Footballguys Fantasy Football Show — Week 9 Matchups with Corey Spala (Oct 31, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this engaging Week 9 preview, Dave Kluge welcomes longtime friend and Footballguys contributor Corey Spala to break down the juiciest fantasy football matchups, spotlight emerging and fading players, provide actionable start-sit advice, and detour into a riotous, rapid-fire session of budget food hot takes. The conversation is sharp, stat-heavy, and consistently entertaining, featuring everything from deep-dive tight end insights to personal gripes about chipotle and hot dogs.

1. Opening Banter and Vikings-Lions Breakdown

Timestamp: 01:00–07:16

• Welcome & Banter
  Dave jokes about scheduling mishaps before kicking things off with a look at Vikings-Lions, focusing on the potential impact of a J.J. McCarthy start for Minnesota.

  • "Corey has been sitting here waiting on me for 20 minutes like a true unprofessional as I was just sitting around doing absolutely nothing." — Dave Kluge (01:58)

• J.J. McCarthy's Influence on Vikings Pass Catchers

  • Corey expects little difference between McCarthy and Wentz but notes upgraded support with Addison, Jefferson, and Hockenson healthy.
  • Dave emphasizes Justin Jefferson as a prime buy-low candidate despite low TD numbers.
  • "There’s a lot of hubbub about McCarthy... He's a young kid. I’m still waiting to see what he can do." — Dave (03:12)

• Jordan Mason: Drop or Hold?

  • Corey: Has only produced via touchdowns — too touchdown-dependent, fading with Aaron Jones back.
  • Dave: In shallower leagues, fine to drop him; deeper benches can hold.

• Lions Offense Dilemmas

  • Jameson Williams Usage
    Corey cites misfit between player skills and Goff’s game, with zero receptions on 55 go routes—suggesting possible role misalignment and uncertainty after coaching changes.
    • "He’s run 55 go routes, which is the highest of his career. He has yet to have a single reception on those routes." — Corey (05:12)
  • Jahmyr Gibbs vs. David Montgomery
    Expecting a ~60/40 usage split with Gibbs remaining the reception leader. Montgomery should see more carries, but Gibbs “blossoming into one of the best running backs in fantasy football.”
    • “I’ll still imagine you gotta give Gibbs majority of those touches and continue this 60/40ish split.” — Corey (06:41)

2. Chargers-Titans: Rookie Skill Player Spotlight

Timestamp: 07:16–16:41

• Aronda Gadsden’s Breakout at Tight End
  Corey lauds him as “the real deal”: mismatch nightmare, high route participation, and lining up all over the formation.

  • “One of three tight ends that has over an 80 receiving grade. The other two are Tucker Kraft and Trey McBride.” — Corey (08:14) Dave worries about long-term if he keeps avoiding blocking assignments (“the Kyle Pitts problem”) but likes the fantasy upside.

• Quentin Johnston Conundrum
  With Gadsden’s rise, Johnston’s usage—and production—has cratered.

  • Corey: “Don’t really want anything to do with him now...just not a consistent bet anymore.” (10:03)
  • Dave: Don’t panic sell; hold unless you get a strong offer due to hamstring re-injury.

• Titans WR Hierarchy
  Both Ayo Menor and DK are seeing volume, but DK’s slot role and snaps (incl. return yards) make him more favorable, especially in return-yardage leagues.

• Pollard vs. Taj Spears in Titans Backfield
  Corey: Would rather have Spears' "juice" than dusty veteran Pollard, especially if touches or health tips the split.

  • Dave relates to old Pollard (spell to Zeke) vs. new Pollard (dusty vet).

3. Bears-Bengals: Tight Ends & Quarterback Dissection

Timestamp: 16:41–22:02

• Colson Loveland (CHI TE) as a Streamer
  Corey’s optimistic if injuries open pathways; Bengals have been repeatedly gashed by TEs.
  • "In the streaming discussion... Colson Loveland this week does have a very nice matchup.” — Dave (17:54)
• QB Caleb Williams: Panic or Patience?
  • Corey is unshakably pro-Caleb: sees real growth despite stats lagging.
• Bengals WR T. Higgins: QB Impact
  Both monitor Joe Flacco’s AC Joint injury, which could seriously impact Higgins by limiting downfield throws.
  • "If Flacco doesn’t have the arm strength in this matchup... we could be looking at a lot more underneath work." — Dave (22:02)

4. Chiefs-Bills: RB & TE Deep Dives

Timestamp: 22:02–29:29

• KC Backfield Post-Pacheco
  • Corey expects Kareem Hunt to be the short-yardage hammer, but Rashaad Smith offers significant pass-game value if the script flips.
    • “Wouldn’t be surprising for Hunt... to be a good ol’ 15 carry, 40 yards, 3 touchdown game. Smith can hopefully continue to be utilized with that pass catching ability.” — Corey (23:15)
• Travis Kelce: Still Top-Tier?
  • Both agree he’s no longer in a “solo tier above all,” but remains an auto-start “better than most” option.
• Dalton Kincaid Caution
  • Corey: Chiefs are top-5 at limiting TEs, so don’t expect ceiling.
  • Stat: Kincaid is top-3 in YPRR vs. man, top-4 vs. zone among all NFL receivers.
• Khalil Shakir: The Boom That Never Comes?
  • Strong floor (low total opportunity), but the big game never arrives despite WR1 role. Corey would start him over high-variance guys like Jameson Williams and Xavier Worthy.

5. Jags-Raiders: WR & RB Debates

Timestamp: 29:29–36:17

• Travis Hunter vs. Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Raiders

  • Corey: If healthy, Hunter’s target volume and role dominance give him the edge.
    • “Travis Hunter is the superior wide receiver. Thomas...is a better complement to a WR1 like Hunter.” — Corey (30:50)
  • Dave compares the dynamic to prime Lockett and Metcalf.

• Travis Etienne’s Value

  • Early workload was unsustainable; now working at expectation after early outperformance.
  • “He just likely has come back down to what we all originally thought he is going to be.” — Corey (33:39)

• Brock Bowers' Return

  • Instant start, top-2 option at TE. “He is essentially a wide receiver... creates mismatch at the position even against cornerbacks.” — Corey (34:19)

6. Saints-Rams: Offensive Evolution and RB Confidence

Timestamp: 36:17–41:59

• Tyler Shuck’s Impact in NO

  • Could bring more deep shots, but pressure-heavy Rams and entrenched scheme may limit ceiling.

• Alvin Kamara Nervousness

  • Despite clear backfield, reduced role and passing usage under Kellen Moore curb enthusiasm.
    • “He’s seeing a historic...low in screens and backfield flares. This new offense and the lack of receptions is kind of what we're missing.” — Corey (39:41)

• Davante Adams With Puka Nacua Back

  • Should maintain solid target share, safe WR2 with 12-point floor.

• Blake Corum: Only a Desperate Flex

  • Not enough touches, purely touchdown dependent.

7. Notable Quotes & Fun Moments

Throughout

On Fast Food Takes (42:45–49:59)

• Corey launches an epic, hilarious rant against “overrated” chains, defends underrated options, dishes food hacks, and draws hard lines on issues like Chicago pizza, hot dogs, and digital coupons.
  • “Raising Canes and Chick-fil-A are overrated. Needing a sauce to make the chicken better does not mean it’s good.” — Corey (42:45)
  • “Arby’s, it’s totally fine. I don’t know where this hate is. Arby’s, essentially the Nickelback of fast food.” — Corey (44:10)
  • “McDonald’s coffee is better than Starbucks.” — Corey (45:15)
  • “Ordering a double cheeseburger and adding Mac sauce and lettuce is cheaper than ordering a Big Mac.” — Corey (46:52)

Nostalgia/Callbacks

• Dave reminisces about old livestreams and fantasy interventions with Corey, emphasizing the power of camaraderie and consistency in growing within the fantasy industry. (50:33–51:22)

8. Rapid Start/Sit and Trade Calls (Collated)

• Justin Jefferson: Buy-low everywhere. Don’t downgrade for QB change.
• Jordan Mason: Drop in shallow leagues. Hold only if bench is deep.
• Jameson Williams: Not startable (gadget role, but could spike).
• Quentin Johnston: If you get value, sell; otherwise, hold (slowly fading).
• DK (Titans WR): Priority waiver; value further boosted if your league counts return yards.
• Taj Spears vs. Pollard: Prefer Spears for ROS upside.
• Colson Loveland (CHI TE): Start in deep or streaming formats (TE14).
• Caleb Williams: Startable streamer, not plug-and-play QB1.
• T. Higgins: Monitor QB health for ceiling.
• Kelce: Top-3 TE ROS, but not at his old record-setting tier.
• Kincaid: Start if needed, but expectations should be tempered.
• Brock Bowers: Auto-start.
• Blake Corum: Only a low-ceiling, TD-dependent flex.

9. Listener Takeaways

• The hosts’ blend of deep data (routes, YPRR, snap shares) and actionable pragmatism (drop/hold/stream advice) covers most core questions for Week 9 players.
• Awareness around key injuries (e.g., Joe Flacco’s AC joint, Travis Hunter’s knee) and return scenarios (Pacheco out, Bowers in) informs critical start/sit moves.
• An extended food hot-takes segment reveals as much about the hosts’ personalities as it does about fast-casual tactics; food hacks like “double cheeseburger + mac sauce saves $2” may in fact be as league-winning as their fantasy calls.

10. Important Timestamps

• Vikings-Lions, J.J. McCarthy & Justin Jefferson: 02:36–04:10
• Jameson Williams, Lions WRs: 05:12–06:41
• Breakout TE Aronda Gadsden: 07:58–08:56
• Quentin Johnston / Chargers Snap Analysis: 10:03–11:21
• Bears TE Colson Loveland Streaming: 17:10–17:54
• Caleb Williams’ Outlook: 18:58–19:53
• T. Higgins Value with Injured Flacco: 20:58–22:02
• KC Backfield Debate (Hunt vs. Smith): 23:15–24:16
• Khalil Shakir WR Rankings: 27:56–29:29
• Travis Hunter vs. Brian Thomas Jr.: 30:25–31:36
• Brock Bowers Returns: 34:19–35:02
• Tyler Shuck Saints QB Change: 37:46–39:06
• Fast Food Hot Takes: 42:45–50:19

11. Ending Call to Action

• Football Plug:
  Corey primarily posts in Footballguys chats, specializes in tight ends, and runs "Yayrock Media" on YouTube for comedy edits.
• Appetizing Parting Wisdom:
  “Download fast food apps. There is no reason that you should just be going into a drive thru and ordering your food…1995 prices on the app in 2025.” — Dave (48:50)

Summary:
This episode packs insight, specifics, and humor into every segment. If you need sharp Week 9 lineups or want to argue burgers, fries, or pizza in your group chat, Dave and Corey load you with data and plenty of spicy takes. Don’t miss the detailed TE coverage, nuanced injury/player projections, or the “menu of value” at the end — football advice and a fast-food savings guide all in one.