Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry – Week 3 Start/Sit Breakdown

Episode: Week 3 Start/Sit: Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, DJ Moore + Rookie WR Report
Date: September 17, 2025
Host(s): Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), Connor Rogers, Jay Anderson

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on Week 3 start/sit fantasy football decisions, addressing pressing lineup dilemmas, key running back and wide receiver trends, deep-dive rookie usage, and trade debates. Matthew Berry, with his signature humor and analytics-driven takes, alongside Connor Rogers and Jay Anderson, tackles quarterback streaming in light of injuries, "love/hate" running back debates (particularly on Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson), and the rookie WR landscape. The show delivers actionable advice, memorable banter, and a rapid-fire mailbag all in a barroom tone that's part stats, part stand-up.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Quarterback Conundrum: Tua, Tyrod, and Mariota

• Tua Tagovailoa: Start or Sit?

  • Berry: “I’m closing it out. First off, he has never been good against Buffalo… last three full games against the Bills, he’s averaging just 13.1 fantasy points.” (04:37)
  • Tua on the road, short week, facing #1 pass defense by yardage (Buffalo).
  • Berry ranks Tua QB17; actually prefers Tyrod Taylor or Marcus Mariota as Thursday streamers if both start (07:06).

• Tyrod Taylor vs. Marcus Mariota for Streamers

  • Jay Anderson: Slight Mariota lean: “He’ll run more… better offense, and they've had 10 days to prepare for the Raiders... Tyrod’s not bad but I think I prefer going against the Raiders than against Tampa Bay.” (07:35)
  • Berry and Connor: Both agree Mariota is slightly ahead; Tyrod gives "a mini bump" to Garrett Wilson.

• On Garrett Wilson W/Tyrod Taylor

  • Connor Rogers: “I think Garrett Wilson gets a mini bump with Tyrod that he didn’t have with Fields... Tyrod and him have had a good connection... I’m not sitting Garrett Wilson.” (08:35)

2. Running Back Roundup

Tony Pollard: Disappointment or Opportunity?

• Off to a slow start, under 10 points in both games.
• Jay Anderson: “Good thing with Tony Pollard is that he doesn’t come off the field... now they get a Colts team that has struggled a little bit against the run.” (10:41)
• Matthew Berry: “89% Tony Pollard snap rate… so hard to find a true bell cow… Tony Pollard is on one of these hands.” (11:13)
• “He’s more of a low-end RB2… but I like him against the Colts. I have him RB22. Keeping it open on Mr. Pollard.” (12:28)
• Start Pollard over Waddle in a flex: “Give me Tony Pollard.” (13:01)

Trade Debate: Pollard vs. James Conner

• Connor Rogers: “Would you trade James Connor for Tony Pollard in full PPR?”
• Berry: “Close one… usage-wise, they’re about the same. Cardinals are a better offense… I’d probably stick with Connor, but if you traded Pollard, I wouldn’t be like, ‘Dude, what are you doing?’” (14:57)

Omarion Hampton: Ride or Die?

• Week 2 flop: only 5 total yards, but a dream matchup in Week 3 (Denver).
• Matthew Berry: “I am sticking with him... Broncos have allowed the sixth most rushing yards... he’s seen 100% of the team’s goal-to-go attempts inside the five. But I’m ranking him lower—RB24, low-end RB2 or high flex.” (18:00, 19:48)
• Jay Anderson: “Hampton still looks the part. It’s just he doesn’t have any space.” (20:44)
• Connor Rogers: “Not worried... I think it’s just going to swing back. Teams will have to stop living in the box vs the Chargers offense.” (21:04)
• Trade question: “Would you trade Abuka for Hampton?” Berry advises: “If you’re trading Abuka, you can do better than Hampton. Ask for a WR back.” (22:09)

TreVeyon Henderson: Concern Mounting

• Barely playing, RB32 in points/game.
• Jay Anderson: “He doesn’t play. Hard to produce when you’re not on the field. Ramondre Stevenson... seems to have a hold on that role.” (26:00)
• Berry: “Running back 36. I’m closing it out. Less than 30% of snaps last week. He was called for three holding penalties. 16 touches through two games—not close to enough. Closing it out on TreVeyon.” (26:34)
• Start/sit: “Trevion Henderson or Jameson Williams in PPR?” All prefer Jamo. (27:34)

3. Receivers: Start/Sit Decisions

DJ Moore: Panic Button?

• Underwhelming start, outside the top 50 WRs in points/game.
• Berry: “I’m still going to keep it open because you had me at Dallas. They’ve allowed more yards and the highest catch rate to WRs… I believe Caleb Williams makes a point to get him the rock this week.” (27:59)
• Jay Anderson: “You still have to regress one to preseason expectations—same guy who used to put up 1150 yard seasons for fun with bad QBs.” (29:25)
• Connor Rogers: “I obviously am NOT going to sit DJ Moore in this scenario. Dallas’s secondary has been bad; this total could hit the over.” (30:39)

Keon Coleman: Week 1 Darling, Week 2 Dud

• Disappeared as Bills nursed a lead, now faces Miami.
• Jay Anderson: “He only needs one… still leads the Bills in routes and target share. Miami’s given up three TDs to WRs in two games.” (32:07)
• Berry: “I’m keeping it open, WR36. He’s not without risk… but he only needs one with those deep shots. Not a must-play, but a viable WR4/flex.” (32:55)
• Start/sit: “Keon Coleman or Ricky Pearsall in PPR?” All favor Pearsall. (34:02)

Jerry Jeudy: Sit Alert

• Under 12 points in both games, no red zone targets.
• Berry: “Browns have lowest implied team total. This Packers’ defense… might wind up being one of the elite defenses of all time. I want no part of Jerry Jeudy.” (36:30)
• Jay Anderson: “Speed at every level… don’t want any part of Jeudy. Could see Dylan Gabriel under center soon.” (37:19)
• Berry: “If you’re desperate for a QB in superflex, pick up Dylan Gabriel.” (37:53)

4. Rookie Wide Receiver Utilization Report (47:40+)

Matthew Golden (Packers)

• Jay Anderson: “Jaden Reed is done for 6-8 weeks… Golden isn’t full-time yet (under 65% route participation), but long-term upside is real. He’s a buy low but don’t play him this week.” (49:37-49:59)

Travis Hunter (Jaguars)

• Snap count split due to defense; utilization score: 51.
• Berry: “Really bullish long-term. I have him WR45 this week. But the Jags need to get him out of defense and focus on offense.” (50:22)
• Connor: “He’s just not as comfortable at CB as he is WR. Jags need maximum impact.” (50:57)

Emeka Abuka (Bucs)

• Utilization: 72 (strong).
• Berry: “98% route participation, 50% endzone target share, three touchdowns already. I’m as a top 30 play this week.” (51:33)

Tet McMillan (Panthers)

• Utilization: 76 (elite territory).
• Jay Anderson: “He is a beast… must-start WR2 going forward.” (52:07)
• Berry: “When your #2 is Hunter Renfrow, you’re going to get the ball. TMac will continue to be a beast.” (53:23)

5. Rapid-Fire Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Berry (on bell-cow RB scarcity): "Tony Pollard is on one of these hands… These aren’t jazz hands. They’re running back hands." (12:16)
• Connor: “A 50.5 point total is high. This one has a good chance of hitting the over… not sitting DJ Moore.” (30:39)
• Berry (on Packers defense): “This Packers’ defense might wind up being one of the elite defenses of all time... like the Super Bowl Bears, some of those Ravens teams.” (36:30)
• Connor (on Travis Hunter): “Jags just need the most impact out of a guy they moved mountains to acquire.” (51:14)
• Jay Anderson: “If you have to choose between Mariota and Tyrod, go Mariota. He’ll run more.” (07:35)
• Berry (Ride or Die): “It’s until death do us part—a lot of pressure on this year’s Ride or Die.” (16:17)

Notable Timestamps

• 03:20 – Start/Sit intro; keep it open/close it out concept
• 04:37–07:30 – Tua debate; Tyrod/Mariota streamer talk
• 10:12–13:34 – Tony Pollard start/sit, trade debates
• 16:05–19:48 – Omarion Hampton deep dive for Week 3
• 26:00–27:34 – TreVeyon Henderson concerns and sit
• 27:59–31:25 – DJ Moore analysis and analogy
• 32:07–34:12 – Keon Coleman Week 3 forecast
• 36:30–38:43 – Jerry Jeudy, Browns/Packers D, Dylan Gabriel stash
• 47:40–53:23 – Rookie WR utilization breakdown: Golden, Hunter, Abuka, McMillan

Tone & Atmosphere

• Barroom banter: inside jokes about backup pens, "running back hands," DJ/WRs as divas needing touches, and college town nightlife.
• Occasionally self-deprecating ("We waved a white flag on this show two and a half seasons ago" – Connor, 48:17).
• Quick detours into trade theory, defensive scheme x’s and o’s, and listeners’ fantasy woes—always circling back to actionable fantasy advice.

Summary for Non-Listeners

If you missed the episode:

• Matthew Berry and crew advise sitting Tua in most formats, considering Tyrod or Mariota if desperate.
• Tony Pollard is a “keep the faith” RB2; usage is strong despite slow fantasy start.
• Omarion Hampton is still Berry’s “ride or die”—RB2/flex based on usage and matchup.
• TreVeyon Henderson: Bench until his role expands.
• DJ Moore remains a start this week (high-scoring game expected vs. Dallas).
• Keon Coleman is a WR4/flex—hold but be wary of game script.
• Jerry Jeudy: Firm sit against elite Packers D.
• Rookie WRs: Monitor utilization; Emeka Abuka and Tet McMillan are the best plays for Week 3.

Classic Berry: Trust process over two weeks; don’t chase wild early-season swings but adapt as roles become clearer.

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