Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 14 Love/Hate: James Cook, George Pickens, Nico Collins, Matthew Stafford
Date: December 4, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Matthew Berry’s famous “Love/Hate” analysis for Week 14, spotlighting which running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks to start or sit in your fantasy football lineups. Along with expert insights, the episode is lively with banter, heartfelt moments, and practical advice. The episode also previews a juicy Thursday Night Football matchup (Cowboys vs. Lions), with player prop discussion to help both fantasy managers and bettors.

Host & Guest Lineup

• Matthew Berry
• Jay Croucher
• Lawrence Jackson

1. Opening and Heartfelt Personal Moment (01:33–04:41)

• Matthew Berry broadcasts from Orlando as his daughters compete in nationals for cheerleading.
• Berry takes a moment to thank NBC and his boss Alexa for supporting his family time:
  • “Not every parent has the ability to get up and leave their job and go to Orlando… and so I just want to take a moment here to thank NBC for allowing me to do this… Alexa drinks free today in happy hour bar.” (02:10–04:13)
• The hosts share fun, lighthearted banter:
  • “Alexa drinks a lot because she’s Berry’s boss.” – Jay Croucher (04:29)

2. Running Backs: Love/Hate & Deep Dives

Key "Love" Candidates

James Cook (Buffalo Bills)

• Why he's a top play this week:
  • Bengals allow over 21 fantasy points per game to RBs with 15+ touches.
  • “If you get work against the Bengals, you score fantasy points… he’s had at least 15 touches every single game.” – Matthew Berry (06:42)
  • Cook is now more involved in the passing game (11% target share over the last four games).
  • “He was their leading receiver against the Steelers.” (07:20)
  • Nickname debate: the group rejects “Jimbo,” suggesting “Slippin’ Jimmy” (from Better Call Saul), “The Chef,” and “Let” (“Let James Cook”). (06:00–10:29)

Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams)

• Remains on the love list despite an evolving backfield.
• Cardinals are 22nd against the run in the last four weeks and have allowed an RB to score four weeks straight.
  • “Kyren Williams has still been getting in the end zone… that’s kind of been like carrying his fantasy value.” – Lawrence Jackson (08:52)

Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Returned from injury with 17 carries, 54% snap rate; dominated goal-line touches.
• Facing a Saints defense that has recently allowed significant RB production.
  • “When they got in close, they only gave it to Bucky Irving…” – Matthew Berry (11:25)

Quintean Judkins (Cleveland Browns)

• Browns RB getting heavy workload even in negative script; favored matchup vs. Titans.
  • “I think the Browns suddenly become… kind of interesting.” – Matthew Berry (12:53)

Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos)

• Three straight games with over 20 touches; the team's bell cow.
• High-value red zone usage, making him a desirable start.

Others Receiving Votes (15:46)

• Chase Brown (CIN): 45 touches in last two full games; 15% target share.
• Carl Manunga (CHI): Four straight games with a rushing TD; dominant goal-line share.

Key "Hate" Running Backs

David Montgomery (Detroit Lions)

• Faces a stiff Dallas run defense (“since acquiring Quinnen Williams, no team allows fewer rushing yards to RBs” – 17:05).
• Recent trend: needs a TD to provide value; shaky flex play at best.
  • “Montgomery, you need him to fall into the end zone… it's just not going to be a great day at the office.” – Matthew Berry (17:05)

R.J. Harvey (Denver Broncos)

• Volume and usage declining, running into a mid-pack Raiders run D.
• Big-play or TD dependent in a game with a middling total.

Jalen Warren (PIT)

• Difficult Ravens matchup; has been quiet in both pass game and on the ground.
  • “No more than two catches in a game since Week 7… this is the guy who’s supposed to be the pass catching back!” – Lawrence Jackson (20:24)

3. Wide Receivers: Love/Hate, Matchups, and Notable Quotes

Love List Highlights

George Pickens (Dallas Cowboys)

• “No wide receiver has more receiving yards against man coverage this year than George Pickens… Just absolutely dominates man coverage. Detroit plays it at a very high rate.” – Matthew Berry (21:55)
• Maintains production even with CeeDee Lamb active (“Eights” = CeeDee Lamb).

Nico Collins (Houston Texans)

• Favorable matchup vs. the Chiefs’ struggling pass defense.
• “20+ fantasy points in three out of his last four games.” – Lawrence Jackson (23:38)

Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions)

• If Amon-Ra St. Brown is out, Williams will be primary target.
• “Jameson was targeted on 33% of his routes… they were just dialing up play after play for Jameson Williams.” – Matthew Berry (24:45)
• Isaac Tesla is mentioned as a deep-league desperation start.

Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bills - TE)

• Bengals struggle against TEs, allowing 122 yards per game to the position in last four.
  • “If Dalton Kincaid does not play… look toward Dawson Knox as a streaming option.” – Lawrence Jackson (27:17)

Tyler Warren (IND - TE)

• Strong matchup vs. Jacksonville (second-most receptions allowed to TEs).
• “He does it for the shoe. He does it for you…” – Matthew Berry (28:35)

Others Receiving Votes (29:47)

• Michael Wilson (ARI): 32% target share with Marvin Harrison Jr. out.
• Kobe Myers (LV): 13th-best WR for last three weeks.
• AD Mitchell (NYJ): 30% target share since joining, plus red zone involvement.
• Devon Bailey (NO): 91% route participation; faces weak Bucs secondary.

Hate List Highlights

Xavier Worthy (KC)

• “He’s barely a top-40 WR for me this week. Since Rashee Rice returned, he’s WR51 in PPG.” – Matthew Berry (33:37)
• Tough Houston defense: lowest catch rate, 3rd fewest yards to perimeter WRs.

Keenan Allen (LAC)

• Lackluster production; only one game over 58 yards since Week 3.
• QB health in flux, matchup weak vs. Philadelphia secondary.

A.J. Brown (PHI)

• Potential volume concern in likely low-scoring, defensive battle vs. Chargers.
• “If he gets you one of those 3 for 33s, you can't be shocked and you can't be mad.” – Lawrence Jackson (37:25)

4. Quarterbacks: Start ’Em/Sit ’Em

“Love” Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys)

• “Dak’s going to eat tonight. Start Dak, easy top three play.” – Matthew Berry (41:16)
• Lions have allowed most TDs per drive since Week 9, and a top 3 matchup for fantasy QBs.

Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)

• On a “heater” streak; faces a bottom-8 Bears pass defense.
• “I think this is a part of one of those heaters that Jordan Love is on…” – Lawrence Jackson (42:32)

Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams)

• Excellent dome matchup vs. Cardinals (NFL-worst pass defense last four games).
• “He should have a monster game against this Cardinals defense…” – Matthew Berry (44:13)

CJ Stroud (Houston Texans)

• Chiefs have struggled defending the pass and generating pressure.
• Recent form: over 275 yards in last two starts.

Others Receiving Votes

• Jared Goff: Top-5 QB play this week; expected shootout.
• Joe Burrow: Great matchup vs. Buffalo, clean pocket expected.

“Hate” Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield (TB)

• Usage drop, negative trend since Week 7 (outside top 20 in PPG).
  • “He's my QB18. I'm closing it out and he's on the hate list.” – Matthew Berry (48:31)

Justin Herbert (LAC)

• Facing tough Eagles D, plus QB still coming off injury.

Caleb Williams (CHI)

• Expected to face a resurgent Packers defense; coaching staff hasn’t endorsed the passing game lately.

5. Prop Bets and Thursday Night Football: Cowboys vs. Lions (53:32–56:40)

Most Popular Bets

• Dak Prescott & Jared Goff, “2+ passing TDs” (both at -200 range)
• Jay Croucher’s pick: George Pickens over 82.5 receiving yards: “He’s been the most valuable receiver in the league against single-high coverage…” (54:38)
• Lawrence’s pick: Jameson Williams to get at least 5 receiving yards in each quarter (+200) (55:19)
• Matthew’s pick: George Pickens anytime TD: “Devonte Adams is literally the only wide receiver with more end zone targets this year than George Pickens…” (55:27)

Top Fantasy Players for Thursday:

• Obvious starts: Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Jameer Gibbs, Jameson Williams, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens
• Deep league flyers: Isaac Tesla, Tom Kennedy (if Amon-Ra is out)
• David Montgomery: still a flex, but “touchdown dependent” in this matchup

6. Notable Quotes

• “Not since the ending of Requiem for a Dream has there been more terrifying footage.” – Jay Croucher on opening banter (01:33)
• “No wide receiver has more receiving yards against man coverage this year than George Pickens…” – Matthew Berry (21:55)
• “Dak’s gonna eat tonight.” – Matthew Berry (41:16)
• “If you get work against the Bengals, you score fantasy points.” – Matthew Berry (06:42)
• “If Amon-Ra is out there… I think Jameson Williams will be the first read for Goff tonight.” – Matthew Berry (24:45)
• “If he gets you one of those 3 for 33s, you can't be shocked and you can't be mad.” – Lawrence Jackson on A.J. Brown (37:25)

7. Key Timestamps

• 01:33 – Start of show, personal story from Matthew Berry
• 04:41 – Love/Hate Running Back segment begins
• 21:55 – Love/Hate Wide Receiver segment begins (George Pickens deep dive)
• 24:08 – Jameson Williams, Lions WR, discussed at length
• 27:00 – Dalton Kincaid, TE matchup notes
• 41:16 – Dak Prescott, QB Love List deep dive
• 44:13 – Matthew Stafford, QB Love List
• 53:32 – Thursday Night Football: Most bet props & best bets
• 56:03 – Starts & sits for Cowboys-Lions

8. Conclusions & Fantasy Advice

The show outlined clear, actionable fantasy advice:

• Prioritize touches and matchup above volume: e.g., James Cook, Kyren Williams.
• Attack favorable pass defenses (or run defenses) with your flex decisions.
• Temper expectations for players facing tough defenses or who have seen their roles decline.
• Lean into hot streaks and trending offenses, especially in must-win situations.

The hosts’ predictions are underlined by strong use of stats, with playful banter and acknowledgment of fantasy “swings” and misses.

“Go get yourself a win starting tonight.” – Matthew Berry (57:03