The Ringer Fantasy Football Show - Week 9 Preview
October 31, 2025
Hosts: Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, Craig Horlbeck
Episode Overview
In this Week 9 preview, the hosts break down key matchups across the NFL, focusing on the ongoing narratives and fantasy football implications surrounding marquee games and players. Among the highlights: the endlessly dramatic Chiefs-Bills rivalry, the precarious status of J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings, the Broncos-Texans “Prove-It Bowl” between C.J. Stroud and Bo Nix, and must-know fantasy advice for the upcoming slate. The show is packed with sharp analysis, witty banter, debate, and memorable takes on which teams— and players— really matter as fantasy season enters its second half.
Chiefs at Bills: The Rivalry That Means Nothing… or Everything
Timestamps: 00:00–08:47
- Narrative fatigue and real stakes: The Bills are 4-0 against the Chiefs in the regular season, but 0-4 against them in the playoffs.
- Danny Kelly: “Doesn’t it feel like the last two weeks have been kind of duds? This is fascinating. The Bills always win the regular season, and the Chiefs always win in the playoffs.” (00:43)
- Dan Heifetz: “It doesn’t matter at all if the Bills win this game. Beyond just adding one to the wins column, narratively, emotionally, it means nothing.” (01:12)
- Injuries and team health: Chiefs are the only “healthy good team.” Bills still banged up, especially on defense.
- Heifetz: “The Chiefs are just healthier… They basically have three injuries that even matter a little… Trey Smith, the right guard, he might even play.” (02:19)
- The Bills’ defense is decimated: "Cole Bishop and Jordan Poirier at safety… cornerback is healthy, but they’re not good.” (02:19)
- Fantasy impact: Isaiah Pacheco (Chiefs RB) is out; Kareem Hunt is a strong play.
- Danny Kelly: “You have Kareem Hunt and then you have Brashard Smith, the rookie seventh rounder... I do think you probably play Kareem Hunt.” (06:17)
- Brashard Smith a desperation stash, potentially in the Jerick McKinnon-type receiving role. (06:45)
- On watching as a fan: Don't bet, just enjoy: “It’s Josh Allen versus Patrick Mahomes... I just want to watch.” - Danny Kelly (05:27)
Memorable Quote
“Hard to think of a more definitive 50-50 split between any two actual rivals ever.”
— Dan Heifetz (01:00)
Steelers at Colts: Defense in Shambles, Colts Offense Historic
10:01–13:42
- Steelers’ defensive collapse vs. Colts’ surprising firepower:
- “Colts 3.46 points per drive, second most by a team through eight weeks of a season, only trailing the 2007 Patriots.” — Danny Kelly (10:39)
- Steelers have allowed 450+ yards in back-to-back games for first time ever.
- Craig: “I don’t see how the Steelers keep up with the Colts in this game.” (11:56)
- Fantasy recommendations:
- All Colts receivers are playable. “If Josh Downs doesn’t play, Alec Pierce is probably a really good option.” — Dan Heifetz (14:12)
- “Josh Downs... quietly been the WR20 over the last three weeks.” — Danny Kelly (14:04)
Memorable Moment
“Are they gonna write books about this Colts team? The 2007 Patriots were just… you put them on the Mount Rushmore of teams. The Colts… what the f***? I don’t get it.”
— Dan Heifetz (12:52)
Vikings at Lions: J.J. McCarthy Under the Spotlight
14:54–23:52
- “Do-or-die” for J.J. McCarthy:
- Constant debate—does this Lions matchup make or break his career?
- Heifetz draws a “Sonic the Hedgehog trailer” analogy: “If J.J. McCarthy comes back and looks horrible again… this is gonna get really awkward.” (16:06)
- The hosts challenge whether this is truly McCarthy’s make-or-break game. “I don’t think expectations are very high right now which is why I’m just confused why you’re circling this game.” — Craig (22:47)
- Team mismatch: Lions are a “wagon” at home; unclear stakes, but Heifetz insists the pressure is huge.
- Danny Kelly: “If he’s horrible for the next nine games, then I think you have that conversation.” (19:54)
- Dynasty/fantasy implications: McCarthy’s outlook colors fantasy surrounding Vikings pass-catchers.
Notable Exchange
“There is a tremendous pressure on JJ McCarthy to play well very quickly. If he doesn’t play well… he just might not get a shot next year to be the unquestioned starter.”
— Dan Heifetz (21:36)
Bears at Bengals: Injury Pileup, Unstable QBs
24:05–27:27
- Bengals QB woes: Joe Flacco questionable; poor Jake Browning performance impacting WRs Chase and Higgins.
- “If you have Jamar Chase or T. Higgins… T. Higgins is like borderline unplayable with Jake Browning.” — Danny Kelly (24:32)
- Bears WRs banged up: DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Zakiya, Luther Burden all hurt.
- “None of them practiced on Wednesday.” — Danny Kelly (26:27)
- Fantasy sleeper: Colston Loveland (CHI TE) is playable if Kmet sits; Bengals allow the highest TE target share (31%) in the league. (25:53)
Broncos at Texans: The “Prove-It Bowl” — Stroud vs. Nix
30:31–36:52
- Defense-focused matchup: Two top-tier defenses; Houston allowing the fewest points per drive, Broncos top-5 D.
- Heifetz: “Not really excited to play anybody for fantasy... You'll probably still play Courtland Sutton, but that’s a little scary.” (32:23)
- Bo Nix’s “Tim Tebow” comp:
- Kelly: “He’s like the best version of what Tim Tebow was right now: all over the place, but in the 4th quarter, he puts it together and pulls it out of his ass.” (33:40)
- Troy Franklin cautious play after Dallas blowup.
- “If you added Troy Franklin… I don't really love Troy Franklin against Houston.” — Heifetz (32:06)
Memorable Quote
“I'm waiting for CJ Stroud to beat a good team.”
— Danny Kelly (37:42)
Niners Injury Apocalypse; Giants at Niners Fantasy Fallout
40:11–46:52
- Lengthy Niners injury rundown:
- “Even longer than the Bucs… The Niners are destroyed.” — Heifetz (40:25)
- Brock Purdy turf toe, O-line decimated, defensive line down to the 11th overall pick.
- Fantasy impact:
- Play Giants skill guys: Dart, Tyrone Tracy, Wan’Dale all “strong options” (45:25)
- For 49ers: “It’s Kittle and McCaffrey.” (45:29)
Other Notable Games and Fantasy Takeaways
Packers at Panthers
54:19–56:54
- Packers favored by 13.5; expect a blowout.
- Rico Dowdle likely taking RB job from Chuba Hubbard, per coach Dave Canales.
- Jordan Love (GB): quietly a “superstar season,” but lacks star aura.
- “If you hadn’t been paying attention… he’s been awesome. 13 TD, 2 picks, 113 passer rating, fifth in MVP odds.” — Craig (55:59)
Chargers at Titans
57:15–60:49
- Chargers heavy favorites (9.5).
- Play all L.A. pass-game players; Aronde Gadsden (TE) a dynasty riser and top-8 play this week.
- “Gadsden is an actual revelation. Lad McConkey WR8 over last 4 weeks.” — Craig (58:48, 60:10)
- Titans: “Unless you’re completely desperate, do you play anybody? No.” — Kelly (60:44)
Jaguars at Raiders
61:01–62:42
- Sit Raiders WRs, except maybe Trey Tucker if Jacoby Myers is traded.
- Jaguars: ETN, Brian Thomas, Travis Hunter all “startable.” Trevor Lawrence is a fine streamer.
Saints at Rams
62:42–65:09
- Rams are 14.5-point favorites and should roll; Puka Nacua back, Stafford hot.
- Start Rams players; avoid Saints except necessity (Kamara), given offensive woes and QB change to Tyler Shough.
- “Just avoid situations where completing a pass feels like a goddamn miracle.” — Heifetz (64:06)
Seahawks at Commanders (SNF)
65:41–70:13
- Jaden Daniels returns for WSH; Terry McLaurin out.
- Seahawks' defensive line is dominant; sit Commanders RB Bill Krusky Merritt.
- Charbonnet preferred over Walker due to goal-line usage for Seattle RB (69:18)
- “The Seahawks are like the best team in the NFL that nobody really took seriously.” — Heifetz (68:14)
Falcons at Patriots
48:36–53:52
- Game still comically colored by 28-3 Super Bowl.
- Patriots favored by 5.5; Falcons’ key skill players are banged up.
- “This is not high stakes, but it's starting to annoy me… The Darnell Mooney stuff.” — Craig (53:21)
Lighthearted Moments, Debate & Quotes
On the Chiefs-Bills “regular season curse”:
“Even if they win, it’s gonna be like, ‘Well, we still need to prove it when it actually matters.’”
— Craig (01:33)
On fantasy lineup advice for the week:
“Startable: Kittle, McCaffrey; for the Giants: Dart, Tracy, Wan’Dale. Don’t think too hard.”
— Heifetz (45:29–45:35)
On the Chargers’ pass-catcher logjam:
“Quentin Johnston’s kind of been the forgotten man.”
— Craig (60:10)
Ringer107 Betting Contest (Fun Closing Segment)
87:43–94:49
- Discussion of their picks (mostly favorites: Pats, Lions, Colts, Chargers, Rams).
- Playing up their group banter/discord over the process.
- “Do we go for the bit or the win?” — Craig (89:58)
- Humorous exchange about always wanting to change picks after injury news.
Bonus: Uniform/Throwback Helmet Talk & Cigar Anecdotes
72:24–99:02
- Panel debates the merits of “painted leather” helmet throwbacks—verdict: “Looks bad.”
- A detour into DK's earring-wearing, wakeboarding youth, and college cigar mishaps: “Being 20 is the funniest age ever, because you just do the dumbest shit.” — Danny Kelly (98:16)
Standout Quotes & Running Jokes
- “Do you think if Caleb Williams doesn’t play well, there will be outrage like if JJ McCarthy doesn’t beat the Lions?” — Danny Kelly (27:17)
- “Fantasy’s about playing good players on good teams, but if you’re weighing Kamara against like… Prashard Smith on the Chiefs, you probably can’t sit Kamara—but you’re not happy about it.” — Danny Kelly (64:27)
- On the NFC North: “Packers favored by 13.5; if they don’t dominate, that’s embarrassing.” — Heifetz (54:19)
- “I just want to read the Niners injury report… this is one of the longer injury reports I have seen, even longer than the Bucs.” — Heifetz (40:11)
- Friendliest poll war: “Craig is in the lead 60 to 40. 40% of people are in Heifetz, which I think is shocking.” — Craig (100:56)
Summary Table: Key Fantasy Recommendations
| GAME | NOTABLE FANTASY PLAYS | SITS/AVOID | |------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------| | Chiefs @ Bills | Kareem Hunt, Chiefs WRs | Brashard Smith (stash only) | | Steelers @ Colts | Play all Colts WRs & RBs | Steelers WRs, D/ST | | Vikings @ Lions | Lions studs; play Addison | Fade Vikings WRs (risk) | | Bears @ Bengals | Bears WRs if healthy; Loveland | Higgins; Bengals pass-catch. | | Broncos @ Texans | Sutton, Nico Collins (barely) | Many WR3/flex types | | Chargers @ Titans | Herbert, Allen, Gadsden | All Titans | | Saints @ Rams | Stafford, Puka, Kupp, Nacua | Saints RB/WRs (except Kamara)| | Seahawks @ Commanders | Charbonnet | WSH RBs, pass-catchers (McLaurin out) |
Theme & Tone
- Language/Tone: True to the hosts—irreverent, analytical, fun, slightly profane, and debate-rich.
- Show Structure: Narrative matchups drive much of the show, with fantasy advice and sharp humor woven in. Mixes big-picture implications with practical, actionable takeaways.
Must-Listen Segments
- [00:00–06:08] — Chiefs-Bills, regular-season futility narrative dissected.
- [14:54–21:58] — The J.J. McCarthy “is this it?” debate (with tangents).
- [30:31–36:52] — CJ Stroud vs. Bo Nix and the sophomore slump/savior question.
- [42:30–46:52] — Niners’ unprecedented injury situation and fantasy trickle-down.
- [87:43–94:49] — Ringer107 contest picks, group roast, and meta-commentary.
Listen For
- Why JJ McCarthy faces uniquely high (or not?) pressure.
- Which 7th-round RBs have “Jerick McKinnon” potential this week.
- The hosts’ ongoing exasperation with recurring NFL and fantasy narratives.
- Season-defining injury breakdowns and how to pivot in fantasy lineups.
- Tips for “set it and forget it” fantasy decisions—especially on stickier matchups.