FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 9 (Ep. 1812)

Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Ryan Wormley
Co-hosts: Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”), Derrick Brown (“DBro”)

Brief Overview

In this spirited, analysis-packed Halloween episode, the FantasyPros crew—dressed in costume—breaks down the most pressing fantasy questions and matchups for every NFL team in Week 9. They dig into player usage trends, injury impacts, start/sit debates, and tactical advice, all with their trademark banter and insight. The show skips the fluff and jumps right into critical decisions, with expert consensus and personal takes helping fantasy managers prep for a pivotal week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Halloween Vibes, Costumes, and Candy Preferences

• The hosts embrace Halloween with costumes and banter. Pat shares a heartfelt story about receiving a luchador mask from Mauricio Gutierrez (01:41).
• Quick aside: Ryan is “Clark Kent,” Pat is “Rey Mysterio,” and DBro jokes about being bald like Lex Luthor (00:54–01:35).
• Candy rankings: DBro prefers sour patch, while Ryan is all-in on chocolate (03:00).

Baltimore Ravens vs Miami Dolphins Recap

Main Fantasy Takeaways:

• Lamar Jackson returns; throws 4 TDs (three to TEs, two to Mark Andrews).
• “Lamar is clearly not still 100… He was very good as a passer. The four passing touchdowns, like, if you started him versus other options on your roster, you’re very happy with that.” – Derrick Brown (04:45)
• Mark Andrews: 2 TDs on just 3 targets. The crew is wary: “Touchdown or bust. I was more excited about the usage for Isaiah Likely. I’m gonna probably start ranking Isaiah Likely right behind Mark Andrews, like two spots apart most weeks.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (06:23)
• Derrick Henry looked reinvigorated late; slow early but finished with 119 yards.
• Zay Flowers led in targets/yards again but didn’t score.
• Miami’s offense: Jaylen Waddle stays productive, especially with Tyreek Hill out. Devon Achane still worth holding in fantasy.
• “The Dolphins didn’t crap the bed every time they got in the freaking red zone, this game would have been close.” – DBro (08:08)
• Refs & Momentum: Crew vents about a critical tripping call; agree officiating hurt Miami but wasn't the whole story (10:05).
• Fantasy summary: On Miami: “For fantasy, you just like that they’re sort of a streamlined… you’re using Achane and Waddle and that’s it.” – Fitz (10:37)

[Ravens/Dolphins recap segment: 03:30–12:16]

Early Slate: Game-by-Game Fantasy Questions

Bears at Bengals

• Caleb Williams Bounce Back?
  • “True. I love the setup for Caleb this week. Bengals pass defense is bad… This could be a really interesting shootout.” – Pat (12:41)
  • DBro is less bullish: “I don’t see emphatically. I think the Bears offense will be much better because of just who they’re going against. But… they could just run the ever loving crap out of the ball.” (14:08)
• Flex values: “Kyle Manangai is absolutely flex worthy. Both the actual running backs in this game—Smaji Perine and Kyle Manangai—you can put them in as strong flex plays.” – DBro (15:43)
• DeAndre Swift injury implications: Swift preferred over Nico Collins for this week (16:25–16:43).
• Picks: Pat and DBro like Bengals; Ryan picks Bears (17:00–17:12).

[Bears/Bengals: 12:16–17:12]

Vikings at Lions

• JJ McCarthy Returns: “Dude, I’m worried about JJ in this one… He’s about to get put through the freaking gauntlet. This is a bottom five offensive line… I don’t want to play JJ.” – DBro (17:35)
• QB Rankings: QB22-24; no trust in the matchup (18:41–19:12).
• Jordan Addison: “You could play him just because he’s good, but I wouldn’t feel wildly confident about him.” – Pat (20:37).
• Impact of Chris Greer (Dolphins GM) leaving reported live, nothing on McDaniel yet (21:10).

[Vikings/Lions: 17:12–21:37]

Panthers at Packers

• Josh Jacobs vs. Packers Run D: “I’ve Jacobs ranked RB7 which is right on consensus. He’s not a guy I ever want to fade considering how Matt LaFleur just force feeds him at the goal line.” – Pat (22:14)
• Jordan Love as a streamer: “If Carolina can keep Bryce on the move...the Packers have actually been a pretty decent pass funnel...so Jacobs is not a guy like Pat talked about I’m ever going to fade—but if you were to tell me he has a good game but not an amazing game...I wouldn’t be necessarily surprised.” – DBro (23:50)

[Panthers/Packers: 21:37–25:26]

Broncos at Texans

• Bo Nix Ranking: “I’ve got Bo Nix at QB18. Do I want to rush out there to play Bo Nix… against Houston since week four, they’re allowing the second fewest yards per attempt and the lowest passing yards per game… Heck no, man.” – DBro (29:03)
• RJ Harvey: “He’s just not getting enough volume. He played 27% of the snaps.” (29:54, also echoed by Pat)
• Both lean UNDER (total was 40.5) (30:00 and 30:25).

[Broncos/Texans: 28:44–31:59]

Falcons at Patriots

• Trayvon Henderson’s value if Stevenson sits?
  • “I think I’m probably going to bump him up to like an RB2." – DBro (32:36)
  • "If Ramondre Stevenson doesn’t practice today, he’s not going to play. And I would propel Trayvon Henderson up to 17th. I would have him right behind Jaylen Warren, right ahead of… Travis Etienne.” – Pat (34:37)
  • Both urge caution; could be a 2- or even 3-man backfield split with Terrell Jennings involved.
• RB rankings slide depending on Stevenson’s status.

[Falcons/Patriots: 32:02–36:21]

49ers at Giants

• Tyrone Tracy’s workload: “I think he’s gonna probably flirt with 20 opportunities between targets and carries and everything… Tracy is going to have 20 opportunities, he’s a mid-range RB2, and honestly I won’t be surprised if he finishes this week as a low-end RB1 if he gets 20 opportunities, it’s an average run defense and he scores once.” – DBro (37:14)
• Both hosts have Tracy around RB14–16 for the week and in the RB20 range rest of season (Pat and DBro, 38:14–38:22).

[49ers/Giants: 36:21–38:36]

Colts at Steelers

• Start Michael Pittman or DK Metcalf?
  • “I have Pittman WR12 and Metcalf WR13… Slight edge to the guy in the better offense: Pittman.” – Pat (39:30)
  • DBro prefers Pittman by a lot (WR10 vs WR17).
• Colts as favorites?
  • “I just don’t see any other way where the Steelers are going to stop this offense… barring Daniel Jones [Colts QB] taking a huge step back.” – Ryan (41:48)
  • Pat warns: “The Steelers routinely play up or down to the level of their competition… I agree it seems like the Colts should roll but I have a personal betting policy…” (41:49)
  • DBro also leans Colts, but Fitz makes a case for caution with power ratings.

[Colts/Steelers: 38:36–44:41]

Chargers at Titans

• Trickiest Players to Rank: Both hosts single out Shamir DK (WR45–37) as a possible breakout; Quentin Johnston’s health and usage complicate his ranking (47:09).
• “QJ could get there on two targets downfield this week. But right now I’ve got him at WR38… In a lot of leagues if I had him, I would be sitting him.” – DBro (47:09)
• General skepticism for the upside of Titans/Chargers options.

[Chargers/Titans: 44:41–49:25]

Late Afternoon and Prime Time Games

Saints at Rams

• Olave/Shahid impact with Tyler Shough at QB:
  • “Chris Olave, I’ve got at WR28. Rashid Shaheed at WR42.” – DBro (51:08)
  • Pat: “I think Shough is a more aggressive downfield thrower than Rattler was, but… I’m seeing this as kind of a push.” (50:04)
  • Both hosts are much lower than consensus on Saints wideouts.

[Saints/Rams: 49:25–52:26]

Jaguars at Raiders

• Travis Hunter to IR:
  • “I’m bumping up BTJ [Brian Thomas Jr.] and I think this is a good spot for him to get right… BTJ, I do think we’re going to get a bounce back game with Hunter now hitting the IR.” – DBro (53:39)
  • Live: BTJ jumps in the rankings from ~WR20 to WR13–15.
  • Who benefits most besides BTJ? Possibly Parker Washington, but to be determined (54:29).
  • Trade rumors for BTJ “ain’t happening now” (55:20).

[Jaguars/Raiders: 52:26–55:25]

Chiefs at Bills (Game of the Week)

• Too High/Too Low Rankings:
  • “Too low: Rashee Rice. ECR wide receiver 6, I have him at WR4… Already heavily involved. Heavy red zone usage.” – Pat (55:48)
  • “Too high: I’m a little below consensus on Brad Smith… the opportunity we think he has might be a mirage because of Rice.” – Pat (55:48)
  • DBro: “We’re too high on Keon Coleman… the coverage matchup is horrible for him.” (57:20)
• Betting angles:
  • “I kind of want to take the under. When these totals are up in the 50s, there’s so much that can go wrong.” – DBro (58:36)
  • “If you want to give me the Buffalo Bills as a home underdog, that is an auto bet for me. I am betting the Bills.” – Fitz (59:03)

[Chiefs/Bills: 55:25–59:20]

Seahawks at Commanders (Sunday Night Football)

• Kenneth Walker vs Zach Charbonnet:
  • “I have Walker RB23, Charbonnet RB28. It’s just a messy split… I should probably have them right next to each other, but I just think Walker is the better player.” – Pat (59:32)
  • DBro has them back-to-back: “Walker’s season… Propped up by touchdowns for Charbonnet, crushed because of lack of touchdowns for Walker.” (59:43)

[Seahawks/Commanders: 59:20–60:48]

Cardinals at Cowboys (Monday Night Football)

• Aggressive Week 9 Ranking:
  • “I’m gonna go Bam Knight, man… If you’re telling me we’re living in a world where Bam Knight goes for 100 yards and he gets two touchdowns, I will not be surprised. I think…the touchdown equity is more of what I’d lean on here. Right now I’ve got him at RB19.” – DBro (61:40)
  • Fitz agrees: “Maybe he’s more of a lead back this week than a timeshare guy. If he’s the lead back in this matchup against Dallas, then yeah, he might have a chance at an RB1 finish.” (62:44)
• Bam Knight likely moves up in rankings ahead of Dobbins, Etienne, possibly as high as RB15.

[Cardinals/Cowboys: 60:48–64:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Mark Andrews:

• “He still not 100%, but it was a good matchup. He played well… Mark Andrews, dude, if for everybody out there, if you sat him, it wasn’t wrong process.” – Derrick Brown (04:45)
• “Touchdown or bust. Kind of the same thing… I’m gonna probably start ranking Isaiah Likely like right behind Mark Andrews.” – Pat Fitzmaurice (06:23)

On Miami Dolphins’ coaching situation:

• “Mike McDaniel, his entire vibe on the sideline is terrible… the only reason he still has a job is because it is just a clown show there.” – DBro (08:08)

On betting and evaluating coaching trends:

• “Worm, you are an AFC North fan. You of all people should know… The Steelers routinely play up or play down to the level of their competition.” – Pat (41:49)

On Saints’ new QB:

• “Shough seems like a little more of a swashbuckler which could be good or bad. Like I think it nets up close to even… But then again, sacks and interceptions are drive killers and take snaps and targets away from our pass catchers.” – Pat (50:04)

On Halloween costumes:

• “Showed up as Lex Luthor because he’s bald. I mean, that’s the best he could do.” – Ryan Wormley (01:31)
• “I could have just put a bag over my head and cut some eye holes and been a Dolphins fan.” – DBro (03:15)

Useful Timestamps

• Ravens vs Dolphins Recap: 03:30–12:16
• Bears at Bengals: 12:16–17:12
• Vikings at Lions: 17:12–21:37
• Panthers at Packers: 21:37–25:26
• Broncos at Texans: 28:44–31:59
• Falcons at Patriots: 32:02–36:21
• 49ers at Giants: 36:21–38:36
• Colts at Steelers: 38:36–44:41
• Chargers at Titans: 44:41–49:25
• Saints at Rams: 49:25–52:26
• Jaguars at Raiders: 52:26–55:25
• Chiefs at Bills: 55:25–59:20
• Seahawks at Commanders: 59:20–60:48
• Cardinals at Cowboys: 60:48–64:08

Overall Tone

Casual, witty, and conversational, with analysis that balances actionable advice and deep-dive statistics. The hosts don’t take themselves too seriously but never lose sight of the main goal: helping listeners set winning fantasy lineups.

Quick Takeaways for Week 9

• Start your studs but be wary of matchup volatility this week—especially with backup QBs and changing RB workloads.
• Caleb Williams and the Bears are set up for a rebound, but not guaranteed a shootout ceiling.
• Monitor injuries (Stevenson, Swift, Travis Hunter, etc.) up to game time for RB pivots.
• Bam Knight might be a sneaky RB1; Rashee Rice should be treated as a WR1.
• Fade Keon Coleman and Saints receivers, tech up Brian Thomas Jr. and monitor Jacksonville’s secondary targets.
• Steelers/Colts is dangerous for betting despite appealing numbers, per Pat's caution.
• Expect a return of Halloween memes and vibes—“Suck for Shough” and Lex Luthor jokes included.

Listen if you want: Tactical, stat-driven, and up-to-the-minute fantasy football analysis from a room full of personalities who care as much about the in-jokes as they do about getting your flex rankings right.