Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 12 Studs & Stinkers + Weekly Rewind, Endangered Penguins

Release Date: November 25, 2019

In the Week 12 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast titled "Studs & Stinkers + Weekly Rewind, Endangered Penguins," hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into the latest fantasy football developments. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, highlighting key insights, notable quotes with timestamps, and actionable advice for fantasy managers.

1. Opening Banter and Emotional Highlights

The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter among the hosts, setting a humorous tone. Andy shares a personal anecdote about narrowly losing a fantasy matchup due to George Kittle's unexpected touchdown:

Andy Holloway [02:49]: "Once Alshon was out, I made a pivot to go to the waivers and grab Ryan Tannehill and A.J. Brown. It came to fruition. I should get... I lost. It was over because he's still got Aaron Rodgers, who's in a game script to come back."

This emotional recount underscores the unpredictability of fantasy football and the impact of key player performances on league outcomes.

2. Studs of the Week

A. Quarterbacks

The hosts identify Ryan Tannehill, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Kyle Allen as top quarterbacks for Week 12. They emphasize the consistency and potential of these players, especially with favorable playoff schedules.

Jason Moore [09:04]: "Ryan Tannehill was a monster. Two rushing touchdowns, two passing some big plays."

Andy highlights Tannehill's reliability:

Andy Holloway [09:21]: "Ryan Tannehill... he had yet to have a start below 24 fantasy points. He's just been really, really solid."

B. Running Backs

Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry emerge as standout running backs. Fournette's consistent targets and involvement in the offense make him a valuable asset.

Jason Moore [19:20]: "This, this is something we're like, okay, Foles takes over. How's it going to affect Fournette? How's it going to affect Shark?"

Derrick Henry's dominance is also lauded:

Jason Moore [20:52]: "He does Derek Henry things. Super fun, I believe, to have him run in a monster touchdown."

C. Wide Receivers

DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Brown, Jarvis Landry, and D.J. Moore are highlighted for their impressive performances. The hosts discuss their potential to finish among the top wide receivers of the season, citing consistent target volumes and big-play potential.

Jason Moore [27:45]: "Both Jarvis Landry and D.J. Moore are now within one point of being a wide receiver one on the season. Do you think either of those guys ends up finishing there?"

D. Tight Ends

George Kittle, Zach Ertz, and Jared Cook are recognized as the elite tight ends for the week. Despite a generally challenging tight end landscape, these players stood out with significant yardage and touchdown contributions.

Andy Holloway [34:05]: "Jared Cook seems like a very reliable."

3. Stinkers of the Week

A. Quarterbacks

Matthew Ryan and Russell Wilson are pinpointed as disappointing performances. Matt Ryan struggled against a formidable defense, while Russell Wilson's inconsistency paired with Amari Cooper's underperformance hurt fantasy managers.

Jason Moore [36:12]: "Russell Wilson has been quarterback 14 or worse in four out of his last five games."

B. Running Backs

Chris Carson and Saquon Barkley faced tough weeks. Carson's fumbles and reduced performance raised concerns, while Barkley's limited involvement due to injury affected his reliability.

Jason Moore [22:29]: "Rashad Penny ended up 14 for 129 and one had a 58-yard touchdown jaunt."

C. Wide Receivers

Amari Cooper and Tyler Boyd disappointed fantasy owners with low target volumes and lackluster performances. The hosts advise caution when considering these players for critical matchups.

Andy Holloway [53:47]: "Kind of really... because he had, you know, he was targeted elsewhere where he caught a reception, but it came back on penalty play."

D. Tight Ends

Non-elite tight ends like Darren Waller and Logan Thomas underperformed, leading to frustration among fantasy managers about the tight end depth.

Jason Moore [59:15]: "And Mason Rudolph benching. Oh yeah, like Mason Rudolph will not be starting for the Steve."

4. Weekly Rewind: News and Updates

The hosts recapitulate significant injuries, team performances, and strategic moves impacting fantasy leagues.

A. Player Injuries and News

• Eric Ebron: Placed on injured reserve with ankle procedures ([11:12]).
• Julio Jones: Shoulder injury limited his fourth-quarter participation ([12:00]).
• Ryan Fitzpatrick: Continues to impress despite his age, signaling potential future as Titans' quarterback ([16:06]).

Jason Moore [27:01]: "Deandre Hopkins had the big game Thursday night. A.J. Brown, 4 for 135."

B. Team Performances

• Atlanta Falcons: Suffered multiple injuries, leading to a challenging game script ([12:52]).
• Indianapolis Colts: Their offense underperformed, impacting fantasy outputs ([12:22]).

C. Strategic Moves

The importance of monitoring weather conditions and adjusting lineups accordingly is emphasized, especially with playoff implications brewing.

Andy Holloway [10:18]: "This is why you follow us on socials, watch Mike's live thing, because through the week, when you're listening to the pod, that's the one piece where we try to have knowledge."

5. Mailbag: Listener Questions

The hosts address listener queries, providing tailored advice based on their expertise.

A. Decision-Making Scenarios

One listener, Charlie from Sacramento, needs to decide between starting Brandon Cooks or Marshawn Lynch to secure five fantasy points for playoff hopes.

Andy Holloway [61:12]: "I'm going to go with Marshawn Lynch because he's done it more. He's done it more recently as well than Cooks."

B. Dynasty League Strategies

Lathan from Charlotte inquires about ranking top rookie wide receivers based on talent.

Jason Moore [63:00]: "Number one for me, McLaurin, Terry McClaurin. Number two, Deebo Samuels. Number three, Marshawn Brown."

6. Concluding Insights and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reiterate the importance of strategic pivots, especially heading into the fantasy playoffs. They urge listeners to stay informed through social media and live updates to make informed decisions.

Andy emphasizes the critical nature of the upcoming weeks:

Jason Moore [65:28]: "Do not miss a single piece of fantasy football breaking news."

The hosts also highlight ongoing contests and sponsor promotions, encouraging listeners to engage and take advantage of available resources.

Key Takeaways:

• Quarterback Decisions: With Ryan Tannehill, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield showing strong performances, fantasy managers should consider these QBs for their reliability and favorable matchups.

• Running Back Strategies: Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry remain top RB options due to their consistent touch volumes and touchdown potential. Caution is advised with Chris Carson and Saquon Barkley based on recent performances and injury concerns.

• Wide Receiver Choices: DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Brown, Jarvis Landry, and D.J. Moore are recommended for their high target volumes and big-play potential. Meanwhile, Amari Cooper and Tyler Boyd may pose risks due to low outputs.

• Tight End Considerations: Elite tight ends like George Kittle, Zach Ertz, and Jared Cook are valuable, but beware of underperformers like Darren Waller and Logan Thomas.

• Injury Monitoring and Pivots: Staying updated on player injuries and weather conditions is crucial for making informed roster adjustments, especially with playoffs approaching.

This episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast offers a wealth of information, blending expert analysis with engaging discussions to help fantasy managers navigate the complexities of Week 12 and prepare for the final stretch before the playoffs.