The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 2 Recap: Burrow’s Toe, Daniel’s Dimes, the Russaissance, Detroit Is BACK, and Eagles–Chiefs Sucked
Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Overview

This Week 2 recap delivers a wild, in-depth review of another unpredictable Sunday in the NFL through a fantasy football lens. The trio break down late-game heroics and collapses, major injuries, breakout and flop performances, and why fantasy football "always makes you feel dumb." They talk Joe Burrow's latest injury, the Russell Wilson resurgence ("Russaissance"), Daniel Jones’ shock value, the surging Lions, and why the Eagles-Chiefs game was (surprisingly) hard to watch. The discussion is peppered with their signature wit, memorable quotes, and indignation at everything from blown ref calls to cratering fantasy lineups.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Falcons 22, Vikings 6: Rookie QBs Struggle, Bijan Shines

[01:35] – [06:42]

• J.J. McCarthy's Woes: McCarthy's slow processing and inexperience were on full display.

  “Seven of his first eight quarters have been pretty atrocious… leads the league in sack rate—20%, sacked five times in the first half alone.” – Danny Kelly [02:01]

• Vikings’ OL Injuries: O-line injuries forced changes, hurting both the run game and McCarthy’s protection.
• Falcons' Defensive Leap: Atlanta’s young pass rush—finally! DK and Danny Heifetz credit the team's investment in the D-line.
• Bijan Robinson’s Explosiveness:

  “It’s Saquon, Gibbs and Bijan. And honestly, I don’t think Bijan is third… To me, he’s a top-3, top-4 skill player in the entire league.” – Danny Heifetz [05:23]
  “He does this unique running gait… guys just overpursue and he cuts back, he’s so explosive.” – DK [06:15]

• Minnesota’s Challenges: McCarthy’s rookie struggles risk derailing a win-now Vikings roster.

2. Joe Burrow’s Toe: Nightmare for the Bengals

[06:59] – [08:36]

• Severe Injury Update:

  “Joe Burrow is going to be out for three months. He’s going to the specialist, but it’s looking bad.” – Heifetz [07:10]

• Fantasy Fallout:

  “I’m not really worried for [Jamar] Chase and [Tee] Higgins… Jake Browning is willing to push it downfield, just ‘not all is lost’ fantasy-wise.” – DK [07:55]

• Burrow’s Injury History:

  “He’s going for the three-peat [Comeback Player of the Year]. Brutal.” – DK [07:43]

3. Eagles 20, Chiefs 17: The Slog at the Top

[08:47] – [20:54]

• Ugly Offensive Football:

  “This was such a boring game… Just two ugly-ass offenses grinding it out. Both quarterbacks were bad.” – DK [09:01]

• Chiefs’ Offensive Crisis: Zero WR depth. Tyreek Hill’s absence and injuries/suspensions to other WRs have left KC relying on cast-offs from the Patriots.

  “The Chiefs offense is essential players who weren’t good enough for New England. That’s a problem.” – Heifetz [11:22]
  “They only employ the slowest and fastest players in the NFL—nobody in the middle!” – Heifetz [13:27]

• Mahomes Not the Problem, But the Offense Is:

  “Not saying Mahomes is the problem, just hard to watch.” – DK [10:47]

• Eagles’ Sputtering Attack: Hurts stifled by aggressive KC blitzing. Creative issues under new OC Kevin Petullo.

  “Jalen Hurts had seven more passing yards than Navy’s offense this week.” – Heifetz [13:43]

• Tush Push Controversy:

  “Eagles’ guards were so egregiously early… Andy Reid could not believe they didn’t call false start.” – Heifetz [18:45]

• Variance Reversion: Chiefs, after going 10–0 in one-score games last year, are now 0–2 in games decided by a touchdown or less.
• Nick Sirianni’s Record:

  “Sirianni just passed George Allen for second-best winning percentage by a coach in the Super Bowl era…” – Heifetz [16:36]

4. Sunday’s Wildest Games & Moments

Giants vs. Cowboys (Overtime Thriller, Russaissance)

[32:28] – [35:18]

• Russell Wilson’s Revitalization:

  “This is vintage Russ… once a year he’ll be incredible and convince yourself, ‘could we be something with Russ this year?’” – Craig [34:47]

• Wandale Robinson Breakout: 142 yards, two TDs.

Lions 52, Bears 21: Detroit Restores the Roar

[36:30] – [40:24]

• Dan Campbell’s Vindication:

  “This puts to bed the Ben Johnson narrative—Campbell’s Lions put up 52.” – DK [36:30]

• Jared Goff (5 TDs), Amon-Ra St. Brown (3 TDs):

  “The Lions looked like themselves again, just playing Madden with clock management.” – Heifetz [39:07]

• Bears: Flashes, but Offense Not Fully Clicking.

5. Colts 23, Broncos 22: Daniel Jones’ “Dimes”, Taylor's Speed

[21:33] – [24:48], [22:47] – [23:17]

• Daniel Jones Solid, but Not Special:

  “He’s now QB3 in fantasy through two weeks.” – Craig [21:33]

• Jonathan Taylor’s Home Run Speed:

  “He hit 22.4 mph… fastest since 2020, and he’s 220 lbs. So explosive, so smooth.” – DK [22:47]

• Ref Show:

  “Hard to find a clearer example of a game shifting on a call... a ticky-tack/ghost leveraging penalty awarded Indy another shot at a game-winner.” – Heifetz/DK [25:48]

6. Cardinals 27, Panthers 22: Rookie WR Silver Lining, Bryce Young Rollercoaster

[27:44] – [30:42]

• Bryce Young’s Wild Swings:

  “Alternating plays, [he was] unbelievable, then stomach-churning.” – Heifetz [28:33]

• Ted McMillan Ascends, Leggette Bust:

  “Ted McMillan looks like a surefire playmaker… contrast that with Leggette (8 targets, 1 catch, -2 yds).” – DK [29:08]

• Lesson: Hitting on early draft picks is crucial for rebuilding teams.

7. Rapid-Fire: Fantasy Awards, Notable Performers, and Category Bonanza

Oppenheimer (“Nuclear”) Award

[53:36] – [55:13]

• Amon-Ra St. Brown: 115 yards, 3 TDs, WR1 on the week.
• Jamar Chase: 14 catches, 165 yards, 1 TD.

  “That’s crazy.” – DK [43:26]

• Malik Nabers: 9/167/2
• James Cook:

  “He’s speed-skating through the defense. Seriously explosive.” – DK [54:30]

Floppenheimer (“Nuclear Flop”)

[55:58] – [57:09]

• Derrick Henry: 11 carries, 23 yards—looked washed.

  “If an alien saw Derek Henry today, they’d say ‘get that guy off the field.’” – Craig [56:27]

• “Fantasy entropy”—so many random tight ends got TDs.

Fart or Shart (What to Buy or Ignore)

[43:45] – [48:27]

• Jets Offense (Shart): Justin Fields – 3 completions, 27 yards.

  “Worse than you can possibly imagine.” – Craig [44:07]

• Charbonnet/Walker Rollercoaster:

  “14 carries for 5 yards. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that.” – DK [48:23]

Debutante Ball (Players Arriving)

[62:21] – [63:59]

• Cam Ward: Impressive Mahomes-lite plays; room to grow but already showing poise.
• Elik Ayomanor (Rams WR): Legit breakout buzz.
• Puka Nacua: 45-yd rushing TD + 8/91; keeps producing through physical punishment.

Burn Book (Fantasy Disappointments)

[75:00] – [76:35]

• Mark Andrews:

  “Seven receiving yards in two games. People are not starting him next week. He’s dead.” – Craig [75:00] “You have better options at TE on the waiver wire at this point.” – DK [76:16]

Miscellaneous

• Worst Play of the Day: Steelers’ Caleb Johnson bungles a kickoff return under NFL's new rule—directly costs Pitt the game. [65:15]
• Ref/Coaching “Arthur Smith Sean Hochuli” Award: Jags’ bizarre 4th-and-5 decision in comeback attempt.
• Lucille Bluth “I Don’t Understand the Statline”: Travis Hunter, Derrick Henry, and Zach Charbonnet all confound the box score.
• Stadium Pulse (College): Notre Dame loses after muffed XP snap.

Notable Quotes

On Joe Burrow

“He’s going for the three-peat [Comeback Player of the Year]. Brutal.” – DK [07:43]

On Chiefs/Eagles Game

“This was such a boring game… Just two ugly-ass offenses…” – DK [09:01]
“Jalen Hurts had seven more passing yards than Navy’s offense this week.” – Heifetz [13:43]

On the Chiefs WR Group

“The Chiefs offense is essential players who weren’t good enough for New England. That’s a problem.” – Heifetz [11:22]

On Lions' Statement Win

“The Lions were just playing Madden, being super-aggressive and trusting their offense.” – Heifetz [39:07]

On the “Russaissance”

“Vintage Russ… once a year he’ll just be fucking incredible and you’ll convince yourself.” – Craig [34:47]

On the Jets Offense

“He barely had 20 yards passing. Justin Fields: 3 for 11 for 27 yards.” – Craig [44:22]

On Derrick Henry

“If an alien saw Derrick Henry today, they’d say ‘get that guy off the field.’” – Craig [56:27]

On Mark Andrews

“People aren’t starting him next week. I’m not starting him next week. He’s dead.” – Craig [75:24]

Highlighted Timestamps

• J.J. McCarthy meltdown: [02:01]
• Bijan Robinson praise: [05:39–06:15]
• Joe Burrow’s injury: [07:10]
• Chiefs–Eagles offensive woes: [09:01–13:43]
• Tush Push Controversy: [16:54–20:15]
• Colts’ win, Jonathan Taylor’s speed: [22:47]
• Panthers' rookie picks discussion: [29:08]
• Jets’ embarrassing stats: [44:22]
• Rams’ WR breakouts: [62:21]
• Floppenheimer (Henry’s flop): [55:59]
• Mark Andrews Burn Book: [75:00]

Tone & Takeaways

Loose, sarcastic, and occasionally exasperated. Heifetz, DK, and Craig swing from excitement to despair, capturing why fantasy football is as infuriating as it is addictive ("Fantasy football’s stupid because Daniel Jones outscored Joe Burrow—WHY do I do this?"). The show is equal parts detailed breakdown and therapy session for anyone tilting over their fantasy teams or befuddled by NFL chaos.

For Listeners in a Hurry

• Joe Burrow likely out three months; Jamar Chase’s value drops but not dead.
• Chiefs & Eagles: Both offenses look broken; KC especially in crisis at WR.
• Russell Wilson and Daniel Jones put up fantasy fireworks.
• Lions crush Bears; Dan Campbell vindicated post-Ben Johnson narrative.
• Bijan Robinson is genuinely elite—maybe RB1 overall rest of season.
• Jonathan Taylor: Home-run speed back.
• Derrick Henry/Mark Andrews: Get out now if you can, or pray for a miracle.

Fantasy Football is “so over”… but “we’re so back.”

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