Fantasy Footballers – Week 5 Matchups + Wheel of Shame, Old Mother Hubbard

Episode Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright, Jay Grizz (Jason Moore absent)

Episode Overview

This high-energy episode covers pivotal Week 5 fantasy football matchups, with the usual expert breakdowns, start/sit debates, and as always, plenty of playful banter. The team reacts to Thursday Night Football, dissects the latest NFL injury headlines, previews key games for weekend lineup decisions, and immerses the listener in the “Fantasy Face Off” with another hilarious Wheel of Shame segment.

Jason Moore is notably absent (“he’s quit the podcast… just for today,” joking Andy at 02:42), leaving Andy, Mike, and Jay Grizz to carry the show, which includes an extended dive into start/sit strategy, deep-dive streaming options, and how to handle the rash of injuries in the fantasy landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thursday Night Football Recap: Rams @ 49ers

• Game Result: 49ers win 26-23 in OT.
• Fantasy highlights for Matthew Stafford (389 yards, 3 TDs); Kyren Williams’ day is bittersweet with a receiving stat line but crucial fumble and fourth down stop.
• Quote (Andy, 03:31): “That was a very fun game… another big fantasy performance from Matthew Stafford. Two in a row. Seriously, 389 and three.”
• Discussion about the Rams’ RB situation, Kyren’s fantasy volatility, and Sean McVay’s questionable play calling.
• Puka Nacua (“kept doing what he always does,” Andy 04:08) and Kendrick Bourne (breakout) shout-outs.
• The 49ers’ continued struggles with rushing TDs (zero in five weeks).
• Mac Jones’ resilience: “For definitely playing through injury. He’s got a brace on the knee… faces this Rams defense … goes out there with a bunch of backups and wins the ball game.” (Andy, 07:16)
• Humorous debate about whether Mac Jones is “a dog or a cat” after injury dramatics (06:23).

2. News & Injury Roundup (09:23-14:32)

• Brock Purdy: Turf toe, could miss Week 5+ (“They’re in good hands with Mac Jones at this point.” Andy, 09:30).
• Michael Pittman: Added to report (hamstring), status uncertain. Jason unhappy—“I will not share his response.” (Jay Grizz, 10:38)
• RB shake-ups:
  • Brock Bowers (DNP – risky play).
  • Bucky Irving OUT; Sean Tucker & Rashad White next up.
  • Chuba Hubbard out; Rico Dowdle a must pickup for Carolina–“The Hubbard injuries considered week to week…Rico should be picked up.” (Jay Grizz, 12:31)
• Fun sidebar: “Old Mother Hubbard”/”Old Lady in the Shoe” nursery rhyme debate (13:04-14:33) – classic off-the-cuff Fantasy Footballers humor.

3. Week 5 Matchup Breakdowns & Start/Sit Debates

Cardinals (2-2) vs. Titans (0-4)

(15:16–18:56)

• Titans’ Cam Ward (rookie QB) under the microscope — “He’s taken seventeen sacks. It’s not been good for the Tennessee offense…” (Andy, 15:44).
• Cards RB committee: Michael Carter (goal-line/early downs) vs. Amari DiMarcado (passing down); Carter the preferred play this week (Andy, 17:39).
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: “If he scores, you’re happy. If he doesn’t score, you’re very sad.” (Andy, 18:04)
• Tony Pollard: still a fine RB2, but offense tough to trust.

Bucs (3-1) @ Seahawks (3-1)

(18:56–23:27)

• The "Baker Mayfield/Sam Darnold Reunion" game—Baker's potential without Bucky Irving or Mike Evans questioned.
• Mike: “I’m focusing on the targets … ten targets is pretty awesome in your first game back” (re: Godwin, 21:28).
• Start/sit RB: Rashad White over Rico Dowdle; Woody Marks potentially over Rashad White.
• “Ken Walker is the upside play and Charbs you… you just cross your fingers and hope that he gets a touchdown.” (Jay Grizz, 22:59)
• Darnold streaming in play, but Kyler still ranks higher.

Lions (3-1) @ Bengals (0-4)

(25:31–30:34)

• Bengals’ offense “ruining fantasy lives” (Andy, 26:08).
• Start/sit struggles: “I don’t know if T. Higgins is… worthy of the name.”
• Jamar Chase: “He can make a play so good after the catch…Chase is still in my lineup.” (Andy, 27:36)
• Jameson Williams: “You don’t want him on your bench when it happens…It’s coming.” (Andy, 29:11)
• Sam LaPorta: “If you need five points, no more, no less.” – underwhelming upside lately.

Commanders (2-2) @ Chargers (3-1)

(30:55–36:07)

• Jaden Daniels’ return spices up Washington’s offense.
• Chris Moore as a deep DFS dart throw (Andy, 32:32).
• Lad McConkey and Quentin Johnston both “starts of the week” from hosts—Mike: “Targets are there, want to see it pay off.”
• Amari Hampton’s emergence: “Maybe top 5 back rest of season.” (Andy, 34:09)
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt – high ceiling, risky floor, best as a bench stash this week.

Patriots (1-3) @ Bills (4-0)

(37:23–43:13)

• Pats usually play Buffalo tough but remain big underdogs.
• Drake May: "The prophecy...good baseline on the ground is coming through." (Mike, 39:19)
• James Cook: “He is very good…post bag [contract].” (Andy, 39:27).
• RB split: Stevenson still primary with Hendo a threat; both will stay involved.
• Stefon Diggs: Still a start but volatile; “He feels like he could be a trap” (Jay Grizz, 41:41)
• Target share roulette among Bills WRs—Keon Coleman leads, but production lags: “Back to receiver roulette.” (Jay, 42:03)
• Kincaid (start of the week) & Hunter Henry recommended TEs for needy managers.

Chiefs (2-2) @ Jaguars (3-1)

(45:18–50:39)

• KC favored; Jaguars a “house of cards?” “They should be 4-0” even if the offense feels shaky (Andy, 47:01).
• Chiefs have no tempting RB starts (“There is no temptation to play Pacheco or Kareem Hunt,” Jay, 47:30).
• Patrick Mahomes: still an easy start.
• Andy’s Start of the Week: Xavier Worthy.
• Hollywood Brown & Justin Thornton: Not startable at this point.
• Brian Thomas Jr: “Still going to keep playing him…he’s a trade-for candidate” (Andy, 49:13)
• Targets matter, but not all are equal: “Not all targets are equal, that’s…an actual reality.” (Andy, 49:37)

4. Fantasy Face Off & Wheel of Shame

(50:44–55:53)

• Mike spins the Wheel of Shame for a 3-for-4 week (“You know you got to be perfect. That’s the message.” Andy, 51:09).
• Mike must wear a tight astronaut helmet—classic hijinks (“Mike just knocked the crap out of his...You underestimated the size of my head!” Andy and Jay, ~52:05).
• Hosts make their Prize Picks player projection picks:
  • Andy: Baker Mayfield OVER 222.5 passing yards; Breece Hall OVER 67.5 rush yards; Jacoby Myers OVER 3.5 receptions; Theo Johnson UNDER 15.5 longest rec.
  • Mike: C.J. Stroud OVER 222.5 passing yards; Alvin Kamara OVER 56.5 rush yards; Quentin Johnston OVER 59.5 receiving yards; Jake Ferguson OVER 4.5 rec.
  • Jason (picks announced by Al Borland): Drake Maye OVER 225.5 passing yards; Javonte Williams OVER 69.5 rush yards; Darius Slayton OVER 3.5 receptions; Darren Waller OVER 1.5 receptions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Thursday Night Football, Kyren Williams’ day:
  “Happy guys are the Kyren fantasy managers and the sad guys…Kyren (himself), because he had the devastating fumble on the goal line.”
  — Andy Holloway (03:51)

• Mac Jones’ resilience:
  “I’m choosing to give him 100% credit, 0% criticism for last night…he goes out there with a bunch of backups and wins.”
  — Andy Holloway (07:05)

• On the Bengals’ offense:
  “The Bengals offense is ruining fantasy football lives at this point.”
  — Andy Holloway (25:36)

• RB chaos in Carolina:
  “Chuba Hubbard did not practice again…Rico Dowdle should be starting…It might be a two week absence here where you get Rico Dowdle as a fill in.”
  — Jay Grizz (12:27)

• Wheel of Shame mishap:
  “Mike just knocked the crap out of his…You underestimated the size of my head!”
  — Andy Holloway (52:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Thursday Night Football recap: 03:31–07:42
• Injury updates/news: 09:23–14:32
• Matchup breakouts begin: 15:16
• Cardinals vs. Titans: 15:16–18:56
• Bucs vs. Seahawks: 18:56–23:27
• Lions vs. Bengals: 25:31–30:34
• Commanders vs. Chargers: 30:55–36:07
• Patriots vs. Bills: 37:23–43:13
• Chiefs vs. Jaguars: 45:18–50:39
• Fantasy Face Off & Wheel of Shame: 50:44–55:53

Tone & Spirit

The episode is characteristically sharp, insightful, and laced with humor—banter about nursery rhymes, the size of Mike’s head, and “is Mac Jones a dog?” tap into the Foot Clan’s love of both hardcore and lighthearted fantasy football content. Even amidst serious injury analysis, the group keeps things lively, relatable, and actionable.

In Short

A classic, robust Footballers Friday: matchup breakdowns, injury triage, laughs, and practical start/sit advice — plus a memorable astronaut-helmet-forfeit in “Wheel of Shame.” Ideal midseason listening for fantasy managers seeking sharp insight, good vibes, and a leg up in Week 5.