The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap – Week 16

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Monday – Week 15 Studs and Duds, Mid-Show Surprises, Monday Punday

What. A. Weekend. After Andy, Mike, and Jason get sophisticated, the guys start with the news.

News

If you have Jonathan Taylor, you will have to make other arrangements, as he has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will probably be done for the season. The Cardinals lost another QB as Colt McCoy has a concussion. The emotional roller coaster of the week was compounded by players who got injured, left the game, then returned. That includes Ryan Tannehill, Justin Fields, Justin Jefferson, and more. Tonight, the Packers play Baker Mayfield’s team.

Studs

Josh Allen was quite excellent this week and has Chicago next week in what should be a fun game. Jalen Hurts looked a little shaky to start but finished with three rushing TDs. Patrick Mahomes was successful, Kirk Cousins was the miracle man, and Trevor Lawrence led his team to a monster win. Justin Fields and Dak also got it done. Jerick McKinnon highlights the RB studs, and if you lost to him, it does not feel good. Dalvin Cook was having a tough luck game, but he broke free at the end to make it into the studs. The Yeti made an appearance, and he heads to Houston next week. Apparently, Rhamondre Stevenson’s ankle is fine, and rookie Tyler Allgeier was impressive. David Montgomery also had a great week, and Mike’s Start of the Week, Latavius Murray, was a solid start.

On to the WRs, and Mr. Spot Start Zay Jones was stellar. KJ Osborn had a game, Justin Jefferson is incredible, and both Philly WRs were fabulous. Chris Godwin was good for Tampa, Noah Brown scored twice, and all the Cincinnati WRs seemed to score. George Kittle led the way for the TE position. Dawson Knox had a huge game, and Juwan Johnson looked good. The Wallerous returned, and Evan Engram was fairly solid.

Duds

Justin Herbert highlights the dud category, and he probably caused you a loss if he was your starting QB. Miles Sanders was devastating in what should have been a fantastic matchup. Joe Mixon, Zonovan Knight, and D’Onta Foreman were all disgustingly bad. Rachaad White was also a dud with only two targets. WR duds include Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, and Chris Olave. Jason is a little concerned about Olave and Andy is a little scared for Mike Williams. The guys are all concerned for Mark Andrews, who has become the Mike Evans of the TE position. The Muth was the furthest from Luth, Greg D. failed against Arizona, and Gerald Everett had a rough game.

Tuesday – Week 16 Waivers, Jason Hurts, Full Stream Ahead

The big news is that Jalen Hurts is injured, has a sprained shoulder, and Jason Hurts. Gardner Minshew will be the likely starter for the Dallas game.

Monday Night Recap

The Packers beat the Rams on Monday night, and it did not go the way some people hoped it would. Solid game from Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon – a little too late in the season for most owners – but the pass catchers had a sub-par night. The Christian Watson performance was the worst. AJ Dillon did leave late in the game with a concussion.

News

Dallas Goedert is back in Week 16, and JT is headed to the IR. He is gone. Ryan Tannehill has an uphill battle to be ready this week against the Texans. The Bears’ Khalil Herbert is expected to return to practice this week, and we might also get Jeff Wilson back. Zach Wilson will start this week against the Jags and Matthew Stafford confirmed he is not retiring.

Welcome to the Fold

The guys start with the WRs this week. Treylon Burks WAS Andy’s favorite, but with the Tannehill injury, everyone agrees you cannot target Burks. Elijah Moore is in contention, as well as rookie Jahan Dotson. Chris Moore and Russell Gage can be targeted, and Marquise Goodwin could be a one-week rental with Tyler Lockett injured. Lower rostered RBs are highlighted with Jerick McKinnon, and after him, you are contemplating the Jonathan Taylor replacement, whether it be Zack Moss or Deon Jackson. Jason likes Jackson more. Andy will be fighting tooth and nail for Tyler Allgeier over either of the Colts. Cam Akers is also an option.

TE options are sparse as usual, with Taysom Hill still being quite a dart throw in a gross matchup. Evan Engram, the TE4 on the season, could win you a week, and Dawson Knox is a possible pickup. Mike also has googly eyes for Juwon Johnson. Of the available defense options, look towards the Cleveland Browns. The Chargers, Bengals, and Steelers are also possibilities.

Streamers

This week Andy is streaming Sam Darnold, who is playing the Detroit Lions, Jason is going with Gardner Minshew, and Mike likes Daniel Jones.

Wednesday – Week 16 Hopes and Fears, Weather Worries, Ride or Die

News

Remember the main slate of games this week is Saturday, so prepare accordingly. Nick Chubb did not practice due to a foot injury, and Chris Olave was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Eyebrow up, but the wind during that game will be absurd, so feel free to bench him. Jalen Hurts also did not play, and Mike assumes he will not. Ryan Tannehill looks not to start, so shy away from the Titans’ pass catchers.

Thursday Night Breakdown

We get the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets Thursday night in a low over-under matchup. Currently, it will be rainy and windy throughout the game and the Jags control their own playoff destiny. Trevor Lawrence has been on a run, yet now you have a great Jets defense to contend with. Andy is also concerned that the Jets might not put up enough points to push the Jags to throw.  It might be hard to start Zonovan Knight after his rough outing last week, but it is not a bad matchup for RBs. Looking at the Jacksonville WRs, Christian Kirk has been hot and cold, but he has been getting the volume even if the production is not there.

Mailbag

This week’s first question pertains to whether you are still starting AJ Brown with Jalen Hurts out, and the answer is a resounding yes. Looking at another Eagles’ pass catcher, Garrett Wilson or DeVonta Smith, Mike likes Wilson this week. After discussing the ethics of utilizing the waiver wire when out of the playoffs, Andy fields a question about starting DeAndre Hopkins. You still start him.

Thursday – Starts of the Week and Frightful Weather, Tilt Time, Never Not Working

It is semi-championship time, according to Mike!

Never Not Working

It is weather week, and Jason is discussing what we need to worry about and what we can let fall off our backs. Going back to the year 2000, the guys discovered that temperature does not significantly impact the total point score of these games. In colder games, the rushing game gets a slight bump. Rain has a negative effect on passing games – completion percentage and total yardage drops. Sustained wind is the worst. Winds over 15 mph are when game plans start to change. Anything over 20 mph becomes a literal game-changer. Considering this week’s slate and how it applies, Jason is not concerned about light winds in Kansas City, New England, and Pittsburgh. Major winds will happen in Cleveland, Chicago, and New York this evening. Tonight, the winds WILL affect the game, so make sure to turn on the TV and look at the weather.

News

It looks like it will be Gardner Minshew this week in place of Jalen Hurts, and it seems that Ryan Tannehill’s season is over. Nick Chubb – despite not practicing – will probably play this week. Ken Walker also did not play, but the team released Tony Jones, so Walker should be solid to play this week. In other Seattle news, Marquise Goodwin had limited practice based on a wrist injury. Colt McCoy has been ruled out, and Trace McSorley will start for Arizona.

Fantasy Forecast

Buffalo heads to Chicago in the first matchup in the Windy City. You have no amazing pass catchers to downgrade on the Bears’ side; conversely, confidence might be lower for the Bills WR room. It is time to bench Gabe Davis. Andy likes both Singletary and Cook in the running game for Buffalo and Montgomery on the Chicago side. New Orleans plays Cleveland in the lowest over-under in over a decade. You cannot start Chris Olave, but you could nervously look the way of Taysom Hill or Juwan Johnson. If Nick Chubb starts, he is in your lineup. Bench the Browns’ pass-catchers.

Houston plays a now Malik Willis-led Titans squad in Andy’s almost upset of the week. This might be a simple game to figure out – Tennessee will avoid throwing at all costs. The Yeti shall carry the load. Jason is starting with no other players in this game. Seattle heads east to play the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy likes both RBs for Kansas City in this cold one but is nervous about the Seattle offensive attack. You start DK Metcalf, but the team will be more than just him. Start your Chiefs studs. The New York Giants get a dome when they play the Minnesota Vikings and fresh off his big comeback, Kirk Cousins is a start, as well as Dalvin Cook. The guys are not chasing the KJ Osborn breakout. Conversely, Darius Slayton had a rough week last week but could bounce back in this matchup. Daniel Jones is a solid streamer.

Cincinnati heads up to New England to play the Patriots in another cold game. Start your Bengals but close your eyes. You are starting Rhamondre and ignoring Mac Jones and his corresponding pass catchers. Dreaming of the playoffs, Detroit Lions head to Carolina to take on the Panthers. Despite Jared Goff’s bad road record, Andy still likes Goff and his major weapons. DJ Chark could be a dart throw. For Carolina, this is the streaming Sam Darnold game as the Lions lock down the RBs. Both DJ Moore and Terrance Marshall could have a game.

Starts of the Week

This week Andy is starting Justin Herbert, Isaih Pacheco, Mike Williams, and Isaiah Likely. Mike is going with Pro Bowler Geno Smith, JK Dobbins, Darius Slayton, and Cade Otton. Finally, Jason is starting Tua, Kenneth Walker, Mike Evans, and Taysom Hill.

The day ends with Jason’s Boom Boom Kicker. Good luck FootClan!

Friday – Week 16 Matchups, Tough Decisions, Happy Holidays!

Thursday Night Recap

The Jacksonville Jags beat the New York Jets, and the WRs in this game were players you did not want to play. Evan Engram was the highlight of the game, and if you dared to start him, you were rewarded. Travis Etienne was a “work pony” and ended the night with a solid line in rough weather. It was a Zonovan Knight-mare on the Jets’ side, and it could not have been more disgusting for Zach Wilson. His time as a Jet might be over.

News

Nick Chubb owners can exhale as he was removed from the injury report, and he will be playing this weekend in the frightful weather game. Chris Olave was ruled out, and Jarvis Landry has been moved to IR. Ken Walker has not practiced, but Seattle has said he will be playing. Brandin Cooks is questionable but expected to play.

Fantasy Forecast

Atlanta takes on Baltimore in a very low over-under game, not overly impacted by the weather. Both teams will run the football as their lives depend on it. With most of the Ravens’ WRs out, look to the TEs to be targeted. Do not start any Falcons’ pass catchers with Ridder under center. The Washington Commanders head west to play the surging Niners. The San Francisco defense will be an issue for Taylor Heinicke and the Commanders, and it is scary to start McLaurin, but Jason is still behind him. You can bench Robinson and Gibson against this defense. Dallas battles Philly in a Minshew Mania game. You are hoping Gardener can do enough with his stellar weapons to keep up with the Cowboys. Even with the solid defense, you can start Miles Sanders, and you could plug Dallas Goedert back in, but the matchup is not great for him.

The Raiders fly across the country to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a cold matchup. This game will be run-centric – start Jacobs and Najee. You have to hope Davante Adams returns to his old self. The Muth could bounce back for Pittsburgh, but if you have a better option, you can move away. Next is Christmas Football dot com time! Green Bay versus Miami starts us off in the highest total game for the week. It has been a struggle with Tua, but you must play your studs in a great matchup. Andy is feeling more confident in Raheem Mostert. For the Packers, several stats suggest that you start Aaron Rodgers, but with his subpar season, it is difficult to do so. There are several Packer WRs to choose from, and Andy stands behind Christian Watson as the choice. In a Christmas miracle, Denver takes on the Los Angeles Rams. Andy does not want to play anyone on the Rams against a stout Denver defense. You start Latavius Murray if he plays, if only for volume.

In another clearly exciting game – Tampa Bay plays Arizona. Andy has a hot take on Trace McSorley, expecting close to twenty fantasy points. James Conner will be significantly relied on in this game, making McSorley have to try to do something. When it comes to the RBs on the Tampa side – the guys think both can be startable. Mike Evans is Jason’s Start of the Week, and you are playing Chris Godwin. The semi-championship week ends with the Chargers versus the Colts—nothing like Jeff Saturday in primetime. Start your LA studs, and there might even be an opportunity for Gerald Everett in a pinch. Nick Foles will start for the Colts, so what could possibly go wrong? If you are deciding between Deon Jackson and Zack Moss – good luck. Jackson has more talent, and Andy and Jason lean more in that direction.

The show ends with Mike spinning the Wheel of Shame and the guys sharing their DraftKings lineups.

Merry Christmas FootClan, and let’s go win that semi-championship week!