Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Week 3 Studs & Stinkers + Magically Delicious Summary

Release Date: September 28, 2020
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

1. Introduction and Week 3 Overview

The Fantasy Footballers kick off the episode with their characteristic blend of humor and camaraderie. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright engage in light-hearted banter about the week's exciting Monday Night Football game, joking about its potential to be "the best Monday night football game ever" (01:18). They also share personal anecdotes, such as Jason recounting his misfortunes with Justin Jefferson (01:38), highlighting the emotional rollercoaster that fantasy football managers often experience.

2. Injury News

Key Updates:

• Chris Carson: Sustained a minor knee sprain but may be available for the upcoming game. Jason expressed frustration over a poor play leading to Carson's injury (05:33).

  Jason Moore: "If you saw the play, I tried. I tried the best I could after watching the play of... what is going on here?"

• Chris Godwin: Reports indicate a hamstring injury following a concussion, likely sidelining him for at least a week.

  Andy Holloway: "This is bad news for the next couple of weeks."

• Other Notable Injuries:

  • Deontay Johnson exited with a concussion early.
  • Jerick McKinnon suffered an upper rib injury.
  • Jordan Reed dealt with an ankle injury.
  • Russell Gage exited with a head injury.
  • Mike Williams faced a hamstring issue.
  • John Brown and D.J. Jones both had injuries affecting their participation.

The hosts discuss the implications of these injuries on fantasy lineups, emphasizing the importance of monitoring player health to optimize team performance.

3. Studs of the Week

The trio highlights standout performers who have significantly contributed to fantasy teams this week.

• Russell Wilson: Celebrated for breaking the record for the most touchdown passes, Wilson is on pace for an impressive 75 passing touchdowns this season (14:24).

  Andy Holloway: "He is on pace currently for 75 passing touchdowns."

• Josh Allen: Recognized as a top fantasy performer with five total touchdowns in the game.

  Jason Moore: "Josh Allen had five total touchdowns in this game. He was excellent."

The hosts commend these players for their exceptional performances and encourage listeners to consider them reliable starters in their fantasy lineups.

4. Stinkers of the Week

The hosts identify underperforming players, providing insights into why they struggled and offering advice on managing these "stinkers."

• Rex Burkhead: Had a disappointing game with poor receiving and rushing stats, contributing to Jason losing by a single point in his league.

  Jason Moore: "Rex Burkhead was 6 for 49 and two on the ground... I lost by one point."

• Tyler Hilton and A.J. Green: Both receivers had lackluster performances, leading the hosts to question their reliability.

  Jason Moore: "Ty Hilton just hasn't made a big play all year."

• Darren Waller: Despite being a key tight end for the Buccaneers, Waller had minimal targets and yards, prompting a discussion on his current fantasy value.

  Jason Moore: "Darren Waller, four targets, two catches, nine yards. Now he was... stuck playing here."

The discussion emphasizes the unpredictability of player performances and the importance of making timely decisions to mitigate losses from underperforming assets.

5. Player Performances: Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends

Running Backs:

• Austin Ekeler: Delivered a strong performance with 11 targets and 84 yards, showcasing his consistency and reliability.

  Jason Moore: "11 for 84. I'm telling you, just the film on Austin Ekeler this year... he's breaking tackles on almost every single touch."

• James Conner: Posted impressive stats with 18 yards and a touchdown, though his overall gameplay left some hosts puzzled.

  Andy Holloway: "I didn't see anything special from James Conner. He didn't look outstanding to me."

Wide Receivers:

• Justin Jefferson: Emerged as a potential waiver wire pickup with 7 receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating significant depth and impact.

  Jason Moore: "Justin Jefferson, nine targets, seven for 175 and a touchdown. Super impressive performance."

• Cedric Wilson Jr.: Transitioned to the Cowboys and secured two touchdowns, making him a valuable addition to fantasy teams.

  Jason Moore: "Cedric Wilson Jr., seven targets, five for 107 and two first touchdowns as a Cowboy."

Tight Ends:

• Travis Kelce: Positioned to reclaim the number one spot with continued strong performances.

  Jason Moore: "A real layup for Travis Kelce tonight to take over the number one spot."

• Jimmy Graham: Had a notable game with two touchdowns and 60 yards, earning him a place among the top tight ends.

  Andy Holloway: "Jimmy Graham. Two touchdowns, 60 yards."

The hosts provide comprehensive analyses of these players, helping listeners make informed decisions about their fantasy rosters.

6. Team-Specific Discussions

Arizona Cardinals:

• Quarterback Play: Jason criticizes Kyler Murray's mistakes that contributed to the Cardinals' loss.

  Jason Moore: "Kyler Murray made some mistakes and then I just didn't even have a shot in the game against Jason."

• Offensive Strategy: Discussion on Jared Goff's improved performance and the overall rebound of the Cardinals' offense.

  Andy Holloway: "Drew Small sample size... little dump-off targets, you know, weren't going to be replicated, but they were and he was great."

Los Angeles Rams:

• Running Game: Highlighting Darrell Henderson's strong performance and the Rams being the third most run-heavy team in the league.

  Andy Holloway: "Darrell Henderson. 20 for 114 and a touchdown."

• Defensive Issues: Andy contends that a flag call negatively impacted the Rams' game outcome, sparking debate among the hosts.

  Andy Holloway: "They had the game one on that fourth down stop and then the flag came, which I think was a nonsense flag call."

New York Jets:

• Offensive Struggles: The Jets' inconsistent play-calling and quarterback performance were heavily criticized, with the hosts expressing frustration over the team's inability to execute effectively.

  Jason Moore: "They just have a 50/50 pass rush ratio with Calvin Bellage and Frank Gore. Now maybe he feels like he can't."

• Coaching Decisions: Adam Gase's coaching choices, particularly regarding the quarterback's play decisions, were scrutinized.

  Andy Holloway: "It's unbelievable that Adam Gaze has a job."

7. Fantasy Football Advice and Strategies

Managing Injuries:

• Stick with Volume: Andy encourages managers to remain patient with high-volume players like Joe Mixon and Kenyon Drake, despite their underwhelming performances, emphasizing that their consistent usage could lead to better outcomes.

  Andy Holloway: "Stick with it. It will work out. The carries, the volume is happening."

Stud Selection:

• Top Performers: The hosts urge fantasy managers to prioritize reliable studs like Russell Wilson and Josh Allen, who are delivering exceptional performances and are likely to continue their strong play.

  Jason Moore: "Russell Wilson and Josh Allen are both in the top three all time."

Handling Stinkers:

• Timely Replacements: For underperforming players such as Rex Burkhead and A.J. Green, the hosts suggest considering alternative options or potential waiver wire pickups to mitigate losses.

  Jason Moore: "You might want to start him though [Russell Wilson], but a stall game prediction for your Russell Wilson consistency, I will say no."

Waiver Wire Recommendations:

• Justin Jefferson: Identified as a strong waiver wire candidate due to his impressive Week 3 performance.

  Jason Moore: "Justin Jefferson, nine targets, seven for 175 and a touchdown. Super impressive performance... one of the bigger waiver wire pickups this week."

Trade Strategies:

• Trade Low Performers: The podcast advises trading away underperforming players early in the season to strengthen team rosters with more reliable talent.

  Andy Holloway: "The only way that these two players will finish outside the top 15 this season. There's no way."

8. Community and Engagement

The podcast emphasizes community engagement, encouraging listeners to join their fantasy football community at joinTheFoot.com and follow them on Twitter @theffballers. They also promote their website, thefantasyfootballers.com, which offers tools, rankings, and a comprehensive repository of fantasy football advice.

Notable Quotes

• Jason Moore (25:28):

  "Austin Ekeler's breaking tackles on almost every single touch. I expect that you could still probably trade for him lower than what his real value is right now."

• Mike Wright (48:24):

  "Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's unbelievable. It's impossible."

• Andy Holloway (40:33):

  "Everyone on Twitter calling these two players busts. We're three weeks in. Nobody's a bust yet unless it's a season-ending injury."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode, the Fantasy Footballers provide a thorough analysis of Week 3's key performances, injury updates, and strategic advice for fantasy managers. With a mix of expert insights and entertaining banter, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright equip listeners with the knowledge to navigate their fantasy football seasons effectively. Whether celebrating standout studs or lamenting unexpected stinkers, the hosts ensure that fantasy enthusiasts are well-prepared to make informed decisions for the weeks ahead.

For more detailed discussions and expert advice, visit thefantasyfootballers.com and join their thriving community at joinTheFoot.com. Follow them on Twitter @theffballers for real-time updates and insights.