The Ringer Fantasy Football Show – Week 13 Preview

Episode Date: November 27, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively preview of NFL Week 13 with an eye on fantasy football implications, playoff races, injuries, and betting lines. The hosts, recording days ahead of Thanksgiving, openly admit their stale injury info and have fun riffing on team struggles, looming quarterback controversies, and their legendary “Ringer 107” picks. Other highlights include critical analysis of marquee matchups, hilarious sidebars on acronyms, beard envy, and a full-blown 90s rock singalong.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Game Recap & Week 13 Slate Disappointment

• Thanksgiving games were assumed to be great, but the rest of Week 13 looks lackluster.
  • “If the Thanksgiving games are over, I have bad news… the rest of the games kind of suck this week.” – Danny Heifetz (02:10)
• Only Texans-Colts stands out as a true marquee matchup.

2. Texans vs. Colts: AFC South Showdown

• Playoff Stakes: Texans’ playoff odds swing drastically depending on the outcome of their games vs. the Colts.
  • “Texans win both, 75% to make playoffs; lose both, about 10%.” – Heifetz (02:52)
• Texans Defense Hype: Extremely high praise for the Texans’ defense, touting their pass rush and "SWARM" identity.
  • “[They’re] the platonic ideal… just fly to the ball. They're flying everywhere.” – Heifetz (07:00)
• Colts’ Shine Fading: Doubts about Colts offense, Daniel Jones’ sack issues, and skepticism over their early-season hype.
  • “The offense does not feel as dangerous as it did early… coming back to earth.” – Kelly (03:47)
• Game Expectation: Anticipate a low-scoring, defensive battle.

3. 49ers at Browns: Brock Purdy’s Toe & Shanahan vs. Jim Schwartz

• Brock Purdy Injury Concern: Open debate on whether SF should start a clearly limited Purdy or backup Mac Jones.
  • "Why did Brock Purdy return from injury if he then looks super injured?” – Heifetz (09:32)
  • “It is completely taken away the power from his arm.” – Kelly (09:23)
• Schwartz vs. Shanahan: Stark history for Kyle Shanahan facing Jim Schwartz defenses.
  • “Kyle Shanahan is 1-8 against Jim Schwartz as DC with an average loss of 10 points.” – Heifetz (11:18)
• Fantasy Angle: Benching injury returnees like Ricky Pearsall; high praise for Browns D and tepid on Niners weapons.

4. Jaguars at Titans: “Blockhead” Trevor Lawrence & Cam Ward Respect

• Jaguars Skepticism: Labeled as the “fake-good” playoff team.
  • “I can’t think of a team that has a better record that I have absolutely zero faith in than the Jacksonville Jaguars.” – Horlbeck (16:54)
• Cam Ward: Quiet #1 Pick: Impressed by rookie performances but no Titans or Jags WRs really trusted in fantasy.

5. Saints at Dolphins: Meh Matchup, Fantasy Duds

• Dolphins optimism: Want to see a strong Jalen Waddle finish, but still “not as many points as you’d think” after Tyreek Hill injury.
• Saints injuries: Only Olave worth starting with Kamara out.
  • “Are they gonna give freakin' Taysom Hill like 10 carries again?” – Kelly (21:32)

6. Falcons at Jets: Questionable Trades, Injured Stars

• Draft Regrets: Falcons’ trade looks even worse as they slide, possibly gifting Rams a top-8 pick.
• More Injuries: Drake London’s knee means he’s not playable; Kyle Pitts “dead to me” except a surprise TD call.
• Pass Rush Now, Future QB Woes: “Don’t trade future 1sts when your QB isn’t set.”

7. Buccaneers, Cardinals, Panthers: Banged Up and Mediocre

• Baker in Sling: Skeptical Baker Mayfield plays after latest injury.
  • “How many guys have their arm in a sling and play the next week?” – Heifetz (24:36)
• Panthers & Bryce Young: Comparing being sacked to “Happy Gilmore’s caddy — he just tumbles over.”
• General Injury Carnage: Every division has a team “ravaged” by injuries, but the hosts argue it’s always been this way.

8. Vikings at Seahawks: Darnold vs. Brosmer, Defensive Guts

• Flores Revenge: Minnesota defense knows Darnold’s weaknesses well; expect blitzes.
• Max Brosmer Hype: Could outperform J.J. McCarthy thanks to college experience.
• Low Total: “17 should do it” for points to win.

9. Raiders at Chargers: Post-Chip Kelly Fallout

• Fade the Raiders: New OC Greg Olson boosts Brock Bowers, but Vegas is a tourism team — owner cares less for winning.
• Chargers Fantasy Stream: Start Vidal, Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen: “Perfect week to have a week off for him.”

10. Long-Term QB Rebuilds & Coaching Futures

• Raiders’ Owner Incentives: Mark Davis makes billions no matter team success.
  • “Why spend money for the team to be good?” – Horlbeck (38:09)
• Pete Carroll Hot Seat? Hosts debate if he’ll be fired, concluding he’ll get one more year. But believe Raiders need a full rebuild, including trading Max Crosby.

11. Bills vs. Steelers – The Real Game of the Week

• Bills Love: Hosts agree Buffalo is undervalued and will "rock" the Steelers unless turnovers spike.
  • “The line is only three and a half. …the Bills should just run the shit out of the ball.” – Horlbeck (43:49)
• Steelers Offense: Labeled “juiceless,” hard to see them keeping up.

12. Prime Time Duds: Broncos-Commanders & Giants-Patriots

• Broncos-Commanders: Both starting QBs in doubt; Jaden Daniels’ return debated (future is more important than meaningless reps).
• Giants-Patriots: The O-line is decimated, Dart may/may not play, and defensive coordinator comments devolve into beard envy jokes.

13. Ringer 107 Picks & Gambling Banter (Various: 50:48 – 59:50)

• Betting favorites: Bills -3.5, Rams -10.5, Giants +7.5 (for the feel), Chargers -9.5, Broncos -6.5 vs Commanders.
  • “We just show up, talk for five minutes…” (54:47)
  • “You just have to look at the coach and QB for each team.” (55:32)
• Disagreement on dog picks, skepticism on Baker’s health, and musings on betting against bad teams forever.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Texans D:
  • “Aziz Al Shayer is fucking everywhere.” – Danny Kelly (06:51)
• On Kyle Shanahan’s woeful record vs. Jim Schwartz:
  • “Kyle Shanahan is 1-8 against Jim Schwartz…” – Heifetz (11:18)
• On Bryce Young being sacked:
  • “[He] just looks so small… like bullying in a middle school.” – Heifetz (26:53)
• Beard Envy:
  • “He looks like they’re collecting their pension. He looks like Gene Hackman.” – Kelly, on defensive coordinator Shane Bowen (48:54)
• On 90s Music Singalong:
  • “Can you take me higher?” – Group Creed singalong, led by Craig (62:57)
  • “It was like hootie and the blow… just all vowels.” – Heifetz (64:18)

Lighter Moments & Pop Culture References

• SWARM Acronym Debacle:
  • Hilarious back-and-forth about coaches’ love of forced, corny acronyms.
• Dumb and Dumber & Happy Gilmore bits
• Extended riff on 90s & early 2000s music and bad movie visuals:
  • Crash Test Dummies, Hinder, Linkin Park, Papyrus font in Avatar

Important Timestamps

• 02:10: Thanksgiving games → week slate quality
• 02:42: Texans-Colts playoff implications
• 07:10: SWARM defense and coaches’ acronyms
• 11:18: Shanahan vs. Schwartz coaching record
• 16:54: Jaguars skepticism, “AFC Shakys”
• 21:32: Waddle, Saints fantasy rants
• 24:36: Baker Mayfield injury doubts
• 26:53: Bryce Young “bullying” sack
• 38:09: Mark Davis/Las Vegas business model
• 43:07: Bills-Steelers pick
• 50:48: Ringer 107 Picks segment starts
• 62:57–64:08: Creed halftime show nostalgia & singalong

Summary Tone

• Candid, irreverent, obsessive, and self-deprecating.
  Self-awareness about limitations (taping before injury news), a love for deep-dive stats and fantasy nuance, plus ridiculous rabbit holes and nostalgic music rants create an easygoing, friendly, and informed vibe.

Bottom Line:
If you missed this episode, know that the Texans D is historic, the Colts are fraud watch, Brock Purdy needs rest, and the Ringer crew is as much about the fun—and 90s butt rock—as the fantasy football grind. Stick around for the picks and maybe pick up a hot gambling tip or two. Also, don’t expect beard advice, but definitely expect someone to sing Creed.