Fantasy Footballers Podcast - Week 9: Studs & Duds + Allen Fired, Barn Burners

Release Date: November 4, 2024

The Fantasy Footballers return with their Week 9 episode, delivering in-depth analysis, sharp opinions, and invaluable advice to help listeners dominate their fantasy leagues. Hosts Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright delve into key NFL developments, player performances, injury reports, and strategic recommendations. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for easy reference.

1. Opening Banter and Holiday Cheer

The episode kicks off with the hosts exchanging light-hearted holiday remarks as Christmas decorations make an early appearance.

• Andy Holloway [01:25]: "Welcome in, Jason. It's Christmas time."
• Jason Moore [01:30]: "Yeah, baby. See you later, Halloween. Hello, Christmas."

The playful banter sets a festive tone, though it quickly shifts to more critical football topics.

2. Key News and Updates

a. Dennis Allen Fired as Saints Head Coach

A major headline for the week is the Saints' decision to part ways with head coach Dennis Allen.

• Jason Moore [21:08]: "Congratulations to all of my friends who are Saints fans. Your future should be brighter."
• Andy Holloway [22:14]: "It felt like a pretty unanimous thing that outsiders, you know, football fans are like, this guy shouldn't be the coach."

The hosts express optimism about the Saints' future prospects, anticipating a stronger team despite the mid-season coaching change.

b. Raiders' Offensive Changes

The Raiders make significant adjustments by firing offensive coordinator Luke Getzy, quarterbacks coach, and offensive line coach.

• Mike Wright [22:49]: "The Raiders fired Luke Getzy, their offensive coordinator. They are taking the next step towards firing their head coach."

These changes indicate potential volatility within the Raiders' offensive strategy, affecting fantasy considerations.

c. Player Injury Reports

The episode covers multiple player injuries impacting fantasy lineups:

• Chris Olave: In concussion protocol with multiple concussions raising concerns about his career longevity.

• Dak Prescott: Leaves game with a hamstring and hand injury, uncertain status.

• CD Lamb: Sprained AC joint after a dramatic touchdown catch.

• Mike Wright [04:11]: "Chris Olave is one of the biggest storylines that we're going to talk about today. He's in trouble."

• Jason Moore [24:16]: "He'll have to play through it if it's not showing up on the MRI as anything catastrophic."

The trio underscores the significance of these injuries on team performances and fantasy outcomes.

3. Trade Deadline Insights

With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the hosts discuss potential moves and strategies.

• Jason Moore [06:21]: "Trade deadline. Fantasy football for our country."
• Mike Wright [06:24]: "We'll see what happens. Cardinals, get yourself a pass rush."

They emphasize the importance of monitoring team needs and player performances to capitalize on last-minute trades that could bolster fantasy rosters.

4. Studs of the Week

Highlighting top-performing players, the hosts identify standout stars delivering exceptional fantasy value.

a. Quarterbacks

• Joe Burrow [32:59]: Leading the league with significant touchdown numbers.

• Jalen Hurts: Maintaining a high touchdown rate with dual-threat capabilities.

  • Jason Moore [33:25]: "Joe Burrow could have had six touchdowns. He had five."

b. Running Backs

• Saquon Barkley [35:22]: Dominating the ground game with impressive yards and touchdowns.

• Derrick Henry: Continues to pressure defenses, maintaining high touchdown rates.

  • Mike Wright [35:44]: "He has been a stud."

c. Wide Receivers

• Quentin Johnston [43:19]: Emerging as a reliable target with consistent scoring.

• Zay Flowers and Garrett Wilson: Delivering strong performances and high yardage.

  • Jason Moore [44:11]: "Quentin Johnston is going to be a very, he'll be the priority ad."

• Jonathan Taylor [56:06]: Despite a slow start, expectations remain high for his season resurgence.

5. Duds of the Week

Conversely, the hosts also spotlight underperforming players who have let fantasy managers down.

a. Quarterbacks

• Kyler Murray [53:30]: Struggles with inconsistency and low fantasy output.

  • Mike Wright [53:18]: "Kyler Murray ... Kyler Murray."

• Jordan Love [54:37]: Faces challenges due to injuries and tough matchups.

b. Running Backs

• Jonathan Taylor [56:28]: Limited effectiveness against strong defenses.

  • Jason Moore [56:55]: "Minnesota's run defense is elite. Very difficult to run against them, and they proved it."

c. Wide Receivers

• Marvin Harrison Jr. [63:19]: Inconsistent performances with minimal impact on game scores.

  • Mike Wright [63:34]: "Six week span... he's been happy once in six weeks."

• Justin Jefferson [46:28]: Despite a strong season, recent performances have dipped, raising concerns.

6. Strategic Fantasy Advice

The hosts offer actionable advice based on current performances and upcoming matchups.

a. Red Zone Efficiency Analysis

Focusing on teams’ red zone performance to guide player selections:

• Baltimore Ravens: Leading with a 74% red zone touchdown rate, significantly above the league average.

  • Mike Wright [12:24]: "Baltimore is kind of outrageous. They're scoring a touchdown 74% of the time inside the red zone."

• Washington Commanders: Despite high red zone attempts, their touchdown conversion rate is below average, suggesting potential for improvement or caution.

  • Andy Holloway [13:08]: "If you turn those field goals into more touchdowns, then this is ludicrous, what they're doing."

b. Trade and Waiver Wire Recommendations

• Quentin Johnston: Recommended as a valuable add, especially if DK Metcalf is traded.

  • Jason Moore [43:19]: "Quentin Johnston is going to be a very... available to get and he was looking good before the injury."

• Rico Dowdle: Highlighted as a reliable option at wide receiver.

  • Jason Moore [40:19]: "I think Dowdle will be an okay start almost rest of season."

c. Position-Specific Strategies

• Quarterbacks: Emphasize targeting dual-threat QBs like Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts, while cautioning against inconsistent performers like Kyler Murray.

• Running Backs: Prioritize high-volume backs like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, while wary of those facing elite defenses.

• Wide Receivers: Focus on high-target players with consistent performances, leveraging the red zone efficiency insights.

7. Notable Player Performances

The hosts commend remarkable individual achievements and critical plays that influenced the week's outcomes.

• Saquon Barkley's Highlight Play [35:30]: Backward hurdling a defender, showcasing his agility and power.

  • Jason Moore [35:31]: "He backward hurdled the guy. It was incredible."

• Devonte Adams' Dominance [45:26]: Continues to be a pivotal receiver with strong yardage and touchdown numbers.

  • Mike Wright [45:33]: "Devonte Adams, big night on Thursday night."

• Quentin Johnston's Breakout [43:19]: Surges with four touchdowns and 118 receiving yards, making him a top fantasy scorer this week.

  • Jason Moore [42:38]: "Quentin Johnston was just... making a fool of defenders."

8. Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

As the episode wraps up, the hosts tease upcoming segments and encourage listeners to engage with their resources.

• Mike Wright [47:49]: "Tomorrow, waivers, big time. Waivers show. And we have the trade deadline tomorrow..."

• Andy Holloway [50:28]: Recommends downloading the fantasy footballers app for exclusive insights and tools.

• Jason Moore [69:49]: "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 @theffballers."

Conclusion

This Week 9 episode of the Fantasy Footballers Podcast delivers a thorough exploration of the NFL landscape, blending insightful analysis with engaging conversations. From major coaching changes and injury updates to strategic fantasy advice and standout player performances, Andy, Jason, and Mike provide listeners with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in their fantasy leagues. Whether you're a seasoned manager or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways to enhance your game.

For more detailed analysis and real-time updates, be sure to download the Fantasy Footballers app and join their vibrant community at jointhefoot.com. Follow them on Twitter @theffballers for the latest news and tips.