Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 12 Love/Hate: Derrick Henry, Tee Higgins, Colston Loveland, Patrick Mahomes

Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (with co-hosts Jay and Lawrence Jackson)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Matthew Berry’s classic “Love/Hate” analysis for Week 12 of the fantasy football season. Along with co-hosts Jay and Lawrence, Matthew dives deep into matchup-based starts and sits, with particular focus on big-name players such as Derrick Henry, Tee Higgins, Colston Loveland, and Patrick Mahomes. The show is full of actionable advice, player debates, plus the signature mix of banter and humor that defines Fantasy Football Happy Hour.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fun Open: Hair Jokes, Sports Apparel, and Banter

• The hosts riff on hair, AI “deepfakes” and the possibility of Matthew getting a Trevor Lawrence-style hair transplant.
  • “Should I get Trevor Lawrence hair? ...What I would actually do is I would probably keep my forehead. I wouldn't go crazy, but just more, just fill in up here.” – Matthew Berry [01:30]
• They debate sports jerseys and apparent allegiances, teasing Lawrence’s Houston Astros gear, and transition into the main fantasy football topics.
• Notable Moment: The playful banter sets a loose and witty tone for the episode and provides some needed laughter before the football talk intensifies.

Running Back "Love/Hate" Discussion

Derrick Henry – King Henry’s Workload (Love)

• Key Points:
  • Derrick Henry is Matthew’s RB7 this week, citing his increased workload with 20+ touches in five straight games and NFL-leading goal-to-go rushing attempts since Week 6.
  • The Jets give up 19.7 fantasy PPG to RBs with 15+ touches.

“Since week six, he’s had at least 20 touches in five straight games... averaging 105 yards from scrimmage during that stretch.” – Matthew Berry [05:34]

• Insight: Even without a ton of receptions, Henry’s volume and red zone role make him a safe “love” play despite limited upside in the passing game.

Bijan Robinson – Receiving + Rushing Threat (Love)

• Key Points:
  • Bijan is ranked ahead of JT due to his dual-threat usage; likely to lead the Falcons in both rushing and receiving with Kirk Cousins likely limited post-Achilles.
  • Saints matchup projects him for heavy involvement.

Chase Brown – Pass Game Magnet (Love)

• Key Points:
  • With Samaje Perine out, Brown is fourth among RBs in utilization and is averaging 19 fantasy PPG over the past two weeks.
  • Patriots allow 5.7 receptions/game to RBs (most in NFL); Brown has a 26% target share over past two games.

“Chase Brown is getting a 26% target share... fourth among all running backs in utilization, averaging over 21 touches a game.” – Matthew Berry [08:07]

• Insight: Enormous usage, especially in the passing game, makes Brown a top-10 play regardless of New England’s defensive reputation.

RB Start/Sit Questions & Comparison

[10:12] Viewer asks: Pick 2 RBs + Flex: Chase Brown, Breece Hall, Quinshon Judkins, Tyrell McMillan, Travion Henderson.

• Matthew and Lawrence advocate Henderson and Brown; Jay adds Tyrell McMillan for upside.

Quinshon Judkins (Love/Borderline)

• Faces Raiders who are mid-pack, but more giving versus the run recently.
• Volume projection high, but lacks recent efficiency.

Ashton Genti vs. Judkins (Rest of Season)

“I got to still go Genti because he’s had multiple games with 6+ targets... Juggins just not getting [enough]." – Lawrence [12:21]

Running Backs: Others Receiving Votes

• Travis Etienne: 21 touches/game, top red-zone volume; solid play even as Bashal Tatutin emerges.
• Emmanuel Wilson (with Jacobs possibly out): Reliable double-digit scorer if workload is there.
• Ken Walker III: Has upside vs. Titans if workhorse role continues.
• Hate List: Tampa Bay RBs (messy committee, tough Rams matchup), Kyren Williams (tough Buccaneers rush D), Ashton Genti (bad Cleveland matchup).

WR/TE "Love/Hate" Discussion

Tee Higgins (Love)

• Higgins is WR6 for the week due to Jamar Chase being out and impressive production with Flacco.

“Last three games he’s played without Jamar Chase: 23 fantasy points, 110 receiving yards in each…” – Berry [23:22]

Stefon Diggs (Love)

• “The Diggler” faces Bengals, whose defense is a sieve for WRs.

Chris Olave (Love)

• 31% target share without Rashid Shaheed; Falcons allowing big WR games.

Colston Loveland (Love)

• Rookie TE production spike; Steelers allow 5th-most PPG to TEs.

“First five games...played 45% of snaps; last four, 75%...third option on this team in 5 straight games.” – Lawrence [27:53]

Travis Kelce (Love)

• Colts have given up a TD to a TE in 4 of last 5; second-most yards per game to TEs.

“In a must-win game...Mahomes is going to be looking for 87, his most trusted weapon.” – Berry [29:27]

Others Receiving Votes

• Tetaron McMillan (rising rookie, WR3 since Week 8 on target share), Jameson Williams, Michael Wilson, Alec Pierce, and Hunter Henry (Bengals hemorrhage points to TEs).

Hate List: WR/TE

• Xavier Worthy, Trey Tucker (Raiders; relying on garbage time/TD), TJ Hockenson (McCarthy can’t get him the ball; only nine catches in four games).

Quarterback "Love/Hate"

LOVE:

• Drake Maye: Number one overall this week against Bengals (high recent fantasy points allowed).

“It’s all bad Cincinnati stuff...Mace playing as well as any QB in the NFL.” – Berry [43:28]

• Patrick Mahomes: “Season on the line” vs. Colts, expected rushing reemergence, home favorite.
• Matthew Stafford: Top-six play v. Tampa Bay’s porous secondary.
• Brock Purdy: Healthy again, juicy matchup.
• Jared Goff: Bounce-back vs. Giants (highest passing TD rate allowed).

HATE:

• JJ McCarthy: Passing volume/efficiency woes; Packers allow lowest YPA.
• Kirk Cousins: Even with play-action, too many passing limitations, lacks weapons.
• Dak Prescott: Tough Philly defense, game script likely suppresses upside.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Derrick Henry:

*“He’s averaging 105 yards from scrimmage during [last five games]...leads NFL in goal-to-go attempts.” – Berry [05:34]

• On Tee Higgins sans Chase:

*“23 fantasy points, 110 yards in each of the last three games without Jamar Chase.” – Berry [23:22]

• On Travis Kelce in must-win spot:

*“If you’re Patrick Mahomes in a must-win game, you’re obviously going to be looking for 87, his most trusted weapon over the years.” – Berry [29:27]

• On JJ McCarthy:

*“He’s been under 160 passing yards in four of his five starts...just nothing to hang your hat on.” – Berry [48:18]

Back-and-Forths, Banter, and Pop Culture

• Hilarious Star Wars/Star Trek confusion segment, with Matthew being corrected by the “nerd army” on Spock’s title.

  • “It’s Mr. Spock, not Dr. Spock. Dr. Spock was a baby expert.” [41:45+]
  • Matthew: “Nerd!” [42:18]

• Ongoing jabs about AI, fantasy football culture (“Neck Brace Nation”), and who is melting in the cold for future outdoor broadcasts.

Rapid-Fire: Viewer Questions and Parlay Bets

• Start/sit dilemmas handled in real-time with attribution (e.g., Emmanuel Wilson or Woody Marks based on Josh Jacobs injury uncertainty).
• “Last call” segment: Best bets for Bills at Texans Thursday Night Football.
  • Jay: Josh Allen over 32.5 rushing yards [54:09]
  • Lawrence: Davis Mills more passing yards than Josh Allen [54:49]
  • Berry: Nico Collins most receiving yards in the game [54:51]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Derrick Henry deep dive: [05:05] – [06:40]
• Chase Brown breakout: [07:40] – [09:18]
• RB viewer Q: [10:12]
• Wide Receiver “love” (Higgins, Diggs, Olave): [23:22] – [27:08]
• Colston Loveland & TE values: [27:53] – [28:44]
• Kelce/Chiefs-Colts TE talk: [29:27] – [30:29]
• Star Trek/Spock banter: [41:06] – [43:08]
• Quarterback rankings: [43:24] – [49:15]
• Last call/props & bets: [53:12] – [55:31]

Takeaways & Fantasy Advice

• Derrick Henry is a “set-and-forget” starter as long as volume continues.
• Chase Brown’s passing role makes him nearly matchup-proof for now.
• Tee Higgins is in line for a massive week with Chase out, even if QB is Flacco.
• Colston Loveland could be a league-winning pickup in tight end-premium or deep leagues.
• Don’t trust Tampa RBs, Ashton Genti (vs. CLE) or the Vikings passing game.
• Target Travis Kelce, Travis Etienne, and Tetaron McMillan in matchups with forgiving defenses.
• Fade Kirk Cousins, J.J. McCarthy at quarterback unless desperate.

For more in-depth insights, watch the video version on Peacock or the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel. For Matthew Berry’s full rankings and the 10 Factor column, head over to RotorWorld.com.