Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Episode: Rams at Seahawks Reaction + Rashee Rice, Drake London injury updates
Date: December 19, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour is centered around the electrifying overtime shootout between the Rams and Seahawks, with Matthew Berry, Jay Morrison, and Connor Rogers breaking down the fantasy impact of the game’s wild plays, standout fantasy performances, and what it all means for fantasy managers deep in the playoffs. The crew also delivers injury updates (including on Rashee Rice and Drake London), fresh waiver advice, and their spirited, always on-brand banter.
Key Discussion Points
1. Rams vs. Seahawks: Game of the Year? (00:54–04:38)
- Opening Energy: Pulled from an animated Seahawks locker room speech (00:00–00:42), the hosts set the tone for discussing "the game of the season."
- Puka Nacua and JSN Duel:
- Puka Nacua explodes with a 46.5-point fantasy game (“He scores 46 and a half points. He got tackled inside the five twice and Stafford missed him wide open for a 40 yard touchdown. [...] I feel like he underperformed. I wanted more for Puka.” – Matthew Berry, [03:12])
- JSN (Jackson Smith-Njigba) also shines: “JSN matching him in the second half. They're, they trade game winning touchdowns…” ([02:27] Matthew Berry).
- Both in the running for Offensive Player of the Year (“That’s basically a head to head now for offensive player of the year. I think that'll come down to the wire…” – Berry, [04:17]).
- Coaching Impact:
- Appreciation for Sean McVay’s creative use of tight ends and ability to maximize Puka’s role despite double and triple coverage (“Nobody in football does that. But what it does is it allows them to balance the run and the pass with an elite wide receiver in Puka, obviously. […] He's that good.” – Jay Morrison, [05:07])
- Notable Quote: “I think Puka Nacua is the best receiver in football. What he can do contested catch wise…” – Matthew Berry, [10:16]
2. Fantasy Fallout: Player Takeaways (04:38–12:11)
- Fantasy MVPs and Draft Value Debates
- Discussion of Nacua vs. JSN for fantasy MVP, factoring in ADP value.
- Projecting 2026's first-round picks: Bijan Robinson emerges as potential 1.01, Puka and JSN likely top-3 WRs.
- "In some order it's those three wide receivers, it's Bijan…" – Connor Rogers, [11:49]
- QB Analysis:
- Matthew Stafford’s performance lauded, but with tempered expectations (“Stafford was brilliant last night. And so, yeah, go ahead.” – Connor Rogers, [07:12])
- Stafford’s receiver situation without Devonta Adams, and how that changed team dynamics.
3. Strategic Fantasy Advice as Playoff Semis Arrive (14:21–17:17)
- Playing for Upside After Big Thursday Night Scores
- “As you head into this weekend, you now need to aim for upside like you are. It is no longer about floor play.” – Matthew Berry, [15:13]
- Examples: Start high-variance players like Darius Slayton over low-ceiling options. “Michael Wilson has more chance to go for 120, right. Shakir who just doesn’t really have that scope.” – Berry, [15:33]
- Ken Walker’s Annoying Timing
- Big game after weeks of disappointment: “No one that has Ken Walker in the lineup is either in the playoffs or using him. And then, you know, Ken Walker… he had two big plays.” – Connor Rogers, [16:41]
4. Injury Roundup & Impact (21:47–41:29)
- Rashee Rice (Chiefs, Concussion):
- If out, Xavier Worthy “has averaged almost 13 fantasy points per game” in Rice’s absence (Connor Rogers, [22:32])
- Gardner Minshew not Mahomes, but can get the ball to WRs. Worthy a high-upside option for those needing to chase points.
- Drake London (Falcons, Knee):
- London returns to practice, and Berry & crew express confidence: “If they're bringing back Drake London, that means he's fully healthy. They're not going to bring him back if he's dragging around a leg.” – Berry, [26:17]
- Rogers’ “guarantee” that London will go off (based on opponent, personal track record).
- Other Notable Names:
- Marvin Harrison Jr. (limited, likely to play), implications for Michael Wilson as top-20 WR if Marv is out ([29:28])
- Woody Marks, Javonte Williams, Swift, Jacobs, Evans, Kincaid – quick updates, most as “monitor on Sunday” situations.
- Saints RB: Audric Estimé may start; “since week eight, your jets allow the most fantasy points to opposing running backs.” – Connor Rogers, [37:14]
5. Waiver and Start/Sit Strategy (Multiple timestamps, especially 31:59–39:46)
- Flex/Bench Questions Answered:
- Who to start between Michael Wilson, Pickens, Sutton, Hampton, Pollard: “I think you bench the running backs.” – Berry, [33:04]
- Kamani Vidal, Michael Carter, or Audric Estime: “Estimate has a higher ceiling than Carter… could be 100 yards and two touchdowns, could be 25 yards.” – Rogers, [37:55]
- Theme: This semifinal week is about swinging for the fences if you’re behind, using upside plays, but not getting too wild.
6. Doctor’s Office: Flexual Frustrations with Denny Carter (40:10–43:49)
- Denny Carter Offers Flex Wisdom
- Xavier Worthy’s value much higher without Rice (target share jumps from 16% to 25%, [40:59]).
- Darius Slayton as high-variance deep threat against the Vikings (“could be glorious for you to get through to your championship.” – Carter, [42:07])
- Mack Hollins unexpectedly viable as a Patriots target: “...since week 10, leads the Patriots in targets and air yards.” – Denny Carter, [43:14]
- The “Mac(k) that ass up” comedic segment, keeping the show’s tone light ([42:59]).
Notable & Memorable Quotes
-
“I think Puka Nacua is the best receiver in football.”
– Matthew Berry, [10:16] -
“As you head into this weekend, you now need to aim for upside... it is no longer about floor play.”
– Matthew Berry, [15:13] -
“JSN likely wins offensive player of the year because the stats will be close and he's got the weaker quarterback and no Devonte Adams taking pressure off...”
– Matthew Berry, [10:16] -
“Colby Parkinson then in a game in which Matthew Stafford was brilliant... just... They couldn’t get him the ball. It’s unbelievable.”
– Connor Rogers, [08:45] -
“If you faced Puka Nakua last night in your semifinal, you now have to chase upside. You're not playing for floor anymore.”
– Collective advice, [14:21–15:52] -
“No one that has Ken Walker in the lineup is either in the playoffs or using him. ... He broke two plays, which is in a skill set. But it's just, it was just annoying to see.”
– Connor Rogers, [16:41] -
“If they're bringing back Drake London, that means he's fully healthy. They're not going to bring him back if he's dragging around a leg.”
– Matthew Berry, [26:17]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:54–04:38: Rams-Seahawks OT preview & Puka/JSN duel
- 05:07–06:19: Rams’ tight end heavy sets and Sean McVay’s adaptability
- 15:13–15:52: Playoff strategy after big Thursday night scores—chasing upside
- 22:32–24:16: Rashee Rice out; Xavier Worthy’s outlook & Gardner Minshew analysis
- 26:17–26:47: Drake London injury return and start-ability
- 33:01–33:06: “Bench the running backs” on tough flex calls
- 37:14–37:55: Audric Estimé and Saints running back outlook
- 40:10–43:49: Dr. Denny Carter answers “Flexual Frustrations”
Episode Tone & Style
The show maintains its trademark blend of expert fantasy analysis, dry wit, and irreverent humor. Matthew Berry’s measured pragmatic takes are interspersed with self-deprecating rants (Colby Parkinson, Ken Walker), Connor Rogers brings energy and relatable league stories, and Jay Morrison provides data-driven, clear summaries. The extended “Doctor’s Office” with Denny Carter delivers comic relief and useful last-minute flex advice.
Summary for Listeners
This podcast episode is a quintessential “deep playoff” edition: If you missed the Rams-Seahawks thriller, the crew lays out why it was historic for fantasy, with record-setting WR outputs and implications for the 2026 draft. Injury nuggets, waiver priorities, and strategic playoff advice—especially for those burned by Thursday night explosions—are covered in detail. The emphasis throughout: it's time to maximize upside, stay agile on waivers, and don't tilt too hard if fantasy football’s chaos takes you out—because sometimes, all you can do is “Mac(k) that ass up.”