Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 2 Love/Hate – Chase Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Warren, Justin Herbert
Date: September 11, 2025
Host(s): Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), Jay Croucher, Lawrence Jackson

Episode Overview

This Week 2 edition of "Love/Hate" continues Matthew Berry’s cornerstone segment, featuring his must-start and must-sit players across running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and quarterbacks. The conversation weaves in audience lineup and trade questions, deep dives into player workloads and matchups, and the trio’s signature lighthearted banter. This episode zeroes in on Chase Brown’s emerging role, JSN’s target bonanza, Tyler Warren’s tight end ascension, and why Justin Herbert is firmly a QB1. Jay and Lawrence provide supporting stats and context, delivering a thorough fantasy landscape heading into Week 2.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Running Back Love List

• Chase Brown (“Brown Gobbler”)
  [04:36 - 05:54]

  • Berry touts Chase Brown as his RB8, citing elite volume: “Here is the entire list of Cincinnati running backs that recorded at least one carry… Chase Brown. That’s the list.” (Matthew Berry, 04:44)
  • Bengals’ offense leans exclusively on Brown; Jaguars ranked 27th in success rate vs. RBs in Week 1.

• Kyron Williams
  [11:21 - 12:17]

  • 90% of Rams’ RB touches in Week 1, played 91% of snaps.
  • “They are true RB ones, they’re in my top 10. It's worth noting that the Rams are the third biggest favorites in week two.” (Matthew Berry, 11:51)

• Jordan Mason
  [08:26 - 09:59]

  • In a timeshare but looks more explosive than Aaron Jones for Minnesota.
  • “When they got in close, they gave it to Mason. Mason got the only, you know, goal to go rush attempt for the Vikings.” (Matthew Berry, 09:41)
  • Favorable matchup vs. Atlanta.

• James Conner [12:38 - 13:35]

  • Cardinals’ unquestioned lead back, faces a porous Panthers run defense.
  • Noted by Lawrence: “You get James Conner in this situation where he scored the touchdown last week on the reception. Speaking of receptions, he had four… he still had the 16 touches.” (Lawrence Jackson, 13:29)

Notable Quote

“The volume is massive for the Brown Gobbler, and we’re not concerned about this Jacksonville run defense.” — Matthew Berry (05:00)

2. Running Back Hate List

• Kenneth Walker III (KW3)
  [18:08 - 18:55]

  • Time-share concerns as he’s losing red zone work to Zach Charbonnet.
  • “He played 40% of the snaps. That’s not good...I have Zach Charbonnet ranked ahead of him.” (Matthew Berry, 18:20)
  • Tough matchup @ Pittsburgh in a low total game.

• Isaiah Pacheco
  [22:24 - 23:19]

  • Committee workload, faces a tough Eagles front.
  • “50% of the running back touches. For your top running back in fantasy, you like that number to be around at least 65, 70% ... It's not gonna be through volume, it's not gonna be through efficient running. That's the only way Isaiah Pacheco is gonna be able to get it in this committee.” (Lawrence Jackson, 22:24)

• DeAndre Swift
  [23:19 - 24:24]

  • Faces Detroit; projected trailing script, potential for low volume.

Notable Quote

“This is a real danger zone if you drafted Kenneth Walker to be your running back two.” — Lawrence Jackson (18:55)

3. Wide Receiver & Tight End Love List

• Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN)
  [24:24 - 28:24]

  • League-leading 59% target share in Week 1.
  • Berry: “They don’t have a lot going for their passing offense in Seattle these days, but JSN is certainly a bright spot. I have him as a top 10 wide receiver this week.” (Matthew Berry, 27:48)

• Stefon Diggs (“The Diggler”)
  [28:24 - 29:28]

  • Faces a depleted Dolphins secondary.
  • Jay on Miami: “Let me tell you...when you are a team that is asking yourself, what are we going to do without Storm Duck in the secondary? You are in big trouble, my friends.” (Jay Croucher, 28:45)

• Jacoby Myers [29:28 - 31:11]

  • Top 15 WR since Week 3 last year, elite 30% target share.

• Tyler Warren (TE, Colts) [33:50 - 35:01]

  • “No tight end had a higher yards per route run in week one, except Brock Bowers. That’s the kind of company we’re talking about.” (Matthew Berry, 34:25)
  • Used in creative goal-line situations.

4. Wide Receiver/Tight End Hate List

• Michael Pittman
  • Shuts down by Patrick Surtain Jr. this week: “I like Tyler Warren in this game. You’re obviously starting Jonathan Taylor, but I’m not doing much else on the Colts side of the ball.” (Matthew Berry, 39:16)
• Calvin Ridley
  • Faces tough Rams secondary; buy-low candidate long-term.
• Kyle Pitts
  • Improved pass-catcher group in Atlanta; Vikings neutralized TEs in week 1.

5. Quarterback Love List

• Justin Fields (Jets) [44:04 - 44:54]
  • QB6 this week; elite designed run rate.
  • “No quarterback had more designed runs last week than Justin Fields...This is a quarterback and a running back all in one person.” (Matthew Berry, 44:04)
• Joe Burrow
  • Bounce-back vs. Jacksonville after tough Cleveland matchup.
• Justin Herbert
  • “I think if you lose this week, it won't be because of Justin Herbert on your team... No team had a higher pass rate over expected in week one than the Chargers.” (Matthew Berry, 45:48)
• Patrick Mahomes
  • Faces a vulnerable Eagles secondary, trending upward.

Notable Quote

“He can do it all. Justin Fields. 100%.” — Jay Croucher (44:52)

6. Quarterback Hate List

• Bo Nix
  • Slow starter; faces a Colts defense hot off shutting down Tua and the Miami offense.
• Daniel Jones
  • “Quarterback 3 in week one. All I’m saying is I don’t think he’s going to get that again (vs. Denver).” (Lawrence Jackson, 50:56)
• Aaron Rodgers
  • Tough matchup @ Seattle; age, O-line, and pass rush combine for concern.

7. Trade and Lineup Q&A Highlights

• Chase Brown vs. Puka Nacua Trade Debate
  [06:26 - 07:57]

  • Berry: "I would not make this trade...I don't think your needs at wide receiver are nearly as great as your, as your running back needs." (Matthew Berry, 06:39)

• Kyron Williams/Hollywood Brown or Conner/Pearsall for Gibbs?
  [14:13 - 16:44]

  • Mixed feelings; overall, keep Williams if possible but Conner/Pearsall is the preferred trade away.

• Flex and Start/Sit Debates

  • Jordan Mason vs. Keon Coleman: Prefer Mason (Jay Croucher, 09:59)
  • Jacoby Myers vs. Travis Etienne: Slight edge to Etienne in half-PPR, Myers in full (Matthew Berry, 31:17)
  • Tyler Warren/Jacoby Myers/Deebo Samuel: Warren & Myers (Matthew Berry, 35:47)

8. Signature Banter & Nicknames

• Playful nicknames abound (Brown Gobbler, The Diggler, Traveler for Trevor Lawrence, Jaebler for Jay Croucher).
• Running jokes about Berry’s championship fantasy teams and in-show commercial shoots.
• “America loves the Traveler. But what I’m going to tell you, Jay Croucher, is that I’m thinking about our big time commercial that you and I are filming after the show, and I feel bad… Lawrence Jackson is available to promote your service, product, website, what have you…” (Matthew Berry, 19:33)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “If it’s in front of him, he gobbles it up. He gobbles it up.”
  — Matthew Berry, on Chase Brown, [06:23]

• “The difference between Jameer Gibbs and Kyron Williams isn’t Hollywood Brown. I don’t think so.”
  — Matthew Berry, trade Q&A, [14:45]

• “He did do that… Fantasy Football Happy Hour, 347 yards, right there with [the Rose Bowl].”
  — Lawrence Jackson, on JSN’s best accomplishment, [26:07]

• “If you lose this week, it won’t be because of Justin Herbert on your team.”
  — Matthew Berry, [45:48]

• “This is a real danger zone if you drafted Kenneth Walker to be your running back two.”
  — Lawrence Jackson, [18:55]

Key Timestamps

• Chase Brown Deep Dive (Love List): [04:36 - 06:23]
• Kyron Williams & James Conner Analysis: [11:21 - 13:35]
• Running Back Hate (KW3, Pacheco, Swift): [18:08 - 24:24]
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Wide Receiver Rankings: [24:24 - 28:24]
• Stefon Diggs + Jacoby Myers: [28:24 - 31:11]
• Tyler Warren as Top 3 TE: [33:50 - 35:37]
• QB Love List: Fields, Burrow, Herbert, Mahomes: [44:04 - 47:50]
• QB Hate List: Bo Nix, Daniel Jones, Rodgers: [50:09 - 51:14]
• Rapid-Fire Start/Sit, Flex, and Trade Q&A: [06:26 - 07:57]; [14:13 - 16:44]; [29:46 - 31:34]; [35:35 - 36:38]

Conclusion

This “Love/Hate” edition delivered all the practical fantasy advice viewers expect, backed by up-to-date stats, clear start/sit calls, and a steady stream of in-jokes and community engagement. Every player discussed was weighed against matchup nuances, opportunity trends, and roster construction realities—a must-listen for anyone seeking an edge in Week 2.

For more player breakdowns, waivers, and Berry’s color commentary, catch the video version and join the regulars!

Note: Advertisements, promos, and unrelated intro/outro segments have been omitted for clarity and brevity.