September 5, 2024 • 1hr 6min
Starts of the Week + It’s Football Time! - Fantasy Football Podcast for 9/5
Fantasy Footballers - Fantasy Football Podcast
Key Takeaways
- The hosts make their Super Bowl predictions:
- Andy: Lions over Chiefs
- Jason: Chiefs over Lions
- Mike: Ravens over Packers
- Start of the Week picks:
- QB: Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, Kyler Murray
- RB: James Cook, Javonte Williams
- WR: Malik Nabers, Christian Watson, Stefon Diggs
- TE: Evan Engram, Dalton Kincaid, Zach Ertz
- Key matchups discussed: Packers-Eagles, Steelers-Falcons, Cardinals-Bills, Titans-Bears, Patriots-Bengals, Texans-Colts
- Players to watch in Week 1 include Jordan Love, Josh Jacobs, Bijan Robinson, James Cook, Anthony Richardson
- Advice to start your studs in Week 1 but also consider some upside plays in good matchups
Introduction
The Fantasy Footballers podcast episode for September 5th, 2024 previews Week 1 of the NFL season. The hosts Andy, Jason and Mike provide start/sit advice, player outlooks, and matchup breakdowns to help fantasy managers prepare for the opening week. They also make their Super Bowl predictions for the upcoming season.
Topics Discussed
Super Bowl Predictions (3:23)
The hosts kick off the episode by sharing their Super Bowl predictions for the 2024 NFL season:
- Andy: Detroit Lions over Kansas City Chiefs
- Jason: Kansas City Chiefs over Detroit Lions
- Mike: Baltimore Ravens over Green Bay Packers
Andy notes he tweeted his Lions prediction a month ago, while Jason jokes they were looking at the same prediction "orb" but from opposite sides. Mike's Ravens-Packers pick draws some ribbing from the others.
News and Notes (9:28)
The hosts cover some key news items heading into Week 1:
- Ja'Marr Chase participated in Wednesday's practice for the Bengals. Joe Burrow was quoted saying Chase is "ready to go."
- Puka Nacua practiced in full for the Rams
- Justin Herbert is off the injury report for the Chargers
- Brock Purdy is ready to go for Week 1 against the Chargers
- Jordan Addison (Vikings) is expected to play in Week 1 despite a recent high ankle sprain
Starts of the Week (12:03)
The hosts reveal their "Start of the Week" picks for each position:
Quarterbacks
- Jason: Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins) vs. Jaguars
- Expects a high-scoring game with both defenses being "mid"
- Notes Tua had the 3rd most passing yards ever for a season opener last year
- Mike: Jared Goff (Lions) vs. Rams
- Game has highest over/under of the week
- Lions have highest implied team total
- Revenge game narrative against former team
- Andy: Kyler Murray (Cardinals) at Bills
- High over/under, fully recovered from ACL injury
- Bills defense not as strong as in past years
- Game script likely to favor passing
Running Backs
- Jason: James Cook (Bills) vs. Cardinals
- Bills averaged 37 rushing plays under new OC last year
- Favorable game script expected as 6-point home favorites
- Mike: Javonte Williams (Broncos) vs. Seahawks
- Samaje Perine gone, opportunity for workhorse role
- Seahawks had one of worst run defenses last season
Wide Receivers
- Jason: Malik Nabers (Giants) vs. Vikings
- Vikings allowed 5th most receiving yards to WRs last year
- Expects 25%+ target share for the rookie
- Mike: Christian Watson (Packers) at Eagles
- Eagles allowed most fantasy points to outside WRs last year
- Believes Watson is the clear WR1 for Packers
- Andy: Stefon Diggs (Texans) vs. Colts
- Expects heavy target share in middle of field
- Colts play a lot of Cover 3 defense
Tight Ends
- Jason: Evan Engram (Jaguars) at Dolphins
- Dolphins allowed 5th most fantasy points to TEs last year
- Expects high volume of short targets
- Andy: Dalton Kincaid (Bills) vs. Cardinals
- Cardinals allowed 2nd most TDs to TEs last year
- Potential to lead Bills in targets
- Mike: Zach Ertz (Commanders) vs. Buccaneers
- Buccaneers allowed 2nd most receiving yards to TEs last year
- Expects high target volume in new offense
Matchup Breakdowns (28:55)
Packers at Eagles (29:10)
- High over/under of 49 points
- Jordan Love expected to have strong debut against weak Eagles secondary
- Josh Jacobs likely to see heavy workload as lead RB
- Uncertainty around Packers WR usage between Watson, Reed, Doubs
- Eagles offense remains fantasy-friendly with Hurts, Brown, Smith
Steelers at Falcons (34:50)
- Low over/under of 42 points
- Uncertainty around Falcons offense with new pieces
- Bijan Robinson expected to lead backfield but goal line role unclear
- Najee Harris likely to see volume but limited upside
- George Pickens a solid start, other Steelers pass-catchers risky
Cardinals at Bills (38:55)
- High over/under of 48 points
- Kyler Murray and Josh Allen both strong QB starts
- James Cook expected to lead Bills backfield
- James Conner likely workhorse for Cardinals
- Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride intriguing rookie starts
Titans at Bears (45:25)
- Bears favored by 3.5 at home
- Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift both risky RB plays
- DJ Moore likely shadowed by L'Jarius Sneed
- Darnell Mooney potential sleeper play if Moore is contained
- DeAndre Hopkins expected to play but may be limited
Patriots at Bengals (51:30)
- Bengals heavily favored at home
- Rhamondre Stevenson likely to see heavy volume for Patriots
- Uncertainty around Bengals RB usage between Moss and Brown
- Joe Burrow and Bengals passing game strong starts if Chase plays
- Patriots defense may struggle without former coordinator
Texans at Colts (56:05)
- High over/under of 48.5 points
- CJ Stroud debut against weak Colts defense
- Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs all viable starts
- Anthony Richardson highly anticipated debut
- Jonathan Taylor expected to play and be heavily involved
Conclusion
The hosts emphasize starting your studs in Week 1 but also highlight some potential upside plays in favorable matchups. They recommend using the Start/Sit tool on their website to help with lineup decisions. The episode provides a comprehensive preview of the opening week's key fantasy storylines and player outlooks to help managers prepare their lineups.
The hosts will cover the remaining Week 1 matchups in tomorrow's episode. They remind listeners to check out their community on Discord and wish everyone good luck as the NFL season kicks off.