Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Dolphins at Bills Reaction + Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy Injury Updates

Date: September 19, 2025 | Hosts: Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers, Jay Croucher

Episode Overview

This episode dives into reactions from the Dolphins-Bills Thursday Night Football game, with particular fantasy attention on James Cook’s breakout, Dalton Kincaid’s emergence, and the Dolphins’ backfield split. The crew also explores injury updates (notably Jayden Daniels and Brock Purdy), debates start/sit and trade questions, and delivers signature comedic banter, including fan mail “Dear Doctor” segments and some Emmy-related fun. The friendly, informally roasty tone anchors the show in both deep fantasy analysis and good humor.

Key Segments & Insights

[06:47] Dolphins at Bills: Fantasy Fallout

James Cook’s Breakout

• Josh Allen on James Cook:
  “He looks like he’s been shot out of a cannon every time he touches it. You know, he’s so fun to play with. Ultimate competitor… he’s been such a catalyst for our offense. Special player.” — Josh Allen [08:34–08:56]
• Matthew Berry:
  “22 touches in back-to-back games…first time in his career. Seven straight games with a rushing touchdown…he looks better than ever. I completely whiffed on James Cook in the preseason.” [09:01–09:51]
• Connor Rogers: Praise for Cook’s harder running, improved in-between-the-tackles ability, making him a "bell cow" in the Bills' more run-focused offense with an easy schedule ahead.
• Jay Croucher: The Bills are "playing for the Super Bowl," easier schedule means Cook’s role is sustainable. Bills are favorites in all but one game before Week 17. [10:17–11:14]

Will James Cook Keep This Up?

• Jay Croucher:
  “I think it’s going to continue… but after three weeks, you still have to regress a little to preseason expectations.” [14:04]
• Matthew Berry:
  “Given the schedule and their run-balanced nature...I’ve done a 180 on Cook.” [11:14]

Dalton Kincaid’s Rise

• Matthew Berry:
  “Second straight game as the team’s leader in targets. Now has three end-zone targets, team-high. Still, only 60% route participation — 27th at the position.”
• Jay Croucher:
  “He just looks more explosive…effectively a receiver at tight end, and he’s looking like it.”

Betting & Props Recap

• Hosts recap their personal bets and recommendations—Berry and Croucher with winning picks; Lawrence’s Tyreek Hill prop misses.
• Connor Rogers:
  “Shout out to Fantasy Life… their projection tools nailed Ray Davis under—he wasn’t involved, James Cook got all the work.”

[16:38] Dolphins Backfield Dynamics

Ali Gordon’s Goal-line Role

• Connor Rogers:
  “Ali Gordon gets the touchdown…much bigger back…role is very clear when they need an in-between-the-tackles runner.” [18:06]
• Matthew Berry:
  “He’s very touchdown dependent. No pass-game involvement…should be rostered if you have HN, but little standalone value beyond that.” [18:35]
• Jay Croucher:
  “He’s Braylon Allen—stuck behind a No. 1 guy who gets all the pass-catching.” [19:23]
• Devon HN: Still a locked-in RB1 because of massive receiving role (27% target share). “That’s Alvin Kamara–ish.” —Berry [19:44–19:55]

[20:26] Major Injury Updates

Quick Hits

• Jayden Daniels (Commanders): Not spotted at practice; "unlikely" to start (knee). Marcus Mariota to start. [22:14]
  • Cliff Kingsbury: “Jaden preparing mentally…Marcus getting the reps physically.” [21:32]
  • Recommendation: Berry—Mariota is the top streamer over Jake Browning due to matchup and proven fantasy upside in this offense. [24:07]
• Brock Purdy (49ers): Limited by toe injury (track Friday’s practice).
• Juwan Jennings: Also out.
• Josh Jacobs: Ankle issue.
• Zach Charbonnet (Jags): Foot injury could sideline him.
• Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars): Wrist injury, slow start, but high target volume.
  • Trevor Lawrence: “It doesn’t always go perfect...but we’re only in week two.” [26:14]
  • Jay Croucher: “Buy the dip on Brian Thomas Jr…” [28:24]

Bleacher Nation Alerts ([27:32])

• Jaden Daniels officially OUT.
• Chris Godwin, Tristan Wirfs ruled out.
• Emeka Egbuka: Questionable.

[29:55] More Injury/Role Reactions

Tucker Kraft (Packers TE):

Knee injury in Thursday’s practice. “Not believed to be a long term issue…could miss this weekend.” [30:02–30:32]

Ashton Gentry (Raiders RB):

• Pete Carroll: “Would like to get him around 20 carries a game.”
• Berry: “Too early to bail on someone you drafted highly—rookie RBs often start slow.” [33:23]

[34:29] Doctor Denny “Flexual Frustrations” Segment

Humorous fan mail about “booty” (Keyshon Boutte), “Wicks” (Dontavian Wicks), Wandale Robinson, and more.

• “If you’re gonna commit to Booty, you gotta commit to Booty.” —Connor [35:13]
• Denny Carter on Wicks: “Some people like to be humiliated…Wicks could have a big day as a high variance flex.” [36:42]
• Carter on Wandale Robinson: “No one should have shame about playing Wandale …Ranks 7th in wideout yards and catches—start him.” [37:48]
• Carter on Troy Franklin: “Reconnect with an old college flame…he’s running 75% of the routes, 15 targets—worth a flex in 12-team leagues.” [38:40]

[42:59] Celebrating Champions, Emmy-Style

• The crew congratulates Todd Zeal on his 2nd Emmy win.
• Connor: “I am officially Josh Allen. Can’t get over the hump. He’s your Mahomes.” [44:00]
• Berry: “Do you think Zeal will pull a John Larroquette and bow out?” [45:02]

[46:11] Listener Q&A — What’s On Tap

Top Flex & Start/Sit Debates:

• Chuba Hubbard vs. George Pickens:
  Berry: “Pickens is the ceiling, Hubbard is the floor…I’m going with Pickens this week (vs Bears).” [46:52]
• Jameson Williams, Elik IO Manor, Romeo Doubs, Trevion Henderson:
  Berry: “Williams in a high-scoring potential game, but IO Manor needs to be rostered universally.” [48:55]
• Pacheco, Tyrone Tracy, Juwan Johnson:
  Berry: “Pacheco’s floor, Juwan’s ceiling. Not Tracy.” Lean Juwan in this one; “Seattle’s allowed most points to TEs.” [50:42–51:51]

[53:54] Last Call: Pickup Lines (Betting Props)

• Connor’s Pick: Garrett Wilson over 64.5 receiving yards. “No one else to throw to in the Jets offense; biggest Fantasy Life projection disparity of the week.” [55:25]
• Jay’s Pick: Jonathan Taylor over 13.5 receiving yards. “Staying on the field for pass blocking, running more routes, massive screen potential.” [54:17–55:21]
• Berry’s Choice: Picks Connor’s prop for its strong projection and matchup.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I’m like the Harlem Globetrotters of the English language.” —Matthew Berry [00:54]
• “You only need one team to believe in you. That’s what I need.” —Berry [01:29]
• “If you’re gonna commit to Booty, you gotta commit to Booty.” —Connor Rogers (on Keyshon Boutte) [35:13]
• “Buy the dip on Brian Thomas Jr.” —Jay Croucher [28:24]
• “Some people like to be humiliated, and that’s ok…that’s why you go get the drop-prone, mistake-prone Dontavian Wicks and you plug him into your flex.” —Denny Carter [36:42]
• "It's more risk/reward with Pickens, more floor with Hubbard." –Matthew Berry [46:52]
• “Mama Emmy never liked that woman…unlike her, I will bring you home with me.” –Berry picking Connor’s betting prop [56:12]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 06:47 — Dolphins at Bills recap / James Cook’s emergence
• 12:29 — Dalton Kincaid: Is he for real at TE?
• 17:35 — Dolphins RB situation: Ali Gordon’s role vs. A Chan
• 20:26 — Injury roundup: Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, Brian Thomas Jr.
• 29:55 — Tucker Kraft, Ashton Gentry, and rookie RB discussions
• 34:29 — Doctor Denny’s “flexual frustrations” mailbag
• 42:59 — Emmy celebration and fun
• 46:11 — Listener Q&A: Flex and start/sit decisions
• 53:54 — Last Call: Pickup Lines / Prop Bets

Summary: Who Should Listen?

This episode balances actionable fantasy football insights (waiver targets, start/sit, trade, injury news) with the show’s trademark humor and inside jokes. If you want to keep up with the latest developments on key fantasy players like James Cook, Dalton Kincaid, and A Chan, make savvy waiver and trade decisions, and enjoy a good laugh with banter and bits (“Commit to Booty!”), this is a must-listen. The dialogue stays playful yet focused on giving an edge to fantasy managers heading into the weekend.