Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

NBC Sports | November 11, 2025

Episode: Week 11 Waiver Wire: Jacoby Brissett, Parker Washington, Cade Otton among top adds

Episode Overview

In this lively Week 11 episode, Matthew Berry and co-hosts Connor Rogers and Jay Croucher hit the waiver wire hard, breaking down top pick-ups, sneaky plays, and answering big fantasy questions for the playoff race. Alongside signature banter and pop culture tangents (from Magnolia to Princess Bride, to shucking around with Tyler Schuck), the gang goes deep on who’s worth your FAB and who might be a season-saver. Notable segments include gratitude for veterans, key quarterback injury updates, and actionable, position-by-position waiver targets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veterans Day Salute & Fantasy in the Military

• [03:59] Berry: “The fact that I am on national TV arguing about Magnolia and talking about fake football while wearing makeup... is entirely because we live in a free country. And that is entirely thanks to our veterans and their families... Veterans drink free.”
• [05:19] Jay: “Huge contingent of people in the military that play fantasy football. It’s a way to keep them together... If you ever need me to do something, ask me from a military address. The answer’s always yes.”

2. Quarterback Waiver Targets

Jacoby Brissett – Cardinals

• [09:38] Connor: “Brissett has brought some rhythm to this offense… efficient, getting the ball to Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride and doing more than enough in fantasy.”
• [09:58] Jay: “He’s been a top 12 quarterback in all four of his games that he started. He had at least 250 passing yards and multiple touchdown passes in all four.”
• [10:40] Berry: “San Francisco’s defense is just decimated… This is going to potentially be a shootout.”

Mariota, QB Carousel & Kyler Murray Speculation

• [11:18-13:43] Spirited debate about next-year QB openings and Kyler Murray’s potential landing spots.
• [14:22] Jay (on Marcus Mariota): “He’s fantasy-wise... good. Again, they’ve got a terrible defense. He’s going to have to throw a bunch… He does run a little bit more than you think.”

Other QB Streamer Notes

• Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith, Davis Mills, Mac Jones, and high-upside stash Joe Burrow (if available; see [19:13] for discussion on CIN’s plans and fantasy playoff utility).

3. Running Back Waiver Targets

Challenging Week, Think in Tiers

• [22:33] Berry: “We’ve been waiting for playable… It’s not going to be pretty. This is the situation with running backs on the waiver wires.”

Tyjae Spears (Titans)

• [22:49] Jay: “He’s the Hunter Henry of running backs.”
• [23:11] Jay: “He’s their passing down back, we’re trailing running back as well… Likely to be trailing vs. HOU. Quick dump offs to Spears out of the bye could be a way to move the ball.”
• [23:44] Berry: “The Camaro line—the Mendoza Line. If you want eight and a half points, Spears is your guy.”

Amari Demercado (Cardinals)

• [26:22] Connor: “If you want to know the state of waivers... our number two RB is Demercado, coming off a week with four carries and four targets.”
• [26:33] Jay: “Randomly, he’s actually been pretty good... 182 yards from scrimmage over the past two games, averaging nine yards per carry this season.”

Deeper RBs: Tyler Allgeier (TD vulture), Blake Corum, Sean Tucker, Devin Singletary, Woody Marks

• Discussed as flex/bye-week plugs in deeper leagues ([27:51–28:30]).

4. Wide Receiver Waiver Targets

Top WRs for Week 11

• Alec Pierce (Colts) – CONSISTENT, but on bye. Worth a roster spot.

  • [32:03] Connor: “He’s a great athlete, good size... consistent in fantasy week in and week out. Available in a lot of places.”
  • [32:25] Berry: “He’s a legitimate WR1 for the Colts in real life and I think a WR2 type in fantasy.”

• Parker Washington (Jaguars)

  • [33:48] Connor: “Available this week... 59% available. Seven targets last week. Punt return TD, caught a TD. Consistent part of this offense.”
  • [34:04] Jay: “Among all WRs since Week 7, he’s WR15 in utilization score… got 75% of Jags red zone targets last week.”

• Trey Tucker (Raiders)

  • [34:59] Jay: “Much wider range of outcomes for Trey Tucker. If you want a floor, go Parker Washington. If you want to swing for the fences, it’s Tucker.”

• Tez Johnson (Bucs)

  • [35:33-35:57] Connor: “67% available, ‘touchdown merchant’. With all the injuries, he’s not going anywhere.”
  • [35:57] Berry: “Tez Johnson has a material role in this offense… the targets are the key thing.”

• Deeper WRs: DonTavion Wicks, Luther Burden, Jaden Higgins

  • Entering larger target shares or stepping up due to injuries ([38:24–39:38]).

5. Tight End Waiver Targets

Headlined by Juwan Johnson (Saints)

• [40:27] Jay: (on Johnson vs Tyler Schuck) “He’s shucking awesome... He won me a title in year one.”
• Insight from Johnson [39:46]: “When you feel like your quarterback is confident, that gives a lot of other people confidence... Tyler’s in there... he’s just going to play some ball.”

Cade Otton (Bucs)

• [41:29] Connor: “12 targets in Week 10 for Cade Otten… when all else fails in their pass catching group, Baker will lock on to him.”
• [41:57] Jay: “Five straight games now with at least five targets. 28% target share last week. Top ten fantasy TE since Week 5.”

Dalton Schultz (Texans)

• Reliable, especially in PPR, with/without Stroud. “He’s been consistent.” ([42:31–43:20])

Theo Johnson (Giants), Colston Loveland (Bears), Dawson Knox (Bills)

• Discussed as deep streamers. Uncertainty tied to QB situations, injuries, or usage ([43:20–46:50]).

6. Defensive Streamers

• Falcons (@ Panthers): "Fantasy solid this year."
• Cowboys (vs Raiders): “Should be better with Quinnen Williams debut.”
• Bears (vs Vikings): Decent matchup with rookie QB struggles ([46:50–47:12]).

7. Monday Night Football Recap – Key Eagles/Packers Takeaways

• DeVonta Smith Outshining AJ Brown
  • [49:52] Jay: “I’d say Devonta Smith. Six of the eight games they played together this year, Smith has outscored Brown... I think moving forward I will rank DeVonta Smith higher than A.J. Brown this week.”
• Jordan Love:
  • [52:00] Connor: “No consistency in this team... only worthwhile in 2QB leagues.”
  • [52:45] Berry: “The offensive line as well, he’s under siege... just not a great ecosystem for fantasy.”

Notable Quotes, Humor & Banter

• [01:38] Berry: “It’s like yesterday there was this 25 yard run that I really liked from Jonathan Taylor. It was my favorite run of the day. You don’t get to choose my favorite Jonathan Taylor Run of the Day.”
• [17:48] Jay (on Berry’s movie takes): “We will have a watch party for Magnolia... and everyone will see what I see, which is—that being anyone’s favorite movie is the most insane take of all time.”
• [23:44] Berry: “The Camaro line. The Mendoza line. The Camaro line.”
• [35:33] Connor: “Some are calling [Tez Johnson] a touchdown merchant, which... at 160 pounds, he’s got the Bills this week.”
• [41:29] Connor: “12 targets in week 10 for Cade Otten who is prone to having weeks like this... when all else fails in their pass catching group, Baker will lock on to him.”
• [56:32] Jay: “Absolutely not. I’ll take the Chiefs minus three and a half. Andy Reid off the bye against Denver again. This fraudulent Broncos team...”
• [40:27] Juwan Johnson: “When you feel like your quarterback is confident, that gives a lot of other people confidence... when Tyler’s in there, he’s just going to play some ball.”

Timestamps for Key Review Segments

• Waiver QB Deep Dive: [09:03] – [15:20]
• RB Targets & Strategy: [22:10] – [26:33]
• WR Targets & Utilization: [32:03] – [36:35]
• TE and D/ST Streamers: [39:46] – [46:50]
• Monday Night Football Recap (Eagles/Packers): [49:25] – [53:02]
• Early Betting Lines / Favorite Bets ("Last Call"): [56:00] – [57:08]

Episode Takeaways & Recommendations

• Top QB adds: Jacoby Brissett (safe, steady), Marcus Mariota (rushing upside), with watchlist on Joe Burrow if available.
• Lean RB “ugly but usable” picks: Tyjae Spears, Amari Demercado. Prefer volume/catching backs in bad offenses.
• Target high-usage WRs: Parker Washington and Tez Johnson for likely targets, and Alec Pierce for rest-of-season value.
• TE streamers to prioritize: Juwan Johnson (if you can stash), Cade Otton (steady targets), Dalton Schultz (underrated floor), Theo Johnson (watch QB news).
• Consider defenses: Falcons, Cowboys, Bears for favorable Week 11 matchups.
• Notable advice: Don’t chase names; chase recent production, usage, and matchup—especially as playoffs approach.

“It takes real skill to thrive in fantasy. Adapt quickly, look for value, and above all—get the ball to your best players.” — Matthew Berry ([09:58])