Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 4 Takeaways: Dak Prescott, Drake London, Ashton Jeanty + Malik Nabers, Lamar Jackson injuries
Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), Field Yates

Episode Overview

This episode, recorded in a lively Dallas Italian restaurant, delivers an in-depth breakdown of NFL Week 4 from a fantasy football perspective. Matthew Berry and Field Yates highlight standout player performances and major fantasy storylines, debate the rest-of-season outlooks for key players, and react to breaking injury news. With Berry’s signature humor and practical advice, listeners get actionable week-to-week takeaways as well as big-picture context for portfolio management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cowboys vs. Packers: Dak Prescott & George Pickens Explode (03:43–10:00)

• Game Recap: The Cowboys-Packers game ended in a dramatic 40-40 tie, the NFL’s first in three years.
• Dak Prescott’s Performance: Prescott showcased his rushing upside and delivered a monster fantasy outing.
  • “Dak continues to play real life like a top five-seven quarterback. And fantasy-wise, it’s coming along as well.” — Matthew Berry (04:24)
  • Stat line: 31/40, 319 yards, 3 pass TDs, 1 rush TD.
• Supporting Cast: Despite lacking CeeDee Lamb, Dak developed chemistry with new WR1 George Pickens.
  • “He’s a guy who loves football. He’s a hell of a teammate and he’s always locked in—whether he’s getting the ball or not…he embraces that role.” — Dak Prescott on George Pickens (05:23)
  • Pickens: 8/124/2 TD, 33.4 points, league leader in end zone targets.
• Rest-of-Season Outlook:
  • Dak is a viable back-end QB1, but remains dependent on game flow and passing volume (06:30–07:20).
  • Pickens is a must-keep and current WR2, likely to finish top 20 rest of season (09:00–10:00).

2. Packers' WR Picture: Romeo Doubs Touchdown Machine? (10:00–12:07)

• Doubs' Role: Despite a three-touchdown outing, Doubs' fantasy value appears touchdown-dependent.
  • “I would almost think of Doubs as like a touchdown-dependent tight end.” — Matthew Berry (12:00)
  • Doubs has yet to break 70 yards in any game; target share inconsistent.
  • Buy low for WR3/flex depth, but sell high if others believe in a breakout.

3. Giants' Offense: Jackson Dart Debuts, Malik Nabers Injured (12:07–14:39, 40:52–42:03)

• Jackson Dart’s Fantasy Upside: The rookie QB immediately cracks the top 12 in his debut despite minimal passing stats, thanks to heavy rushing (10 attempts).
  • “He’s a QB1 fantasy-wise from moment one.” — Matthew Berry (14:10)
  • Not the smoothest real-life debut, but the fantasy floor is “elevated by the rushing” (14:32).
• RIP Malik Nabers (ACL Tear, out for year): His loss devastates the Giants and shifts target opportunities to “all the secondary guys” (41:19–42:03).

4. Chargers' Receiving Corps: Ladd McConkey Panic? (16:52–19:56)

• Ladd McConkey Downtrend: Two straight weeks of sub-16% target share, minimal yards, and loss of primary role in offense to Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen.
  • “I’m nervous on McConkey…I think you just have to keep him and lower expectations.” — Field Yates (17:28)
  • Not a sell, not a start. Just hold if rostered.

5. Philadelphia/Tampa Bay: Saquon Struggles, A.J. Brown Volatility (19:57–25:07)

• Saquon Barkley Worries:
  • Inefficient rushing (3.1 ypc), only RB15 numbers, but still workhorse usage.
  • Uptick in receiving is some silver lining (23:14–24:10).
• A.J. Brown & Devonta Smith:
  • A.J. Brown remains highly targeted, but output is volatile and influenced by Hurts' inaccuracy.
  • “I think A.J. Brown might be a little bit of a buy low…there’s going to be volatility.” — Field Yates (25:00)
  • Smith currently unstartable, WR4 territory.
• Chris Godwin/Bucky Irving:
  • Godwin's route participation/target share suggest a buy-low opportunity (25:30–26:16).
  • Bucky Irving’s dual-threat usage makes him a fantasy RB1.

6. Atlanta-Washington: Bijan, Drake London & Pitts Revived (26:41–31:16)

• Drake London:
  • 8/110/1 on 10 targets, with 60% from slot, jumpstarting fantasy value.
  • “He plays with that type of physicality and energy...our team is just different.” — Raheem Morris (27:27)
• Kyle Pitts:
  • Bounced back as a TE1.
• Falcons Backfield:
  • Full committee; only Bijan is trustworthy.
• Commanders WR:
  • Debo Samuel must-start, now a top-12 WR until McLaurin returns.

7. Raiders-Bears: Ashton Jeanty Breakout; Brock Bowers Buy-Low (31:16–34:33)

• Jeanty’s Breakout:
  • 23 touches, 140+ yards, 3 TDs after switch to college stance.
  • “This is the new deal.” — Matthew Berry (32:18)
• Brock Bowers:
  • 30% target share despite injury, poised for TE1 rest-of-year.

8. Chiefs-Ravens: Mahomes/Worthy Back, Baltimore Injuries Mount (34:33–38:13)

• Mahomes’ Resurgent Ceiling:
  • 4th top-5 finish in four weeks despite injury issues in receiving corps.
  • “Now Xavier Worthy, who had a 23% target share…could have had a much bigger day.” — Field Yates (36:19)
• Xavier Worthy:
  • WR2 ROS until Rashee Rice returns.
• Baltimore:
  • Justice Hill surprise lead scorer.
  • Rash of injuries to critical starters (see Injuries section).

9. Colts-Rams: Puka Nacua, Daniel Jones Regression (38:13–40:44)

• Puka Nacua’s Record Start:
  • 13/170/1 (15 tgts), leads league; “wide receiver one in a tier by himself.” — Matthew Berry (38:16)
  • On pace for 179/2,133/21 TDs.
• Daniel Jones:
  • Down to QB2/3, but favorable matchups loom.

10. Notable Injuries (40:52–42:03)

• Lamar Jackson: Hamstring, questionable for next week.
• Malik Nabers: Torn ACL, out for year.
• Josh Jacobs, Ricky Pearsall, Juwan Jennings, Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin: Monitoring status.

Quick Hitters: Weekend Warriors & Sunday Scaries

Breakout/Buy-Now Players

• Woody Marks (Texans RB): Fully took over lead role (17/69/1r, 4/50/1r).
  • “The Woody Marks era is coming and I believe it is now here.” — Matthew Berry (45:21)
• Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) & DK Metcalf: Both capitalized on increased volume, but tread cautiously on Gainwell with Jalen Warren’s return (45:21–46:53).
• Quinshon Judkins:
  • 25 touches, role increasing weekly, now a low-end RB1 (46:53–47:03).
  • Preferred over Derrick Henry going forward.

Fade/Drop Candidates

• Calvin Ridley: Less than 10 points every game, only 13% target share (48:10–48:32).
  • “Welcome to Dumpsville, Calvin Ridley.” — Field Yates
• Ladd McConkey, Devonta Smith: Now barely flex material.
• Trevor Lawrence: QB22, not a start in any 1-QB league.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dak & Pickens:
  • “He’s the number one quarterback in fantasy...I think we’ve probably seen his best game of the year. But the question was can he be a QB1 this year...I think he can.” — Field Yates (07:20)
• On Locker Room Chemistry:
  • “That trust just only grows more and...he’s a hell of a player and he loves football.” — Dak Prescott (05:23)
• On A.J. Brown's Tweeting:
  • “I think A.J. Brown’s a little bit in on the joke…he tweeted basically Denny’s tweet.” — Matthew Berry (23:59)
• Saquon’s Self-Awareness:
  • “The running game always starts with me, and I’m a big believer in that.” — Saquon Barkley (20:25)
• *Woody Marks:
  • “A lot of people out there prefer a young, an explosive than a semi Chubb. And of course we’re talking about Nick Chubb and Woody Marks here.” — Field Yates (45:21)
• Show Banter:
  • “We've got kind of a Brokeback mountain thing going over here. It's kind of Brokeback Happy Hour.” — Field Yates (55:44)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Dak & Pickens’ Breakout: 03:43–10:00
• Romeo Doubs Value: 10:00–12:07
• Jackson Dart Debut & Nabers Injury: 12:07–14:39, 40:52–42:03
• Ladd McConkey/Panic: 16:52–19:56
• Philly/TB: Saquon, A.J. Brown, Godwin: 19:57–25:30
• Atlanta Passing Offense Revived: 26:41–31:16
• Jeanty Breakout/Bowers Buy-Low: 31:16–34:33
• Chiefs’ Mahomes/Worthy: 34:33–38:13
• Puka Nacua & Daniel Jones: 38:13–40:44
• Injuries: 40:52–42:03
• Woody Marks/Weekend Warriors: 44:01–46:53
• Sunday Scaries (Fades): 48:10–50:33

Final Fantasy Strategy Takeaways

• Stock Up: Dak, George Pickens, Puka Nacua, Quinton Judkins, Drake London, Debo Samuel, Woody Marks, Bucky Irving, Justice Hill, Chris Godwin (buy low), Brock Bowers (buy low)
• Stock Down: Ladd McConkey, Calvin Ridley, Trevor Lawrence, Devonta Smith, Romeo Doubs (sell high if possible)
• Key Injury Fallout: Monitor Giants WR room, Baltimore offense post-Lamar injury, and Raiders/Chargers backfields.
• Humor & Real Talk: The show is packed with chemistry, self-deprecating humor, and impromptu banter—making for both actionable tips and entertainment.

For full rankings, waiver targets, and deep-league stashes, tune in for Berry’s Love/Hate list and upcoming Waiver Wire Tuesday episode.

"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay in this Italian restaurant!"
— Matthew Berry (55:57)