The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Episode: Week 4 Recap From Ireland: Steelers Get the Dub(lin), Mahomes Is Back, Giants Light Up a Dart, and Week 5 Waivers
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Location: Dublin, Ireland

Episode Overview

Broadcasting live from Dublin after an epic Steelers-Vikings matchup, Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck recap Week 4’s NFL action with their signature blend of insight and humor. They break down key games, argue over fantasy winners and losers, lament injuries (Malik Nabers, ouch), and offer quick-hit waiver advice for Week 5—since the usual Monday episode is preempted by travel. The show’s energy is unmistakably buoyed by the Ireland trip, with the crew riffing on in-stadium vibes, Irish pints, pop culture moments, and classic ‘Ringer’ segments like “It’s So Over/We’re So Back.”
(Note: Ads and non-content sections omitted.)

Steelers 24, Vikings 21 — Live From Dublin!

Timestamps: [02:00]–[16:00]

• Atmosphere: The first-ever NFL game in Dublin delivered a tight, entertaining contest. The Steelers pulled out a 24-21 win, dominating the trenches—much to the delight of a wildly energetic Irish crowd, “maybe even louder than Pittsburgh” ([14:36], Danny Kelly paraphrasing Patrick Queen).

• Defensive Line Domination: Both teams’ D-lines overwhelmed battered O-lines, especially after the Vikings lost RT Brian O’Neill (early 1st Q) and C Ryan Kelly (early 3rd Q, possible second concussion in three weeks).

  “When Ryan Kelly went out, everything changed… All the D-tackles for the Steelers just started crowd[ing]. Wentz was getting tipped. TJ Watt tipped an interception—like, it just started to get messy.” — Danny Kelly [06:23]

• Vikings Offense in Disarray: Endless 3rd-and-longs led to sacks, incompletions, and turnovers.

  “These are how the Vikings drives ended. On third down:…third and nine sack, third and thirteen sack, third and eight interception…you can’t live that way.” — Dana Heifetz [07:01]

• Turnover Luck: Steelers continue their “absurd” turnover margin streak—27 points off turnovers scored, 0 allowed.

  “I think you could call it luck because of how many positive turnover EPA they have every single week. And it happened again today.” — Danny Kelly [07:28]

• NFL’s Rule Obscurity: The crowd (many NFL newcomers) was left scratching heads after moments like a Jalen Ramsey fumble-TD return (negated due to a player being OOB touching the ball), intentional grounding, and the scoreboard flipping the down. Ireland experienced the NFL’s “esoteric rules” ([08:10]).

• Endgame & Coaching Gaffes:

  • Tomlin’s bold 4th-and-goal call (“so out of character”), the Addison 81-yard catch (saved by a TD-saving tackle), and back-to-back questionable 4th-down decisions.

  “Tomlin kind of did the worst of both worlds. You should have took the field goal at the three yard line, but now at fourth and half a yard…now you go for it, the game’s over.” — Dana Heifetz [13:23]

• Crowd Highlights: Steelers fans traveled en masse (“30 or 40,000 had Terrible Towels”), and an a cappella “Zombie” (by The Cranberries) rendition during a TV timeout brought the house down ([15:14]).

• Star Performers: Steelers’ D, Rodgers playing sharp, TJ Watt’s tip-INT and “attempted” souvenir kick, and running back Jay Warren (a surprise inactive, which caused fantasy chaos).

Around Week 4: Winners, Losers & Big Storylines

Chiefs 37, Ravens 20

Timestamps: [21:01]–[24:26]

• Chiefs Back On Track: Mahomes (4 TDs; first since Oct. 2023), Xavier Worthy’s breakout speed (led team in rushing and receiving), and the offense suddenly humming.

  “My intrusive thought was—the last 7–14 days was the best Super Bowl odds you'll ever get for the Chiefs for the next 8–9 years.” — Dana Heifetz [22:43]

• Ravens Woes: Injuries, especially to Lamar Jackson (hamstring), and the defense (down 6 starters, 3 straight blowout losses to playoff teams), combine for dark “vibes” in Baltimore.

  “The Ravens have gone from literal Super Bowl favorites a couple weeks ago...to are they a wild card team?” — Danny Kelly [24:24]

• Derrick Henry Discussion: Concern growing as he’s under 50 yards rushing for the third time already this year ([24:59]).

Giants 21, Chargers 18

Timestamps: [29:57]–[38:13]

• Jackson Dart Era Begins: Rookie QB Jackson Dart electrifies in his debut—poised passing, effective running, confidence befitting a 10-year vet.

  “He looked so confident. Borderline cocky—even in the interview after the game. He sat down [and said]...’Hey, shout out Russell Wilson, man, probably a tough week for him, but he took it like a champ.’” — Danny Kelly [31:20]

• Malik Nabers’ Heartbreaking Injury: Star WR goes down with a non-contact ACL in the first quarter, just as the Dart-to-Nabers connection finally forms.

  “Neighbors got three full drives together...[now] it’s like, is neighbors going to be full strength for next season?" — Dana Heifetz [36:57]

• Dart’s Playing Style: Strong runner (“powerful...good acceleration”), taking some reckless hits (“don’t punch someone in the helmet with your throwing hand—don’t be that guy”).

  “He just doesn’t realize the gravity of the situation he’s in—which is kind of an essential quality...” — Craig Horlbeck [34:36]

Texans 26, Titans 0 – How Low Can Tennessee Go?

Timestamps: [38:28]–[43:13]

• Rock Bottom Titans: Only 3 touchdowns (dead last), 7 red zone trips out of 44 drives (by FAR the NFL’s worst rate), and no red zone trips in this game.

  “The only quarterback in the league averaging fewer fantasy points than Cam Ward through four weeks is Joe Flacco, who had negative points today.” — Craig Horlbeck [41:35]

• Texans “Revival”? Not so fast – game was 6-0 entering the 4th. Woody Marks (rookie RB) was the lone bright spot (see Waivers below).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Ireland NFL Experience:

  “There was a lot of players—a lot of the post-game pressers—Patrick Queen, straight up: he was like, no offense, but this was a better crowd than Pittsburgh.” — Danny Kelly [14:36]

• On the Steelerness of the Steelers:

  “Once again, the Steelers win because they get turnovers and then they don’t turn over the ball." — Danny Kelly [07:28]

• On QB Jackson Dart’s Swagger:

  “I gotta say, I'm so sucked in by Dart. …Dart being into the Anakin Skywalker thing—it's only lame if he loses, it's sick if you win.” — Dana Heifetz [31:31]

• On Injuries and Fantasy Angst:

  “If you have Nabers on your fantasy team, it's a black hole of agony.” — Dana Heifetz [36:34]

• On Derrick Henry’s “Dictator Toppling” Statuesque Running:

  “We always joke Derrick Henry kind of looks like a statue of a dictator toppling in a square if he gets hit early.” — Dana Heifetz [27:14]

It’s So Over / We’re So Back

Timestamps: [45:12]–[56:35]

• Ashton Jeanty’s Wild Ride: Fumbled early, nearly rage-benched by listeners, then exploded with 23 touches for 155 yards and 3 TDs; changed his stance back to “Michael Myers creepy psycho killer" and dominated.

  “Look good, feel good, play good.” — Craig Horlbeck [49:16] “He looks like someone just told him that dinosaurs can’t see movement.” — Dana Heifetz [49:10]

• Marion Hampton Ascends: With Najee Harris out for the season, Hampton is now RB1 and running like a mix of Saquon and Marshawn Lynch ([52:56–54:08]).

• Bucky Irving, Puka Nacua, Woody Marks, and Others:

  • Bucky Irving: “If Bucky Irving had Doritos on his heels, they’d never break.” — quoted from Tom Brady ([62:26])
  • Puka Nacua: WR1 on the season and the week, likened to Cooper Kupp—“goes full Cooper Kupp, the whole offense revolves around him.” — Danny Kelly [65:17]
  • Woody Marks: Emergent Texans RB, “clearly the best running back on the Texans” — Danny Kelly [66:30]

Classic Ringer Segments

Fart or Shart?

Timestamps: [67:44]–[72:17]

• A.J. Brown (Eagles):
  • “This man has two games this year with one point. He’s unstartable, one of the worst WRs in fantasy right now.” — Danny Kelly [68:29]
  • “What did he eat? Tell him. Look at me and tell me why this is happening.” — Danny Kelly [69:01]
  • “He sharted.” — Craig Horlbeck [71:44]

Waivers & Quick-Hit Fantasy Advice

Timestamps: [97:35]–[103:15]

Running Back Priorities

• Woody Marks (Texans): Heavy usage; “if he’s available, go get him” ([97:35])
• Justice Hill (Ravens): Clear flex-worthy if Derrick Henry misses any time
• Kendre Miller (Saints): Flashes as Kamara looks sluggish

Wide Receiver

• Romeo Doubs (Packers): Two touchdowns on SNF, but Packers are on bye (note: factor this into waiver strategy)
• Giants WRs: With Nabers out, Darius Slayton (“[will] be way better than people think”—Heifetz) and Wondale Robinson (if still available)

Tight End

• Brenton Strange (Jaguars): Steady usage, viable streamer
• Jake Tonjes/Aranda Gadsden: Only if desperate

Defense

• Browns D: Facing undermanned Vikings in London—Carson Wentz as a target, plus potentially backup center/tackles ([103:14])
• Giants D: Facing Saints, “Dart vs. Rattler” could get ugly

Intrusive Thoughts & Debates

• On A.J. Brown’s Mentality:

  “I have never heard anyone say ‘I felt nothing’ about winning a Super Bowl… A.J. Brown described after [winning]: ‘I felt nothing.’”—Dana Heifetz [81:29]

• Would You Take 200 Yards in a Losing Super Bowl, or Zero Catches and a Win?

  “If I'm a receiver…the options are: I have 210 yards and 3 TDs and we lose by three, or we win the Super Bowl and I have zero catches—I honestly think I might take the former.” — Danny Kelly [82:06]

• On Quentin Johnston:

  “We have to listen to what Justin Herbert is telling us. …He’s a top five receiver in fantasy football. You got him outside the top 100.” — Dana Heifetz [79:21, paraphrased]

Memorable Irish Anecdotes

Timestamps: [17:03]–[20:27]

• Celebrity Sightings: Bill Murray (!) and Jason Kelce spotted on the sidelines; Heifetz gets Murray’s pub take (“I kept spilling my Guinness on myself, so they kept refilling it” [19:15]).
• Crowd Culture: Terrible Towels, mass singalong of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, and visiting Irish pubs get shout-outs in banter with Kelce and Bill Murray.

Awards (Play/Nightmare Play of the Day, Coach/Ref Rants)

Timestamps: [85:10]–[90:32]

• Play of the Day: A.D. Mitchell’s 70-yard catch that he fumbled before crossing the goal line—“the best and worst play of the day” ([85:11]).

• Coach/Ref Rant: Why does the NFL not have fixed goal line cameras in every game? Group agrees “it makes too much sense” ([90:32]).

Burn Book

Timestamps: [94:11]–[96:53]

• A.J. Brown (recap of futility): Candidates for “Burn Book,” joining previous weeks’ Waddle, Andrews, Pacheco.
• Consensus: Can’t drop him, but can’t trust him until something changes.

Waivers: Essential Add List

Timestamps: [97:32]–[103:15]

RB:

• Woody Marks
• Justice Hill
• Kendre Miller
• Kenneth Gainwell (if available; Jaylen Warren injury notes)

WR:

• Romeo Doubs
• Darius Slayton
• Wondale Robinson

TE:

• Brenton Strange

DEF:

• Browns (vs. depleted Vikings)
• Giants (vs. Saints)

Other Notables

• Bad Bunny announced as Super Bowl halftime show (not Taylor Swift)—DK wins the “prediction” sweepstakes ([105:28]–[106:33])
• Pop Culture: The crew discuss sourdough Easter eggs, halftime show rumors, and Taylor Swift’s purported Super Bowl negotiations ([108:36]–[114:27])
• Irish travel energy—loopy, fun, and tinged with sleep deprivation.

TL;DR — Episode Takeaways

Games:

• Steelers’ defensive line, turnover mastery
• Chiefs’ offense “back,” Ravens spiraling
• Giants rookie QB Dart shows promise but loses Nabers to ACL
• Titans/Texans: Tennessee among NFL’s bleakest Fantasy:
• Jeanty, Hampton, Woody Marks, and Bucky Irving are key RB risers
• A.J. Brown and Calvin Ridley in “trust fall” territory
• Waivers: Barren at WR/TE, but RB is where you find gold this week

Vibes:
This one’s for international NFL fans—stadium pulse, pop culture crossover, Guinness vs. Murphy’s, and Ireland’s best pubs.

Sample Quote:
“Look good, feel good, play good.” — Craig Horlbeck on Ashton Jeanty [49:16]

(For awards, segments, and debates, see section headings and timestamps above. For waivers, refer to the concise cheat-sheet near the end.)