Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 14 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Say Hello to My Kittle Friend
Release Date: December 10, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway and Jason Moore
Episode Overview
In this engaging Week 14 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Jason Moore dive deep into the tumultuous fantasy football playoffs. With Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright absent for this episode, Andy and Jason take center stage, delivering astute analysis, strong opinions, and matchup-winning advice to help listeners navigate the final stretch of the fantasy season. The conversation is rich with insights on surprising player performances, injury impacts, and strategies to secure a championship.
Fantasy Playoff Surprises and Disappointments
The episode begins with the hosts reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the fantasy playoffs, comparing it humorously to Adam Sandler's inconsistent filmography—highlighting the blend of standout performances and unexpected failures.
Jason Moore notes the chaotic nature of the playoffs:
"[03:45] Jason Moore: And this was the craziest first week of fantasy playoffs that I can remember in recent history because you had studs that blew it. You had, you know, guys that are on waivers or maybe not started who we get plenty of pictures just blowing up for huge. I mean, this was a crazy, crazy week."
They discuss the challenges fantasy owners face in selecting reliable players, emphasizing the need to adapt strategies amidst unforeseen player performances and injuries.
Studs of the Week
Studs are players who exceeded expectations, providing substantial value to their fantasy teams.
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Saquon Barkley continues to impress with his versatility as both a runner and a pass-catcher. Andy Holloway praises Barkley's consistent performance:
"[27:05] Andy Holloway: I mean, I don't think there's a better peer runner than Saquon Barkley."
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Christian McCaffrey showcases his dual-threat capability, averaging impressive yardage and touchdowns:
"[30:14] Jason Moore: Christian McCaffrey."
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George Kittle shines at the tight end position, demonstrating exceptional receiving skills:
"[37:00] Andy Holloway: He has a very cool ability to change direction without losing his speed in open space."
Duds of the Week
Conversely, Duds are players who underperformed, letting down their fantasy managers.
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Jared Goff struggled significantly, ending the game with multiple interceptions and negative yardage:
"[09:01] Jason Moore: That just seems impossible. It seems that hurts me painful as the opponent."
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Antonio Brown and Tyreek Hill faced disappointing weeks, impacting their teams' playoff chances:
"[53:37] Jason Moore: How'd Tevin Coleman do this week?"
"[10:51] Jason Moore: Tyreek heel." -
Case Keenum underperformed with low passing yards and inefficient play-calling:
"[09:24] Andy Holloway: It'll be interesting to see what happens to Austin Eckler on the game's Thursday for them."
Rising Stars
The hosts highlight emerging players who showed promise and could be valuable additions or starters in upcoming weeks.
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Damian Williams earns praise for his athleticism and attitude, making him a potential streaming candidate:
"[29:34] Andy Holloway: Who would you rather have as a platoon running back moving forward? Damian Williams of the Kansas City Chief."
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Josh Allen is recognized for his dual-threat capabilities as both a passer and a runner, despite some inconsistency:
"[43:46] Andy Holloway: He is running for 100 yards a game as a quarterback. He is the QB 10 this week with no touchdown passes, two interceptions and one fumble as Detroit New England."
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Julio Jones continues to demonstrate his receiving prowess, maintaining high yardage and consistent performance:
"[33:19] Andy Holloway: And Julio Touchdown Jones."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Jason Moore on Facing a Superstar Team:
"[02:51] Jason Moore: Oh, I would not want to face that."
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Andy Holloway on Jared Goff's Performance:
"[09:24] Andy Holloway: And we've been saying around the studio and look, I've already heard from the Rams fans, blame the O line, whatever."
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Jason Moore on Studs and Duds:
"[24:57] Jason Moore: I'm just saying if he's one of the guys that could drop in and out every single week."
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Andy Holloway on Fantasy Playoff Strategies:
"[25:18] Andy Holloway: Okay, so I've just completely disintegrated all of your joy for this show."
Injury Impacts and Management
Injuries play a significant role in the fantasy playoffs, with several key players sidelined or performing below expectations due to physical setbacks.
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Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson faced injuries that affected their teams' dynamics:
"[13:23] Jason Moore: Right. It makes you worried for next week."
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Tyreek Hill's inconsistent availability due to heel injuries poses a challenge for fantasy managers:
"[10:51] Jason Moore: Let me ask you this genuine question. Tyreek heel."
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The absence of Mike Wright for this episode led Andy and Jason to explore a wider range of topics independently.
Strategies for the Final Weeks
Andy and Jason offer strategic advice for the final weeks of the fantasy playoffs, emphasizing flexibility and awareness of player statuses.
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Pivoting Strategies: Adjusting lineups based on current performance and injury reports is crucial.
"[25:18] Andy Holloway: Okay, so I've just completely disintegrated all of your joy for this show."
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Waiver Wire Management: Monitoring the waiver wire for emerging players like Marcus Murphy can provide a competitive edge.
"[13:46] Andy Holloway: Well, depending on what the fantasy leagues do, maybe they'll just designate Josh Allen as a running back because he's putting up more yardage than just about anybody on that team."
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Tight End Position: Utilizing players like Ian Thomas as streaming options when primary tight ends underperform.
"[47:00] Jason Moore: I would go with routes, but yeah, similar thing because snaps for a tight end."
Humor and Light Banter
Throughout the episode, Andy and Jason infuse humor and playful banter, making the discussion entertaining. References to popular culture, playful insults towards underperforming players, and lighthearted promotions keep the tone engaging.
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Andy Holloway's Joke on Episode Number:
"[53:00] Andy Holloway: This is episode 666."
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Jason Moore's Comment on Madden:
"[38:08] Jason Moore: I love this, this accuracy level on Madden."
Conclusion and Takeaways
As the fantasy football playoffs intensify, Andy Holloway and Jason Moore provide listeners with a comprehensive analysis of player performances, injury impacts, and strategic adjustments needed to navigate the unpredictable landscape. The episode underscores the importance of adaptability, informed decision-making, and staying vigilant with player statuses to emerge victorious in the fantasy playoffs.
Listeners are encouraged to stay connected with the Fantasy Footballers community for ongoing support and insights as they make crucial lineup decisions in the final weeks of the season.
Note: For additional insights and continuous updates, listeners can join the fantasy football community at JoinTheFoot.com and follow the Fantasy Footballers on Twitter @theffballers.