The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Week 5 Preview: Lamar’s Likely Out, Tyreek’s Done, Shedeur in Mime Time, and DK Doesn’t Know How to Download Movies
Release Date: October 3, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck

Episode Overview

This episode packs a dense, humorous, and occasionally exasperated look at the upcoming Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season—focusing on the cascade of serious injuries, critical lineup decisions, and the ever-present chaos of fantasy football. The hosts also riff on wild NFL storylines (Shedeur’s miming!), air grievances about their own teams (and lives), and pull the fantasy analysis into practical, actionable advice as bye weeks and IR lists devastate rosters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL & Fantasy Injury Apocalypse

• Injury Woes & Bye Week Havoc:

  • Hosts immediately lament the “crappy lineups” due to an unprecedented wave of injuries colliding with bye weeks.
    • "I have not seen such crappy lineups in week five. I don't think ever.” —DK [01:05]
  • Examples: Lamar Jackson out (hamstring), Tyreek Hill's season-ending knee injury, Bucky Irving out, Trey Benson straight to IR after 1 game.

• Coping with the Damage:

  • The trio agree: it's historically bleak, but everyone is in the same boat.
    • “Everybody's hard on man. Everybody's hurt. I do feel like that's the defining aspect of this week.” —Heifetz [13:39]
  • Early waiver-wire strategy: Slogging through rookies and deep cuts (see: Woody Marks, Malik Washington, Michael Carter).

2. Game-by-Game Fantasy Previews & Storylines

Vikings vs. Browns (London Game)

• Quarterback Circus:

  • Joe Flacco benched; Dylan Gabriel gets first NFL start.
  • Lefty QB trend noted—4 active lefties is unprecedented.

• Media Drama:

  • Shedeur Sanders’ infamous “mime” press event sparks 10 minutes of comedic play-by-play and criticism.
    • “He’s miming. And which, if we're being honest, quite literally clown behavior.” —Heifetz [04:50]
    • “The antics... versus what he's actually giving to the team, I don't think has ever been more imbalanced.” —Craig [05:13]

• Fantasy Angle:

  • Browns remain a sit (except Quinte Sean Judkins—RB, seeing near-total backfield work). Vikings injuries add more risk.

• Long Bit: "Name every Browns QB" since 2000—results in a hilarious, meandering list-fest. [09:00–12:40]

Texans at Ravens

• Ravens Decimated:

  • Lamar out (likely until after Week 8 bye), many defensive starters down (Matabika, Humphrey, Wiggins, Roquan Smith, Hamilton, etc.)
  • “This is like the our pets' heads are falling off team for the NFL. Everything has gone wrong.” —DK [17:30]

• Derrick Henry Crisis:

  • Disaster without Lamar: since week one (where he was RB1), Henry’s been outside top 40.
    • “Since week one, Derrick Henry has fewer fantasy points at running back than Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt.” —Heifetz [21:19]
  • Shrinking offensive line leads to brutal yards before contact.

• Woody Marks Watch:

  • Emerging flex play due to injuries and Ravens’ gutted run defense.

Eagles vs. Broncos

• Eagles' Bizarre Undefeated "Vibes":
  • Eagles are 4–0 but deeply unconvincing; called the “2019 Warriors” of the NFL.
  • “I like the unhappy undefeated team. I think is fascinating.” —Craig [25:03]
  • Offense: Dead last in explosive plays, three-and-outs, and bad early-down efficiency despite big names (AJ Brown, Devonta Smith).
• AJ Brown Drama:
  • Social media crypticness dissected (“quietly withdraw, don’t make a scene…”) and the “fart or shart?” section returns as a framework for deciding if fantasy struggles are fleeting or fatal [32:11].

Dolphins at Panthers

• Tyreek Hill's Season-Ending Injury:
  • Massive fantasy implications.
  • “It was kind of like a Nick Chubb-esque… I’ve never been more glad to be on a 10-hour flight.” —Craig [37:18]
• Jalen Waddle Over-Underwhelm:
  • Despite presumed bump, hosts skeptical but agree: “Waddle's about to disappoint people on a whole new level.” —Heifetz [41:03]
  • Watch-list: Malik Washington as a deep-league pickup.

Colts vs. Raiders

• Colts Praise:
  • “America’s team”—Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman, Daniel Jones, Tyler Warren all must-plays.
• Raiders Sell High Alert:
  • Ashton Genti’s huge week (amid awful OL play and tough schedule)—ideal time to trade, if RB depth allows. “Do you think his stock will ever be higher?” —Heifetz [43:22]

Bengals at Lions

• Bengals Offensive Catastrophe:
  • With Jake Browning at QB, Bengals are “completely inept” (Chase, Higgins, Chase Brown all tanking).
  • “Jamar Chase has 73 scoreless yards [in two games].” —Craig [47:00]
  • Real “do you bench your first-rounder for a rookie WR?” convos.
• Lions Run-Up-the-Score Propensity:
  • “Is there any team that's more comfortable running up the score than the Lions?” —Heifetz [49:00]
  • David Montgomery: Clear play in a likely blowout.

Seahawks at Buccaneers

• Seattle’s Quiet Domination:
  • #1 in DVOA, healthiest roster, Sam Darnold thriving [65:41].
• Bucs Ailing:
  • Baker Mayfield’s “big time throws” (and turnovers), nearly entire offense hurt (Bucky Irving in a boot, Evans/Godwin injuries, OL woes).
  • Reluctant “jinxing” and begrudging picks discussion.

Chargers vs. Commanders

• Chargers’ OL Collapse:
  • Both tackles and a guard down; Herbert’s a potential “buy low/sell high” debate.
  • High pass rate may save his value, but playoff schedule daunting.
• Commanders WR/Backfield Mixing Bowl:
  • Only Debo (Sam Debose) as a solid play; RB situation a mess.

Other Key Games & Notes

• Giants @ Saints:
  • Giants a trendy outright pick with Jackson Dart, but hosts joke about their total lack of healthy skill guys.
• Titans @ Cardinals:
  • Absolute fantasy hell, Cardinals RB room in chaos (Michael Carter emerges).
• Patriots @ Bills (SNF):
  • Drake Maye “most promising” of 2024 QB class so far; all NE pass catchers (except Hunter Henry, possibly Stefon Diggs) are risky/rotation types.
• Chiefs @ Jaguars (MNF):
  • Mahomes managing QB3 fantasy performance without real WR threats.
  • Worthy’s impact and Jags homegrown defense watch.

Fantasy Advice, Strategies & Memorable Quotes

Buy-Low, Sell-High (and Bench) Candidates

• Sell High: Ashton Genti (Raiders), possibly Brock Bowers (due to injury).
• Buy Low: Jamar Chase, potentially A.J. Brown.
• Bench Watch: Derrick Henry (“outside top 40 RB since Week 1”), Jalen Waddle skepticism, Devonta Smith “even worse” than A.J. Brown this year (metrics-wise).

Expert Insights

• On the State of RBs:
  • “He [Derrick Henry] turns into the worst running back in the NFL, which has kind of been our joke for a long time…if he doesn't have two steps to get going.” —DK [22:00]
• On Injuries:
  • “Statues just falling left and right.” —Heifetz [21:54]
• On Fantasy Coping:
  • “Sometimes do you ever just think fantasy is the worst?” —Heifetz [48:22]

Fantasy Court: Shotgunning for Zeros

• Rule discussion: Should you have to shotgun a beer if your player zeros due to injury? The “funny and connecting” nature of the punishment is defended.
  • “The point of fantasy is that it’s random and unfair.” —DK [97:29]
  • Verdict: Injury or not, all zeros count. Fantasy Court decided.

Ringer 107 (Picks Segment):

(86:21 onward)

• The hosts debate Ringer’s internal picks contest, weighing:
  • Giants over Saints (Jackson Dart enthusiasm)
  • Lions huge favorites over Bengals (“should be 19 points!”)
  • Broncos over Eagles (Jalen Hurts "shart game" potential)
  • Dolphins over Panthers (does Ewing Theory apply post-Tyreek?)
  • Ravens as outright underdogs vs. Texans
• Joyous/agonized overthinking as they map out picks, banter, and try “Castanza” theory (do the opposite).

Notable Off-Topic, Comedic & Memorable Moments

• Naming Browning Browns QBs since 2000—truly derails for several minutes, with laughter and shame over missed names. [09:00-13:00]
• Mime-gate with Shedeur Sanders ("clown behavior") and extended debate about NFL media antics. [04:24–06:43]
• Long-running bit: "Fart or Shart?" Fantasy Panic Meter for struggling stars. [32:11–32:50]
• Boomer Tech Confessions:
  • DK admits he can't download movies on his iPad (and neither can Craig); detailed explanation and roasts follow. [103:02–105:32]
• Pop Culture Corner:
  • Extended discussion of watching "Barbie" and "Ballerina" on flights and riffs on delayed movie reactions (the pitch: “Last Year Tonight”). [107:20+]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Injury & Bye Week Crisis: [00:27–01:17]
• Vikings-Browns / QB discussion / Mime-gate: [02:36–07:00]
• Ravens’ Injury List & Derrick Henry Debate: [16:45–22:28]
• AJ Brown Drama & “Fart or Shart” Theory: [25:03–33:35]
• Tyreek Hill’s Knee, Waddle, and Miami Fallout: [37:18–41:03]
• Bengals’ Disastrous Offense: [46:51–48:00]
• Cowboys, Dak, and Fantasy Off-brands: [57:32–59:08]
• Seahawks-Bucs, Darnold Surges: [65:41–68:09]
• Ringer 107 Picks / Betting Theatrics: [84:29–93:17]
• Fantasy Court – Shotgun Zero Rule: [95:06–99:16]
• Boomer Movie Download Tech Fails: [103:02–105:32]

Tone & Style Snapshot

• Casual, self-deprecating, and highly interactive.
• Frequent inside jokes, callbacks, and use of signature phrases (e.g., "fart or shart," "Castanza," and “America’s team”).
• The show walks the line between spirited debate and comedic therapy for struggling fantasy managers, laced with candid pop culture asides and lived-in fantasy dilemmas.

Memorable Quotes

• On Fantasy Football's Pain:
  • "Sometimes do you ever just think fantasy is the worst?" —Heifetz [48:22]
• On Injuries:
  • "This is the our pets' heads are falling off team for the NFL. Everything has gone wrong." —DK [17:30]
• On Shedeur Sanders:
  • "He's miming. And which, if we're being honest, quite literally clown behavior." —Heifetz [04:50]
• On Eagles’ Unhappy 4–0:
  • “I like the unhappy undefeated team. I think is fascinating.” —Craig [25:03]
• On Derrick Henry's Usage:
  • "If he doesn't have two steps to get going...he turns into the worst running back in the league." —DK [22:18]
• On Shotgunning for Injury Zeros:
  • “The point of fantasy is that it’s random and unfair.” —DK [97:29]

Closing

The episode concludes with a nod to their recent Ireland trip, promises of returning to the regular four-episode-a-week schedule, and a group riff on movie watching technology and pop culture. And yes, DK still doesn’t know how to download a movie.

Summary Prepared For:
Listeners who missed the episode and want a detailed, timestamped, insight-filled recap—with all the major debates, practical week 5 fantasy takeaways, and the spirit of the Ringer hosts intact.