Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Week 16 Love/Hate: Saquon Barkley, Jameson Williams, Zay Flowers, Jacoby Brissett
Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (C), with Jay Croucher (A) and Lawrence Jackson (B)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the ever-popular "Love/Hate" list, focusing on crucial Week 16 fantasy football decisions. Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, and Lawrence Jackson analyze which players deserve your trust in fantasy semifinal week and which stars are better left on the bench. They cover running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends, interspersed with insightful start/sit advice, bold calls, and classic Berry wit. The stakes are high—win and you make the finals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Podcast Banter & Setup

• The episode opens with playful ribbing about Matthew Berry’s lack of success in their fantasy league, including memorable tales of self-deception and blaming non-rostered players (00:00–01:43).
• Berry discusses being out the previous day and the hosts' recurring jokes at his expense, setting a light, humorous tone (01:04–01:46).

Running Backs: Love/Hate & Start/Sit Advice

Love List RBs

Saquon Barkley:

• Favorable matchup vs. Washington. Berry notes Washington's defense is a gift to volume RBs, averaging 19.4 points per game when allowing 15+ touches (02:51).
• Berry’s Rank: RB6 this week.
• "If you've managed to make the playoffs with Saquon Barkley as your first round pick, you're going to be rewarded this week." — Matthew Berry (02:31)

Jonathan Taylor:

• Crucial workload against depleted 49ers front. Colts must ride Taylor with season on the line (04:16).
• Volume play on Monday Night. Berry likes having Monday players to “bring the hammer home.”
• Berry’s Rank: Top RB, must-start.

Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay):

• Carolina is a smash matchup; 17+ touches consistently, top 10 RB for Berry this week (06:30).
• "Seven of the nine RBs to get 15+ touches vs. Panthers: 16+ fantasy pts." (06:30)

Woody Marks (Houston):

• If healthy, clear play vs. Raiders—poor run defense, strong game script—Berry prefers him over other options like Marion Hampton (08:26–09:18).

Others Receiving Votes:

• Tyrone Tracy (Arizona), Kenneth Gainwell (Eagles, since week 11 RB8), Michael Carter (Cardinals); all mentioned as sneaky flex options if you’re desperate (10:47–11:44).

Hate List RBs

Ashton Jeanty (Raiders):

• Houston is a nightmare matchup.
• "Since week 11, he's had one game with more than 35 rushing yards ... you made the playoffs to spite him, not because of him." — Berry (13:16, 13:59)

Breece Hall (Jets):

• Jets offense in shambles; two straight weeks outside top 45 RBs; Saints defense resurging (15:50).
• "Hall is dangerously close to being wall removed from the wall." — Berry (16:50)

Rico Dowdle (Cowboys):

• Facing Tampa's run D; limited upside due to Chuba/Hubbard split. Not a sit, but barely flex-worthy (18:27).

Wide Receivers: Trends, Trust, and Trap Games

Love List WRs

Jameson Williams (Lions):

• Massive 26%+ target share last 3 games, 7+ catches each, producing consistently (20:19).
• "Since week 9, he's the sixth best WR in fantasy on a points-per-game basis." — Berry (21:05)
• Detroit-Pittsburgh total 52.5 = shootout potential.

Zay Flowers (Ravens):

• Soft Patriots pass D, Lamar on upward trend.
• "Season on the line stuff for Baltimore as well." — Jay (24:32)

DK Metcalf (Seahawks):

• Detroit secondary decimated. Metcalf is Rodgers’ first read, and Lions have surrendered big WR games for weeks (25:06).

Justin Jefferson (Vikings):

• Brutal stretch ends here: Giants allow 5th most WR points. Heavy volume and positive game environment (26:03).
• "If you're going to start Justin Jefferson last week, you've got to this week." — Jay (26:28)
• "Kevin O'Connell said he will not go under 1,000 receiving yards on my watch." — Lawrence (28:13)

Hate List WRs

Stefon Diggs (Bills):

• 3 straight games under 6 fantasy points, <60% route participation last three games. Berry bluntly recommends sitting him: "I just don't know how you can risk starting Stefon Diggs." (34:02)

Jalen Waddle (Dolphins):

• Disappointing stretch, only one top-40 week in last four—rookie QB, Bengals strong vs. WRs (39:04).

Alec Pierce (Colts):

• "It's not your fault, Alec, ... your quarterback can't throw the ball downfield." — Jay (40:14)

Tight Ends: Matchups To Target

Dallas Goedert (Eagles):

• Washington bleeds TDs to TEs—only two teams have allowed more. Goedert: 30% target share lately, Berry’s TE5 (29:47).

Others:

• Mike Evans, Jaden Reed, Jalen Coker all highlighted as strong WR/Flex/Deep league plays (30:54–32:19).
• Colby Parkinson (Rams): Emergent pass-catcher, strong matchup with Seattle’s TE struggles (32:33).

Quarterbacks: Love/Hate and Streamers

Love List

Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals):

• QB4 for the week (!) due to massive pass volume and luxury matchup vs. Atlanta (41:58).
• "All nine of his starts, he's had at least 18 fantasy points since taking over as a starter." — Berry (41:58)

Jalen Hurts (Eagles):

• Explosive spot against Washington, expect a bounceback (43:05–43:41).

Jared Goff (Lions):

• Playing indoors, 29.5 implied points vs. Steelers (43:56–44:40). “Goff is my QB7 for the week.” — Berry

Justin Herbert (Chargers):

• Dallas defense is a pass funnel, Herbert’s rushing keeps his floor high (44:53).

Others:

• CJ Stroud (vs. Raiders), Tyler Shough (Cardinals vs. Jets), Bryce Young (Panthers vs. Bucs) as high-upside streaming options (46:05).

Hate List

Matthew Stafford (Rams):

• Tough matchup vs. Seattle, no Adams, Stafford’s worst outing was vs. SEA earlier this season (47:07).

Drake May (Patriots):

• Difficult spot on the road at Baltimore, strong defense and limited rushing upside in this matchup (47:47).

Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars):

• Faces Denver, who has allowed the 5th fewest fantasy points to QBs; Berry expects regression after a favorable recent schedule (48:25).

Audience Start/Sit Q&A Highlights

• Woody Marks vs. Aaron Jones: Woody Marks preferred due to matchup and Jones’ struggles (10:10).
• Michael Carter vs. DJ Moore: Slight Carter lean due to volume/reception floor (12:06).
• RJ Harvey vs. Carter: RJ Harvey, due to workload and Jaguars’ improved run game (12:37).
• Kyron/Judkins/Gainwell/Genti: Kyron, Judkins, Gainwell in full PPR (14:51).
• Jameson Williams vs. Justin Jefferson: Berry leans Williams for ceiling and game environment (22:44).
• Parkinson or Waller at TE: Prefer Colby Parkinson, higher upside with Rams’ depleted receiving corps (33:26).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Berry fatalism about his own fantasy prospects:
  • "Without me, they're hopeless. They're useless. They're floating in a sea of nothingness." — Berry (01:46)
• Keeping the faith with struggling players:
  • "If you're going to start Justin Jefferson last week, you'll start to be on this week." — Jay (26:28)
  • "That's my advice to the kids. Either you have to decide either, oh, you always hit on 16 or you never hit on 16." — Berry (27:28)
• On Breece Hall and Genty suffering from bad teams:
  • "He has not returned value on ADP, but ... you're going to be rewarded this week." — Berry on Barkley (02:51)
  • "You made it [the fantasy playoffs] to spite him, not because of him." — Berry on Ashton Genty (13:59)

Important Timestamps by Segment

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------|-------------| | Opening Banter | 00:00–01:46 | | RB Love List: Barkley | 02:18–03:52 | | RB Love List: Taylor | 03:52–05:45 | | RB Love List: Irving | 06:14–07:43 | | RB Love List: Woody Marks | 08:04–10:08 | | RB Hate List: Genty | 13:16–14:23 | | WR Love List: Williams | 20:19–22:44 | | WR Love List: Zay Flowers | 23:40–24:52 | | WR Hate List: Diggs | 34:02–35:36 | | WR Hate List: Waddle | 39:04–40:01 | | TE Love List: Goedert | 29:47–30:09 | | QB Love List: Brissett | 41:58–42:48 | | QB Hate List: Stafford | 47:07–47:39 | | Best Bets/Props | 49:14–51:43 |

Best Bets & Prop Picks

• Jay: Jackson Smith-Njigba OVER 6.5 receptions vs. Rams (49:14)
• Lawrence: Puka Nacua to have 3 receptions in the first quarter (50:06)
• Berry: Colby Parkinson OVER 39.5 receiving yards (50:27)
• General fantasy guidance: Start Puka, JSN, Parkinson (TE), Kyron Williams; fade starting Rams/Seahawks RBs outside of Kyron.

Tone & Style

• Playful, irreverent, and information-rich. Berry’s self-deprecating humor is offset by sharp, actionable advice.
• Heavy use of in-season stats, particularly about defensive matchups and positional volume trends.
• Hosts openly discuss their emotional fantasy highs/lows, giving the show relatable, conversational energy.
• Early-week “process” focus: think positive game scripts, trust opportunity over recent dud performances.

Who Should Listen?

• Semi-finalists in fantasy leagues wrestling with tough start/sit choices
• Those looking for context behind why stars might flop or lesser-known options emerge
• Fantasy players who appreciate in-depth analysis and plenty of laughs

Bottom Line

Berry and crew deliver a fast-paced, stat-driven, and hilarious breakdown of Week 16’s biggest fantasy questions. Keep Saquon, Taylor, Jameson Williams, and Zay Flowers locked in lineups. Sit Diggs, Genty, and Breece Hall if you have stronger options. Colby Parkinson is your sneaky TE play. For the crucial semifinals, trust the process—and always hit on 16.