“Start, Sit & Seth” is the original column of In-Between Media, bridging feel-good lifestyle advice with redraft fantasy football analysis. Consistently following Seth Woolcock’s journey as a young creator, this series is now in its fifth season. Join him this week as he relishes his annual traditions and shares his start/sit selections for Week 8.
If you’ve read one of my columns before but haven’t met me in person, you could probably still pick me out of a crowded local.
You’d be looking for a 24-year-old kid with a big dopey smile and likely a light beer in hand. I’m not the loudest in the room, but I may be having the best time. I’m surrounded by people I genuinely give a sh*t about and not just noteworthy names.
After a while, we put on our jackets and relocate the top floor of the closest parking deck. Up there – overlooking the city – we carry on sharing spirits and drags. Reflecting on the journey here and the road left ahead, we share gratitude for the moment and each other’s company.
If this too sounds like you, this is just one tell that you’re living the in-between.
Moments Along the Way
The in-between, of course, refers to our team here at in-Between Media (IBT) of ragtag meliorists blending feel-good lifestyle advice with fantasy sports analysis. But it also refers to the journey from “A” to “B” in life.
Though my “B” can feel distant at times, I’m grateful for every moment of this ride. Almost exactly four years ago, I was writing this same column series for my college newspaper.
Today, it’s transformed into – at the very least – a reputable brand with authentic individuals behind it. There’s still a long way to go, but the path has led us to discover ourselves and this family.
To celebrate the IBT Family, our collection of staff members and loyal audience members, my annual Halloween “traditions” column will focus on our favorite yearly traditions we’ve created, like our early morning parking garage escapades. The hope is that it assists other groups – friends, family and colleagues – to create their own.
1. Tuning in Live Weekly
Multiple days a week, we prepare to livestream shows and/or our podcast on YouTube. We have various live productions:
• “The Backroad,” a NASCAR DFS/gambling program hosted by Elliot Hicks, Rod Villagomez and me
• “The 19th Hole,” a show blending spirit reviews/tutorials with DFS golf advice, featuring the stylings of Conor Coughlin and Bo McBrayer
• “Cooking with Sven,” hosted by Sven and produced by Dave Stewart
And then, of course, there is our longest-running and flagship program, “The In-Between Fantasy Football Podcast.”
Originally done solo back in the day, I am joined by my co-host Nate Polvogt in-season on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET. Our Tuesday night episodes feature a third co-host – either Scott Rinear or Jen Polvogt – a weekly recap, trade targets and our original “In the Scope” waiver wire a week early segment.
Since the beginning of this year, Nate and I host an additional Friday episode live at 1:30 p.m. ET. With the help of various regular guests, we recap “Thursday Night Football,” answer start/sit questions and give our “Shore Thing Sleepers of the Week.”
We laugh. We banter. But most of all, we provide a positive spin on the game of fantasy football. We consistently see new faces in the live chat. But it’s our regular cast of viewers consistently showing up to support from across the world that means the most.
Brad Bolt joins us from Australia at all times of the day there as he continues to juggle a young family and career. Dee Dee Lake finds herself in a new chapter of life, but still takes time out of her cooking content journey to hang out with our team. These are just a few of the faces that have helped turn a show into a tradition and an audience into a family.
2. Between the Holidays
The older I get, the more challenging the holidays are to navigate. Tack on managing my near dozen fantasy teams and helping others with theirs, and it becomes a full-send situation.
Luckily, I’m not alone in this feeling. So to help ease some of the anxiety of ‘tising the damn season, my IBT family and I link up for a livestream holiday party filled with games, holiday festivities, some fantasy discussion and laughter above all else.
3. Bringing Back the Landlines
If you’re a part of my family, you have to get used to the occasional random phone call. Despite my generation’s consensus, I prefer the old-fashioned phone call as a method of leisurely communication. Not texting, not FaceTime – just phone numbers and a keypad.
It’s these conversations that helped sparked so much life into IBT.
Lean Into Your Traditions
Of course, there are many other traditions we continue to build here at IBT. But those are stories for another time.
The point is that no matter who your group is or what your vibe is, immerse yourself within your own traditions. It doesn’t matter if they’re seasonal, like fall and Halloween customs, or an anytime-anywhere kinda thing. Just enjoy it with those who mean something to you.
Only then do we create a culture of meaning.
Your fantasy football leagues are no different. If it’s a good league, it won’t be seamless. Wild trades, questionable decisions and too many injuries will stir the pot.
But the best leagues learn to overcome it and just take in the traditions of the league, like the draft and watching games with league-mates. That’s what truly matters. No bragging rights or amount of cash can ever replace that.
In a week that’s been one of the most devastating in recent memory regarding injuries, it’s important as ever to remember.
Alright, and here we go.
The following Week 8 start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start in Week 8:
Jared Goff (Detroit): Look, it hasn’t been pretty for Jared Goff lately, putting up 7.4 combined fantasy points over his last two. However, he has a low-end QB1 when he had both available earlier this season, never having below 14.8 fantasy points.
That’s enough for me to start him against the Dolphins, who have allowed at least 13 points per game to every quarterback this season, aside from Mac Jones in Week 1.
Maybe more important than Miami being a top-five matchup for QBs is the projected volume Goff will see. The Lions allow a league-high 32.3 points and 412 yards per game. Meaning Goff will need to wing it to keep up with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and company.
Quarterback I’d Sit in Week 8:
Russell Wilson (Denver): Russell Wilson was reportedly doing everything he could to prepare for this week’s game, including doing high knees between the aisles on the flight to London while his teammates slept. I said it earlier this week, but I don’t care if he parachutes into Wembley Stadium, he shouldn’t touch fantasy lineups.
The Jaguars’ defense has slipped up at times to the likes of Daniel Jones and Carson Wentz. But it’s also had its moments, holding Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts out of QB1 status.
Wilson is completing a career-low 58.6 percent of passes while posting a career-low Quarterback Rating of 83.4. There are talks of rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett’s job being on the line and trade rumors surrounding WR Jerry Jeudy. All of it, plus playing in London, makes it feel like the odds are stacked against Wilson. I’m not willing to risk it.
Running Back I’d Start in Week 8:
D’Onta Foreman (Carolina): Welcome the 2016 Doak Walker Award-winner D‘Onta Foreman back to the fold. In his first real action since Christian McCaffrey was dealt to the 49ers, Foreman ran all over a top rushing defense in the Buccaneers. He averaged 7.8 Yards Per Carry (YPC) for 115 yards, adding two receptions for 27 yards.
We saw Foreman’s fresh legs come through for fantasy last season as he was the PPR RB11 following the Titans’ Week 14 bye last season. The Falcons’ run defense scares me less than the Buccaneers. Plus, Chuba Hubbard isn’t practicing yet this week, opening the door for Foreman to smash.
Running Back I’d Sit in Week 8:
Damien Harris (New England): I don’t know what to make of this Patriots’ offense with its current revolving door at QB. The offense already runs the sixth least plays per game (58.6), and now there’s disarray with who will be under center.
It was surprising to see Damien Harris active last week against the Bears, where he turned five total touches into two PPR points. Rhamondre Stevenson continued to excel in both the rushing and passing game, taking 19 total touches for 23.8 PPR points. With the efficiency Stevenson is showing, I don’t think Harris takes much more than 10 touches away from him moving forward.
The Jets’ run defense doesn’t necessarily scare me, but it’s above-average enough that I’m keeping my distance from Harris this week.
Wide Receiver I’d Start in Week 8:
Curtis Samuel (Washington): Curtis Samuel is in an ideal spot for a blow-up game here in Week 8. Washington faces the Colts, meaning Terry McLaurin will likely draw the shadow of Stephon Gilmore. This opens up Samuel to taking a larger downfield target share.
Even with Taylor Heinicke now under center for the Commanders, Samuel remains top 10 in receptions and Yards After Catch (YAC). In addition, he’s seen some high-value opportunities already with eight red zone targets (16th amongst WRs). He jumped up to five rushing attempts last week and could see double-digit targets with McLaurin shadowed.
Wide Receiver I’d Sit in Week 8:
Chase Claypool (Pittsburgh): Chase Claypool is reminding us this season of the lack of value for Pittsburgh’s slot receiver. He’s top three amongst WRs in slot snaps ran (270) and 11th in routes run. Yet, he’s only hit double-digit PPR points twice and seven games and is the WR43 on the season.
He doesn’t get a ton of separation per route (1.4), yet he also has an ugly 37.5 percent catch rate. These are likely reasons why this could be his last game in Pittsburgh if the Steelers decide to trade him before the trade deadline.
Playing in Philadelphia against a top-four defense in yards and scoring allowed in the middle of the Phillies’ World Series run is a hard pass for me.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, especially start/sit advice, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.