The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Vikings-Bears Reaction + Week 2 Waivers

Date: September 9, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This episode covers a spirited recap of the Vikings' dramatic win over the Bears on Monday Night Football, featuring an in-depth debate over the trajectories of quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Caleb Williams. The crew then breaks down the market for Week 2 fantasy football waiver adds, with detailed discussion and analysis on key rookie performances (especially those from the Cleveland Browns), significant injury fallout (notably to George Kittle and Xavier Worthy), and which widely available players could shape the fantasy season. Lively banter, pop-culture references, and trivia add flavor, along with a recurring argument over NFL time zones.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Vikings-Bears Recap and QB Debate (02:00–25:30)

Main Questions:

• Who would you rather build around long-term: J.J. McCarthy or Caleb Williams?
• What does Week 1 tell us about their outlooks – on and off the field?

Discussion Highlights

• McCarthy vs. Williams — The “First Take” Style Debate:

  • Craig: "Right now you have J.J. McCarthy or Caleb Williams. Who are you picking?" (02:16)
  • DK: “McCarthy looked like absolute dog shit for the first, like, three quarters... then turned it on in the fourth quarter... I’m starting to lose my faith in Caleb Williams a little bit, I would say.” (02:24–02:51)
  • Heifetz, on McCarthy’s intangibles: “It was the intangible stuff...you could feel it on the sideline that the offensive linemen like J.J...it felt like a more cohesive team.” (03:53)
  • Criticism of Caleb: teammates not celebrating with him, detached body language (“Caleb did not do that...did like a thing with Zaccheaus and then went and sat down alone.” – Craig, 04:45)

• Broadcast Anecdotes and Narrative Building:

  • The contrast between McCarthy’s visible sideline leadership and Williams’ more isolated demeanor seen as significant by the group, albeit “incredibly anecdotal” as DK reminds. (05:10–05:31)

Performance Analysis

• J.J. McCarthy:
  • Struggled early (56 yards, 3 quarters), horrendous pick-six, but three TDs in fourth; “First player since Cam Newton with 2+ passing and 1 rushing TD in debut.” (24:21)
  • “First QB to overcome a 10-point deficit in 4th qtr of their debut since Steve Young.” (24:31)
• Caleb Williams:
  • Hot out of the gate (completed 10 straight passes), showed improved pocket discipline but flagged for poor pre-snap and motion execution (“four false starts in the first half...his cadence was weird...trouble motioning receivers” – Heifetz, 09:02)
  • Perplexing recurring struggles to motion receivers, notably in critical Hail Mary play at end.

Behind-the-Scenes Bears Drama

• Discussion of a major GoLongTD report (Tyler Dunne) detailing accusations from 32+ anonymous sources on Williams’ preparation, leadership, and learning issues, including rumors about hidden dyslexia and poor relationships in the building. (10:06–17:10)
  • “I actually can’t believe how many things I wrote down that I was shocked by in this article.” – Heifetz (11:02)
  • Much skepticism (gross, gossipy, but “directionally correct”), with consensus that “truth is somewhere in the middle.” (15:07, 15:47, 22:44)
  • Repeated point: it’s only Week 1; judgement should be reserved but red flags noted.

Notable Quotes

• DK: “I just don’t know, like, if it was his fault. That’s what happened. That’s all.” (20:11)
• Craig: “If this was Week 8, I’d be very concerned. Right now...it’s probably going to be a long process...Ben Johnson’s offense is complex.” (13:34)

2. Critical Game Moments and Coaching Blunders (28:46–30:34)

The Bears’ Late-Game Clock Mismanagement:

• Craig incredulous that Bears failed to kick the ball out-of-bounds with 2:02 left, costing valuable time and a legitimate comeback shot.
  • “That’s a massive blunder. Massive...like potentially game-losing.” (30:12–30:15)
• Heifetz speculates: either the kicker missed the assignment or lacked the leg — but “this is the epitome of special teams what-not-to-do reel.” (30:01–31:00)

3. Week 2 Waivers: Running Backs (33:02–44:56)

Consensus RB #1: Dylan Sampson (Browns)

• “Eight catches in your debut is nuts. That’s the hardest way for a rookie to get onto the field.” – Heifetz (33:56, 35:54)
• DK: “They are looking towards him when he’s running routes, when he’s on the field. He also had 12 carries, so he had 20 touches.” (34:11)
• Usage context: Ford/Judkins still above him on depth now, but role likely to grow (Quinshon Judkins complicated by possible looming suspension). (34:53–36:46)

Other Names Discussed

• Trey Benson (Cardinals): more than expected Week 1 split with James Conner. “I like Trey Benson. His rookie year wasn’t encouraging, but I like the usage.” – DK (41:04)
• Bashuel (Ba’Shul) Tootin (Jaguars): lottery-ticket speedster, possible season-long upside if Etienne falters. (41:43–44:05)
• Others lightly touched: DJ Giddens (Colts), LaQuint Allen (Jags), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Tank Bigsby (Eagles, now Barkley’s backup).

DK’s drop advice: “Can you drop Caleb Johnson?...I doubt there’s another player on your roster more cuttable right now.” (44:45)

4. Week 2 Waivers: Wide Receivers (45:00–59:30)

Names Debated

• Cedric Tillman (Browns): “Played 88% of snaps – they were scheming plays for him! Talent is undeniable.” – DK (45:35)
• Hollywood Brown (Chiefs): “16 targets, 99 yards – and with Worthy’s [shoulder] injury, he absorbs a monster role.” – Heifetz (47:31)
  • Coach-speak alert: Media parsing of “day by day” vs “day to day” on Xavier Worthy’s injury (48:41)
• Quentin Johnston (Chargers): Best fantasy week (5/79/2), but target volume is whack-a-mole due to offense’s options (54:04)
• Elic Ayomanor (Titans): “If Cam Ward is decent, I think he’ll be solid and could be very good…top 10 in first read target share in NFL debut.” – Craig (54:16)
• Kayshon Boutte (Patriots):
  • “He’s running in two-WR sets; led the Pats in routes. Low-key could be their No. 1 by default.” (57:54)
  • “If you trust Drake Maye at all, Boutte as the WR1 is a free lotto ticket.” – Heifetz (58:03)
• Calvin Austin (Steelers): “PPR floor; the Deontay Johnson cosplay – will rack up targets.” (55:37)

Tiered Takeaway

• “Quentin Johnston is the obvious pick for production, but if you get Kayshon Boutte, you might get better longer-term.” – Heifetz (58:59)
• “It’s a huge week for receivers – I’d rather hit on these guys for season-long than gamble on backup RBs.” – Group consensus (59:44)

5. Week 2 Waivers: Tight Ends (63:28–79:34)

Top Add (if available): Kyle Pitts (Falcons)

• “If Drake London misses time, Pitts could finally break through. Has good rapport with Penix.” — Craig (63:50)

Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns):

• “He led college football in catches – not just TEs. And in his first NFL game: lead snap rate, schemed targets, nine looks from Flacco.” – DK (64:58–65:55)
• “He’s essentially the Browns’ WR3, a chess ‘joker piece’… I think he could be the pickup of the year if Njoku is traded or misses time.” – Heifetz (68:56)
• Caution on Browns Overload: “What’s wrong with us…? We almost had three rookies from their offense as top waivers.” – Craig (70:23)

Other Names:

• Brenton Strange (Jags): “80% snap rate, 4/60 line, faces a Bengals D just shredded by TEs. I think he’s the most ‘startable’ next week.” – Craig (77:15)
• Juwan Johnson (Saints): “Legit 99% snap rate while Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau are out. 11 targets, 8/75.” (76:22)
• Michael Mayer (Raiders): Contingent value if Brock Bowers’ injury lingers: finally looking like an NFL contributor.
• Longer shots: Mason Taylor (Jets, slow start but high camp buzz), Jonnu Smith (Steelers, Arthur Smith's favorite).

6. QB & Defense Wavier Strategy (80:00–84:00)

Quarterbacks:

• Target Daniel Jones (off huge week, season-long legs), Michael Penix Jr. (volume), and, if Giants sink or Wilson flops, stash Jackson Dart. (81:00–81:37)

Defenses:

• Top streaming targets:
  • Seahawks (if available)
  • Bills (Jets, Dolphins, winnable schedule, high availability due to Week 1 drop)
  • Packers (defense on the rise with great coordinators)
  • Rams (vs Titans’ rookie QB, Cam Ward)
  • Titans (vs potentially crippled Rams O-line)
• Bucs vs Houston: Noting Houston’s “offensive line just sucks.” (82:57)
• Patriots/Titans: Not huge upside but have a few plus matchups.

7. Memorable Moments & Quotes

Notable Quotes:

• "It is crazy what double-digits will do for your mental health in fantasy. The difference between 9 points and 10 points is monumental." — Heifetz (64:32)
• "If Tyson Bagent did what Caleb did tonight, we'd all say that's a backup performance." — Craig (22:55)
• "The Browns are the Cleveland Waivers...every year it's like, am I adding Cedric Tillman, Jerome Ford, or which random guy now?" — Craig (36:46)
• "16 targets on a Chiefs team with no options? Even five weeks of Rashee Rice out, I'll take Hollywood Brown." — Heifetz (47:31)

Pop Culture & Running Jokes

• Time zone rants and regional culture clashes (86:00–91:00): “It just boils over...and then once in a while you guys say ‘morning games’ and all the rage of three weeks...comes out.” — Heifetz (89:59)
• Food talk: Debates about Applebee’s samplers/calories, mozzarella pronunciation, death row last meals (71:06–73:54)
• Snail trivia, chess metaphors, and the perils of learning board games as an adult.
• Ludacris’ chicken-and-beer restaurant as in-airport cultural touchstone (93:17–94:02)

Trivia Segments

• “How many teeth does a snail have?” (thousands, nobody wins.)
• “Distance from Moscow to Pyongyang?” (Craig’s awful guess triumphs; confirms knowing less helps.)
• “How many calories in Applebee’s sampler?” (DK’s calorie-awareness comes through.)

8. Lightning Fantasy Waiver List

Running Back Priorities

1. Dylan Sampson (Browns)
2. Trey Benson (Cardinals)
3. Ba’Shul Tootin (Jags)
4. LaQuint Allen (Jags; deeper)
5. Tank Bigsby (Eagles, Barkley backup)
6. DJ Giddens (Colts—monitor Taylor’s health)

Wide Receiver Priorities

1. Cedric Tillman (Browns)
2. Hollywood Brown (Chiefs)
3. Quentin Johnston (Chargers)
4. Calvin Austin (Steelers; PPR)
5. Kayshon Boutte (Patriots; breakout watch)
6. Elic Ayomanor (Titans; deep/rookie upside)
7. Josh Palmer (Bills)

Tight End Priorities

1. Kyle Pitts (Falcons)
2. Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns, home-run stash)
3. Brenton Strange (Jags, Week 2 usability)
4. Juwan Johnson (Saints, 1-month stream)
5. Michael Mayer (Raiders, if Bowers is out)
6. Jonnu Smith (Steelers; Arthur Smith factor)

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Lively banter with stats-driven analysis, group ribbing, and deep dives into rookie rankings, QB personality diagnoses, and NFL organizational chaos.
• Cautious approach: "It’s Week 1, boring but we’ll see" is a frequent refrain; advice reflects both upside swings and floor plays.
• Cultural flourishes — pop culture, food, and trivia segments keep the show approachable even amid deep football wonkiness.

Time-Stamped Navigation

| Segment | Description | Timestamp | | ------- | ---------- | --------- | | Opening banter/scheduling | Ringer show schedule, listener reminders | 00:00–01:00 | | Monday Night Football Recap | Vikings-Bears, QB debate | 01:58–25:30 | | Bears coaching/blunder | Bears’ clock mistake | 28:46–31:00 | | RB Waivers | Priority adds and rationale | 33:02–44:56 | | WR Waivers | Key injuries, target volume, breakout candidates | 45:00–59:30 | | TE Waivers | Kittle fallout, rookie/underrated plays | 63:28–79:34 | | QB/Defense Streamers | Streaming, deep-league upside | 80:00–84:00 | | Off-topic segment | Time zone/Applebee’s/trivia/rants | 86:00–98:13 | | Closing reflections | Signoff, emails, social plugs | 91:44–end |

Final Thoughts

Key actionable advice for listeners:

• Prioritize the elite WR waiver crop this week (Tillman, Hollywood Brown, Quentin Johnston, Boutte) over the thin RB pool.
• Monitor Browns rookies for true breakout potential, but avoid overexposure.
• At TE, take home runs (Fannin) or short-term usage (Brenton Strange/Juwan Johnson), especially in light of Kittle’s injury.
• Don’t overreact to one week: the Bears/Caleb Williams drama will linger, but real verdicts will evolve over time.

Contact/Interactive:

• Submit Fantasy Court/trivia questions via ringerfantasyfootball@gmail.com
• Follow on Instagram/TikTok @ringerfantasyfootball
• Waiver wire rankings: fantasyfootball.300.com