Fantasy Footballers Podcast Summary: Week 6 Studs & Duds, Rising Stars, Jordan OW!-ward

Release Date: October 15, 2018

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast, hosts Andy Holloway and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright, joined temporarily by Jay Grizz, delve deep into the Week 6 performances, highlighting top performers (studs), underperformers (duds), emerging talents (rising stars), and noteworthy player developments. The conversation is rich with analysis, humor, and actionable insights for fantasy football enthusiasts.

1. Introduction and Host Dynamics

The episode kicks off with a lighthearted update on the hosting lineup. Mike Wright mentions, “Jason has been replaced for but a day. He is too busy celebrating his first league of record victory.” Andy adds humorously, “He was running through the studio like a man who had just won the Stanley Cup,” setting a jovial tone for the discussion.

2. Studs & Duds: Analyzing Week 6 Performances

A. Studs: Top Performers

• Patrick Mahomes: Despite a shaky start, Mahomes triumphed with “a 67-yard touchdown pass to Kareem Hunt” (24:03). Mike highlights Mahomes' versatility, stating, “He can throw across his body and hit Kareem Hunt,” emphasizing his unpredictable playmaking ability that defenses struggle to contain.

• Tyreek Hill: Hill's explosive speed was a focal point, with Andy noting, “Tyreek Hill just too fast.” His performance remains a consistent high point, making him a reliable stud for fantasy managers.

• Todd Gurley and Saquon Barkley: Both running backs delivered exceptional performances. Mike remarks, “Gurley outscored Barkley, this is just otherworldly performances,” underscoring their dominance and importance in fantasy lineups.

• Jameis Winston: After recent optimism, Winston had a stellar game, finishing “30 for 41, 395 yards, and 4 touchdowns.” Andy praises his performance against the Falcons, stating, “When you got a quarterback against the Falcons, it's going to be good.”

B. Duds: Underperformers

• Amari Cooper (“Pooper Cup”): Cooper’s concussion early in the game led to his underperformance. Mike sarcastically labels him as a dud, “It's just anybody who got injured is a pooped in the big boy pants.”

• Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota: Both quarterbacks struggled significantly. Mike criticizes Carr’s performance, “He disintegrated into the mist,” while Andy emphasizes the ongoing struggles, “You can't trust them at all for fantasy.”

• Tyler Boyd and Jarvis Landry: Their inconsistent performances make them unreliable. Mike points out, “Jarvis Landry has caught 11 of 29 targets for 114 yards and one touchdown,” indicating a decline in their fantasy value.

• Carlos Hyde: Hyde’s performance has been erratic, leading Andy to conclude, “Carlos Hyde is looking rough,” making him a questionable start for fantasy managers.

3. Rising Stars: Emerging Talents to Watch

A. Josh Gordon

Andy shares his excitement about Josh Gordon’s increased role, “Josh Gordon has the snaps up to 81%,” suggesting a promising trajectory. Despite a moderate fantasy output this week, the hosts believe Gordon’s trust with Tom Brady is building, potentially leading to explosive performances in upcoming weeks.

B. Tariq Cohen

Mike highlights Tariq Cohen as his rising star, noting his versatility and impact on the field. “Tariq Cohen is doing what you don't want him to do if you're a Jordan Howard owner,” Mike explains, emphasizing Cohen’s ability to make significant plays that can sway fantasy outcomes positively.

4. Player-Specific Discussions and Insights

A. Le'Veon Bell Rumors

Mike discusses the ongoing rumors surrounding Le'Veon Bell’s potential return to the Steelers, “Le'Veon Bell can just squadoosh those by not signing his contract until the trade deadline has passed.” The hosts debate the likelihood and potential impact on fantasy rosters, considering James Conner’s current performance.

B. Injuries and Their Impact

• Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu: Both players exited with injuries, reducing target opportunities for their fantasy owners. Mike notes, “Calvin Ridley hurt his ankle. Ruled out for the remainder of the game,” while Andy updates on Sanu’s hip injury.

• Amari Cooper’s Injury: Reiterating Cooper’s concussion, Andy expresses concern over his availability and performance consistency, “Amari Cooper suffered a concussion early in the second quarter.”

• Jordan Howard: Andy and Mike discuss Howard’s diminishing returns despite his talent, with Mike stating, “It’s unfortunate. You’re not going to get 1300 rushing yards from Jordan Howard this Year,” highlighting his reduced usage and fantasy relevance.

5. Strategy and Waiver Wire Recommendations

The hosts provide strategic advice on managing fantasy teams amid fluctuating player performances and injuries:

• Streaming Quarterbacks: With quarterbacks like Brock Osweiler and Jameis Winston showing variability, Mike advises cautious streaming: “Do you stream Trubisky next week?” while Andy remains skeptical about relying on inconsistent QBs.

• Running Backs Focus: Emphasizing the importance of securing reliable running backs, Mike urges, “You want to win? Find yourself one of these guys,” referring to top performers like Gurley and Barkley.

• Wide Receiver Management: Andy and Mike discuss the dilemma of managing inconsistent wide receivers like Tyler Boyd and Jarvis Landry, suggesting prioritizing high-impact players like Adam Thielen who consistently deliver, “Adam Thielen is a must play right now.”

6. Community and Listener Engagement

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage with their fantasy football community, referencing listener responses and incorporating humor into their analysis. For instance, Mike shares, “Tyreek Hill was like a snow day...,” using listener metaphors to illustrate player performances humorously. Additionally, discussions about their own league experiences, such as Mike’s “heavier Mahomes investment” and Andy’s league dynamics, provide relatable content for listeners.

7. Conclusion and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, Andy and Mike reflect on the complexities of managing fantasy teams amidst player injuries and unpredictable performances. They emphasize the importance of staying informed and adaptable, encouraging listeners to utilize available resources like JoinTheFoot.com for community support and further insights.

Mike concludes with, “What you do? Players,” highlighting the ongoing challenges and decisions fantasy managers face each week. The anticipation for future episodes is palpable as they promise to continue delivering expert analysis and valuable advice to help listeners succeed in their leagues.

Notable Quotes:

• Mike Wright ([02:07]): “Mahomes ended the first half with his second interception and I was looking like a dead man in a couple leagues.”

• Andy Holloway ([23:17]): “He is the QB.”

• Mike Wright ([34:12]): “We need more tight ends.”

• Andy Holloway ([44:35]): “10 years, Raiders fans, 10 years of Jon Gruden.”

• Mike Wright ([53:42]): “It was a mess there. We've talked about the I.”

This comprehensive analysis from the Fantasy Footballers provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of Week 6's fantasy football landscape, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed decisions in their leagues.