The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Eagles-Cowboys Reaction, Spitgate, McCaffrey NOT AGAIN, and Full Week 1 Preview

Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Overview

The trio—Heifetz, Kelly, and Horlbeck—kick off the real fantasy football season with a post-Eagles-Cowboys (Week 1, 2025) reaction episode that hits all the major news and narratives: an eventful game (and lightning delay), "Spitgate" between Jalen Carter and Dak Prescott, the Christian McCaffrey injury bombshell, and a robust, spirited preview of the entire NFL Week 1. Interwoven are debates on fantasy start/sits, power rankings, betting strategies, and their quirky, relatable fantasy meltdowns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eagles-Cowboys: Chaos From the Opening Snap ([03:07]–[22:23])

• Game Recap: Eagles defeat Cowboys 24-20, in a bizarre contest with a 45-minute lightning delay.
• Wild Start: Even before the first snap: McCaffrey calf injury news drops, cart offs on the opening kickoff, and the now-infamous “Spitgate.”
• Game Flow: “There were no fucking points after the goddamn lightning delay.” — Danny Kelly [06:18]
  • First half ended with 41 points; only 3 points were scored in the entire second half.
• Wide Receiver Woes:
  • CeeDee Lamb has several crucial drops late, despite a good game statistically.
  • A.J. Brown: “He had zero targets until, like, the last two minutes of the game.” — Heifetz [08:12]
• Physicality and Emotions: Game defined as much by attitude and chaos as by football.

2. Spitgate: Jalen Carter vs. Dak Prescott ([08:24]–[14:14])

• What Actually Happened:
  • Initial angle: Carter appeared to spit on Dak unprovoked, leading to immediate ejection.
  • On further review: Dak spat near Carter first—“Just spitting at the ground, being like, bitch, like, you’re on the wrong side of the line.” — Heifetz [10:50]
  • Carter retaliates directly, spitting at Dak’s chest plate.
• Debate: Where does spitting rank on the scale of disrespect in football or life?
  “It’s like punching is higher, but, like, spitting is high.” — Craig [12:58]
• Humor & Culture:
  • Callback to infamous "Han shot first" Star Wars controversy.
  • “Should we edit the video to make it look like Jalen Carter spit first?” — Kelly [14:21]
• Fantasy Impact: Jalen Carter’s absence changes the Eagles' defense for the rest of the game.

3. Vibes & Overreactions: Old Guys, Coaches, and Fantasy Meta ([15:14]–[22:09])

• Cowboys vs. Eagles Vibes:
  • Despite losing, Dallas “seems way more competent than I thought” — Kelly [15:26]
  • Coaching, roster moves with Micah Parsons, and Eagles’ O-line injuries analyzed.
• Fantasy Standouts:
  • Javonte Williams, despite only 3.6 ypc, looks healthier; Dallas Goddard gets significant targets; Jalen Hurts does his typical fantasy magic.
  • Hurts stat line: “19 for 23, 152 yards passing, 62 rushing yards, two touchdowns. That is it.” — Heifetz [17:46]
• Coordinator Talk: New Eagles OC called “unremarkable”; Eagles offense, despite good OL protection, was “uninteresting” and “safe.”

4. Christian McCaffrey “NOT AGAIN” ([22:25]–[32:26])

• Timing: McCaffrey’s calf injury bombshell drops moments before the season opener. Hosts are emotionally devastated.
  • “I feel like I got hit by a flashbang in Call of Duty.” — Kelly [03:39]
• Fantasy Fallout:
  • Heifetz cursed by his overexposure: “I actually achieved Jalen Hurts and McCaffrey five times. I didn’t know I could do that…” [24:09]
  • Brian Robinson’s trade to the 49ers now looks crucial if McCaffrey is out.
• Advice:
  • Debate on whether to trade or hold Brian Robinson; discussed his three-down potential for the 49ers.

5. Meta Fantasy Pain & Advice ([32:26]–[33:43])

• The heartbreak of being “all-in” across leagues.
  • “I felt nothing. Nothing. Everything’s over.” — Kelly [32:08]
• Seasonal Lessons:
  • “Don’t trust Kyle Shanahan and draft a running quarterback. And I wish I’d just done one of those things.” — Kelly [32:59]
  • Caution against too many leagues and overexposure to injury-prone stars like CMC.

Week 1 NFL Preview: Major Bets, Picks, and Storylines

6. The Ringer 107 Betting Contest Explained ([34:16]–[36:01])

• The show will compete with all Ringer football podcasts on 107 NFL bets (spreads) through the season.
• Bragging rights (and maybe a trip to Vegas) are on the line.
• “Bill texted the group … and guess who was last? We’re in dead last.” — Heifetz [35:48]

7. Game-by-Game Fantasy & Betting Preview

Chiefs vs. Chargers in Brazil, Friday ([36:39]–[40:13])

• “Week 1 offenses usually stink, so the move is to bet underdogs and points.” — Kelly [37:37]
• Stay-away pick due to travel/field uncertainty and both teams' volatility.

Steelers at Jets (Aaron Rodgers revenge!) ([45:18]–[52:09])

• Heifetz: “I’m excited for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers...Don’t want Kirk Cousins. Don’t want Justin Fields.” [47:09]
• DK: Skeptical of Jets; worries about Rodgers’ slow starts.

Raiders at Patriots (Battle of Vibes) ([52:32]–[55:04])

• Pete Carroll returns to NFL with Chip Kelly OC for Raiders.
• Geno Smith seen as the biggest instant upgrade; Patriots have youth and major projection.

Giants at Commanders ([57:33]–[60:14])

• Heifetz makes sharp case for Giants +5.5: “Washington covered five and a half points literally one time in the last five years.” [58:55]
• Divisional “weirdness” and Russ Wilson optimism make the Giants attractive at this line.

Bucs at Falcons ([61:35]–[64:39])

• Todd Bowles vs. rookie Michael Penix; Bucs favored by 1.5.
• “If Penix beats the Bucs in his first start, cool. That’s all right—I’ll take that L.” — Kelly [63:33]

Bengals at Browns ([64:55]–[67:36])

• Spread stinks: only -5.5, causing suspicion.
• Joe Burrow’s first healthy offseason; Browns start Joe Flacco; Caution, but likely Bengals firepower prevails.

Colts at Dolphins ([73:48]–[76:16])

• “Why the fuck are the Colts favored in this game?” — Heifetz [73:48]
• Dolphins with healthy Tua win 65% of their games; consensus pick.

Other Noteworthy Storylines

• Cam Ward’s tough Titans debut in Denver (Broncos -8.5): “I just don’t love this for Cam Ward.” — Craig [78:46]
• Several games flagged as tossups or stay-aways due to too many variables (new coaches, rookie QBs, banged-up lines).

8. Betting Strategy & Consensus Picks ([96:26]–[103:01])

Final Five Bets Voted On For Ringer 107 (with explanations):

1. Dolphins +1.5 at Colts: Fade Daniel Jones’ new team with healthy Dolphins.
2. Lions +2.5 at Packers: Despite the Packers hype, take Detroit’s proven edge in the matchup.
3. Broncos -8.5 vs. Titans: Rookie Cam Ward’s debut at altitude—bet the house on Denver’s D/Sean Payton.
4. Buccaneers -1.5 at Falcons: Trust Todd Bowles against rookie Michael Penix.
5. Cardinals/Bengals Moneyline Parlay: Both are favored—parlayed for better odds.

• “Bet against rookie QBs and Daniel Jones week 1,” becomes the running theme.
• Emphasis on taking the points; avoid oversimplifying favorites in messy Week 1.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Spitgate:
  “If you spit three times on national television, she [Olivia Wilde] will pop back.” — Kelly [08:54]
  “It’s always the retaliation who reacts. Little brother syndrome.” — Hyperth [11:39]

• On McCaffrey:
  “I think I’m permanently altered as a person. I don’t think I’ll ever be changed.” — Kelly [31:07]

• On Betting & Pain:
  “If Daniel Jones beats us in Week 1, then like, all right, that’s funny. Whatever. I can sleep at night.” — Kelly [76:26]
  “The games I want to bet on are not the games I want to watch. And the games I want to watch are the games I don’t want to bet on.” — Kelly [82:22]

• On Life Lessons:
  “Don’t trust Kyle Shanahan and draft a running quarterback. And I wish I’d just done one of those things.” — Kelly [32:59]

Fun & Weirdness

RedZone Commercial Outrage ([40:10]–[44:46])

• Laments new RedZone commercials:
  “They’re raising the temperature a little bit so you don’t realize when you start sweating.” — Heifetz [40:55]
• Akin to AMC’s CEO justifying more pre-movie ads:
  “We were giving away free money.” — [42:25]

Lefty Snail Saga / British Political Snail Puns ([104:00]–[111:15])

• Craig, as a lefty, is amused by story of a “rare lefty snail seeking another lefty mate.”
• Wild digression into snail copulation logistics, political puns (Jeremy Corbyn = “Jeremy the snail,” attempts to mate with a righty Teresa May).
• “He’s literally an in-shell.” — Kelly [106:56]

Episode Schedule & Resources

• Weekly In-Season Recording:
  • Sunday Recaps (recorded Sunday night)
  • Monday: Waiver Wire + Monday Night Football Reaction (posted Monday night)
  • Wednesday: Power Rankings
  • Friday: Weekly Preview (this show)
• Fantasy Rankings:
  fantasyfootball.theringer.com (weekly ranks updated every Thursday)

Useful Timestamps

• 03:07 – Lightning delay and game’s chaotic open
• 08:24 – Spitgate analysis
• 17:18 – Fantasy fallout for Eagles/Cowboys (Brown, Goddard, Hurts)
• 22:25 – McCaffrey’s injury & fantasy implications
• 35:48 – Ringer 107 betting contest odds
• 45:18 – Rodgers/Steelers preview
• 57:33 – Giants/Commanders divisional spread discussion
• 63:33 – Bucs/Falcons, Bowles vs. Penix
• 73:48 – Betting: Dolphins/Colts, final picks
• 104:00 – Lefty snail sidebar

Tone & Style

In true Ringer Fantasy style: irreverent, ranty, self-deprecating, loaded with meme and pop-culture references, fast-paced debate, and a throughline of commiseration and humor for the fantasy faithful.

Summary for New/Skimming Listeners

The Ringer crew shakes off Week 1’s chaos, picking through wacky real-world NFL headlines (“Spitgate,” CMC’s curse, RedZone’s mini-commercials), offering candid fantasy and betting takes, and previewing every week 1 matchup with both fantasy and gambling angles. Whether you want to win your league or fade the field in a betting pool, the main (and unpredictable) insight: Week 1 is always weirder than you think—so keep your lineups and wagers nimble, and maybe, just maybe, don’t fall in love with the first lefty snail you see.