Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 17 Love/Hate: Ashton Jeanty, Chris Olave, Brock Purdy + Christmas Day Standouts
Date: December 26, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), with Connor Rogers and Jay Crouch

Episode Overview

This championship week episode dives deep into Matthew Berry’s renowned Love/Hate analysis for Week 17—offering crucial rankings, start/sit debates, and waiver wire advice. Joined by Connor Rogers and Jay Crouch, Berry focuses on marquee fantasy players—including Ashton Jeanty, Chris Olave, and Brock Purdy—while unpacking wild NFL storylines and the fallout from Christmas Day games. Expect stats, strong opinions, and Matthew’s signature humor as they prepare listeners for their fantasy football finals.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Championship Week Chaos & Christmas Day Reactions

• The hosts lamented unpredictable, defensive-heavy Christmas Day games that left fantasy managers scrambling.
• Jay remarked: “Three games, three third string quarterbacks. And Jared Goff, who played like one.” (03:53)
• Matthew Berry vented his “grievance with football” over repeated dynasty heartbreaks: “This is going to be the fourth straight year I’ve made the playoffs. ... I’m going to finish with most points and once again not have a dynasty title.” (01:32)

Notable Christmas Standouts

• Jakori Krosky-Merritt (RB, Commanders) exploded for two touchdowns—Berry admitted even he underestimated the upside:
  “This was so annoying … I think he’s a usable flex … and then he broke off a 72-yarder!” (40:57)
• RJ Harvey (RB): Strong in the passing game; “Five for 33 and a touchdown through the air … since J.K. Dobbins was injured, he’s been the 11th best running back in fantasy football.” (44:34)

Lions Offensive Disaster

• Both Berry and Rogers expressed frustration over the Detroit offense failing in championship week:
  “I’m so over the Lions … I lost by six points. If that touchdown or Amon-Ra St. Brown comes down with the other … Very, very frustrating.” (45:20)
• Jay Crouch highlighted poor coaching and O-line issues: “I don’t understand anything they were doing in this game … interior O-line and Goff to breaks when he’s under pressure.” (46:15)

2. Love List: Week 17 Players to Target

Running Backs

• Christian McCaffrey—Obvious top play vs. Bears.
• Ashton Jeanty (Raiders RB) vs. Giants
  • Massive matchup upside: Giants allow third most fantasy points and 5.7 YPC to opposing RBs.
  • “When Ashton Genty has seen at least 18 touches, he’s averaging over 20 fantasy points per game.” (06:17)
• Chase Brown (Bengals RB) vs. Cardinals
  • Since Burrow’s return, Brown’s averaged 21+ PPG; “Legitimate RB1, top 10 play for me.” (11:16; 11:43)
• Others: Ramondre Stevenson (if Henderson is out), Kenneth Gainwell, Tony Pollard.

Notable Quotes

• Jay (on Genty): “He looked the most Ashton Genty like he had all season. Just that extraterrestrial low center of gravity …” (07:25)
• Connor: “Good to see them finally throwing him the ball, some more room behind the line.” (07:44)

Wide Receivers

• Chris Olave (Saints WR) vs. Titans
  • “Over 17 fantasy points per game in Tyler Shough’s seven starts … Titans allow the highest catch rate to WRs.” (18:12)
• Jauan Jennings (49ers WR) vs. Bears
  • “Scored in 5 of last 6 games … Top 10 WR this week.” (20:18)
• Others: Jacoby Myers, Jalen Waddle, DJ Moore

Tight Ends

• Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns) vs. Steelers
  • “Since Shedeur Sanders took over, Fannin leads all TEs with a 31% target share.” (21:12)
• Hunter Henry (Patriots), favorable matchup vs. Jets.

3. Hate List: Week 17 Players to Avoid

Running Backs

• Rico Dowdle (Panthers RB) vs. Seahawks
  • “RB29 in points/game last five weeks. Seahawks allow just 3.5 YPC, lowest in NFL.” (17:06)

Pass Catchers

• Lad McConkey (Chargers WR) vs. Texans
  • “Five straight games under 45 yards; this O-line faces fierce pass rush—expect a rough day.” (27:04)
• Defensive matchup is key: “Worst O-line vs. best pass rush.” (27:56)

Quarterbacks

• Justin Herbert (Chargers) vs. Texans
  • “Chargers allow pressure at third-highest rate … this could get really ugly. Low over/under, avoid.” (33:38; 34:26)
• Supported by Jay: “Could be one of those games: 137 passing yards, a pick, sacked nine times.” (34:26)

4. Statistical Trends and Player Debates

Brock Purdy Discussion

• Coming off a tough Christmas loss, but highlighted as “most impressive transformation from draft prospect to NFL starter.”
• Jay: “Processing speed and ability to feel pressure without seeing it—elite traits you don’t always see.” (31:07)
• Connor: “He might not be highest EPA per play in Carolina, but he’d still be a good player.” (30:51)

Buffalo’s Super Bowl Hopes

• All panelists rooting for Buffalo:
  Berry: “Bills Mafia deserves a Super Bowl. I am desperately rooting for them to make it.” (05:24)

Injuries/Bye Week Frustrations

• Discussion on playoff timing, resting stars, and unpredictability due to late-season shutdowns (13:00–13:14).

5. Listener Q&A and Start/Sit Decisions

Key Listener Questions

• Genty, Warren, Gainwell, Waller: (09:10) “Go with the three RBs—especially with Cleveland’s run D fading, and these are all volume RBs.” (10:10)
• Fannin vs. Devonta Smith (PPR): “If you need floor, Fannin; for upside, Smith. But Fannin has more reliable usage.” (22:26)

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Three games, three third string quarterbacks. And Jared Goff, who played like one.” – Jay Crouch (03:53)
• Berry on Lions’ play-calling: “Can we go back in time and give Ben Johnson a raise for last year? … You have a dynamic RB in Jameer Gibbs. … This was tough to watch!” (46:34)
• About fantasy pain: “My superpower is taking any subject and making it about me.” – Matthew Berry (48:55)

7. Other Segments

• Power Rankings & Regular Shoutouts (49:55): Regulars like Valiant Vincent, Stuntman Chuck, and Ryan Oswald are recognized.
• Premier League Crossover (Premier League segment at 37:43): Light banter about soccer surprises—with Berry nodding along.
• What’s On Tap Q&A: Sit/starts featuring Jalen Hurts, Michael Carter, Tyrone Tracy, and more.
  • “I’m going with Tyrone Tracy. Very quietly, 18 or more touches in each of his past four healthy games.” (52:00)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Christmas Game Recap | Reactions to ugly Christmas fantasy results | 02:12–04:08 | | Ashton Jeanty | Why he headlines Love list & volume metrics | 06:17–07:25 | | Chase Brown | RB transformation with Burrow back | 11:04–11:43 | | Chris Olave | Saints WR poised for a smash spot | 18:12–18:36 | | Harold Fannin Jr. | Elite TE usage and matchup notes | 21:12–22:07 | | Hate List RB | Rico Dowdle as major fade | 17:06–17:47 | | Hate List WR | Lad McConkey vs. Houston | 27:04–27:56 | | Hate List QB | Justin Herbert vs. Texans, pass protection woes | 33:38–34:53 | | Jauan Jennings | Purdy connection, Bears matchup | 18:36–20:53 | | Listener Qs | RB/Waller debate, Fannin vs. Devonta Smith, more | 09:10–23:24 | | Christmas Standouts | Jakori Krosky-Merritt big game & future outlook | 40:57–42:59 | | Goff/Lions | Detroit’s failure and fantasy fallout | 45:06–48:04 |

Tone & Language

True to form, the episode balanced quick banter, deep-dive analysis, and self-deprecating humor. Berry bemoaned his personal fantasy luck, Jay riffed on improbable playoff odds, and Connor often played pragmatist, especially on player workload debates.

Notable Quotes

• “Three games, three third string quarterbacks. And Jared Goff, who played like one.” – Jay (03:53)
• “Bills Mafia deserves a Super Bowl. I am desperately rooting for them to make it.” – Berry (05:24)
• “My superpower is taking any subject and making it about me.” – Berry (48:55)

Conclusion

This Week 17 Love/Hate episode preps fantasy managers for the championship with sharp player analysis, robust data to back every stance, and real-time reactions to an unpredictable, injury-laden NFL week. Fresh waiver recommendations, tough start/sit debates, and a healthy dose of therapy for those reeling from Christmas letdowns—all delivered in classic Fantasy Football Happy Hour style.