Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary Episode: The Halloween Show, Trick-or-Trade, Players That Will Haunt You! Release Date: October 31, 2018

The Fantasy Footballers delivered an engaging Halloween-themed episode filled with astute fantasy football analysis, lively discussions, and entertaining banter. Hosted by Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, the trio delved into a variety of topics that are sure to captivate both seasoned fantasy managers and newcomers alike.

1. Halloween Fun: Comparing Players to Candy

Embracing the Halloween spirit, the hosts kicked off the episode by likening NFL players to popular Halloween candies. This creative segment aimed to entertain listeners while drawing parallels between player performances and candy characteristics.

• Andy Holloway drew a parallel between Marlon Mack and candy corn, stating, “[04:10] Marlon Mack is candy corn. Not everybody likes candy corn, but in truth, candy corn is very good. It is delicious.” This comparison highlighted Mack's underrated performance in the fantasy realm.

• Mike Wright compared Jordan Howard to a Tootsie Pop, describing him as “[05:23] Jordan Howard is a Tootsie Pop. It's pretty good, and it's terrible on the inside.” This analogy underscored Howard's current inconsistency in the running game.

• Jason Moore likened Chris Thompson to Double Bubble gum, noting, "[07:06] Unfortunately, you get about two chews into starting Chris Thompson.” This reflected Thompson's short-lived fantasy relevance despite initial promise.

The segment was not only humorous but also insightful, providing listeners with memorable metaphors to assess player value.

2. Trade News and Player Updates

The hosts covered significant mid-season trades and their implications for the fantasy landscape.

• Demarius Thomas Trade: Jason Moore announced, “[09:33] Demarius Thomas was acquired by the Texans, traded from the Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.” The discussion centered on how this move benefits the Texans by bolstering their receiving corps, particularly with Emmanuel Sanders and the potential uplift for Cortland Sutton. Andy highlighted, "[11:55] Cortland Sutton is the monster winner here because he is a beast of a man and now he's going to get consistent snaps and more targets."

• Golden Tate Acquisition: The Eagles acquiring Golden Tate from the Lions was another focal point. Mike Wright emphasized the positive impact on both Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay, stating, "[35:17] Golden Tate’s departure solidifies Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay as reliable fantasy assets." Andy concurred, noting Tate's trade allows Jones's role to become more secure.

• Ravens Acquire Ty Montgomery: The trade sending Ty Montgomery to the Ravens was discussed with skepticism. Jason Moore remarked, "[16:06] The Ravens acquired Ty Montgomery in exchange for a 2027 pick, which seems like a low-value trade." Andy added, "[16:34] This move simplifies the Packers' running back situation, benefiting Aaron Jones."

These trades were analyzed for their strategic impacts, offering listeners actionable insights for their team management.

3. Pump the Brakes: Players to Avoid

In the "Pump the Brakes" segment, the hosts advised listeners on which players to be cautious about stocking in their fantasy lineups.

• Philadelphia Backfield Concerns: Jason Moore recommended caution with Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement, suggesting, “[23:15] Pumping the brakes on Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement because Josh Adams may become the more dependable back.”

• Alex Collins Warning: Andy Holloway advised against relying on Alex Collins due to his touchdown dependency, stating, “[24:18] Pumping the brakes on Alex Collins because Pittsburgh's defense is tough against running backs, limiting his touchdown potential.”

• Big Ben's Matchup Issues: Mike Wright cautioned about Big Ben’s upcoming game against the Ravens, highlighting the challenging matchup with, “[25:58] Pumping the brakes on Big Ben due to the tough Ravens defense.”

These recommendations were grounded in current performance metrics and upcoming matchups, helping fantasy owners make informed decisions.

4. Halloween Special: Players That Will Haunt You

The standout feature of the episode was the Halloween Special, where the hosts identified players poised to negatively impact fantasy owners for the remainder of the season.

• Russell Wilson as a Haunting Presence: Jason Moore spotlighted Russell Wilson, expressing concerns about his declining fantasy value. “[28:43] Russell Wilson’s math no longer adds up to fantasy success, averaging only 11 rushing yards a game compared to 36 last season.” He further explained, “[31:08] With reduced pass attempts and a shift towards a run-heavy offense, Wilson’s opportunities are dwindling.”

• Adrian Peterson’s Resurgence: Conversely, Andy Holloway identified Adrian Peterson as a looming threat for opposing managers. “[32:23] Adrian Peterson is on pace for 1,687 all-purpose yards with double-digit touchdowns, making him a formidable fantasy asset that could haunt those who underestimated him.”

• Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Risks: Mike Wright warned about letting go of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, predicting, “[35:10] Trading away Golladay and Jones could backfire as their improved target shares make them reliable points scorers.”

These analyses provided listeners with strategic foresight into potential pitfalls and opportunities for their fantasy teams.

5. Thursday Night Preview: Raiders vs. 49ers

The hosts concluded with a detailed preview of the Thursday night matchup between the Raiders and the 49ers, offering strategic advice for fantasy managers.

• Quarterback Considerations: With the Raiders’ starting quarterback situation in flux, Andy Holloway suggested, “[41:19] Considering Derek Carr as a streaming quarterback option given the 49ers’ defense struggles against passing games.”

• Running Back Opportunities: Jason Moore and Mike Wright discussed Matt Breida's favorable matchup against the Raiders' defense, highlighting his potential as a dependable starter. “[42:10] Matt Breida is approaching a must-start status due to his consistent performance and the Raiders' weak run defense.”

• Defense Strategy: The 49ers’ defense was analyzed for its ability to impact fantasy points, with Mike Wright noting, “[44:13] Oakland's defense allows high fantasy points to running backs, making players like Breida attractive with a strong offensive game plan.”

This segment provided actionable insights for optimizing lineups based on player matchups and performance trends.

Notable Quotes

• Andy Holloway: “[04:10] Marlon Mack is candy corn. Not everybody likes candy corn, but in truth, candy corn is very good.”

• Jason Moore: “[07:06] Unfortunately, you get about two chews into starting Chris Thompson.”

• Mike Wright: “[05:23] Jordan Howard is a Tootsie Pop. It's pretty good, and it's terrible on the inside.”

• Jason Moore: “[28:43] Russell Wilson’s math no longer adds up to fantasy success.”

Conclusion

This Halloween-themed episode of the Fantasy Footballers effectively combined seasonal fun with deep fantasy football analysis. From creative player-to-candy comparisons to strategic trade evaluations and matchup previews, the hosts provided a comprehensive guide for fantasy managers aiming to navigate the latter half of the season successfully. With insightful advice on players to watch and avoid, listeners are well-equipped to make informed decisions and avoid being haunted by underperforming or overvalued players.

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