The Herd with Colin Cowherd Presents: FantasyPros – The Biggest Fantasy Football Questions For Each Team in Week 9 (Ep. 1812)

Date: November 1, 2025
Host: Ryan Wormley
Guests: Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitz”), Derek Brown (“D-Bro”)

Episode Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Ryan Wormley with analysts Pat Fitzmaurice and Derek Brown, tackles the biggest fantasy football questions for every NFL team in Week 9. The trio offers deep-dive team and player analysis, lineup advice, and strategic insights for upcoming matchups. The tone is light, humorous, and full of sharp opinions, with the hosts even wearing Halloween costumes and sharing some friendly banter before diving into the main slate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ravens at Dolphins – Lamar’s Return and Dolphins Meltdown

• Lamar Jackson’s Performance: Fresh off injury, Lamar threw for 204 yards and 4 TDs (three to tight ends), barely used his legs, reflecting a cautious return. Zay Flowers led targets and yards as usual but remained TD-less.
  • “This was largely the Lamar I would have expected, one that's not running a lot to try and save some of those legs... but just looking like the great passer that he is.” – Wormley (03:30)
• Mark Andrews’ Value: Boomed thanks to two short TDs but caught only two passes. D-Bro and Fitz are both wary.
  • “He's still in the streamer category. But I think I'm going to start ranking Isaiah Likely right behind Mark Andrews…” – Fitz (07:17)
• Dolphins' Offense: Waddle solid with Hill out, but the team repeatedly failed in the red zone. Coaching turmoil highlighted, with McDaniel's job security discussed amid chaos.
• Officiating Woes: Panelists vented about a critical tripping call affecting Dolphins' momentum.
  • “If the Dolphins didn't crap the bed every time they got in the freaking red zone... this game could have been much closer.” – D-Bro (08:08)

2. Bears at Bengals – Caleb Williams in a Get-Right Spot?

• Caleb Williams’ Outlook: Cincinnati’s ailing defense sets up “a perfect storm” for a bounce-back, but D-Bro cautions not to expect an “emphatic” resurgence.
  • “The Bears offense will be much better because of just who they're going against.” – D-Bro (14:08)
• Matchup Flexes: Both Bears’ and Bengals’ RB2s (Swift, Manangai, Perine) touted as strong flexes due to run-friendly defenses.
• Fantasy Debate: Swift prioritized over Nico Collins this week due to opponent and injury status (16:25).
• Picks: Most favor the Bengals at home, but Wormley backs Bears for the upset (17:05).

3. Vikings at Lions – JJ McCarthy’s Trial by Fire

• JJ McCarthy: Tough comeback spot vs. a fierce Lions pass rush and a shaky Vikings O-line. Both D-Bro and Fitz see him as a risky QB2.
  • “Aiden Hutchinson is going to be standing over JJ for a decent part of this game.” – D-Bro (17:35)
• Jordan Addison: Talent keeps him at WR3, but confidence is limited due to QB uncertainty.

4. Packers vs. Panthers – Josh Jacobs a Safe Play?

• Josh Jacobs: Remains a top-10 RB, but reduced snap share and injury are slight red flags. Game script could limit his ceiling, and panel acknowledges a growing role for backup Emmanuel Wilson.
  • “I've Jacobs ranked RB7 which is right on consensus.” – Fitz (23:13)
• Jordan Love vs. Josh Jacobs: Love favored if hoping for a competitive shootout, but Jacobs’ goal-line role keeps him ranked high.

5. Broncos vs. Texans – Bo Nix & RJ Harvey (Caution Flag)

• Bo Nix: Hot streak is matchup-dependent; Houston’s defense is stout, making Nix a fringe QB2 only (QB18-19).
• RJ Harvey: Only worthy of deep-league flex consideration (RB37), as volume isn’t there despite touchdowns.
  • “He's just not getting enough volume. It's just a fact.” – D-Bro (28:39)
• Game Total: Both hosts like the under (40.5) in what could be a low-scoring affair.

6. Falcons at Patriots – The Henderson (RB) Decision

• Trayvon Henderson: If Stevenson sits, Henderson vaults into RB2 range but faces potential committee with Terrell Jennings.
  • “Even last week's big breakout game, Trayvon Henderson still continued the same things that we've been seeing for the entirety of the season... he's still not breaking tackles.” – D-Bro (32:11)
• If Stevenson Plays but is Limited: Henderson hovers as a high-end RB3.
• Fitz’s Take: Excited by scheme tweaks, but skeptical of season-long efficiency; would slot Henderson around RB17 if given lead role.

7. Giants at 49ers – Tracy’s Opportunity as RB16

• Tyrone Tracy: With Cam Scatterboo out, Tracy’s a mid-range RB2 (RB16) expected to approach 20 opportunities and provide RB2 value rest of season.
  • “Tracy's gonna 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.” – D-Bro (36:50)

8. Colts at Steelers – The "Bet of the Year" Debate

• Michael Pittman Jr. vs. DK Metcalf: Both ranked WR10-WR13 range, but Pittman preferred due to Steelers’ poor perimeter D and Colts' high-powered offense.
• Colts -3: Hosts question why line is so low. Fitz warns about fading the Steelers at home post-loss, but Wormley and D-Bro both like Indy.
  • “I think the Colts roll in this game. I don't understand why they're only favored by three points.” – D-Bro (39:17)

9. Chargers at Titans – Ranking Dilemmas

• Shamir DK: Emerging as a PPR option, moving into top-40 consideration.
  • “Wide receiver 11 in PPR scoring over the last two weeks and he might be becoming a thing.” – Fitz (44:28)
• Quentin Johnston: Mired in uncertainty—usage, health, and matchup concerns make him a dart-throw flex.

10. Saints at Rams – Tyler Shuck’s Start Fallout

• Saints Players: Downgraded across the board in Tyler Shuck’s first start. Alave drops from consensus WR20 to WR28 for D-Bro, while Camara is a borderline RB2.
  • “I don't want to play Alvin Camara anymore. RB26. He has 31 or fewer rushing yards in four straight games.” – Fitz (49:15)
• Shuck vs. Rattler: Philosophical difference—Shuck is more aggressive, but in a popgun, turnover-prone way.

11. Jaguars at Raiders – Travis Hunter to IR; BTJ’s Bump

• Travis Hunter out: Brian Thomas Jr. (BTJ) is the main beneficiary, sky-rocketing to WR13-WR15.
• Other Jags WRs: Parker Washington slides into the speculative flex conversation.

12. Chiefs at Bills – The Marquee Matchup

• Rashee Rice: Skyrocketing to elite WR1 status (WR4) after two-game post-injury explosion, over 24 PPR points/game.
  • “In the two games that Rashee Rice has been back, he is the wide receiver one in fantasy points per game.” – D-Bro (56:55)
• Chiefs RBs: Rashard Smith is a mirage, usage fails to materialize with Rice healthy.
• Keon Coleman: Don’t chase the rookie, ranked outside most top-50s.
• Betting: Fitz takes Bills as a home dog; D-Bro leans under 52.5 total.

13. Seahawks at Commanders – RB Plunge

• Walker & Charbonnet: Both RB3s and back-to-back in most ranks; Walker’s red-zone loss is lowering his ceiling.
  • “Ken Walker's season has been just capsized by the fact that he's not getting any red zone usage.” – D-Bro (59:19)

14. Cardinals at Cowboys – Bam Knight “Top 15” Potential

• Bam Knight: Ranks RB19 for both hosts, with talk of moving him to RB15 due to Dallas’ abysmal run defense.
  • “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.” – D-Bro (61:15)
• Trey McBride: No ranking aggression left—simply TE1 overall.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If the Miami Dolphins didn't crap the bed every time they got in the freaking red zone, this game would have been close.”
  – D-Bro (08:08)
• “I'm going to start ranking Isaiah Likely like right behind Mark Andrews, like two spots apart most weeks.”
  – Fitz (07:17)
• “Caleb could just pick his teeth with the Cincinnati defense.”
  – Fitz (12:42)
• “If you had to tell me which guy I want to start, it's emphatically Pittman over DK for me.”
  – D-Bro (39:17)
• “Tyler Shuck—he's a gunslinger, but he's got a pop gun. He's shooting blanks, dude.”
  – D-Bro (50:50)
• “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.”
  – D-Bro (61:15)
• “In the two games that Rashee Rice has been back, he is the wide receiver one in fantasy points per game.”
  – D-Bro (56:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:30: Ravens-Dolphins Recap – Lamar’s Return
• 08:08: Dolphins Offense & Coaching Turmoil
• 12:42: Bears at Bengals – Caleb Williams Bounceback
• 17:35: Vikings at Lions – JJ McCarthy Outlook
• 23:13: Packers vs. Panthers – Josh Jacobs Outlook
• 28:39: Broncos vs. Texans – Bo Nix & RJ Harvey as Fades
• 32:11: Patriots RB Situation – Henderson’s Value
• 36:50: Giants RB Tyrone Tracy’s Week 9 and ROS Value
• 39:17: Colts-Steelers Betting and Pittman/Metcalf Ranks
• 44:28: Titans/Chargers – Shamir DK’s Opportunity
• 49:15: Saints at Rams – Tyler Shuck Impact
• 53:14: Jaguars at Raiders – BTJ Steps Up with Hunter Out
• 56:55: Chiefs at Bills – Rashee Rice’s Ascension, Betting Talk
• 59:07: Seahawks RB Split – Walker vs Charbonnet
• 61:15: Cardinals at Cowboys – Bam Knight as a Top 15 Play

Overall Language & Tone

The episode is energetic, conversational, and opinionated, blending substantive analysis with quick wit and nerdy fantasy football details. The hosts’ rapport and rapid-fire insights make it both actionable and entertaining for fantasy managers seeking an edge in Week 9.

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