Fantasy Footballers Podcast – Week 9 Matchups, In-or-Out, A Horse Named Oreo

Release Date: November 2, 2018
Hosts: Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Fantasy Footballers podcast, hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike Wright dive deep into Week 9 of the NFL season. They dissect key matchups, provide crucial in-or-out decisions for fantasy owners, and offer strategic advice to enhance your fantasy football roster. The episode is rich with expert analysis, lively discussions, and memorable quotes that provide valuable insights for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

Raiders vs. 49ers: A Disappointing Performance

The episode kicks off with a scathing analysis of the Oakland Raiders' performance against the San Francisco 49ers, who dominated the game with a 34-3 victory.

Jason Moore criticizes the Raiders' coaching and effort, stating, “That is a poorly coached, very low effort” [02:43]. He draws parallels between the Raiders' on-field struggles and his children's messy Halloween morning, highlighting the team's lack of cohesion and commitment.

Mike Wright offers a contrasting perspective, suggesting that Jon Gruden is strategically positioning the team for long-term gains: “He knows exactly what he's doing for this year, which was trade away players, get draft picks, suck, get the number one overall pick and then send Derek Carr packing and get the guy he wants to be the quarterback.” [03:04]

The hosts delve into the possibility of Gruden trading away quarterback Derek Carr, considering his long-term contract and the team's current trajectory. Jason Moore remains skeptical, especially after the Raiders' defense was overwhelmed by a quarterback like Nick Mullens, who cashed in under unforeseen circumstances.

Injury Updates and In-or-Out Decisions

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the "In-or-Out" segment, where the trio reviews player injuries and provides recommendations on whether to start or sit them in your fantasy lineup.

Running Backs

• Melvin Gordon: Limited practice raises doubts about his availability. Mike Wright confirms, “Yes, he’s playing” [08:23], but Andy Holloway remains cautious, “I still believe he’s not” [08:23].

• Alex Collins: Mike Wright expresses frustration over Collins' downgrade, “Hate that downgrade” [08:31]. Jason Moore highlights potential issues, citing Collins' migraines.

• Chris Carson: Limited practice status suggests caution. Andy Holloway advises opting out, “I’ll say out” [08:56].

• Elijah McGuire: Jason Moore is hesitant about his fantasy value, and Andy Holloway agrees, noting McGuire's limited past performance.

• Dalvin Cook: Concerns about his readiness post-injury make him a doubtful start. Jason Moore shares, “Dalvin Cook, for good measure, said he feels great but is unsure whether he’s going to come back” [10:21].

Wide Receivers

• George Kittle: Despite challenges, Jason Moore and Andy Holloway view Kittle as a reliable start, praising his performance and acquisition value.

• Markus Edmonds and Jordan Reed: Discussions revolve around the Washington Redskins' offense and Reed's potential upside against a porous Falcons defense. Mike Wright emphasizes Reed's touchdown potential, “Jordan Reed has an opportunity but it’s going to be touchdowns” [17:35].

• Keenan Allen vs. Jarvis Landry: Mike Wright prefers Jarvis Landry due to increased targets, while Andy Holloway remains loyal to Keenan Allen, valuing his consistency.

Tight Ends

• Jimmy Graham: Positioned as a potential touchdown scorer against the Patriots, Jason Moore recommends him as a solid start.

• Rob Gronkowski: Mike Wright urges readiness to replace Gronkowski if he doesn't practice, “So you don’t have to red alarm panic for a Gronk” [12:06].

Week 9 Matchups Analysis

The hosts provide in-depth analyses of several Week 9 matchups, offering strategic advice for fantasy owners.

Washington vs. Falcons

Jason Moore and Andy Holloway discuss Washington's offense bolstered by the return of Mark Ingram and the underperformance of Adrian Peterson. They evaluate the Falcons' defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their poor pass defense, which presents opportunities for Washington's receivers.

Notable Quote:
“Jordan Reed has an opportunity but it’s going to be touchdowns.” — Mike Wright [17:35]

Texans vs. Broncos

The conversation shifts to the Texans' offense, focusing on Deshaun Watson's performance without Will Fuller and the impact of Demarius Thomas's addition. The hosts weigh the fantasy value of Philip Rivers against Seattle's robust defense.

Notable Quote:
“I'm not excited about Elijah McGuire’s, I guess, importance to fantasy football owners.” — Jason Moore [09:37]

Chargers vs. Seahawks

Andy Holloway supports starting Austin Ekeler over Melvin Gordon, considering potential limited play from Gordon due to hamstring concerns. The hosts discuss Russell Wilson's matchup against a top-ranked quarterback defense.

Notable Quote:
“Houston's only allowed one running back and that was Saquon Barkley to have 100 plus scrimmage yards.” — Mike Wright [25:49]

Rams vs. Saints

Analyzing the high-scoring Rams against the Saints, Jason Moore and Andy Holloway recommend supporting Saints' players like Todd Gurley and Drew Brees, emphasizing the strategic importance of the game for playoff positioning.

Notable Quote:
“If you have a guy like this who, you know, he was an early hyped up running back and now he's coming back, you have to remember that this is Elijah McGuire and he's not that good.” — Andy Holloway [09:44]

Packers vs. Patriots (Monday Night Football)

The hosts evaluate the Patriots' offense led by Tom Brady against the Packers' defense. They debate the fantasy viability of Aaron Jones amid concerns about split-quarterback snaps and the potential for increased touchdowns against a Patriots defense eager to score.

Notable Quote:
“Zeke Martin’s absence and his backfield could affect Aaron Jones’ value.” — Jason Moore [51:13]

Titans vs. Cowboys (Monday Night Football)

Discussing the low-point nature of this matchup, Andy Holloway advises focusing on clear standouts like Zeke while remaining cautious about other players due to tough defensive matchups.

Notable Quote:
“Nobody in this game is a must-start other than Zeke.” — Andy Holloway [47:42]

Foot Clan Friday Highlights

In the "Foot Clan Friday" segment, the hosts engage their community with a giveaway, rewarding a listener with a signed Saquon Barkley jersey. This interactive segment fosters community engagement and rewards loyal listeners.

Notable Quote:
“Scott Morita, you are the winner this Foot Clan Friday. Thank you for supporting the show.” — Jason Moore [07:10]

Fantasy Forecast: Key Recommendations

The "Fantasy Forecast" segment provides tailored advice for fantasy owners based on the analyzed matchups and player statuses.

• Start:

  • Jordan Reed against the Falcons
  • Jimmy Graham against the Patriots
  • Keenan Allen or Jarvis Landry depending on matchups

• Consider Starting:

  • Drew Brees vs. Rams
  • Mark Ingram vs. Texans
  • Alvin Kamara vs. Seahawks

• Sit/Stay Out:

  • Chris Carson
  • Alex Collins
  • Dalvin Cook

Notable Quote:
“Mark Ingram is still getting teens of touches every game. I have no worries about Mark Ingram.” — Andy Holloway [37:27]

Draft Segment: Quarterback Selection

In a playful quarterback draft game, the hosts select their preferred QBs for the upcoming week. Andy Holloway opts for a strategic mix with picks like Cam Newton, Jared Goff, and Deshaun Watson. Jason Moore goes for veterans such as Brady and Russell Wilson, while Mike Wright selects Patrick Mahomes and Drew Brees.

Notable Interaction:
"Jason, you have him as a start of the week. You feel confident with him at home in this matchup." — Mike Wright [27:52]

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, the Fantasy Footballers emphasize the importance of staying updated with player statuses and making informed decisions to maximize fantasy points. They encourage listeners to engage with their community through joinTheFoot.com and participate in upcoming giveaways and live streams.

Final Quote:
"We appreciate each and every one of you that has supported this show, many of you from the beginning three years ago. We love what we do." — Jason Moore [54:23]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jason Moore: “That is a poorly coached, very low effort” [02:43]
• Mike Wright: “He knows exactly what he's doing for this year…” [03:04]
• Jason Moore: “Dalvin Cook, for good measure, said he feels great but is unsure whether he’s going to come back” [10:21]
• Mike Wright: “Jordan Reed has an opportunity but it’s going to be touchdowns.” [17:35]
• Andy Holloway: “Nobody in this game is a must-start other than Zeke.” [47:42]
• Jason Moore: “Jimmy Graham… a solid start.” [33:41]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the Week 9 episode, providing valuable insights and actionable advice for fantasy football enthusiasts. Whether you're adjusting your roster or strategizing for upcoming matchups, the Fantasy Footballers podcast offers expert guidance to help you dominate your league.