Podcast Summary: Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Episode: Week 10 Love/Hate: Jonathan Taylor, Rico Dowdle, Ladd McConkey, Drake Maye
Date: November 6, 2025
Host(s): Matthew Berry, Lawrence Jackson, Jay Croucher
Overview
In this engaging Week 10 episode of "Fantasy Football Happy Hour," Matthew Berry and his co-hosts, Lawrence Jackson and Jay Croucher, deliver their signature blend of deep fantasy analysis, irreverent banter, and practical lineup advice. The focus is on Berry’s famous "Love/Hate" list, targeting running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks primed for breakout or breakdown performances. The crew covers urgent injury updates, trade talk in both fantasy and real-life NFL, and optimal quarterback streaming for the upcoming week.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Injuries & Lineup Reactions
-
James Cook Injury Watch
The top storyline was the Bills backfield uncertainty with James Cook missing practice.- Berry suggests to "simply refer to 'the Bills starting running back,' as if it’s not Cook, Ray Davis becomes a must-start due to the great Dolphins matchup."
(04:00)"If I knew for a fact James Cook were out and it was going to be the Ray Davis show on Sunday, I think he would easily be a top 15 play this week."
— Matthew Berry [04:45]
- Berry suggests to "simply refer to 'the Bills starting running back,' as if it’s not Cook, Ray Davis becomes a must-start due to the great Dolphins matchup."
-
Jonathan Taylor Bounce-Back
After his worst game of the season, Berry expects a vintage performance versus Atlanta's weak front:"This strikes me as one of those vintage Jonathan Taylor 23 carries, 156 rushing yards and a touchdown or two against the Falcons."
— Jay Croucher [08:06]
Running Backs: Love/Hate
Love List
-
Rico Dowdle (Panthers)
Emerging as the clear lead back, Berry ranks him RB8 for the week."We expect Rico Dowdle to get basically 75% of the touches, if not more, against the Saints... Rico Dowdle needs to be in your lineup."
— Matthew Berry [09:15] -
Kyron Williams vs. Rico Dowdle (ROS)
Panel still prefers Kyron for the season, but Dowdle’s workload is making it close.
(10:01) -
Aaron Jones (Vikings)
Berry and Lawrence discuss his solidified role and how game script should help him against Baltimore."Since he’s come back, he’s been the most productive Vikings running back... he should be good to go."
— Lawrence Jackson [12:23] -
Quinshon Judkins (Browns)
Facing a depleted Jets defense, Berry predicts a strong outing."I'm hoping I'm dead wrong on Quintean Judkins because he is a chubby leather daddy, but I think I'm gonna be right."
— Matthew Berry [13:10] -
Kyle Monangai (Eagles)
Even if Swift plays, Monangai is flex-worthy versus the Giants due to TD opportunity and explosive Giants run defense."Monangai has the best chance of scoring a touchdown of your three options."
— Berry [15:12]
Hate List
-
Alvin Kamara (Saints)
Kamara’s PPR cheat code has vanished:"Over the past five weeks, he's running back 41 on a points per game basis... he makes the hate list."
— Berry [16:30] -
Breece Hall (Jets)
Rough matchup with the Browns:"Breece Hall just has a higher floor and higher ceiling [than Courtland Sutton]."
— Berry [18:13] -
Bam Knight (Cardinals)
Just not productive enough outside of dump-off receptions, especially against Seattle’s stingy run D."Still hasn't shown he's any good."
— Lawrence (summarized by Jay) [19:13]
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends: Love/Hate
Love List
-
Ladd McConkey (Chargers)
Has emerged as the WR1:"Since week five, he has been... McConculous, team high 27 target share."
— Matthew Berry [21:14] -
Jameson Williams (Lions)
"If there’s ever going to be a Jameson Williams week, you couldn't script it better than this one. Against the Commanders..."
— Jay Croucher [24:12] -
Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
Quietly a WR1 whenever Tyreek is sidelined:"Since Tyreek Hill went down... Jalen Waddle has at least 80 receiving yards in four of those five games."
— Berry [24:47] -
Kyle Pitts (Falcons, TE)
With Arthur Smith gone and targets up, top 10 TE this week vs. Colts."He’s caught 16% of Atlanta’s passing attempts, second on the team."
— Lawrence Jackson [29:07] -
Sam LaPorta (Lions, TE)
Facing the Commanders’ generous defense to TEs."Over the last three weeks, Washington has given up over 70 fantasy points to opposing tight end... that's not good."
— Berry [31:45]
Hate List
-
DK Metcalf (Seahawks)
Too TD dependent, volume not there vs. Chargers"He needs a touchdown to pay off."
— Matthew Berry [35:14] -
Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts)
Bad matchup, banged up, Berry and Jay advise caution.
[35:20] -
Brian Thomas Jr. (Saints)
Awful matchup vs. Texans; extremely low point total is a red flag."Can't trust receivers in that game. Points too low."
— Lawrence [36:43]
Quarterbacks: Love/Hate
Love List
-
Jackson Dart (Giants)
Four straight games with a rushing TD, tons of red zone usage:"Since Jackson Dart took over as the starter in week four, he's been the fourth best quarterback in fantasy football."
— Berry [40:56] -
Caleb Williams (Bears)
Berry and Lawrence expect his dual-threat ability to break through vs. Giants."If their line could hold up versus the front four of the Giants, I expect another big day from Caleb Williams."
— Lawrence [41:40] -
Justin Herbert (Chargers)
Hot streak and favorable matchup with Steelers"Quarterbacks that face Pittsburgh this year averaging 299 passing yards a game..."
— Berry [42:38] -
Drake Maye (Patriots)
Projected shootout vs. Bucs makes him a top streaming option"We get a Drake Maye and a 300 passing yard, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown type of operation."
— Jay [44:13]
Hate List
-
Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)
Brutal Texans secondary, limited weapons, outside top 20 for Berry.
[47:29] -
Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins)
Great real-life performance hasn’t translated to fantasy against good defenses; only viable as a SuperFlex.
— Lawrence [48:01] -
Bryce Young (Panthers)
"It’s hard to remember a quarterback who felt less involved in his own offense."
— Jay [49:22]
Fantasy Trade & Meta Discussion
- Difficulty of making trades in fantasy leagues:
"I don't see trades happening often anymore in fantasy football."
— Lawrence Jackson [39:36] - References to real NFL GMs and fantasy managers overvaluing their pieces and reluctance to accept "losing" a trade.
Audience Questions & Memorable Moments
- Notable Audience Interaction:
“I did my part in making sure that Matthew does not make the playoffs. So the pressure's on you now, Jay.”
— Lawrence [44:59] - Quote of the Episode:
"Still hasn't shown he's any good."
— Hate List for Bam Knight [19:13, recapped by Jay] - Humor & Running Gags:
"Leather bots", "chubby leather daddy", and affectionate mockery of Jay’s “Alec Pierce over Ella and Remy on a life raft” are recurring bits.
— Multiple attributions [04:57, 13:10, 14:35]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 04:00 — Bills RB Injury and Ray Davis Analysis
- 08:00 — Jonathan Taylor Outlook
- 09:15 — Rico Dowdle Workload and Panthers Backfield
- 15:12 — Monangai vs. Alec Pierce/Flex Advice
- 16:30 — Alvin Kamara Decline
- 21:14 — Ladd McConkey's Emergence
- 24:47 — Jaylen Waddle without Tyreek Hill
- 29:07 — Kyle Pitts as Top 10 TE
- 35:14 — DK Metcalf’s Risk/Reward
- 40:56 — Top QBs: Jackson Dart, Caleb Williams
- 42:38 — Justin Herbert’s Hot Streak
- 44:13 — Why Start Drake Maye This Week
- 47:29 — Hate: Trevor Lawrence and Tua
- 55:09 — Best Bets for Thursday Night Football
Tone and Language
- The show keeps a lively, jovial, and sometimes cheeky tone with plenty of inside jokes, real-time ribbing, and straight talk (“He needs a touchdown to pay off.”).
- While remaining highly analytical, the hosts aren’t afraid to admit uncertainty when injury news is pending or lineup clarity is lacking—“As of this taping, we don’t know...” [04:00].
- Full of quick-witted exchanges, but the discussion always circles back to actionable fantasy advice.
Conclusion
If you missed the episode, this week’s "Fantasy Football Happy Hour" KEEPS you current on all key injuries, who to trust (or fade) in your Week 10 lineups, and why some hot names might be fool’s gold. Between the expert takes, hilarious banter, and some surprisingly sharp running back advice, Berry continues to deliver the gold standard for fantasy players seeking both an edge and entertainment.
For full Love/Hate rankings and updated injury news, visit Rotoworld.com and catch the full show on Peacock or the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel!