The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Week 3 Preview: Lions-Ravens, Desperate Chiefs, Herby Fully Loaded, and Wentz Week

Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Date: September 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This Week 3 preview episode dives deep into the most interesting NFL matchups for both fantasy and real football, focusing on high-scoring offenses, roster panic-checks, positional dilemmas, injuries, and the under-the-radar narrative lines driving Week 3. The hosts offer candid, statistical, and sometimes hilarious takes on “desperate” fantasy plays, signal optimism, identify nightmares in big-name offenses, hash out what to do about slow starters, and—naturally—debate the best days of the week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monday Night Football: Ravens vs. Lions

[00:49–08:27]

Matchup Hype & Fantasy Impact

• Ravens are favored by 6 points; both teams among the top three for points scored.
• "I think this is going to be a back and forth game…two of the best offenses in the NFL…hopefully a lot of points for us fantasy folks. God bless you." — Danny Kelly [01:50]

Tight End Conundrum: Mark Andrews

• Mark Andrews’ lackluster stats: 7 yards in two games; lowest target share of his career.
• Craig leans benching: "How are you feeling about Mark Andrews? 'Cause I am not starting him until he shows me something." — Craig Horlbeck [02:09]
• Heifetz emphasizes context: "It depends on your options...I kind of doubt you have a tight end that is more talented or getting better opportunities than Mark Andrews." [03:06]
• DK brings brutal stats: "Mark Andrews is the tight end 34 in target rate this year…8%." [06:07]
• Ultimately: Don’t panic drop, but justified to bench for volume-based tight ends like Hunter Henry.

Other Fantasy Angles

• Ravens’ offensive juggernaut, Lions defense seen as vulnerable.
• Historical note: Ravens blew out Detroit last time (38–6).

2. Bengals at Vikings – The "Quarterback Carousel" Bowl

[10:41–17:31]

Jake Browning vs. Carson Wentz

• Satirical “main event” highlighting the amount of QB injuries.
• Craig: "Zero starting running backs have been injured so far…but five starting quarterbacks out." [11:01]

Wentz Career Post-Mortem & Vikings' Offense

• DK summarizes Wentz’s nomadic, now back-to-starting career, with a tangent about his possible post-concussion downturn ([13:29–14:52]).
• DK: “The offense is at its best when they’re passing the football…they’ve shown that over the years. When McCarthy came in, it was very slow, very run-heavy.” [15:32]
• Minnesota’s RB Sairen Jones placed on IR, elevating Jordan Mason, who is now a must-play.
• TJ Hockenson vs. Mark Andrews: hosts lean Hockenson for a "week to get right."

3. Rams @ Eagles – Early Window Spotlight

[17:31–21:15]

Rams are Feisty, Eagles Offense Uninspiring

• Rams were closest to upsetting the Eagles last year.
• Defensive line battle could “muck the game up”—low scoring likely.

AJ Brown Panic?

• AJB's output down, but:
  • "If A.J. Brown is just fully healthy…are you kind of just starting him every year, even if he has four catches for 30 yards every single game?" — Craig [18:06]
  • Zero bench possibility for "upper-echelon" WRs like Brown, Jefferson, Chase, etc.
  • Historical matchup: torched Emmanuel Forbes for 175 yards and two TDs.

4. Steelers at Patriots – Offenses in Crisis

[21:15–26:47]

Pittsburgh: Still Running in Place?

• Craig, a cautious optimist: "I think this is a winnable game for Pittsburgh…are they ever going to be able to run the ball?"
• DK flags Steelers' DVOA collapse: “They're 27th…that is kind of unfathomable.” [26:14]
• Both note: Key for fantasy is Jalen Warren's expanding role, especially in the screen game.

Tomlin's Endless Coordinator Blame

• "My only issue with Tomlin…is a remarkable ability for Steelers coordinators to constantly be criticized…as if Tomlin can't tell them what to do." — Heifetz [25:32]

5. Jaguars vs. Texans – Are the Jaguars Actually Good?

[28:58–34:50]

Jacksonville Offense in Crisis

• "Jags’ vibes this last week were atrocious. You get pictures of Trevor Lawrence waving off Liam Cohen..." — DK [29:10]
• Brian Thomas disappointment: Expected points double his real points; issues with effort and possible injury.
• Heifetz: "If you were Liam Cohen…who do I think I can get this offense to move the ball on? Carolina, then Cincinnati. And those are the first two games Jacksonville had..." [32:52]

Houston's Defense is "So legit"

• All three hosts—especially Craig and Heifetz—are bullish on Houston defense against a reeling Jags offense.

6. Colts vs. Titans – AFC South Power Shift?

[35:13–39:20]

• "This is a pretty commanding lead three weeks in." — Heifetz, if the Colts win ([35:31]).
• Daniel Jones (Colts) gets a “pumpkin test” this week; hosts split on whether he stays hot.
• Tyler Warren (Indy TE) injury note.
• Jonathan Taylor seen as a workload monster, all Colts fantasy pieces endorsed except for a toe injury blip on Warren.

7. Packers at Browns – Packers Dominance, Browns Freefall

[39:43–42:25]

• "Packers look like the best team in the NFL…"
• Concerns for Flacco's health; Packers pass rush likely to tee off.
• Dobbs dealing with “the least fun of any quarterbacks”—inserted “least fun” fantasy QB draft banter for comic relief.

8. Chiefs at Giants – Must-win for Kansas City?

[43:13–46:57]

• "If the Chiefs start 0-3, it's a pretty massive game."
• Mahomes/Chiefs only favored by 5.5 due to their current offensive struggles.
• "The Chiefs are just not fun to watch anymore. I no longer want to watch their games." — Craig [46:57]
• GIANTS: Scatterboo RB gaining “overtime/two-minute” trust, possible fantasy ascension; Worthy (KC) questionable—hosts uneasy about using him with health risk and 48-hour news gap.

9. Bucs at Jets – O-Line Woes, Backup QBs Galore

[49:07–55:14]

• Tyrod Taylor starting for the Jets, which surprisingly might help Garrett Wilson's output.
• "I think you're more likely to play Garrett Wilson knowing that Justin Fields is out." — Heifetz [49:38]
• Bucs' O-line is "devastated"—starters dropping like flies; impact for both run game and Mike Evans, who is "due" for positive regression.

10. Raiders at Commanders – QB Injury Watch & Run Game

[55:21–61:50]

• Likelihood of Marcus Mariota starting for Washington due to Jaden Daniels’ injury.
• If Mariota plays, Debo (Deebo Samuel) could get more "manufactured touches"—hosts: not a “sell high,” but a “hold.”
• Raiders’ offense should bounce back after tough Chargers matchup—Myers is a must-start.

11. Falcons at Panthers – Kyle Pitts is Quietly… Good?

[61:50–66:40]

• Bijan carrying Falcons O; Falcons’ offense "never fully clicked," but Kyle Pitts trending toward a breakout.
• “Quietly happening” for Pitts: 4th in route %, 7th in target rate among TEs [64:32].
• Panthers’ O-Line a disaster—jokes about which Panthers starters are players or Coachella acts.

12. Rapid Fire: Other Games & Fantasy Angles

[68:11–91:52]

Bears vs. Cowboys

• Bears-Favored! Eberflus revenge game, high drama.
• Cowboys: Rainbow strip shootout; play everyone.
• "Javonte Williams is six months older than RJ Harvey" — Craig [72:18]

Broncos at Chargers

• "Chargers are awesome…defensively flying around…Herbert looks better than ever." — Craig [81:41]
• Troy Franklin emerging as a must-stash fantasy WR.

Saints at Seahawks

• Spencer Rattler: “plucky game manager” per DK, not a star but “moving the chains."
• Cooper Kupp: Week 1 a “fart” not a “shart” (fluke, not catastrophe).
• Sam Darnold 3rd-highest graded QB (???), but likely due to scheme not stardom.

Cardinals at 49ers

• Cards “always play SF tough,” both teams 2-0 but doubts swirl.
• Running game vanished; Marvin Harrison frustration ("happy I didn't draft him").

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On overreacting to slow starts:
  "If you bench Mark Andrews, he’s going to go off; if you play him, maybe he’ll suck. That’s fantasy football." — Dan Rucker [05:59]
• On A.J. Brown’s start-ability:
  “He could have under five points for six or seven straight weeks, and I’d still play him one more week.” — Dan Rucker [21:08]
• On the Steelers D's collapse:
  "Steelers right now are 27th in defensive DVOA, which is kind of unfathomable, especially for the most expensive unit in the NFL." — Danny Kelly [26:14]
• On the Jaguars/Texans matchup:
  "The Texas defense is so legit. Will Anderson is so good. Derek Stingley this season is playing a lot better than Brian Thomas." — Craig [33:53]
• On Thursday vs. Saturday vs. Friday:
  "The future is so bright, we gotta wear shades—Friday’s the best day." — DK [104:02]
• On Chiefs’ dullness:
  "The Chiefs are just not fun to watch anymore. I no longer want to watch their games. We going to get a petition?" — Craig [46:57]
• On Deebo Samuel:
  "He gets manufactured touches—he’s a hold, not a sell high." — Craig/DK [61:50]
• On podcast closing banter:
  "Heifetz, you're really struggling with the goodbyes lately…he's just checked out, it's Friday for him already." — DK [110:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lions-Ravens Preview & TE Talk: 00:49–08:27
• Bengals at Vikings (QBs, RBs, Hockenson): 10:41–17:31
• Rams at Eagles/A.J.Brown: 17:31–21:15
• Steelers-Patriots & Tomlin Blame: 21:15–26:47
• Jags Vs. Texans: Brian Thomas, Houston D: 28:58–34:50
• Colts-Titans, Daniel Jones Watch: 35:13–39:20
• Packers-Browns, “Least Fun QB” Draft: 39:43–42:25
• Chiefs-Giants, Mahomes Frustration: 43:13–46:57
• Buccaneers-Jets, O-Line Mayhem: 49:07–55:14
• Raiders-Commanders, Mariota Alert: 55:21–61:50
• Falcons-Panthers, Kyle Pitts Talk: 61:50–66:40
• Rest of Slate & Lightning Takeaways: 68:11–91:52
• Best Days of the Week (Power Ranking): 103:39–108:29

Tone & Style

• Knowledgeable and irreverent, with debates, stats, and jokes interwoven.
• No-nonsense fantasy advice, but full of “wait, hear me out” tangents and pop culture/fantasy football therapy.
• Freewheeling—expect asides about hotel sleep hacks for QBs, Harambe, band names vs. O-linemen, and beer-powered Fridays.

Summary

This episode preps fantasy managers for the chaos of Week 3: calling out coach-speak and slow-starters, encouraging patience or panic as fit, and emphasizing that, in a year already defined by QB injuries, flexibility and fun are the real “must-starts.”