The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap – Week 13
Happy Thanksgiving week! As we head towards the celebration, Andy, Mike, and Jason are here to prepare you for a full weekend of football.
Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Monday – Week 12 Studs and Duds, Wild Weekend Reactions!
After the guys get sophisticated, they jump right in.
Ready to Roll
This week, the guys are addressing the high-achieving rookie QBs and putting them into a historical context. In Week 12, three of the top six fantasy QBs were rookies: Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Bo Nix. Compared to past rookie QBs in fantasy points per game, Nix is 10th, which is the most interesting. Since Week 5, he has been the QB3. Daniels has an incredible completion percentage, only behind Mac Jones. Although Drake Maye has not exploded, Andy thinks he is doing the best with what he has.
News
Brian Robinson Jr. hurt his ankle in the first half but did return later. He ultimately left the game, not to return. Austin Ekeler also had an injury at the end of the game—he looked to have a concussion. Josh Downs left for the Colts, and David Montgomery has a shoulder issue—Andy thinks he might be held out a game. Gardner Minshew is out for the season with a broken collarbone. Brock Bowers will take a small hit.
Studs
The previously mentioned rookie QBs, along with Patrick Mahomes, were studs. He might be a decent start moving on. Tua threw for four TDs, most of them to Jaylen Waddle and Jonnu Smith. Baker is in the studs, even without a passing TD. Saquon is the studliest of studs this week. Josh Jacobs and Bucky Irving also had phenomenal weeks and Jahmyr Gibbs is the RB3 on the year while sharing a backfield. Tony Pollard was solid, and Aaron Jones got back into the mix. Welcome back, Ameer Abdullah.
Oddly enough, the WR studs start with Jordan Addison and Courtland Sutton. D.J. Moore is seeing new life in this offense. Puka and Cooper Kupp kept it going simply by quantity, and JSN kept succeeding. Noah Gray is atop the TE studs for the second time in two weeks. Trey McBride had 19 fantasy points sans a TD, and Jonnu Smith is the TE1 since Week 7. George Kittle was successful even without Brock Purdy and the Schoon-man got into the end zone.
Duds
Kyler barely rushed and did not connect on a TD. Welcome back to the duds, Jared Goff—he just was not needed, and it was a rough matchup for Anthony Richardson. Joe Mixon had his first bust game on Sunday, and CMC did not look like himself as the Packers sold out to stop the run. We knew it would be tough for Jonathan Taylor against the Lions and James Conner was not used how he has been all year. Tyrone Tracy had another fumble, which is concerning.
Justin Jefferson got Jordan Addison’ed, and Christian Watson had zero catches. He had a catastrophic miss, but the game got out of hand quickly. None of the Niners’ WRs were successful. Tyreek Hill was a dud in a game where Tua threw four TDs, and throw away George Pickens on Thursday night. Jason thinks you can still start Marvin Harrison Jr. Brock Bowers had a rough week for perhaps the first time and Cade Otton did not deliver; Andy is nervous. Finally, Sam LaPorta has been a bust for fantasy managers.
Enjoy the Monday night game!
Tuesday – Week 13 Waivers and Playoff Prep, Difference Makers
Monday Night Recap
The dropsies returned for Quentin Johnston last night, and the Chargers seem a WR1 away from being a playoff team. Big game for Derrick Henry, and managers were happy because Mark Andrews scored. Ladd had a strong evening, even without a TD, but the big story is J.K. Dobbins and his injury. Justin Herbert was underwhelming.
Difference Makers
This week’s set of difference makers are the one-week wonders—fill-in players. You can throw in Gus Edwards right off the bat. Jeremy McNichols is an option, and Pitty City could be rebuilt, at least for a week. Ameer Abdullah did his job as a fill-in last week, and depending on the health of the other RBs, he might still be a possible start.
News
Demarcus Robinson was arrested for a potential DUI, and David Montgomery did not practice—so keep an eye out. Amon-Ra is also banged up, and Aaron Rodgers looks to start this week against Seattle.
Waiver Wire
The big two this week are Jeremy McNichols and the Gus Bus. It is tough with Edwards because it is unclear how the team will use him with other RBs on the roster. Jaylen Warren is an option again, and you could still target Ameer Abdullah, who played 90% of the snaps last week. Remember the insurance RBs that were on a bye last week—it is insurance RB season. On to the WRs, Adam Thielen and David Moore were both used last week, and Bryce Young is looking a little better. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine scored again, and do not forget about Elijah Moore. Check to see if Keon Coleman will be back.
Hopefully, you stashed Taysom Hill last week while the team was on a bye, but Zach Ertz should still be available. The Schoon-man should get one more chance this week on Thanksgiving. Defenses to look at include Arizona, Dallas, and Kansas City, but they are heavily rostered. You can also start Seattle against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.
Full Stream Ahead
Andy is streaming Geno Smith this week, Jason is going with Matthew Stafford, and Mike is starting Russell Wilson in a great matchup against Cincinnati.
Wednesday – MEGALODON Episode, Week 13 Matchups, Turkey Day Awards & More!
Hungry for More
Besides Thanksgiving meal goodness, Andy is hungry for more from Tua, specifically him being great. Jason wants to see more from Jordan Love, and Mike is hungry for more from the Bone Zone!
News
Isiah Pacheco was a full participant in practice on Tuesday, and he will have some fresh legs for the Chiefs’ playoff push. Conversely, J.K. Dobbins will miss this week against Atlanta with a knee sprain—it is up in the air how long the team will be without him. Tommy DeVito might miss this week’s game due to a sore forearm, and Breece Hall has some knee soreness—Hall managers should grab Braelon Allen, just in case.
Starts of the Week
Andy is starting C.J. Stroud, Rico Dowdle, Michael Pittman Jr., and the Muth. Jason is going with Laser Mayfield, Jonathan Taylor, George Pickens, and the future hall of famer Jonnu Smith. Finally, Mike is starting Russell Wilson, Kareem Hunt, Marvin Harrison, and Cade Otton.
Fantasy Forecast
No teams are on a bye this week, so it is a full multi-day slate. The guys start with Chicago and Detroit. You are hyperconfident in Jahmyr Gibbs, and if Montgomery plays, Andy is starting him. The only question on the Lions’ side is really Jared Goff, and the guys are leaning toward other options. Sam LaPorta is borderline unstartable, and D’Andre Swift is a scary start on the Chicago side. The Giants head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys and this was not the matchup we were hoping for. Dowdle is Andy’s start of the week, and Tyrone Tracy is in play but is a risky start. You are still starting CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers, but their situations have gone downhill quickly. The Schoon-man could be an option.
Miami and Green Bay are the Thanksgiving nightcap. There is potential snow, so there is a wide range of outcomes. Achane is a lock, and when it comes to the pass-catchers, the safest option might be Jonnu Smith. It is similar for Green Bay, as it is roulette with Jayden Reed. The guys think Tucker Kraft is a good start in this matchup, with Romeo Doubs injured. Black Friday brings us Las Vegas and Kansas City. Kareem Hunt is solid, but the WR room is terrifying, and the TE situation is all over the place. You are always playing Brock Bowers, and Jakobi Meyers has a good floor and is safe. The guys are contemplating benching all the Vegas RBs if White or Mattison returns. Wait on Pacheco if you can.
Sunday matchups start with the Chargers and Falcons which is Andy’s almost upset. You are still firing up Justin Herbert, and there is rust on the tires of Gus Edwards, but he is the main guy. Unfortunately, he is not a great pass-catcher. McConkey is in your lineup, you can return to QJ, and all hail Big Montana. You are starting the WRs for Atlanta and Bijan, of course. Kyle Pitts is not the answer.
Pittsburgh and Cincinnati are up next. Even with their record, the Bengals are looking incredible. Start all the Cincy studs. For Pittsburgh, you can start Russ, George Pickens if needed, and the Steelers’ RBs. Easy Peasy. Arizona heads north to take on Minnesota, and it is a tough matchup for James Conner, so if you are starting him, temper expectations. The Cardinals’ defense has been fantastic lately, so be cautious with the Vikings’ offensive weapons. The guys are benching Jordan Addison but are more confident in Hockenson. Trey McBride is always in your lineup, and Mike is okay with Marv.
The Colts and Patriots battle next. Anthony Richardson is streamable this week, and the guys expect a reasonably close game. The most significant question mark is Rhamondre Stevenson, and Andy thinks he will be startable. Pittman and JT are in your lineup, and Alec Pierce could be a deep dart throw. Seattle flies east to play the Jets—Metcalf has been disappointing, but you are still putting him out there. You are ready for the Bone Zone return. If Breece Hall is out, you can start Braelon Allen for the Jets, and the New York WRs can be in your lineup.
Tennesse and Washington are up next. Jayden Daniels has had some up-and-down games lately, but the guys are still starting him. Zach Ertz has been on fire and if Brian Robinson starts, Andy is playing him. Keep playing Calvin Ridley, and you are welcome to stay in the flames with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Houston plays Jacksonville, and hopefully, we will see a bounce back from the Houston offense. Tank Bigsby has been practicing, so you don’t have to start Travis Etienne. Start your Texas studs, and this should be a get-right game for Tank Dell.
The Rams play the Saints in a high over/under. Taysom Hill is in your lineup, along with Alvin Kamara, and do you dare with MVS? Nasty boys win championships! On the Rams’ side, Kyren, Kupp, and Puka are a go. Stafford can also find his way into your lineup. The Bucs and the Panthers battle in the next game. The Panthers have given up tons of rushing TDs, and we can hope that Bucky Irving gets into the end zone. Rachaad White can also be started. Start Chuba Hubbard on the other side, and you can consider Xavier Legette.
Philly heads to Baltimore in what will be the battle of the birds. Saquon is on pace to break all of the records, and we get to see him and Derrick Henry battle in this game. Monitor DeVonta Smith who missed last week due to a hamstring injury, and if he plays, Jason is starting him. Start your other studs, and you don’t need to worry about Dallas Goedert. Sunday night brings us San Francisco at Buffalo, and it could be a snow game. The Bills are fresh off a bye, and Andy thinks they will blow out the Niners. You can start Shakir, but the guys prefer not to start Dalton Kincaid.
Finally, Cleveland versus Denver closes out the week. The Denver defense is stout, but you can still start Jerry Jeudy, and if Cedric Tillman makes it out of the concussion protocol, he is a go. David Njoku can be started. On the other side, do not play any of the Bronco RBs. Fire up Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton.
To commemorate the Megalashow, it is the return of Boom-Boom Kicker! Then the guys reveal their DraftKings lineup, and Jason spins the wheel. Have a wonderful holiday, FootClan!