The Ringer Fantasy Football Show – Week 8 Preview
Episode: "Week 8 Preview: Packers vs. Rodgers, Philly’s Giant Revenge, and Dating Your Step-Cousin"
Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Overview
This episode is a packed Week 8 NFL preview, focusing on several intriguing matchups, fantasy implications during a brutal bye week, and recurring league inside jokes. The hosts keep their signature irreverent, banter-heavy style, covering not just football strategy but also diving into random digressions (including one about dating step-cousins) and answering wild listener emails. The episode is a must-listen for fantasy players looking to cobble together winning lineups during one of the most chaotic and injury-plagued weeks of the year.
Key Segments and Discussion Points
1. Fantasy Nightmares: The Six-Team Bye Apocalypse
Timestamp: 00:24–02:25
- Six teams on bye leads to "disgusting, gnarly fantasy lineups."
- Danny Heifetz jokes: "I have several teams where the projection is like 2.3 points for an individual player. This is bad." (00:53)
- Running bit: If a fantasy starter scores zero points, you have to shotgun a beer and send video proof to the league.
2. Sunday Night Showdown: Packers vs. Rodgers' Steelers (Revenge Game?)
Timestamp: 02:26–10:39
Key Topics:
- Rodgers Revenge Narrative
- ESPN piece: Rodgers claims it’s “not a revenge game.” The hosts are split on whether they buy it.
- Danny Kelly: "'I don't have any animosity toward the organization. I wish things had been better.'" (03:14)
- Heifetz: Compares it to “showing up looking great at your 10-year high school reunion” rather than true animosity. (04:44)
- Pressure on Jordan Love
- Highest completion percentage with a clean pocket but lowest when pressured.
- Kelly: "If the Steelers get any pressure, Love could totally collapse." (05:45)
- Both Defenses Are Suspicious
- Both have spent tons of capital but are massively underperforming.
- Kelly: "The Steelers are the most expensive defense by cap and they're kind of bad." (07:19)
- Fantasy Angles
- Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden: "It's a six-team bye. These are auto-starts." (06:44)
- Winner Picks and Vibes
- Classic “horseshoe up the ass” Steelers/Packers game — close, weird things always happen.
- Kelly: “When you think about it, Packers have a lot of advantages, but… this is the kind of game Aaron Rodgers will be giving the postgame interview.” (10:36)
3. Giants at Eagles: "Mini Revenge" and the Dart Test
Timestamp: 10:42–16:33
- Giants upset the Eagles two weeks ago; now, Philly seeks payback.
- It's rookie QB Jackson Dart’s first test against a defense that's seen him before.
- Kelly: “This is the first game that will signal what kind of career he has.” (11:06)
- If the Giants win again: “That’s a season-defining shift. Losing twice in three weeks? That’s a different vibe.” (14:26)
- Fantasy Note: Eagles’ WRs (A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith) have huge upside; Deonte Banks is a glaring coverage liability.
- Injury nuggets for both teams – monitor as Sunday approaches.
4. Texans vs. 49ers & the “Dankest Stats”
Timestamp: 16:35–21:40
- Texans: Lead the NFL in scoring defense but have a losing record. First team to allow fewest points through seven weeks AND have a losing record.
- “Dankest stats” from Dante Kapowitz Fleming: “They’re 2-4 and leading the league in points allowed. That’s wild.” (17:17)
- 49ers' offense battered; many fringe fantasy options forced into lineups.
- Play Kittle, but "with zero confidence."
- Dalton Schultz only viable Texans’ start, maybe.
5. Bears at Ravens: Can Chicago Stay Afloat? Lamar’s Injury Uncertainty
Timestamp: 22:00–25:48
- Ravens (1-5) somehow still have decent Super Bowl odds.
- Lamar Jackson has been limited with a hamstring. If he plays, “might not run,” but can still be productive from the pocket.
- Ravens’ D getting healthier at the right time.
- Hosts cautious about Lamar’s ceiling but recommend starting him if you don’t have an elite alternative.
- "Would you be shocked if Lamar comes out and just doesn't run?" (24:51)
6. Jets vs. Bengals: Offensive Hopelessness and New York/Jersey Banter
Timestamp: 27:00–41:20
- Jets are 0-7 and, as a topic, "should probably be sunset," but they spiral into fifteen minutes of New York/New Jersey rivalry jokes instead.
- “Whoever has the worst record has to be the New Jersey Jets next year.” (28:25)
- Jets' offense: Only Breece Hall is barely startable. "If you start anyone else, you’re asking for trouble."
- Owners discussing “Madden ratings” adds to the surreal dysfunction.
- The episode includes reflections on sports fandom, regional rivalries, and the emotional ties that keep fans coming back.
7. Dolphins vs. Falcons: Tua’s Press Conference Blunders
Timestamp: 41:21–43:48
- Tua blames poor vision for not throwing to Waddle: “Sometimes I can't see him. I'm not willing to throw it blind." (42:20)
- The hosts roast Miami’s press conference performances.
- Play Waddle and Tyreek with confidence.
8. Quick Hitter Games & Fantasy Start/Sits
- Bills @ Panthers (Andy Dalton starts for Bryce Young) (44:02–45:22)
- Panthers quietly 4-3, but their wins are mostly unimpressive.
- Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard: Both in frustrating committee; “start Dowdle, but be scared.”
- Browns @ Patriots (45:23–48:51)
- Pats are favored by 7; Drake Maye’s passing stats are off the charts.
- "Maye basically is Josh Allen." (46:33)
- Cowboys @ Broncos: The Fantasy Goldmine (50:13–53:49)
- Dallas offense is elite except for their defense, which is a friendly matchup for all Broncos (yes, even Bonix).
- “The best offenses are the Cowboys, and whoever is playing the Cowboys.” (52:29)
- Buccaneers (walking wounded) @ Saints (53:49–59:48)
- Bucs’ entire roster on the injury report, including “injury: teeth” for backup QB Teddy Bridgewater.
- Tangent on root canals involving Heifetz's dad (a dentist).
9. Titans @ Colts: The Unwatchable Game
Timestamp: 58:54–61:24
- Line is 14.5 and the hosts want to bet it anyway: "Wagon Colts, let's do it."
- “Only reason to start a Titan is out of desperation."
10. Chiefs vs. Commanders: Kelsey’s Big Night?
Timestamp: 61:24–66:11
- KC is surging on both sides of the ball. "Sunday Night will remind everyone the Chiefs are just better."
- Kelsey: “It’s prime time, Taylor Swift’s probably there, he cares. He’s scoring.” (62:48)
- Washington gets Deebo and McLaurin back, but skepticism on McLaurin with Mariota at QB.
Memorable Quotes & Fun Moments
-
On Aaron Rodgers and Motivation:
- Danny Kelly: “‘I don’t have any animosity toward the organization. I wish things had been better…’ I read that… I was like, bullshit.” (03:24)
- Heifetz: “It’s something close to a high school reunion where you want to look good, not like, ‘I hate these people!’” (04:44)
-
On the Six-Team Bye:
- Heifetz: “Several teams where the projection is like 2.3 points for an individual player. This is bad.” (00:53)
-
On the Texans’ Weird Year:
- “They're the first team in NFL history to lead the NFL in points allowed and have a losing record seven weeks in… That's wild.” (17:13)
-
On Jets and Giants Relocation:
- Kelly: “No, no — you Jersey! That’s good, actually.” (28:34)
- “The best part of New Jersey is the view of New York.” (30:48)
-
On Starting Fantasy Players in Desperation:
- Heifetz: “If I have to play a guy that’s going to suck... I would rather have a tertiary player on a Broncos offense than watch the Titans.” (60:30)
-
On Tua’s Press Conference:
- “He basically said, ‘I'm too short to see Waddle.’ Just make up a different excuse.” (42:18)
-
On Bizarre Listener Email ‘Dating Your Step-Cousin’:
- “It sounds a little like he keeps using the ‘step-cousin’ and the step names… almost like he likes it.” – Ifitz (76:39)
- “We’re pretty accepting. I don’t think we’re judging. Love is love.” – Kelly (89:02)
-
On the Delaware Stadium Piss Wall (Listener Email):
- Horlbeck: “This is as close as it gets to just a bunch of people pissing in a room together.” (85:06)
- Kelly: “That photo looks like people were murdered there.” (88:07)
“Ringer 107” Gambling Picks Discussion
Timestamp: 66:22–73:25
- Hosts make their weekly picks with banter and indecision:
- Colts -14.5 (vs. Titans)
- Patriots -7 (vs. Browns)
- Steelers +3 (vs. Packers)
- Eagles -7.5 (vs. Giants)
- Cowboys +3.5 (vs. Broncos) or Ravens -6.5 (vs. Bears) – some debate, settle on Ravens despite Lamar injury risk.
Notable Deep Dives and Tangents
- Root Canals Explained (54:59-56:55)
- NY/NJ Rivalry and the Nature of Sports Hate (27:00–37:20)
- Step-Cousin/Family Relationship Ethics (74:08–82:22)
- Delaware Stadium Piss Wall Story (83:01–88:39)
Final Thoughts
- Rankings & Lineups: "Godspeed with all the horrific lineups that are going to be out there this week."
- Appreciation: The hosts thank The Ringer crew for a big week, Bill Simmons for a cameo, and sign off by joking about the Bruce Springsteen biopic premiere.
- Ways to Reach Them: fantasyfootball@theringer.com for rankings questions, stories, or truly wild emails.
- Classic Sign-Offs: “Thank you to all my step cousins out there.” (88:39)