Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Falcons-Bucs Reaction, Josh Jacobs, CeeDee Lamb Injury Updates + Philip Rivers Prop Bets

Date: December 12, 2025
Host: NBC Sports, Matthew Berry (absent for this episode); Lawrence Jackson, Jay Croucher, and Connor Rogers
Special Guest: Denny Carter

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the fallout from a wild Falcons vs. Bucs game—highlighting Kyle Pitts’ historic breakout, recapping fantasy football shockwaves, giving critical injury updates for key stars (Josh Jacobs, CeeDee Lamb, and more), and helping fantasy managers with start/sit dilemmas ahead of Week 15. The show closes with prop bets (with an unexpected theme: Philip Rivers as a Colts starter in 2025!) and rapid-fire advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kyle Pitts’ Historic Breakout Night

[00:00–08:13]

• The group launches into disbelief about the Falcons’ previous misuse of Kyle Pitts and celebrates his “Mt. Rushmore” fantasy performance in the Thursday game: 166 yards, 3 TDs, 45.6 fantasy points.
• Quote (Lawrence, 01:23): “You say, hey, man, we gonna take you fourth overall, that’s what you get, right? That’s what you want right there.”
• Pitts finally lived up to years of fantasy hype, making spectacular contested catches. The hosts debate why it took so long for Atlanta to unlock him.
• Jay (01:59): “It’s like why haven’t we seen this for the past half-decade from Kyle Pitts, but he delivered last night.”
• The performance is compared to all-time fantasy greats, and the hosts note Pitts’ rare usage as both a tight end and receiver.
• Discussion about Pitts’ future dynasty value—trade or keep?—and scenarios if he lands on a TE-needy contender in 2026.

Memorable Moment:

• Joking about Matthew Berry coincidentally being absent:
  Connor (02:49): “It is a fair question. It’s a little ironic Matthew’s not here after the historic night from Kyle Pitts.”

2. Falcons: Talent Wasted and What Could Have Been

[03:50–05:44]

• Lamenting Atlanta’s lost season—loaded with talent (Bijan, London, Pitts), but a weak 5-9 record despite beating the Bills. Compared to the Jets for underachievement.
• Upcoming matchups: Cardinals (Week 16) look favorable, Rams tougher.
• Jay (05:02): “This season is ridiculous. How are they three games back at the Panthers going into last night? It’s just…it was a kind of reminder of what could have been with the season.”

3. Bucs’ Wide Receivers Shakeout

[13:03–16:52]

• Mike Evans returns and immediately produces: 12 targets, 6 catches, 132 yards.
• Bucs’ passing game pecking order analyzed:
  • Evans and Godwin are locked in starters; Emeka Egbuka is a flex option with a 22% target share but lower snap rate after Evans' return
  • Jay (17:23): “I think I'd still start Egbuka over Godwin…Emeka Egbuka is a better receiver, I think, at this point of his career than Chris Godwin.”
• Detailed breakdown of snap counts and what it means for fantasy lineups.

4. RB Split: Bucs Backfield Conundrum

[18:22–19:41]

• Bucky Irving remains the clear starter (17 touches), but Sean Tucker “snipes” a goal-line TD. Discussion about whether this hurts Irving’s value.
• Lawrence (18:54): “We still keep riding with Bucky Irving. Like you said, Connor, those 17 touches tell the story.”

5. QB Analysis: Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield

[08:20–09:34; 19:41–20:34]

• Cousins torches the vulnerable Bucs secondary; hosts urge fantasy managers to “temper expectations” outside of dream matchups.
• Baker Mayfield's post-injury struggles and how it affects Bucs’ pass-catchers and RBs.

Fantasy Injury Roundup & Start/Sit Impacts

[20:34–26:15]

• Josh Jacobs: Called himself “day-to-day” (rare for a player), sparking concern about his Week 15 availability. Packers coach LaFleur says he’ll be “limited” in practice—hosts expect him to play but recommend holding Emmanuel Wilson as a backup.
• Ceedee Lamb: Cleared concussion protocol—hosts confidently advise starting him, urge caution/limited usage with other Cowboys pass-catchers.
• Tee Higgins: Officially ruled out; “Scary situation,” expect Mike Gesicki to get a bump.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: Ruled out—Michael Wilson is an “auto start” with reliable WR1/2 production when Marv is absent.

Other Noteworthy Team & Player Updates

• Geno Smith: Unlikely to start for the Raiders; backup Kenny Pickett expected. Impacts Brock Bowers’ reliability as a fantasy starter, but Bowers (TE) is still a consideration.
• Colts QB Situation: Philip Rivers (!) prepping to start for Indy in Week 15, years out of the league, likely due to injuries to both Anthony Richardson and backups.
  • Jay (28:29): “It’s going to be a great science experiment for how much of the quarterback position is above the shoulders, because what’s below the shoulders doesn’t look right.”
  • Jokes about Rivers’ age and style (“Old man, sidearm throws,” “hasn’t played in 5 years”).
• Mercedes Lewis: Waived by Broncos but expected to return to practice squad (for the deep dynasty faithful!).

Fantasy Waiver/Start-Sit Lightning Rounds

[32:10–34:51]

• Strong endorsement for Michael Wilson as a must-start in Marv’s absence.
• Jacoby Myers and Justin Jefferson favored over Terry McLaurin as a secondary WRs.
• Devon Vele over Yoshuvas/Jerry Jeudy due to clearer role.
• Jaden Reed described as a quality flex against Denver’s zone defense.

Flexual Frustrations Segment (with Denny Carter)

[35:00–39:44]

• Normally inflexible players like Troy Franklin for Denver could see a role spike due to teammate injuries.
• Tyron Tracy (Giants) highlighted as a sneaky high-volume RB with pass-catching upside against the Commanders’ porous run D.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Todd Bowles’ postgame tirade ([11:04]):

  “It’s inexcusable. You don’t make excuses. You gotta care enough where it hurts…It gotta mean something to you. It’s more than a job. It’s your livelihood. How well do you know your job? How well can you do your job?…It was inexcusable and there’s no answer for it. There’s no excuse for it.” — Todd Bowles, Bucs Head Coach

• On Denny Carter’s “Flexual Frustrations” ([35:40]):

  “Look, Vale let me down. I can’t get on the same page with Art Vandelay or Devon Vale. Both of them are just beyond my comprehension at the moment.” — Denny Carter

• On the show’s podcast status ([47:57]):

  “For all our regulars out there who listen to the show on Spotify, first off, thank you. We're aware of the recent episodes not being available. We're working on getting that fixed.” — Connor

Prop Bets and Pickup Lines (Lawrence Judges)

[49:15–51:48]

• Jay’s Bet: Philip Rivers OVER 151.5 passing yards (Colts @ Seahawks). Logic: Game script, veteran savvy, and underdog status require passing volume.
• Connor’s Bet: Jonathan Taylor OVER 14.5 receiving yards. Logic: Rivers will check it down frequently (“the old man throws to the RB”), matchups and recent Seahawks trends support the over.
• Lawrence’s Pick: Sides with Connor and Taylor due to probable volume, “That’s what helps Rivers get there.”

Important Timestamps

• Kyle Pitts Phenomenon: 00:00–08:13
• Falcons' Season Lament: 03:50–05:44
• Bucs WR Breakdown/Snap Details: 13:03–17:31
• Bucs Backfield Touches: 18:22–19:41
• Josh Jacobs Uncertainty: 21:27–23:12
• Ceedee Lamb/Other Injury Updates: 23:42–26:15
• Philip Rivers QB Science Experiment: 27:06–30:13
• Start/Sit Lightning: 31:32–34:51
• Flexual Frustrations Segment: 35:00–39:44
• Prop Bets/Pickup Lines: 49:15–51:48

Tone & Style

• Humor and self-deprecation, especially about past fantasy misses.
• Banter, inside jokes (Matthew Berry absenteeism, “Kyle Pitts Truthers drink for free”), running gags like “Flexual Frustrations.”
• Casual but expert, fast-paced with strong attributions and actionable player advice.

Final Takeaways

Fantasy Managers Should:

• Start Kyle Pitts and Michael Wilson with confidence; value is peaking in the playoffs.
• Closely monitor Josh Jacobs’ status, keep Emmanuel Wilson as insurance.
• Keep starting CeeDee Lamb; downgrade T. Higgins, Marvin Harrison Jr. to out/bench.
• Expect Mike Evans/Chris Godwin to lead Bucs WR room, but Egbuka is a usable flex.
• Ride Jonathan Taylor’s pass-catching floor if Rivers starts; consider Bucky Irving a weekly RB2 despite goal line vultures.

Prop Bets: Consider Taylor’s receiving yards OVER with Rivers under center.

If you missed this show:
You’ll be well-armed for your playoffs and might even crack a smile about Kyle Pitts—or Philip Rivers—saving the week!