Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry – Week 5 Love/Hate

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports) with Jay Croucher & team
Episode Theme: Week 5 Love/Hate – Rankings and analysis of key fantasy football players for the week, featuring deep dives on emerging storylines and answering fan trade/start-sit questions.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Matthew Berry's acclaimed "Love/Hate" analysis for Week 5, focusing on which fantasy players to prioritize or avoid across running backs, wide receivers, and quarterbacks. The main feature: actionable start/sit and trade advice, spotlighting names like Quinshon Judkins, Nico Collins, Xavier Worthy, and Justin Fields, while mixing in signature humor, banter, and engaging listener Q&A.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Running Back Love List & Deep Dives

(04:08 – 15:09)

• Quinshon Judkins (CLE)

  • Usage and upside: Since returning Week 2, he’s dominated Browns’ touches (79% of RB carries, 44 touches in last two games).
  • Matchup: Vikings are a bottom-10 run defense; rookies’ first start (Dylan Gabriel) boosts expected workload.
  • Quote (05:07 | Matthew Berry):
    “He’s made the love list because the usage has been there, and he’s looked great doing it.”

• Alvin Kamara (NO)

  • Role change: Less PPR upside than past years (Olave’s rise), but rock-solid volume (19+ touches, 3 straight games).
  • Matchup: Faces Giants — fifth-most points allowed to RBs, near the highest YPC in league.
  • Kamara trade rumors and Kendre Miller stash discussed.

• Javonte Williams (DAL)

  • Emerging due to a favorable matchup versus NYJ, unquestioned lead back in a high-powered offense.
  • “Fantasy success comes from two things, opportunity and talent.” (10:23 | Berry)

• Kyron Williams (LAR)

  • Slated to bounce back with Nick Bosa out for SF; trade advice given for dynasty leagues (Kyren for Ladd McConkey).

• Others Receiving Votes:

  • David Montgomery: Expected rebound vs Cincy, both Lions RBs top-20 plays.
  • Woody Marks: Top utilization vs soft Baltimore front.
  • Isaiah Davis: Could be surprise flex/stash; goal line role with Breece Hall at risk of injury/trade.

Listener Trades/Q&A

• (14:33, 15:09, 15:20) Multiple trade proposals analyzed for depth, need, and league format, e.g.:
  • “Should I try to trade Waddle and Pollard for Judkins and Woody Marks?” – “It’s a fair trade. Prefer Judkins to Pollard moving forward.” (14:42)

2. Running Back Hate List

(16:04 – 18:23)

• Jordan Mason (GB)

  • “Perhaps the toughest matchup in football in Cleveland. 2.9 yards per carry... That’s the lowest in the NFL.” (16:04)
  • Touchdown-dependent, RB24 even in a bye-heavy week.

• Chase Brown (CIN)

  • Pass game usage not enough with Bengals’ offense struggling (“I just don’t really know what the upside is...” 17:33).

• Zach Charbonnet

  • Benched in favor of Ken Walker.

3. Wide Receiver/Tight End Love List & Insights

(18:32 – 31:28)

• Nico Collins (HOU)

  • Massive target share, top-3 WR for Berry this week due to Baltimore’s decimated secondary.
  • Quote (19:36 | Berry): “Baltimore... it’s a soft backside, right? ...Ravens have allowed the most receptions on deep passes this season. ...Nico Collins...should get a massive, massive target share.”
  • Trade advice: Slight lean to Marion Hampton over Collins in RB/WR swap, but “super close” (21:21).

• Puka Nacua (LAR)

  • Historic pace: WR1 in all of fantasy, “15% ahead of the rest of the NFL” in yardage props.
  • Quote (22:35 | Croucher): “This could be a record-breaking season...if you could have one player in fantasy the rest of the way, it’s probably him.”

• Xavier Worthy (KC)

  • Big role even with shoulder harness; deep shots, end zone targets. Matchup with Jags is favorable.
  • “He played a lot of snaps, a lot of shares. ...Top 12 play this week.” (23:32 | Berry)
  • Trade guidance: Worthy for Scatterboo—fair if you need a WR.

• Tedro McMillan (CAR), Jacoby Myers (LV), Michael Pittman Jr (IND)

  • Underappreciated high floor due to target share and negative game scripts.
  • “Jacoby Myers has only one game this year below a 28% target share. Gets open. Targets are earned.” (28:38 | Berry)

Others Receiving Votes

• Alec IO Manor (TEN) – On the rise with great peripherals as Calvin Ridley fades.
• Sam LaPorta: “Superstar” TE; top-5 play due to Bengals’ struggles vs TEs.
• Mason Taylor, Darren Waller among tight ends worth streaming.

4. Wide Receiver Hate List

(32:33 – 35:58)

• DeVonta Smith (PHI)

  • Consistently poor utilization, low upside in tough Denver matchup.
  • “There are 41 other wide receivers with a higher utilization score.” (32:59 | Berry)

• Jordan Addison (MIN)

  • Facing top-tier Browns defense; avoid chasing last week’s points.
  • “If I had Addison I would hang onto him, but yeah ...wait until a better spot.” (35:31 | Berry)

5. Quarterback Love List & Analysis

(38:14 – 49:32)

• Justin Fields (NYJ)

  • Huge fantasy vs real-life disparity: “No bigger delta in fantasy versus real life value provided...finished with 27 points last week despite being awful for 3 quarters.” (38:59 | Croucher)
  • Faces DAL; every QB this year vs Dallas scored 24+ points.
  • “He’s a top two quarterback this week.” (39:26 | Berry)

• Dak Prescott (DAL)

  • “Has played the quarterback position as high, if not higher level, than anyone else in the game.” (43:13 | Croucher)
  • Remains a QB1 despite CD Lamb’s absence.

• Drake Maye (NE)

  • Trending up in both real life and fantasy; rushing floor; playing Buffalo (highest O/U on slate).
  • “He’s been a top-8 fantasy quarterback each of the last three weeks.” (45:27 | Berry)

• Daniel Jones (IND)

  • Great matchup vs LV; offense loaded with weapons, home comfort noted.
  • “I just think this is set up for Daniel Jones to thrive...he should return to the guy we saw through the first three weeks.” (48:37 | Croucher)

• Other QBs to Consider

  • Jared Goff: At CIN, favorable passing matchup.
  • Jackson Dart: Not always pretty but has upside; rushing usage trending positively.

6. Quarterback Hate List

(49:32 – 52:31)

• Trevor Lawrence (JAX)

  • “If you've won with him as your QB this year, you're doing it despite him, not because of him.” (49:52 | Berry)
  • Chefs’ D tough against pass lately, T-Law running less than ever, and supporting weapons banged up.

• Baker Mayfield (TB)

  • Facing a surging SEA D; offensive injuries stacking up make him a fade.
  • “Expect a two touchdown, two interception game. 230 yards... Baker falls short of expectations.” (52:31 | Croucher & Berry)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Berry (on Judkins):
  “He’s always been the best guy on the field... with legal issues at least paused for a moment... he’s getting a big workload.” (08:42)

• Berry (on Collins):
  “I have him as a top 3 play this week. He makes the love list.” (20:21)

• Croucher (on Puka Nacua):
  “If you could have one player in fantasy the rest of the way, it’s probably him.” (22:35)

• Berry (on Fields):
  “He was awful for ¾ against Miami and still finished with 27 fantasy points.” (38:59)

• Croucher (on Dak Prescott):
  “I think Dak Prescott has played as well as any player in the NFL through the first month.” (10:45)
  “His stats are deflated because of drops, but he’s making MVP-level plays.” (43:13)

• Berry (on underwhelming QBs):
  “If you've won this year with Trevor Lawrence, you're doing it despite him, not because of him.” (49:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Love/Hate Running Backs: 04:08 – 18:23
• Wide Receiver Love List: 18:32 – 28:29
• WR/Tight Ends receiving votes: 28:30 – 31:28
• WR Hate List: 32:33 – 35:58
• Quarterback Love List: 38:14 – 49:32
• Quarterback Hate List: 49:32 – 52:31

Tone & Style

Consistently witty, conversational, and irreverent, with Matthew Berry mixing dad jokes and industry wisdom:

“You know what I did? I just dribbled it back out. Let’s reset. Start the fence again.” (02:46)

The hosts banter about haircuts, Met’s failures, and romantic getaways, but swiftly pivot to data-driven fantasy advice, making each segment approachable for casual players while loaded with insight for diehards.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

• Quinshon Judkins, Nico Collins, Puka Nacua, and Justin Fields are all fantasy must-starts for Week 5.
• WRs like DeVonta Smith and Jordan Addison, and QBs like Trevor Lawrence and Baker Mayfield, should ride the pine or be approached with caution due to tough circumstances.
• Listener questions kept the episode interactive, driving home key strategy points about trade value, dynasty preferences, and roster construction.

Final Advice from Berry:
“Don’t chase points. Trust usage, opportunity, and matchup. And yes, sometimes you just play the guy because he’s the best player on the field.”

Next up:
Thursday Night Football preview and "Flexural Frustration" with Dr. Denny Carter.

For fans and managers alike, this episode packs the rationale needed to dominate your league in Week 5.