Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 4 Start/Sit: Jordan Love, Chase Brown, Ladd McConkey, Travis Kelce
Air Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Week 4 start/sit dilemmas, with Matthew Berry and co-hosts Jay Croucher and Connor Rogers breaking down key players in critical fantasy matchups. The trio use their signature blend of in-depth analysis, playful banter, and running inside jokes to guide listeners through tough decisions on Jordan Love, running backs like Chase Brown and Ashen Gentry, wideouts like Ladd McConkey and Calvin Ridley, and Travis Kelce’s tight end outlook. The crew also debuts a new "Blind Date" segment to analyze players by their usage and stats, not just name recognition.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Quarterback Start/Sit – Spotlight on Jordan Love

[04:01–08:06]

• Jordan Love’s Upside vs. Dallas:

  • The group is bullish on starting Love despite a poor showing against Cleveland, citing the Dallas defense as “a catastrophe.”
  • Dallas has allowed the most fantasy points to QBs (27.8/game) and at least 24 to every opponent this year.
  • Berry: “I’d start Jay against the Cowboys at this point.” [04:19]
  • Only risk: Packers defense could dominate, leading to a run-heavy second half and capping Love’s ceiling.
  • Berry ranks Love as QB9 for the week.

• Justin Herbert vs. Jordan Love:

  • Given a start/sit dilemma (Herbert vs. Love), Berry and the panel slightly prefer Herbert due to projected pass volume and safer game script, but both are strong top-10 options.
  • Berry: “I think both guys are easy top 10 plays this week. I probably prefer Herbert…but I think he’s safer.” [08:10]

Notable Quote:

“No team in the NFL has given more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks than your Dallas Cowboys. 27.8 fantasy points per game.”
—Matthew Berry [04:19]

2. Running Back Dilemmas: Gentry, Chase Brown, Nick Chubb, and More

[10:21–21:13]

Ashen Gentry (Raiders)

• Gentry has disappointed but gets a “keep it open” endorsement as a mid-tier RB2 (RB15) due to a soft matchup vs. the Bears (allowing 5.3 YPC and 2nd-most RB rushing yards).
• Berry: “I feel like they have to try to get him going…Something has to give, and Gentry does enough in week four to be a top 20 play.” [10:46]

Chase Brown (Bengals)

• Brown’s stats (2 YPC) have been rough, but Berry says he gets the volume (83% of RB touches), and the matchup with Denver (run funnel) makes him a start (RB22).
• Brown is favored over Ashton Gentry rest of season.
• “I could explain away Chase Brown…We’ve at least gotten one good Chase Brown game.” [13:18]
• On trading for Nico Collins: “I think they're both rest of season...who goes first? Nico Collins or Chase Brown? They go around the same range.” [16:32]

Nick Chubb (Browns)

• Trending the wrong way: losing snaps to Woody Marks, under 15 touches in all three games, not catching passes; ranked RB30 (TD-dependent flex).
• “I'm closing out on Nick Chubb...if you start Nick Chubb, you're going to need him to fall into the end zone.” [21:13]

3. Wide Receiver Dilemmas: Ladd McConkey, Calvin Ridley, Jameson Williams, and More

[21:50–29:17]

Ladd McConkey

• Despite two quiet weeks, he’s a confident play (“keeping it open”) versus a Giants D that gives up the 2nd-most WR points.
• “I think it’s McConculous, the lack of production. I think that changes a little bit.” [22:39]
• Berry ranks him WR23.

Calvin Ridley

• Situational “close it out” – utilization is way down, under 40 yards/game, 38% catch rate, and the offense is shifting focus.
• “One of the pro Calvin Ridley arguments was just massive target share. But...he’s not getting the target share we expected...” [23:20]

Jameson Williams

• Still too low in target share (<15%), no red zone looks, pure deep threat; “closing it out” vs. a tough Browns defense (WR39).
• “You’re banking on one play...against the Browns, I don’t know that it’s a great bet.” [28:23]

4. Tight End Spotlight: Travis Kelce

[29:17–32:22]

• Kelce hasn’t boomed but is TE12 per game; in a shallow position, you keep him open (TE8 this week).
• “If you used an early pick on Travis Kelce, chances are you don't have a better option.” [29:28]
• Panel notes potential improvement as more weapons return to the KC offense.

5. New Segment: BLIND DATE – Player Stats Without Names!

[39:02–52:31]

• The panel analyzes mystery players by stats, utilization, and situation before revealing their identities. Featured:
  • Alvin Kamara: High floor from snap share, much less involved as a pass-catcher; adjust expectations.
  • James Cook: Under 60% snaps, but huge share of carries and touchdowns in a high-scoring Buffalo offense.
  • Davante Adams: Still a target monster and producing as a WR1 even with Puka Nakua as a teammate.
  • Michael Pittman Jr.: Not flashy, but steady volume and a solid PPR floor as Colts “alpha.”
  • Hunter Henry: TE usage and production look sustainable for a low-end TE1 finish.
• Emphasis on process (usage, opportunity) over pure box score chasing.

Notable Quotes:

“I'm probably more in on Kamara than not, just because again, because of the usage. But…I think he's much more of a flex play because of the lack of passing game usage.”
—Matthew Berry [41:33]

“He [James Cook] might be like six or seven. Like he's on legit RB1 the rest of the way.”
—Connor Rogers [43:56]

6. Fast Reactions & Futures Bets

[55:47–57:10]

• Jonathan Taylor (Connor): Offensive Player of the Year bet at +450; “Never comes off the field, run-heavy offense, Colts’ playoff hopes tied to Taylor.” [55:51]
• Baker Mayfield (Berry): MVP dark horse at +1800; case for Bucs’ 3-0 start despite injuries. [56:11]
• Quinton Judkins (Jay): Offensive Rookie of the Year long-shot; “Has looked like the best rookie running back in a very short span of time.” [56:32]

Notable Quotes & Banter

• "I’m a company man. We will be there as well. Fantasy Football Pregame will be live from Jerry World Sunday morning…If you try to come see us and you get arrested, I will send George Tabarikis to bail you out.”
  —Matthew Berry [07:22]

• On Chubb’s production:
  “He looks better than I thought he would coming into the season…not the old Nick Chubb…somewhere in between peak Nick Chubb and then what we saw last year...So yeah, mid chub.”
  —Matthew Berry [19:32]

• On fantasy frustration:
  “My team’s 0-3. Asked and answered. Understood. But when you do, you call me champ…until there’s a new champion crowned, I am still your defending champion.”
  —Matthew Berry [25:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Jordan Love Start/Sit & QB Comparison | 04:01–08:06 | | Ashen Gentry (RB) Analysis | 10:21–11:53 | | Chase Brown (RB), Trade Q’s | 13:02–18:07 | | Nick Chubb (RB), Touches Declining | 18:41–21:13 | | Ladd McConkey (WR), Matchup vs Giants | 21:50–23:04 | | Calvin Ridley, Changing Role | 23:20–24:57 | | Jameson Williams, Role Clarity | 27:43–29:17 | | Travis Kelce, TE Landscape | 29:17–32:22 | | "Blind Date" – Usage-Based Player Analysis | 39:02–52:31 | | Futures Bets Segment | 55:47–57:10 |

Final Takeaways

• Jordan Love is a top-10 start, driven by a dreadful Dallas secondary.
• Ashen Gentry/Chase Brown are playable volume RB2s due to usage and matchups, even if they’re frustrating.
• Nick Chubb is touchdown-dependent and slipping into desperation flex territory.
• Ladd McConkey—worth trusting for a bounce-back in a great matchup.
• Fade Calvin Ridley and Jameson Williams until roles clarify.
• Stick with Travis Kelce, and know the tight end bar is low.
• Understand the "why" behind production via usage and situation—don’t get blinded by box scores!

The episode is packed with actionable advice, trademark Berry humor, and sharp insights, making it essential listening for anyone facing tough fantasy lineup calls this week.