Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 3 Takeaways: Omarion Hampton, Jalen Hurts + CeeDee Lamb, James Conner injuries
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into pivotal Week 3 fantasy football developments, including the breakout of Omarion Hampton, a deep look at the Chargers offense, major injuries (James Conner, CeeDee Lamb, Najee Harris), and evolving roles for key fantasy players. Matthew Berry, joined by Connor Rodgers and Jay Croucher, unpacks performances, shifting workloads, and gives actionable trade and waiver advice with classic humor and candor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Omarion Hampton Breakout & Chargers Offense (02:26–09:00)

• Hampton’s Monster Day:
  • Berry victory laps his “ride or die” pick of Omarion Hampton after a 25-touch, 24.9 fantasy point explosion.
  • Stat highlights: 100% of the Chargers’ goal-to-go carries; major red zone usage; 7 targets, 6 catches for 59 yards.
  • Berry: “Nothing in this performance struck me as fluky… they were comfortable using him in the passing game. To me, that was the key.” (03:59)
• Impact of Najee Harris Injury:
  • Najee’s Achilles injury opens the door for Hampton to hold clear RB1 status.
  • “It is going to be all Omarion Hampton… should be smooth sailing, just massive workload.” (07:32)
  • Chargers’ upcoming schedule projects favorably for fantasy production.
• Chargers WR Room Uncertainty:
  • Keenan Allen remains a solid, but perhaps unspectacular, floor play.
  • QJ (Quentin Johnson) emerging as a reliable target with deep and red zone appeal; Lad McConkey sees declining usage.
  • Jay: “I would make Lad McConkey still a pretty heavy favorite to be wide receiver one for the Chargers from this point forward. He’s just too good. The talent is there.” (10:55)
  • Berry: “I actually still think [Lad] might be a little bit of a buy low.” (13:08)

2. Eagles-Rams Recap & Hurts/Brown Analysis (14:28–22:24)

• Eagles Pull Unreal Win:
  • Rams lose amid a wild sequence of two blocked field goals, including a 300-pound lineman scoop and score.
  • Jay: “The story to me though is that if the Eagles… the bottom would really fall out of them would be if A.J. Brown had kind of turned into Allen Robinson. No, he’s not. A.J. Brown, still A.J. Brown, he looked magnificent.” (18:06)
• Jalen Hurts’ Calm Leadership:
  • Hurts lauded for unflappable demeanor and clutch performance on key fourth downs.
  • “He’s like this silent assassin, this quiet killer, you know.” – Berry (17:01)
• Fantasy Outlook – AJ Brown & Devonta Smith:
  • Both shine due to negative game script, but Berry is skeptical it’s sustainable:
    • “I would look to try to sell high… They had to be down three scores to finally say, ‘all right, screw it, we’re going to throw.’” (20:53)
    • Upcoming schedule (run-friendly defenses) suggests run-heavy scripts continue.
  • Who to target in trades for A.J. Brown?
    • Names floated: Hampton, Kyren Williams, Chase Brown, Quinshon Judkins.

3. Rams Backfield – Kyren Williams & Blake Corum (23:27–25:09)

• Corum’s Increasing Usage:
  • Corum (8/53; >6 ypc) looks better than Williams on eye test; projects as a top handcuff.
  • Berry: “If I had Kyren Williams, I would want to make sure I got Blake Corum… there’s real upside there if he gets a significant role.” (25:09)

4. Bengals, Vikings & Offensive Panic Meter (25:09–32:25)

• Bengals’ Offensive Collapse:
  • Jake Browning struggles: 58% pressure rate, blitzed 40% of dropbacks, resulting in poor showings for Chase, Higgins, and Brown.
  • “I still think Jamar Chase is a low end WR1. I still think T. Higgins is a low end WR2. I still think Chase Brown is kind of a borderline RB1/2. …bad day at the office.” – Berry (29:28)
  • Jay questions Higgins’ standing: “T. Higgins might have to be lower than that. …I don’t really see much of a difference between those guys” [and Devonta Smith]. (29:28)
• Trade Strategy:
  • Don’t sell low on Chase; be patient. Higgins, however, is approaching drop/sell territory if struggles continue.
• Vikings’ RB Situation:
  • Jordan Mason capitalizes with Aaron Jones out—projects as RB1 until Jones’ return.
  • Jay: “Jordan Mason is going to be an RB1 until Aaron Jones comes back.” (32:41)

5. Jaguars, Texans & Jaguars’ Struggling Passing Game (34:46–40:33)

• Jaguars Win Ugly; Lawrence Concerns:
  • Brian Thomas Jr. remains the only steady start (low-end WR2/flex); Travis Hunter benched in most formats.
  • Discussion of Trevor Lawrence’s visible lack of rhythm: “I think [Lawrence] just plays slow.” – Connor (36:34)
  • Berry adds: “He’s dinking and dunking… you’ve got Brian Thomas Jr., and then you look at it like, oh, Brenton Strange got seven targets… What are we doing?” (39:56)
  • Next four games: @SF, KC, SEA, Rams—very tough schedule.
• RBs:
  • ETN remains a start, but Bashal Tutin is lurking for more work as the offense seeks a spark.

6. Bears vs. Cowboys – Williams & Adunze’s Fantasy Ascent, Lamb Injury (41:00–43:32)

• Bears’ Offense Explodes:
  • Caleb Williams is now QB4 on the season; “As we head into Monday Night Football, he’s the number one quarterback in fantasy for this week.” – Berry (41:29)
  • Rome Odunze emerges as a locked-in WR1.
• CeeDee Lamb Injury:
  • Lamb leaves early with high ankle sprain; insists he’ll play next week, but team will monitor closely.
  • Potential for Pickens, Ferguson, Kevontae Turpin/Jalen Tolbert to step up if Lamb sits.
• DJ Moore Outlook:
  • Berry: “I kind of want out of the DJ Moore business… Luther Burton is coming and it is clearly this is Rome Odunze’s [and Burton’s] offense.” (43:22)

7. Injury Round-Up (43:32–44:47)

• Key Injuries to Monitor:
  • James Conner (serious): “It did not look good yesterday… Much love to you and everyone with the Cardinals family.” – Berry (44:09)
  • CeeDee Lamb (ankle), Mike Evans (hamstring – MRI pending), Najee Harris (likely Achilles), Terry McLaurin (quad), more listed.
• Rapid Updates – Some injuries (like Evans/Tracy) seem low-grade or short-term but require follow-up.

8. Weekend Warriors & Waiver Wire Gems (48:29–53:25)

• Marcus Mariota QB Streamer:
  • “He’s actually the best of the backup QBs. He’s the fifth best quarterback in fantasy as we head into Monday.” – Berry (49:49)
• Trey Tucker (Raiders):
  • “Goes 9 for 145 and three touchdowns, outscores the entire Bengals team by himself,” but don’t expect consistency. – Jay (50:21)
• Cam Scataboo (Giants):
  • Will start due to Tyrone Tracy injury; excels as rusher and pass-catcher, recommended pickup.
  • Berry: “The nice thing about Scataboo is… he actually led the team in receptions and receiving yards.” (52:16)
• Ricky Pearsall (49ers):
  • “Absolute monster… a locked in wide receiver two, I think at worst until the Niners get some reinforcements back.” – Jay (52:48)
• Michael Pittman & Colts’ Passing Attack:
  • Pittman is trustworthy again; Alec Pierce gaining appeal before his concussion.

9. Sunday Scaries – Disappointments & Worries (53:49–55:11)

• Ash and Genty (Raiders):
  • Low usage and involvement, only RB34 on season, possibly being replaced due to pass pro issues.
• Alvin Kamara:
  • RB35+ this week; not getting passing game work.
• Marvin Harrison Jr.:
  • Berry: “Something. He’s a shaky wide receiver 3/4 balance.” (54:55)
• Calvin Ridley, Malik Nabers: Low floors, trending toward boom-bust roles.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Berry on Omarion Hampton’s emergence:
  “Nothing in this performance struck me as fluky… they were comfortable using him in the passing game. To me, that was the key.” (03:59)
• Jay on selling AJ Brown:
  “The story to me though is that if the Eagles… the bottom would really fall out of them would be if A.J. Brown had kind of turned into Allen Robinson. No, he’s not. A.J. Brown, still A.J. Brown, he looked magnificent.” (18:06)
• Berry on Jalen Hurts:
  “He’s like this, he’s just this, this silent assassin, this quiet killer, you know.” (17:01)
• Connor’s critique of Trevor Lawrence:
  “I think he just plays slow. Yeah, I think there is… I never see the rhythm of the offense in him playing fast.” (36:34)
• Berry on CeeDee Lamb injury fallout:
  “We do expect him to miss some time. It was nice to see Pickens and Ferguson… Dunes is the number one guy.” (44:45)

Actionable Fantasy Advice & Takeaways

• Waiver Wire Priority:
  • Cam Scataboo, Trey Tucker, Blake Corum, Ricky Pearsall must be rostered, especially for managers with the injured/underperforming starters.
• Sell High Targets:
  • AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, DJ Moore (capitalize on big weeks/run scripts).
• Buy Low Candidates:
  • Lad McConkey, potentially Marvin Harrison Jr. if confidence drops further.
• Hold/Don’t Panic (Yet):
  • Jamar Chase, T. Higgins (though patience wearing thin for Higgins); Kyren Williams, even if Corum lurking.
• Monitor Injury Reports:
  • CeeDee Lamb, James Conner, Mike Evans, Najee Harris for waiver pivots and trade opportunities.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:26 – 09:00: Chargers/Hampton analysis
• 14:28 – 22:24: Eagles-Rams & AJ Brown/Hurts analysis
• 23:27 – 25:09: Rams RB breakdown (Williams/Corum)
• 25:09 – 32:25: Bengals panic, Chase/Higgins outlook
• 34:46 – 40:33: Jaguars/Texans, Lawrence worries
• 41:00 – 43:32: Bears/Cowboys, Williams, Odunze, Lamb injury
• 43:32 – 44:47: Injury round-up (James Conner, etc.)
• 48:29 – 53:25: Weekend Warriors & Waiver gems
• 53:49 – 55:11: Sunday Scaries

Final Thoughts

Berry and crew’s analysis hits hard on the actionable: be aggressive piping hot on waivers (Scataboo, Corum, Tucker), consider selling high on Philadelphia pass-catchers, and don’t bail too soon on players like Jamar Chase. Injuries will shape the next waiver wave, so stay alert—especially at running back. The panel’s humor and conviction make the hour both informative and entertaining—a must-listen for any engaged fantasy manager.