The Ringer Fantasy Football Show

Week 9 reshapes the fantasy playoff picture

Week 9 Recap: Caleb Runs Cold, Packers Stomp Patriots, Bengals Bonanza, Sleeper Stroud, Philly’s Fallout, and a Cowboy Pooped His Pants

The episode separates real contenders from collapsing teams while identifying the performances, injuries, and usage trends that could decide fantasy playoffs.

3 key takeaways
  1. 1Houston’s five-touchdown surge and Green Bay’s deep passing game revive two teams with serious playoff and fantasy relevance.
  2. 2Philadelphia’s seven-game skid and the Chargers’ offensive collapse make previously trusted players increasingly difficult to start.
  3. 3Chase Brown emerges as the season’s most frustrating fantasy bust despite playing in Cincinnati’s otherwise explosive offense.

Don't miss

The hosts name Chase Brown the season’s biggest fantasy bust despite Cincinnati’s otherwise excellent offense.

The brief

Danny Heifetz, Danny Kelly, and Craig Horlbeck frame Week 9 as a fantasy stress test: Caleb Williams forced five interceptions, yet Chicago survived behind a dominant defensive line.

Green Bay’s deep-ball attack overwhelmed New England, while Houston’s five-touchdown performance and eight-sack defensive effort revived the Texans’ playoff case.

The Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins showcase sharpened Cincinnati’s contender case, but the Chargers’ dysfunction and Philadelphia’s seven-game skid eroded confidence elsewhere.

Kenneth Walker’s three-touchdown return offered a rare fantasy jolt as injured stars such as Patrick Mahomes and J.J. McCarthy appeared badly hurt, then returned immediately.

The episode’s fantasy verdict lands on Chase Brown as the biggest bust, before the hosts spiral into Rashan Gary’s apparent stain, bizarre quotes, and songs they irrationally hate.

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