The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap for Week 8
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Monday – Monday Punday and Studs & Duds
Happy Monday, foot clan! Mike Wright is on bye today, so Andy and Jason will be leading us through with help from the cardboard bear extraordinaire. After we get sophisticated, the gentleman jump right in.
News
As owners know, Darren Waller shockingly missed Sunday – we wait to hear more. Miles Sanders was ruled out with an ankle injury in the first half this week, and he could have a lengthy recovery. Josh Jacobs also exited with a chest injury, and Zach Wilson went down with a knee injury. Jonnu Smith also had a shoulder injury. Tyrod Taylor is also getting back to practicing.
Studs
Matthew Stafford, Jason’s start of the week, had a phenomenal game and is locked and loaded moving forward, especially having Cooper Kupp as his right-hand man. Young Joe Burrow put on a show in Baltimore, and if the playoffs started today, the Bengals would be the number one seed in the AFC. Other successful QBs included Tua, Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts, and surprisingly, Carson Wentz. Moving on to RBs. D’Ernest Johnson ended up being one of the best RBs of the week, and Jason thinks he will continue to be relevant moving forward. D’Andre Swift, Damian Harris, and the other Patriots RBs all excelled. Elijah Missile had a successful launch, and Andy rejoiced. Finally, Khalil Herbert had a second successful outing. WR studs open with Cooper Kupp and Ja’Marr Chase, who had great weeks. Mike Evans had a great game, AJ Brown was firing on all cylinders, and Michael Pittman was extra impressive in a rainstorm. Also, Deebo is still a man. Kyle Pitts, Mike Gesicki, and Zack Ertz all celebrated National Tight Ends Day this weekend.
Duds
Starting off the Pooped in their Big Boy Pants segment was an unusual name – Patrick Mahomes. He cleared concussion protocol, so he should be fine moving forward. Sam Darnold was disastrous, as well as Justin Fields and Jimmy G. RB-wise; both Packers were subpar. Antonio Gibson did not score and therefore had a bad week. Andy also suggests it might be time to bench Mike Davis, and Damian Williams and Nyheim Hines are probably droppable. WRs of concern include Allen Robinson, Tyler Boyd, Brandon Aiyuk, and several more.
Tuesday – Monday Night Recap, Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire, Waivers, Streamers
Monday Night Recap
Welcome back to Mike, who got lucky enough not to watch the Monday Night Game, Andy’s single least enjoyable football game he has ever watched. Jason recapped it quickly – DK Metcalf is strong, and Alvin Kamara is a very good receiver. And that is pretty much it.
Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire
Khalil Herbert is the first in this segment. He had a great first week and then managed to duplicate it last week again in Tampa Bay. Jason says this is fire, and Herbert is a better option than Damian Williams, especially if he gets more than 30% of the carries. Andy thinks it is smoke, in that once David Montgomery returns, you will not be able to start Herbert. AJ Brown and his resurgence is the following question on smoke or fire. Mike says do not sell high, and simply ride this out. Jason agrees; he believes this is fire and that Brown will end a top 5 WR.
News
Davante Adams was placed on the Covid Reserve list, placing his status for the Thursday night game in question. Other options will no doubt become apparent. Nick Chubb is expected to play this week, barring any setbacks. Miles Sanders is day to day, and the Raiders’ Josh Jacobs should be fine to play after the teams’ upcoming bye week. Zach Wilson will be out 2-4 weeks, and Joe Flacco was traded to the Jets.
Only two teams are on bye this week, so owners have a little more flexibility. Starting with the WRs, the guys say you can drop names like Allen Robinson, Brandon Aiuyk, and Robby Anderson. Andy believes that Rashod Bateman is a WR to target on the waivers this week if you can hold on to him during the bye week. Kadarius Toney is another name that Jason likes as an option. The other Packers’ pass-catching options are possible with Adams out, but it’s a tough sell against a staunch Cardinals defense. Tim Patrick is still a fine play, even with Jerry Jeudy returning soon. Russell Gage is looking interesting as Matt Ryan continues to improve; however, it is a crowded situation over in Atlanta. Mike suggests stashing Will Fuller. On to RBs. Branden Bolden had a good game, running and catching passes, but Mike is only interested in very deep leagues. JaMycal Hasty should be on benches, knowing what success he could have, and in a land barren of RBs. Make sure to stash Sony Michel and Samaje Perine. Look on your waiver wire for Zack Ertz and Ricky Seals-Jones.
Streamers
Lots of defense streaming options this week. The guys like Buffalo coming off the bye, Denver, Washington, and Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is Andy’s favorite. With QBs, Andy’s stream of the week is Kirk Cousins. Jason believes in Carson Wentz, and oddly enough, Mike likes Daniel Jones this week.
Good luck with waivers!
Wednesday – Buy/Sell, Second Half Sleepers, Thursday Night Preview
Andy bested Mike and Jason last week to his delight. This week’s Buy/Sell centers on WRs that are returning from the Bye-pocalypse. First is Keenan Allen -is he a top 18 WR against New England? Andy firmly buys this, strongly believing in the Chargers. Jason is selling, not seeing Allen getting a TD. Next is Chase Claypool having 70 or more receiving yards this week. Mike is buying, not being overly scared of the Cleveland secondary. Jason agrees, betting on his talent. Finally, will Amari Cooper have five or more receptions? All the guys buy this stat.
News
Yesterday’s waiver show did not play well in that Allen Lazard is now on the Covid 19 list. Andy says you could take a shot if MVS is activated. Reports state that Miami and Houston have come to an agreement re Deshaun Watson, but Miami wants clarity on his legal issues prior to doing so. This clearly is not entirely possible. The Antonio Brown situation is not looking good, and Rob Gronkowski might play this week.
Second Half Sleepers
The guys wanted to identify players that might have a better second half of the season. Andy starts with Keenan Allen, who is currently WR35. With a team that will be competing deep into the season with a stellar QB, Andy suggests making Allen a trade target. Once he starts scoring the TDs, he will end up in a great place in the ranks. Jason’s first pick is a little more exciting – Javonte Williams, the RB from the Denver Broncos. Currently splitting carries with Melvin Gordon, but Jason reminds us that Gordon is not the team’s future. As our guys mention, it is better to be a few weeks early on a rookie RB than be a few weeks late. In addition, the Broncos have one of the easiest RBs schedules for the rest of the season. Mike’s first sleeper is Trey Lance. Even though he did not have a stellar first start, we know that Lance’s legs are magical and the key to his fantasy success. The Niners have a great schedule during the fantasy playoffs, and Mike says that if you can pick him up before that, you will be sitting on a fantasy gold mine. Andy’s next pick is Julio Jones. With slight trepidation, Andy suggests trying to get him at a discount. Jones is targeted on almost a quarter of his routes, and the team has an excellent schedule for WRs just when you need it. Jason goes with Henry Ruggs as his next pick. Even though it is the Raiders’ bye week, Darren Waller is a little banged up, and Ruggs is an excellent complement for him moving forward. The last sleeper is Logan Thomas. He is injured and might currently be on your waiver wire so that he could be an easy get. The Football Team has an excellent schedule for TEs at the end of the fantasy season, and Mike says if you can not get one of the big studs, Thomas is a great idea.
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Thursday Night Preview
The Packers travel to the desert to take on the undefeated Cardinals. Kyler and company have been chugging through the year, evenly spreading the ball around. Even with the Covid issues, Jason still thinks Aaron Rodgers will be able to keep it close. You must decide if you are taking a shot on Robert Tonyan, especially with this staunch Arizona defense. Andy says you can start the big three WRs, but probably sit Rondale Moore.
Thursday – Never Not Working, Fantasy Forecast, Starts of the Week, Boom Boom Kicker
It’s football time, and the whole squad is heading to the Cardinals/Packers game tonight!
Never Not Working
The guys bring up the concept of a passing pie today. Andy mentions that it can be deceptive in a way, in that it is only a single piece of the puzzle. Though the first seven weeks of the season, what is target share telling us? The top 3 WRs in target share are almost bulletproof in that their point per game rank is very close to where they finish target share percentage-wise. However, the next three WRs tell a different story, with three guys finishing significantly lower in fantasy points. It matters if your targets are contested to see if the target share is actually good for the player. Sometimes those 50/50 balls hit, and sometimes they do not. We are talking about the likes of Terry McLaurin and DJ Moore. Would you rather have a player with a higher target share with a less successful QB or a WR with a smaller share from a better QB?
News
The Texans have traded RB Mark Ingram to the Saints, and we should see him playing soon. Antonio Brown is suffering from a sprain near his heel, and it could be a longer-term injury, and Rob Gronkowski will be back this week. Also, the talented Mike White will be starting at QB for the Jets on Sunday.
Fantasy Forecast
The guys start with the Panthers at the Falcons. With more pass catchers returning to the Falcons and playing against a great defense, Jason says to manage your expectations with Cordarrelle Patterson. It is actually a decent matchup for Sam Darnold, but it is not enough to get Mike to put him into his lineup. Miami heads to Buffalo to play the Bills next. This could be a bloodbath. Fire up all of those Bills against a horrible Dolphins defense. Myles Gaskin sans Malcolm Brown could do enough to be started as well. The 49ers play the Bears in a grotesque over/under. Jason thinks you can continue to start Khalil Herbert, and Elijah Mitchell is a start as well. Deebo is a go on the Niners’ side, and the classic Aiuyk excuses continue in San Francisco. Next is an AFC matchup with the Steelers and the Browns. Start your classic locks – Najee, Chubb, and Dionte Johnson. Assuming Chubb is back, Jason prefers the wait-and-see approach with D’Ernest Johnson. And…the Muth is Luth. The Eagles head to the Lions for Andy’s almost upset of the week. Jalen Hurts is your most consistent fantasy QB, so he is a start, and the Lions cannot defend the run, so Mike suggests starting Kenny Gainwell if you snagged him. On the other side of the ball, it should be a good game for TJ Hockenson. The resurgent Titans take on the Colts in a divisional matchup. This should be a great game of football – lock-in AJ Brown and even Michael Pittman as the Pitty City population is growing. The Bengals play the Jets with a low over/under. The Bengals’ defense will be a great play. Jason cautions you with the Bengals receivers in that they will simply not need to throw as much against the Jets. Lock in Burrow and Mixon. Finally, the Rams head East to take on the Texans. Play all your Rams. Bench all your Texans.
This week Jason is starting Ryan Tannehill, Adam Theilen, and Elijah Mitchell. Mike is on the side of Michael Pittman (shocking) and Kenny Gainwell, and Andy is starting Kirk Cousins, Manny Sanders, Joe Mixon, and Hunter Henry.
The eloquent prose of Jason’s Boom Boom Kicker of the Week ends the episode.
Friday – Halloween Candy, FootClan Friday, Thursday Night Recap, Fantasy Forecast, Fantasy Faceoff
It is the Halloween show over on The Fantasy Footballers! Unfortunately, the guys are without Andy today, but the Budget Magician and the Mayor of Flavortown are holding it down. After the classic segment of comparing fantasy players to Halloween candy, Jason and Mike move on to the recap.
Thursday Night Recap
The Packers took down the undefeated Arizona Cardinals last night. The Cards played a messy game with several turnovers that led to Packers points. The Packers RBs had great games, with both AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones being quite successful. Deandre Hopkins re-aggravated his hamstring on a long play, and Jason reiterates how crucial Hopkins clearly is to the Cardinals’ offense. The Cards rushing attack also delivered, especially through James Conner.
News
Dak Prescott has seemingly re-aggravated his calf injury. Keep an eye out especially since this is a Sunday night game. Austin Ekeler did not practice with a hip injury, Deebo was limited, and the Eagles have placed Miles Sanders on the IR. Jason suggests keeping an eye on Jordan Howard who will be back soon. Davante Parker also looks to return Sunday. Remember to listen to Matthew Betz and his Injury Podcast to get all the latest info heading into the weekend.
Fantasy Forecast
The Patriots take on the Chargers to kick us off today. The Patriots’ offense has started to click, and the Chargers’ defense is abhorrent against stopping the run, so start Damian Harris. Jason is also starting Hunter Henry. On the other side of the ball, if Ekeler plays, you start him. You are starting the Chargers pass-catchers as well. The Jacksonville Jaguars head West to play the Seattle Seahawks. Albeit a probably low-scoring game, Jason says you can still start RBs in this match. Both James Robinson and Alex Collins are good starts, where Mike is benching Tyler Lockett. The Washington Football Team takes on the Denver Broncos next. The Broncos are one of the best against fantasy QBs, so Mike strongly suggests benching Taylor Heinicke. Jason says you should temper expectations with Antonio Gibson, and in PPR leagues, Smooches is a strong option. The guys think you can stream Teddy Bridgewater, and Jerry Jeudy might be a flex consideration on the Denver side. The Tampa Bay Bucs play the New Orleans Saints in the Jameis Winston revenge game. The Saints’ defense is strong, but the Bucs are some of the best offensively. Fournette and Bucs pass catchers are locked in. Gronk is expected back, but Jason would like to take a wait-and-see approach there with him. Sunday Night Football is the Dallas Cowboys against the Minnesota Vikings. Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen are dual starts of the week, but they would take a hit if Dak does not play on the other side. On the Cowboys side – assuming Dak plays – you are starting all of your usual Cowboys, but make sure to reassess if another QB is starting. Finally, on Monday Night Football, the New York Giants take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Your usual Chiefs are in, and Daniel Jones is a starting option on the Giants’ side of the ball. Devante Booker is also a start.
Fantasy Faceoff
It is another weekly lineup battle for DraftKings, and this week Andy gets out of spinning the Wheel of Shame, at least until next week.
It's the Week 8 edition of Fantasy Faceoff presented by @DraftKings!
Watch the full segment with our Week 8 lineups: https://t.co/UfIpGzqe11
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— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) October 29, 2021