← Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry
Week 11 Start/Sit: Bo Nix, Kenneth Walker III, Xavier Worthy + Marvin Harrison Jr., Bucky Irving injury updates
00:52:05
November 12: Matthew (@MatthewBerryTMR), Jay (@croucherJD), and Connor (@ConnorJRogers) detail breaking injury news for Marvin Harrison Jr. and Bucky Irving as Week 11 approaches, then dive into whether to start or sit Bo Nix, Kenneth Walker III, Zay Flowers, Quentin Johnston, Xavier Worthy and Kyle Pitts. The crew also debates who should take a more prominent role on the jersey wall in the studio, reveal recent utilization trends in this week’s edition of “Blind Date”, and highlight their favorite futures bets – including two tied to the Seahawks.
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- [00:01]
Matthew Berry
Royal Caribbean is next level. On another level, go all in on the world's boldest ships. Filled with mind blowing entertainment, world class dining and the largest water parks at sea. And just when you think it couldn't get any better, you'll stop at our award winning private island. Perfect day at Coco Cay. This is the undisputed champion of vacations. Book today@royalcaribbean.com Big time, best time all the time. Come seek the Royal Caribbean. If you're a custodial supervisor at a local high school, you know that cleanliness.
- [00:35]
Jay Croucher
Is key and that the best place.
- [00:37]
Matthew Berry
To get cleaning supplies is from Grainger. Grainger helps you stay fully stocked on the products you trust from paper towels and disinfectants to floor scrubbers. Plus, you can rely on Grainger for easy reordering.
- [00:49]
Connor Rogers
So you never run out of what you need.
- [00:51]
Matthew Berry
Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done time. We're all going to watch Magnolia together at the same time and we will figure it out and, and we'll be able to, you know, talk it through and everyone will see what I see, which is that being anyone's favorite movie is the most insane take of all time. It's your worst take in three and a half years. It's your worst take on this show.
- [01:16]
Jay Croucher
It's been much worse than Giants to win the division last year.
- [01:20]
Matthew Berry
Naji Harris. Michael Thomas. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Remember the Michael Thomas.
- [01:25]
Connor Rogers
That was a good era. That was a really good era where people were tweeting at you every week about it.
- [01:29]
Jay Croucher
Ye.
- [01:30]
Connor Rogers
That's kind of how you got off to a big start with the show.
- [01:32]
Jay Croucher
This is a dad at my daughter's preschool come up to me and put his hand up. Michael Thomas. I don't know who you are.
- [01:38]
Matthew Berry
That's right.
- [01:38]
Connor Rogers
And I don't want to.
- [01:39]
Matthew Berry
That's how America got to know you. That's how they first fell in love with you. Jay.
- [01:42]
Jay Croucher
Unbelievable.
- [01:46]
Matthew Berry
Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry.
- [01:54]
Connor Rogers
Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. Connor Rogers. Matthew Berry. Jay Croucher.
- [01:59]
Jay Croucher
No Michael Thomas.
- [02:00]
Connor Rogers
No Michael Thomas. That was great era there.
- [02:02]
Matthew Berry
And he's, he's probably watching, you know, just in, in solidarity. I don't, I don't think he's doing much else.
- [02:07]
Jay Croucher
You guys know how his Twitter handle was can't guard Mike?
- [02:10]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [02:11]
Jay Croucher
You know, he removed the T so it's now it's can guard Mike.
- [02:14]
Matthew Berry
Can guard Mike, right? Yeah.
- [02:15]
Jay Croucher
You can stay in front of him. Yeah, he's not.
- [02:18]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. Can watch Mike from his. From his couch. Anyway, we love Michael Thomas here. None.
- [02:23]
Connor Rogers
Doesn't sound like it.
- [02:24]
Jay Croucher
Well, I do. You guys didn't.
- [02:26]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [02:26]
Connor Rogers
Offensive player of the year 10 Guard Mike. Yeah. It's the most disrespectful thing you could say about a receiver.
- [02:32]
Jay Croucher
2019 holds the record for receptions in the NFL season.
- [02:35]
Matthew Berry
We loved. We still love him. I met him once. He was a lovely person. Took a picture with me for sure, but just we. We didn't like the take that you had, that he had significant fantasy value that year when he had missed Cook.
- [02:47]
Jay Croucher
Cook.
- [02:48]
Connor Rogers
It.
- [02:48]
Jay Croucher
It was a brief moment. I think in one game, he had like, seven targets or something. I said, wow, I might be right on this. And then he was out of the league. Three weeks later, people were tweeting at you.
- [02:56]
Connor Rogers
Jay was right all along. Yeah. It is a Wednesday. It is a backup producer Pete day, which means it's a blind date day. Yes. America's favorite seg. Back to the futures. We got a couple good ones cooking up for you. But before we do any of that.
- [03:09]
Matthew Berry
Are you surprised there's a lack of Magnolia planned for today's show? I just would have thought with a backup producer Pete. He doesn't see.
- [03:16]
Connor Rogers
It's just all movies, all cinema.
- [03:18]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. He claims to be a cultured man of America. He's never seen Magnolia.
- [03:23]
Matthew Berry
Pete does not claim to be a cultured man.
- [03:25]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. No. Illusions of cultures.
- [03:28]
Matthew Berry
No, stop it. I. Look, you know, there's all sorts of things that you can lob at backup producer Pete, but being cultured is not one of them. And I would argue that backup producer Pete would agree with me.
- [03:40]
Jay Croucher
He went on exchange in Madrid. He's a man of the world.
- [03:43]
Matthew Berry
I have Spanish. I've worked with him for three and a half years. I have literally never seen him wearing anything other than a Jets or. I mean, Giants or Mets baseball hat.
- [03:52]
Connor Rogers
That's right.
- [03:52]
Matthew Berry
I've literally never. I don't know.
- [03:53]
Connor Rogers
And a plaid shirt and a vest.
- [03:55]
Matthew Berry
Yes.
- [03:55]
Connor Rogers
I respect Howie.
- [03:57]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [03:57]
Connor Rogers
The consistency with him.
- [03:59]
Matthew Berry
Oh, 1,000%. He's got a uniform.
- [04:01]
Connor Rogers
He has a work uniform. 100%.
- [04:02]
Jay Croucher
There's actually no top of his skull. I don't know if you guys know this. He doesn't have a top hat.
- [04:06]
Connor Rogers
I wouldn't know. He always has the Giants or Mets hat on.
- [04:08]
Matthew Berry
He has a Giants or Mets hat. Always. Constantly. So. But the idea that you think that person is cultured is ridiculous.
- [04:15]
Connor Rogers
Which, by the way, no surprise. The top of our rundown today is Giants related. But before we do get there, some breaking news right before the show that's, that's not very fun. Marvin Harrison appendicitis surgery. So he is out indefinitely. Now, obviously this one came out of nowhere and it's been a little bit of a resurgence from Marv with Jacoby Brissette under center. As you see Adam Schefter here saying he underwent surgery for appendicitis and is out for at least this week and possibly longer.
- [04:40]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, tough blow for the Cardinals, obviously. And for Marvin Harrison who had started to really find his footing with Jacoby Brissette under center. This is a tough one here. I mean look, I think the obvious look. What's the largest target share Titans ever gotten in NFL history?
- [04:58]
Jay Croucher
To find out, I was going to say Michael Thomas, his single season receptions record might be under threat. McBride because he's going to get 20 targets again easily.
- [05:07]
Matthew Berry
So massive target share coming for Trey McBride. I would think Michael Wilson is the, the next man up. He's the guy that's been playing on the outside opposite Marv in, you know, in two wide receiver sets you'll see some Greg Dortch and Zay Jones in the slot and you elevate their expectations. I think I prefer Dorch to Zay Jones. Just gorge the human Dortch we've seen. Blast right. There you go. My Michael Thomas. Greg Dorchester. I did say on the show at one point Greg Dorch will be a thing never wrong. Just a little early.
- [05:39]
Connor Rogers
Couple years. This is the week against Dallas maybe.
- [05:43]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, maybe. But I would rank them the pat, the Arizona pass catchers after McBride. I would rank them Wilson Dortch, Zay Jones. I do think, well, given the matchup with the right but given the matchup with the Cowboys, I do think there's and the competence of Jacoby Brissette. I do think Michael Olson has some, you know, wide receiver 3ish value.
- [06:06]
Connor Rogers
By the way, some more news. It is a torn Achilles for Zay Jones.
- [06:10]
Matthew Berry
Oh, wow.
- [06:11]
Connor Rogers
Adam Schefter just tweeted over literally five seconds ago over the Marvin Harrison news. In other Arizona wide receiver news, Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones tore his Achilles last Sunday versus the Seahawks. I knew he was hurt, but I didn't know he was officially.
- [06:23]
Matthew Berry
By the way, I, I, I doubled down on my Greg Dorch over Zay Jones take then from 30 seconds.
- [06:28]
Connor Rogers
He's now wide receiver two offense immediately. Yes.
- [06:33]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. So yeah, maybe, maybe it is the human Dortch. Maybe it is.
- [06:36]
Connor Rogers
If there was ever a week you have the Dallas secondary and human DOR. Wide receiver 2.
- [06:40]
Jay Croucher
The Niner secondary.
- [06:42]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, Niners, not Dallas.
- [06:43]
Matthew Berry
Sorry. Yeah, yeah, the Niner secondary. Yeah. Kind of threw me off with that.
- [06:45]
Connor Rogers
But either way, which is also very injured.
- [06:48]
Matthew Berry
Yes, very injured. Very passable against. I could see some Amari Dimacardo as well getting in there. But I do think Wilson becomes interesting this week. I will just say that he's a.
- [06:57]
Jay Croucher
Wide receiver one for a competent NFL offense. That matchup, yeah, a very favorable matchup. We saw like the Niners. There's so many players left. Like, there's just. There's no hope left really on that defense. And so the total is 48 and a half. And he's going to be a wide receiver one in a game that is expected to have almost 50 points.
- [07:14]
Connor Rogers
And he did have seven targets last week. Michael Wilson. Yeah, like, I didn't do a ton with them, but he had seven targets. He's only going to go up.
- [07:20]
Matthew Berry
I have always liked him out of college. Like, I've always felt like if he could, you know, he hasn't been super consistent. Of course, neither has the quarterback play. But like. And there have been other players that demand targets more than him. But I've always felt like you'll, you know, every once in a while you'll see him make a really good play. Like, I liked him out of college. I just. I think not flashy. No.
- [07:39]
Connor Rogers
Why he doesn't get that same love.
- [07:40]
Matthew Berry
But no, by the way, just doesn't mean anything for fantasy. But just for what's worth my NFL PA rookie premiere. You know, I do interviews with like 50 rookies every single year.
- [07:50]
Jay Croucher
Just.
- [07:50]
Matthew Berry
And so probably over the years I've interviewed 300. 350 rookies. Something like that. I've gone to it like six or seven years. Michael Wilson, one of my top 10 interviews.
- [07:59]
Connor Rogers
Everybody loves him.
- [08:00]
Matthew Berry
Everyone loves him. Awesome. Awesome kid. Yeah.
- [08:03]
Jay Croucher
Okay.
- [08:03]
Matthew Berry
Anyway, just whatever. So an easy guy to root for is what I'm so I'm hoping that they also.
- [08:07]
Jay Croucher
They'll sign someone. Like, I don't know who the best free agent was. Like, is Deontay Johnson going to be on this team in a couple weeks? Michael Gallup is still out there. Something for DJ Chuck.
- [08:16]
Matthew Berry
Unfortunately, Robbie chosen has been taken. He'd be the name, but he's in Washington with commanders.
- [08:22]
Jay Croucher
He has been chosen.
- [08:23]
Matthew Berry
He's been selected, in fact. Maybe Marvin Harrison Sr.
- [08:27]
Connor Rogers
I know he said he'd have to get back his gold jacket if he.
- [08:29]
Matthew Berry
Played in this office, but there's no Kyler anymore. So there you go.
- [08:33]
Connor Rogers
Felt very Drew petzing.
- [08:34]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [08:35]
Connor Rogers
Producer Steven in the chat.
- [08:37]
Jay Croucher
Unbelievable, by the way.
- [08:38]
Connor Rogers
Go spend some time with the avatar. Just a pee. Producer. Looking forward to watching McBride go nuclear against Barry in our League of Assholes matchup this week.
- [08:47]
Matthew Berry
That. Yeah, I am playing. This is, of course, how it always happens for me. Most points against. In our league. I am. It's true. I'm playing producer Steven. Trey McBride put a 50 burger on me. That is true. I'm definitely most points against.
- [09:00]
Connor Rogers
To be also fair, you two had the most pathetic matchup of the week.
- [09:03]
Jay Croucher
You're like, second last in points.
- [09:04]
Connor Rogers
Four.
- [09:05]
Matthew Berry
Yes.
- [09:05]
Connor Rogers
But you know who's lost 11 to 109.
- [09:07]
Jay Croucher
No, I feel in the season.
- [09:09]
Matthew Berry
Oh, for the season. Yeah.
- [09:09]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. You're three and seven and you're overachieving. You have the point differential of a 200 team.
- [09:14]
Matthew Berry
I'm coaching them up. Yeah. I'm like a Mike Vrabel over here. I'm the Mike Vrabel of fantasy. I'm the Shane Steichen of fantasy.
- [09:21]
Connor Rogers
I'm doing our research. Team is grinding the numbers. You are fourth in points against.
- [09:25]
Jay Croucher
I say lied by three spots.
- [09:27]
Matthew Berry
I'll tell you this. I'll tell you exactly why that is. Because of this asshole. Like, you had the lowest points last week. Prior to last week, I had the most points against. And then you show up for the 109. Thank God, because I only had the second highest points. I mean, like, you're the only team I could have beaten last week.
- [09:44]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. Apparently Jackson, Smith and Jigba only plays one quarter these days.
- [09:47]
Connor Rogers
Doesn't need to.
- [09:49]
Matthew Berry
Doesn't wagon to, anyway. Yeah, I agree. Trey McBride's going to have a. Going to have a huge game. I do think Michael Wilson is interesting in this one as well. Tough break for Zay Jones. Obviously, we're just finding that out live. They'll, you know, they'll sign somebody, I'm sure. But it goes. It goes. Wilson and Dortch after McBride.
- [10:07]
Connor Rogers
Aloha Brick says, Barry, you're the Aaron Glenn of fantasy.
- [10:11]
Matthew Berry
Wow, that's tough. That's. No, you know what?
- [10:13]
Connor Rogers
You make the playoffs, you're better with the media.
- [10:16]
Matthew Berry
First off. First off, I won three straight. And F you, aloha bricks. Because you know what? My quarterbacks this week are Drake May and Matthew Stafford. There. I've named my starting quarterbacks. You have no problem. Yeah, the producer. Producer Steven. I have no problem with you knowing who my starting quarterbacks are. I'm just announcing it right now.
- [10:33]
Connor Rogers
Who's your Backup.
- [10:34]
Matthew Berry
What? My backup. It was Jayden Daniels. That was the, that's the issue.
- [10:38]
Jay Croucher
I picked him up out of spot. I don't even need him.
- [10:40]
Matthew Berry
No, I understand.
- [10:41]
Connor Rogers
My first might after last week.
- [10:43]
Matthew Berry
Jaden Daniels was my first round pick, my second round pick. It's a two quarterback league. It's a perplexed league obviously. So Jaden Daniels was picked. I had picked three, Jayn Daniels was one, Henry was two, Chase Brown was three, Mike Evans was four. So I mean that, that explains why my season has gone the way it has.
- [11:02]
Jay Croucher
Derek Henry's going to come home like a stained.
- [11:03]
Matthew Berry
Derek Henry was bad for the first five games. Chase Brown and Derek Henry were both pretty bad for the first five, six weeks of the season.
- [11:10]
Connor Rogers
So speaking of running backs, more breaking news.
- [11:12]
Jay Croucher
Oh really?
- [11:13]
Connor Rogers
This is big news. Greg Allman, who does a great job covering the Tampa Bay Bucs. Big news from Bucs practice. Bucky Irving is participating for the first time since September. It's just a walk through but a long awaited return. Okay. And he has a pick.
- [11:28]
Jay Croucher
He's alive.
- [11:29]
Matthew Berry
My expectation as we sit here on a Wednesday is that long distance. This is from Rick Stroud. Long distance shots.
- [11:36]
Connor Rogers
So apologize but that's on a Moto Razor.
- [11:39]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [11:40]
Connor Rogers
Am I wrong?
- [11:41]
Matthew Berry
No. That's a pretty good reference right there. Yeah, it might be right. Anyway, I don't think Bucky plays this week.
- [11:46]
Connor Rogers
No. Top Bowles didn't really. He was asked about this a couple days ago and didn't make it seem like. But it's good to just see him out there doing anything moving. Yeah.
- [11:53]
Matthew Berry
In a uniform. I mean again it's a walk through. It's a. But it's good. Again, maybe he plays this this Sunday, but right now I'm not going to rank him. I'll still have Rashad White as my number one Buccaneers running back. But it's a good, it's a good sign to see that you know that there's a Bucky Irving sighting.
- [12:09]
Connor Rogers
Raise the flag. Said I think it's a Polaroid. I'm just picturing Rick Stroud at practice falling out. Polaroid shots please.
- [12:16]
Jay Croucher
Venmo. Rick Stroud.
- [12:17]
Connor Rogers
Rick did not deserve an iPhone. Rick did not deserve this. That the media is a mile away from where they are.
- [12:21]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [12:22]
Connor Rogers
I will defend them.
- [12:23]
Matthew Berry
Rick does a good job too.
- [12:24]
Connor Rogers
Another guy, Bucksbeat is a powerhouse.
- [12:25]
Matthew Berry
It really is.
- [12:26]
Connor Rogers
A lot of legends.
- [12:27]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, absolutely.
- [12:28]
Connor Rogers
Like long time covering the team.
- [12:30]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [12:30]
Jay Croucher
It's the chubby leather daddies of Bates.
- [12:32]
Connor Rogers
There was no 109 point performance from them. Last week.
- [12:35]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, maybe Rick Stroud's sick.
- [12:38]
Connor Rogers
Alright, let's get into our actual road of world player news. That was planned here because it keeps rolling in, like I said. Of course. Backup producer Pete, we start with the New York Giants. A lot of chatter around if Jameis Winston would take over as the starter. He will. And a certain show discussed the ramifications of that yesterday. This one feels like to me, if the Giants came out today or tomorrow, we're like, we're going to give Jameis a look. I'd be like, maybe with Russ there's just better options.
- [13:06]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, no, I agree. Fantasy wise, real life wise, Jameis is just a lot more exciting. Jameis going up against Micah Parsons head.
- [13:14]
Connor Rogers
To head and why not right now?
- [13:15]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, we've seen Russ. We've seen enough of Russ.
- [13:18]
Matthew Berry
Why wouldn't you start Jameis who the fan base loves, who everyone loves at this point. It doesn't matter. You're not going anywhere this year. So like, why not give Jameis a start and just have some fun with it?
- [13:27]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, maybe it gives a little a bump for the locker room that, you know, Russ just doesn't have right now.
- [13:33]
Matthew Berry
There you go. Thank you to interim coach Mike Kafka, who is clearly a big watcher of fantasy football happy hour. You know, just a little while after the three of us posited that Jameis Winston officially named the starter or elevated to number two in the event that Jackson Dart can't go on Sunday, it will be Jameis Winston under center for.
- [13:51]
Connor Rogers
The GMA darts and concussion protocol. So a little bit of an assumption, but Jameis being elevated to the number two, he's going to get the reps this week of the number one, barring something miraculous and borderline dangerous with Jackson Dart.
- [14:04]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, I'll tell you what a good indicator is. This is a good decision is that I bet on the packers to win this game before this news was announced. Now I'm a little scared because it's just weird because we were going to beat Russell Wilson. No concerns there whatsoever. Jameis is just a wild card. Who knows what he's going to do. He's probably going to lose the game with a pick throw. Probably right into Michael Parsons.
- [14:21]
Matthew Berry
I mean, a pick six needs to be like. I would bet that immediately.
- [14:25]
Connor Rogers
Right now you get three touchdowns, two picks, one goes back to the House 100%.
- [14:30]
Matthew Berry
But the news that Jameis Winston is in line to start for the Giants if Jackson Dart can't go just means excitement all over. You see the numbers here under Jameis and his starts last year with the Browns.
- [14:47]
Jay Croucher
12, 12, 12.
- [14:49]
Matthew Berry
Right.
- [14:49]
Jay Croucher
And Stafford's 25 and two.
- [14:51]
Matthew Berry
I'm not. Jameis had the, had the famous like 30 and 30 season with the Buccaneers once. Right. 30 touchdowns, 30 intercepts.
- [14:57]
Jay Croucher
By the way, they need to do a documentary on 30, 30 seasons.
- [15:01]
Connor Rogers
Him and Juan Soto.
- [15:04]
Jay Croucher
It should be a 30 for 30 movie.
- [15:05]
Matthew Berry
But that roller coaster, that roller coaster of, you know, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, almost 300 yards a game. That roller coaster, that is the Jameis Winston experience, is why today, America.
- [15:17]
Connor Rogers
That's right.
- [15:18]
Matthew Berry
America drinks free. We got Jameis. We're so back. America drinks for free.
- [15:23]
Connor Rogers
We all love it.
- [15:24]
Matthew Berry
We all love it.
- [15:25]
Connor Rogers
It's a watchable game.
- [15:27]
Matthew Berry
I feel like among football fans, Jameis Winston has a 100% approval rating.
- [15:31]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [15:31]
Connor Rogers
Oh, I mean, obviously the pure. The post game quotes, the pre game huddles, the in game decisions, for better or for worse.
- [15:40]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [15:40]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. The pick six.
- [15:42]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. I don't know if, I don't know if God watches Peacock at 12pm on Wednesdays, but if you are watching God, please do not deliver Jameis from pick sixes because we need him. We need him like Oxygen. It's great theater.
- [15:52]
Matthew Berry
Said a man that's got a lot of money on the packers this weekend. Now, again, fantasy wise, look it, Jameis is a little bit prone to throwing interceptions. You don't love the matchup with Green Bay. I just held the Eagles to, you know, 10 points. You know, Jameis, who is a bit turnover prone. So, like, you know, I am as a very low end QB2, probably more of a QB3 this week. But look, last year, 17.4 fantasy points per game, averaged almost 300 yards. You see out there in the screen, there'll be some turnovers as well. But, but I do think, you know, for those people that have, if you've invested in Wandell Robinson, if you use him, you know, if you're in a deep league, you're in desperate Darius Slayton like this. Jameis will sling it. Jameis will absolutely sling it. He's got that yolo. He's got that Joe Flacco pocket pass.
- [16:40]
Connor Rogers
Throw down the field.
- [16:41]
Matthew Berry
No F left to give.
- [16:42]
Connor Rogers
No, no, no. None at all. If I throw an interception, I'll come back out and damn it, I'll do it again.
- [16:46]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. He's eaten W's. He's eaten L's.
- [16:50]
Jay Croucher
It's great.
- [16:52]
Matthew Berry
Bring back Tommy Cutlets.
- [16:53]
Connor Rogers
This is the longest username by far we've ever seen on the show.
- [16:57]
Jay Croucher
Oh, this is because there was a bit that Matthew did at one point. Regular Josh, AKA Casual Josh until MBA approves. You did like that stupid thing.
- [17:05]
Matthew Berry
Well, I just thought because he's calling himself Regular Josh, but he hasn't really shown up all that much.
- [17:11]
Connor Rogers
Well, here he is putting more effort in.
- [17:12]
Matthew Berry
That's right. I would appreciate your motivation. You're still Casual Josh, but. But you're heading in the right direction. He asks Tyler Warren is on a buy do you like Theo Johnson or Cade Otten here? Connor. Theo Johnson with you feel better about this Giants offense with Jameis Winston?
- [17:28]
Connor Rogers
You do.
- [17:28]
Matthew Berry
Kate Otten's been terrific lately. But by the way, Theo Johnson, since Jackson Dart took over as a tight as quarterback, it's been a top 10 tight end. We did that one yesterday.
- [17:37]
Connor Rogers
I'd go with the floor. Kate Otten. Personally, for me, I just feel like there's a. There's less variance with Theo. We saw good things with Jackson Dart, but once again, Green Bay's defense, that's a tough unit.
- [17:48]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I think that's exactly right. I'd rather go against Buffalo even though Buffalo's got a decent. But you feel like there's more scoring opportunities. There's probably a higher, you know, total game between the Buccaneers and the Bills. And you just as much as we love Jameis and the fun of it, you'd rather getting catch passes from Baker Mayfield than Jameis Wentz.
- [18:08]
Jay Croucher
I'd say Kate Otten's probably the favorite to be the second most targeted pass catcher in a game where BAKER Mayfield's a five and a half point dog with a total of 47 and a half. So yeah, Kate Otten is the choice.
- [18:18]
Connor Rogers
There some more news, guys. The Broncos are considering placing J.K. dobbins on IR with that foot injury.
- [18:25]
Jay Croucher
Annoying.
- [18:26]
Matthew Berry
It's super annoying because he's had such a good year and just injuries. He just cannot shake every injury bug. J.K. dobbins, R.J. harvey when he has gotten an opportunity. Connor, he has been productive among all qualified running backs, you know, so they have to reach a certain minimum. But among all qualified running backs, he is the league leader in fantasy points for touch. Now again, he's gotten, you know, some kind of cheap touchdowns. He's gotten these merchant weird rod five yards out and he just keeps getting these dump offs. But a talented player, a guy that you liked almost as much as Jakory Crosky.
- [18:59]
Jay Croucher
Merit.
- [18:59]
Connor Rogers
That's right. And almost as much as Kyle Manungai as well. Yeah. I just wonder if Sean Payton does Sean Payton things and now it's Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Baby.
- [19:09]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [19:09]
Connor Rogers
And it's just like we like RJ Harvey's role. It's going to stay the same but everybody else gets a little bit of a bump.
- [19:14]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [19:14]
Connor Rogers
He's just a very hard coach to figure out with the backfield all the time. Hopefully with the capital they used on Harvey that it means more for him because there's more big playability with him.
- [19:23]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. They're also playing the Chiefs and a four point Dogs in that game. So you wouldn't expect amazing game script for a running back. Yeah.
- [19:28]
Matthew Berry
I just think. I think Beatty is probably worth a. Yeah. Because Peyton likes to use multiple running backs. Like I picked up Beatty in a league. Adam producer Adam who's even more desperate than I am in our league. He immediately scooped him up.
- [19:42]
Jay Croucher
Good for Adam that he's still trying.
- [19:43]
Matthew Berry
Right.
- [19:44]
Connor Rogers
Good effort.
- [19:44]
Matthew Berry
It is. Yeah. Yeah. A thousand percent.
- [19:46]
Connor Rogers
Could have just mailed it in.
- [19:47]
Matthew Berry
He could have.
- [19:48]
Jay Croucher
It's like the Tyler shuck Sainz still giving it a go at this.
- [19:51]
Connor Rogers
Let's get you on Johnson numbers.
- [19:53]
Matthew Berry
He's out there trying anyway. But like I would. I think Beatty over McLaughlin just because we sort of know what McLaughlin is and just. But Peyton does like to use multiple running backs. Bed FF happy hour regular says RJ Harvey or Travion rest of the season. I think it's Trayvon.
- [20:09]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, I think so too. The flashes you saw last week from Trayvon are like oh man, this is what we were waiting for.
- [20:13]
Jay Croucher
Also the Patriots play like the the jets and the Dolphins every week. They have two tough games in sequence against the Bills and the Ravens later in the year. But outside of that, like this team could easily go 13, 4, 14 and 3. They'll have game script. Ramondres coming back looks like and it's going to be annoying. Like he's going to get 14 carries and it's going to be upset. But Travion has got the big playability and there's still upside that he could become the number one guy there.
- [20:38]
Matthew Berry
And also it's crazy to say this statement when you think about where we were at the beginning of the year. But I believe in the Patriots offense a lot more than the Broncos offense these days. Oh, 100% in the preseason.
- [20:49]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, it is kind of wild.
- [20:51]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. I mean think about where you know coming up right.
- [20:53]
Connor Rogers
Upside is hit and the downside of Bonix has hit. So that's how we got here. But it is wild. It is a little wild.
- [21:00]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [21:01]
Jay Croucher
Bonix. I mean like two, three weeks Away from like a Jared Stidham conversation. They have a worse success rate on offense this year than the jets and the Saints.
- [21:09]
Matthew Berry
That's how bad that seems.
- [21:10]
Connor Rogers
Almost impossible.
- [21:11]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, he's not, he's not at the level at the moment and their schedule gets a lot tougher as well.
- [21:16]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, he's been, he's been carried by his defense in a way that, you know, Justin Fields has not.
- [21:21]
Connor Rogers
That's right, that's right. The old special teams touchdowns as well for the Jets.
- [21:25]
Matthew Berry
Again, Justin Fields played him almost to a draw, you know, with a better.
- [21:30]
Connor Rogers
20 yards for a field goal. Yeah. Anyway, our last bit of news for today and it's more, more of a bummer. Jaguars wide receiver slash cornerback Travis Hunter. He's been play. He's going to be out for the entire season. Season ending knee surgery to repair an lcl.
- [21:44]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [21:44]
Connor Rogers
Not an acl. He's expected to resume football activities in six months. This is a bummer, Jay, because we saw the best of Travis Hunter and then this happened.
- [21:52]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. The last time we saw him he's getting 14 targets in London and catching his first touchdown pass, going over 100 yards. I think that he was really set up to explode in the second half of the season. So really disappointing that it comes to an end. Obviously his season long numbers not particularly impressive, but he was trending in the right direction. They were figuring out how to use him more on offense. So I still think Conor next year he's a super exciting player in real life and in fantasy but obviously we'll have to wait until then.
- [22:19]
Connor Rogers
You probably get a buy low opportunity next year. I don't think anybody will be that excited for Travis Hunter. My last memory of him is like 100 yard wide receiver. That should be the focal point of the offense.
- [22:29]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I mean it's interesting because I've seen a bunch of people online say, well this is what happens when you try to play two ways at the highest level. You know what I mean? Exactly.
- [22:37]
Connor Rogers
I don't know. I mean I get the overall point but it doesn't feel like the right time to go to that correlation.
- [22:43]
Matthew Berry
No, I agree with you there. Fantasy wise, I mean, I think it means that, you know, the Jacksonville passing offense is exactly what we sort of think is like you've got BTJ on the outside. Assuming once he gets healthy, Parker Washington in the slot and then Jacoby Myers on the other end as well, they'll probably move Myers in the slot somewhat. But again, Liam Cohen likes Parker Washington in the slot and has said he's going to remain in that role. So, you know, again, just more Parker Washington propaganda.
- [23:10]
Connor Rogers
Right. And eventually it'll be more Breton strange propaganda.
- [23:13]
Matthew Berry
They've opened up the window on his return. Yep.
- [23:15]
Connor Rogers
He's a really important player of that offense. All right, keep it open. Close it out. It's our start. Sit here at the happy hour bar and guess who we get to start with, guys. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. When you thought we were talking about him enough on the show. We're not done yet. He's got the Chiefs season low, 5.8 points. Last week, he's quarterback. What for you this week, Matthew, he's quarterback.
- [23:35]
Matthew Berry
Eighteen for me, Connor.
- [23:36]
Connor Rogers
So adios to the starting lineup.
- [23:38]
Matthew Berry
Since Week 6, he's 30th in yards per pass attempt. You know, we always talk about, like, he's a dink and dunker. Here's the only quarterbacks that he's ahead of in yards per pass attempt. J.J. mcCarthy, Davis Mills, Justin Fields, Dylan Gabriel. That's the list.
- [23:55]
Connor Rogers
That's not.
- [23:56]
Matthew Berry
That's the company he's currently keeping as well. You don't love this matchup against the Chiefs. Since Week 2, the only quarterback that's thrown more than one touchdown pass against Kansas City was Jared Goff. And you know, over the last eight games, they've allowed the second fewest. Fan, sorry. They've. They've allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the NFL. The Chiefs. And to your point, Jay, we talked about this yesterday. This is a chief season. They're desperate. They're two games behind the Broncos, by the way, they're also off a buy. Andy Reid off of a buy, like, throughout his career is like money in the bank. The wagon is always really good off of the buy. I think the Broncos. I think the Broncos lose this one. I don't think it's particularly close. I think Mahomes goes off and I ideally would have no part of Bo Nix in this one.
- [24:43]
Jay Croucher
Quite an unholy trio You've got there. 18 to 20 in the ranks. Bo Nicks, J.J. mcCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. The vibes could not be worse about any of those guys at the moment. How good, kind of do you think Kansas City's pass defense is? Because when they've gone up against good quarterbacks, they've gotten kind of shredded.
- [24:59]
Connor Rogers
Right.
- [24:59]
Jay Croucher
I don't really understand why. Because they're healthy, but just they couldn't do anything against Josh Allen last time we saw.
- [25:05]
Connor Rogers
I don't think the pass rush is the same either. It doesn't feel like they have the depth that the pass rush that can often help this secondary.
- [25:10]
Jay Croucher
Chris Jones is 31.
- [25:11]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, he's not. He's a good player, but he used to be an elite player. It just feels like they need another guy on that front because it's never like they have. They're overwhelmingly loaded with talent at the five defensive back spots. They always have, like one guy and then a couple. Just replaceable players.
- [25:26]
Matthew Berry
But when they get home, you know, throws are hurried. And also their offense has usually been so good just over the last couple years. I know last year it struggled a little bit, but over the last couple years, their offense is so good. So now the opposing offense is now in constant game.
- [25:40]
Connor Rogers
That's right.
- [25:40]
Matthew Berry
And it's easier when you're in defense and, you know, they're throwing every play. You can just sort of tee off on them and you don't have to. There's, you know, less variables.
- [25:46]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, they're very predictable. And Spagnol is still one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL.
- [25:50]
Jay Croucher
Yeah. Jerry Tillery played like 34 snaps against the Bills. I was like, Dana, a man who doesn't seem like the same guy after all his injuries. So, yeah, it's a little shaky, but the corners are still good and healthy and carlaftis is good and Chris Jones is still good. So I would think that Spags has enough weaponry to really put bonix in the blender if the Raiders were able to put bonix in the blender. So, yeah, I don't think you started this week.
- [26:13]
Matthew Berry
No. So anyway, just to. Just to play along with a bit, we are officially closing it out on Bo Nicks this week.
- [26:19]
Connor Rogers
We go to the running backs, where Rashad White is our first name against the Bills, three straight games with under 40 rushing yards. We talked about Bucky being back on the field for a walkthrough today. We don't expect him to play in this one. So can you try to ride it out one more week with Rashad White here, Matthew?
- [26:35]
Matthew Berry
I think so. Again, this is with the caveat that. That we're assuming Bucky Irving is not playing on Sunday. We will track that story throughout the week. But in his five starts so far this year, Rashad White averaging 16 touches a game, he's got a 12% target share. And it's not as bad a matchup against Buffalo as you might think. They allow the third most yards per carry to opposing running backs. They're allowed the third most rush yards per game to opposing running backs. So wanted to keep Josh Allen off the field. I do expect you know Todd Bowles and team to go with a run heavy approach here on the road at Buffalo. So Rashad White I think volume wise gets you there. Mid tier RB2 for me. You see it there on your screen. He's my running back. 14. I am keeping it open for one more week on Rashad White.
- [27:16]
Jay Croucher
Buffalo has the number 30 ranked rush defense by API and they just got absolutely torched by Devon Hn. So yeah, it's in theory a fair matchup in the Bucs run game has been a little haphazard this year. I think they certainly miss Liam Cohen and his scheming ability in the run game. And then also just the offensive line has not been that healthy but fairly favorable matchup against Buffalo.
- [27:39]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, Luka Decky coming back for the.
- [27:41]
Jay Croucher
Sparks line which helps a lot.
- [27:42]
Connor Rogers
There's a lot of positive reasons around them. Our next running back is Kenneth Walker against the Rams. And guys, time to talk about our Jersey wall because Kenneth Walker who is on the wall has not had a double digit fantasy game points wise since week.
- [27:57]
Matthew Berry
He's right there.
- [27:58]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, yeah, that's prime. That's over the shoulder of Matthew. That's a good real estate.
- [28:02]
Matthew Berry
I don't know.
- [28:03]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, we swapping with Jonathan Taylor at worst like not visible.
- [28:07]
Matthew Berry
Where is Jonathan Taylor Is far right. Oh gosh. Yeah. That's ridiculous. Is right. He's right there above Derek Henry. Above me, above Jalen.
- [28:17]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [28:17]
Matthew Berry
We need of course.
- [28:18]
Connor Rogers
Well fair before we have the replacement options.
- [28:21]
Matthew Berry
But if we can ask a question. Hang on for a second before we get to just say just in terms of the wall, what's the most valuable. Is the most valuable real estate like behind me? Is it the highest up? Is it proximity to me? Like should Jonathan Taylor be closer to me than Breeze Hall?
- [28:36]
Connor Rogers
We cut to you a lot.
- [28:38]
Matthew Berry
We do. This is the. This is the most valuable real estate.
- [28:42]
Jay Croucher
So I think Ken Walker has the sink single most.
- [28:45]
Connor Rogers
I agree.
- [28:46]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. And he's the Hamptons by Ride or Die. Jayden Daniels stays there obviously former Ride or Die Monroe St. Brown, you know, proud fantasy life investor Jamar Chase. And then you've got. You've got Walker and Baker Mayfield there.
- [28:58]
Jay Croucher
I'm okay with Baker's thing for now.
- [28:59]
Matthew Berry
I am too. I just.
- [29:01]
Jay Croucher
Ken Walker's going to go right.
- [29:03]
Matthew Berry
So anyway, go ahead. What do you got here?
- [29:04]
Connor Rogers
Well, first we want to know if you're going to keep it open or close it out. Then I have the options of what the poll will include to replace Kenneth Walker for the regulars.
- [29:11]
Matthew Berry
Right. So I'm closing it out on Ken Walker. I'm outside my top 40 this. I'm sorry, I'm outside my top 25 this week. I should say the reason I say top 40. Outside top 40. Since week five, Ken Walker is running back 41 on a points per game basis. He's been single digit fantasy points in all five games during that stretch. He's averaging under one and a half targets a game. Like they're not using him in the passing game as well. And the Rams are not a good matchup here. They allow the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. When they get in close, it seems like they like Zach Charbonnet. And as frustrating as this is, I don't think it changes because why should it? They're crushing people. Darnold is finding Jackson Smith and Jigba. He's finding AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo. We're getting signs of life from Cooper cup every once in a while.
- [29:58]
Connor Rogers
Wait till Rashid Shaheen gets comfortable. Right.
- [30:00]
Matthew Berry
I mean, I just like he. He needs to break a long one to get a touchdown. He's not using the passing game. It is a true split with Zac Charbonnet on a team that is much more pass heavy than we thought they would be at the beginning of the year. He's my running back 28. I'm closing it out on Ken Walker.
- [30:16]
Connor Rogers
So the poll options. And I understand the chat. The chat has been demanding. We have a Jackson, Smith and Jigba jersey. We will continue to work on that.
- [30:23]
Matthew Berry
We're working on it.
- [30:24]
Connor Rogers
It's not an option at the moment.
- [30:25]
Jay Croucher
We will. Yeah, we will handle that.
- [30:27]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, we're getting it. We should also.
- [30:29]
Jay Croucher
Perkinakua.
- [30:30]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, yeah, I got it. Yeah, that's on me.
- [30:34]
Connor Rogers
Accountability.
- [30:35]
Matthew Berry
I have a Rams. This came up on a call last week and I said, I know somebody at the Rams in their marketing department. I'll reach. They've offered me a buy one. That's true. I mean, the budget on this show.
- [30:47]
Connor Rogers
Is saying to be clear.
- [30:48]
Matthew Berry
The budget on the show is not. We don't have the biggest budget. I'll just leave it at that. Like we buy one. I could.
- [30:56]
Connor Rogers
The budget team thrown under the bus.
- [30:58]
Matthew Berry
Wow, that's a budget team. The budget team is doing what they can. The budget is what? The budget is. The bean counter is those bean counters at Comcast. You know, come on.
- [31:08]
Connor Rogers
Picture Scrooge McDuck.
- [31:10]
Matthew Berry
Exactly. He's got like a. Yeah, he's got a green visor.
- [31:14]
Connor Rogers
Yeah.
- [31:14]
Matthew Berry
Or wait a minute. We could. We could spend money on the Olympics. Yeah. They're just sitting there going, we could spend money on the Olympics. The NBA Sunday Night Football, the Voice, or fantasy football Happy Hour. I think in. In all fairness, I think Mr. Comcast made the right call. I don't have a strong argument as to why they should spend any money on our dumb show. When you think about all the properties that, you know, they open a new theme park, for the love of God. You know, we got. We got Epic Universe. They got three theme parks. They got to support. They. They got a lot going on.
- [31:45]
Jay Croucher
Sure. It's like, do we want to televise skiing in Milan or. Pukinakua jersey for the wall?
- [31:50]
Matthew Berry
No. Yeah. Save the 70 bucks.
- [31:53]
Connor Rogers
It might be needed for the crew lunch.
- [31:56]
Jay Croucher
Yeah.
- [31:57]
Connor Rogers
Anyways.
- [31:57]
Matthew Berry
Anyway, I said I would reach out and try to get us a Puka jersey, and I just haven't done that. So that's. Puka's on me. Jsn. Jsn. We gotta figure that out.
- [32:07]
Jay Croucher
A lot of shaky names here. A.J. brown.
- [32:10]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, exactly. Should Ken Walker save or A.J. brown should be the poll. What are we doing here?
- [32:14]
Connor Rogers
Well, I didn't make the polls. I'll throw Pete under the bus. Here's the options. Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield, or Bijan Robinson. Are the four options to replace Kenneth Walker?
- [32:23]
Matthew Berry
Any one of them?
- [32:25]
Jay Croucher
I think.
- [32:25]
Matthew Berry
I think so. Here's the thing. So the idea is, it's who should take Kenneth Walker, not should Kenneth Walker come up the wall. Although that should be a different poll graphic. Again, who gets that prime real estate right there for Ken Walker. Should it be Mahomes, Stafford, Mayfield, or Bijan Stafford And Mayfield in the early voting. I mean, Mahomes is tough to argue with, although Stafford's been ridiculous.
- [32:47]
Connor Rogers
Give me the MVP candidate in Matthew Stafford.
- [32:49]
Matthew Berry
It probably should be Stafford.
- [32:50]
Connor Rogers
We gotta capitalize on the now.
- [32:52]
Matthew Berry
Yeah.
- [32:52]
Connor Rogers
Because you retired him yesterday, so he might not be here after this year. You said it's over after this.
- [32:58]
Matthew Berry
I do think he's retiring. I legitimately do. I think he's going to retire.
- [33:02]
Jay Croucher
You tried to retire Kelsey two years ago. He's putting men in the grave. Andy Stafford is like one of the super bowl favorites and the MVP favorite.
- [33:10]
Matthew Berry
I know, right after this, five years.
- [33:12]
Connor Rogers
In him, he might throw 50 touchdowns and four picks.
- [33:14]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, he's on base for.
- [33:16]
Matthew Berry
He's been phenomenal this year. He's been. He's been terrific.
- [33:19]
Jay Croucher
I think Stafford should get the spot. But if he loses to Ken Walker this week and Ken Walker goes off, then we Swap him back.
- [33:26]
Matthew Berry
Well, we can swap him back. So I agree with you. I think it should probably be Stafford. So here's my question. Does. Does Walker continue to get a spot on the wall? When you sit here and look at some of the other, like, no. It's like, you got. You got C.J. stroud there.
- [33:38]
Connor Rogers
You got A.J.
- [33:39]
Matthew Berry
Brown. That's very good. Real estate for A.J.
- [33:41]
Jay Croucher
Brown.
- [33:43]
Matthew Berry
Andre Stevens.
- [33:44]
Connor Rogers
That's perplexing.
- [33:45]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, it's.
- [33:46]
Jay Croucher
I say Ramon Dre, AJ Brown, Ken Walker. Out in comes jsn, Puka Nakua, and anyone else for the third one. Yeah, anyone.
- [33:56]
Matthew Berry
And Michael Thomas.
- [33:59]
Jay Croucher
Jersey. Yeah, Michael Thomas.
- [34:02]
Connor Rogers
I would like a little part of the wall. That's a Hall of Fame.
- [34:04]
Matthew Berry
Yes.
- [34:05]
Connor Rogers
Like, maybe four jerseys. Yeah, Like, Marshall Falk could be on there. Ladanian Tomlinson.
- [34:10]
Matthew Berry
Oh, see, it's interest. It's interesting. So you're saying, like, a Hall of Fame, like, actually good players or funny ones?
- [34:14]
Connor Rogers
That's what I. Gary Barnage.
- [34:16]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, exactly. I was gonna say, like, Gary Barnage or like Michael Thomas or Najee Harris for you. Greg Dorch. Like, you know, like. Like just Jaylin Coco. Yeah. Cokeheads unite.
- [34:26]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, Just Jaylin Coker being on there.
- [34:28]
Matthew Berry
Just ridiculous. Just having jerseys of people that have come up on the show that we like.
- [34:33]
Connor Rogers
What about also Cedric Tillman is absolutely on the wall.
- [34:35]
Matthew Berry
We should have two. We should have homer away.
- [34:38]
Connor Rogers
What's the Browns alternate these days?
- [34:41]
Matthew Berry
The color Rush jersey.
- [34:42]
Connor Rogers
Oh, man.
- [34:43]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. Like, we should have all that like this. Right? We should. We should do all of that. You know, like, maybe there should be, like, four different jets for you.
- [34:51]
Connor Rogers
Can we name four that have worked for the wall concept?
- [34:54]
Matthew Berry
No, but. Yeah, I just. I just think.
- [34:56]
Connor Rogers
Or.
- [34:57]
Matthew Berry
Or the other way to go is, like, if you appear on the show, like, oh, so you would get, like, Debo Samuel. We have Jonathan Taylor, you know, but, like, we've had Puka. We have Baker. Some.
- [35:05]
Jay Croucher
We've. We've.
- [35:05]
Matthew Berry
We've got.
- [35:06]
Jay Croucher
Right.
- [35:06]
Matthew Berry
But like, yeah, JSN's been on the show. We interviewed JSN at the Super Bowl. Yeah, right.
- [35:12]
Jay Croucher
Ever since then, his career took off.
- [35:14]
Connor Rogers
I know something really good.
- [35:15]
Jay Croucher
To superstar Magnolia. Movie poster should be on the wall. Great call. That's actually Medici.
- [35:22]
Matthew Berry
John of the Medici's been on fire for about two hours.
- [35:24]
Connor Rogers
Medici's on a hot streak right now. By the way, Mike Kafka just said Jameis Winston will start this week. Jackson dart again.
- [35:33]
Jay Croucher
Also, like, not. Wouldn't be surprised if that's not just one week as well. With everything that data's going through. And we say like CJ Stroud may not play this week. Like as I'm not a medical expert, quarterbacks maybe should have two weeks off concussion. NFL players should maybe have two weeks off concussion. Your brain's moving around in your head. Maybe you need two weeks off.
- [35:51]
Matthew Berry
The way it was described to me as a. From Stefania Bell, my, you know, my old, my, my friend and former colleague Stefania Bell, who's as, as good as there is, as anyone in the industry would always used to describe it as a concussion is like, you know, those old snow globes, you know, like. And like, you know, you would shake up the snow globes and all the, you know, flurries are. That's what a concussion is like. Like your brain is. Your brain is a snow globe in normal, you know, status. And then when you have a concussion, it's like it's been. And that's what's going on there.
- [36:23]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, I got a concussion once playing Australian football. It couldn't see properly for two weeks.
- [36:27]
Matthew Berry
Hang on, you played Australian football?
- [36:29]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, I was pretty.
- [36:31]
Matthew Berry
You were a junior magpie?
- [36:32]
Jay Croucher
I was a junior magpie. The thing is so right, I'm. I'm like 611 95. I was 61195 when I was 16.
- [36:39]
Matthew Berry
Okay.
- [36:40]
Jay Croucher
So I was bigger and stronger than ever and I stopped growing. Everyone caught up and I didn't have the same advantages. So that's why I'm here.
- [36:45]
Connor Rogers
I wish we had the huddle tape of that.
- [36:47]
Matthew Berry
Oh my God, that'd be the most amazing thing. Yes.
- [36:49]
Connor Rogers
Fine trucks sticking in this path.
- [36:52]
Matthew Berry
What I wouldn't give for 16 year old Jake Croucher Australian Rules football.
- [36:56]
Jay Croucher
That would be out there somewhere. Okay.
- [36:58]
Connor Rogers
Scott McLory in the chat said is Australian football rugby in all caps?
- [37:01]
Jay Croucher
Oh no, they're different caps. Half of Australia plays rugby. The bad half, the good half plays Australia and rules football, which is a different sport.
- [37:08]
Matthew Berry
What's right, what's more, the bad, the thieves, the thieves side of Australia.
- [37:13]
Jay Croucher
What's more, they're about similar and violet. No helmets.
- [37:15]
Matthew Berry
What, what is the one big difference between rugby and Australian Rules football?
- [37:19]
Jay Croucher
Well, in Australian Rules football you kick the ball and you can move in all directions. Rugby rugby is basically American football with no pass game. It's not a great sport. Yeah, it's not a guard split. Football is a guard spot.
- [37:31]
Matthew Berry
Get back on track.
- [37:31]
Connor Rogers
Yeah, here we go.
- [37:32]
Matthew Berry
Anyway, we're closing it out on Ken Walker and we'll update the poll here.
- [37:36]
Connor Rogers
What about Tony Pollard against the Texans? He's got under eight points in three of his past four games.
- [37:40]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I'm also closing it out. Right. He's finished higher than running back 28. Get the stat. He's finished higher than running back 28 three times a season. Like that's the best stat you can come up with for Tony Pollard, right. Since Taje Spears return, he's averaging single digit fantasy points, 9.5 basically 12 touches a game. And then you think about this matchup against Houston J where the Texans have allowed more than 77 yards from scrimmage to a running back once this season. That was Bucky Irving in week two. So in a game in which the Texans defense doesn't give up 77 to any one running back and now you've got two guys splitting the workload.
- [38:14]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, it's on a lead rush defense. The Titans even coming off the bye against probably Davis Mills. A7point.com. You know how offensive it is to be a home seven point underdog to Davis Mills. It's not great. And that's where the Titans are at.
- [38:26]
Matthew Berry
At the moment levels.
- [38:27]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, I will say at least the Titans offensive line is getting a little bit healthier. They've had the buy. But the thing is it's like as we've mentioned before, it's still the same offensive stuff like Brian Callahan's gone. It's still the same guys who are working with Callahan.
- [38:40]
Matthew Berry
The only thing is Brian and his dad.
- [38:42]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, the only thing the hope is is that O line is healthier and rookie quarterbacks get better as the season goes on. Cam Ward I would expect is going to be better in the second half than he was in the first half. So maybe that can lift the offense and help the value of Tony Pollard and Ty J. Spears. Just probably not against the Houston Texans.
- [38:58]
Connor Rogers
Let's go to the wide receivers guys where we start with Zay Flowers against the Browns. Zay has not had a game with 15 plus points since week one, but kind of feels like the arrow might be pointing up on this one. Matthew.
- [39:08]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, he's played five games this year with Lamar Jackson. He's averaging 74 yards in those five games. And so. So Zay Flowers is more of a floor play than an upside play I feel like. But in all but two games this season he's been a top 32 wide receiver. So he's a wide receiver three with wide receiver, two upside if he manages to get into the end zone. But you think back week two when he played the Browns the first time this season seven for 75, had a 39% target share. So I do think Zay Flowers. I'm keeping it open. I'm as a top 20 play this week.
- [39:40]
Connor Rogers
Wide receiver Quinton Johnston as well on our list because he's been under 50 receiving yards in four of his past five games. Jay, of course, he had the infamous goose egg a couple of weeks ago. It just feels like the consistency we thought we found with him is long gone all of a sudden.
- [39:53]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, it's. We've taken a kind of circuitous route to get there, but ultimately I think we are where we thought we would be coming into the season where lad McConkey is the guy that you can count on and then you're kind of playing roulette between Keenan Allen, Quinton Johnston or on day Gadsden if he's good to go. So I don't think he can really count on qj. It's a fairly favorable matchup against the Jags defense that I think is regressed now that that the turnovers have stopped. But ultimately I wouldn't want to count on this guy.
- [40:18]
Matthew Berry
I get that. I'm still going to keep it open. You see it there on the screen. I wide receiver 25. So again, he's in that 30. Yeah, in that 30. In that, you know, top 30 range, that wide receiver three range. But last two games he's had a 26% target share, 67% of the Chargers end zone target. So he had a little. He was hot and then he got quiet for a few weeks. But the last couple of weeks he started to heat up again. Over the last three weeks, by the way, Ken Allen, just a 55% route participation feels like a Ronda. Gadson's emergence has come more at the expense of Keenan Allen than it has his qj. Even though there's those two games there where QJ was just like, where's qj? And to your point about the Jaguars matchup here, seven touchdowns to wide receivers over the last four games. That's what the Jaguars have allowed. So they'll take some deep shots here. There's more risk, reward, more wide range of outcomes for qj. But I'm reluctantly keeping it open on him because the big playability.
- [41:14]
Jay Croucher
Yep. Two things that kind of push against each other. One, I think the Jags are lost in SAC rate in the NFL. Like they just don't have the pass rush. On the other hand, the charges like their offensive line has just reached kind of the point of no return. Like with Joe out there, there's nothing there. Herbert's Fighting for his life, but should be fighting for his last life. Less against the Jags defense that can't get pressure.
- [41:32]
Connor Rogers
How about Xavier Worthy? Matthew? More concerning than the actual lack of production is also the lack of opportunity.
- [41:37]
Jay Croucher
Opportunity.
- [41:37]
Connor Rogers
He's not a big focal point of this offense.
- [41:40]
Jay Croucher
No.
- [41:40]
Matthew Berry
Like since Rasheed Rice returned, he's averaging 3.7 receptions and 37 receiving yards per game. So under four receptions and under 40 yards in all the games since Rasheed Rice returned, He's wide receiver 55 on a points per game basis. And you know, just to give you some comparison, the usage.
- [42:00]
Connor Rogers
Right.
- [42:00]
Matthew Berry
We always go to Dwayne McFarlane's utilization score. Score over@fasylife.com wide receiver 54. Xavier Worthy is in a utilization score since week seven. Since he returned, Rice's wide receiver 11. So you just sort of see it there. You can see the splits. Weeks four through six before Rice came back, 20% target share. He's, you know, getting seven targets a game, double digit fantasy points. Week seven on since Rice came back, under 40 yards per game, you know, hasn't scored a touchdown, just eight fantasy points per game and sub 20% target share for Xavier Worthy. So I need a ruling here from you guys on this. So I am, for the purposes of our show, let me know if I'm allowed to do this for the purposes of our show for the audience. I am closing it out. But I'm also a liar. I'm also a big fat liar because in our league where my team is so decimated by injuries, I'm actually going to start him.
- [42:54]
Jay Croucher
Sure.
- [42:54]
Matthew Berry
But like, I don't want to.
- [42:56]
Connor Rogers
Our league is ridiculous.
- [42:58]
Matthew Berry
I mean I literally might. I just picked up Michael Wilson when the Erson moves came out. I might start Michael Wilson over Xavier Worthy.
- [43:04]
Connor Rogers
I'd probably do that.
- [43:05]
Matthew Berry
Yeah. So, but that's, that's the status my team is in. But if you had a real team that wasn't decimated by injuries, that wasn't, you know, as brutal as my team is, I'm closing it out on Xavier Worthy.
- [43:16]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, Jesus is a big game. I got a lot of money on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl. And to win the super bowl, they need to make the playoffs in the first place.
- [43:21]
Matthew Berry
I put a lot of money on this game just for the Chiefs to win. Yeah, Chief's money line, what is it? Minus three.
- [43:27]
Jay Croucher
I think that's up to minus four.
- [43:30]
Matthew Berry
Minus three and a half. Yeah. Yeah.
- [43:31]
Connor Rogers
It's all like backs against the wall. Andy Reid off a buy. Yeah, it's just like if you lose this one, they're not the real Chiefs.
- [43:37]
Matthew Berry
And the Broncos are a little fraudulent.
- [43:40]
Connor Rogers
They've gotten away with offensive so many times.
- [43:42]
Matthew Berry
Their defense is legit.
- [43:43]
Jay Croucher
I feel the defense.
- [43:43]
Matthew Berry
The defense is legit.
- [43:44]
Connor Rogers
Totally fair.
- [43:45]
Matthew Berry
The defense is legit. The offense is a little fraudulent. But yeah, yeah.
- [43:50]
Connor Rogers
Finally our tight end is Kyle Pitts this week against the Panthers.
- [43:54]
Matthew Berry
Hunter Henry of keep it open, close it out.
- [43:56]
Connor Rogers
He really is. He's on here. Like you start him. Can I start him? Under seven points per game over the past two weeks. But Matthew, this is a barren wasteland of a position that maybe you continue to ride it out with Kyle Pitts.
- [44:08]
Matthew Berry
I have a tight end nine, so I'm keeping it open on Kyle Pitts. Hope springs eternal here, but it's a good matchup. Panthers allow the fifth most yard per game to tight ends. They've given up at least 15 fantasy points to an opposing tight end in 6 their 10 games. So it's a great matchup against Carolina which is struggle against the position. And since week seven, very quietly, Kyle Pitts has a 25% target share. So which is basically third most among tight ends during that stretch. Like they are trying to get on the ball now. Penix has been so up and down it hasn't always been effective. Gamescript hasn't always gone in Kyle Pitts his way. But they are trying to get in the ball. And we've had a lot of fun with Kyle Pitts over the years, but he has legitimately looked better this year.
- [44:48]
Jay Croucher
Yeah, and Penix I think has been very inconsistent, but at least he's been inconsistent in a way now that he can actually accumulate yards, get the ball down the field in a way that the quarterback opposite him in this game, Bryce Young, hasn't been able to do.
- [45:00]
Connor Rogers
All right, to recap, keep it open or close it out. Bo Nix is our quarterback this week and he's a close at QB18. Rashad White stays open in RB14. If Bucky Irving doesn't play. Kenneth Walker is RB28. That's a close and possibly a new spot on his jersey. Spot on the wall. Tony Pollard's a close at RB31. Zay Flowers and Quinton Johnson both stay open. Zay's in the top 20 of wide receivers. Quentin Johnson hanging on by a thread at wide receiver 25. Xavier Worthy's a close at wide receiver 37. The usage is just not there. Kyle Pitts because he plays tight end, stays open at tight end nine. And one more reminder here, here's our poll, who should take the spot right above Matthew's head on the Jersey wall? That is Kenneth Walkers for now, but the options are Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield and Bijon Robinson. We're gonna take our first break when we're back. It's your favorite game. It's our favorite game. Blind Date is after this.
- [45:54]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, I think we.
- [46:01]
Connor Rogers
For years everyone thought Verizon had the best network because they did. But now the best mobile network in the US is T Mobile. T Mobile's network has the most advanced 5G with more towers and their signal reaches further than ever. So you can text an Insta talk and say, you won't believe where I am.
- [46:22]
Matthew Berry
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- [47:38]
Connor Rogers
Alright, let's take a look at the results of the poll here guys as once again the options attempt take Kenneth Walker's spot on the wall were Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield and Bijan Robinson.
- [47:49]
Matthew Berry
Very tight voting. Yeah, yeah.
- [47:51]
Connor Rogers
Matthew Stafford is at the top at 33.8%.
- [47:57]
Matthew Berry
I'm surprised that Bijan no touchdowns Robinson was able to defeat Baker Mayfield in terms of in terms of votes. Not Bijan's fault to be clear. But the fact is is that Baker.
- [48:07]
Jay Croucher
Hasn'T had a great month.
- [48:08]
Matthew Berry
Yeah, it's been tough. I mean Mahomes at two makes sense. Anyway, our stage manager Kevin Where Are you? Kevin, Come on over here and take care of this for us. Thank you so much, Kevin.
- [48:17]
Jay Croucher
Here he goes.
- [48:18]
Matthew Berry
Kevin. We love Kevin.
- [48:20]
Connor Rogers
Kevin drinks free every day at the happy hour bar. He says, Matthew, every day, 100%.
- [48:25]
Matthew Berry
Kevin's one of the guys that does our signs as well. Like the entire team. I never do our, you know, our who drinks free signs.
- [48:31]
Jay Croucher
Like you can't draw.
- [48:33]
Matthew Berry
That is part of the reasons why.
- [48:34]
Connor Rogers
You can barely speak English.
- [48:36]
Jay Croucher
The most important thing about Kevin, he's a die hard Colts fan. Yeah. He was sweating out Colts Falcons with me, which I always appreciate.
- [48:42]
Connor Rogers
Yeah.
- [48:42]
Jay Croucher
As you guys were cheering for the Falcons, I hope I'd be embarrassed.
- [48:45]
Matthew Berry
And look at this.
- [48:47]
Connor Rogers
That was the right show. Look at that. It's a beautiful jersey.
- [48:49]
Matthew Berry
It's a really good jersey.
- [48:55]
Jay Croucher
There we go.
- [48:56]
Matthew Berry
Look at that again. Wow, that's nice again. People are like, ah, come on, Barry, you're exaggerating with the budget now. Did you see that? It's literally, it's literally coat hanging on a metal railing. It's literally coat hangers.
- [49:06]
Jay Croucher
Nothing wrong with a good coat hanger. They're good. Good fabric.
- [49:10]
Connor Rogers
All right, big thanks, Kevin. And a big thanks to the voters. Matthew Stafford now reigns supreme. Let's get into Blind Date Matthew, where you get to host our.
- [49:19]
Matthew Berry
Host the show. There you go. Welcome in the Fantasy hour. He's Connor Rogers. Jay Croucher. I'm Matthew Berry. All right, blind date, here we go. You know, we all go to bars to meet our blind date. So here you go. Here's number one. This is a running back. You see a split there. So first four weeks versus weeks one through four versus weeks five through 10, basically rushing yards. 100 to 104 is basically the same. But earlier in the season getting a lot of inside the five yard rushing share, whereas recently they have not. And not surprisingly, first four weeks, five touchdowns. Since week five, only two touchdowns. Utilization scores also gone down since week five. And that's why from weeks one through four, this running back scored over 22 fantasy points a game, whereas recently just 14.3 fantasy points per game.
- [50:04]
Jay Croucher
I think this is an easy one because there's only two guys averaging 100 plus rushing yards and it's Jonathan Taylor and James Cook. And Jonathan Taylor has more than seven touchdowns. So it has to be James Cook.
- [50:13]
Matthew Berry
It is in fact James Cook. Good job. Really well done. Really well done. These are too easy. But the point of this is that all the be probably got in your ear and told you. But what?
- [50:25]
Connor Rogers
Definitely a scam.
- [50:26]
Jay Croucher
Figure out myself.
- [50:28]
Matthew Berry
You're just. You're against the ap. It's screwed.
- [50:29]
Connor Rogers
It's a scam.
- [50:30]
Matthew Berry
You know what this. Yeah, this is a Chauncey Bill's poker game. That's exactly what this is.
- [50:35]
Jay Croucher
All right.
- [50:36]
Matthew Berry
Allegedly. Allegedly. Comcast lawyers, put down your pens. It's alleged. It's alleged.
- [50:43]
Jay Croucher
Comcast legal getting a lot of activity today.
- [50:46]
Connor Rogers
That's where all the budget goes.
- [50:47]
Matthew Berry
I gotta be honest.
- [50:50]
Jay Croucher
Circle.
- [50:50]
Matthew Berry
I have to be clear that, you know, that's probably where the budget of this show goes to is literally this probably Mr. Comcast. They probably have a lawyer watching this show again. Just literally watching in every word and just. Anyway, all right, all right. So anyway. But just what we said in the preseason about James Cook has sort of come true. It's like he's not involved in the passing game and he just. He needs touchdowns to pay off. First five weeks of the season. He was getting them recently. It's tailed off a little bit. Let's go to running back number two right here. In terms of blind date again, weeks one through six versus seven through ten. Rushing yards per game have increased a little bit recently since week seven as well. But a lot more work inside the goal line. 100% of the inside 5 yard line rush share since week 7, whereas it was just half of the time. Weeks 1 through 6 utilization score is the same fantasy. Points per game has gone up entirely boyoed by the four touchdowns.
- [51:44]
Jay Croucher
I'm sorry, what? And you're criticizing me for Magnolia when you're saying boy ode.
- [51:54]
Matthew Berry
English is my second language. Everyone knows this.
- [51:56]
Connor Rogers
Boy ode.
- [51:57]
Matthew Berry
Boy od. Yeah, it's just me. With me it's just a. It's a language issue with you. It's a just bad taste.
- [52:04]
Jay Croucher
I've heard buoyed before. I've heard Boyd. I've never heard Boyd.
- [52:06]
Matthew Berry
Boyd. Anyway, whatever. At any rate, who's this running back?
- [52:11]
Connor Rogers
Is it Breece Hall?
- [52:12]
Matthew Berry
It is in fact, Breece Hall. Connor. I'd be upset if he did not get this one. It's just obviously part of. It's the Braylon Allen injury as well, but also just they've used it. They've used it for what we don't have. We can do blind dates over.
- [52:25]
Connor Rogers
Sure.
- [52:26]
Jay Croucher
No.
- [52:27]
Matthew Berry
Come on, Pete.
- [52:28]
Connor Rogers
Up to you.
- [52:29]
Jay Croucher
30 seconds.
- [52:29]
Matthew Berry
Go ahead. Go ahead. 30 seconds. We got 30 seconds. Go ahead. Come on. Come on, Pete. Go quickly. Who do you think this is? Blind date targets up receiving yards per game on week six. 10 receiving touchdowns up.
- [52:41]
Connor Rogers
All right.
- [52:42]
Jay Croucher
I was going to guess Jalen Waddle.
- [52:43]
Matthew Berry
No.
- [52:44]
Connor Rogers
Marvin Harrison.
- [52:45]
Matthew Berry
No. It is Troy Franklin. Oh no, it's lad McConkey. Troy Franklin was going to be the next one. Sorry, it's Ladd McConkey. Yeah, it's Ladd McConKey who's just basically, over the last couple weeks, Ladd McConkey has become who we thought he was. Ladd McConkey. The next one was going to be Troy Franklin, whose usage has increased. Yes, there we go.
- [53:05]
Jay Croucher
You sunk the segment with your Boyer in the comments.
- [53:07]
Connor Rogers
You give me great job security hosting this shit. It's really lovely. We're going to go to our last break when we're back. Back to the sea. Shout out to America.
- [53:14]
Matthew Berry
I'm sorry.
- [53:15]
Jay Croucher
Oh God.
- [53:25]
Matthew Berry
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- [55:51]
Connor Rogers
DraftKings sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL and new customers can bet $5 and get $300 in bonus bets if your bet wins, down the app and use promo code FFHH when you sign up. Giraffe Kings Sportsbook the ground is yours. Back to the futures Jay, what do you got?
- [56:07]
Jay Croucher
Seahawks will win the NFC West +130 Matthew Stafford doesn't have to play an elite defense since week one. I think the Seahawks have the best defense in football.
- [56:14]
Matthew Berry
I'm going to piggyback on that and say Mike McDonald. Sorry, not McDaniel. Mike McDonald to win coach of the year plus 350. If they do what Jay says, McDonald's going to win the win the award. He's the he's got the third highest.
- [56:26]
Connor Rogers
Odds giants next head coach. I'm taking Jesse Minter plus 1200. I think they're going to go with a defensive guy as long as he's got the right pairing at offensive coordinator.
- [56:36]
Matthew Berry
I saw people Talking about Mike McCarthy as a commander's fan, I'm hoping for Mike McCarthy.
- [56:40]
Connor Rogers
He's the leader on the odds board.
- [56:42]
Matthew Berry
I know he is the shortest odds.
- [56:43]
Jay Croucher
Antonio Pierce chat as well.
- [56:45]
Connor Rogers
I mean stop.
- [56:46]
Matthew Berry
Come on. He's a legend. That music means you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. Go. Go boyo something elsewhere for for Jay and Connor at Matthew, we'll see you tomorrow maybe. Peace out. I'm sorry America.