The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 10 Preview: Philly Tush Push Revenge, Now-or-Never Trevor, Drake vs. Baker, 49ers-Rams Part 2, and Atoms Can’t Touch
Date: November 7, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This Week 10 Preview episode covers all the key matchups for NFL Sunday, focusing on fantasy football insights, pivotal player and coaching situations, and meta-discussion on league-wide narratives. The guys blend granular fantasy talk, friendly banter, and some classic Ringer digressions—highlighting everything from the Tush Push controversy to quantum physics and unexpected player rivalries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening: NFL & Fantasy Headlines

• Tragic News: The hosts open with the death of Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Neilon, highlight the suicide hotline (988), and transition to football with appropriate gravity.
• [03:00] International Game Advisory: With the Colts vs. Falcons in Berlin, the guys remind listeners to set their lineups on Saturday, especially West Coasters and league commissioners.
  • Craig (04:15): “If you were in a league where, I don't know, Michael Pittman is ruled out at the last second and you're asleep...allow that person to retroactively swap somebody in.”

2. Germany Game: Colts vs. Falcons

• Colts Favored (-6.5): Sauce Gardner just acquired, but unclear how much he’ll play.
• Colts Turnover Bounce Back: Danny Kelly highlights Steelers’ split-field coverage as what threw Indy off last game.
• Fantasy Advice: Play the stars: Bijan, Taylor, Pittman (if healthy), Kyle Pitts, Downs.
• Michael Penix’s Evaluation:
  • Craig (09:36): “I think Panics has like five plays a game where he looks great...still makes stupid decisions...pretty green.”
• Offensive Line Trouble for ATL: Multiple OL injuries; DeForest Buckner OUT for Colts.
• Drake London’s Ascension: Could become an “80/20 jump ball guy,” joining “Jefferson, Evans, Higgins...Drake London is in that club now” (Danny Kelly, 12:02).

3. Patriots at Buccaneers: “Drake vs. Baker”

• Both have stout run defenses; Bucs cooled off after injury waves.
• Baker Mayfield’s Decline:
  • From 12 TD/1 INT first 6 games to 1 TD/1 INT, 28% success rate last 2 games.
• Running Backs Dilemma: Rashad White—good receiving back, but faces Patriots’ run D (no 50+ yd rusher allowed all year). Treyvon Henderson—likely lead back with upside due to Bucs blitzing Drake May.
  • Danny Kelly (15:55): “I do think Henderson’s gonna have a good week...he’s gonna have to get the ball out...Henderson’s gonna get a lot of touches.”
• QB Under Pressure Matchup: Drake May’s sack rate is 2nd-worst in NFL—Bucs are 8th in sacks.
• Leaning Patriots: Panel likes New England in a tight one, given Bucs’ injury troubles.
  • Craig (18:29): “I think I would lean New England.”

4. Ravens at Vikings: “Career Defining for JJ McCarthy”

• McCarthy’s Mindset Discourse:
  • Craig (20:08): “It's only cool when it works, it's only cool when you win...should just be normal.”
  • Heifetz (20:34): “Tremendous amount of early career Russell Wilson Energy.”
• Ravens “Knife Through Butter”: Lamar returned last week (limited running but, “so efficient”), defense now back to “juggernaut” form.
  • Craig (25:21): “I’m fully back on board of the Ravens being a juggernaut again.”
• Ravens Defense Surge: From “dead last to 3rd-best in points per drive last 3 weeks.”
• Running Backs: Aaron Jones banged up for MIN; more 50/50 rush/pass for McCarthy starts.
• Panel Consensus: Prefer Ravens’ stability, healthy Lamar; wary of run-limited Vikings attack.
  • Danny Kelly (29:21): “I’m taking Lamar over JJ McCarthy and if I lose, I lose.”

5. Bills at Dolphins: “Bills—Lions of This Year?”

• Bills Defense Decimated: Key injuries at DE, DT, CB, S, etc.—team now in shootout mode.
• Lack of Superstars (non-Allen):
  • Danny Heifetz (34:53): “Maybe I’m forgetting somebody, but they don’t have any other superstars other than Josh Allen. It’s Josh Allen and a bunch of role players.”
• Fantasy Take:
  • Shakir & Kincaid rising, James Cook must-play; Bills may throw a ton to overcome D injuries.
• Miami’s “Coach Firing Bump”?:
  • Not really, says the team; GM firings ≠ locker room movers.
• AFC Parity:
  • Craig (34:11): “If you have to put your house on it, who’s winning the Super Bowl? I don’t know.”

6. Jaguars at Texans: “Now-or-Never Trevor”

• Jags Only Favored by 1.5 vs. Davis Mills-led Texans:
  • Craig (37:25): “This is an embarrassing line for Jacksonville. Embarrassing. Davis Mills fucking sucks and you’re favored by one and a half points.”
  • Texans, also down starting kicker.
• Jaguars WR Woes: Top two out, new addition Jacoby Myers.
• Fantasy:
  • Parker Washington is a desperation play.
• Narrative: Trevor Lawrence must avoid game-changing mistakes.

7. Other Notable Matchups & Observations

• Giants at Bears:
  • Jaxson Dart is “impressive” but the Bears run the ball well and NYG's run D is depleted. Bears favored by 4.5; Loveland vs. Kmet is a TE dilemma.
• Saints at Panthers:
  • Panthers’ run game (Rico Dowdle a “must start”) is their identity. Saints’ stars (Kamara, Olave) are fading.
  • Heifetz (56:34): “Kamara feels like he’s just mailing it in. He’s ready to retire.”
• Rams at 49ers:
  • Rams are “just firing on all cylinders,” Niners defense is decimated.
  • Kelly (58:44): “I kind of think the Rams are going to kick the shit out of them.”
  • Heifetz (59:46): “The Niners are just absolutely decimated...everyone is now hurt.”
  • Christian McCaffrey’s wild usage: 432-touch pace (!).
• Seahawks at Cardinals:
  • Cardinals are more competitive than record suggests; Brissett effect.
  • Danny Kelly (69:20): “Preposterous—never happened before in NFL history” re: JSN’s 4.5 yards/route run pace.
• Lions at Commanders:
  • Lions “run up the score” candidate. Commanders, with Mariota, are unplayable in fantasy.
• SNF: Steelers at Chargers:
  • Home crowd edge for Steelers, Chargers O-line is vulnerable. Herbert has been “fantastic” but pressured most in NFL.
  • Craig (73:41): “There will be more Steelers fans there than Chargers fans.”
  • Mike Tomlin “rope-a-dope” game expected.
  • Conversation shifts to jersey aesthetics, yellow pants, Ben Roethlisberger’s post-career takes.
• **MNF: Eagles at Packers—Tush Push Vengeance
  • Packers spearheaded Tush Push ban proposal.
  • Kelly (79:50): “If you think the Eagles are not going to run up six straight touchdowns...fucking shove the ball up Green Bay’s ass this week, I...”
  • Line is Packers -2.5: Panel astounded, want to alt-bet Eagles by 10+.

8. Betting, Ringer 107 Segment

• Picks: Lions big over Washington, Eagles over Packers, Panthers over Saints, Ravens over Vikings, Patriots over Bucs.
• Panel Toys With “All Eagles Alt Spreads” as a joke(83:06).

9. Fan Q&A: Physics Tangent — “Atoms Can’t Touch”

• Why can’t we put our hand through a table?
  • Electron repulsion and Pauli exclusion mean the atoms in your hand never actually “touch” the atoms of the table. Texture = force feedback from electron repulsion.
• Kelly (90:59): “That feels insane, but that is what [the physicist] is saying.”
• The guys wrestle humorously with science, bemused and incredulous.

10. Classic Ringer/Epiphany Banter

• Notable Quotes:
  • Craig (20:08): “It’s only cool when it works, it’s only cool when you win…should just be normal.”
  • Kelly (23:21): “Oh, it’s 100% the right answer—Lamar [Jackson, least performative QB].”
  • Heifetz (81:40): “I love the amount of pettiness among coaches and players.”
• Pop Culture Sidebars:
  • Dune, Call of Duty movies, Taylor Sheridan, actor/musician/athlete “Paul Newman Effect” (who’s famous in one field but next gen knows for another).
  • Shoutouts to ancient Greek atomists (Lucretius), SNL, George Foreman grills, famous career pivots.
• Memorable banter:
  • “When I stab you with a knife, I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s actually the repelling force…’”
  • Craig: “Nothing is ever touching.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:00 — Germany game and lineup setting
• 12:22 — Patriots at Buccaneers running back debate
• 18:20 — Game picks: lean Patriots
• 20:00 — JJ McCarthy personality/psyche dialogue
• 25:21 — “Ravens are a juggernaut again”
• 34:00 — AFC parity, Bills’ injury woes
• 37:25 — Texans-Jaguars line debate
• 58:44 — Rams at 49ers: “Blowout” prediction
• 73:40 — Steelers-Chargers: Crowd and matchup
• 79:50 — Tush push vengeance: Eagles at Packers
• 87:30 — “Atoms can’t touch” physics discussion

Summary Takeaways

• Fantasy recommendations center on matchup and health, with strong warnings against overthinking international games and injury-decimated teams.
• Key narrative themes include: the effect of coaching personalities, the evolution of NFL offenses, and the ever-present randomness of football results.
• The Ringer Fantasy vibe is humor, debate, and deep but entertaining football nerdery.

Skip the ads, keep the banter. For lineups, go with the healthy star, and remember: atoms never really touch—especially not the footballs Drake London is plucking at the apex.