Fantasy Footballers Podcast — Week 8 Waivers & Streamers + Jason’s Soul Melts
Date: October 21, 2025
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright
Episode Overview
Week 8 is here, bringing massive waiver-wire implications with six teams on bye, unexpected injuries, and roster shakeups across the NFL. Andy, Jason, and Mike break down their personal fantasy heartbreaks, offer elite waiver and streaming advice, and sprinkle in their signature humor. This episode offers both in-depth roster analysis and cathartic moments for listeners dealing with their own fantasy frustrations.
Highlights & Structure
- [01:43] Week 8 Waivers — The “Bipocalypse” is here!
- [03:11] Jason’s Soul-Melting Loss
- [06:12] Monday Night Football Recap: Lions vs. Buccaneers
- [17:00] Major Injury News & League Updates
- [26:38] Waiver Wire: Running Backs
- [34:18] Waiver Wire: Wide Receivers
- [45:53] Waiver Wire: Tight Ends
- [54:01] Waiver Wire: Defenses & Streamers
- [56:39] Streaming Quarterbacks
Opening: A Soul-Crushing Fantasy Loss
[03:11–05:00]
-
Jason recounts a devastating, drawn-out defeat in fantasy:
“It was literally like dying from a cut on the tip of my finger where it's like it just won't... it just won't stop bleeding.” — Jason [02:55]
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Final margin: 0.32 points — Jason reflects on missed lineup choices, including a negative-point defense acquisition.
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Andy: “I think it's important everybody listening understands fantasy football is stupid. And we're back. This is the dumb, dumb game.” [04:51]
-
Mike rubs in his own big win and highest score of the week.
Massive Week 8 Byes: Setting Up the Waiver Wire
[05:14; 26:38]
- Six teams on bye: Cardinals, Jags, Lions, Raiders, Rams, Seahawks.
- Emphasis on navigating the “bipocalypse”:
“It's go time. We are going into week eight. It is a massive by week situation with six different teams on by. And today's a waiver show.” — Andy [05:14]
Monday Night Football: Lions 24, Buccaneers 9
[06:12–16:45]
Lions
- Jahmyr Gibbs explodes: 136 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 3 catches for 82 yards.
- David Montgomery underwhelms.
- Jameson Williams (“Jamo”) discussed as playable but highly volatile: “Rushing roulette... one out of six.” — Jason [11:50]
Buccaneers
-
Mike Evans suffers a concussion & fractured collarbone:
“That's basically a car crash.” — Andy [17:10] “... it's likely season ending... his thousand yard season streak is going to be over.” — Andy [17:35]
-
Chris Godwin and others underperform; Abuka (rookie) sees 12 targets but only 4 receptions due to Baker Mayfield misses.
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K.D. Otten, Tez Johnson, Abuka projected as important waiver adds:
“He looks great. He's very fast, he's shifty... he's going to get better.” — Jason [08:41]
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Baker’s struggles and the impact on Bucs’ offense, with hopeful notes on new receiving priorities.
Other Game & Fantasy Takeaways
[16:45–24:00]
- Texans offense struggles; Schultz stands out (9 for 98 yards).
- Kenneth Walker & Zach Charbonnet split workload in Seattle.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s (JSN) rise to “blue-chip” WR status:
“He is in that tier... When you talk about Jamar Chase, Justin Jefferson... Maybe Almond Ra. Jsn, he is.” — Jason [13:46]
- Detroit’s WR pecking order after injuries and byes.
News & Notes
[17:00–25:00]
- Mike Evans injury; Lamar Jackson didn’t practice (post-bye) — impacts for Ravens.
- Other key injuries: Jaden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., Brock Purdy, Kendra Miller (TORN ACL), Tyler Lockett released.
- Implications for fantasy lineups and waiver priorities.
Waiver Wire: Running Backs
[27:01–34:10]
- Kyle Manongai (Eagles)
- 13–81–1 last week; split role with Swift but may expand.
- Brashard Smith (Chiefs)
- 14 attempts, 5 targets; rookie getting more involved as Kareem Hunt’s usage drops.
- “The best player I test wise to me on that team is Brashard Smith.” — Jason [30:04]
- Bam Knight (Arizona)
- 17 opportunities; temporary fill, especially with Benson out.
- Isaiah Davis (Jets) — stash in case of trade.
- Tyler Allgeier — spot starter in a pinch for bipocalypse.
- Devin Neal (Saints): Next in line behind Kamara after Kendre Miller injury.
Drop Candidates:
- Baseball Tootin, Travion Henderson. “100% droppable. He’s irrelevant right now.” — Jason [32:53]
Waiver Wire: Wide Receivers
[34:18–44:10]
Top Adds:
- Alec Pierce (Colts): 5-98 last week and big-play upside.
- Kayshawn Booty (Patriots): High ceiling, volatile usage.
- Tez Johnson (Bucs): Eye test plus opportunity; “He looked good. That’s a great comp, actually [to Tank Dell].” — Mike [39:56]
- Christian Watson (Packers): “His window was opened up two weeks ago. He’s a priority ad for me.” — Jason [40:17]
- Marvin Mims Jr. & Troy Franklin (Broncos): Higher-volume games due to comeback script.
Additional Names:
- Darius Slayton (Giants) — monitor health.
- Malik Washington (Dolphins) — for depth due to injuries.
- Alec Iomannis, Luther Burden, DK Metcalf (spot or deep adds).
Drop Candidates:
- Jacoby Myers, Jameson Williams (“landmine, but could still go off any week”), Matthew Golden (disappointment despite team pass production).
Waiver Wire: Tight Ends
[45:53–53:00]
Primary Target
- Arande Gadson II (Chargers)
- 7–164–1 last week, 9 targets, major athlete, strong college production.
- “You can't just luck into 164. You just can't do that. There’s no tight end out there...” — Andy [48:27]
- 51% slot usage, major part of the offense.
Other Options
- Colston Loveland (Bears): High target share, Comet’s injury clears the way.
- K.D. Otten (Buccaneers): 9 targets, more valuable after WR injuries.
- Juwan Johnson (Saints): Reemerging from injury.
FAAB Advice:
- “I think 20%, you know, if you’re $100 league, 20 bucks, that would be as probably as high as I would go.” — Jason [52:48]
Waiver Wire: Defenses
[54:01–56:32]
- Colts vs. Titans: Best streamer this week. “Cam Ward’s not good.”
- Falcons vs. Dolphins: Drastic home/road splits; worth playing despite Falcons inconsistencies.
- Buccaneers vs. Saints: Widely available.
- Targeting Bengals’ Opponents? — The hosts note hesitation now with Joe Flacco under center.
Streaming Quarterbacks
[56:39–60:14]
- Joe Flacco (Bengals):
“Joe Flacco is the guy. The last two weeks: 45 and 47 pass attempts, 25 and 35 fantasy points.” — Andy [57:37] - Tyrod Taylor (Jets): Desperate bye-week fill only.
- Michael Penix Jr. (Seahawks): Only if healthy, home/road splits.
- Marcus Mariota (Eagles): Only if Jaden Daniels is out, and only as a deep, desperate play.
- Sam Darnold (49ers): Monitor for post-bye availability.
- Aaron Rodgers (Steelers): Playing the revenge game, expect him to put up numbers.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “Fantasy football is stupid. And we're back. This is the dumb, dumb game.” — Andy [04:51]
- “I hate this team. I was born into this and I... I'm not gonna ever... I'm always a Jets fan, but, like, I just. I hate this team.” — Quoting viral Jets fan [53:25]
- Mike sharing his first sports card investment: “I got a PSA 10 of Drake [May].” [36:18]
- Social commentary on the pain of being a lifelong fan despite perennial disappointment — recurring throughout.
Tone, Advice, & Final Thoughts
- Tone: Humorous, self-deprecating, and empathetic — the hosts make space for both deep dives into waiver wire viability and the pain of lost fantasy seasons.
- Advice:
- Prioritize RBs with clear upward trends in usage (Manongai, Brashard Smith); stash where possible.
- Monitor WR injury situations for hidden gems (Tez Johnson, Malik Washington); be aggressive on fresh opportunity.
- Target high-upside, high-volume TEs even if rookie (Gadson, Loveland).
- Stream defenses against the weakest offenses, especially given byes.
- At QB, Joe Flacco is the standout streamer.
- Closing: Upcoming episode will cover second half sleepers, Thursday night preview, and more waiver analysis. Visit JoinTheFoot.com for custom tools.
This summary should orient any fantasy player for Week 8—especially those facing “bipocalypse.” Entertaining, relatable, and actionable throughout, it’s classic Fantasy Footballers.
