Week 5 Matchups + Tuesday Night Football, Dr. Mike - Fantasy Football Podcast for 10/9

Summary

Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 5 Matchups + Tuesday Night Football, Dr. Mike - October 9, 2020

Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

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1. Week 5 Matchup Highlights

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears

The hosts kicked off the discussion reflecting on the Buccaneers' narrow three-touchdown victory over the Bears.

• Andy Holloway (00:26): Highlighted the game's outcome, setting the stage for deeper analysis.

• Mike Wright (01:28): Criticized Bears' coach Matt Nagy for his aggressive play-calling, stating, "If he had just ran it twice."

Player Performances:

• Ronald Jones II: Delivered a solid performance with 17 carries for 106 yards (04:00).

• Mike Evans: Scored a touchdown with 5 receptions for 41 yards. Wright expressed a desire for more consistent performances: "We didn’t get another Mike Evans game of one reception for one touchdown" (04:31).

• David Montgomery: Despite an inefficient game, secured a touchdown and seven catches for 30 yards. Holloway lamented starting him earlier, leading to discussions on his future potential (05:02).

Strategic Player Decisions:

• Nick Foles and Alan Robinson: Emphasized the importance of targeting reliable receivers, with Robinson being a "must start each and every week with Nick Foles" (05:33).

2. COVID-19 Impact on Scheduling

The episode delved into the uncertainties surrounding the NFL schedule due to COVID-19.

• Jason Moore (07:05): Updated listeners on potential game rescheduling, mentioning, "The Broncos Patriots are going to be playing Monday at 5pm Eastern."

• Andy Holloway (08:11): Addressed fantasy league management challenges, suggesting, "You almost need to expand the bench size."

• Mike Wright (09:29): Agreed on expanding benches, noting, "Most of my teams have at least the question marks surrounding whether they'll be able to play."

3. Key Player Performances and Fantasy Recommendations

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

• Dak Prescott: Recommended as a reliable start, "Lock him into your lineup probably each and every week for the entire season" (14:30).

• Amari Cooper, CD Lamb, and Michael Gallup: Discussed targeting multiple wide receivers to maximize fantasy points, especially given the Cowboys' offensive prowess.

Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

• Darren Waller: Highlighted as a strong prop bet with a recommendation to wager on his receptions exceeding 5.5 (56:31).

• Teddy Bridgewater vs. Matt Ryan: Analyzed quarterback options with a preference for Bridgewater due to favorable matchups despite concerns over touchdown rates (28:25).

Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks

• Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson: Cousins recommended as a solid streaming quarterback option, while Jefferson praised for his explosive potential (34:07).

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints

• Drew Brees: Confirmed as a dependable start despite uncertainties with Michael Thomas and Jared Cook's participation (47:30).

• Justin Herbert: Discussed as the Chargers' season starter with impressive performances, though concerns about the absence of Austin Ekeler were noted (48:10).

Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans

• Josh Allen: Evaluated in the context of Titans' depleted roster, with emphasis on A.J. Brown and Johnny Smith's availability boosting Allen's outlook (51:17).

4. Injury Updates

• Julio Jones: Limited practice sessions raised concerns, with Holloway anticipating he might miss upcoming games (10:54).

• Michael Thomas and Jared Cook: Both limited in practice, leading to strategic decisions on whether to start Cook if he were to play (11:08).

• Lamar Jackson: Expected to play despite missing a few practices, offering relief to fantasy managers (52:39).

• John Brown: Listed as questionable due to a calf re-aggravation, prompting caution in lineup decisions (55:14).

5. Prop Bets Segment: "Prop it Like It's Hot"

Darren Waller Over 5.5 Receptions (56:31):

• Jason Moore: Compared Waller's potential to previous high-target players, reinforcing the bet's viability.

• Mike Wright: Highlighted Waller's consistent target volume when healthy, making it a strong wager.

Michael Thomas Under 7.5 Receptions (57:11):

• Andy Holloway: Justified the conservative approach due to Thomas's uncertain involvement and the Chargers' offensive shifts.

• Jason Moore: Noted the Chargers' defensive struggles but expressed skepticism about Thomas's consistent touch points given current uncertainties.

Robbie Anderson Over 5.5 Receptions (58:33):

• Mike Wright: Cited Anderson's increased involvement and the Carolina defense's vulnerabilities as factors supporting the bet.

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Conclusion

The Fantasy Footballers provided comprehensive insights into Week 5's matchups, emphasizing strategic player selections amidst a fluctuating NFL schedule influenced by COVID-19. They offered valuable fantasy recommendations, highlighted key injury updates, and engaged listeners with their prop bets segment, equipping fantasy managers with the knowledge to optimize their rosters effectively.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright (01:28): "The Bears took it home despite him doing his best job at the end of the game."

• Jason Moore (05:18): "David Montgomery is going to be great. I mean, he's going to be great for fantasy because this was a terrible matchup and he was inefficient."

• Andy Holloway (08:11): "You almost need to expand the bench size. It's not just Covid, it's actual flexibility."

• Jason Moore (56:31): "This feels very similar to my Devonte Parker layup last week because you've got a heavily targeted player."

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For more detailed analysis and daily updates, visit jointhefoot.com and follow the Fantasy Footballers on Twitter (@ffballers).

Transcript

[Andy Holloway]

Hey, it's Ronald Jones ii, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

[Mike Wright]

And you're listening to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast.

[Jason Moore]

Welcome to the Fantasy Footballers Podcast with your hosts, Andy Holloway, Jason Moore and Mike Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, welcome in Friday, October 9th, Mike Wright, Jason Moore. I'm Andy Holloway, the Fantasy footballers back with you. More matchups today. Week 5 has begun. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won by three touchdowns over the Chicago Bears last night.

[Mike Wright]

Over.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that what happened? Is that what happened? For the podcast listeners and not the YouTubers, Mike just threw 52 cards into the air. That was a magic trick which you.

[Mike Wright]

Matt Nagy, AKA Job from Arrested Development. He pulled it off again. I, I don't know how. Look, that's magic.

[Jason Moore]

They never reveal their tricks.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, exactly.

[Mike Wright]

The illusionist came through. They are four and one.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I was lying. The Bears won.

[Jason Moore]

The Bears.

[Mike Wright]

The Bears took it home despite him doing his best job at the end of the game. And so I, you know, I tweet out the gif of Job. I'm trying to give him the credit. Well, taking my shot at Matt Nagy. They're 4 and 1 and I get some Bears fans. Like it's not even accurate anymore. I'm like, so you were super into that second down deep shot when you could have just basically ran the clock out. Like, I'm all for being super aggressive, but that was like.

[Andy Holloway]

It'S self fulfilling prophecy. Now for Matt Nagy though, we've established the magician. So anything he does, you're going to read the magician into it.

[Mike Wright]

Not if he had just ran it twice.

[Andy Holloway]

I mean, he. Does he deserve credit for putting Nick Foles in at quarterback after what we saw last year? Yes. Okay.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

I was positive they weren't going to score any points in that game at all.

[Mike Wright]

He, he does. He deserves the credit for putting Nick Foles in, but he also deserves the shame for putting Mitchell Trubisky in for multiple games this year despite winning.

[Andy Holloway]

You mean former Pro Bowler Mr. Trubisky? I mean that years ago.

[Mike Wright]

Dude, that defense, man, legit.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean it was a, you know, a tough game for Scotty Miller.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, no.

[Andy Holloway]

We went into this game thinking Mike Evans was probably in worse physical shape than Scotty Miller.

[Mike Wright]

This dude. Oh, I pour one out for everyone who started Scotty Miller last night and folklore.

[Jason Moore]

And know that Mike is pouring two out for me then because I'm with you. If you started Scotty Miller. I have now multiple leagues. Yep. I have had to start him twice. Both times appeared to be a good start and it was not.

[Mike Wright]

So you've gotten both. Potty.

[Jason Moore]

Yes, I have gotten two potty Millers. Number two.

[Andy Holloway]

You're going to start him next week.

[Jason Moore]

No. Which means he'll go off. He's going to have a fantastic week.

[Mike Wright]

And when we had the conversation about Jimmy Graham during the matchup breakdown of like, okay, I'm in on Jimmy Graham. He goes up, nothing. You're like, ah, crap. Then Jimmy Graham has a great game. Okay, I'm back in. Jimmy Graham, terrible then. Did you see that catch?

[Andy Holloway]

A great catch.

[Mike Wright]

The foot clan. This Jimmy Graham catch, one handed in the end zone. Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

No matter what touchdown he catches, he gets up and he kind of flexes and shows his, you know, manhood or whatever. But this one was deserving of it completely.

[Mike Wright]

It was grandpa strength.

[Andy Holloway]

Let's talk about some more players that actually did perform for fantasy football last night. Ronald Jones was impressive on almost every one of his carries last night. 17 for 106. Had a big run in the middle of that game. If you started Ronald Jones, you're happy. Mike Evans came down with a touchdown, 5 for 41. Had a couple deep shots his way, nine targets. This was Mike Evans. I mean, this is a good game.

[Mike Wright]

Honestly, I was, I was, I played Mike Evans in the, in our dynasty league. After he caught another pass though, after the two yard touchdown, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't. That we didn't get another Mike Evans game of one reception for one touchdown.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, you actually just wanted the narrative versus the fantasy points.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, you just, you don't want to watch it burn sometimes.

[Andy Holloway]

David Montgomery had a fantasy game. He scored a touchdown on the ground. He had seven catches for how many yards, Andy?

[Mike Wright]

Seven like a running back with seven receptions. Let's. If they're bad, you know, they're getting what, seven yards of catch, about 49.

[Andy Holloway]

Yards, 30 yards, 30 yards on the ground. Mike's unhappy because I started David Montgomery against him and was saved by the touchdown and the receptions.

[Jason Moore]

David Montgomery is going to be great. I mean, he's going to be great for fantasy because this was a terrible matchup and he was inefficient, he was ineffective and he had a great fantasy day. So, you know, going forward, when the matchups are better, if you're getting this volume, he should be solid.

[Andy Holloway]

Alan Robinson, I think you could target him on every play you could, which Foles tried to do for parts of the game and it worked out. He had 16 targets in this one, 10 for 90 and is a must start each and every week with Nick Foles.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, he absolutely is. And I just want to highlight something that was said in our company, Slack, because I've never heard it said this way. And it was, it gave me such a delight where I think it was Mooney was like, he put a post move on and he was wide open and Nick Foles just absolutely missed him. And then Damon, our manager's like, yeah, but that ball was wide open.

[Jason Moore]

I mean, I thought that was super funny as well.

[Andy Holloway]

It was some of the ugliest passes I've ever seen. Just Nick Foles was awful to start that game.

[Jason Moore]

No one was on that ball. He. He's so streaky.

[Mike Wright]

Like, they highlighted the streak, but it's like this is absolutely true. Nick Foles is like the streakiest quarterback I've ever seen.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's maybe that's why Matt Nagy is willing to say he's our quarterback no matter what. Because we'll just catch a streak and that'll be good enough with this defense. Because you weren't catching a streak with Mitch Trubisky.

[Mike Wright]

That's correct.

[Jason Moore]

News and notes from around the league.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, we'll get there, Mike, after, after News and notes.

[Mike Wright]

I was just going to say that you catch a streak with. With Mitch Trubisky.

[Andy Holloway]

Different kind of streak.

[Mike Wright]

It's just a different kind of streak.

[Andy Holloway]

You're upset I went into news without letting you make a poop joke.

[Mike Wright]

I am.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay.

[Mike Wright]

I couldn't keep it in.

[Andy Holloway]

What's the latest on the COVID situation with the Broncos and Patriots game? The Bills and Titans game? These have been up in the air. Do you think we're going to have them this week?

[Jason Moore]

So obviously this is. This could change at any time right this second. Everything appears to be on the new schedule to have football this week. Obviously, if this changes. Follow us on Twitter. We'll make sure you're aware. I'm sure all of your apps will give you push notifications as well. But the Broncos Patriots are going to be playing Monday at 5pm Eastern, which is going to be super weird for us on the West coast. We'll have a 2pm game going on on on Monday. That'll be fun. The Bills Titans moved to Tuesday so you can go totuesdaynightfootball.com and then hopefully the Bills Chiefs game the next week will be moved from Thursday to Sunday, assuming the Titans continue to have negative test results.

[Mike Wright]

So Monday is it is a double header then? Yes, if that game starts at 2 or 5 eastern, then 8 eastern. Oh, is the NFL trying to lemons into lemonade Here and get people used to the idea of not at all double headers on Monday.

[Andy Holloway]

No, I don't. I mean, because we've had them. I mean, we've had them multiple times a year. We've done the Monday Night Football double headers before. This is. Let me tell you something. The NFL is not happy about what's happening.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, I don't know. I get that. That's. I'm just saying, like, they didn't used to have Thursday Night Football either. And then they kept like, hey, about these games on Thursday. And then now it's every single week.

[Andy Holloway]

The Jets, Cardinals. The jets had a presumptive positive COVID test on Friday. So that game right now, the plans are normal, but that is another game that could see a schedule adjustment. Whether it's moving to Sunday night, whether it's moving to later in the week. Triple header Monday, you might get there. At this point, I do wonder, for fantasy purposes, if you are in a position where there's one game that is in question, it's easier to do the thing where, okay, that team accommodates it on their bench. You play the alternatives. If you have three or four games that become in question, you know, what is the solution for a fantasy commissioner to best accommodate this? Because to me, it almost feels like you almost. You need to expand the bench size. It's not just Covid ir, it's actual flexibility, which means if you're in a four or five bench situation, there, there's. It's very prohibitive for a fantasy football manager to prepare. If I have to prepare for three or four games that could be missed, how do you even do that with three or four bench spots?

[Jason Moore]

I can speak from experience here. Most of my team have at least the question marks surrounding whether or not they'll be able to play. So I think expanding the benches is one route.

[Mike Wright]

Another, you can. I mean, like platforms, they're not even going to let you do that.

[Jason Moore]

And if you can't, I think another route. And Mike, you've brought this up since before the season, right? Covid has been sucky. Don't make it more sucky in fantasy. Have, you know, the commissioners do whatever you can to help the teams that are hit by this. So if that means a lot, you know, if your league decides, hey, let's allow someone to put X, Y or Z players onto waivers, they get to pick them back up so that they can roster replacements. I think that this is the year where you have a little bit of that grace.

[Andy Holloway]

Is that almost like the taxi squad situation. You could just have a Covid squad roaming on the waiver wire. Yeah, it's unfortunate, but hopefully we get all these games this weekend. That's where I'm leaning right now. Yeah, I think we'll have them.

[Jason Moore]

I do too. I think every game is played.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. We have matchups to get into Folklon Friday. I'm going to blitz the rest of this news. Lamar Jackson, he's expected to play. He had missed a couple of practices. One with a knee, one with a tummy ache. Yep, that's what I hear. Julio Jones did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Dan Quinn said they'll continue to take things easy with them. They'll have a better idea regarding his status on Friday.

[Mike Wright]

Be ready.

[Andy Holloway]

I don't think he's going to play.

[Mike Wright]

I don't think so either.

[Andy Holloway]

Michael Thomas, Jared Cook both limited on Thursday. They're a Monday night game making this even more difficult for fantasy football players. What's your gut thought right here with Michael Thomas and Jared Cook?

[Mike Wright]

It's not just Monday night. You have also the Saints are on bye week next week, so if Michael Thomas is like, yeah, he probably could go or we can get Michael Thomas two full weeks off as we head into the main stretch. So my gut is telling me that Michael Thomas is not going to play.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I think if he's healthy he's going to be out there and that's the question. But your point stands for both Michael Thomas and Jared Cook who was jogging last week with the groin injury. But again, you can get two weeks if you leave them out. And oftentimes we see NFL teams take advantage of that.

[Andy Holloway]

The Saints are seven and a half point favorites as it stands right now for the Monday night game, so that could factor into their decision making. Debo Samuel didn't practice on Thursday due to illness, non Covid illness, and Henry Ruggs practice in full on Thursday. That's actually notable. If Ruggs was out there, I'd be rostering him.

[Mike Wright]

I completely agree.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he flashed in the early part of the season, got injured. But I'm interested in seeing what Henry Ruggs could do in that offense. He's a one touch man. And then a reminder jointhefoot.com you get access to the extra episode every week and then you get access to the injury Blitz podcast. And that is our injury expert Matthew Betts taking a look at the Friday practice reports which we don't have access to this morning. Breaking down all the injuries, what his expectations are for these players so that you're Prepared, which that's an area you can take advantage of if you're already dealing with these Covid unknowns. Make sure you know what's going on with the injuries and get game day alerts. Mike will be live once again on Sunday morning. You can learn more about all of [e-mail] it is Friday.

[Jason Moore]

Put clan Friday.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep. And another perk of being a [e-mail] is right. We give away something special each and every Friday from Pristine Auction. Mike, you'd be pretty excited to win this one. It's a DJ chart jersey.

[Mike Wright]

Oh, and I was so close because the winner was Brandon Wright.

[Andy Holloway]

Wait, is this. Is this your brother? Wait a minute.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

No. So, guys, don't worry about my new imaginary brother brain.

[Jason Moore]

Your address.

[Andy Holloway]

It's Brandon with an a in at the end, though.

[Mike Wright]

Hey, you. Do you Brandon?

[Andy Holloway]

That's interesting. All right. Brandon Wright wins the DJ chart jersey. You can check out all the sports memorabilia@pristine auction.com. use the code BALLERS for $10 off your first item. Brooks, do we have anything else to talk about? Are we. Are we getting back into these matchups? Matchups? All right, let's do it.

[Jason Moore]

Fantasy forecast.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. Yesterday we covered, what was it, seven games on yesterday's show. Jags, Texans, Cardinals, Jets, Eagles, Steelers, Rams, Washington, the Bengals, The Ravens, the Dolphins 49ers in the Colts and Browns game. So if you want those games broken down, go listen to yesterday's show. Let's start here. The New York Giants at 04 take on the Dallas Cowboys, who are 1 and 3. Such a division they have up there in the east.

[Mike Wright]

How far out are the Giants at?

[Andy Holloway]

They're actually two games ahead of the division.

[Mike Wright]

They are oh and four. And I think you're right. I think they are one game out.

[Andy Holloway]

Cowboys are nine point favorites. However, it's a 54 point over under and the combined record of the NFC east this year. It's 312 and 1.

[Mike Wright]

Y'all should be embarrassed.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, or Cardinals used to be part of the NFC East. You could make a trade and I would be willing to scooch on over to the NFC east this year because I don't really want to play the Seahawks and the rams and the 49ers. So I don't know. Brooks, take care of that. Dak Prescott. Okay, you're going to start him. He's throwing for an average of 422 yards game. Lock him into your lineup probably each and every week for the entire season. Unless the Dallas Cowboys have a defensive transformation the likes that we've never seen.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I will say Tyron Smith, the left tackle extraordinaire for the Cowboys, he's gone for the season now. Now he's missed games this year and Dak has obviously been phenomenal. But we did see in years past where when he did not have Smith at the left tackle, there were some issues.

[Mike Wright]

Goodness. That Falcons game. Oh man.

[Andy Holloway]

Ezekiel Elliott, you're playing mmari Cooper. Yep. How do you feel about CD Lamb and Gallup in this matchup? Probably pretty good.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. You're more confident in CD Lamb simply because the targets are there. They're like they're manufacturing ways for Lamb to touch the ball. Michael Gallup is still in play as a flex player. He's still running a ton of routes like so it's not just that Lamb. Lamb has taken his spot on the field and he's not out there running all three of them are running a ton of routes. So. But just treat Gallup accordingly as the big play flex player for your roster.

[Andy Holloway]

For context, we have Amari Cooper up at wide receiver six. That's our consensus rank for him this week. CD Lamb is at 21, Gallup at 26. So both of those in the wide.

[Mike Wright]

Receiver two realm and Dalton Blake Jarwin Schultz should be played with full confidence. He was not on the injury report so he is full systems go.

[Andy Holloway]

That would be six starters on the Dallas Cowboys offense potentially that are happy to start them. Yeah, yeah. It's rare. But when you have that team or two every year that's got the bad defense and the it's just the quantity of yards, 1690 passing yards for Dak.

[Mike Wright]

Now I will say this. You got to go with what is happening, the trends, what this team can do on the offense. They are absolutely incredible. Everyone can get a piece of the of the fantasy pie here and have a decent game. I am concerned that the Owen four Giants and Daniel Jones aren't going to be able to do a lot like Daniel Jones. On paper this looks like a fantastic streaming option. Somebody that you would want to get in there and I'm willing to do that. But it is absolutely risky business. Daniel Jones, two total touchdowns on the year through four games. That is abysmal. You're going to need some Pepto Bismol. Yeah, that for that abysmal. So who are you starting? I mean I'm willing to start Evan Engram because the tight end situation is a wasteland. But with this super plus matchup, who were you actually excited to plug into Your roster.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, see now you changed the question.

[Jason Moore]

Okay.

[Mike Wright]

Who are you willing to play?

[Andy Holloway]

Yes. That excited? Not many. But I will say this. I made the decision. Let me give you a case study in why we say sometimes your starts and your sits are very contextual. Last night I started David Montgomery against you, Mike. Based on his performance. It was going to determine one of my two flex spots in our matchup. He had a good game. He put up almost 17 fantasy points in our league. So I pivoted. As of today, I am starting Devonta Freeman in this matchup over McColl, Hardman. McColl Hardman is a very boom bust candidate. Devonta Freeman snap count went up significantly last week. Caught four passes. And because of this matchup, in the situation that we find ourselves in with the Cowboys, the over under, I think Freeman is a lock for four to five catches in this game. Probably a very similar game to David Montgomery. I'm willing to take that guaranteed production over the risk that McColl isn't involved in the offense.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. And I'm going to throw these wide receivers out as as fine plays as well. I actually am not afraid of Golden Tate. Darius Slayton was my taking it to 100player that I think could have a big game. The Dallas offense is great. We're sitting here saying we'll play six players. They're going to be down. And remember this foot clan. Before we got into the NFL season, we love Daniel Jones outlook, but we said do not draft him. Why? Because his opening season schedule, we already knew what was going to come. It wasn't going to be good. It was Pittsburgh on the road in Chicago, the 49ers and Rams. That is as tough as it gets. That's what he's played so far. So yeah, he's, he's not played well, but he's also not had an easy stretch. Let's see what he can do against, you know, the Cowboys easy defense. And I totally recognize this could be a trap game, but I, if I had to bet, I would bet that the Giants have a good offensive performance.

[Mike Wright]

I appreciate it, Jason. Thank you.

[Andy Holloway]

The implied point total for the Giants, at least from Vegas's perspective, is 22 and a half points. So trap or not, that's where they're expecting the Giants to be. Evan Ingram was, you know, somebody that Mike has brought up this week, the start of the week, so interesting at the tight end position. Before we grab this next matchup, we want to thank today's sponsors keeping this podcast going, helping Brooks buy a house. And congratulations, Brooks thank you. When are you moving it? Maybe next week.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, man.

[Andy Holloway]

No, what day specifically? Because I need to get my dental appointments lined up.

[Mike Wright]

All right.

[Andy Holloway]

We want to thank lightstream for supporting the show. If you're like most people, you have a balance on your credit cards at a, you know, at a higher rate of interest than you would like. Why not turn those balances into one monthly payment at a lower fixed interest rate? Start saving yourself some money. That's kind of common sense. You want the lowest possible interest rate. Save money month to month. And Lightstream offers credit card consolidation loans from 5.95% APR with auto pay and excellent credit. And they've been doing this for a long time. The rate is fixed, so it will never go up over the life of the loan. So it's another way of kind of guaranteeing that you're in a better situation there. Our listeners can save even more with an additional interest rate discount. The only way to get that discount is to go to lightstream.com/footballers. That's L I G H T S T r e a m.com Footballers subject to credit approval rate includes 0.5% auto pay discount. Lowest rate requires excellent credit and terms and conditions apply and offers are subject to change without notice. Visit lightstream.comfootballers for more information.

[Jason Moore]

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[Andy Holloway]

All right, the Las Vegas Raiders at 2 and 2 take on the Kansas City Chiefs, who are 4 and oh, this game is a very healthy, very wondrous 55 point over under. The Chiefs are massive 11 and a half point favorites. The Raiders are no longer undefeated. In fact, they're on a bit of a tailspin Here, but the implied point total for the Chiefs, 33 points in this game.

[Mike Wright]

That's nice.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. So let's break this one down a little bit. By the way, Mike, another reason I'm starting Devonta Freeman is I want to say that I beat you with Devonta Freeman and David Montgomery in my lineup, that would just give me a little bit of joy and I'm sure it would make you throw up a little bit.

[Mike Wright]

I won't be here on Monday.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, let's look at this matchup. Obviously, Mahomes is inside of your lineup. How do you feel about the way Vegas views this game? You know, obviously the Raiders are heavy underdogs. We've seen the Chiefs defense through four weeks. You talk about, you know, you see the garbage time each and every week. Is there opportunities here for the Raiders to surprise fantasy wise or are you not seeing it that way?

[Jason Moore]

I don't see it that way. I think this is, you know, not a great matchup for the Raiders. While, you know, Darren Waller, the volume just has to be there. When he's been healthy, he's been great. So that's fine. And Josh Jacobs, of course you're going to play. But Josh Jacobs, historically his good fantasy games come in wins where he scores multiple times and has a massive output. Thankfully, he is definitely more involved in the passing game than he's been. So I don't think you're going to have some disgusting, horrible game here. But I also don't see this against the Kansas City Chiefs as one of those games that are, you know, where he's run the clock out and they've got a lead and he's got multiple touchdowns. The Chiefs defense has just been really, really good. So to me it's Jacobs and Waller.

[Mike Wright]

What about Henry Ruggs, though?

[Jason Moore]

No, I'm not playing Henry Ruggs. The Chiefs have proven to me now. I always doubt it. Every time we bring up the Chiefs for the last year it's been they lock down wide receivers, but they're going to be up and you're going to need to throw on them. And it'll happen, it will come. It doesn't. No wide receivers ever score on the Kansas City Chiefs.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, the recipe, I mean, speaking of Jacobs, the recipe for the Raiders to win this game is to slow the game down, right? That has been the one thing that you can try to do against the Chiefs. Try to have a successful run game, give those opportunities whether they're successful or not. The Chiefs are 17th against opposing fantasy running backs. I would definitely not Be playing Rugs either Mike. For me it's a stash on the bench. And see the same way that we were talking about Keyshawn Vaughn. You probably weren't playing him, but you wanted to see if he had a bigger role in the offense. Darren Waller. Yeah, I mean he's going to be in your lineup each and every week if he's your tight end. Clyde Edwards, Allaire, Tyreek Hill. Yeah. And then McColl, Hardman. He's a tough decision each and every week for fantasy players. Last week I believe was the first time he's had maybe in his last eight touchdowns that he's had one in under 20 yards. Like it was that little tap pass situation. But he's generally a big play guy. Had 10 fantasy points last week in our league format. Kelsey's in your lineup. How do you feel about Watkins and other options here?

[Mike Wright]

Not no, I wouldn't be in on that. The it's going to be tough for the Raiders in this matchup to keep up and like in Sammy Watkins is only someone I want to play if I'm really confident in the other team's offense. So he's out. Demarcus Robinson seems to have lost, you know, the starting job. So we'll see to McColl, Hardman. So it's wild that Tyreek Hill who came into the season, as you know, he's, he's a really high variance player. He will boom, he will bust. But he's been one of the most consistent wide receivers through four games.

[Andy Holloway]

Why is not it just do four games? Mike, if you go to our website we added some player profile advanced stats per player hit me and we added a consistency score which evaluates basically how many times a player has put up a usable fantasy game over the last 16 games. So this is the four of this year going back to last year and he is in a. He's doing it 62% of the time, which is one of the higher grades being attached to Patrick Mahomes. It helps delight and he's found his way into the end zone this year even in the non traditional, non 90 yard bombs. Any other thoughts from this game?

[Jason Moore]

No, I think this one's pretty straightforward.

[Andy Holloway]

The Carolina Panthers at 2 and 2 on a winning streak taking on the Atlanta Falcons. Oh and four.

[Mike Wright]

Sorry, I don't think we even really said his name but Clyde Edwards Allaire is a fantastic start. If I mentioned this on our SiriusXM show, we're looking at players we're trying to trade for, try and trade for Clyde Edwards. Allaire because I believe this is the week that he finally catches up with some of his low scoring variants and you won't be able to trade for him after this weekend.

[Andy Holloway]

It's probably good advice at this point in the season in general to be targeting high opportunity situations in general. If you had done that with mixing on the, you know, Jason brought up the opportunities last week it might have benefited you. Anybody that is not, you know, touchdowns are hard to predict but 20, 30 opportunities. It's good advice when you have The.

[Mike Wright]

Raiders are 32nd against fantasy running backs. So like the recipe is there for Edwards to have his real breakout game.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And they could be if they are up could be running a lot in the second half. Carolina 2 and 2, the Falcons Owen 4. The Falcons are one and a half point favorites in this game. It's a 53 and a half point over under. This game is littered with starts of the week on the Carolina side of the ball.

[Mike Wright]

Jason should be fun.

[Andy Holloway]

Jason has Mike Davis. Davis has been outstanding RB10, RB7 the past two weeks. Could get CMC back next week but not this week. So Mike Davis is a must start. Teddy Bridgewater is Mike's start of the week. You know Mike, he laid out the case for Teddy Bridgewater and it begins with the fact that Atlanta is 32nd against fantasy quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater is still somebody that and maybe you can talk me down here. He just scares me to start at the quarterback position because the variance is so potentially extreme. Right. I feel like you could have that week that Atlanta's been giving up top five type of performance. I think Bridgewater last week was fourth against Arizona. So you've seen the evidence of that. But I also worry that they succeed in other ways. And Teddy B. Gives you that week 229 overall performance just because it's not as guaranteed. We haven't seen him in Carolina that long. Your confidence level is very high though.

[Mike Wright]

It is. And it really comes down to touchdowns because even that. So when he was a quarterback 29 week two he still had 367 passing yards. We highlighted it I don't know a couple shows ago or whatever. Maybe it was this week that he finally threw two touchdowns in a game. Teddy Bridgewater is throwing a ton of yards and it still has a touchdown rate of 2.8% which is almost, which is almost 2% under the league average. So I believe that Teddy Bridgewater versus The Falcons is a fantastic game. Mike Davis, Mike Davis can still have a great game because he's a Good receiving back, which just benefits Teddy Bridgewater as well.

[Andy Holloway]

You brought up Robbie Anderson start of the week, but we didn't talk a lot about DJ Moore. There is an opportunity here this week with the matchup, with the situation. Do you play DJ Moore this week? And again it's. It's hoping for a bounce back for him over somebody like Justin Jefferson at Seattle.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I would. I like both players. But DJ Moore is an excellent wide receiver, a special athlete in a perfect matchup. The touchdowns haven't come for him. The targets have been there. I am, I'm still starting DJ Moore this week. I know it's hard to recommend that because whenever someone has disappointed over the beginning of a season, it's really hard to double down. But the reality is DJ Moore has a perfect matchup here to have a great performance.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, as does Justin Jefferson against Seattle. As does CD Lamb against the Giants. Would you play CD Lamb or DJ Moore?

[Mike Wright]

I think CD Lamb is safer. DJ Moore's upside is higher.

[Andy Holloway]

Will Fuller against Jacksonville or DJ Moore?

[Mike Wright]

I have Will Fuller one spot ahead of DJ Moore. It's. Those guys are really interesting this week of Fuller, Moore, Lamb and Marquis Brown. Like the four of those guys, it's is really tough to sort out which one you would actually really want to start.

[Andy Holloway]

The Atlanta defense is allowed 30 plus points in each game this year.

[Mike Wright]

That does help for DJ Moore.

[Andy Holloway]

What's funny is their offense has kind of thrown us for a loop. They're second in seconds per play, so they're playing fast. But 21st in points per drive. They are playing inefficiently fast and they've had some injuries dealing with Julio Jones. Injury. Calvin Ridley disappearing act last week. Whether it was coverage, whether it was injury, Ridley has, you know, Jason, before the week began, said, hey, he could goose this week and still still be the number one overall wide receiver.

[Jason Moore]

Has a joke. But he goosed.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

And is still the number one overall.

[Mike Wright]

He wanted to make sure that your math checked out.

[Andy Holloway]

And it did. It did. So the Falcons are favored in this game. Gurley has managed to score four times this year. Yeah, you play him and so he's in your lineup. How about Matt Ryan though? I mean, it was not a pretty picture last week, but he is favored.

[Mike Wright]

So the, the, the most recent update I've seen on Julio Jones, which is not a lot, but it says he will try for practice today. If he, you know, the quote is like if he feels like he has the strength in his legs today at practice, then he's going to Play. If he doesn't, then he's going to sit out. Matt Ryan is so closely tied, his production is so closely tied to Julio Jones. I know Calvin Ridley changes the equation this year, but his we've seen all the history of Matt Ryan is when Julio Jones is out, you don't play Matt Ryan.

[Jason Moore]

You, you get out of there.

[Mike Wright]

Now does the recency bias of Calvin Ridley's goose egg change that for you? Jason? Are you Matt Ryan? Are you starting him as a QB1 this week? The matchup is great. Or I would just say the, the matchup. It, it's great. It's great as in it's a 50 near 54 point over under and the Falcons are slightly favored. So you're expecting a very competitive game.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, Matt Ryan's been good enough this year to start. He's not a must start. This is just a matter of who else you have available. I'm looking at players that I think, you know, I would start DeSean Watson and Gardner Minshew in that matchup ahead of Matt Ryan. So those are some pivot options. I see him as like a back end one or a high end two.

[Andy Holloway]

This week there should be an opportunity with the implied point total of almost 28 points for Atlanta for somebody to step up if Jones sits. Is it Russell Gage? Is it Zacchaeus? Is it Christian Blake? Is it Hayden Hurst?

[Jason Moore]

I think it, I think it could be Hayden Hurst this week. He's been running routes, been involved and last week was just kind of a nightmare for them. Getting down so big to the Packers. I, you know, I like what I've seen from Hayden Hurst. Not loving the fantasy output, but I think it's coming.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. It's prime time. It's prime time for Kirk Cousins. Sunday Night football. Vikings at 1 and 3 taking on the Seahawks 4 0. Seahawks are 7 point favorites. It's a big time 57 point over under in this game and I think we're all hoping for that fantasy bonanza with these two defenses.

[Mike Wright]

Yes, we are.

[Andy Holloway]

So watch the NFL. Give us a 20 to 19 game like last night or something. But yeah, I think we have high expectations in this game. Russell Wilson sitting as the quarterback one through the first four games of the season. Kirk Cousins I believe was Jason's stream of the week at the quarterback.

[Jason Moore]

I know it was prime time.

[Andy Holloway]

I didn't know averaging 25 attempts a game right now. He had one stinker against the Colts. But sometimes that happens and you didn't know what the Colts were. Right. Sure this happened Against San Francisco, I think it was either last year when they made the leap as a defense and you're like, oh, man, what happened? And now you're kind of like, oh, that's probably what's going to happen against the Colts.

[Jason Moore]

The Colts happened certainly. So I, you know, I do think this should be a good game. There is a chance for rain in this game, so, you know, pay attention to the weather. But both players should be able to play through it. Not. Not a massive downpour. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

You have Kirk Cousins. So just. He was already in streaming consideration. What if you look just at the matchup because the quarterback or the Seahawks. 31st against quarterback, 32nd against wide receiver. Delightful matchup for Adam Thielen, but the breakout of Justin Jefferson. Rookie wide receivers in their third and fourth games don't just put up 100 yards all the time. Even if you're a top 10 pick at the wide receiver position. This is rare territory here for what Justin Jefferson has been able to do. So you could like, he now has two weapons again, Kirk Cousins. It's not just everything has to go to Adam Thielen. And if Adam Thielen is off and their connection isn't there, then Kirk Cousins is going to have a crap game. No, he has somebody else he can go to. So I'm with Jason that I think Kirk Cousins is a mighty fine stream this week.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. I don't want to overstate my love for Justin Jefferson or his potential, but I will. And this is something that reminds me of the breakout year for Odell where you see such an explosive player. Look, he went 7 for 175. That's 25 a catch. Last week, 4 for 103. That's 25 a catch. Again, this is explosive plays and it does change the ceiling for Kirk Cousins. You're right about that. Thielen. Of course you're playing him. Jefferson is my start of the week. Dalvin Cook is in your lineup every week. And if Chris Carson, you need to retire Chris Carson.

[Mike Wright]

I think Chris Carson is. I don't think he's getting talked about enough. And it could be that the injuries have happened or just the fact that the national spotlight is on Russell Wilson, the new king, Chef Boyardee. Russell Wilson just in the breakout. He's unlimited in the breakout of DK Metcalf. Meanwhile, Chris Carson, even with some injuries spackled in here has been the running back 7, 13, 26 when he got hurt, and then the running back 4. And now he has another matchup. That is not scary. At all against the Minnesota Vikings. Defensive front, pay attention to Chris Carson. Maybe, maybe Chris Carson. It feels like this is a trade high moment. But I'm just, I'm telling you the sentiment about Chris Carson does not match the output that he is currently giving.

[Jason Moore]

You, which is awesome. It's a lot of output. Carlos Hyde, currently limited in practice.

[Andy Holloway]

As of limited.

[Jason Moore]

Very nice. He was limited in practice yesterday. Chris Carson was a full participant in practice. So the health is on Chris Carson's side right now.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. And you know, I think part of it, Mike, is because the passing volume went up so much. There were eight games last year that Chris Carson was over 20 rushing attempts in a game. He's not his highest. He had a 17 week, then 14 and then 16. So the attempts have been down a little bit. The perception of the team has changed. But he's been so efficient. He's been Hyper efficient over 4 carry 4.65 last week. Scored two times last week. I think you're right. I think he might be somebody that. Look, if the team rotates back towards a rush heavy attack at times and it could, it gets even better.

[Mike Wright]

There's no guarantee that it's just still Russell Wilson chucking the ball 35 times a week. And that consistency grade you brought up earlier on Tyree Kill. Chris Carson is at an a.75% of his games are start worthy games and that doesn't even factor in his top end games. He has been crushing it for over.

[Jason Moore]

16 games now and he's to just pile on here. He has been involved in the passing game. Yeah, he's on a 16 game pace of 64 targets.

[Mike Wright]

That's great.

[Jason Moore]

That's phenomenal for a player that two years ago was like, man, if he could only get, you know, 30 receptions, he, he would add a lot.

[Andy Holloway]

He's proven himself in that capacity. Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

Yep.

[Jason Moore]

Perfect matchup.

[Mike Wright]

Don't need to talk about them.

[Andy Holloway]

The hardest part about Metcalf Lockett is knowing like it feels weird to constantly want to put them both in my top five due to the matchups on the week.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Andy Holloway]

And it's like you know that both probably won't, but they have both. I mean that's just hard to do. But they've been outstanding. Metcalf has impressed me tremendously this year. But these, these are two defenses that should afford a lot of fantasy points. The Broncos at 1 and 3 at the Patriots. Now on Monday night, The Patriots are eight point favorites. It's a 48 and a half point over, under. We don't expect Cam Newton.

[Jason Moore]

It was pushed to Monday, so it gives a little bit more realistic opportunity for Cam to make it back.

[Andy Holloway]

But we don't know if Brian Hoyer walks out there and he's about 6, 6 with the name Hoyer on the back and starts running a lot. I'm gonna, I'm gonna have some questions. I hope that if Cam sneaks out there in a Hoyer jersey, he has to wear the Hoyer jersey. And it's just real small on him.

[Mike Wright]

He's just nips out.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he's just. It's just a teeny, teeny jersey.

[Mike Wright]

The fact that there is a spread on this game and we don't know who the starting quarter. Yeah, I was Patriots. This is. Oh, that is like. That is so embarrassing for the Denver Broncos.

[Andy Holloway]

You know the Monstars in Space Jam.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, of course.

[Andy Holloway]

Before they get big. That's Brian Hoyer before and then it's Cam Newton afterwards. But yeah, this is a game where the Broncos, they've struggled all year long with the offensive side of the ball. We don't know if Drew Locke's going to be the quarterback. I mean, you got quarterback questions on both sides here. Is it Brett Rippon, we get some Driscoll mixed in with his plans. Oh, but Melvin Gordon, he's been an every week starter, right? Do you feel differently about him this week because the Pagers defense is so stout, or do you.

[Mike Wright]

This is. This is David Montgomery situation where you're. You're starting Melvin Gordon. The matchup stinks, and now you get Philip Lindsay back in here to siphon off some snaps and some of those opportunities. So Gordon is. He has to be in play. But you need to adjust your. Your hopes and your dreams from Elvin Gordon.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. The Patriots take away your best option. Right? I mean, and the. The Broncos only have two options. It's Melvin Gordon and Jerry Judy. If Gilmore is on Jerry Judy.

[Mike Wright]

No, you are discounting what Tim Patrick has done far too greatly.

[Jason Moore]

I promise you that that's not who the Patriots are trying to lock down. I'm just saying if Gilmore is on Judy and then they focus on Melvin Gordon, I just don't.

[Andy Holloway]

Don't we have no Gilmore this week? I mean, isn't that the.

[Jason Moore]

Is Gilmore out?

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. Gilmore.

[Mike Wright]

Gilmore.

[Andy Holloway]

Gilmore.

[Jason Moore]

Wow. Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

Oh, heck, yeah. All right. Well, that's. That's great as I'm playing Jerry Judy.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I mean, Judy and Patrick last week, 6 for 113 and a touchdown. More targets. Judy had the one big play. But if I'm heads up against those two, I don't really see much of a difference between choosing one of those players in this game.

[Mike Wright]

Mike, I'm, I'm with you. So right now, Jerry Judy is. We got 15 receptions for 234 yards. Tim Patrick is 16 receptions for 209 yards.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we've been here before. Tim Patrick.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Tim Patrick is a fine player.

[Andy Holloway]

He needs a more spicy name. This is the same situation that happens.

[Mike Wright]

It's the two first names, man.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, we need. What do we change? Smash Jackson. That was a better name.

[Mike Wright]

Paul Perkins.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. But Tim Patrick is not as exciting as Jerry Judy. The alliteration.

[Jason Moore]

Jerry Judy.

[Andy Holloway]

The youthfulness.

[Mike Wright]

That's a hot name.

[Jason Moore]

The more that I think about it, you know, look, last week was the Jets. You know, it's like, oh, you know, you had some players show up. I don't think I want to start any Bronco in this game.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, it kind of sounded like we wanted to start a Bronco, didn't it?

[Jason Moore]

It did. It sounded like, oh, Tim Patrick's been good, you know. Oh, with Gilmore gone, Jerry Judy. I don't want. I don't want to start a Bronco. And Noah Fant is probably going to make me. Is probably going to miss the game as well.

[Andy Holloway]

No offense. Going to miss the game. So Melvin Gordon. That's it.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. Find a pivot on his side or on the Broncos side.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. We have Judy at 31 right now in consensus rankings. So that's kind of outside of me as bottom of the wide receiver three. So that, that lends itself to what you're saying. Jason Judy would maybe be the shot then, because you go for the big play with Jerry Judy over, hoping for a foundational game from Patrick like the jets game. What do you do at the running back position for the Patriots?

[Mike Wright]

I am willing to play Damien Harris. Sony Michelle will not be playing because he was placed on ir. So this will be game two. So Michelle is out at least a couple more weeks. 17 for 100 against Kansas City with the combination of Brian Hoyer and Jared Stidham as his quarterback. Damien Harris is a good player and he's going to get opportunity. Yes. James White is going to be in there siphoning off the targets like Damien Harris is the Sony Michelle role.

[Andy Holloway]

I feel better about Harris without Cam Newton than with him.

[Mike Wright]

Okay.

[Andy Holloway]

In terms of starting him in this game.

[Jason Moore]

Being able to get a touchdown on the goal line.

[Andy Holloway]

No. Without Cam Newton.

[Jason Moore]

That's what I'm saying.

[Andy Holloway]

Oh, no, it has nothing to do with really just the goal. It just has to do with what I saw on the field last week. This was a team that didn't trust Jared Stidham or Brian Hore to throw the football. They made mistakes. They threw interceptions. Both of them did. And so they force fed the ball to Damien Harris. Seventeen carries. That is not generally what you see from a single back inside of this offense. Even Sonny Michelle's great game the week before, it was like, what, nine carries or something like that? So maybe you could do it either way. The Broncos have been really stout against opposing running backs. Only 14 fantasy points given up on the year, on average, per game to opposing fantasy running backs. So that is a little bit of hesitation. But Harris impressed me on film.

[Mike Wright]

I thought he looked good, faster, bigger.

[Andy Holloway]

Than Sony, both of those things.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah. So then on the passing options, I'm not playing Nikhil Harry. It's not happening. Julian Edelman is interesting. Our writers were highlighting this, and as soon as they started talking about it, it's like, oh, yeah, if you watch Julian Edelman playing last week, he was. He was actively trying not to get hit. Now, I. Not that it. Not that wide receivers are looking for contact all the time, but he was intentionally. As soon as a defender was in his space, he was going down Peyton Manning style. And so it's. What. What is. What's actually going on here with Julian Edelman?

[Andy Holloway]

Well, it's a good question. It's really hard to be dependent on Edelman with the quarterback situation to begin with. It's also important to remember Edelman is older, and we've seen consecutive years, not this year, but the previous few years, where Larry Fitzgerald comes out on fire to begin a season as an older wide receiver, and things start to slow down. I'm not saying that's going to happen, but it's. It's a possibility with an older wide receiver where you start to see some slippage.

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, he was limited. He's listed as limited with a knee problem. The hard part for Patriots players and Julian Edelman is you're just, you know, he's there. He's always on the injury report because they always put their players on the injury report, so you never really know. Is he actually hurt? Is he just kind of dinged up and they're putting him on there? Anyways, Julian Edelman is a tough start this week despite Broncos giving up.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm trying to avoid him.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I don't want to play anybody other than maybe Damien Harris and Cam Newton. If he's active.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Jason Moore]

And that's from both sides of the ball.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, that's fair. The Los Angeles Chargers at 1 and 3 take on the 2 and 2 New Orleans Saints in New Orleans. Presumably in New Orleans, assuming they don't have to move the game to the Hurricane. The Saints are 7 1/2 point favorites. It's a 51 point over under Drew Brees is Jason's start of the week and you said that was kind of regardless of the Michael Thomas situation, the Jared Cook situation.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. The Chargers defense is just decimated with injuries and I think that the Saints have enough weapons even if it's just a bunch of dump offs to Alvin Camara. Drew Brees gets all those points.

[Andy Holloway]

It was announced this week. I don't know if we mentioned it, but Justin Herbert has been announced as the rest of season starter just based on his performances so far. Tyrod relegated to the bench when he's healthy. He said three starts against Kansas City, Carolina and Tampa bay. He's averaged 35 passing attempts in those games for an average of 25 completions, 310 yards, 1.7 touchdowns. Very impressive debut for Herbert.

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Let me ask you this though. Not taking anything away from his potential, but not having Austin Eckler on the field, what impact is that going to have on his upside?

[Mike Wright]

I think it's. It probably does take a hit, but in the waiver show we were highlighting Justin Jackson, who Justin Jackson can come through and give you at least, you know, some of the production that Austin Eckler put out in the field. They're not the same player. Echler is a much better player than Justin Jackson, but I think between him and Joshua Kelly, I think that this team and this office could still get moving. Justin Herbert is. He has kind of gone into that mantra of I should throw to my best player all the time and sweet strategy. And Keenan Allen's targets have skyrocketed since we had the Tyrod Taylor Experience Week 1. So Keenan Allen very confident in playing him. Mike Williams is not likely to play. He did not practice on Thursday. But with Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry, I think that this offense continues to move and I think there will be enough and I, we disagree on this, but I think that Herbert is fine if you are looking to stream a quarterback.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, Jason, if you had to start Kelly or Jackson, who do you start?

[Jason Moore]

If I had to start, I would start Joshua Kelly. I think he'll get more volume than Justin Jackson and I don't love this matchup. I'm not looking. You know one of the most popular start sick questions out there is Joshua Kelly or Justin Jefferson. I would, I would go Justin Jefferson. Yeah, easily. But Joshua Kelly over Justin Jackson within this backfield is how I would rank them.

[Andy Holloway]

Michael Thomas misses this game. Mike mentioned they have a buy coming up. He could. Yeah, they could put him on the sideline again. Is Treekwon Smith a dart throw here?

[Mike Wright]

Yes.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. Get him at 42 on the week.

[Mike Wright]

Kind of like a dart throw, you know where you're like. But you got to close one of your eyes so your depth reception is a little bit off.

[Andy Holloway]

I always close both eyes when you're playing darts. Yeah. It's led to some pretty impressive performances.

[Mike Wright]

Like it's led to some pretty impressive lawsuits.

[Andy Holloway]

Yes, that is accurate. Jared Cook, if he's active, do you play him?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, I mean I think you play him in the tight end landscape. If you've got Jared Cook, you should have him in there.

[Andy Holloway]

Chargers are pretty bad against opposing tight ends. So far this year.

[Jason Moore]

I'm. I would be pretty surprised if Cook plays.

[Andy Holloway]

Okay. All right, the let's get to Tuesday Night Football.com here.

[Mike Wright]

Buffalo Bills go to Tuesday Night Football.com.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah. They are a sponsor, great website. They're a huge sponsor of the show. The Buffalo bills at 4 and O take on the 3 and oh Tennessee Titans. We hope the bills are 8 point favorites on the road in this one. It's a 49 point over under. I'm, you know, I would expect the Buffalo Bills to be favored in this game regardless. I do wonder if that line is so large in part because of a depleted Titans team due to the COVID situation.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah. Both sides of the ball, offense and defense are very hurt from the COVID IR list for the Tennessee Titans. You have no Humphreys, you have no Corey Davis on the offensive side and they're missing several pieces on the defensive side. So it's going to be difficult for the Titans to really compete. Now let me ask you this, Andy. You had originally Ryan Tannehill in as your start of the week. The matchup is perfect for the Bills high scoring game. Does the loss of Adam Humphreys and Corey Davis, does that scare you now of saying, well, there's not enough weapons to throw the ball to?

[Andy Holloway]

Not really. If I. If you have A.J. brown back, if A.J. brown's there, Johnny Smith and then you combine that with who I think has been kind of impressive this year as an option, Khalif Ramon Raymond. I don't know how you pronounce his last name, but he, he's had some deep catches this past week or two weeks ago. I'm not that worried about Tannehill as long as he has Brown. If Brown's off the field and you're losing your top two, three passing options, you have to kind of downgrade his expectation. And I don't think there's anybody that can start Ryan Tannehill this week because you don't know if this game's going to happen. I mean, you just, you can't sit here and wait for Tannehill against the Bills.

[Mike Wright]

Sure.

[Andy Holloway]

On Tuesday Night Football.com Josh Allen, you're playing him. Devin Singletary.

[Jason Moore]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

So how do you break down the running back situation? Zach Moss got a couple practices in last week, ended up being inactive. He's limited again. I don't know if we have the full. We won't have full information. I doubt on Zach Moss heading into Tuesday night for football.com Jason, are you playing Devin Singletary then with any type of confidence? Because if Zach Moss is out, huge opportunities, you know, 18 opportunities a game right now is what Singletary is getting. That gets inflated the past couple of weeks. Where are you at?

[Jason Moore]

Yeah, only if before Sunday they rule Zach Moss out, which I don't think we're going to know. I think it's going to be nebulous by the time you need to make the decision. So I'm going to act as if Devin Singletary has Zach Moss there. I'm not in love with that as a start. It is a good matchup. So it's not the end of the world. Don't play Devin Singletary. But if there's another good option, I'm going to assume Zach Moss is back and that his opportunity is, you know, cut in half.

[Andy Holloway]

I'm pretty impressed with Singletary the last couple of weeks.

[Jason Moore]

He's super good. Like we've never got to talk him up, but as a player, I think he's phenomenal.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, I would take it. I probably wouldn't take your approach. I would probably play Singletary regardless because I don't think that Moss is going to walk back in after, you know, being limited this week and get half the opportunities. And Singletary's production is not touchdown dependent. I mean, that's not what we know with Singletary. So if you tell me he's going to get 15, 16 opportunities against the Titans. Are you feeling good about that? I guess not.

[Mike Wright]

Maybe. Well, just like week one was 16 opportunities against the jets that turned into running back 38.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah.

[Mike Wright]

13 opportunities against the Miami Dolphins that turned into running back 35. And then the next two weeks with Zach Moss out, you saw the snaps rise from, you know, averaging 58% to a 90% snap player.

[Andy Holloway]

So it's sounds like you're more on.

[Mike Wright]

I side more with Jason that I. If Zach Moss is healthy, I think he comes back in and he gets that 40% of work. It's passing work, it's goal line work.

[Andy Holloway]

Stefan Diggs. Yep, he's the wide receiver six on the year. John Brown. I saw the play in practice where.

[Mike Wright]

He tweaked his cap.

[Andy Holloway]

Yeah, he came up. It didn't look great, but they said he, he's okay. So do we expect him to play in this game?

[Mike Wright]

I watched him. He was not okay.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, he wasn't okay after the immediate moment. But didn't he come back for a limited practice the next day?

[Mike Wright]

I do not know. I don't have.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, I don't want to misreport that. So you can double check that for me. He's currently listed as questionable. We have him outside the top 30 at the position. So I worry a better option.

[Jason Moore]

I worry about the health of John Brown because this is a re aggravation of the calf. So if, let's say he's active and he goes out there and then another play happens and he's pulled from the game, I'm not going to take that risk. If he is not active though, Gabriel Davis is, you know, a rookie. That has been really surprising. The Bills love this guy. And if John Brown's gone, he will have the opportunity to be an important piece of the offense for Josh Allen's fire that he's been on. So I, you know, I doubt you're picking him up on a Tuesday night football.com to play him, but if you're playing DFS, that's a name I think that would would be valuable.

[Andy Holloway]

All right, Foot Clan game day [e-mail] every week Sunday live one hour before kickoff with Mr. Mike the Fantasy Hitman. Right?

[Mike Wright]

Yeah, that's right. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mike.

[Andy Holloway]

Dr. Dr. Mike the Fantasy Hitman. Right. All right, we got one more segment today.

[Jason Moore]

Prop it like it's hot. Presented by Monkey Knife Fight.

[Andy Holloway]

Alrighty, let's bring you one of our favorite props. Monkey Knife Fight for week five. I'm going Darren Waller. The more or less numbers at 5.5 receptions. To me this feels like one of the biggest gimmes on the week. Darren waller, he had 12 receptions two weeks ago. He was hurt for the other game. I don't. I throw that one away. And then he had nine last week. So the last two times we've seen him on the field healthy, he's been well above that number. And with the line in this game, the Raiders passing all game long, he could have five and a half garbage time in the fourth quarter alone.

[Jason Moore]

This feels very similar to my Devonte Parker layup last week that we discussed because you've got a heavily targeted player.

[Mike Wright]

But it was a dunk though. I thought it would.

[Jason Moore]

Well, it turned into a.

[Andy Holloway]

Well, remember you had to convert it because you can't do layups.

[Mike Wright]

Right.

[Andy Holloway]

Because you're bad at them.

[Jason Moore]

But you want to know who can finish a layup with a dunk. Darren Waller. So I do. I do like that one a lot. I'm going with Michael Thomas on the Monday night game. He is. He's listed right now at seven and a half receptions and I'm going less than that. Because you're not sure how involved he is. I know it's hard to go less on receptions for the guy that just.

[Andy Holloway]

Broke seven and a half is a lot.

[Jason Moore]

That is. We're not sure how healthy he is. You know how involved he would be, you know. And are the Chargers. Is the Chargers off? It's really going to push them to need to be throwing the ball a ton in the second half of that game where you get over seven and a half. You know, last year he broke the NFL record and he only had two games with with less than seven and a half receptions. So you'd say okay, but now with a hobbled, you know, Michael Thomas with Trey Kwon and Emmanuel Sanders looking like they're involved and the Chargers offense, I think it's more like what you see in 2018 with Michael Thomas, which he was great but nine of his games he finished with less than seven and a half receptions. So I'm taking less on the Michael.

[Mike Wright]

Thomas and I cannot get enough of this Carolina Atlanta matchup. So I'll let's get some more skin in that game. Robbie Anderson the more or less is five and a half receptions. Robbie Anderson has been under that number once he averages over the first four weeks. He is averaging seven receptions per week. So I am taking the more the game line is 54 and a half points. I'm in with Robbie Anderson getting more than more than five and a half.

[Andy Holloway]

All right. This has been a fun segment each and every week and you can check out all of the player props. You can prop a legit yourself over@ballers picks.com Use the code BALLERS. You get 100% deposit. Match up to $50 for monkey knife Fight and they have tons of great player props each and every week.

[Jason Moore]

It's super fun and easy to get in the games where you know you could just pick two players and if you get both of them right, you, you know you're you in two and a half times in your money.

[Andy Holloway]

Ballers picks.com Like I said, use the code BALLERS for 100% deposit. Match up to $50 ballers picks.com Lamar Jackson One update he did return to practice on Friday, so if you were worried, even though we said we thought he'd be fine, it's even more helpful to know he's out there on the practice field. Good luck in week five. Like I said, Sunday live, one hour before kickoff. Mike Dr. Mike will be available to you.

[Mike Wright]

That's Mr. Doctor, sir.

[Andy Holloway]

Mr. Dr. That's right.

[Mike Wright]

See you Sunday. Goodbye.

[Jason Moore]

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 the FFballers.