Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry — Week 12 Waiver Wire: Emanuel Wilson, Alec Pierce, Jacoby Brissett Headline Top Adds

Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (with Jay Croucher & Connor Rogers)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the top Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire adds following a wild slate of injuries and notable performances. Matthew Berry, alongside Jay Croucher and Connor Rogers, provides in-depth breakdowns of running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends who could make a difference as the fantasy playoffs approach. The tone is lively and irreverent, packed with league banter, player analysis, and the usual Berry-isms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Entertaining Banter and Podcast Vibes

• The episode kicks off with plenty of jokes (“Pounding with George and Matthew”), running nicknames, and playful jabs at each other.
• Examples: Comparing Jay Croucher’s emotional reserve to Dr. Spock from Star Trek (03:15), and poking fun at their own fantasy mishaps.

2. Running Back Waiver Priorities (05:19–26:26)

Top Pickups and Context

• Emanuel Wilson (Green Bay)

  • With Josh Jacobs’ injury, Wilson is thrust into a starter role.
  • “He out-snapped Chris Brooks 36 to 5… averaging over 13 fantasy points per game when getting double-digit touches.” – Matthew Berry [07:14]
  • Green Bay is a run-first team with a juicy matchup vs. Minnesota (25th vs. the run).

• Short-Term vs. Long-Term

  • “If I needed a running back to start this week… Wilson’s the top pickup. But for long-term, Alec Pierce could be the real winner.” – Matthew Berry [08:53]

• Alec Pierce (Colts)

  • Not a RB but flagged for his long-term upside in the Colts’ passing offense.

• Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers)

  • With Jalen Warren’s ankle in question, Gainwell’s in line for touches, especially in PPR.
  • “He’s had two games with over 60% snaps: 29.5 and 31.4 fantasy points.” – Berry [12:11]

• Sean Tucker (Buccaneers?)

  • Offers immediate value if Bucky Irving remains out, but could fade to a committee soon.
  • “He’s continuing to increase his workload… but don’t blow all your FAAB. It could become a three-headed committee.” – Matthew Berry [18:14]

• Bashal Tootin

  • Flashed before injury, has big-play upside if Etienne goes down.
  • “Tootin has an upside and explosiveness that you’ll never get from Kenneth Gainwell.” – Berry [25:50]

Secondary/Deeper Adds

• Chris Rodriguez Jr., Devin Singletary, Tyler Allgeier, Tyjae Spears, Bam Knight, Jaleel McLaughlin—mostly for deeper leagues or contingent value.

Team Context

• Discussion on Packers’ backup QB Malik Willis: “I’ve been so impressed… he’s 3-0 in games he’s played for Green Bay, simplifies the offense.” – Berry [11:07]

3. Wide Receiver & Tight End Waivers (28:42–39:00)

Wide Receivers

• Alec Pierce (Colts)

  • Still criminally under-rostered (51% available) [29:09]
  • “His production was bumped by the concussion… when he’s out there he’s the best pass-catcher in this offense.” – Connor Rogers [30:32]
  • Face three top defenses in the next four, but expected to get volume with Colts playing from behind.

• Michael Wilson (Cardinals)

  • Monster game last week with Harrison out: 18 targets, 185 yards.
  • “Wilson has earned himself a larger role… Jacksonville allows 4th most yards to perimeter WRs.” – Berry [33:15]

• Darnell Mooney (Falcons)

  • 69% available, gets Saints and Jets next.
  • Labeled as roster-worthy by default, but floor/ceiling concerns with Falcons’ QB play.

• Other Notables:

  • Christian Watson, Jaden Higgins, Luther Burden, Tyrell Shavers for dart throws or deeper leagues.

Tight Ends

• Dalton Schultz (Texans)

  • 11+ fantasy pts in 5 of 6, 3 straight games with 20% target share [38:05]
  • “Best streaming option this week.” – Berry

• Juwan Johnson

  • “Top-13 TE in 7 of the past 10 games…” – Berry [38:34]

• Deeper:

  • Colston Loveland, Harold Fannin Jr., Brenton Strange, AJ Barner, Mason Taylor—possible streaming/deep-league options if desperate.

4. Quarterbacks: Streaming & Injury Impact (39:29–42:39)

• Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals)

  • Fourth-best QB in PPG since taking over, “has been a top-12 guy every week he’s started” [41:35]
  • Cardinals second in pass rate since Brissett took over.

• Others

  • Bryce Young (“potentially usable” vs. struggling SF secondary)
  • Trevor Lawrence (matchup vs. Arizona)
  • Tyler Shough (“Shough it down there” — streaming for desperate teams vs. ATL) [42:39]

5. Defensive Streamers & Early Betting Angles (43:18–57:08)

• D/ST streamers: Browns vs. Raiders, Bears vs. Steelers, Raiders vs. Browns, Jaguars vs. Cardinals [43:18]
• Early Bets (56:12):
  • Connor: “Cleveland +3 in Vegas. Only team I’d clearly favor LV over is the Titans.”
  • Jay: “Cowboys +3.5 vs. Eagles. Defense has reinforcements; can hang.”
  • Berry: Under 50.5 in Colts/Chiefs: “Chiefs offense looks broken… two great defenses.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On League Psychology:

  “It’s crazy the psychology of wanting the backup running back to the injury-prone guy you have and how people overpay for that.” – Connor Rogers [20:27]

• On Evaluating Alec Pierce:

  “His production was a little bumped by the concussion… He is the best WR in this offense. He’s going to get paid like a WR1.” – Connor Rogers [30:32]

• Podcast Chemistry:

  “Dr. Spock and Jay Croucher… It just occurred to me right here, the Blushler, Quiche Monster.” – Matthew Berry [03:44]

• On Running Back Handcuffs:

  “Insurance back suggests…if you knew Travis Etienne was out, Bashal Tootin could be a league-winner…You’ll never get that upside from Gainwell.” – Berry [25:50]

• George Pickens’ Fantasy Floor:

  “He’s played 6 full games with CeeDee Lamb… averaging 15.7 points. Pretty solid.” – Berry [48:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------|-----------| | Jokes, banter & show open | 01:08–04:23 | | Week 12 RB Waiver: Wilson, Pierce, Gainwell, Tucker, Tootin | 05:19–26:26 | | Deep RB names & Broncos/Packers talk | 26:26–28:34 | | WR/Tight End Waivers: Pierce, Wilson, Mooney, Schultz | 28:42–39:00 | | QB Streams & Discussion | 39:29–42:39 | | Defensive streamers | 43:18–43:52 | | MNF Recap & Ashen Genty panic | 46:02–52:47 | | Early Week Bets | 56:12–57:08 |

Final Recommendations & Takeaways

• Emanuel Wilson: Immediate plug-and-play RB with Jacobs out; priority add.
• Alec Pierce: Priority WR for rest-of-season upside, especially as the Colts face adversity.
• Jacoby Brissett: Viable starting QB, especially for streamers or 2QB leagues.
• Sean Tucker/Bashal Tootin: Upside lottery tickets depending on injury news.
• Tight Ends: Schultz is the best week-winner; Juwan Johnson for deeper leagues.

Closing Words:

“Good luck on waivers tonight. Peace out.” – Matthew Berry [57:10]

This episode distills the usual Fantasy Happy Hour blend of sharp fantasy analysis, friendly banter, and strategies useful for fantasy managers as the playoff push intensifies. Perfect for listeners looking for actionable week 12 moves and an enjoyable ride.