The Ringer Fantasy Football Show – Week 17 Waivers, DK Metcalf Suspension, Championship Trivia & Clanker Coke Ads

Release Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz (A), Danny Kelly (B), and Craig Horlbeck (C)

Episode Overview

This episode, recorded during the heart of fantasy championship week, is a quintessential Ringer Football Show blend of strategy, locker room laughs, wild tangents, and late-season desperation. The trio talks through the absolute final week of fantasy waivers, debates the DK Metcalf suspension, runs a heated round of Championship Trivia, and spirals into discussions ranging from the history of the phrase “buttload” to viral AI Coke commercials, all in their trademark off-beat and self-deprecating style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DK Metcalf Suspension [03:23-06:10]

• News: Steelers WR DK Metcalf receives a two-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the NFL” after a confrontation with a fan.

• Details: Heifetz reads ESPN's report by Brooke Pryor, highlighting Metcalf’s prior issues with the same fan, contradicting the idea of it being a one-off incident.

• Context: The fan has denied any use of slurs or hate speech but Metcalf has a documented complaint history against this attendee.

• Analysis: The group withholds final judgement but acknowledges the unusual personal history and speculates on the likelihood of Metcalf's appeal.

  “There’s almost no reason to punch a fan.” – Heifetz [04:54]

  “If there’s a paper trail… that is nuts.” – Horlbeck [05:15]

2. Week 17 Fantasy Waiver Wire Advice

Running Backs [08:18-12:21]

• Blake Corum: If somehow available, he’s the clear top add, but more likely already rostered.
• Michael Carter (Cardinals) vs. Bengals: Lead back on a bad offense, decent matchup, but sharing time [08:50]
• Chris Rodriguez (Commanders) vs. Dallas: "Bottom of the barrel," but has volume with 15 carries, 65 yards, TD last week. Matchup against a beat-up Cowboys run defense [09:25]

  “If you’re in the toilet bowl... this is for people like me.” – Horlbeck [06:57]

• Consensus: Tie between Carter and Rodriguez. Ultimately, Rodriguez edges out as “showdown” pick.

Wide Receivers [17:48-26:41]

• Parker Washington (Jaguars): Primary suggested add after a 6-catch, 145-yard, 1-TD game, but a “Trey Tucker syndrome” warning (big week, may not repeat).
• Other Considerations: Trey Tucker (vs. Giants, exploitable matchup), Jalen Coker (vs. Seahawks), Luther Burden (injury risk), Shamar DK.
• Old Men/Joke Picks: Adam Thielen, but generally no faith in the Steelers’ injury-ravaged WR corps.

  “He's usually the best player on waivers, flex-wise, but this week, it’s really thin.” – Kelly [19:03]

• Consensus: Parker Washington the top WR add, with a wide trough of questionable alternatives.

Tight Ends [28:51-30:49]

• Taysom Hill (Saints): Multi-purpose usage (running, passing, and receiving), and all-around “farewell tour” volume. Audric Estime, Devin Neal, both banged up.

  “Taysom Hill... is maybe my favorite player that’s been in the league since we started doing this show.” – Heifetz [30:07]

• Other options: Brenton Strange (Jaguars, if available), A.J. Barner (Seahawks), Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington (Steelers).

Quarterbacks [38:11-39:36]

• Streamer Desperation: Malik Willis (Packers' Jordan Love may be out), Tyler Shough (vs. Titans), Geno Smith (vs. Giants), Stetson Bennett, Tyler Huntley (if Lamar Jackson sits).

  “God, I hope no one has to do it, but if you need to…” – Heifetz [38:11]

Defense/Special Teams [43:17-44:51]

• Patriots D/ST vs. Jets: Top spot, given Jets’ offensive futility.
• Bucs D/ST vs. Miami, Steelers D/ST vs. Browns, Packers D/ST vs. the Ravens: All worth targeting, especially given QB injuries and turnover-prone offenses.

3. Championship Trivia Showdown [12:23; recurring throughout]

• A running trivia contest between Heifetz, Kelly, and Horlbeck, focusing on NFL oddities, historical stats, and fan-submitted questions:
  • How many teams has Josh Johnson signed with?
    • Answer: 25 [15:14]
  • How many gallons is a “buttload”?
    • Answer: 126 gallons; “two hogsheads make a buttload” [23:47]
  • Cloy Box NFL single-game receiving record
    • Answer: 302 yards [33:07]
• Highlights: The hilarity of buttload as a measurement (“two hogsheads is one buttload”), discovering that Cloy Box's career day was over 300 yards, and the ongoing “craziest Josh Johnson fact” draft.

  “How many gallons is a buttload?” – Heifetz [22:55] “Cloy Box… 302 yards. Legend.” – Kelly [33:15]

4. Fun Tangents and Notable Moments

Fantasy “Toilet Bowl” Roster Talk [07:02]

• A celebration of abysmal championship teams making deep fantasy playoff runs, with examples of lineups that “don’t make sense” and stories of managers like Jackie advancing with rosters no one would have picked in August.

Viral AI Coke Ad Wheels [50:01]

• Craig, egged on by a listener email, details how Coke’s Christmas commercial has impossible AI-generated trucks with differing wheel numbers frame-to-frame, sparking a broader discussion of low-effort AI in modern marketing.

Name A Woman Game [53:36-57:36]

• An absurdly self-aware tiebreaker round: the trio tries to name as many women as possible (excluding athletes and personal acquaintances) in 60 seconds. It quickly devolves into a list heavy on first ladies, SNL stars, and, as they note, 1990s swimsuit models.

  “Dude, that was pretty good. We know a lot of women.” – Kelly [55:31] “Is it bad the ‘name a woman’ game ended up us talking about swimsuit models?” – Heifetz [57:46]

Miscellaneous

• Clint Eastwood, Marshawn Lynch, and Josh Johnson are all Oakland Tech alumni (and Lynch & Johnson are cousins)! [16:01]
• Origins of “buttload” [23:47]
• Fantasy Court tidbits, live-score griping, and obscure fact-dumping throughout

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/Timestamps)

• “There’s almost no reason to punch a fan.” – Danny Heifetz [04:54]
• “If there’s a paper trail, too… that is nuts.” – Craig Horlbeck [05:15]
• “If you’re in the toilet bowl... this is for people like me.” – Craig Horlbeck [06:57]
• “I would go with Carter, just because DK said lead back versus Bengals… but nothing is ideal this week!” – Danny Heifetz [09:47]
• “Let’s talk about upside. It has to be Taysom Hill. Four catches, 12 carries—16 touches and that’s not even counting him passing!” – Danny Kelly [29:56]
• “How many gallons is a buttload?” – Danny Heifetz [22:55]
• “Cloy Box… 302 yards. Legend.” – Danny Kelly [33:15]
• “Dude, we know so many women. It’s crazy, man.” – Craig Horlbeck [55:33]

Suggested Play Orders by Position (Week 17 Waiver Targets)

RB:

1. Blake Corum (if available)
2. Chris Rodriguez (WAS)
3. Michael Carter (ARI)
4. Emmanuel Wilson (GB), if desperate

WR:

1. Parker Washington (JAX)
2. Trey Tucker (LV), Jalen Coker (SEA), Shamar DK (TEN)
3. Luther Burden (if healthy)

TE:

1. Taysom Hill (NO)
2. Brenton Strange (JAX), if available
3. A.J. Barner (SEA), Pat Freiermuth (PIT), Darnell Washington (PIT)

QB:

1. Malik Willis (if Love sits)
2. Tyler Shough
3. Geno Smith
4. Stetson Bennett, Tyler Huntley

D/ST:

1. Patriots (vs. Jets)
2. Buccaneers (vs. Miami)
3. Steelers (vs. Browns w/shaky run game)
4. Packers (vs. Ravens backups)

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a funny, bantering, and lightly self-deprecating style, riffing off one another’s jokes and listener emails. There’s irreverence but also direct, practical fantasy insight—even as they poke fun at their own waiver wire recommendations. Expect tangents, playful digs, pop culture offramps, and plenty of “wait, is this for the championship or the toilet bowl?” asides.

Final Thoughts

The episode is a lively listen for championship and consolation fantasy managers—and for anyone who enjoys deep trivia, football absurdities, offbeat debates, and three friends spiraling into silliness under the guise of fantasy football advice.

Next Episode: “Big Fat Wednesday” show will cover Week 17 preview—coming soon after the Christmas break.

Merry Christmas, fantasy degenerates!