Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 2 Start/Sit: Dak Prescott, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Hunter + Rookie RB Report
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports)
Co-Hosts: Connor Rogers, Jay Croucher

Overview

In this lively Week 2 episode, Matthew Berry and his co-hosts deliver their signature blend of fantasy football insight, playful banter, and timely start/sit advice. Key segments include sharp analysis for headline fantasy players (Dak Prescott, Kenneth Walker III, Travis Hunter), deep dives into the rookie running back landscape, and a spirited "Keep It Open or Close It Out" (start/sit) segment. Notable show moments include friendly fantasy trash talk, creative AI-generated jokes, and a review of some surprising Week 1 performances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter and Fantasy Trash Talk

• The show kicks off with light-hearted ribbing over last week’s fantasy losses and championship credentials.
  • "Honestly, I could not win for the next five years and I'm still good. I won two of the first three." (Matthew Berry, 01:42)
• Jay Croucher tells a story about catching a foul ball at Yankee Stadium but jokingly admits to stiff-arming children to get it, leading to running AI-generated photo jokes.

2. Start/Sit: "Keep It Open or Close It Out"

This segment features the hosts tackling the biggest start/sit decisions for Week 2.

Dak Prescott vs. Giants (11:32)

• Matthew Berry:

  • "I've got him QB11, so I am keeping it open. I am starting him this week." (11:34)
  • Berry notes the Cowboys' strong offensive outlook, Dak’s sharp play despite four WR drops, extra prep after the Thursday night opener, and a Giants defense allowing the 6th-most yards per completion in Week 1.
  • "If somebody in your league is panicking about Dak Prescott, go trade because I thought he looked brilliant." (12:31)

• Jay Croucher:

  • Points out Dak’s improved athleticism and better matchup. "He will statistically more resemble 2023 Dak than first half of 2020." (12:58)

Kenneth Walker III vs. Steelers (13:32)

• Connor Rogers: Urges caution due to poor Week 1 usage and a committee backfield:
  • "The usage is what's concerning to me compared to Zach Charbonnet." (13:32)
• Matthew Berry:
  • Details Charbonnet's red zone and goal-line advantage, Seattle’s bland offense, and scheduling negatives.
  • "I'm closing it out on Ken Walker on the road at Pittsburgh until I see it again." (15:26)
  • "I have Charbonnet ranked higher than Ken Walker this week." (15:44)

Tyrone Tracy (NYG) vs. Cowboys (18:26)

• Berry: Points out high snap share and RB usage, remains optimistic despite poor Week 1 stats.
  • "I'm keeping it open on Tyrone Tracy." (21:22)

Travis Hunter (Jags WR) vs. Bengals (21:24)

• Berry and the team highlight high involvement, solid Target Share, and a high Vegas over/under.
  • "I'm keeping it open. I'm at WR26. To me, he's a wide receiver 3 with some upside." (21:35, 22:21)
  • Noted Trevor Lawrence’s off day may have capped Hunter’s upside.

Cooper Kupp (SEA) vs. Steelers (25:20)

• Berry:
  • Major red flag, cites extended stretch of poor performance: "Over his last four full games dating back to last year, he has 68 total receiving yards." (26:03)
  • "I just can't imagine starting Cooper Kupp. I'm not ready to drop him just yet, but I would. I want to see it first." (27:04)

DeVonta Smith (PHI) vs. Chiefs (27:57)

• Berry:
  • Not concerned about underwhelming Week 1, expects a rebound in a plus matchup:
    • "No team in the NFL allowed more fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in week one than the Kansas City Chiefs." (29:14)
  • "I'm keeping him open. If you would normally start him given your lineup and roster size." (30:14)

Mark Andrews (BAL TE) vs. Browns (30:14)

• Jay Croucher and Berry:
  • Both advise sitting Andrews, citing his lack of involvement and competition for targets within a loaded Baltimore offense.
    • "He was targeted once on 16 routes...30 different tight ends in the NFL ran more routes in week one than Mark Andrews." (32:55)
  • "Not only am I closing it out this week, but...it just doesn’t seem like he is somebody that fantasy managers are going to be able to count on consistently this year." (33:31)
  • Recommend streaming TEs like Hunter Henry over Andrews for Week 2.

3. Rookie RB Usage Report & Insights (41:58)

Asho*n Gentry (LV)

• Berry:
  • Despite middling stats, extremely encouraging usage:
    • "He still got 88% of the Raiders running back touches...played 85% of the snaps. That’s third among running backs in week number one." (42:25)
    • Stays an RB1.

Amari*n Hampton (LAC)

• Jay:
  • "Unequivocally his backfield...he looked good...he looked explosive." (43:23)
  • Minor concern that LAC may be extremely pass-heavy, but usage is very strong.

TreVeyon Henderson (NE)

• Berry:
  • Moderated optimism, points out usage limitations in favor of veteran Rhamondre Stevenson, but expects role to grow:
    • "I still believe in the explosiveness. I still believe in his role in this offense." (46:20)
  • RB24 for the week.

Ja'Quori McKoy-Merritt (WSH)

• Berry:
  • Likely evolving into a 50/50 committee with Austin Ekeler; will get more red-zone use but may not take over the whole backfield. (50:16)

RJ Harvey (DEN)

• Berry:
  • Utilization concerns, big-play upside limited by coaching trust and pass protection issues; only “stash” level for now. (51:15)

Caleb Johnson (ATL)

• Berry:
  • "He ran zero routes...I just, yeah, I'm, I'm nervous. He’s my RB60 this week and I might be too high." (53:10)

4. Notable Quotes & Moments

• Berry on fantasy credentials:
  "Until there's a new one, I am still your champion." (03:16)

• Jay Croucher (on foul ball):
  "As you catch it, you kind of look around. It's like, jeez, I hope there's no children around here." (07:41)
  "Secondly, it may not have been Riley Green, I can't remember...but it was either Riley Green or Kerry Carpenter. Either way, it doesn't matter. I have the ball." (06:29)

• Berry on Mark Andrews:
  "Since the start of last season, in games in which Mark Andrews does not score a touchdown, he's averaging four fantasy points per game. Four. Like, and by the way, didn't even get to four on Sunday night." (32:57)

• Berry on Cooper Kupp’s decline:
  "You have to go back to Week 14 of 2024 to find the last time that he scored more than 5.4 fantasy points per game." (26:03)

• Connor Rogers (on Patriots rookie RB Henderson):
  "This is one of their most explosive offensive threats. But at the same time, they aren't just ready to completely hand him the keys." (46:20)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:32–06:37 – Friendly banter, fantasy league trash talk, Jay's foul ball story, AI-generated photo gags
• 11:06–36:02 – "Keep It Open or Close It Out" (Start/Sit): Dak Prescott, Kenneth Walker III, Tyrone Tracy, Travis Hunter, Cooper Kupp, DeVonta Smith, Mark Andrews
• 41:58–53:41 – Rookie RB Report: Detailed usage analytics for Gentry, Hampton, Henderson, McKoy-Merritt, Harvey, Johnson
• 56:21–58:00 – "Back to the Futures": Early favorite bets for NFL awards (Coach of the Year, Offensive/Defensive ROY)

Tone & Style

True to the show's format, the episode mixes sharp fantasy analysis with humor and camaraderie. The hosts poke fun at each other, riff on both NFL and personal mishaps, and keep the advice actionable and clear for fantasy managers of all experience levels. There's a strong focus on data-driven commentary but with plenty of outsized personalities and relatable moments for fans.

Quick Reference: Start/Sit Calls

| Player | Start/Sit | Rationale (Short) | |---------------------|-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Dak Prescott | Start | QB11; strong matchup + bounce-back potential | | Kenneth Walker III | Sit | Committee worries, bad usage, road/early game | | Tyrone Tracy | Start | High snaps, usage — better days ahead | | Travis Hunter | Start | High target share, big role, upside matchup | | Cooper Kupp | Sit | Alarming trend, outside top-50 WR | | DeVonta Smith | Start | Past track record, KC is weak vs WRs | | Mark Andrews | Sit | Bad usage, crowded offense, outside top-20 TE |

Closing Thoughts

The Fantasy Football Happy Hour crew provides both humor and hard-hitting advice, with a focus on not overreacting to Week 1 but being ready to shift strategies when red flags flash. Monitor trends (especially concerning RB committees and aging skill players), trust your analysis, and don’t be afraid to make bold moves — just maybe don’t honk at your co-workers at the green light.

For more rankings, tools, and personalized insights, check out FantasyLife.com, and remember: it's always fantasy football happy hour somewhere!