Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 17 Takeaways – Brock Purdy, Luther Burden III, Trey McBride

Date: December 29, 2025
Host(s): Matthew Berry, Connor Rogers, Jay

Episode Overview

This episode, recorded on Matthew Berry’s birthday, dives deep into the biggest fantasy football takeaways from NFL Week 17. The crew breaks down stars like Brock Purdy, Luther Burden III, and Trey McBride, along with early 2026 fantasy outlooks for key players and teams. The discussion covers standout and disappointing performances, dynasty and keeper advice, and the ever-evolving fantasy landscape as the regular season winds down and fantasy championships are decided.

Main Discussion Highlights

1. Celebrating Berry’s Birthday & Show Intro

• Matthew Berry shares a heartfelt moment about his birthday always falling awkwardly between Christmas and New Year's, often making it a "compromised" day as a kid (04:42).
  • "I think because my birthday was compromised as a kid, it actually means more to me as an adult." – Matthew Berry (06:36)
• Crew jokes, regulars send birthday wishes, and they reminisce about favorite moments and gifts.

2. Sunday Night Football Barn Burner: Brock Purdy Emerges as a Fantasy Force

• Purdy’s Performance:

  • “Brock Purdy with almost 37 fantasy points. Christian McCaffrey doing Christian McCaffrey things…” – Connor Rogers (07:59)
  • Jay notes Purdy’s off-script athleticism and big-play mentality: “He is an absolute gunslinger. Like he takes every single chance there is.” (10:09)
  • Berry recaps Purdy’s fantasy scoring run: “Through weeks 15 through 17, he's had at least 25 points in all three games. He's averaging over 31 fantasy points per game.” (08:57)
  • The crew acknowledges Purdy’s development, refuting the “game manager” label and emphasizing his system fit and upside.
  • "I think Purdy is a top 10 fantasy quarterback next year." – Matthew Berry (14:35)

• Coach of the Year Debate:

  • Discussion whether the upcoming 49ers-Seahawks game could decide Coach of the Year (12:42).
  • Jay: “The fact that they are in position to get the one seed… Shanahan, who's never won the award, I think he will simply win the award.” (13:16)

3. Chicago Bears Offense: An Exciting Dynasty Future

• Luther Burden III:

  • Berry: “A big sleeper for me next year… Luther Burden… America got to see what people have been talking about.” (14:35)
  • Connor Rogers: “Burden’s just electric…There was a time not that long ago…where Luther Burden was viewed…like Malik neighbors…like this guy’s going to be a top three pick.” (15:09)
  • Burden’s per-target and per-route efficiency stats called out as elite.

• Burden vs Rome Odunze Keeper Debate:

  • "I'd go with Burden… he'll give you a floor because all the manufactured touches will go to him.” – Connor Rogers (16:53)
  • “If I guarantee we get to August, I think people will be drafting Burden before Adunze.” (17:21)

• Caleb Williams Progress:

  • Berry: “I thought Caleb Williams was amazing last night. I don't think that loss is on him at all.” (17:50)
  • Jay highlights his ability to create, avoid sacks, and deliver incredible throws.

4. Elite (And Volatile) QBs: Fantasy Landscape Shift

• Josh Allen:

  • “My way, way, way too early top 50 rankings...I do have Josh Allen as my number one quarterback next year.” – Matthew Berry (21:15)
  • Discussion that his fantasy output remains high even in “bad” real games due to rushing production.

• Jalen Hurts:

  • “Does Hurts still crack the top five [for QBs]?” (22:07)
  • The group debates Hurts's fantasy standing, with Berry calling him “borderline” top five (22:29), noting declining passing and rushing output.
  • “If he is a top five quarterback, it's at number five.” (23:26)

5. Running Back Values: Saquon Barkley, Chase Brown, Fantasy Uncertainty

• Saquon Barkley:

  • Berry recounts doubts about Barkley coming into 2025 and regrets not ‘calling it’ more publicly (24:31).
  • “He just hasn't broken off the big 60 yard chunk plays…” – Berry (26:09)
  • “I think he's a low end RB2 next year...” (27:00)

• Chase Brown (Bengals):

  • “Since Joe Burrow returned, he's the third best running back in fantasy football... over 19 touches a game, 14% target share, seven touchdowns.” – Matthew Berry (34:10)
  • Jay: “Chase Brown is largely what you expected… If Joe Burrow was going to be there the whole season…” (34:48)
  • Berry: “High end RB2, low end RB1.” (35:03)

6. Tight End Explosion: Trey McBride’s Record-Breaking Season

• “Is Trey McBride a first-round pick next year?” (27:29)
  • Berry: “He had 302 fantasy points this season. The next closest tight end was Kyle Pitts…” (28:23)
  • Connor & Jay both push back: “It’s impossible historically for them to have this much garbage time next year…” (29:30)
  • Consensus: McBride is the clear TE1, but not a first rounder, with changes coming to the offense/quarterback.

7. Jags, Colts & WR Room: Who’s the Guy to Draft?

• Parker Washington:
  • Back-to-back games with 10+ targets, over 100 yards; “Targets are earned and over the last two weeks this is a kid with a 28% target share.” – Berry (35:16)
• Brian Thomas Jr. Called One Of The Biggest Busts: (36:05)
• Trevor Lawrence:
  • His rushing ability makes him “on a different level now” (36:31); the group is confident in him as a 2026 “sleeper” with upside.

8. Other Takeaways & Fantasy Storylines

• Patriots vs. Jets:
  • Drake May’s huge day; future QB2 after Allen (38:43)
• Chris Olave:
  • Solid WR1 for 2026, potentially preferable to A.J. Brown (42:56)
• Quarterback Evaluations:
  • Berry, Jay, and Connor weigh in on dynasty and sleeper picks for the next season, foreseeing big battles at the QB position for drafts due to so many deep options.
• “You are going to wait on quarterback next year… it’s just so open, so, so deep in terms of guys that are superstars.” – Matthew Berry (19:54)

9. Weekend Warriors & Sunday Scaries

(Start: 46:16, especially 47:08 onward)

• Out-of-nowhere contributors:
  • Derrick Henry (200+ yards, record-breaking 36 touches), Malik Willis (“Will be drafted as a top 15 fantasy QB next year, maybe even top 12”—Connor Rogers, 49:03).
  • Christian Watson, Jackson Dart (top fantasy finishes).
• Disappointments:
  • Josh Jacobs (5 touches; 51:50), Tedro McMillan (rookie flame-out), Lad McConkey, Bucky Irving, Jalen Warren (misused in PIT game plan).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brock Purdy:
  • "Brock Purdy, game manager? Brock Purdy is a psycho. He is an absolute gunslinger." – Jay (10:09)
• On Luther Burden:
  • “You see him with the ball in his hands… just electric.” – Connor Rogers (15:09)
• On the state of fantasy QBs:
  • “You are going to wait on quarterback next year...It’s just so open, so, so deep in terms of guys that are superstars.” – Matthew Berry (19:54)
• On Trey McBride’s value:
  • "He gave you a weekly advantage every single week, every league that I won. Trey McBride is my tight end this year." – Matthew Berry (29:27)
• On Derrick Henry’s playoff miracle:
  • “King Henry is another guy that every year we say ‘well, he was probably done last year’ and yet…I still have him as a top 20 running back.” – Matthew Berry (48:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:38] - Matthew Berry shares the emotional context of his December 29th birthday
• [07:59] - Opening recap of Sunday Night Football: Purdy’s huge night
• [08:57] - Detailing Brock Purdy’s fantasy dominance down the stretch
• [10:47] - Crew marvels at Purdy’s off-script TD; “Mahomes, Lamar, Allen” type play
• [14:35] - Matthew Berry calls Purdy top-10 for next year; pivots to Chicago’s youth movement
• [15:09] - Luther Burden III’s electric tape & fantasy foundation
• [16:53] - Dynasty/keeper debate: Burden vs. Odunze
• [17:50] - Caleb Williams’s growth and Bears’ long-term outlook
• [21:15] - Berry reveals Josh Allen as early 2026 QB1
• [27:00] - Berry projects Saquon as a low-end RB2 for 2026
• [27:29-31:47] - Extended Trey McBride first-round discussion
• [35:16] - Jags/Colts: Parker Washington’s breakout
• [38:43] - Patriots/Jets breakdown; Drake May’s future value
• [42:56] - Chris Olave’s WR1 standing, Tyler Shough’s QB viability
• [46:16] - Weekend Warriors intro: playoff heroes/shockers
• [47:08] - Derrick Henry’s legacy playoff performance
• [49:03] - Malik Willis “top 12” fantasy QB for 2026
• [51:50] - Sunday Scaries: Josh Jacobs’ bust performance

Final Notes & Tone

The episode is high-energy, self-deprecating, and irreverent—mixing sharp fantasy insight with a clear affection for the regular audience and regulars’ in-jokes. There’s frequent back-and-forth, analyst disagreements, and plenty of early speculation about the shifting 2026 fantasy football landscape, mock drafts, and dynasty/keeper leagues.

Summary: This episode is a must-listen for anyone in dynasty leagues, prepping 2026 drafts, or curious about rapid risers, fallers, and pivotal decision points in fantasy football. It’s full of statistical nuggets, player comparisons, and debates, all delivered in the trademark Fantasy Football Happy Hour blend of wit, expertise, and camaraderie.