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

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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).

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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)

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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

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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.

Transcript

[Matthew Berry]

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[Jay]

The big man up north.

[Matthew Berry]

And this year he wants you to know the best gift that you can.

[Jay]

Give someone is the gift of Mint Mobile's unlimited wireless for $15 a month.

[Matthew Berry]

Now you don't even need to wrap it. Give it a [e-mail] switch upfront payment.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

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[Matthew Berry]

To $15 per month required new customer offer for first three months only. Speed slow. After 35 gigabytes if network's busy, taxes and fees extra. Cmintmobile.com Sunday night dust City all the way to the end, man. Hey, that's why you play to the last whistle every time you play to the end. Let's go. Another one died.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's go. Beautiful night Sunday night. Thank you.

[Matthew Berry]

Thank you.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Bang.

[Matthew Berry]

Let's go. Bang bang.

[Jay]

What?

[Connor Rogers]

Let's go.

[Matthew Berry]

Fantasy Football Happy hour with Matthew Barry.

[Connor Rogers]

Welcome to the Fantasy football Happy hour. That was a fired up 49ers team after an awesome, awesome Sunday night game. But before.

[Jay]

Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Bang bang. Let's go.

[Connor Rogers]

Bang bang.

[Jay]

Let's go.

[Connor Rogers]

That should be the start of our show every day. Would you guys like that?

[Matthew Berry]

Oh yeah. I'm done. I'm done with that. Yeah. Brock Purdy didn't like it. Summer. It is Brock. Summer. Yeah. That was. There's so many things that Brock Purdy does well. Celebrations. Maybe not.

[Jay]

Was that Kilmer movie Kiss Kiss? Bang Bang. Yeah. Not.

[Matthew Berry]

Not great.

[Jay]

From Birdie Perry's magnificent last night. The only blights on it were the pick six on the first play and whatever the hell that was.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm not going to embrace I 100%. We think the shirts. We should start every show with that.

[Connor Rogers]

We got weekend warriors. We got Sunday Scaries, of course from championship weekend. Our Monday night football preview to close things out before we do anything. Happy birthday to Matthew Berry, who asked.

[Matthew Berry]

Bang, bang, let's go. Bang, bang, let's go.

[Connor Rogers]

He finally, finally can drink for free. Jay said, well, see how many have left. Which is a really nice comment to.

[Matthew Berry]

Somebody on their way.

[Jay]

Yeah, there could only be 10 or 15 of these bad boys left.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh, look at this, Kevin. There it is. Kevin.

[Connor Rogers]

TV star. Our beloved star Kevin Duramay is the number one regular.

[Matthew Berry]

Everyone thinks he's Brian Dayball. He's not Kevin. Oh, thanks.

[Connor Rogers]

Wish wisely, by the way.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, right. Let me think about this. Let me think about this. Well, now, should I a better draft.

[Connor Rogers]

In the league of assholes, right?

[Matthew Berry]

I mean, right, Exactly.

[Jay]

Let's get the dodge soda out of the way.

[Matthew Berry]

Or like what I need tonight in Monday Night Football for a Monday night miracle.

[Jay]

All the healthier children in the way.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, there's that too. That Jay's prediction that I die in 10 years as it doesn't come true. You're not supposed to say your wish out.

[Connor Rogers]

No, you can't. It'll come true.

[Matthew Berry]

There we go. Well done. There we go.

[Connor Rogers]

This one from shirtless Ben Johnson. Maybe we could all chip in and give Barry an AARP membership.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Nice gift idea.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Good jokes on you. I already have one.

[Connor Rogers]

Diane Vincent, a special shout out from Mr. Matthew Barry. He's the number one regular. I've gotten Barry a gift. I will stop comparing Taylor Swift to Vinny Testaverde. Happy birthday, Barry.

[Matthew Berry]

You know, Valiant Vincent. Thank you very much. I appreciate. That's the nicest gift I've gotten so far. Definitely nicer than J. Here we go.

[Connor Rogers]

Mr. T. Mr. T. Happy birthday, Barry. My ankle socks gift should arrive soon.

[Matthew Berry]

That's right. We got to keep the ankles out there for America.

[Connor Rogers]

Jorge said socks for the ankler.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Appreciate that.

[Jay]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

You've missed this cake a go.

[Jay]

Oh, wow.

[Connor Rogers]

It does look decent.

[Matthew Berry]

Pretty good.

[Connor Rogers]

As the host, I probably can't chomp away. There's things I've learned in this profession. Eating on air.

[Matthew Berry]

Kind of what you need. That one. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

I'm going to Aloha Bricks. Haoli Lahanu Hanau.

[Matthew Berry]

I don't know. Sure I like it, though.

[Connor Rogers]

Aloha Bricks. Always bring in the Hawaiian vibes to the show. At least I try. Can't say I do a good job.

[Matthew Berry]

I have to tell you. Can I tell you something real quickly? I'm gonna be sappy for one minute here and then we can get back to making fun of Jay. But I'll just say that like normally on my birthday, I very much like to just sort of take the day off and you know, make it very much about me. Which is hard to do because every day of the year is usually about me.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

But I especially like, I especially make it about myself.

[Jay]

Firstly, it's not a normal thing for an adult to take their diet off. My 7 year old daughter goes to school.

[Matthew Berry]

I wasn't allowed to do that as a kid.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, you just get up, go to.

[Matthew Berry]

School, get up and go to work.

[Jay]

I was, maybe that's why I didn't tell you.

[Matthew Berry]

Well, I don't mean to go into a hall dive try about my birthday which. Well, I'll go into it in a second but all I'm going to say is like normally I do, I try to like take, take the day to spend it with family and friends or whatever it is I'm going to do on my birthday. But I actually, when I knew know the schedule, I was just looking at it, I said, you know what? No, I actually. One of the things I want to do on my birthday that I enjoy, that I truly love and enjoy is coming here and doing the show with you guys. With producer Damian, producer Steven Adam, Pete, the entire behind the scenes crew, even Medium Show. Kevin with the K, Kevin with a K. Kevin's the best. Kevin's the absolute best. Our, our wardrobe and makeup team is awesome. And, and all the regulars who I truly love. The regulars is kind of, we talked about this has been the best year because we've really got to interact with regulars in a way that we have before. So it's, it is truly a special birthday. The reason I would say in terms of taking my birthday off and not to go into whole go further off the rails than we already are is that My birthday is December 29. It is between Christmas and New Year's and as a kid I hated my birthday. I just hated it because no one was ever around and everyone's already partied out. Right. You know, they're either planning for New Year's or they've gotten together for the holidays, whether it's Hanukkah or Christmas and Christmas Eve. And so no one was around when I was a kid. No one was in school either. Normally they would like mom would bring in cupcakes or whatever. I wasn't in school to have my mom bring in cupcakes as well. And as a kid I constantly got screwed. Oh, here you go. This is for Christmas and Aunt Christmas and your birthday or whatever. I always got the one gift. Yeah, like, you know, if my birthday was in July. I'd have gotten two gifts this year. I keep getting stuff.

[Jay]

My birthday is in July. I get lots of gifts every year.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, exactly. Of course you do. So I'm just saying as a kid, I was always. Because my birthday was never around. And then as an adult and a working adult, it's always during football season or whatever. And so I try to, you know, there's. We don't need to unpack my therapy, but because I feel like my birthday was compromised as a kid, it actually means more to me as an adult. And so I do try to like whether it's taking the day off or doing something I enjoy.

[Jay]

That's right. There's the challenge flag. I'll pick up the challenge flag.

[Matthew Berry]

Thank you very much. Stuntman Chuck has a comment here.

[Connor Rogers]

Barry has a full pass today to rant, rave, make fun of Jay, Derail Connor, and down all the diet codes he wants. Nicely done, Stuntman Chuck.

[Matthew Berry]

Stuntman Chuck, you're the real mvp. There you go.

[Jay]

That's right.

[Connor Rogers]

And with that, a very haoli la Hanao Matthews, all the way from Hawaii, apparently. I nailed the pronunciation on the first time. Thank you. Aloha bricks. Yes, yes. My next. I gotta go to the island now at some point, one of the many islands.

[Matthew Berry]

You are dangerously close to being a real Emmy losing candidate. Once again, the proudest of runner ups. Yeah, no question. All right, Susan Lucci, let's not go.

[Connor Rogers]

Down that road again. Yeah, I like Leonard DiCaprio before.

[Jay]

Yeah, for the Revenant.

[Connor Rogers]

That's right. Which not really the one he should have won for, but whatever.

[Jay]

All right. Anyways, the runaworld player news.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's get right into it. Sunday Night Football was a barn burner. This game was awesome. It came down to the final play. Tons of offense, tons of fantasy production. Brock purdy with almost 37 fantasy points. Christian McCaffrey doing Christian McCaffrey things. Luther Burden, Caleb Williams, DeAndre Swift, Colson Loveland, all very good in this one. But this was about Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan made that known after the game.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Bang, bang, let's go.

[Jay]

I thought Brock had a hell of a game again. Brock's been playing his ass off. Made some huge plays in this game.

[Connor Rogers]

Kept some drives alive with his legs.

[Jay]

Made some off schedule plays and was an assassin out there throughout the whole day.

[Connor Rogers]

Brock moved the chains with his legs.

[Jay]

A few times and then he bought time a number of times to get some big plays down the field. One getting that touchdown to Juice.

[Connor Rogers]

Having quarterbacks who can do some things.

[Jay]

Off schedule is a huge part of our success.

[Connor Rogers]

Kyle Shanahan with some big praise for Brock Purdy, who, no surprise going into Monday at Football QB1.

[Matthew Berry]

He's been unbelievable through the fantasy playoffs. 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. Connor, he's had eight starts this year, 20 touchdown passes. He actually leads the NFL with an almost 8% touchdown rate. And that's the thing that was so fat. I mean, we've talked about this and just how, how locked in on this offense he is and you know, I think I said a couple of weeks ago that, you know, in the right matchup, Brock Purdy is a, he's a. He's a borderline QB one, but in the right matchup he is, you know, a top five, potentially top qb. This was clearly the right matchup here, but I think we need to rethink again. Let's see, you know, let's. Assuming those guys are back, right? He is definitely the benefit of a great system and the players around him. Connor. But I thought the thought that he meant. We've talked about this a lot. His legs, like he was not a guy that was thought of as a big runner, but he is much more bold than he gets credit for.

[Connor Rogers]

He is because obviously this offense sets you up to thrive in structure. But now he's bringing an element to it that honestly, when they drafted Trey Lance they were like, we have a structure of an offense. Let's get a guy that can create outside of it. Brock Purdy is now showing that ability. He's phenomenal.

[Matthew Berry]

Is that touchdown to use check? Yeah.

[Jay]

How many players can do that in the past 20 years? Like, not many. Not many at all. The thing that makes Purdy special is one, the awareness. Collinsworth pointed this out in the court when Purdy got sacked, like got decked from behind. The fact that he was able to feel that pressure at the last moment and Duck probably saved his season because he was going to get absolutely annihilated. Just his awareness, his ability to move, to create outside a structure. And the thing with Purdy to what people always said, that first year, that first full year in 2020, Brock Purdy, game manager Brock Purdy is a psycho. He is an absolute gunslinger. Like he takes every single chance there is. He's got total faith in himself and the system and the level that he's playing at is off the charts.

[Matthew Berry]

That that touchdown pass to use check where he's running around. He runs backwards, he runs to the side. He runs the side again. I was just about to say Alan Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, maybe Jaden Daniels. Like who are the quarterbacks that could make that play that you would see that play in the NFL, right. You know, I mean there's not, there's not a lot especially at that. On that stage in that moment just. It was unbelievable.

[Jay]

It's such a good game now on Saturday night because the guy was given Purdy trouble has been Mike McDonald. Think back to that Christmas game where he lost himself MVP in 2023. That was going up against Mike McDonald's Baltimore defense. And now around Christmas time again, big stuff on the line one see to play. Purdy gets the face. Mike McDonald again. So yeah, just an amazing matchup. Fantasy wise. Purdy, I think he's just. The thing is this San Francisco offense is the best offense in football right now. The level that they're playing at is surpassed by no one. You just want shares of this offense. And like with Shanahan system, Jake Tonjas comes in and saw George Kittle out. Jake Tonjas beat George Kittle.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. He found Ricky Pierce all I was surprised. They did a good job of shutting down of. Of Joanne Jennings. My bet on football night, my Bears bet hit which was Caleb Williams over on the rushing yards but I had Luther Burden over on receiving yards that hit Juwan Jennings anytime touchdown that hit. But four receptions for Joann Jennings which he'd hit in four of the last five games, only got two and I don't know if it was because Jaylon Johnson was shutting him down or the pick six was a target to Jennings on the first play. And then Brock was like I'm out. He found Tongas and Pearsall all night long. But moving forward next year, like I think he's assuming most of those guys are back. Right. I mean, seems like Brandon Aiyuk's gonna move on, but. Right. Yeah, exactly. But. But Jennings will be back. Pearsall will be back. I assume Kittle will be back. Don't know about Trent. I assume McCaffrey's back and Shanahan is.

[Jay]

Back, which is the last.

[Connor Rogers]

That's what matters the most.

[Matthew Berry]

That's what matters the most. Do you think Jay, we talked about this game Saturday night against the Seahawks. It's the battle for the NFC West. Yeah. It's a potential battle for the number one seed in the nfc. Is it also the battle for coach of the year?

[Jay]

I think it is in the. In the sense that If Shanahan wins that game, I think he will win. Coach of the issue.

[Matthew Berry]

He's the current favorite, right?

[Jay]

Shanahan being the one seed with all. With like Nick Bosa after the season. Fred Warner out the season. Purdy missed eight games. George Kittle has missed half the season. Pierce Hole is barely played. Mikel Williams goes down. Like the fact that they are in position to get the one seed and in the hottest division in football.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes.

[Jay]

And the Seahawks and the Rams, who are the two super bowl favorites in their division. Them getting the one seed would just be completely insane. I think that Shanahan, who's never won the award, I think should have. Yeah, I think he will simply win the award and his price should just be the Niners moneyline price against Seattle. But yeah, it's been an incredible season for him. The one thing last thing on purpose.

[Matthew Berry]

But if Seattle wins, you don't think McDonald wins coach of the year. I think it's.

[Jay]

I think Vrabel, Liam Cohen.

[Connor Rogers]

So what does Liam Cohen have to do to win this?

[Jay]

Just such a loaded field.

[Matthew Berry]

I don't really understand.

[Jay]

Like, I think Variable's done a great job. I don't really understand why he's discussed with Cohen and Ben Johnson and Shanahan because I think a lot of this is Drake May. Variable is a defensive coach with an average.

[Matthew Berry]

Josh. Josh McDaniel should win coordinator of the year.

[Jay]

Yeah, I think Rebel's done a great job. I just don't think he.

[Connor Rogers]

Even Brian Flores on each side of the ball.

[Matthew Berry]

I take on it a thousand percent. Connor, you're absolutely right on those two guys, but I'm with you. Like, it just feels like the reclamation project that Ben Johnson and Liam Cohen have done, I think. And what Shanahan has done, given all the injuries.

[Jay]

Yeah. And the Patriots.

[Matthew Berry]

Mike McDonald like no one, no one expect. I know he's a defensive coach, but. But he hired Clint Kubiak. He believed in Sam Darnold. Like they've.

[Jay]

He's revolutionized NFL defense by being able to play small, play nickel and have a better run defense in the league. But yeah, I think that Shanahan ultimately will win. Last thing on Purdy. People who say that like he's a product of Shanahan. Look at the stats of Mac Jones and Jimmy Garoppolo on this offense. Compare them to.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Jay]

Light years apart.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. I mean, I think Purdy is a top 10 fantasy quarterback next year. We want to. A lot of people aren't playing in a week 18. So we want to talk Take today and like sort of think about the future here. So I want to go to the Chicago side of the ball and I think a big sleeper for me next year and for a lot of fantasy analysts, I don't think I'm going to be alone on this island. Here is going to be Luther Burton. Connor, like, I mean I think America got to see what people have been talking about for a while.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I think people are number one going to want a lot of shares of this offense and I think Luther Burton is going to be elevated into a higher role. Assuming DJ Moore might not be on this team next year.

[Matthew Berry]

That's right.

[Connor Rogers]

And Burton's just electric. I mean you see him with the ball in his hands. There was a time not that long ago before a disappointing final college season where Luther Burton was viewed as going into that draft year before that college. He's like Malik neighbors like this guy's going to be a top three pick. He's special. He had an insane sophomore season. Then for reasons in control and out of his control, he was just okay his final year. He falls to the beginning of the second round and then you watch him like kind of looks like a first round receiver on a team that the past game the arrow was going in the right direction.

[Matthew Berry]

When he's seen a 20% target share this season. It's only been three games but he's averaging almost 18 fantasy points per game. Top five among in terms of wide receivers that have at least 50 targets this year he's top five among wide receivers in yards per target, yards per route run like all the underlying metrics. Connor tell you what you saw on tape as a college as a kid in college is that he's a special player and Ben Johnson, the Bears found somebody and then you think about a healthy Roma Dunze. You think about a healthy, you know, think about Colston Loveland next year. In the second year of the system he's seen two. He's had two games with seven targets this year, 20 fantasy points in both. He's averaging nine yards per target. Feels like you know, if I'm a Bears fan obviously this has been a magical season but I think you're excited about the foundation of Burden Loveland, Adunze, Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson. Like that's an exciting and our guy.

[Connor Rogers]

Common unguy and whoever is the in the backfield which this could be common on guys backfield next could be we'll.

[Matthew Berry]

See if DeAndre Swift returns as well. But that's a great question here from Robby Axtel 8833. When I have Dynasty questions, the first thing I do is I text Connor Rodgers. Robbie, you don't have his number, but I will give it to you later. But for now he's in a three player keeper league. Rome or Burden next year? That's a great question.

[Connor Rogers]

I'd go with Burden.

[Matthew Berry]

Really?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Wow. I mean, it's not. There's no gap between it. It's just that here's why. Rome is really, really good player. There's a reason he was drafted as early as he was. Burden will give you a floor because all of the manufactured touches will go to him. The screens, maybe some jet sweeps, maybe some of those crossers. It's the big playability. Rome will be really good. But if I guarantee we get to August, I think people will be drafting Burden before A Dunes.

[Matthew Berry]

Was he drafted by Ben Johnson? With the same thought process around drafting Jameson Williams in the Detroit offseason?

[Connor Rogers]

Almost like a hybrid of him and Amon Rod, right? Where it's like I could play him in the slot and give him the short area stuff, but then I could do the vertical stuff that JMO gets. Not saying Burton's going to be better than either of those players, but it's just an offense you want a lot of shares in. And once again, like Burton is just. He's electric, man. You see how much differently he moves out there and that's there's a floor with guys like that in fantasy, especially ppr.

[Matthew Berry]

The other thing I'll say about this game last night, Jay, and then we can move on is that, you know, for all the talk about Brock Purdy and how brilliant he was and The San Francisco 49ers and all that, I thought Caleb Williams was amazing last night. Right. You know, like I thought and he. Connor, I felt like he did all the stuff that, you know, all the criticisms of Caleb Williams, he didn't see. Like, you know, he played within structure. Like he, you know, you know, he threw. He threw on timing. Like he was like. I thought he was brilliant last night. I don't think that loss is on him at all.

[Jay]

No, not at all. He was. The final drive was so cinematic because it was slow as well. It wasn't like a 50 yard completion or anything. And Caleb, you know, and he was cruel by a couple drops on that final drive that weren't his fault at all. But yeah. And look, Collinsworth called out that he makes some strange throws, right? He does miss guys. He puts too much heat on it, overthrows Them sometimes. But his second year player, he's going to get that out of his system. And just the physical traits that he has, the ability to throw the frozen rope that he threw on the free play, as was mentioned on the broadcast, he got like 10 yards off the ground and went like 45 yards in the air, like. And his speed, the superpower of Caleb that he's really unveiled this year is just you cannot sack this guy. He's too fast, he's too strong and he's got too much awareness. To have to hold the ball as long as he does and have as low sack rate as he does is incredible.

[Matthew Berry]

He just, he makes some throws where you're just like, you know, across his body like 40 yards, just like Josh Allen type throws. You're just like, holy. You're like, okay. That's why the guy was the no brainer number one pick two years ago.

[Connor Rogers]

Imagine when he starts hitting some of the layups that he's been missing and you're like, this is what an MVP Calvary player can look like at times.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean keep in mind again, this is a guy that was that, you know, missed Roma, Dunze, Alamede. Zacchaeus was a late round scratch as well. Burton has missed a lot of time as well. This was his first game back after missing a couple games. Like it's guys have been in and out of the lineup. He hasn't had a chance to new offense and he hasn't a chance to like have the same guys there week in, week out. So yeah, Caleb is brilliant. You are going to wait on quarterback next year. I'm just. Because it's just so open, so, so deep in terms of guys that are superstars.

[Connor Rogers]

Our next game, Bill's Eagles. Eagles offense, nothing in the second half. They had one first down in the.

[Matthew Berry]

Second half, zero completions for Jalen Hurts in the second half.

[Connor Rogers]

No second half completions because of the end of the game. Josh Allen gets it done in fantasy. But it was really scary for a while, especially coming off last week.

[Matthew Berry]

This again, this is probably more of an NFL conversation than. But it just. Once again it just feels like Josh Allen is out there by himself.

[Connor Rogers]

The receiver. I mean Brandon Cooks had six targets in this game.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean what are we doing?

[Connor Rogers]

Like everybody. Half the people.

[Matthew Berry]

Brandon Cooks had a. Brandon Cooks had a Masa guy.

[Jay]

Yeah. It was like a David Tyreeka. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean just. He's just out. I mean I think that if the Bills do not get to the super bowl, it is a failure of the front office. I don't know what more Josh Allen can do out there.

[Jay]

The other concern now is that Allen, this foot seems like a real thing. It's like limping off to the game. I think that I would imagine that part of the calculus is going for two is that you don't want Josh Allen playing another quarter in a game that was meaningful. But ultimately the Bills fate is going to be decided in January, not in this game where the division was a long shot anyway. They're going to have to play the hottest team in football, likely in round one of the Jags. That's the most likely matchup. Three, six Jags, Bills. But yeah, football wise, fantasy wise, I don't really know what there is to say. Josh Allen, you still fire him up every week. This is the beauty of Josh Allen. He had like a bad game yesterday, 23 fantasy points, right? Because of the touchdown equity, 38% of.

[Matthew Berry]

His fantasy points this year have come from rushing. That's the highest rate since 2018. But again, just sort of underscores the fact that he's out there by himself. But my, my way, way, way Too early top 50 rankings are being released later today on Rotor world. My top 50 rankings from next year, my way, way Too early top 50 rankings and I do have Josh Allen as my number one quarterback next year. By the way, if you have a, when you see my rankings, if you have a question, tweet them at me or just tweet them and use the hashtag ffhappyhour or post them in the chat. Because one of the days this week we will do a, an FA you FAQ questions kind of segment about why don't you have this guy right here where you know, why is this guy ranked so low? Why is he ranked higher? We'll go through all the rankings as well. But my way too early top 50 on rotorworld.com very soon, within the next couple of hours as well.

[Connor Rogers]

How about this question, Matthew?

[Matthew Berry]

Yes, sir.

[Connor Rogers]

Shirtless. Ben Johnson asked, does Hurts still crack the top five? I think he means a quarterback this year.

[Matthew Berry]

At quarterback this year. Boy, that's a great question. I think he's like, I think he's borderline, right? Because you just sort of think about, right, you've got, assuming Mahomes, you've got, you've got.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's just do it for next year then, right?

[Matthew Berry]

But you've got, you've got, you've got Alan, you've got Lamar, you've got Drake May. That's my two, three is Alan May, Lamar Healthy Jane Daniels.

[Jay]

I'd rank Daniels above John.

[Matthew Berry]

I would. Jayden Daniels. Jayden Daniels ahead of him. A healthy Mahomes again, that depends. But like that. That's borderline. Joe Burrows there as well. I mean Purdy's. I mean, right. But like it's. Now it's a conversation.

[Connor Rogers]

He might not be drafted as a top eight quarterback.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

He.

[Matthew Berry]

I think he. I think he still will be. But like again, does A.J. brown move on? Like I think there's a. There's a chance of that. Yeah. Right. Yeah.

[Jay]

So running the ball again, Jalen hurts.

[Connor Rogers]

I just don't. Yeah, it's a very strange desire is there all the time either. It's like a little more hesitant than.

[Matthew Berry]

We'Re accustomed, you know. You know, I famously predict that Matthew Stafford's retiring but. But if he does not, you're going to be right. And Stafford comes back. So we'll see there.

[Connor Rogers]

But the Traveler's been incredible.

[Matthew Berry]

The Traveler has been incredible. Like so like I don't think I'm ranking him or Herbert ahead of like. But I mean like yeah, Hertz is probably like he's. He. If he is a top five quarterback, it's at number five. And so it sort of depends on what happens in the offseason there. But certainly his fantasy value is down than where it was at the beginning of the year. Third straight game with under 200 passing yards. It's his ninth different game this season where he threw for under 200 passing yards and its fifth game with under 15 fantasy points. He only had two of those last year. I think the difference is because he's never been a huge volume passer. But it's the lack of the rushing, it's the lack of the tush pushes which hasn't been near. They haven't done it as much this year and when they have done it, it hasn't been as effective.

[Connor Rogers]

Connor. Right, that's the problem. You need that.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes.

[Connor Rogers]

So once that cuts down the rate, you're like, oh boy. By the way, Jay, you've created this obsession in the chat with them all saying voluminous, voluminous. Like I see, I see every four. It's like aluminum in the chat comes from aluminum from the SECMAN01. Her stats were not voluminous.

[Jay]

That's correct. They were not voluminous. Anti voluminous.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay]

I mean lacking in volume.

[Matthew Berry]

I'll tell you one of the players that's going to be really, really tough to rank next year is Saquon Barkley who like again we Thought I'll tell you a quick story here. When I did the Tonight show in August, one of the questions they wanted me to say is, like, what's a player that you know is being drafted too high? And I wanted to say Saquon Barkley, who did make my hate list. And I'm just like, man, do I really want to go on the freaking Tonight show, which is a general audience, is a very general entertainment audience. It's, it's, you know, it's 50, 50 men and women. It's. It's not a fantasy football audience like this show that would understand the nuance. And like, you know, people that never. That don't understand football, that never watch football, they all have heard of Saquon Barkley. Do I really want to go on the Tonight show and say, like, I think Saquon Barkley is going to have.

[Connor Rogers]

A bad year after this guy's insane.

[Matthew Berry]

After he just won the Super Bowl. And so I chickened out. I'm just, oh, owning it. I check it out and I went a different direction, by the way, I said James Cook. I know. I wasn't going to say, yeah, it's my birthday, but no, but I'm going to own it. It's there.

[Jay]

The issue is with that is that if you're proven right on Saquon, no one's going to remember going back. Oh, Matthew Berry was right.

[Matthew Berry]

And James Cook. The thing people remember from that was the George Carlin story. Everyone loved the George Carlin story as well. But just. I'm just like, had. I wish I'd had the guts honestly, to stick to my guns on Saquon on the Tonight Show. I mean, it did turn out right that he's had a disappointing year. I don't think through a fault of his own, but just the.

[Jay]

I think the offense, I don't think he's. He doesn't have the same burst.

[Connor Rogers]

No. You wonder if last year just took a toll on him. Obviously, there's also schematic things this year where they're not opening up the same lanes.

[Jay]

But I agree, open field, he doesn't have the same.

[Connor Rogers]

I sure was, like, every time he got beyond the line of scrimmage, everybody's like, oh, here we go. Like, what's going to happen now?

[Matthew Berry]

But the argument against him last year, I was lower on him last year. The argument against him last year is, look, look, the Eagles don't throw. Don't throw to the running backs in this offense. And when they get in close, hurts is going to steal with a tush push. And both those things proved out true. The challenge is, is that he broke off these 60 yard runs and that's the difference. That's all proven out again this year. They don't really throw him in the passing game. And he does get vultured somewhat at the goal line. The issue is he just hasn't broken off the big 60 yard chunk plays the way that James Cook has this year. The way that we've seen Bijan some this year that we've seen Jameer Gibbs do this year.

[Connor Rogers]

There's regression and then there's what happened to Saquon Barkley this year.

[Matthew Berry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

Where it's like non existent.

[Jay]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

If he had less 20 plus explosive yard runs, you'd be like, well, yeah, that was. You knew that drafting him because that's not repeatable.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

But this version, just the play by.

[Jay]

Play success, isn't there?

[Matthew Berry]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

All right, guys, how about Arizona, Cincinnati, the Bengals.

[Matthew Berry]

But I think he's, I think he's a low end. RV2 next year just to wrap that up, don't you think?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it's still sick on Barkley on a good team.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. But he's. But he's not a top 10 running back with what he did this year.

[Connor Rogers]

And the other guys taking a step, including Chase Brown. Including Chase Brown, who's had a great second half of the season, almost 30 fantasy points. Jamar Chase and Joe Burrow went off in this game. And on the Arizona side, Matthew, it's just always Trey McBride who had the most receptions for a tight end in NFL single season history.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I think those are the two conversations, like where do we rank? You know, sort of some of the Bengals, specifically Chase Brown for next year. But let's talk about Trey McBride. The question to me, is Trey McBride a number one, a first round draft pick next year? The argument win. And I think this. So most receptions by a tight end in a single season, he sets the NFL record. Shout out to Trey McBride, friend of the show. Trey McBride follows me on Instagram. Trey McBride. I might slide into his DMs and congratulate him.

[Connor Rogers]

You have some nice things to say.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes, I do.

[Jay]

Don't say anything else when you slide into his dm.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, no, I say congratulations.

[Matthew Berry]

I'll just say congratulations. Yeah. Which by the way, by the way, if you're Trey McBride, you're looking through your DMs like, oh, I bet you I got some good stuff. Good stuff. Here's Barry. What a disappointing DM is to get something you know, fantasy nerds. Yeah. Like, hey, congrats on the season. Great. Yes.

[Connor Rogers]

Anyway.

[Matthew Berry]

But he had 302 fantasy points this season. The next closest tight end was Kyle Pitt. Still has one game to play. But Kyle Pitt, by the way, also crazy. That's probably even more surprising than Trey McBride finishing as the number one fantasy tight end is much less surprising than Kyle Pitt's off finishing his number two. But he's more than 100. Kyle Pitts still has tonight to play and we'll see what happens. But I highly don't think that Kyle Pitts is going to score 100 fantasy points tonight.

[Connor Rogers]

He won't.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. And so he had like 42 in.

[Connor Rogers]

One game this year.

[Jay]

Thousand.

[Matthew Berry]

Which is insane.

[Connor Rogers]

Jarring.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. But the argument for the years in which Travis kelce was a first round draft pick, meaning, you know, in the first 1012 picks of your draft, was that it wasn't so much that he was great at tight end, it was that he was so much better at every other position. He just gave you a weekly advantage because the there was just such a massive gap. And so the question is, is like he did this this year, McBride by over 100 points better than the next guy. He gave you a weekly advantage every single week, every league that I won. Trey McBride is my tight end this year. And so my question to you guys, is he worth a first round draft pick next year?

[Connor Rogers]

No, for me. And here's why.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay.

[Connor Rogers]

They can't. It's not feasible. It's impossible historically for them to have this much garbage time next year.

[Jay]

This is the thing. Right.

[Connor Rogers]

It's nothing against him.

[Jay]

Yeah. It feels like they've been playing like carnival all star games for two months. Sherby sets completing 47 passes in an NFL game. Like it just feels like that. That cannot replicate that. They're just going to play more normal games next year and the defense will be better and healthier and there's uncertainty at quarterback. So I think that ultimately not worth the first round pick though. Clearly the number one tight end.

[Matthew Berry]

I am at number two. So I'm hedging a little bit. I'm at number 12 overhaul. So I haven't at the moment we have Bowers. I Bowers around and a half later.

[Connor Rogers]

I'd rather have Bowers if the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza.

[Matthew Berry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

I'd rather have Bowers cost.

[Matthew Berry]

Which is fair. That's a hundred percent. 100%. And so again, here's the other thing I have to say and I'll caveat this. It's in the intro to the rankings, I had to rank as if the NFL is today. Right. Because I just don't know.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

The assumption is, yes, that Bowers will have a new coach, a new offensive coordinator and Fernando Mendoza is a starting quarterback. That's the assumption. But at the moment he's got Pete Carol and Geno Smith. I can't if I did that for every single player. Because you just don't know. Is A.J. brown leaving or not? Is.

[Jay]

Do.

[Matthew Berry]

Do the Cardinals draft a developmental if they're like, hey, Jacobi, that's pretty good. Let's stick with Jacoby and draft like a second, a day two or day three?

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. And let Jacoby just sort of run this offense. Is Marvin Harrison Jr. Still in the second team next year? Like again, is Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzig still coaching the team and running the offense on the, you know, I mean, like. Or do the Cardinals try to trade up? Do they. Do they. Do they draft Ty Simpson? Do they like, you know what I mean?

[Connor Rogers]

Like, they hire Clint Kubiak.

[Matthew Berry]

Right.

[Connor Rogers]

There's just so many variables right now.

[Matthew Berry]

So I agree with you that that's probably where it's going to wind up. That it's probably going to be like a mid second rounder because we feel like, right, they'll improve the defense a little bit. They won't get into these crazy games, game scripts. There's a chance that he won't. But at the moment, you know, Jacoby Brissette understands the assignment. The other thing, that's going to be really tough to do and I think it's truly dependent on both the coaching staff and what happens with Marvin Harrison Jr. But what to do with Michael Wilson next year, who in a small sample size proved he could be a number one wide receiver in the NFL. But when MHJ is out there and McBride, he's just not earning targets at the same rate.

[Jay]

Yeah. What do you think of Marvin Harrison Jr. Now? Congress?

[Connor Rogers]

I mean, I still like him a lot, but it just feels like now he's more in the way of Michael Wilson rather than like, this is a crazy thing. I know, but imagine you told that to yourself where you don't have an alpha wide receiver out of either of them when they're both healthy in an effective offense. And you were hoping that Marv was going to be that guy. It's just a weird situation. It's been very hard to evaluate Marv because he gets going and then he gets hurt.

[Jay]

Very strange.

[Connor Rogers]

Like he gets away from Kyler and We're like, oh, this is the version we wanted. And then he's hurt and then Michael Wilson goes nuclear.

[Matthew Berry]

For whatever reason, it just feels like a. Feels like he needs a fresh start.

[Connor Rogers]

Which is like something not. I wonder where is the fresh start for Fresh Start trade in that scenario? Like, is it. And for Brian Thomas Jr.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm just about to say that.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

Marvin Harrison Jr. For Brian Thomas Jr. Who says no? Like, again, like, those are two guys that are super talented young wide receivers, but for whatever reason are. Are clearly not fits in their current offense and have value. And like, that would be like, that feels like a fair trade. Yeah, I know. Harrison went, what, 20 spots ahead of Thomas. I'm trying to think of where Thomas.

[Connor Rogers]

Was drafted was further enough that I wonder if there would be.

[Jay]

The issue is, is that Jacksonville don't.

[Connor Rogers]

Actually need another suit because Jacoby Myers is too good. Yeah, Jacoby is extended. Travis Hunter is back next year.

[Matthew Berry]

That's right. I mean, Parker, Parker. Washington has one more deal. One more year in his deal. We'll get to him in a second here. But yeah, that's crazy. I mean, Marvin Harrison Jr. Won target on 13 routes. He had a 32% route preservation. He hurt his heel. He didn't play in the fourth quarter. Now coming into the game, they had said he was going to be limited in the snaps because he's just not healthy. But again, he's a guy that gets banged up and he just. We've seen flashes of it, but we just haven't seen it. I had the number one that my industry dynasty, league that I talk about all the time, that I won the first couple of years and then I've just been sort of rebuilding and so I've had an early pick the last two years. Two years ago, I had the number one overall pick and I took Marvin Harrison Jr instead of Malik Nabors.

[Connor Rogers]

Like many did.

[Matthew Berry]

Like many did. By the way, this league is insane. We have to draft before the NFL draft. So you're just drafting college players without you know where. You don't know where they land as well. And this year I drafted Tyler Warren. It's tight end premium. I have the number one pick next year as well. And then my, you know, let's go. Then I'll be ready to Jeremiah Love.

[Connor Rogers]

Welcome to Matthew's team.

[Matthew Berry]

You think it's Jeremiah Love or Mendoza? It's a super flex.

[Connor Rogers]

Could be Carnell Tate. Oh, could be a quarterback. We'll have a lot of time.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay. We have a lot of time because I Only have two quarterbacks in that league. I have Mahomes and Purdy though. But homes. Anyway, whatever. Let's talk about Chase Brown though really quickly. Since Joe Burrow returned, he's the third best running back in fantasy football. Over 19 touches a game, 14% target share, seven touchdowns. I got super annoyed watching this game early on because P. Ryan stole a touchdown from him earlier. Like what are we doing here? But even with some AJP Ryan cutting into his workload, they've been using with the goal line been super effective and we expect this offense. I don't expect anything to change about this offense next year Jay, because the Bengals are super cheap. Zach Taylor will be back and no one's going anywhere.

[Jay]

Yeah, Chase Brown is largely what you expected him to be. If Joe Barra was going to be there the whole season, he hasn't been. So I think that Chase Brown is actually one of the I think easier players to deal with next season. Fancy draft, you just basically roll it back. Everything that you thought about him going into this year is what you should think about him going into.

[Matthew Berry]

I think he's a high end RB2, low end RB1 by the way.

[Connor Rogers]

Jags Colts another great win. Well you know it was a sloppy start but the Jags got it done. The Traveler putting up his typical fantasy production. But how about the wide receiver room?

[Matthew Berry]

Matthew Parker Washington, is he the guy to draft in this room next year? Parker Washington's a real football player. Like this is back to back games now with 10 targets and 100 receiving yards. Targets are earned and over the last two weeks this is a kid with a 28% target share. He's averaging over 22 fantasy points per game. And this is along the along the way with Jacoby Meyer's seventh straight game with a 20% target share. Brian Thomas 4 for 39. He's averaging 10 fantasy points a game this season below a 20% target share in six of the past seven games. I think Brian Thomas Jr. Given where he was drafted, he has to be you know, one of if not the biggest fantasy bust of the season. You know, not if you take out all the non injured guys. Right. You can't count Malik neighbors or guys that got hurt. Right. Just of Brian Thomas Jr. I know he was banged up a little bit.

[Connor Rogers]

Genti come top line him.

[Jay]

What is most crazy but at least.

[Matthew Berry]

Genti had a couple of good games.

[Connor Rogers]

He did have a couple games.

[Jay]

Yeah. What's most crazy is that Trevor Lawrence is the most locked in he's ever been in his life. And if you're open, he will get you the ball right now. And it still just hasn't really mattered for Brian Thomas Jr. Lawrence in this game, it was. He had the pick and he had one other throw of madness that should have been picked. But outside of that, he is just. He's on a different level now. Connor, like, he's also. His confidence running the ball, that's the difference. That's really elevated.

[Matthew Berry]

Nine rushing touchdowns this year only. Yeah. Only Josh Allen has more among quarterbacks. And some of those. Connor, if you watch the games, they're. It's not just all crazy. They're designed runs and the defense always looks surprised.

[Connor Rogers]

They're like, wait, he just kept the ball, he's running and he just walks right in.

[Jay]

He's also gotten so good. One of the touchdowns yesterday where he's so good at pump faking to create the extra half second and the leverage of the defender's position to get into the end zone. Josh Allen is amazing at that too. But yeah, Lawrence at the moment is just on a different level. And it's bizarre that Brian Thomas can't take advantage.

[Matthew Berry]

But I mean, and there was times where like there was a. Brian Thomas had a couple of drops. That's a weird one is it feels like Brian Thomas has had like drop issues, focus issues.

[Connor Rogers]

Jay Woogie said Jefferson was the worst pick of the year in my opinion. Maybe because of the cost.

[Matthew Berry]

That's fair. I mean, you used a top five.

[Connor Rogers]

Pick on Justin Jefferson and this is what you got.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, Jefferson, btj, Ash and Genty will be among the nominees for the Peacockies coming up, I believe next week for worst fantasy pick or Biggest bus. There's no question about that. But where you draft Trevor Lawrence as a quarterback next year, it's going to be really interesting. But I am more a believer than not for these reasons. One is like the rushing's not crazy. Like, I know he hasn't done it a lot in his pro career, but like if you go to Clemson and you look at his tape from Clemson.

[Connor Rogers]

Connor like able to run.

[Matthew Berry]

He was absolutely able to run. And you know, Liam Cohen obviously is not going anywhere. Like, he's finally sort of figured out this offense. And so it feels like with Parker Washington, Jacoby Myers, whatever happens with Ryan Thomas Jr. But Breton Strange is a nice little player and they'll get Travis Hunter back and just feels like, feels like Trevor Lawrence once again will be a sleeper for me and like kind of a steal in fantasy drafts because no one's going to draft him inside the top eight, but he's absolutely got that potential.

[Connor Rogers]

Patriots Jets. Oh boy. This was a game as Drake May had over 32 fantasy points. Ramondre Stevenson, very effective through the air in this game. Stefan Diggs I believe had some incentives and got his in this one. And Breece hall, who if you had Breece hall, you probably weren't playing in the fantasy championship. Has a good game because he had the long 50 plus yard touchdown run. But man, the first half of this was comical. Drake May didn't even have to finish this game.

[Matthew Berry]

No, he's unbelievable. Just, you know, just throwing ropes. Just easy.

[Connor Rogers]

It was wide open all day to throw and everybody was wide open.

[Matthew Berry]

Connor, I'm sure you had a lot to talk about on sny and of course Badlands, the second best jets podcast out there.

[Connor Rogers]

Number two.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean was so bad, like I would have thought for a month ago, like they're not firing Aaron Glenn. It's been a bad year. But you know, he knew it was a rebuild.

[Connor Rogers]

You get the Mulligan.

[Matthew Berry]

You get the Mulligan year and everything. They've had some injuries, they clearly don't have a quarterback. You know, the team traded Sauce Gardner and Quinn and Williams like but this was so bad and such a lack of effort.

[Connor Rogers]

Look like a JV team. Yeah, that's like it really felt like an XFL team against an NFL team.

[Jay]

Yeah. As we spoke about last, like what has Aaron Glenn done to keep his job?

[Connor Rogers]

That's the question you have to ask. You're just, you're just hoping there's no silver lining that he grows. But he has had no growth throughout the season in the job.

[Jay]

Yep. Drake may by some measures had the greatest game in the history of football statistically in terms of EPA success rate. What do you have? Two incompletions and five touchdowns.

[Connor Rogers]

And he did something that Tom Brady never did. He threw five touchdowns to five different past catchers. Tom Brady apparently never did that.

[Jay]

Yep. It's incredible. I think that he is QB2 next year after Josh Allen.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes. Probably 3 for 22 frustrating game. If you had Trayvon Henderson, which I did in one of the leagues where I was in the finals and I'm going to lose this. I'm going to lose this league 16 team league. The league one. It's my, it's my league one. It's the first league that was ever created on ESPN.com so I played with a bunch of ESPN it's league league ID one. So I'm the defending champ 16 team league. I was the number one seed in this end and then Derek Henry and then I got Derek Henry and so I needed upside and so 16 team league. I had Chase Brown and Drake May so I thought I actually made a run of it. But then the guy had the Giants defense, 22 points.

[Connor Rogers]

Thanks Geno.

[Matthew Berry]

That's what I'm going to lose to. And yeah, absolutely brutal. But the reason I bring all this up is because I had Travon Henderson is my number two running back. A 16 team league. So I didn't have a lot of depth and I'm like oh is he going to play or not? And so I picked up what I barely could. I was like okay, Devin Singletary was out there and estimate. And so I had both those guys on my bench. Like if Travion Henderson was ruled out, I was going to play one of them.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

And Travion Henderson luckily was active. I'm like okay, here we go with Travion Henderson estimate and Singletary both doubled up. Travion Henderson still wouldn't have mattered. The guy just had like every single player that went off as well he had. I forget who else he had but it was Derek Henry and oh, he has Stafford tonight. Yes, he has Stafford tonight and he had whatever. Anyway, so Trayvon Henderson, very disappointing game. But I think if you look at the underlying numbers, I mean like great usage. Great usage. I mean Rondre Stevenson weirdly got the long touchdown catch.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

But only eight carries here. It feels like going into next year it's going to be Travian Henderson over Roger Stevenson and not particularly close.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I just. I'd never trust the old school coach like Ray Bull and that's my logic. Logic would agree with.

[Matthew Berry]

He's not going to be in every down back.

[Connor Rogers]

No, it's just they're an old school.

[Jay]

I think it'll be Gibbs Montgomery.

[Matthew Berry]

That was just about to say that's a great comp.

[Connor Rogers]

And the offense could be good enough that that's fine. Plenty about Breeze hall who's a pending free agent and where his dream landing spots are. It's probably a longer combo for another day. I think there's a good chance that jets franchise tag him which I know I don't think he would enjoy.

[Matthew Berry]

Sure.

[Connor Rogers]

But like I said, it's a long combo.

[Matthew Berry]

Anyone else the jets could potentially franchise tag?

[Connor Rogers]

Elijah Vera Tucker.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay.

[Connor Rogers]

So.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. I mean they have all the money.

[Connor Rogers]

In the world so they should tag someone.

[Matthew Berry]

They, they should. And honestly I feel like the offensive line is a bigger need than the running back.

[Connor Rogers]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

You know desperately well here was a game that was a lot of fun. There's. There's the aforementioned Audrick estimate the poster child of Stock Exchange 16.8 fantasy points. But how about Chris Olave? I have at wide receiver 12 going into next year as well. Like none of this. The two things that were surprising about Chris Olave like the talent has always been there and we thought the usage would be there. The question was can he stay healthy and can they get him the ball And I think they found something in Tyler Schuck and obviously he proved he's a real stay healthy.

[Jay]

I'm saying he's doing this logically against bad defenses but just play to play the throws that he is making and next level throws in his ability to move opens up so much. So yeah I think Olave I'd rather have Chris Olave than A.J. brown next year. I think that he's I have him.

[Matthew Berry]

Higher than AJ Brown for sure and Tyler Schuck.

[Connor Rogers]

Welcome to being super flex viable.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes, out of doubt with Shuck as the starting quarterback, Chris olave the wide receiver four averaging 18.8 fantasy points per game now their defense will improve and so there won't be as in many shootouts as you will. But like Kellen Moore's done a really nice job. Looks like they found something in Tyler Schuck. I agree with you top 20 quarterback next year and they figured out a way to get Chris Olave the ball. All those things are in play for next year by the way. Over the last four weeks, Tony Pollard, a top 12 fantasy running back, just wrapping up that game.

[Connor Rogers]

Unbelievable. We're taking our first break. When we're back, we got more for you. Weekend warriors and Sunday scaries from week 17 right after this.

[Matthew Berry]

Looking for a smarter way to watch the big game? Sling has launched a game changing way to stream live TV with passes instead of committing to a monthly plan you might not use. Passes gives instant access for just a day, a week or a weekend with a day pass nonstop College football is available for 24 hours for only $4.99. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC games simulcast on ESPN3 are included and for just one more dollar you can add SEC or ACC network. Sling puts fans in charge with total flexibility and control. Watch what's wanted when it's wanted. Best of all, you don't need to remember to cancel when your access is up. You won't be charged again until you purchase another day pass. Passes are only available for orange subscription packages. Visit sling.com to learn more. Chime is changing the way people bank. Forget overdraft fees, minimum balance fees and monthly fees. It's the new way to build a credit history with your own money and get rewarded every single day. Chime is not just smarter banking. It's the most rewarding way to bank. Join the millions who are already banking fee free today. It just takes a few minutes to sign up. Head to chime.comffh that's chime.comffh Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking Services the secured Chime, Visa credit card and MyPay line of credit provided by the Bancorp Bank, Bank NA or Stride Bank NA. MyPay eligibility requirements apply and credit limits ranges $20 to $500. Optional services and products may have fees or charges. See chime.com/fees info. Advertise annual percentage yield with chimes plus status only. Otherwise 1.00% APY applies. No minimum balance required. Chime card on time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Results may vary. See chime.com for details and applicable terms. The Lowe's closeout event means the final.

[Jay]

Savings of the season are here. It's your last chance to get deals on seasonal decor, tools, flooring and so much more.

[Matthew Berry]

Refresh your home, check off your project list or simply stock up on the brands you trust.

[Jay]

Shop now to grab amazing deals before they're gone. Lowes we help you Save.

[Matthew Berry]

Valid through 17. Selection varies by location while supplies last.

[Connor Rogers]

Jonathan Medici Is that cake dusted during the break? Barry is eyeing that cake like an acrisure security guard.

[Matthew Berry]

Medici from the top rope as always.

[Jay]

You'll be back out there.

[Matthew Berry]

I will be back out there. Football night in America. Heading to Pittsburgh and Acreshire Stadium for the Sunday night game between the Ravens and the Steelers, which decides the AFC north. And I once again have to go back to Acreshore Stadium and find that short, fat, power hungry little security guard that's gonna, you know, wow. Cop me the tyrant.

[Connor Rogers]

Stick a flashlight in your face.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Look at the it's unbelievable. Yeah, unbelievable. Malik Willis off the waiver wire to be a top four fantasy player. Former Zach Charbonnet. We didn't even get to Unbelievable. Kind of some of the fantasy performances there. Parker Washington with a huge game. It's a crazy week.

[Connor Rogers]

Welcome to Championship weekend.

[Jay]

If producer Steven had any respect though, he would get rid of all of these names and this segment would be one name. It'll be Derrick Henry.

[Connor Rogers]

That's right.

[Jay]

Completely defined championship.

[Connor Rogers]

36 carries to make up for previous faults Unbelievable.

[Matthew Berry]

I needed this in the beginning of the season otherwise I wouldn't have started 07. I did ride Derrick Henry to a 74 point lead over Conner in the seventh place game.

[Connor Rogers]

That everyone's third time's the charm.

[Matthew Berry]

All I know is that's how the. Anyway so I'm.

[Connor Rogers]

You beat someone in a bracket and then you play them again.

[Matthew Berry]

Unless Kyron Williams and Blake Corum for you outscore. Outscore my Matthew Stafford by 74 points tonight.

[Connor Rogers]

And what's crazy is I had Malik Willis and Jackson Dart.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Who both were great.

[Matthew Berry]

I had Drake May and I had Derek Henry.

[Connor Rogers]

Your players all woke up at the right time.

[Matthew Berry]

They really did. 7th place is mine baby. It's mine. There you go. I'd rather be seventh and eighth like you Connor.

[Connor Rogers]

I don't understand how I beat you multiple times and play you again.

[Matthew Berry]

I don't. It's the magic of that. But like I would have won the championship. I defeated both much bigger scores than Rotopat or the chubby leather daddies here but seventh career game for 200 rushing yards with Derrick Henry most in NFL history. 36 touches. They finally gave him the damn ball. Like again. They finally used the Josie principle. Get the ball to your best player as well. King Henry is another guy that every year we say like well he was probably done last year and yet I mean I still am as a top 20 running back.

[Jay]

It's so funny. It's going to be hilarious when Lamar Jackson makes the super bowl this year. This massive odyssey. This is the year where he makes it. But they are three point favorites on Sunday night football against the Steelers. Our game last week, Saturday night Green Bay. Malik Willis was magnificent as was Christian Watson who I understand a lot of people would have benched given the quarterback situation. But Christian Watson up a little bit but clear wide receiver one for that team. And Malik Willis is. I think he's going to start somewhere next year.

[Connor Rogers]

Malik Willis will be drafted as a top 15 quarterback in fantasy next year he will be. He will be starting for Dolphins Arizona. Name your team and he runs. So he will be a top. I might even my bold take might be he's drafted as a top 12 quarterback.

[Matthew Berry]

I 100% agree and I'm very bitter that he was apparently a free agent in one of my dynasty leagues that I didn't realize and someone just grabbed him for free and I'm like I don't understand how everyone else was asleep at the wheel. But in three starts with the Green Bay over the last two seasons over 23 fantasy points per game. I completely agree with that take. I don't think that's a bold take. I think he's going to be unbelievable. Third straight game with 20 or more fantasy points for Christian Watson has at least a 20% target turn 5 of the last 7. Jackson Dart is another guy that should be a top 12 fantasy quarterback next year. At least 19 fantasy points and eight of his 11 starts since week four. He's the eighth best quarterback in fantasy and the points per game and all that was out without Malik Willett. Malik Neighbors I should say they'll have a new coach, a new offensive system, but whoever that is is going to know. Get the ball to Malik Neighbors. Do you think there's any chance that the Giants move off of Dart? There was some talk that if they lost this game they would draft Mendoza and trade Dart.

[Connor Rogers]

There has been a lot of that chatter and obviously, obviously if they hire a new gm, we don't know because.

[Jay]

That'Ll be up to the new GM Thoughtsman too.

[Matthew Berry]

I think that would be insane.

[Connor Rogers]

You know what the most interesting never talked about storyline is all we talk about. Malik Willis Great time to be a free agent. Wandell Robinson yes, amazing time to be a free agent for Wandell Robinson.

[Matthew Berry]

Since week six he's the 16th best wide receiver in fantasy 46% target share. He's wide receiver five in championship week. He went from a PPR scam artist to a legit wide receiver one in this offense.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah good for Robinson.

[Matthew Berry]

Zach Charbonnet well it never looks pretty for Zach.

[Jay]

I never think that anything's good can happen but they give him the ball around the goal line and it is a creative Clint Kubiak offense. He finishes as the fifth best running back in fantasy pending Monday Night Football.

[Matthew Berry]

Ramon Ray Charbonnet JCM so disgusting in the middle of this leaders yeah a.

[Jay]

Couple of receptions but yeah the two touchdowns is the Cape Charbonnet. They like him at the goal line.

[Matthew Berry]

Well listen Ken Walker free agent at the end of this year so perhaps he's the lead guy here. Chris Godwin first 20 point game since week six of last season. 18% target share. A lot of it came after the catch. 79 of his 108 yards after the catch. It was just nice to see. Godwin sort of came out of nowhere. But yeah Division on the line next week huh?

[Connor Rogers]

Division on the line.

[Matthew Berry]

Division on the line. The Buccaneers have just been absolutely brutal. I got asked on the football night in America pod who has a better chance between the Panthers and the Buccaneers of going further in the playoffs and I'm just like, do I have to? Exactly right. I chose the Bucs just because bankers experience.

[Jay]

But the answer is no. They're loose to the rams.

[Matthew Berry]

They're awful 50 Sunday Scaries. Connor, Josh Jacobs just, you know, part of this was they were banged up and then game script as well. One of the toughest guys in the NFL but just five touch in this game. Really tough for everyone that started him this.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Josh Jacobs, Tedro McMillan who now could lose offensive rookie of the year Jay to Tyler Schuck. Yeah.

[Jay]

Potentially very rough game for Tedron McMillan. I think that's just a product of Bryce Young in the offense not being able to do anything lad McConkey. Tough game for him as well. One catch for 31 yards. Just so difficult for Herbert going up against an elite pass rush in Houston.

[Matthew Berry]

He's not in my. He's in my. He's not in my top 50. I just couldn't figure out like, I mean, under five fantasy points in three of his last four games. They just have so many mouths to feed. Bucky Irving also tough to rank. Third straight game with under 10 fantasy points. They just, they use Rashad White and Sean Tucker way too much. Connor and then finally Jalen Warren. I did not understand the game plan for Pittsburgh. Ugly like Aaron Rodgers threw it almost 40 times. Like you're on the road at Cleveland. Just run. They were averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Arthur Smith doing Arthur Smith. Thanks.

[Connor Rogers]

Monday Night Football preview Next.

[Matthew Berry]

So good, so good, so good.

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[Connor Rogers]

DraftKings Sportsbook is an official sports betting partner of the NFL and new customers can bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets. If your bet wins, dial the app and use promo code FFHH when you sign up.

[Matthew Berry]

DraftKings Sportsbook Crown it is so yours.

[Connor Rogers]

Cyber last call.

[Matthew Berry]

The most bet Monday Night football.

[Connor Rogers]

Props on DraftKings. A reminder, a lot of these get thrown in parlays, so I know you got something a little bolder. Jay.

[Jay]

Yeah, a little bit bold. I'm taking Blake Corum over 43 and a half rushing yards. He's gone over in fourth straight. Rams seven pushing towards seven and a half point favorites. They should be in a run script against a suspect Falcons run defense.

[Connor Rogers]

What about you Matthew?

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, you and I are thinking the same way, Jay. I'm taking Blake Corum over nine and a half rushing attempts to your point. They are heavy favorites here. He's hit this number in three straight six of the last nine. And on the road in Atlanta. I do think Corum gets a decent workload as they want to make sure Kyron is healthy for the playoffs.

[Connor Rogers]

We all like the script for the Rams. They are seven point favorites. I think they cover it. And the Rams on the road, their average margin of victory. Even better over 11 points is their average margin of victory on the road. The Falcons, I mean maybe some life left in them. I just think Sean McVay knows Raheem's defense so well. Obviously. And one last factor in this if you're rooting for the Rams to cover. The Patriots used yesterday as a stat padding opportunity for Drake May. Great idea. Why not? The Rams will do the same tonight if they can for Matthew Stafford to make sure for the first time in his NFL career he wins mvp.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, no question. By the way, obviously Matthew Stafford back home in Georgia where he played his college ball as well. So it should be a great game tonight as well. Drake London's going to play. I have that from a source. But he is less than 100%. Could be a big game for Kyle Pitts who's my number four tight end. I'm back in on Colby Parkinson as a, you know, as a borderline tight end. One, two right there. Obviously Puka is Puka, Kyron and Bijan, you're starting all those guys. I need Stafford. I desperately need Stafford and Bijan to outscore puka by like 30 points tonight to win a guillotine league.

[Jay]

What's your optimism on Kanata Mumfield tonight? Because he was the C was wide receiver 2 for the Rams last week.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's see where I had. I know, I watched him and ranked him.

[Jay]

He wasn't.

[Connor Rogers]

He was a good player for Pitt. Like he made some plays. It was just kind of consistency. Kaneta Mumfield, I had a seventh round grade on.

[Jay]

There you go.

[Matthew Berry]

All right. That's drafted. Yeah, that's right. I mean listen this puka was a fifth rounder. Like people forget they find these guys. Sean McVay does. Cooper cup wasn't. Cooper cup was like a third rounder. I think.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Once again not thought of to become what?

[Matthew Berry]

To become the best wide receiver in football.

[Connor Rogers]

By the way, one question here from Buff Gamer. Are you guys live tomorrow? Of course we're live.

[Matthew Berry]

Of course we're live tomorrow. We're always live. I mean, we'll see.

[Connor Rogers]

On your birthday.

[Matthew Berry]

On my birthday. Matthew, thank you very much. It's closing time. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. Have a drink for me tonight for Jane Connor. Matthew P. S out. So good, so good, so good.

[Sponsor/Ad Voice]

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