Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry — Episode Summary

Date: November 19, 2025
Episode Focus: Week 12 Start/Sit — Trevor Lawrence, Quinshon Judkins, Jordan Addison, Shedeur Sanders named starting QB

Overview

In this lively Wednesday episode, Matthew Berry and co-hosts Connor Rogers and Jay Croucher break down all things fantasy football for Week 12, focusing on start/sit decisions, notable injury and suspension news, rookie quarterback shakeups, and playoff strategies. The show delivers Berry’s signature mix of stats, banter, listener questions, and “love/hate” analysis, always with an eye to maximizing fantasy playoff potential.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Bengals Offense Shakeup: Ja’Marr Chase Suspension & Joe Burrow’s Status

[04:12] – [08:20]

• Ja’Marr Chase suspended: Spitting on Jalen Ramsey results in a one-game suspension, directly impacting Bengals fantasy value.

  • Connor Rogers: “You take away a guy that’s basically a third of your offense right there.”

• Tee Higgins Bump: Without Chase, Higgins has performed as a strong WR1 in past games, but faces tough coverage (Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez).

• Joe Flacco downgrade: Flacco’s value drops minus Chase, and given the Patriots’ improved passing defense.

• Future at QB: Panel doubts Burrow returns this season given Bengals’ lack of playoff prospects and concern for his health behind a weak O-line.

  “Joe Burrow is the franchise. Like, he is the franchise...why would you risk it?” — Connor Rogers [06:37]

• Waiver Wire Deep Dive: Andre Iosivas becomes a desperation play; “Wilson over Iosivas” preferred if choosing between Michael Wilson (Cardinals) and Andre Iosivas.

Around the League: Injury & Roster News

[13:14] – [15:19], [29:33] – [30:25]

• Cardinals Backfield: Trey Benson’s practice window opens, while Michael Penix Jr. (ATL) is out for the year (ACL surgery); Falcons likely to lean run-heavy.

• Drake London (ATL): Not expected to play (“very unlikely”).

• Tyler Algier, Bijan Robinson: Both inherit added value in Atlanta’s offense with Penix out and run-heavy script incoming.

  “I think Tyler Algier becomes very flex viable...I think they go run heavy.” — Matthew Berry [13:53]

• Josh Jacobs (Packers): Day-to-day, known for playing through injuries. Watch status but expect tough decision-making for fantasy managers. [32:56]

Start/Sit: Quarterback Breakdown

Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars)

[16:27] – [18:28]

• Berry and Panel: Not a QB1, only Superflex/2QB viable this week.
• Has only one multi-TD game since week 3; Cardinals D is “plucky” and allows few passing TDs. Ranked QB17.

  “I’m closing it out on him in standard one quarterback leagues. It’s just, he hasn’t been good since week three.” — Connor Rogers [16:40]

Shedeur Sanders (Browns) — Rookie QB Debut

[19:18] – [21:41]

• Matchup: Browns vs Raiders in Las Vegas (positive environment — indoors).
• Sanders’ mobility could offer fantasy upside, but “no idea” what to expect in first start; Browns’ WRs not startable, but RB Judkins could benefit from run-heavy plan.

  “Here’s what I’ll say about Shedeur, I got no idea. I literally have no idea.” — Matthew Berry [20:04]

Running Back Start/Sit & Trends

Quinshon Judkins (Browns)

[19:18] – [23:26]

• Volume play (17+ touches in 7 of 8 completed games), favorable matchup (Raiders weak vs run), ranked RB22.
• “Reluctantly keeping it open” due to role, though lacks pass-catching and seems strictly dependent on volume.

Woody Marks (Texans)

[23:26] – [25:58]

• Buffalo gives up big rushing numbers; Marks trending upward in snaps/touches but production has lagged.
• “Keeping it open”, ranked RB25; buy-low candidate for trade deadlines.

  “He is clearly taking over the role of starting running back for the Houston Texans.” — Connor Rogers [24:34]

Tyrone Tracy (Colts)

[29:33] – [30:36]

• Harsh matchup: Detroit’s run D allows fewest RB fantasy points; closing it out, only desperation flex in deep leagues.

Wide Receiver Start/Sit & Trends

Romeo Doubs (Packers)

[30:36] – [32:25]

• Trending as Jordan Love’s top option (28%+ target share last 4/6 games).
• Doubs is a mid-tier WR3, “keeping it open” as WR26.

Jordan Addison (Vikings)

[35:24] – [37:53]

• Struggling with J.J. McCarthy at QB (8.3 PPG in his three starts, only 32% catch rate from McCarthy).
• Still sees targets and end zone looks; ranked WR29, “reluctant open.”

  “He only needs one (deep shot) to make your day...he’s a low-end WR3.” — Connor Rogers [36:41]

Rasheed Shahid (Seahawks)

[39:20] – [40:54]

• Target share low (<12%); even in smash matchup vs Titans, volume/projected game script is unimpressive. “Closing it out.”

Notable Tight End: Hunter Henry (Patriots)

[40:54] – [42:13]

• Bengals D: Worst vs TEs, 70+ yards allowed to a TE in every game. Despite poor recent usage, Henry is ranked TE12 (“keeping it open” as low-end TE1).

  “You had me at Cincinnati...no team allows more yards, no teams allowed more touchdowns and no team allows more Fantasy points to opposing tight ends than your Cincinnati Bengals.” — Matthew Berry [41:05]

Listener Questions & Notable Moments

• Choosing Michael Wilson over Iosivas (Cardinals WRs) for Week 12. [09:01]
• “Jamar Chase managers...you drink for free today.” [09:43]
• Matthew Berry’s recurring baldness/hair transplant banter — proposed getting Trevor Lawrence’s hair as a joke poll. [19:02, 44:09]
• Extended segment of witty banter and inside jokes about “ponies” and “Comrade Maddie.” [11:13, 34:48]
• Fun with fantasy football chat themes: e.g. “Valiant Vincent waiting for Jay to rename his daughters Alec and Pierce.” [34:12]
• Listeners’ strong engagement drives light-hearted mudslinging and relatable fantasy pain.

Blind Date Segment (Running Back Utilization Deep Dives)

[47:27] – [53:03]

• The hosts guess mystery RBs based on utilization and schedule, highlighting buy-low and playoff-caliber backs:

  • Travion Henderson (Patriots): Easiest ROS schedule, strong hold even when Stevenson returns.
  • Alvin Kamara (Saints): Heavy usage but middling production; attractive rest-of-season schedule.
  • Chase Brown (Bengals), Derrick Henry (Ravens), Saquon Barkley (Eagles): All benefit from easier schedules ahead, making them interesting trade or flex targets.

Futures and Betting Segment

[56:05] – [57:00]

• Cowboys over 7.5 wins (Jay): Favorable path despite tough stretch, likely to clear eight wins.
• Chargers to miss playoffs (Connor): Cites tough post-bye schedule, plus 130 value.
• Titans under 2.5 wins (Berry): No easy games left, likely 2-win team.

Notable Quotes

• “If you sell out, sell out big. That’s why I wrote Crocodile Dundee 3… bought me a house.” — Matthew Berry [19:05]
• “He is the franchise... also, another proud fantasy life investor.” — Connor Rogers on Joe Burrow [06:37]
• “I just, I don’t know, I’m encouraged by God. If you squint. I’m talking myself into it. You watch me talk myself into it live on air.” — Matthew Berry on Jordan Addison [37:04]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bengals/Chase News & Fallout: [04:12] – [08:55]
• Listener Questions (Wilson vs. Iosivas): [09:01]
• Penix/Atlanta News: [13:14] – [15:19]
• Trevor Lawrence Analysis: [16:27] – [18:28]
• Shedeur Sanders Starter Announcement & Browns Outlook: [19:18] – [21:41]
• Judkins vs. Raiders: [19:18] – [23:26]
• Woody Marks Outlook: [23:26] – [25:58]
• RB/WR/TE Start/Sit Lightning Round: [29:33] – [43:54]
• Blind Date RB Utilization Segment: [47:27] – [53:03]
• Futures Segment: [56:02] – [57:00]

Tone and Style

Classic Matthew Berry: sharp, self-deprecating, full of in-jokes and friendly ribbing, with detailed statistical analysis, practical advice, and a focus on the real-world pain points facing fantasy football players at playoff crunch time. The crew doesn’t shy from tangents (hair transplants, wardrobe malfunctions, and ponies, anyone?), but always circles back to actionable advice.

TL;DR

• Tee Higgins is a strong WR1 in Chase’s absence, but Flacco is downgraded at QB.
• Joe Burrow unlikely to return this season.
• Quinshon Judkins (Browns) and Woody Marks (Texans) both volume RB2s this week thanks to matchup and usage.
• Trevor Lawrence and most Browns WRs are sits.
• Rome Doubs and Jordan Addison are low-end WR3 “keeps it open,” but with little upside.
• Hunter Henry is a TE1 streamer against NFL’s worst TE defense (Bengals).
• Key running backs (Henderson, Kamara, Brown, Henry, Barkley) profiled for easiest ROS schedules — strong trade/hold candidates.
• Fun, engaging, plenty of chat, and useful for navigating a playoff push.