Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Bills at Texans Reaction + Joe Burrow, Bucky Irving Injury Updates

Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry, with Jay and Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This lively episode takes a deep dive into Houston’s upset of the Bills, focusing on the fantasy fallout from the game. The crew breaks down the struggles of Josh Allen, the surprising effectiveness of the Texans' defense, and what it means moving forward for key fantasy assets on both sides. Injury updates, especially surrounding Joe Burrow and Bucky Irving, are highlighted with an eye toward actionable fantasy advice. As always, the tone is irreverent, conversational, and filled with running jokes, memorable one-liners, and candid assessments of the week’s key NFL happenings.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bills at Texans: Fantasy Fallout

(Starts ~03:10)

• General Assessment:

  • The Houston-Texans' defense continues to be the real deal, shutting down Josh Allen and the Bills.
  • The game was exciting as football but "awful for fantasy" outside a few performances.

• Bills:

  • James Cook impressed with 100 yards and a TD against what was the league’s #1 run defense.
    • Connor: "James Cook did better than I think people expected him to…that big run gave the touchdown, but listen, 100 yards and a touchdown against the Texans' defense, which entered the week as the number one run defense in the NFL...Cook. Awesome!" (03:51)
  • Khalil Shakir (not "Shakur"!) is viable in comeback game scripts, especially versus teams like Houston with strong outside corners.
    • Matthew: "I don't know why you still keep calling Khalil Shakir like his last name is Tupac. It's Shakir.” (04:47)
  • Josh Allen's performance was disastrous: single-digit fantasy points, barely over 100 yards. The guys point out he’s had weird Texans games before, and they’re not panicking.
    • Connor: "I'm pretty sure that's Josh Allen's worst fantasy game of his career." (03:51)
    • Berry: "To Josh Allen...I don't think that you're downgrading Josh Allen going forward. I think it's just a tough matchup and he'll snap out of it." (05:14)

• Texans:

  • Davis Mills is serviceable but not a true fantasy option except in 2QB leagues.
  • WRs like Nico Collins had disappointing usage (three targets); optimism remains if/when CJ Stroud returns.
  • The crew agrees: Houston’s defense is matchup-proof right now; up next, the Colts, which may be good for Houston RBs.
    • Jay: "You're not downgrading Josh Allen...you're downgrading who has to play the Texans because their edge pass rush is amazing. Their corners on the outside are awesome." (05:43)
  • Woody Marks is a volume back, but production’s lacking due to line play. Still worth low-end RB2/flex consideration.
    • Berry: "Marks is certainly...the lead guy in the backfield, but there's not really any explosives. There's not huge gaps being created...he’s a viable low end RB2/high end flex guy each week." (10:27-11:04)

• Houston’s Defensive Upside:

  • Jokes are made about betting on the Texans for the Super Bowl (“100-1 shouldn’t happen with that defense!”).
  • Will Anderson is highlighted as a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate, right behind Myles Garrett.

2. Injury Roundup: Joe Burrow & Bucky Irving

(Starts ~17:33 and again at 24:35)

• Joe Burrow:

  • Reports conflicting: Full participant in Thursday practice, but beat reports suggest limited work. (19:12)
  • Line at Patriots -7 in Cincinnati hints Burrow might sit; Thanksgiving game further complicates a rushed return.
  • Fantasy Rank: If he plays, Borrows slides into the low-end QB1 (QB6-8) region, per Berry and Connor. (20:10)
  • Season outlook: If Bengals lose, what’s the point in bringing Burrow back? Playoff hopes are essentially dashed.
    • Berry: “Why have him come back at all? ... having him come off this absence and play two games in five days, that seems improbable.” (19:39–20:08)

• Bucky Irving:

  • Limited in practice, but inside word (via Mike Florio) is pessimistic regarding his return.
    • Florio: "I'm not so sure Bucky Irving is going to be back this weekend based on something I heard...underscores the very real existence of inside information..." (24:56)
  • Officially ruled OUT; gives a short-term boost to Rashad White and Sean Tucker, though the matchup with the Rams is brutal for fantasy RBs.
    • Connor: "Ideally I would not start either guy...if I had to, I think if I had to pick one, it would probably be Sean Tucker..." (25:52–26:57)

• Other injury notes:

  • Jackson Dart out, Jameis Winston starts again for New Orleans.
  • Daniel Jones (calf), Aaron Rodgers (wrist), Josh Jacobs (knee) listed with injuries—Jacobs did practice individually Thursday.
  • Chris Godwin practiced in full but offensive coordinator warns to temper expectations on his workload.
    • Godwin: “To be able to think that they’re going to go out there and play 50-55 snaps would be unfair to those guys.” (28:26)

3. Waiver Talk & Flex Decisions

(Starts ~33:40)

• Top Waiver Targets:

  • Trevor Lawrence (vs. Arizona)
  • Tyler Shough (top-20 QB vs Atlanta)
  • RBs: Tajae Spears, Bhayshul Tuten, Devin Singletary
  • WR: Christian Watson, Kayshon Boutte, Andrei Iosivas
  • TE streamers: Harold Fannin Jr, Mason Taylor

• Flex/Streamer Discussions:

  • Greg Dortch gets “Short King” love for deep leagues.
  • Michael Wilson’s upside in Arizona’s pass-heavy Week 12 game.
  • Jalen Coker, high-slot involvement for Carolina, is recommended as a sleeper flex vs 49ers.
  • Luther Burden (Bears): The cold weather discussion turns into a running Costanza joke about “shrinkage,” but conclusion is Burden is viable due to slot opportunity and the Steelers’ susceptibility to receivers.

4. Live Viewer Q&A: Start/Sit Dilemmas

(Scattered; key sections at: 42:53, 45:13, 49:12)

• Woody Marks over RJ Harvey (right answer—Harvey's on bye)
• Regulars’ “Power Rankings” are a recurring inside joke; fantasy participation is dense and ongoing.
• Dak Prescott vs Brock Purdy: Lean Purdy; better matchup (Carolina gives zero pressure, Purdy's weapons are healthy).
• Alec Pierce vs Alvin Kamara (full PPR): Crew prefers Kamara’s volume and floor, especially in tougher matchups.
• Michael Wilson vs Emeka Egbuka vs Ricky Pearsall (flex): Slight edge to Egbuka unless Godwin is active; if so, Wilson closer to Egbuka.

5. Betting Picks & Notable Advice

(54:13 - End)

• "Pick-Up Lines" Best Bets:

  • Jay: Derrick Henry over 87.5 rushing yards vs Jets (leans on Jets’ missing run-stuffer Quinnen Williams).
  • Connor: Breece Hall over 2.5 receptions (Tyrod Taylor uses RBs in passing game).
    • Connor: "If you can't put your money on Tyrod Taylor, who can you put your money on?" (56:09)

• Injury Fallout:

  • Cardinals signed Jamar Jefferson, Sincere McCormick—bad sign for Trey Benson’s availability. Bam Knight takes lead back role if Benson sits.
  • Sam LaPorta (Lions) out for season after back surgery; big blow for anyone relying on him at tight end.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Matthew Berry, on Texans D:
  “That team with that defense, Stroud coming back, should not be 100-1 [to win the Super Bowl]!” (06:34)

• Joe Burrow's season outlook (Berry):
  "Why bring him back? The whole point of bringing him back is to try to save the season. If you lose this game, season’s done." (20:51)

• On Josh Allen’s struggles (Berry):
  "I think it's a combo. Offensive line a bit worse. Weapons not separating. Play-calling is stale. And Josh just doesn't quite look at the same level." (15:06)

• Jay, on Saints QB:
  “Tyler Shough...has been very solid his two starts to date.” (48:15)

• Berry, on RB depth:
  “If you need upside and you need someone to get you 21, Sean Tucker is your go. If you need just 6-7, Rashad White might be a higher floor.” (27:10)

• Connor, on waiver RBs:
  “I always kind of been into Booty.” (34:44, speaking on Kayshon Boutte as a pickup)

• Jay, on Jacoby Brissett:
  “The explosion's not going to stop this week and I'll tell you why: Jaguars are the premier pass funnel defense.” (35:05)

• Dr. Denny Carter (on fantasy WRs in cold weather):
  “Despite the cold, I think that [Luther Burden] can still perform. He can still get it done.” (39:10)

• On the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek fans:
  “That's how liberty dies, with thunderous applause. And then he believes Star Wars over Star Trek—you're right on that, Medici.” (45:05)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 01:49 – Show Introduction, crew banter
• 03:10 – Bills at Texans Game & Fantasy Breakdown
• 17:33 – Injury Roundup (Dart, Jones, Rodgers, Jacobs)
• 19:12 – Joe Burrow Practice Update and Start/Sit Implications
• 24:35 – Bucky Irving Injury Update, Buccaneers RB Outlook
• 28:26 – Chris Godwin and TB Passing Game News
• 33:40 – Week 12 Waiver Wire Top Targets
• 35:05 – Dr. Denny Carter’s Flexual Frustrations
• 42:53 – Rapid-Fire Start/Sit Q&A, Community Rankings
• 45:13 – “What’s On Tap”: More Q&A on QB and WR decisions
• 49:12 – Egbuka vs Wilson vs Pearsall, Etienne flex discussion
• 54:13 – “Pick Up Lines” Betting Picks: Henry and Hall props
• 56:44 – Final Injury Updates, Sam LaPorta News

Episode Character & Tone

• Light-hearted, fast-paced, with running jokes (Star Wars/Star Trek, Russian references, “Short King” bits, jokes about “shrinkage”)
• Sharp, data-driven analysis but always with a practical, start/sit-or-waiver-wire conclusion
• Frequent real-time Q&A segments, incorporating live chat and leaderboard “power rankings” for listeners

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating late-week injury chaos, tough start/sit decisions, and those looking to make the most of the last-minute waiver wire. Even in the face of frustrating fantasy performances, the crew keeps things constructive, insightful, and highly entertaining.

Quotes, moments, and insights are timestamped above for easy reference.