Footballguys Fantasy Football Show – Week 9 Risers and Fallers (2025)

Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Date: November 3, 2025
Episode Theme:
Quick-hitting, game-by-game breakdown of Week 9 NFL fantasy action, spotlighting player “risers and fallers” for 2025 leagues. Alfredo and Dave mix sharp analysis with some laughs, helping listeners identify league-winning moves as the season heads into its double-digit weeks.

Bears vs. Bengals – “Game of the Year?”

[02:58–07:38]

Key Themes:

• Bears pull out a thrilling last-second win over Bengals in a high-scoring affair.
• Both offenses erupt, with minimal defense—great for fantasy, bad for real-life defenses.

Risers:

• Caleb Williams, Bears QB: Showed poise in a clutch drive; “one of those career-defining wins.” (Alfredo, 03:51)
• Chase Brown, Bengals RB: Unequivocal RB1.
  • “14 targets. Just unbelievable. Love to see that type of volume for a running back…” (Dave, 05:14)
• Colston Loveland, Bears TE: Breakout game, two TDs, operated as primary TE even before Kmet injury.
• Roma Dun (Bears WR): Not explicitly listed as riser (see fallers) but scrutinized for drops despite talent.

Fallers:

• Samaje Perine, Bengals RB: Diminished role, barely involved. “We've just seen the role for Samaje Perine diminish into almost nothing.” (Alfredo, 04:45)
• Bengals Team (NFL perspective): High-scoring yet unable to get a win; first team since 1966 to score 38+ in back-to-back games and lose both. (Alfredo, 06:06)

Notable Quotes:

• “I asked my wife if I could say this...she literally broke into tears when we won that game.” (Dave, 06:42)
• “When both teams are scoring nearly 40 points, it's tough to identify any fallers.” (Dave, 05:53)

Timestamps:

• [04:45] Perine faded, Chase Brown’s volume
• [06:42] High points, but Cincinnati defense killing real-life results

Seahawks vs. Commanders – Emerging Pass Attack and Key Injuries

[08:01–13:01]

Key Themes:

• Sam Darnold on fire early; offense looks dynamic under Kubiak’s system.
• Injuries hit Commanders hard—Jayden Daniels, Luke McCaffrey, Marshon Lattimore.

Risers:

• Tory Horton, Elijah Arroyo, AJ Barner (Seattle): All made the most of expanded opportunity with Cooper Kupp out.
• Seattle TE Room: “...puts both Elijah Arroyo and A.J. Barner in the streaming discussion.” (Dave, 09:36)

Fallers:

• Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet (Seattle RBs): Neither can be trusted as more than flex/RB3.
• Commanders Offense: With Jayden Daniels out, Marcus Mariota’s a big downgrade; “It's just been...really unlucky year.” (Dave, 12:18)

Notables:

• D.J. Turner (CB, CIN) getting attention for shutting down receivers (“big reason that Roma Dun didn’t have a big performance...” —Alfredo, 07:11).

Bills vs. Chiefs – Stark QB Contrast, New WR1?

[13:01–15:40]

Themes:

• Allen dominates with historic efficiency (88.5% comp%), Mahomes struggles (44.1%).

Risers:

• Khalil Shakir, Bills WR: Emerging as set target earner. “Khalil Shakir has been the guy dominating targets...” (Alfredo, 13:59)
• Dalton Kincaid, Bills TE: “Set a career high... Already three top-five finishes.” (Dave, 14:23)

Fallers:

• Keon Coleman (Bills): “I think Keon Coleman is droppable.” (Dave, 13:59)

Packers vs. Panthers – Backfield Clarity and More Kicker Woes

[15:40–19:51]

Key Notes:

• Green Bay’s continued kicking struggles.
• Panthers’ backfield officially shifts—Rico Dowdle takes over from Chuba Hubbard.

Risers:

• Rico Dowdle, Panthers RB: “He's just been too good to ignore...” (Dave, 18:01) “He’s had so many top three finishes and...you didn’t have to spend a lot to get...” (Alfredo, 18:51)
• Christian Watson (GB WR): Re-emerging as team’s WR2.

Fallers:

• Matthew Golden (GB WR): “He does start to give that feeling of just kind of being a roster clogger...” (Dave, 17:12)

Fun Moment:

• Rico Dowdle’s “two-pump” TD celebration flagged, immediately explained/laughed off. [17:48]

Jaguars vs. Raiders – Welcome Back, Brock Bowers

[20:00–26:44]

Key Points:

• “Toilet bowl” game, but major fantasy storylines.

Risers:

• Brock Bowers, Raiders TE: Monster return, immediately top tight end option.
  • “[He] scores more fantasy points this week than anybody has scored in a single game so far this season.” (Dave, 20:35)
• Parker Washington (Jags WR): “Came away from this game more impressed with him than Diami Brown.” (Dave, 25:12)

Fallers:

• Bashal Tootin (Jags RB): “He’s just a stash...it’s not happening.” (Alfredo, 25:12)
• Brian Thomas Jr. (Raiders WR): David notes minimal efficiency/impact.
• Jacksonville RB situation: Only Etienne remains playable; “clearly ETN's backfield.” (Dave, 26:21)

Notable:

• Cam Little kicks 68-yd NFL record FG, then gets tested for PEDs the next day—hosts joke about “steroid era for kickers.” (Alfredo/Dave, 21:30)

Vikings vs. Lions – J.J. McCarthy Steadies, Running Back Headaches

[28:14–32:34]

Rising:

• J.J. McCarthy (Vikings QB): Given breathing room to settle in, hosts advocate for patience with young QBs. “Can we just give these guys some time, please?” (Alfredo, 29:11)
• Aaron Jones (Vikings RB): Riser if healthy, but injury clouds upside.
• David Montgomery, Jameson Williams (Lions): Both flashed, Williams especially late.

Falling:

• Jordan Mason (Vikings RB): “Juxtaposed with Aaron Jones, he just looks so bad...” (Dave, 31:03)
• Jordan Addison (Vikings WR): Usage dip with offense recalibrating.

Rams vs. Saints – TE Usage and Kamara Disappearing

[34:11–37:42]

Key Points:

• Rams deploy heavy 13 personnel (three TEs), four touchdowns from that look.
• “Kamara just looks so despondent...almost feels like he doesn't want to be in New Orleans anymore.” (Dave, 34:24)

Risers:

• Rams TE Group: Multiple players with utility, especially if Puka Nakua is out.
• Rashid Shaheed (NO WR): Target volume up.

Faller:

• Alvin Kamara (NO RB): Usage and body language worrisome.
• Saints Offense: “Just dead in the water.” (Alfredo, 34:11)

Patriots vs. Falcons – Drake London Ascendant

[38:37–41:22]

Main Takeaways:

• Drake London (ATL WR):

  • “I think we have to start thinking of Drake London...top five of wide receivers in the NFL.” (Alfredo, 38:57)
  • “One of the most talented WRs in the NFL...I have Drake London ahead of Jefferson in fantasy.” (Dave, 40:56)
  • Versatility on display, dominating slot work and targets.

• Trayvon Henderson (NE RB): Getting more involved, but Patriots rotation remains frustrating.

• Kayshon Boutte (NE WR): Falls with hamstring injury, expected out (Alfredo, 43:02).

Notable:

• “Michael Penix finally understands the assignment.” (Dave, 41:32): Falcons focusing targets on their stars (London/Bijan/Pitts).

49ers vs. Giants – The Backfield Split Lives

[44:13–46:28]

Risers:

• Devin Singletary (NYG RB): “Annoying thorn in the side...I think we're gonna be stuck in these 50/50 splits...” (Alfredo, 45:14)
• Jauan Jennings (SF WR): “Just playing the X receiver role right now...looking at Jennings as a high-end WR2.” (Dave, 45:36)

Fallers:

• Tyrone Tracy (NYG RB): Expected league-winner, now mired in committee.
• George Kittle (SF TE): Role (and health?) in question. “Maybe we're just looking at still a very injured George Kittle.” (Dave, 46:38)

Broncos vs. Texans – Quiet Game, Franklin Shines

[47:40–49:37]

Riser:

• Troy Franklin (Denver WR):
  • “He’s basically a fantasy WR2 with WR1 type usage...” (Alfredo, 48:18)
  • 28 targets over last three games.

Fallers:

• Texans WRs: Stroud’s injury tanks offense.
• Courtland Sutton (Denver WR): Another near “zero” in a tough CB matchup.

Steelers vs. Colts – Supporting Casts Step Up

[49:37–51:47]

Risers:

• Alec Pierce (IND WR): “He absolutely needs to be rostered...” (Alfredo, 50:35)—WR2 for Colts.
• Michael Pittman (IND WR): “Even with worst usage of his career, putting up career-high touchdowns.” (Dave, 50:40)

Faller:

• DK Metcalf (SEA WR): “Volume has not been there...when touchdowns don't happen, not a big fantasy performance.” (Alfredo, 51:21)

Chargers vs. Titans – RB Pendulum

[52:21–55:16]

Risers:

• Jarrett Patterson (LAC RB): “Looked good as game went on and Patterson took over...” (Alfredo, 52:21)
• Ronde Gadsden (LAC TE): “Rising every single week...got him as my TE6 ROS.” (Dave, 53:54)

Fallers:

• Kamani Vidal (LAC RB): Ineffective, might lose work as Marian Hampton nears return.
• Lad McConkey (LAC WR): Boom-bust, remains startable for upside only.

Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

• “Can we just give these guys some time, please?” – Alfredo, advocating patience for rookies like J.J. McCarthy. [29:11]
• “You can't put the genie back in the bottle...Rico Dowdle is just too good to ignore.” – Alfredo on Panthers’ new lead RB. [19:09]
• “League winner at this point... so many top 3 finishes [for Doudle].” – Alfredo, 18:51.
• “Michael Penix finally understands the assignment: Get the ball to your best players.” – Dave, 41:32.

Summary Table – Risers & Fallers (Concise)

| Game | Risers | Fallers | |-------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------| | Bears/Bengals | Chase Brown, Loveland | Perine, Bengals D, Roma Dun | | Seahawks/Comm. | Horton, Barner, Arroyo | Walker/Charbonnet, WAS O | | Bills/Chiefs | Shakir, Kincaid | Keon Coleman | | Packers/Panthers | Rico Dowdle, C. Watson | Matthew Golden | | Jaguars/Raiders | Bowers, Washington | Tootin, Thomas Jr., Jags RBs | | Vikings/Lions | J.J. McCarthy, A. Jones | Mason, Addison | | Rams/Saints | Rams TEs, Shaheed | Kamara, NO offense | | Pats/Falcons | Drake London, Henderson | K. Boutte | | 49ers/Giants | Singletary, Jennings | Tracy, Kittle | | Broncos/Texans | Franklin | Texans WRs, Sutton | | Steelers/Colts | Pierce, Pittman | Metcalf | | Chargers/Titans | Patterson, Gadsden | Vidal, McConkey |

Additional Insights

• Drake London’s leap: From frustrating asset to bona fide top-5 WR.
• Rico Dowdle listed as possible league-winner RB, “genie out the bottle.”
• Brock Bowers looks like a second-half destroyer—trade for him if possible.
• Dalton Kincaid: “Set and forget” TE1, boom/bust profile typical for year.
• Saints offense: Kamara a cautionary tale for “checked out” veterans on bad teams.

Episode Wrap-Up

[56:13–End]

• Hosts tease next episode: Waiver Wire Week 10.
• Reminder to watch/subscribe/comment to YouTube or listen on Apple, Spotify.
• “We flew through this episode—all the Week 9 action recapped...” (Alfredo)

For more context, weekly rankings, streaming advice, and injury updates, catch the Footballguys Fantasy Football Show on your favorite platform, or join the discussion on YouTube!