The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Week 17 Recap: Purdy-Caleb Magic, Maye MVP Hype, Classic Steelers L, Playoff Murderers, and Fish Brosmer

Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Date: December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

Week 17 was the fantasy football finals, jam-packed with shootouts, heartbreaks, wild performances, and plenty of fantasy pain. Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck break down the week’s biggest games—including a Purdy vs. Caleb QB duel for the ages—highlight playoff clinches, discuss who helped and hurt managers most, and explore why fantasy championships are so gloriously random (and, sometimes, so stupid). The show’s signature humor, commiseration, and wild tangents are on full display, from "Oppenheimer Awards" to debates about coaching candidates, the myth of vibes, and a deep dive into the legend of Fish Brosmer.

Main Recap & Key Discussion Points

1. Niners-Bears Shootout: Purdy vs. Caleb Williams

(04:23 – 10:09)

• Brock Purdy and Caleb Williams both delivered one of the most entertaining QB duels of the season.

  • Caleb made "a couple ludicrous throws for touchdowns," with pure Mahomes/Rodgers vibes (Danny B, 04:23).
  • Ben Johnson (Bears HC) has quickly developed an elite relationship with Caleb—throwing everything at him in camp, pushing his mental game, and already drawing "Rodgers" comparisons. (Craig, 06:35: "If that's what the Bears are going to be over the next two or three years, I think they're winning the Super Bowl.")
  • Brock Purdy continues to cement his reputation as "the sneakiest little shit in all the land," with wild out-of-pocket scramble plays and shocking offensive efficiency. (Danny B: "His tenure split was faster than CMC's!" 14:30; the guys howl at this stat.)

• Both teams’ defenses were decimated, resulting in a back-and-forth thriller ("basically like simulating a Madden game" – Craig, 10:12).

• Standout Stats/Records:

  • Each team scored 21 points in the first 18 minutes (A, 09:05).
  • First regular season game ever tied at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 (10:09).

2. Niners’ Unkillable Season and Coaching Carousel

(15:05 – 17:07)

• The Niners’ resilience despite brutal injuries ("they are unkillable… bacterial-resistant to antibiotics" — Heifetz, 14:27).
• Shanahan's case for Coach of the Year is extremely strong, considering the injuries and roster turnover: "The best coaching of his entire career." (Heifetz, 16:36)
• The 2025 head coaching class is a "generational carousel," driven by top candidates seeking situations with elite young QBs (Liam Coen–Jaguars/Trevor Lawrence, Ben Johnson–Bears/Caleb). (26:35)

3. Winners and Losers: Jags on the Rise

(18:38 – 26:22)

• The Jaguars are finally "the real deal," grinding out division wins and shattering their perennial loser narrative.

  • Trevor Lawrence is third in combined TDs (passing + rushing) league-wide—behind only Stafford and Josh Allen.
  • The leap ("leaning into his running ability," becoming "a gazelle out there" – Danny B, 21:20).
  • Theme: Star QBs (Lawrence, Caleb) getting paired with legitimate offensive coaches changes everything.

• Debate on the “most likable upstart” team: Chicago for their Mahomes/Rodgers-caliber QB-coach setup? Jacksonville for the redemption arc? (24:34)

4. Classic Steelers Meltdown

(30:24 – 38:21)

• "It is deeply over for the Steelers." (Craig, 30:24)
  • "The Steelers are the ultimate meet-their-opponent-at-their-level team." (Craig, 31:36)
  • Ended any chances at clinching the division, losing to the Browns led by Shador Sanders, despite a gift interception opportunity ("jackpot"/"three flies up" interception, 37:13).
  • Aaron Rodgers’ receiver room is eviscerated (“This is malpractice” – Danny B, 33:51), and his stubbornness at the end of his career (won’t use new receivers) is compared to old Bill Belichick (34:33).
  • Mike Tomlin’s record-shaving consistency is Jeff Fisher-ian ("Tomlin is just Jeff Fisher with one extra win" – A, 38:04).
  • Savage quote: Denzel Ward (Browns CB): “I don’t know whose bright idea it was to try me for the game on three plays in a row. It was Aaron Rodgers.” (36:33)
  • Team vibes debate: Is a “just lose” mentality for draft picks valid, or does "vibes/culture" ever matter at the NFL basement? (29:08)

5. Oppenheimer Award & Fantasy Implosions

(12:12, 54:48, 60:07)

• Brock Purdy nabs the "Oppenheimer Award," becoming a fantasy playoff league winner with 30+ points per game and little fanfare.
• Segment: “Fantasy Playoff Murderers”
  • Star duds: Jameer Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, Nico Collins, George Pickens, Josh Jacobs (“Jacobs had three yards!” – Heifetz, 60:32), CD Lamb, Justin Jefferson, Jalen Waddle, and others went missing at the absolute worst time.
  • Theme: 2025 fantasy playoffs were the ultimate crapshoot, notorious for random late-season injuries, illnesses, and surprise players deciding titles. One host: "I’m supposed to know what I’m doing guy—this week, I don’t know what the fuck to do" 56:54; "We should just put an asterisk on this season." (48:40)
  • Most wins this year came from lower-seeded teams who squeaked into the playoffs, emphasizing the variance (47:47, 48:14).
• Burn Book for Week 17: Jameer Gibbs gets the ceremonial burning for failing managers in the clutch (“He killed people in the finals”—Craig, 108:42).

6. Derrick Henry, Drake Maye & MVP Hype

(39:48 – 52:26)

• Derrick Henry erupts for 45 fantasy points, the 7th 200-yard game of his career (“How does Derrick Henry still do this?!” – DK, 41:37; “Why do we do this to ourselves?” 42:55).
• Drake Maye dismantles the Jets: 19/21, 5 TDs, one of the highest QBRs ever, and likely clinched the MVP (“Give the MVP to everyone who played the Jets” – Craig, 51:29).
• The Jets might go the season without a single interception, and QBs vs. Jets have 34 TDs, 0 picks: “That’s an MVP season.” (51:12)
• Arguments about whether Maye winning the award is ‘AFC East schedule luck’ vs. legitimate (“The Jets hiring a CB to be their head coach, possibly going a season without an interception…that’s one way to build a defense” – Heifetz, 51:25).

7. Dangerous Playoff Contenders, Playoff Format Talk & Coaching Intrigue

(44:09 – 46:07; 79:18 – 81:36)

• Malik Willis’s wild, efficient run as Ravens backup QB triggers host speculation on his future as a starter somewhere (DK: “He made himself $20 million last night!” 46:32).
• Intrusive fantasy thoughts: Should playoff formats change? How can leagues avoid these wild Week 17 outcomes? Rumble/final four combo weeks discussed, “committee” playoff choices pitched sarcastically (79:18 – 81:36).
• Josh McDaniels as a Giants HC candidate: intrusive thought or actual emergency option? (81:36)

8. Other Notable Segments, Awards, and Fun Moments

• Oppenheimer Award (Player who went nuclear): Brock Purdy, Derrick Henry
• Fart or Shart:
  • Lions’ loss to Max Brosmer—“They’ve lost their magic. They're just another team now. That’s honestly devastating.” (Danny B/Craig, 66:34)
  • NFL on Christmas: “a fart, not a shart—enjoyable, but not special.” (Craig, 69:45)
• Ick(s) of the Week: Joe Burrow gifting o-line rare fossils for Christmas (“You make $50M and give us fossils?!” 91:17), Nick Cage cast as John Madden in the upcoming Madden film (“Just feels insulting,” 94:44).
• Shaq “I Owe You an Apology” Award: Tyler Shuck (Saints) playing out of his mind and making Saints’ QB search moot. (76:56)
• Strange But True/Stat Lines that Don’t Make Sense:
  • Bo Nix: 3rd most TD passes through two seasons, ever.
  • Tony Pollard likely to finish with career-high rushing yards, but “I don’t remember a single play from him” (105:44).
  • Max Brosmer’s brother, Fish—a professional trumpeter with a Juilliard background. (“Fish Brosmer!” 107:01)
• Burn Book Recap: Notable season-long fantasy heartbreakers, featuring Jameer Gibbs, Justin Jefferson, Tony Pollard, DJ Moore, etc.
• Deep Dives & Tangents:
  • Why the Lions’ window slammed shut
  • The state of QB play: last-pick success stories (Purdy), former #1 picks rebounding with actual coaches (Lawrence, Caleb)
  • Legendary fantasy busts and playoff weirdness
  • Volunteers to serve as a “fantasy playoff committee” for a listener league in 2026

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• "I just think like Caleb is going to be fucking awesome and he is already doing stuff that is so, so impressive that like five quarterbacks in the league can do. To me...I think they're winning the Super Bowl." — Craig (06:35)
• "Purdy is just the sneakiest little shit in all the land. Some of the plays he pulls out of his ass are just electric." — Danny B (04:23)
• "Coach of the Year? I think you could make a case for six guys. But I could make a very convincing case that Kyle Shanahan should be the coach of the year. This is probably the best coaching job of his entire career." — Heifetz (16:36)
• "The Steelers are the ultimate meet-their-opponent-at-their-level team...They've now lost four games in a row in Cleveland and the QBs they've lost to: Jacoby Brissett, DTR, Jameis Winston, and now Shador Sanders." — Craig (31:36)
• "I don't know whose bright idea it was to try me for the game on three plays in a row." — Denzel Ward, after game (36:33)
• "[The Giants] are now the eighth team that had their best game of the season against the Raiders. It doesn't mean anything." — Heifetz (30:08)
• "Fantasy is nuts…Why do we do this to ourselves?" — DK (42:55)
• "If you won your fantasy championship, it was either Derrick Henry, Brock Purdy, or crazy waiver pickups like Michael Wilson and Chase Brown carrying you. Total chaos." — Paraphrased summary (48:35)
• "Jameer Gibbs gets the ceremonial burning for killing people in the finals." — Craig (108:42)
• "I think the Bears...are headed down a road Detroit was the last two years, but instead of Jared Goff, it’s closer to Aaron Rodgers or Mahomes on the team." — Craig (06:35)
• "The window closes quick. The teams that sustain greatness—it's that much more impressive. It's so hard." — DK (68:41)
• "Shaq meme: I owe you an apology, Tyler Shuck. I wasn't familiar with your game." — Heifetz (76:56)
• "DK, any other stats you don't know what to do with?" (104:50)
• "Max Brosmer's brother’s name? Fish. He studied music at Juilliard." (107:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Niners-Bears QB Discussion: 04:23 – 10:09
• Division races & Playoff Scenarios: 00:52 – 01:44
• Niners' Resilience & Coaching Carousel: 14:27 – 17:07
• Jags Win, Lawrence Ascension: 18:42 – 22:01
• Likable Breakthrough Teams Debate: 24:34 – 26:22
• Steelers/Browns: Steelers Roller Coaster & Rodgers Receivers: 30:24 – 38:21
• Derrick Henry Nuclear Game: 39:48 – 43:13
• Fantasy Pain & Burn Book: 54:48 – 60:57
• Fart or Shart (Lions, NFL Christmas): 65:17 – 70:41
• Coaching Intrigue, Playoff Format Rants, Committee Joke: 79:18 – 81:36
• Giants/Burn Book/Playoffs Chaos: 27:34 – 30:22, 48:14 – 49:05
• Fish Brosmer & Weird Names Segment: 107:01 – 108:04

Tone & Language

• Irreverent and sardonic, filled with commiseration and fantasy heartbreak, punctuated by nihilistic humor about playoff randomness, survivor’s remorse, and the annual ritual of questioning why anyone plays fantasy.
• Playful debating between the hosts, with friendly ribbing, tangents about “week 17 flu” and obscure stats, and the recurring phrase: “Why do we do this to ourselves?”

Conclusion

The Ringer Fantasy Football Show’s Week 17 recap is a cathartic roller coaster that captures the agony, chaos, and rare elation that come with fantasy championship weekend. The hosts dissect why modern teams break through (coach/QB chemistry), how the NFL’s unpredictable injuries and random outcomes torment fantasy managers, and why Chicago and Jacksonville are the teams to watch in 2026. From memorable in-game moments to the tragic comedy of stardom’s collapse, it’s a fittingly absurd close to the 2025 fantasy season.

If you survived, congratulations. If you didn’t, well—add your stars to the ever-growing Burn Book, and see you for the Take Purge in 2026.

For listener questions or to propose the “Fantasy Playoff Committee” for your league, email the show—maybe next time you’ll be in the Burn Book, too.