The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 18 Recap - The Most Steelers Game Ever, Seattle’s Dominance, MVP Debates, Playoffs Set, Myles Garrett’s Record, and Madonna is Before Our Time

Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This Week 18 recap is packed with wild endings, playoff drama, coaching speculation, MVP debates, and the usual blend of depth, stats, and humor fans have come to expect from Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck. The hosts break down the “most Steelers game ever” against the Ravens, celebrate the Seahawks’ ascent to NFC’s #1 seed, debate wild playoff matchups, examine Myles Garrett’s sack record, and riff on everything from laptop ergonomics to Madonna and John Harbaugh’s job security.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Announcements & Housekeeping (00:41)

• The Ringer Fantasy Football Show is coming to Netflix (audio podcasts unchanged, video now available on Netflix).
• Playoff Schedule: They’ll be podcasting three times a week during the NFL Playoffs.

2. Steelers vs. Ravens: The Most Steelers Game Ever

Segment Start: 02:47

Summary:
Steelers beat Ravens 26–24 in a game embodying every hallmark of the franchise and rivalry. The hosts give Craig (Steelers fan) the floor for catharsis.

• Key Steelers Moments (“Most Steelers Moment” game):
  • Burning all second half timeouts
  • Most reliable kicker misses crucial extra point
  • Rodgers’ (Aaron) helmet repeatedly breaking and sideline drama
  • Alex Highsmith can’t finish sack on Lamar; leads to two long TDs to Zay Flowers

Quote (Craig, 03:01):
“I’m not a religious man, but when I saw the priest out there pregame splashing holy water in the end zone…that was the most perfect Pittsburgh Steelers game in every way.”

• Nail-biting finish:
  • Ravens open strong but stall; Steelers offense grinds out long drives.
  • Fourth quarter “emotional whiplash” with missed kicks, referee chaos, and back-and-forth scoring.

Stats & Analysis:

• Rodgers: 294 yds on 47 attempts; Lamar: 238 yds on 18 attempts

• “Stats don’t matter in Steelers games.” (Danny Kelly, 07:01)

• Both teams had stretches where fans “felt stupid for believing,” perfect for Ravens-Steelers.

• Receiver Room Critique:

  • DK Metcalf’s suspension exposes barren WR group: “I don’t know if those guys [Thielen, MVS] would make the active roster on game day for other playoff teams.” (Danny Heifetz, 08:21)

• Debate: 4th down decision-making and “tush push” strategy

  • Multiple failed/odd short-yardage play calls
  • Analytics says TDs > FGs; a converted 4th-and-goal won the game

• Boswell's missed extra point & kicker drama:

  • Emotional “Atlas” analogy for the kicking burden

Memorable Quotes:

• “Rodgers was fucking fantastic. For what he is given...the wide receivers are picked up off the street. I’ve never appreciated DK Metcalf more than this game.” (Danny Kelly, 11:05)

• “Craig, is Rodgers the oldest 42-year-old ever? He looks like he’s been smoking a pack of heaters every day for thirty years.” (Danny Hyperson, 10:39)

• Late Game Clock/Timeout Criticism:

  • Harbaugh settles for 44-yard FG with rookie kicker, doesn’t try for closer (16:12)
    • “You probably could have gotten another 5, 7 yards.” – DK
    • “44-yard FG with a rookie? I wanted that.” – DK, as anonymous Steelers fan

• Final Word:

  • Steelers’ playoff fate is unexpectedly alive
  • “I want Rodgers back next year.” (DK & Craig)

Timestamps:

• Fourth Downs & Playcalling: [12:55]
• QB Comparison Stats: [07:04]
• Helmet Drama/Late Game Chaos: [09:25]
• Last Minute Kicker Drama: [15:32]
• Fan Emotional States: [18:30]

3. Seahawks clinch NFC #1 Seed; Mike Macdonald praised

Segment Start: 26:32

• Seattle stuns 49ers, dominates in the box score and physically.

• “It was 13–3, but could’ve been 26–3.” (Craig, 26:54)

• Mike Macdonald (HC) gets Coach of the Year buzz:

  • Defense compared to Legion of Boom but more versatile
  • “Eight of their wins have been by double digits.” (Craig, 32:22)

• Sam Darnold’s Redemption:

  • “Week 18 last year in Minnesota, got blown out … this was huge for Darnold’s confidence.” (DK, 33:43)
  • Darnold now has as many wins in two years as the Jets’ last six seasons COMBINED

• Defensive innovation:

  • “The illusion of complexity… it's all unpredictable, pre and post snap.” (Danny Heifetz, 31:41)

• Defensive Personnel:

  • Devin Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori anchor versatile, ‘primal’ tackling defense

4. The Playoff Schedule is Set

Timestamps:

• Playoff schedule rundown: [26:02], [32:35]

• AFC #1 Seed: Broncos (13–4), defense led

• NFC #1 Seed: Seahawks (14–3)

• Funky NFC South: Panthers win division at 8–9, despite being “the nastiest four seed ever,” outscored by 69 on the season

Quote:
“This is the most unpredictable playoffs I can remember.” (Danny Kelly, 25:44)

5. Chaos in NFL South & Coaching Carousel

Segment Start: 42:29

• Panthers, Bucs, Falcons drama:
  • Tiebreakers, heavy rain game, officiating gripes, and the Saints as “proxy champion”
  • “This is the saddest team I’ve ever seen in McDonald’s playoffs.” (Craig, 44:17)
• Falcons clean house:
  • “If you don’t nail the quarterback, you’re fucked. You’re gonna get fired.” (Craig, 48:13)
  • GM Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris both out despite division title tie
• Consultants in hiring process:
  • “They hired the guy to fire the guy who got the job over him.” (Danny, 48:48)

6. MVP Debate: Drake May, Matt Stafford, Trevor Lawrence Undervalued

Segment Start: 55:46

• Latest Odds:
  • Stafford surges to favorite after big week, despite not winning division
  • Drake May’s case built on efficiency, team record, but critics say “weak schedule”
  • “If Stafford wins, it’s like a lifetime achievement award.” (Craig, 57:56)
• Trevor Lawrence’s second-half bonanza ignored:
  • 19 passing TDs, 5 rushing in last 8 games (only matched by MVP years of Lamar & Cam Newton)
  • “I don’t know why Trevor Lawrence isn’t in this conversation.” (DK, 56:22)
• Debates about how voters actually pick MVP (division winners, stats, narratives)
  • “If we split the award into halves, the second half is unquestionably Trevor Lawrence.” (Danny, 62:10)
• Snark: Even running backs feel more valuable (see: Justin Herbert, Patriots’ duo)

7. Myles Garrett’s Sack Record

Segment Start: 69:24

• Record set at 23 sacks (in 17 games), but he had far fewer pass-rush snaps than previous record holders.

• “Maybe actually truly generational…best pass rusher since Reggie White.” (DK, 70:48)

• “He did this on the Browns…how many minutes were they even winning?” (Craig, 69:49)

• Burrow’s business decision on the record-breaking sack:

  • “Burrow kind of was like, you know what, I’m not getting drilled for this.” (DK, 72:10)

• Riff on Garrett’s career choice to stay in Cleveland:

  • “I’m angry at Myles Garrett ... that he decided he never wanted to make the playoffs.” (Danny, 74:58)

8. Other Nuggets, Awards, and Intrusive Thoughts

Various through 85:03–109:48

• League finishers:

  • Stafford: 4,700 yds passing, 46 TDs each go “under the radar”
  • James Cook: Rushing champ (1,621 yds)
  • JSN: 1,793 yds receiving; quietly one of best ever
  • Bijan Robinson: >2,200 scrimmage yds

• Year of two RBs: “So many true 1A/1B backfields in the playoffs.” 52:34

• Intrusive thoughts (91:54):

  • There should be rain jackets for refs.
  • Is it possible for an O-lineman (Gray Zabel) to be OROY?
  • Couch/laptop ergonomics for 12+ hour football Sundays (“The couch wasn’t made for laptops!”)
  • Madonna was “just before our time… Like A Virgin was 1984.” (114:41+)

9. Memorable Quotes & Funniest Moments

• “I know the older I get, the more I start saying, ‘this year just flew by’—and I’m okay with it!” (DK, 69:10)
• “The best team in NFL history...when they could get the first pick. I don’t know if by EPA per play there’s ever been a better team [than the Giants] when they could get the first pick.” (Danny, 77:40)
• “Do you think coaches get cold? Shouldn’t the refs get jackets?” (DK/Craig, 91:54)
• On Aaron Rodgers’ tush push stance:
  • “Why does he stand like he’s getting a blowjob?” (DK, 108:09)
• “Madonna is before our time…but I knew about Madonna from A League of Their Own.” (Craig, 114:09)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• Steelers-Ravens Recap: 02:47–25:12
• Seahawks’ win & #1 seed: 26:32–36:47
• Playoff Schedule/Discussion: 25:42, 26:02, 32:35
• NFC South & Falcons firing: 42:29–49:48
• MVP Debate: 55:46–62:41
• Myles Garrett sack record: 69:24–73:29
• League-leaders and stats wrap: 85:03–89:16
• R.O.Y. and weird awards talk: 91:54–97:56
• Madonna & Generational Gaps riff: 113:56–116:42

Overall Tone & Language

The show blends sharp analysis, fan perspective, profanity-laced hilarity, and rapid-fire debates. The hosts riff naturally, aren’t afraid to include vulnerable fandom moments (see: Giants lament), and deploy stats and “inside jokes” at will.

For Those Who Skipped the Pod

If you missed it, you’ll want to catch up on:

• The all-time Steelers-Ravens finish and why it’s the blueprint for both fanbases’ emotional states
• The rise of the Seahawks with an unexpectedly elite defense and the Darnold comeback narrative
• Critical playoff matchups set up for upsets and unpredictability
• The ongoing “what is MVP really?” debate (and why Trevor Lawrence deserves more love)
• Myles Garrett’s record in context—and why some football feats still go underappreciated
• The coaching carousel, wild personnel moves, and a hearty helping of nonsense (rain jackets for refs, couch injuries, Madonna facts)

Closing

The playoffs are set. The pod isn’t slowing down. If you made it this far, just like the NFL season: “Grueling, like a marathon, but also goes by quickly.”
“Stick with us for the playoffs…honestly, things get funnier.” (His words, not ours.)