. We'll be back tomorrow, all the injury updates and the rest of the matchups. Goodbye, foot clan.

[Jason Moore]

Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast. Join our fantasy on jointhefoot. Com and follow us on Twitter at theffballers.