Fantasy Footballers - Week 15 Matchups + In-or-Out, Cookin’ by the Book Episode Release Date: December 13, 2019
I. Introduction
The episode kicks off with the familiar banter among the expert trio—Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright—bringing listeners into the festive yet chaotic atmosphere of Friday the 13th's Christmas edition. The hosts playfully discuss personal milestones, including Mike Wright celebrating his son's birthday and discovering that Taylor Swift is also turning 30 that day.
Andy Holloway [00:50]: "It's my son's birthday today. Birthday? It's your son's birthday today."
Jason Moore [00:52]: "It's one of my son's birthdays."
Mike Wright [00:55]: "It's Taylor Swift's birthday today."
II. Foot Clan Friday & Giveaways
Embracing the holiday spirit, the hosts announce "Foot Clan Friday," a special segment dedicated to Ryan Pencil, a supportive listener who wins a $55 gift card to Shopballers.com. The excitement builds as they reveal plans for an upcoming YouTube special in collaboration with their studio sponsor, Pristine Auction, featuring over $2,500 worth of sports memorabilia giveaways. However, a humorous twist unfolds when Jason Moore reveals that the planned giveaway truck arrived empty, leading to playful accusations of theft among the hosts.
Andy Holloway [02:04]: "We don't know what's in all of these very nicely wrapped packages, but we will be opening them and giving them away."
Jason Moore [02:55]: "But the truck that had all the stuff, when it stopped at my house, it was empty."
III. Last Week’s Game Breakdown
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting last week's thrilling performances, with a spotlight on Lamar Jackson's exceptional outing. Jackson showcased his dual-threat capabilities, amassing 212 passing yards, five touchdowns, and 86 rushing yards, further solidifying his MVP credentials with a total of 35 touchdowns for the season.
Mike Wright [03:36]: "If you tell me the quarterback I'm going up against has 15 completions for 212 yards, I am thrilled. That's awesome. I win."
The discussion transitions to Mark Ingram, whose consistent performance remains a fantasy staple despite limited targets.
Jason Moore [05:13]: "Mark Ingram is the world's ultimate hype man. I don't want him to retire because he's been a fantasy stud for years."
IV. News and Injury Updates
The hosts move into the vital segment of injury news, crucial for fantasy managers making lineup decisions for Week 15.
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Jameis Winston: Showing improvement, Winston has resumed throwing footballs but faces Detroit. Bruce Arians remains hopeful for his participation.
Mike Wright [07:56]: "Jameis Winston, he's throwing tennis balls, so we're okay."
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Josh Jacobs and James Conner: Jacobs is likely to play, while Conner’s status is uncertain due to ongoing knee concerns.
Jason Moore [08:01]: "James Conner in juju. Smith Schuster, not in."
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Juju Smith-Schuster: Confirmed out for the week.
Mike Wright [08:18]: "He has been ruled out. He re-aggravated his knee in Thursday's Practice."
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Other Updates: Devonte Parker and Jared Cook are limited following concussions, with Cook’s status affecting tight end decisions.
Mike Wright [08:52]: "If you can pick up Jack Doyle, who's also Monday night, that gives you that pivot option."
V. Matchup Forecast and Analysis
The hosts provide in-depth analysis of key Week 15 matchups, evaluating team performances, defensive rankings, and player potentials.
A. Eagles vs. Redskins
A divisional clash where the Eagles (6-7) face the Redskins (3-10). The Redskins’ defense ranks highly against quarterbacks, making this a challenging matchup for the Eagles’ QB. The discussion highlights the Eagles’ vulnerability and the Redskins' defensive prowess.
Jason Moore [11:50]: "What is this a Buffalo game?"
Mike Wright [12:17]: "I believe is Dallas. Is the Dallas game next week."
B. Cardinals vs. Raiders
The Arizona Cardinals (3-9-1) take on the Oakland Raiders (6-7). The Cardinals’ defense has been formidable against quarterbacks, raising concerns for fantasy managers relying on their QBs like Kyler Murray.
Andy Holloway [19:11]: "Kirk Cousins has been so trustworthy as a fantasy quarterback."
Mike Wright [19:54]: "You know, the last five weeks when they've been beaten, you know, by Fitzpatrick who has turned into the running game as well for the Miami Dolphins and Josh Allen, they can be beaten by mobile quarterbacks."
C. Vikings vs. Chargers
The Minnesota Vikings (9-4) face the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8). The Chargers boast one of the top defenses against quarterbacks, complicating choices for fantasy QBs like Kirk Cousins.
Mike Wright [35:45]: "I'm preferring to move away from Josh Allen. I know that the... he's been great as of late."
D. Rams vs. Cowboys
The Los Angeles Rams (8-5) host the Dallas Cowboys (6-7) in a matchup with shifting betting lines, indicating heavy fan interest and potential strategic plays in fantasy lineups.
Mike Wright [51:57]: "It moved because everyone started betting on the Rams."
Jason Moore [53:05]: "I'm projecting Everett out."
E. Bills vs. Steelers
The Buffalo Bills (9-4) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5). Both teams have strong defenses, making it a game with limited fantasy upside but potential for strategic plays.
Mike Wright [55:44]: "Josh Allen is the quarterback three, but the... When he played a bad defense in Baltimore. A good defense, a bad matchup."
F. Colts vs. Saints
The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) face the New Orleans Saints (10-3) on Monday Night Football. With both teams' defenses performing exceptionally well, the matchup presents unique fantasy considerations.
Mike Wright [61:52]: "This is a matchup that should be pretty good for Drew Brees."
VI. Player Picks and Fantasy Recommendations
The discussion intensifies as the hosts delve into specific player performances, start/sit decisions, and streaming options essential for optimizing fantasy rosters.
A. Tight Ends
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Mark Andrews vs. Jack Doyle: Andrews remains a reliable start, while Doyle serves as a solid pivot option.
Mike Wright [07:04]: "You have to play him against Arizona if you're going to."
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Racheid Ertz: Evaluated for consistency and matchup suitability.
B. Running Backs
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Raheem Mostert vs. Chris Carson: A debate on maximizing fantasy points with Mostert's potential breakout versus Carson's steady performance.
Mike Wright [37:48]: "I'm fine with them... but I don't project him to be like a running back one this week."
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DeAndre Washington & Josh Jacobs: Recommended as auto-starts unless injuries dictate otherwise.
C. Wide Receivers
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Emmanuel Sanders vs. Justin Watson: Sanders is highlighted for his involvement and matchup potential, whereas Watson is considered a high-risk, high-reward option.
Andy Holloway [65:10]: "But if you want to go out there and win a tournament with just a glory play, that's Justin Watson."
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Christian Kirk vs. DJ Chark: Kirk is favored for reliability, while Chark is a cautious pick due to recent injuries.
D. Quarterbacks
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Kyler Murray vs. Baker Mayfield vs. Ante Miller: Evaluating the reliability and matchup difficulty against strong defensive units.
Mike Wright [20:37]: "I think you can rely on it. They've been."
E. Special Situations
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Zach Pasco, Ian Thomas, and other budget-friendly picks: Recommendations for value plays in cost-effective fantasy lineups.
Jason Moore [65:45]: "I have Zip Thomas 5300 against Seattle, the second worst team against fantasy tight ends."
VII. Promotions and Contests
The hosts intersperse their analytical discussions with promotional segments, offering listeners opportunities to win prizes and engage with their community.
A. Omaha Steaks Holiday Offer
Listeners are encouraged to purchase a special holiday gift package featuring premium meats and gourmet sides for $69.99 by using the code "footballers" at OmahaSteaks.com.
Andy Holloway [25:01]: "You can cuke every bit of it. Order now and you get the favorite holiday gift package plus the free six piece cutlery set."
B. Roman Hair Loss Treatments
Mike Wright promotes Roman, an FDA-approved hair loss treatment, highlighting the ease of obtaining medication through a free online evaluation.
Mike Wright [26:37]: "Roman has FDA approved options which a lot of people don't even know that there are FDA approved hair loss treatment options."
C. FanDuel Ballers Contest
The hosts announce a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip by participating in the Fantasy Footballers’ leaderboard series hosted on FanDuel.
Andy Holloway [69:01]: "Don't miss your chance to win an all expenses pay trip. Participate with us. Jump in to the Fantasy footballers leaderboard series."
VIII. Final Thoughts and Humorous Wrap-Up
As the episode draws to a close, the hosts revisit some linguistic humor surrounding the word "sheded," playfully debating its grammatical correctness. The camaraderie among Andy, Jason, and Mike adds a light-hearted finish to the comprehensive fantasy football analysis.
Andy Holloway [70:07]: "Do you have what? A patient?"
Jason Moore [70:00]: "Don't use shedded."
The episode concludes with standard sign-offs, directing listeners to their YouTube channel and social media for ongoing fantasy insights and community engagement.
Mike Wright [72:23]: "Thank you for listening to another episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast. Join our fantasy football community on jointhefoot.com and follow us on Twitter at theffballers."
Key Takeaways:
- Lamar Jackson's Dominance: Solidifies his status as an MVP candidate with exceptional fantasy value.
- Injury Vigilance: Critical updates on key players like Jameis Winston and JuJu Smith-Schuster influence lineup decisions.
- Matchup Analysis: Deep dives into team performances and defensive strengths help inform start/sit choices.
- Player Recommendations: Strategic insights on maximizing fantasy points through informed player selections.
- Engaging Community: Interactive giveaways and contests enhance listener participation and loyalty.
This detailed summary encapsulates the rich analysis, strategic discussions, and engaging interactions that make "Fantasy Footballers" a must-listen for fantasy enthusiasts aiming to excel in their leagues.