Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 12 Buy or Sell + Triple Mailbag, Sneaky Tank (Released November 20, 2019)

In the Week 12 Buy or Sell + Triple Mailbag, Sneaky Tank episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve deep into crucial fantasy football decisions, offer strategic advice for the upcoming Thursday night games, and address listener questions with their trademark humor and expertise. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the episode:

1. Introduction and Banter (00:00 - 03:15)

The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their usual playful banter. Andy Holloway humorously shares his fantasy football woes, mentioning his recovery from a two-sleep stint after making questionable roster moves, including punting Philip Rivers off his team.

Notable Quote:

• Andy Holloway (02:15): “We play fantasy football to have fun. So we do this show and have fun despite. Also winning is fun.”

2. Buy or Sell Segment (03:15 - 14:19)

The core of the episode revolves around the Buy or Sell segment, where the hosts analyze various players' performances from Week 11 and make recommendations for Week 12.

Key Discussions:

• Calvin Ridley vs. Darren Waller:

  • Mike Wright (05:50): Decides to sell Calvin Ridley, citing a tough matchup against Tampa Bay.
  • Andy Holloway (05:31): Agrees but suggests Ridley might still be a valuable play despite not cracking the top 12.

• Darren Waller vs. Jarvis Landry:

  • Mike Wright (07:40): Struggles with playing Darren Waller due to inconsistent receptions.
  • Andy Holloway (07:59): Buys Jarvis Landry, anticipating another touchdown despite some disagreements on target distribution.

• Curtis Samuel vs. Michael Gallup:

  • Andy Holloway (11:24): Recommends selling Curtis Samuel, questioning his target potential against a strong Atlanta Falcons defense.
  • Mike Wright (12:03): Expresses concern over Gallup's production against tough defenses like New England.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright (05:42): “Shut up. Just shut your face.”
• Andy Holloway (11:24): “I think he [Curtis Samuel] ends up about seven.”

3. News Segment (14:25 - 16:57)

The hosts shift focus to current NFL news impacting fantasy decisions.

Key Updates:

• Tyreek Hill's Injury:

  • Mike Wright (14:32): Announces Tyreek Hill's hamstring injury is minor, allowing him to rest during the bye week.
  • Andy Holloway (15:07): Jokes about his unconventional recovery by “wearing no pants,” adding humor to the segment.

• David Njoku's Return from IR:

  • Mike Wright (14:59): Confirms David Njoku is designated to return from IR and is practicing, making him eligible for Week 12.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (15:11): “I'm wearing no pants. This is great news.”
• Mike Wright (15:37): “And if he [Njoku] has one bright light left on this season, that's a pretty bright light that week.”

4. Thursday Night Preview (20:57 - 37:53)

The hosts provide strategic advice for managing lineups for Thursday night matchups, emphasizing the importance of flexibility to accommodate last-minute changes.

Key Highlights:

• Flex Position Strategy:

  • Andy Holloway (21:03): Recommends moving Thursday night players out of the flex spot to running back or wide receiver positions for greater flexibility.

• Colts vs. Texans Analysis:

  • Mike Wright (22:41): Analyzes Deshaun Watson’s expected performance against the Colts' strong defense, advising caution but maintaining faith in Watson’s resilience.
  • Andy Holloway (23:24): Praises Watson’s work ethic and anticipates a strong performance despite previous setbacks.

• Running Back Choices:

  • Mike Wright (28:53): Discusses the uncertainty surrounding Colts’ running backs Jonathan Williams and Jordan Wilkins, ultimately favoring Jonathan Williams based on consistency and coaching feedback.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (23:24): “He [Watson] stayed at the stadium for hours because he was so upset with himself. This is who he is.”
• Mike Wright (25:06): “The Colts are actually 60-1 against the spread versus Houston in their last seven games.”

5. Mailbag: Listener Questions (32:23 - 48:22)

The Triple Mailbag segment features a series of listener-submitted questions, which the hosts tackle with insightful analysis and their characteristic humor.

Selected Topics:

• Tiebreakers for Playoff Seeding (33:01):

  • Andrew Pot 17 asks: Preference between total points or head-to-head record.
  • Andy Holloway (33:56): Favors total points as a better indicator of team performance over the season.
  • Mike Wright (34:23): Agrees, acknowledging the complexity but backing Holloway’s stance.

• Openly Tanking for Playoff Positioning (35:03):

  • Randy from Virginia (37:15): Asks if it's wrong to openly tank for playoff benefits.
  • Andy Holloway (38:02): Advises against it, emphasizing league integrity and fairness.
  • Mike Wright (39:05): Highlights the ethical dilemma and potential negative impact on the league.

• Defense Choices for Playoffs (41:11):

  • Andrew Dry (43:41): Chooses between Ravens or 49ers defenses for the playoffs.
  • Dede Westbrook (43:53): Recommends Ravens due to recent defensive upgrades and favorable matchups.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Holloway (38:14): “It is wrong. So here's how it's wrong.”
• Mike Wright (39:19): “You have to draw a line in the sand.”

6. Sneaky Tank Discussion (37:15 - 43:28)

Addressing the ethical considerations of tanking, the hosts debate the implications of intentionally losing to gain a strategic advantage in the playoffs. They stress the importance of maintaining a fair and competitive environment, ensuring that all league members have a level playing field.

Notable Exchanges:

• Andy Holloway (39:23): Emphasizes that collusion among teams undermines the league's integrity.
• Dede Westbrook (42:10): Advocates for transparent and agreed-upon rules to prevent mid-season manipulation.

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts (49:08 - 51:21)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts engage in light-hearted conversation about upcoming shows and sponsor segments, maintaining their signature blend of humor and camaraderie.

Notable Moments:

• Preparation for Upcoming Shows:
  • Mike Wright (49:17): Jokes about preparing for the imminent Megalodon show.
  • Dede Westbrook (49:26): Playfully references health concerns in a humorous context.

Final Remarks:

• Hosts remind listeners to follow them on social media and engage with their content for the latest fantasy football insights and updates.

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Player Management: The Buy or Sell segment provided actionable insights into adjusting rosters based on player performance and upcoming matchups.

• Informed Decision-Making: News updates on player injuries and returns emphasized the importance of staying informed to optimize fantasy teams.

• Ethical Fantasy Play: The Mailbag discussion highlighted the complexities of maintaining league integrity while chasing playoff success.

• Engaging Community Interaction: Listener questions showcased the podcast’s commitment to addressing real-time fantasy football dilemmas with practical advice.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offered a rich blend of expert analysis, strategic recommendations, and engaging discussions, making it an invaluable resource for fantasy football enthusiasts aiming to bolster their teams as the playoffs approach.