Week 5 Start/Sit: Derrick Henry, Chris Godwin, Tee Higgins + Dillon Gabriel named Browns starter

Summary

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry — Week 5 Start/Sit: Derrick Henry, Chris Godwin, Tee Higgins + Dylan Gabriel Named Browns Starter

Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: Matthew Berry (NBC Sports), Connor Rogers, Jay Croucher

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into all the essential fantasy football decisions for Week 5, focusing on start/sit dilemmas for key players like Derrick Henry, Chris Godwin, Tee Higgins, and updates on developing situations, such as Bucky Irving’s injury and Dylan Gabriel being named the Browns’ starting quarterback. The crew blends sharp analysis with humor, user questions, and live updates, including a mid-episode change in the Cardinals’ backfield.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Tampa Bay Backfield Shake-up: Bucky Irving’s Injury

[06:15 – 08:47]

• Bucky Irving is in a walking boot and on crutches; not expected to be a long-term injury, but he won’t play Week 5.
• Fantasy Fallout: Rashad White is a priority add as a low-end RB2, available in ~50% of leagues. Sean Tucker is also in the mix, preferred by Tampa’s coaches; considered a deeper flex.
  • “Rashad White will have a role. He’s more of the veteran player, but Tucker’s got an opportunity and last year when he got an opportunity, Connor, he popped.” — Matthew Berry [07:15]
• Expect a split backfield, with White preferred in pass protection and Tucker in early downs.

Browns’ QB Switch: Dylan Gabriel Starts Over Joe Flacco

[09:15 – 15:25]

• Browns bench Joe Flacco, start Dylan Gabriel. Flacco remains QB2.
• Fantasy Impact:
  • Gabriel is seen as a low-end QB2/high-end QB3.
  • For skill players:
    • “We like the Browns’ offense. I do think they’re gonna throw a decent amount...Gabriel can, you know, live in play action as well.” — Matthew Berry [11:30]
    • Isaiah Bond and the TEs (Fannin, Njoku) get a bump with Gabriel’s tendency for short, quick throws.
    • Judkins’ value unchanged or slightly up — won’t see as many loaded boxes.
  • “With Gabriel, you’re gonna see a very safe, chippy completions kind of offense.” — Connor Rogers [13:30]
• Not much optimism on Jerry Jeudy’s rest-of-season value.

Start/Sit — Keep it Open or Close it Out

[16:01 – 34:57]
A rapid-fire segment analyzing must-start and potential sit candidates for Week 5, with rankings and reasoning.

Quarterbacks

• Daniel Jones (vs. Raiders)
  • Top 9 play this week.
  • Home splits and favorable matchup make him a strong option.
  • “He’s good in the dome, he’s good at home.” — Matthew Berry [16:16]

Running Backs

• Derrick Henry (vs. Texans)
  • RB19, barely a must-start.
  • Cooper Rush at QB means Baltimore goes even run-heavier.
  • Texans have allowed a RB touchdown in 3/4 games this year.
  • “He grinds his way to an inefficient top 20 finish this week. I’m keeping it open, begrudgingly.” — Matthew Berry [22:22]
• Trey Benson (placed on IR during show)
  • Was RB16, but after live news [45:34], Cardinals’ backfield to shift to Amari Demercado.
  • “Get better soon, Trey Benson. Maybe they go to the original Chubbler—hey, Houston, what can we give you for the OG Chubb?” — Matthew Berry [48:05]
• Isaiah Pacheco (vs. Jaguars)
  • RB34, recommended as “close it out.”
  • Snap rate, usage, and matchup are all negative.
  • “Pacheco has been so bad I’m surprised he’s not on my team…one of the few bad players I managed to avoid.” — Matthew Berry [25:16]

Wide Receivers

• Chris Godwin (vs. Seahawks)
  • Top 20 WR play with Mike Evans banged up.
  • Snap share and target share elite.
  • “Usage was there…didn’t follow with fantasy production, but I think that’s coming.” — Matthew Berry [27:27]
• Tee Higgins (vs. Lions)
  • WR30. You’re likely forced to play him, but with great reluctance.
  • “He’s a shaky WR3, but depending on your options, I’m reluctantly keeping it open on Tee Higgins.” — Matthew Berry [28:57]
• DeVonta Smith (vs. Broncos)
  • WR34, “close it out.”
  • Eagles’ passing game not clicking, tough cornerback matchup.
  • “He has yet to have a game with more than 60 receiving yards.” — Matthew Berry [32:01]

Tight Ends

• Juwan Johnson (vs. Giants)
  • Top 10 TE play due to volume and Giants’ defensive struggles vs TEs.
  • “New York is giving up the third most tight end targets. It’s an area of the field you can target.” — Matthew Berry [32:27]

Recap — Open/Close Decisions

| Player | Position | Recommendation | Rank | |--------------------|----------|----------------|------| | Daniel Jones | QB | Open | 9 | | Derrick Henry | RB | Open | 19 | | Trey Benson | RB | CLOSE (IR) | — | | Isaiah Pacheco | RB | Close | 34 | | Chris Godwin | WR | Open | 20 | | Tee Higgins | WR | Open (barely) | 30 | | Devonta Smith | WR | Close | 34 | | Juwan Johnson | TE | Open | 9 |

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“Blind Date” Segment: Spotting Buy-Low & Sell-High Players

[39:15 – 49:46]
Stat profiles are revealed — Berry and crew guess the player and analyze their fantasy trajectory.

1. Saquon Barkley: Top-tier usage but lack of goal-line work and explosive plays. “He’s just not being particularly efficient. And he’s getting vultured a lot at the goal line.” — Matthew Berry [41:01]
2. DeAndre Swift: Great utilization but not trusted on passing downs or in two-minute drill. “I’m just hesitant on him…he sucks.” — Matthew Berry [43:01]
3. Travis Etienne: Little passing game work, TD-dependent. “I think ETN is kind of a sell high here.” — Matthew Berry [44:27]
4. Chris Olave: Huge target share but low aDOT and catchable target rate; suffering from shaky QB play. Considered a possible buy low.

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Live Injury News Update

Trey Benson placed on IR (45:34)

• Immediate recommendation to pivot to Amari Demercado or other depth options like Bam Knight or Michael Carter if desperate.

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Futures & Awards Bets (“Back to the Future”)

[51:16 – End]

• Jay: Lions (+425) to win NFC — “Most complete team in football…their performance against Baltimore was extremely impressive.” [51:23]
• Connor: Rams (+600) for NFC — “Puka has never looked better…this offense can play in so many different ways.” [52:04]
• Berry: Sean McDermott (+1400) for Coach of the Year — “There’s a scenario where they go undefeated this season or 15-2…” [52:32]
• “Josh Allen is even money to win MVP at this point.” — Jay Croucher [53:13]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Berry on keeping it real:
  “My team sucks. What do you want from me? I’m being honest.” [19:48]
• Fantasy frustration:
  “Chase Brown sucks. Derrick Henry sucks...It’s been brutal. Darnell Mooney has sucked when he’s been out there.” — Berry [20:08]
• On Derrick Henry:
  “Is Derrick Henry still the king? No, he’s not. He doesn’t even get into the palace. He’s had his palace badge removed.” — Jay Croucher [21:40]
• Sarcastic optimism:
  “I just want all my players to finish the game. That's my goal. Just one week!” — Matthew Berry [19:19]

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Listener Q&A & Live Chat Highlights

• Sean Tucker vs. Rashad White — Trust factor for White, upside with Tucker.
• Dylan Gabriel for Judkins/Joku/WRs? — Neutral to slight positive, more balance expected.
• T. Higgins worth starting? — Only if no better options, relying on talent and potential high-scoring environment.
• Juwan Johnson worth holding? — “Tight end’s a desert, roll with him as a top-10 option this week.” [32:27]

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Tone & Style

The episode balances expert fantasy advice with self-deprecating humor and locker-room banter, referencing league injuries, in-league rivalries, and poking fun at themselves and each other—making it both informative and highly entertaining for attentive fantasy players.

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Essential Timestamps

• Tampa RB situation: [06:15–08:47]
• Browns QB change: [09:15–15:25]
• Start/Sit overview: [16:01–34:57]
• Blind Date (Buy-Low/Sell-High): [39:15–49:46]
• Trey Benson IR Live Update: [45:34]
• Futures/Awards discussion: [51:16–End]

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For Week 5 Fantasy Decision Makers

• Add Rashad White and Sean Tucker.
• Fade Trey Benson (placed on IR), pivot to Demercado.
• Start Henry, Godwin, Daniel Jones if you need them, but bench Pacheco and Devonta Smith if you have alternatives.
• Monitor Browns’ offensive changes; adjust Judkins, Bond, TE rankings accordingly.
• Watch for new backfield options in Arizona and potential RB trades across the league.

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Transcript

[Matthew Berry]

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

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[Jay Croucher]

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

Download the Jerry app or visit Jerry AI SXM today. I'm just telling you, like, when you have a chub and then a young woody shows up, the chub goes down. It is what it is. Everyone knows that.

[Connor Rogers]

Our next. Oh, you gotta teeing something up.

[Jay Croucher]

Just keep it rolling.

[Connor Rogers]

Hey, our next player, Rashad White. By the way, what do you Mark? 69% available? I don't wanna leave that out.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, it's 69%. You know, he love it.

[Connor Rogers]

Unbelievable. Like, can't make it up at this point.

[Matthew Berry]

You know what? God bless you, Peacock, for continuing to air us.

[Jay Croucher]

We'll see.

[Connor Rogers]

We'll see. Yeah, I was gonna say we'll see.

[Matthew Berry]

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry.

[Connor Rogers]

Welcome to the Fantasy Football Happy Hour. Hello out there. All the regulars. We are still live on YouTube. Connor Rogers, Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher from Wall Street.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, it's my. It's my Wednesday Thursday. Get off.

[Connor Rogers]

You're one of the most perplexing humans I've ever met in terms of dress. Like, sometimes you roll in and it looks like. Like a Sunday morning.

[Matthew Berry]

I know.

[Connor Rogers]

And then other times, you look like you literally could be down at Wall Street.

[Jay Croucher]

Well, I'm technically a lawyer. Not a good one.

[Connor Rogers]

I forget that a lot.

[Matthew Berry]

I do, too.

[Connor Rogers]

That's remarkable.

[Jay Croucher]

One of the world's worst lawyers.

[Matthew Berry]

Actually. Correct. I can break this down for you very easily. Please, Connor. Is that in an outfit like today, what Jay's wearing? He's been dressed. He's been Dressed by the Fantastic. And not paid nearly enough. NBC Sports wardrobe department.

[Connor Rogers]

Heavy leather. Nothing from the wardrobe department.

[Matthew Berry]

Dude, you have no idea. Whatever they're paid, it is not enough for them to make Jay look good for them to make me look good. So when he looks like this, you know, banker or lawyer, whatever. Anyway, these are nice clothes. He does not own clothes like these.

[Jay Croucher]

Not.

[Matthew Berry]

No, it's a costume.

[Jay Croucher]

I barely have any clothes.

[Matthew Berry]

He.

[Connor Rogers]

It's a work costume.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean, please. He was, he was in a New York Liberty jersey at your wedding.

[Connor Rogers]

I forgot about that.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. When he is. When he is left to his own devices. When he's left to his own devices, then like, it's very easy. Then it's like whatever was on discount, you know, at whatever. Whatever shopping center he was at with his daughter.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, he was at model.

[Matthew Berry]

Whatever's in the used bin. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

[Jay Croucher]

So I have a real question. So the reason I'm wearing this is where we're doing commercial later. Are you actually going to have bucks on for the commercial? What's going on?

[Connor Rogers]

No, I say you shouldn't lean into it.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm not. I'm leaning into it.

[Connor Rogers]

And ask for the full shot. Make sure they don't crop that.

[Jay Croucher]

I'm not sure who knows about the bit.

[Matthew Berry]

They don't know about the bit.

[Connor Rogers]

That's the problem.

[Matthew Berry]

These are the socks that we're hanging in.

[Connor Rogers]

But YouTube Live, channel four.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, big difference. No, but like the way the commercials are shot, it's Jay and I standing next to each other in front of a DraftKings logo. And I stand up and so you can't pan back. Like, you can't really tell that I'm not wearing socks.

[Jay Croucher]

Sure.

[Matthew Berry]

When I'm standing up, when I'm sitting here telling, like, ah, the crown's yours. We got a great. We got a great game, you know, Sunday Night Football. You should bet on it, you know, Anyway, that when I'm doing that, you know.

[Jay Croucher]

Sure. The problem is, is that I'm going to be half of the commercial. I'm going to be reading it out with the knowledge that your ankles are not properly covered. And I'm not sure my exterior is going to be able to hide that truth. Anyway, we'll see how we go.

[Matthew Berry]

I'll just tell you this much, Conor, I'm going to say this to you directly.

[Connor Rogers]

Okay.

[Matthew Berry]

Late night in Dallas. He didn't care that my ankles were uncovered.

[Connor Rogers]

That's right. Now on camera.

[Matthew Berry]

Now on camera suddenly is uncomfortable.

[Connor Rogers]

Very interesting. But it's all about Perception.

[Matthew Berry]

I'll just say. I'll just say. In the dark confines of a hotel in Dallas Dallas, Texas. He had no issue had no issue with my skin being shown.

[Connor Rogers]

The chat is on fire already. Javier Ramirez said Barry the Closer getting deals done.

[Matthew Berry]

That's right.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. You're now getting credit for YouTube being alive and well. That's partially my fault.

[Matthew Berry]

I called Mr. Tube, raise the flag.

[Connor Rogers]

Says Jay looks like Keanu Reeves in Constantine.

[Jay Croucher]

Oh, great.

[Matthew Berry]

Great question.

[Connor Rogers]

I knew you'd love that, Jay. I want to get your morale back up.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. By the way, one of the worst movies ever made. It's a very, very bad piece of cinema. Never seen it.

[Matthew Berry]

Constantine, I've never seen that. What is the premise of that?

[Jay Croucher]

John Constantine, he's like a demon hunter from the set, from the netherworld. Keanu Reeves is just killing bodies. It's not good. It's like it's basically. And they made it into John Wick. John Reeves actually good.

[Matthew Berry]

Keanu Reeves. Killing people should work.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

It just doesn't.

[Jay Croucher]

They really screwed this one up.

[Connor Rogers]

Right? It's supposed to be like a given.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Anyways, it's a backup producer. Pete, Dave, you all know that by now. It's very obvious the TV's been rolled in for a class mov. We got.

[Matthew Berry]

Keep it up. He kicked his feet up.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah. Beat is nowhere to be found. I lost him on comms. You know, usually they count me in like on a five or ten second count to show so I can give a big hello. And he goes, Connor, go ahead.

[Matthew Berry]

That's it.

[Connor Rogers]

Conor, go ahead. I'm like, okay, here we go. Keep it open or close it out. We got all the answers to your start. Sit problems. Blind date is back. The new hit show sweeping the nation, which Jay did very well on last week.

[Matthew Berry]

He really did.

[Connor Rogers]

Back to the futures where we give our futures bets looking into the crystal ball and we will be taking comments because we are still on YouTube. Great to see the regulars. Let's jump right into the proto world Player news though first because we do have some stuff to sort through here. Bucky Irving, kind of the hot topic to start the week. He's gathering medical opinions on a foot slash ankle injury here. Matthew, this one's kind of cloudy right now. We're not really. I mean, Todd Bowles did say he didn't feel great about this, but that's all we're working off of right now.

[Matthew Berry]

He's in a walking book. He's on a walking boot. He's on crutches. This is Bucky Irving. Now, Adam Schefter reporting that the Buccaneers don't fear a serious injury. They consider it more or a long term injury. I should say the phrasing Adam used I think was the Buccaneers don't consider it a long term injury. More of a week to week situation. Still. When you're, you're in a walking boot, you're on crutches. Not great, not great. And so I think obviously what this means is Rashad White, who's still available in about half the leagues out there, and Sean Tucker, who I love, the pride of Syracuse, he's available in 95% of leagues. I think Rashad White is, you know, kind of a low end RB2 this week. Tucker is going to be more of a flex. We haven't updated the rankings just yet. They're on the road at Seattle. Obviously it's not a great matchup, but we like this Buccaneers offense overall. And I think Tucker's the better running back of the two of them. Just from a pure eye test. I know talking with sources inside the Tampa Bay organization, they love Sean Tucker, love Sean Tucker, but I think first game without Bucky Irving, Rashad White will have a role. He's more of the veteran player, but Tucker's got an opportunity and last year when he got an opportunity, Connor, he popped right.

[Connor Rogers]

He is a really, really good runner. The thing is with White, it feels like they default back to the trust factor with him and pass protection. So maybe it's more of a split than you'd expect here, Jay. But the bottom line is there's a lot of people that need some kind of solution. Need to know, like, can I just pick up Rashad White and play him where I play Bucky, or do you kind of look elsewhere?

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, big year for Tuckers, by the way, between Trey and Kraft and now Sean potentially getting on the radar. Look, I'm going to read between the lines. Just apply logic because logic helps out with the Tampa Buccaneers. Logic could have told you that Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs, they were never going to miss six weeks because they would have gone on ir. Bucky Irving's on crutches. He's just not going to play. I'm sorry, he's not. It's extremely unlikely that he's going to play. So I think that, I think this is a, it's a fairly understandable situation where Rashad White is going to get the Bucky Irving type of role and then Sean Tucker will get more like Rashad White usage. It's like Trey Benson. It's like the Face off thing again where Rashad White is a little bit though.

[Matthew Berry]

But White is. I think that I. Weirdly, I actually would reverse that again. I think White play gets more work because the trust factor. But I actually think Rashad White stays in his role just expands and that Sean Tucker is actually the Bucky Irving, if you will. Just because their skill sets. You know what I mean? Just like I don't think they trust Tucker as much on third down and. And pass pro that they do. Right. So I actually think White stays in the same role. He is just more expanded and Tucker gets some of the Bucky Irving plays. Does that make any sense?

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. I would guess that the carries are going to be like 5050 and then Rashad White gets the.

[Matthew Berry]

I think that's right. I think that's right.

[Connor Rogers]

Jay, we had a comment from you from Wake BRD007. Why isn't Jay's fantasy team called the Crouch Potato?

[Jay Croucher]

I don't like that. It's a lot of hanging through. Why be the Crouch Potato when you can be the chubby leather daddies?

[Connor Rogers]

That's fair.

[Jay Croucher]

You've got to choose between you choosing the leather daddies.

[Matthew Berry]

By the way, if, if, if I lose one more game and I think I'm going to. I'll be the crushed potatoes.

[Connor Rogers]

That's right.

[Matthew Berry]

That's a thousand percent.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

My team is not good. One more. We are taking on water.

[Connor Rogers]

One more bit of news. Dylan Gabriel will start for the Browns this week. Joe Flacco has been benched. He will remain the number two quarterback. I know every show out there is going to turn this into a Shador Sanders conversation. We're not. Because he's still QB3.

[Matthew Berry]

Yep.

[Connor Rogers]

But Dylan Gabriel will start. Before we get to Dylan Gabriel, comeback player of the year Joe Flacco does string for free. This. Yeah, this actually might be it.

[Matthew Berry]

It might be it for Joe Flacco. But no claps tell you something to think about here. So comeback Player of the year Joe Flacco, who everyone has written off for dead many, many times now with Dylan Gabriel taking off the role. You know what this means? That when Joe Flacco comes back in five or six weeks and leads the Browns to a playoff charge, he once again could be comeback player of the year Jay Croucher. This is an opportunity now for him to once again rise from the ashes like a bold Phoenix.

[Jay Croucher]

Okay, I can't talk any more about Joe Flacco, but one thing that's funny about that award. So Joe Burrow won in 2021 and then it was Geno and then it was Flacco and then it was Joe Burrow again. And then this year it'll be someone else and then next year it's going to be Joe Burrow again. One comeback player of the year, three years out of six. So ridiculously, I want to see how long it can go. Let's see if Joe Biden can win. Seven comeback players.

[Connor Rogers]

I think you should be able to win once.

[Matthew Berry]

You'Re back. How many times can you come back, win and then fall down and then come back again?

[Connor Rogers]

You don't feel as good about it.

[Jay Croucher]

Joe Bar can tie his shoes next year. He's better than everyone else. He'll just win the award again.

[Connor Rogers]

It is the most flawed, unfortunately the most flawed award. As you learn the hard way.

[Jay Croucher]

There's a J.K. dobbins last year or Tim Patrick, but that's why it doesn't.

[Connor Rogers]

Go the way it should.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Or demar Hamlin, like just demar Hamlin should have won like, you know, multiple years, you know. What about Ricky Piersol? Why can't Ricky Pierce hall win? I mean, or Brian Robinson?

[Connor Rogers]

Like they were both shot.

[Matthew Berry]

They got shot. Yes. And now they're playing football.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. Instead it's going to go to like tre Lawrence going 10 and 7 and suck. It's terrible.

[Matthew Berry]

No, it's this year. This year will probably be Chris McCaffrey.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. Or Hutchinson or Dak.

[Matthew Berry]

This is actually Dak.

[Jay Croucher]

Well, that's going to go six, ten.

[Matthew Berry]

That's a problem.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, we'll see. It'd be interesting one.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

I look forward to losing money on the right hand today.

[Matthew Berry]

Joe Burrow next year. And it'll be CD Lamb.

[Jay Croucher]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Malik neighbors.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, that's another good one.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Loaded field next year.

[Matthew Berry]

What? Loaded field. Either way, Dylan Gabriel is going to start week five against Minnesota. I think he's a. He's a low end QB2, high end QB3 kind of thing. We sort of like this. We sort of like the Browns offense. Like I do think they're going to throw a decent amount. They've got a good running game and Judkins and, and Gabriel can, you know, live in play action here as well. No club said this week, but bigger role for Isaiah Bond. We like Fan and Joku. Of course. Judy is always a constant there. I don't know that we're particularly scared about the, the Minnesota Vikings defense coming home. They, you know, they coming home from Dublin, they didn't. Couldn't Stop. The Steelers, they couldn't stop, you know, 41 year old Aaron Rodgers. So again I'd want to see it before Gabriel but it's probably worth a pickup in a Super Flex 2 quarterback league.

[Connor Rogers]

Tanish Joshi good or bad for Judkins that Dylan Gabriel starts. Judgins is running into loaded boxes right now with Joe Flacco so I think the arrow only points up but I wouldn't expect that right away. It feels almost like a neutral situation.

[Jay Croucher]

I will say one thing with Flacco is that I think Stefanski in 2023 and this year he seemed very eager to throw on early downs because he knew that if Joe Flacco was going to be in third and eight that it was going to be just the tea they were going to tee off on him and he can't move. So I do think that like Joe Flacco would have games where he's throwing 45 times. Dylan Gabriel's not going to throw 45 times. So I think it might be a bit better for Joe for people that are unfamiliar.

[Matthew Berry]

I know we've talked about it, but Dylan Gabriel was a guy that you sort of had drafted when you were doing your pre draft rankings. Correct me if I'm wrong but you, you had Dylan Gabriel as, as a day three guy but more as this guy's a career backup.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, right. Like how we talk about Jake Browning in a sense. Right. This is someone that with Gabriel he can operate really well in quick game. If you watch the Oregon offense, Bo Nix came out of that offense, he operated at a high level because he plays fast, he can get the ball out fast, he's very accurate, He's a smaller player, doesn't have a big arm, he's not an elite athlete. He's going to move better than Flacco of course, but there's just going to be limitations of how they attack all three levels of the field. So I think you'll see a very safe, cheapy completions kind of offense. Honestly with Dylan Gabriel, I don't think he's someone that's going to make the spectacular plays but with the way their defense is playing, I think they just need somebody that prioritizes ball security and that's really exactly what Gabriel's good at.

[Matthew Berry]

Just move, move the chains. He first down the chains, right?

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, very short completions. He operates quickly but he's not going to take a lot of chances. But this is an offense where like who do you look at and go well I need that guy to get those 5050 balls. It's not built that way.

[Matthew Berry]

Well, right. And by the way, if you're Kevin Savanski just taking this into an NFL conversation for a second, like I've got an elite defense. I've actually got a pretty good run game right now. If Dylan Gabriel can just move the chains second and five, he can complete a six yard out and I can just, I can just control the clock ball control and play good defense. I can win a lot of 17 to 15 games, 17 to 14 games kind of thing, you know, like whatever, 20 to 17 games. Just I'm going to grind it out and just be, you know, win ugly football. Which you know, makes sense if you're Kevin Stefanski two time coach of the year by the way. Not a lot of people know that, but he actually won twice.

[Jay Croucher]

Warranted.

[Matthew Berry]

Warranted by the way.

[Jay Croucher]

Unlike his former quarterback.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. He won with Joe Flacco.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. It feels like. Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

The Cleveland Browns that year won four of the eight NFL awards. They were at 11 and six wildcards. I still haven't gotten over that one. I don't care for that.

[Connor Rogers]

When you clean up, you clean up.

[Jay Croucher]

And they lost by 50 points to the Texans in the playoffs. Anyway.

[Connor Rogers]

Was that good question in here from Spliff McGriff. Is this good for Fannin? I think it's good for both the tight ends. Terrence Ferguson, who the Rams took with the top 75 pick last year, he was Gabriel's tight end at Oregon. That offense loved to use utilize the tight end. So does Gabriel. Once again you're looking for short area completions both in Joku and Fannin. I think get a bump. I if there's. I know this is.

[Matthew Berry]

And no Cedric Tillman. So there's more targets to be around. Like we Isaiah Bind like we'll see.

[Connor Rogers]

Right. Like Bond wins down the field though. And I don't know how much they're going to attack down the field. I guess we'll see. But I think it helps the tight ends. I would say it doesn't really give anything to the wide receivers and TBD on how it helps Judkins.

[Jay Croucher]

But was Jerry Judy just like a six week mirage last year?

[Connor Rogers]

It kind of feels like that was a, you know, lightning in a bottle because look at his whole career and then six weeks.

[Matthew Berry]

Thank you. He was bad all throughout Denver. Denver couldn't wait to get rid of him. Yeah, this is a guy who like Alabama, right. Like he was a. He was a superstar at Alabama.

[Connor Rogers]

He was supposed to be a really, really big time Player.

[Matthew Berry]

He just hasn't been great in the pros. Right. He had a six week stretch where Jameis only looked at him and they were in game script, they were in throwing script like the entire game.

[Jay Croucher]

And he tossed Riley Moss's backup in Denver that one game on Monday.

[Matthew Berry]

He's never throughout his career ever been a big touchdown scorer.

[Connor Rogers]

Keep it open or close it out time. And we are going to start with the quarterback and that's Daniel Jones who has back to back games with under 16 fantasy points. But Matthew, he's got the Raiders who a lot of quarterbacks have benefited from.

[Matthew Berry]

Playing against for sure by the way. They're also in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium. And when Daniel Jones has been home this year, he's been pretty good. He's averaging over 26 fantasy points per game versus just 13 on the road. So he's good in the dome, he's good at home. Raiders are 23rd in pass defense this year. They have struggled. They've made a lot of mediocre quarterbacks look very good. According to Vegas and our friends at DraftKings, Colts have the third highest implied team total in week number five. Yeah, I'm keeping it open on Daniel Jones. Believe it or not, I have him as a top nine play this week. As you see right there on your screen. Four teams on a buy as you know. You know, no Caleb Williams this week, no Jordan Love this week. But yeah, give me some dj, give me some Danny Dimes. Yeah, I think some Indiana Jones.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes. I think it looks a lot different if Adonai Mitchell doesn't fumble into the, into the end zone that his stat line and the result as well probably changes. And we're talking about Daniel Jones in a bit of a different light. I don't think Connor like the deep ball still looks a little bit if he looked better the first three weeks.

[Connor Rogers]

No Alec Pierce.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes.

[Connor Rogers]

I think there's a correlation there. I think Alec Pierce is the guy in this offense that wins down the field.

[Jay Croucher]

Yep. Alec Pierce is practicing today too. So it's like that he's probably going to come back. It's a little bit of a concern. He's had like three concussions but he's sitting on a joke. Matthew.

[Connor Rogers]

I can always tell one's marinating.

[Matthew Berry]

Marinating. But just, just ironic story. I was up late last night doing a bunch of work and so I did all my waivers just lying in bed at 1am whatever and so I'm up at 7am I'm like oh let me see who I ended up getting. And I'm looking at our league. I'm like, oh, Alec Pierce didn't picked in our league. And so I hit click on Alec Pierce, and I'm going to drop Darnell Mooney. I'm sitting there thinking, like, you know, Darnell Mooney's. He's on a buy and he's hurt. Hadn't been good, but Darnell Mooney, Alec Pierce, which one do I want? Blah, blah. And I'm sitting there thinking, I'm like, ah, screw it. I'm going to pick up Alec Pierce and I do it and like, not available. And then all of a sudden, I'm like, he was just there. And I go. And literally at 7am the exact same time, he's now a chubby leather daddy at 7:01. So there you go.

[Jay Croucher]

Here's the thing. I don't like when my lifelong fandom gets in the way of my objective fantasy playing. But I'm a lifelong Colts fan, so I want Alec Pierce. I want him on the bench for morale.

[Connor Rogers]

You'll be able to roster a team against me. I actually put in a claim for Pierce, but the guys I wanted above him, I got.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Nice. Congratulations.

[Connor Rogers]

This is my Super Bowl.

[Matthew Berry]

You paid a million dollars from Malik.

[Connor Rogers]

And it'll be worth every pen if I win.

[Matthew Berry]

You're gonna win. My team is.

[Connor Rogers]

Here we go.

[Matthew Berry]

They're injured and they're terrible. Every player on my team. Every player on my team is one of two things. They're either injured, you know, Mike Evans, Darnell Mooney, Jaden Daniels, Xavier Worthy for the first month of the season, or.

[Jay Croucher]

They'Re terrible this week.

[Matthew Berry]

Or they're terrible. Or they're terrible. You know, Derrick Henry, Chase Brown.

[Connor Rogers]

You need the gm.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

I'd fire the front office.

[Matthew Berry]

I wish I could, believe me.

[Jay Croucher]

Why'd you draft the bad plays?

[Matthew Berry]

I don't. I drafted the injured players.

[Jay Croucher]

I tried to tell you Henry was washed.

[Matthew Berry]

You did? He actually should have drafted.

[Connor Rogers]

He's the only man that wrote off the Ravens. And he looks right.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, exactly right.

[Connor Rogers]

They gotta get Keith Mitchell involved asap.

[Matthew Berry]

I would like. Here's what I'm. Here's my goal for you and I play each other this week. And here's my goal. I have one goal. I would just like all the players that I start to finish the game because it's been four weeks and I have yet to actually have a player have a week where a player didn't leave a game early due to injury.

[Jay Croucher]

The NFL, it's a tough game. You get hurt.

[Connor Rogers]

Chad is killing you.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm sure they are killing you.

[Jay Croucher]

Nancy Barry, one of the great crybabies of our generation.

[Matthew Berry]

What's crying? I'm being honest.

[Connor Rogers]

Raise the flags. Do you think Joe Flacco complains as much as Barry when his team loses?

[Matthew Berry]

My team sucks. What do you want from me?

[Jay Croucher]

Make some trades. Do something about it.

[Matthew Berry]

Wait, wait. Raise the flags. What am I supposed to say? Am I supposed to defend my team? Am I supposed to lie about the. It's not my fault. It's them.

[Jay Croucher]

Get back in the left. Drop some trades.

[Matthew Berry]

What am I. Am I saying I didn't draft them? Obviously I drafted them.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, man.

[Matthew Berry]

But yes, three things have happened. Three things have happened. Number one, I am number one in points against. Like, I'm the only player in the team. I'm the only player in the league that has over 500 points scored against. Okay, I'm number one in points scored against. Number two is I have had a decent amount of injuries. But number three is I've drafted some crappy players and that's on me. Chase Brown sucks. Derrick Henry sucks. Like, I'm just. It's been brutal. Darnell Mooney has sucke when he's been out there.

[Connor Rogers]

I do have one more comment from Louis Garcia. Hey, man, I have a 2 year old. I listened to this to not hear crying.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, too bad. Anyways, Garcia, now I'm going to whine more. Now I'm going to whine more.

[Connor Rogers]

Daniel Jones is an open. By the way, if you got anything from that. Our next player is Derek Henry.

[Matthew Berry]

Daniel Jones. I'm keeping it open. Yeah, he did.

[Connor Rogers]

Ravens running back Derek Henry versus the Texans. Yes, he is on. Keep it open or close it out. What's up?

[Matthew Berry]

I just want to say this to the two of you and to the regulars. No one else listen. But just to the regulars and to the two of you. That whining would not have happened if Pete were a better producer. He would have shut that down.

[Connor Rogers]

Bus rolled over.

[Matthew Berry]

Producer Pete.

[Connor Rogers]

Bingo Cardis.

[Matthew Berry]

Producer Steven would have said, move on. Let's go. Stop it. No one cares. But Pete's been begging us to move.

[Connor Rogers]

On for 10 minutes.

[Matthew Berry]

But producer Pete has got his feet on the desk. He's flipping through a book.

[Jay Croucher]

Crash Bandicoot.

[Matthew Berry]

Crash Bandicoot. That's exactly right. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, man. All right, Derek Henry. Three straight games of 50 or fewer. Fewer rushing yards, which is absolutely insane. Jay, does he get back on track against the Texans?

[Matthew Berry]

Been brutal.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. I called this a month ago. Is Derek Henry still the king? No, he's not. He doesn't even get into the palace. He's had his palace badge removed. Look, he's playing the Texans, which is a difficult matchup. They have a very good defense and he has Cooper Rush as his quarterback. Not dragging man out of the box like Lamar Jackson. At the same time, what else are the Ravens going to do? Matthew, outside of hand the ball off to Derrick Henry 20 times.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, and that's the reason I'm keeping it open. Look, I am at running back 19, which is fairly low, especially considering we've got four, four teams on a buy. No Bijan this week, no Josh Jacobs, no Deandre Swift, no Jalen Warner, Kenneth Gainwell now, no Bucky Irving, like. And yet. So it's. I can't imagine benching Derek Henry. So I'm keeping it open. I'm hoping for the best. If there are some positives here, it is. It is the fact that, yes, with Cooper Rush on her center, I expect they go run heavy here. The Texans are a one and a half point favorite, so it's not like they're going to get blown out in negative game script. I don't know that we expect the Texans to sort of light up Baltimore and the Texans, yes, they have a good run defense, but they have given up a running back rushing touchdown in three out of four games this year. They've given up doves of fantasy points to a running back in every single game this year. And so Henry, who should get a heavier workload with Cooper Rush on her center, I think he grinds his way to an inefficient top 20 finish this week. I'm keeping it open begrudgingly, hopingly, you know, just trying to make it respectable.

[Jay Croucher]

Against 22 for 89 and a touchdown.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, yeah, that kind of game. Exactly. Like it'll be ugly. Like he'll average three yards of carry but like, yeah, they give him a ton of work and so top 20 finish and maybe I stay within, you know, 25 points of Connor. That's all I'm hoping this week.

[Connor Rogers]

Stop it. Another running back on our list.

[Matthew Berry]

He's going to kill me.

[Connor Rogers]

I have like four players on the buy, including my quarterback.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, yeah, same I buys and I have injury and the players that I'm left with are crappy. So I should win. Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

From baby oil Barry to Crybaby Berry.

[Matthew Berry]

Yep.

[Connor Rogers]

Cardinals running back Trey Benson next on our list. Matthew, the. The volume was good as much as the crybaby.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm not crybaby. Berry until after the season. I'm still champ. Yes. I'm still champ. Damn it. Holding on like me with my hair.

[Connor Rogers]

You're literally in a cardboard box holding onto your. Your Burger King. Crazy.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, exactly. With me like a hair. I'm like hanging on for dear life. Like I still got a little bit like you know, it's like I won't go full bald. I'm balding. That's what I'm the same with the champ. I'm hanging on for dear life to pass glory goodness.

[Connor Rogers]

Are you still starting Trey Benson? Because the volume was good but you know, maybe not the results people were hoping for.

[Jay Croucher]

Injury flag as well with Tribense?

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, a little bit there that there is a concern there. He sort of popped up with something towards the end of the game. Amari Dmicardo might get a bigger workload if you have Benson might be worth going out and seeing. Demacardo is still out there. He wasn't a huge pickup because the news came out late. But yeah, Benson dealing with a little bit of an injury. But if Benson does play this week, I am in fact keeping it open. He's my running back. 16 look, the workload is pretty big. 73% of the team's running back rushes last week. 12 and a half percent target share. And this Titans defense pretty favorable. Fourth most fantasy points to opposing running backs in their four games. Jay, they've given up seven touchdowns to opposing running back. Seven in four games. I like Benson's odds of getting into the end zone assuming he plays here.

[Jay Croucher]

Yep, Connells eight point favorites. That's really the only thing that matters here. He's an RB1 for a team that's favored by over a touchdown.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah but keeping it open, we'll keep.

[Connor Rogers]

An eye on his status throughout the week because he is in question with a knee injury. Although it doesn't seem overly serious at the moment. We'll see another running back that the results have just not been pretty. Matthew Isaiah Pacheco. He's got Jacksonville season high 12.8 fantasy points in week four. So finally some signs of life. But it's been a split backfield as well as not as a good one.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, a split one. That's been bad. Pacheco has been so bad I'm surprised he's not on my team to be perfectly honest. One of the few bad players I managed to avoid. Yeah, I probably should trade for him. Look, I'm closing it out. He's running back 34 for me. Zero goal line rush attempts, not involved in the passing game, under 7% target share last week played 37% of the snaps. That was a season low. Had a 22% rush share, also a season low. And don't look now, boys, but the Jacksonville Jaguars. Producer Stevens. Jacksonville Jaguars. The Swaguars, yes, Actually have a good defense.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. Saxonville is back.

[Matthew Berry]

Yes.

[Jay Croucher]

The new Steel Curtain operates in Florida. It is strange. I was expecting greatest show on turf stuff.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

Airing it out to catch up with a bad defense instead. The offense is terrible, pass game is terrible. But the defense is carrying this team at the moment and yeah, it's not a favorable matchup until further notice. And it does make sense. Like they have talented players on that defense.

[Connor Rogers]

The front's loaded.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

I mean Trayvon Walker has really developed nicely. Obviously Josh Hines Allen is a stud. They have some talent in between those guys. It's a really good.

[Jay Croucher]

Corners are okay.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

I think this defense, I don't think it's going to be this level going forward, but I wouldn't be surprised as a top 10 defense.

[Matthew Berry]

I mean the offense is atrocious and they're 3 and 1.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

And again, I understand the level of competition, but I'm a big, you know, Bill Parcells guy, which is like you're what you are, what your record is. It's the NFL. Every game is hard. Should be four and oh, honestly, they should have been the Bengals. They absolutely should be four and oh. So it's kind of crazy to think about that. But yeah, the swag you are. Saxonville is back, baby.

[Connor Rogers]

Chris Godwin as we move to the wide receivers, he's got the Seahawks, as we mentioned during the Bucky irving conversation, only 5.6 fantasy points in debut last week.

[Matthew Berry]

Jay.

[Connor Rogers]

But the usage is there and it feels like the volume is going to get an uptick. In his second game back, I feel.

[Jay Croucher]

Like the two big things, one, Mike Evans is out, which creates more of an opening book, is banged up as well. And then two, he just played a ton of snaps and I think that speaks to the idea, not that they're bringing him back to ease him back along, but more to the idea that they were waiting until he could play this much to actually get him back on the field. So we'll see about his explosion and how good he looks overall. But Chris Godwin, I think I feel pretty comfortable starting him as a wide receiver too.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I'm inside my top 20 this week. I'm keeping it open as well. Jay, I agree with you. 25% target share, 91% route participation. To your point, Connor, the usage was there, didn't follow with fantasy production, but I think that's coming. Right. And more importantly, not a terrible matchup against Seattle, who's allowed the eighth most yards to the slot this season, which obviously Godwin was targeted on six of his 14 slot routes against the Eagles. Expect them to try to attack that position a little bit more. So, yeah, Godwin's a top 20 play for me this week. By the way, you know who has Mike Evans in our league?

[Connor Rogers]

You know who has Chris Godwin?

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, you. Me. Yeah, exactly. That's right.

[Jay Croucher]

And a Monroe St. Brown.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, of course. The chubby leather Dyers are a monster. Yeah. Fantasy Life commenter, also very strong. If you don't beat me by 30 points this week.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, now there's a spread. There's a spread in fantasy.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm trying to.

[Connor Rogers]

I'm just trying to cover the state versus Minnesota.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm just trying to get. I'm just trying to. Moral victory. That's where I'm.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, you're talking yourself into this.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh, man. I just want to. Moral victory. I mean, for the love of God, you spent $41 on Malik Washington this morning.

[Connor Rogers]

I'll tell you who needs a moral victory right now is T. Higgins. It is not pretty out here. And they got the Lions, who are just crushing everybody right now since their Week 1 loss. 4.4 fantasy points per game. And Jake Browning starts Matthew. That's where we're at with T. Higgins.

[Matthew Berry]

It's been bad.

[Connor Rogers]

It's been awful, brutal. Can you even.

[Matthew Berry]

Killing my Chase Brown?

[Connor Rogers]

I mean, you probably don't have a better option if you drafted T. Higgins as early as you had to, but can you.

[Matthew Berry]

Can you play him?

[Connor Rogers]

I mean.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. I mean, honestly, it comes down to the options. Who else do you have? I'm at wide receiver 30. So I'm keeping him open just because the potential big play just because we're on a bye week. So it's hard to. A guy that's this talented and a guy that got a 27% target share in week four now didn't translate to like a ton of production, but Jake Browning was looking for T. Higgins a decent amount. It's worth noting the Lions have allowed the fourth most yards on deep passes. So T. Higgins, who's gotten at least one end zone target in three straight games, you know you're hoping for a score here. Again, wide receiver 30. So he's a shaky wide receiver three for me. But depending on your options, I'm reluctantly keeping it open on T. Higgins just because I believe in the talent and I do think that game has sneaky shootout potential. 49 and a half is the over under so expecting a lot of scoring now. It might be all Detroit, it might not.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Whatever the team totals are in that game.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. I mean the Lions of ten, ten and a half point favorites there. So Market is predictably expecting a blowout like a 30 to 20 type of game. I don't think the Bengals are going to get to 20. Yeah. This game. The issue too would be that the Lions are going to run the ball at will. Like the Bengals just aren't going to stop this run game and so the Bengals probably aren't going to have the ball that much. At the same time though, still T. Higgins in a throw script and you drafted T. Higgins pretty early so you probably just have to roll with him.

[Connor Rogers]

Devonta Smith kind of in the same mold here. J Just one game this season with 10 plus fantasy points. The Eagles didn't get any receiving yards in the second half of last week.

[Jay Croucher]

Didn't get any receiving yards any week outside of the Rams in the second half where they're playing from three scores down. I don't think the Eagles are particularly good. Figure it out eventually. But right now you look at their underlying metrics like they have no right to be 4 0. I get that they just this clutch team that just pulls out wins but with Devonta Smith very difficult matchup going against Patrick Satan and friends in Denver. The Eagles. By the way, it's not just me. The Eagles are only three and a half point favorites at home against Bo Nicks against the Denver team that has been very up and down so far. We just need to see that this Eagles team is going to be able to reliably throw the ball. I think for the most part Devontae Smith at best as a flex guy now and you probably, well you hopefully have some better options. But yeah, it's pretty amazing that right now we're going to week five and Devonte Smith is one spot ahead of Ellicio Manor in your rankings.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I'm closing it out on Devonte Smith. 34 is the exact ranking there like on the season. His utilization score is 59. That is too low. Again, we've talked about this a lot but the utilization score, it's a number that's on fantasy life.com proprietary Duane McFarlane invented it that it is a number from 1 to 100 that sort of is predictive based on all sorts of underlying data data in terms of future fantasy success. So the fact that his utilization score is just 59, which is out there are 41 wide receivers with a better score than Devontae Smith. Yeah, I mean like you're playing denver 7 fused fantasy points to wide receivers. He has yet to have a game with more than 60 receiving yards. Eagles don't throw at all. I think you're still starting AJ Brown but Devonta Smith, until I see it, I just. I don't know. They want to be run heavy. Philadelphia does and they're 4 0. It hasn't always looked pretty. They've had to make a massive comeback against the Rams, but they. But still the Eagles don't need to be in massive game script and I don't see the Denver offense suddenly putting up a ton of points where Philadelphia would have to suddenly go to a big throw script here because that's the problem is their defense is so elite.

[Connor Rogers]

Our last one, guys. Juwan Johnson, he's got the Giants coming off a season low last week in week four, 5.8 fantasy points. But Matthew, with bye weeks, the state of the tight end position, you probably roll with Juwan Johnson another week, right?

[Matthew Berry]

Keeping it open. I'm as a top 10 tight end this week look at least a 19.5% target share in three or four games this season. And you love the matchup for the Giants as New York is giving up the third most tight end targets. It's an area of the field that you can sort of target against the Giants. So yeah, ratty ice has been looking for Joanne Johnson. A letdown last week, but I'm back in it, especially given sort of the state of the tight end position. No Kyle Pitts, no Tucker Kraft this week as well. No John ooh Smith.

[Jay Croucher]

Saints favored this week for the sack. I've enjoyed Saints fans because you're not going to be favored again. Maybe home Panthers, they could be favored again. They play the jets in New York.

[Connor Rogers]

I think it's in New Orleans.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay, that's odd to me then. If you're telling me that the Saints basically have maybe two games the rest of the year where they'll be favored. I have a friend that put a large amount of money on them to make the playoffs.

[Connor Rogers]

It's peculiar.

[Matthew Berry]

Why would that friend. I don't want to out him publicly. My. My buddy. I mean he's from another country.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes.

[Matthew Berry]

So maybe he doesn't understand our ways.

[Jay Croucher]

American football producer Pete from Greece.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

No, here's the thing, right, Matt. So week one Juwan Johnson, your Man completely screwed me with his drop touchdown in the end zone. That would tie the game. The next week they played the Niners. They didn't fix the turf in New Orleans. So man, Spencer Rattler slips when he's going for the game winning touchdown.

[Matthew Berry]

Should have beaten the bill.

[Connor Rogers]

Sound like him right now.

[Jay Croucher]

Screwed on the end zone thing. Week three, they lost by a million points to see. I'll give them that one.

[Matthew Berry]

But they should be three and one.

[Jay Croucher]

No, no, they should probably be one and three. They should be one and three about to beat the Giants to go two and three and then all of a.

[Matthew Berry]

Sudden instead they're back in the mix.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, right.

[Matthew Berry]

They're old four.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, look out Bucks.

[Jay Croucher]

The Bucks aren't great either.

[Connor Rogers]

To recap, I like that Jay hates all the good teams. Eagles 4 0. Stinks.

[Jay Croucher]

I'm a cocksman.

[Connor Rogers]

Stinks.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. He only puts his money on keep.

[Connor Rogers]

It open or close it out. Recap. Daniel Jones is QB9. That's an open. As is Derrick Henry at RB19. Trey Benson stays open as well. You gotta like the matchup. Keep an eye on his knee injury though. We'll follow that throughout the week. Isaiah Pacheco at RB34, that's a close. Chiefs backfield right now is probably not giving you many solutions. Chris Godwin, top 20 play stays open against the Seahawks. T. Higgins, wide receiver 30. The most fringe open possible. You probably just don't have a better option. If you do, good for you. Demonte Smith is a close at wide receiver 34. It's a bad matchup and the Eagles are not throwing the ball well right now. Juwan Johnson with the tight end. Bye weeks. You hope for a bounce back. It's a good matchup against the Giants. He's open at tight end nine. We're taking our first break.

[Matthew Berry]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Breaking news. We got breaking news into the fantasy.

[Connor Rogers]

I need a producer to tell me that's right.

[Matthew Berry]

Mike Garofello, Garofalo of NFL Network tweeting out. Dan Quinn says Jaden Daniels got the clearance needed from Docs and will be a full go for the Commanders in practice today. So there you go. A full go for the commanders. And for live at noon on the tube against look out fantasy life commenter. I got a shot at covering this spread, this 30 point spread.

[Connor Rogers]

30 points I gave you.

[Matthew Berry]

That's all I want. I just need to cover.

[Jay Croucher]

You better win that game, Matthew.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh, we're dead.

[Jay Croucher]

No, if you lose. No, I'm saying the commanders oh, yeah. Two and three on the road to Justin Herbert.

[Matthew Berry]

No, that's. Yeah. I mean, by the way, we're on the road to Justin Herbert. Like, we need to win that game. It's a big game for us. That's why it's like the Falcons. Like, they shouldn't have. They shouldn't have dicked around. You heard me. Against the Falcons. Which they did. They did anyway. Just the defense was brutal. It's awful.

[Connor Rogers]

All right, let's take our first break.

[Matthew Berry]

You think NBC is happy that they came to an agreement with YouTube so that this show could continue to exist?

[Connor Rogers]

There's backup producer Pete reading a book on the sideline, just like A.J. brown.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Whenever I have to produce.

[Jay Croucher]

Unbelievable. Pete's giving himself shout outs.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Oh, and you have that when you.

[Connor Rogers]

Have the steering wheel.

[Jay Croucher]

These cool jokes I've been making online.

[Matthew Berry]

Instead of producing the show.

[Connor Rogers]

Tweeting memes while producing the show. That's why I don't have a countdown. Yeah, we'll be back after this.

[Matthew Berry]

Exactly.

[Connor Rogers]

I won't know that we're back, but we'll be back.

[Matthew Berry]

It's a pretty good tweet.

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

Or you can use. To be very clear, you can use promo code J20, Connor20, [e-mail] get 20% off. So, all right, so we have all sorts of tools you see like fantasy guillotine, Best ball, dynasty. Oh, let's go to utilization. And now we go to our utilization tool, which is incredibly impressive. Let's say, hey, like, I want to know what I'm doing with the Chargers wide receiver room. So I go there, I go down. Okay, let me pick the Chargers. Here's just the Chargers, right? And so you see it there, like, and we've got, you know, we targets and their targets, third and fourth down targets, air yards, like all sorts of the underlying stats you need. So I picked Keenan Allen, Lad McConkey and Quentin Johnson. Oh, look at huge. QJ has a utilization score in the 80s. And look at his average depth of target. Look at his PPR rate. Look at his, look at his, you know, look at his target share. Look at his end zone targets, his air yards like his catchable targets. Like every stat you need to know to compare each one of these players as well. A wealth of information all at your fingertips, all part of fantasy life. Plus, go to FantasyLife.com and use promo code ROTO20 or J20, Connor 20, Matthew 20. It is a competition. Please vote for me. All right, There you go.

[Connor Rogers]

Very nice. But seriously, you gotta win something.

[Matthew Berry]

It is an unbelievable tool. I went 237 last week. That's what sucks. It's just this league. I can't figure it out. My team sucks in this league. It is what it is.

[Connor Rogers]

You mailed it in.

[Matthew Berry]

I did. I'm the backup producer, Pete, of our.

[Connor Rogers]

League, Super Bowl Hangover. But the problem is he's in the league.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I know.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah. I can't verify any of the 23 and 6, but I can verify the own one. So I don't know about all the other stuff, but yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Well, it's time for everyone's favorite new segment. Matthew, this is the time they let you take the wheel.

[Matthew Berry]

They let me take the wheel. Only Pete would be dangerous enough to.

[Connor Rogers]

Think that's a good idea.

[Matthew Berry]

This is Pete's way of saying, like, oh, you think I phoned in the first segment. Watch this.

[Connor Rogers]

Give Matthew a second.

[Matthew Berry]

So this is. This is Blind Date. We're going to reveal the stats of some players. You know, people go to the bar, they look. They sometimes often have blind dates in bars. This is where, honestly, Jay and I met. For our first romantic encounter was on a blind date at a bar. So I'm going to reveal a player to you right now. Let's go ahead, Pete. Let's bring up the graphic. Here it is. This is somebody who is second in the NFL and snap rate, fifth in target share, sixth in utilization, but has just 20. He's just 25th in terms of inside the five yard. Rush attempts. This is a running back obviously as well in middle of the pack and kind of an RB2, if you will. In terms of fantasy points per game, he's 15.7. We interested in this guy? Do we like the production, the snap rate and the production.

[Connor Rogers]

The snap rate is amazing.

[Matthew Berry]

But he's just not getting the work in close, right?

[Connor Rogers]

The utilization score being 89. Definitely interested in this player. It feels like somebody that is off to an odd slow start and will have high projections the rest of the year. But I. I'm not positive who it is. Like the thing that has me not saying Saquon Barkley is. You would think Saquon has more inside the five yard line rushing attempts.

[Jay Croucher]

I think so. Plays a ton of snaps, gets a pretty good target share, but is getting vultured at the goal line. I think it has to be someone with a quarterback who is very true pushing. So I James Cook or Saquon Barkley. But James Cook is averaging more than 15, right.

[Connor Rogers]

And we had him last week, which is why I ruled him out right away. If I had to guess, I would.

[Jay Croucher]

Say Saquon, but I would say Saquon.

[Matthew Berry]

You guys are right, it is Saquon Barkley. Nice job guys. Here with Saquon Barkley. You know, the concern on Saquon Barkley here is like, again, just like, right, he's getting vultured, like and it's decent. You know, the utilization score is there, but like he's just not being particularly efficient. Yeah, they're not, you know, and he's getting vultured a lot at the goal line. He's also not breaking off those big runs the way he used to be.

[Jay Croucher]

It doesn't break up anything. There's no through four weeks, the O line doesn't seem quite as good as it was last year. It's been a little bit of turnover and Saquon, I mean saquon had almost 500 touches last year. You would expect him to not be quite as explosive. Now he's closer to 30.

[Connor Rogers]

It's also one of the most basic boring run games in all of football. I wonder if they start to vary it up to get a him going a little bit more.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I don't know that. I don't. I don't know that he's a buy low, but I also don't know that he's a sell either. I think you just sort of have to hang on and hope that the Eagles offense just gets better and he gets more efficient. But it's just incredibly annoying that he's getting this massive usage, but not when they get in close. You know, Hertz was going to vulture some, but.

[Connor Rogers]

Right.

[Matthew Berry]

He's got to be better than 25th.

[Jay Croucher]

They gave him the fake tush. Push tutty.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, there was that.

[Jay Croucher]

Some science.

[Matthew Berry]

There was that. All right, let's go to another guy here. So you like that inside the five yard line rush attempt share. Well, this guy is one of the best in the NFL. He's tied for first, you know and he's top 12 in utilization score, but top 12 in target share. They're not using him in the third down stuff. The two minute drill snap rate just 34th in the NFL. 46%. We interested in this guy. He's kind of mid tier flexed.

[Connor Rogers]

I think I know this one because I have this player in literally 80% of leagues judging by all the usage. Literally so much usage and underperforming on the actual score. And this player is always right around 23rd. It has to be DeAndre Swift.

[Jay Croucher]

That's a good shout. Yeah, I was going to say the Chubb Lachuba Hubbard, but DeAndre Swift it is.

[Matthew Berry]

DeAndre Swift it is. Well, John Connor.

[Connor Rogers]

Way too many leagues.

[Matthew Berry]

Connor is two for two. Nice job there as well. You know, I mean like I'm just hesitant on him. Right. Just because he sucks.

[Connor Rogers]

You would think they want more like they got to look at someone else or something.

[Matthew Berry]

You know, you. You and I both love kalmanangay, you know. Guy. I'll get it right there.

[Connor Rogers]

There was a time in August where he had it.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Jay Croucher]

Manangai pronounce it like he's the star detective season one Kyle McConaughey stuff.

[Matthew Berry]

Manang guy. Either way they either trade for somebody, you know, do they but. Or they, they go to somebody else. Because Swift is just brutal. I mean that the usage is unbelievable. But nothing else about this says like.

[Connor Rogers]

Oh, you feel like it's crazy.

[Jay Croucher]

Let's get Bracell over there.

[Connor Rogers]

I do think there's a good chance Breeze is traded.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

You think? Chiefs, The Bears.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it doesn't like the Chiefs.

[Matthew Berry]

Let's go to. Let's go to another guy here. Okay, so you see right here, this guy is not playing a ton of snaps. Like he's 18th in snap rate target shares. None of them. The passing game at all is outside the top 40 in target share. 71st again, like they're not using him on long down distance snaps as well. 71 utilization score, which is like barely top 20. But he's 10th in fantasy points. This is somebody that has just been really, really good in terms of his production.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Limited to low usage.

[Jay Croucher]

It is someone who has to be dependent either on touchdowns or on breaking long runs. I think I was talking about who I think it is yesterday that he just is strangely not getting a third down passing work. And that's Travis Etienne, I will say.

[Connor Rogers]

This is David Montgomery.

[Matthew Berry]

Travis ETN is the correct call. Well done there, Jay. Yeah, I mean, he's so touchdown dependent. Like, it's been, you know, kind of propped up by touchdowns. But I think ETN is a sell high. He's not involved in the passing game. He's not even getting a full workload here. Bashal Tutin looks like the real deal. We don't love this offense. I don't know that the offense is suddenly going to be in scoring position all the time. And so ETN who again, and just, you know, he's broken off a couple of long runs and he. That's part of his package. He does have this explosive playmaking ability. But I think ETN is kind of a sell high here. Connor.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, I think that. I mean, he's averaging over six yards per carry, I believe, but you always just worry about him breaking down. The problem is you might have got him at such a value that you're kind of riding the wave right now and just praying that it could stick. I would be very curious what you can get for him because based off name recognition, it feels like not much, but maybe people look at the stats and go, I need RB1 right now.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I mean, like, that's the thing is like, I did a draft last night, so I did a Guillotine League draft last night. And it's sort of like you go through that, you're just like, that guy sucks. You know, Chase Brown, Derek Henry. Like, I mean, like, it's just, there's. There's not a lot. You know what I mean?

[Connor Rogers]

Like, that's some bad news, guys.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

Trey Benson is being placed on ir.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay. All right, There you go. When I said earlier in the show that I would keep it open, I'm changing that. We're going to close it out. Andre Benson, we're not going to start him this week. As we talked about during that segment, like, hey, he got a little bit banged up and Amari Dmicardo is out there. He's going to be the guy. Here's the tweet from Adam Schefter, another running back whose status for Sunday is now in question. Cardinals running back Trey Benson near the end of Last Thursday's game versus the Seahawks, Benson banged his knee. It's not thought to be serious, but his status for Sunday now is in question. So that. That tweet must have been from a little while ago because it's now officially been placed on ir. Yes.

[Connor Rogers]

So he's going to miss at least four games. They expect him to be back at some point this season. That's all we got right now.

[Matthew Berry]

All right, so it's Amari Dimacardo, but who isn't. Like, he's a smaller back.

[Connor Rogers]

He's their pass catching back.

[Matthew Berry]

He's their pass catching back.

[Connor Rogers]

So do they elevate somebody else to the Benson, the Connor Benson now, whoever else role?

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, I mean, like, I don't think they have anyone great there. Did Michael Carter still there, that former Jet?

[Connor Rogers]

He's also very tiny and should only be catching passes.

[Matthew Berry]

I'm just trying to think who else they have on the depths. I'm being honest with you. I blanked on who else they have. Like, who's their fourth ex?

[Connor Rogers]

Jets legends Michael Carter and Bam Knight.

[Matthew Berry]

Oh, Bam Knight.

[Jay Croucher]

Wow.

[Matthew Berry]

It would probably buy his brother. Yes.

[Connor Rogers]

Probably. Yes. Yes. That's how it works. Bam. Oh, my goodness.

[Matthew Berry]

I have nothing.

[Connor Rogers]

That was very good. I froze.

[Jay Croucher]

I don't do.

[Matthew Berry]

Listen, they're home against. They're. They're home against Tennessee. So Dimacardo actually is kind of an interesting streamer if you are desperate. Like, I do think like, again, they're home favorites and he's a smaller guy. But maybe they get away with it for a game the way the Steelers did with Gainwell last week. But they'll either they'll elevate Bam Knight or Carter. Yeah. Or Michael Carter. They'll probably elevate all of them. Right. Because they're going to need some depth. And who. We'll see who else is out there. Do they trade for somebody like Dalvin.

[Jay Croucher]

Cook or Ezekiel Elliott or something? It's going to be on the Cardinals.

[Matthew Berry]

Somebody like that? Yeah, it's gonna be.

[Jay Croucher]

It's not great.

[Matthew Berry]

It's gonna be somebody that's just, you know, like, it's time.

[Jay Croucher]

Kyle Amari. It's time to start running. It's like just run for 75 yards a game. It's time. Yeah.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. But yeah, maybe that's a. Anyway. All right.

[Connor Rogers]

Back to blind date.

[Matthew Berry]

Okay, Back to blind date. Back to blind date. But anyway, get better soon. Trey Benson. That's a. That's a tough break there as well. Maybe the Chubbler. Maybe they go to the original Chubbler Hey, Houston, what can we give you.

[Connor Rogers]

For the OG Chubb?

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah, yeah, the next job. All right, so this is a wide receiver who has a really high target share, 29%, tied for six highest. But just. It's been. It's struggled from his quarterback. His catchable target rate is just 66%. That's 110th in the NFL. And it's all a bunch of short yardage stuff. Right. His average up the target is tied for 108. He's got a 78 utilization score. So he's a guy that's out there quite a bit, but he's not running anything deep. But they are throwing to him quite a bit.

[Jay Croucher]

So, Jamar, I was just going to.

[Connor Rogers]

Say, I think it's Jamar Chase because the average points per game and the.

[Jay Croucher]

Target share and the fact that he can't. His quarterback isn't actually throwing the ball at him.

[Matthew Berry]

So I know the answers. I would have actually guessed. Yeah, I would have guessed Wandell Robinson, but it's Chris Olave, you know, but who's just become a PPR scam artist. It's weird, but Rattler is. You know, Rattler is.

[Connor Rogers]

We got to get him out of there. I mean, you know, lave someone else come get him.

[Matthew Berry]

Right. But, you know, he got the touchdown last week, but like said the usage is there, but just hasn't turned into fantasy production. Except for the fact that he's getting a lot of catches. He's kind of. Again, he's kind of a Wando Robinson. Except for the fact we know Chris Olavi is actually good.

[Jay Croucher]

Yeah, that's disappointing about the cap. It turns out my man Spencer Rattle is a Ponzi scheme. Yeah, Rattle is playing okay. He's. But he's just like, I guess it's such a low bar that was set for him. He's playing like a solid backup quarterback in the NFL. But Chris Olave deserves more.

[Matthew Berry]

He does. But I actually think Olave is actually somebody that potentially is a little bit of a buy low just because we know he's talented, we know he's healthy, he's obviously the focal point of this passing offense and that if Rattler's either going to get better or get replaced.

[Connor Rogers]

Right, Tyler, Shuck time.

[Jay Croucher]

If they lose to the Giants and they're own five, then I think it's. It's Shuck Daddy.

[Matthew Berry]

Who will.

[Connor Rogers]

Who will throw the ball down? Yeah, he's got to. He's got a bigger down.

[Matthew Berry]

The Shuckler.

[Jay Croucher]

Yes. Oh, boy.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Shuck you. Oh, yeah, there's so many things we can do with this. Tyler Shuck.

[Jay Croucher]

Shucky the dog. Yeah, Tyler Shock.

[Connor Rogers]

Let's take one more break. When we're back, back to the future. Our favorite awards and futures bets right after this.

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[Connor Rogers]

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[Matthew Berry]

Crown is yours.

[Connor Rogers]

Crown is yours. Back to the futures. Jay looking over in the NFC?

[Jay Croucher]

Maybe, yeah, a little look at the NFC. I go north to Michigan. The Detroit Lions plus 425 to win the NFC. Kenny is very excited about that. Managing the show today. I think the Detroit Lions are the best team in football. I think they're the most complete team. A little worried about Buffalo's defense. A little worried about the packers defense after what they showed against the Cowboys. Little worried about the Eagles. Everything at the moment. I think that the Lions, I'm not so worried about their coordinator turnover. Seems like they've gotten through that. I thought their performance against Baltimore in particular was extremely impressive. So give me the Lions to win the nfc.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, they look back on track. It's wild. This segment a couple of weeks ago, I think after week one, I had them over nine and a half wins. Now it's probably 11 and a half.

[Matthew Berry]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Connor Rogers]

The Lions have just, they've fully gotten back on track. I'm thinking the same thing as you be going with the rams. The Rams plus 600 to win the NFC. Puka has never looked better. Right now he's the best wide receiver in football. This offense can play in so many different ways. I love their defensive line. I feel really good about them on Thursday Night Football with a shorthanded Niners team, I think the Rams have a good shot. I like this number. To win the NFC, plus 600 is good value.

[Jay Croucher]

They got a better. I think they have a better quarterback than Philadelphia or Detroit, which will matter.

[Matthew Berry]

In January and potentially a better coach for sure. I'm going to go with Sean McDermott to win Coach of the Year. Jay, as we talked about, plus 1400 for a guy that's undefeated so far. Shane Steichen, I get it, it's a great story. But there's a chance, as you talked about, the schedule is so easy for the Bills. There's a scenario where they go undefeated this season or, you know, 15, two. Like they just have an unbelievable. Sean McDermott has never won coach of the Year. And so if the Bills take another step again, it's a regular season award. It's not, you know, based on what happens in the playoffs. So, yeah, give me Sean McDermott at + 1400. I like that. Price to win coach of the Year as the Bills keep it rolling.

[Jay Croucher]

Yep. By the way, Josh Allen is. I believe he's even money to win MVP at this point. He's plus 100.

[Matthew Berry]

So do you think that hurts the Coach of the year candidate? Because they're just, they. They give all the credit to the quarterback.

[Jay Croucher]

I think it sets a high above. But if you go 16 1, then you'd be in the mix and they could do that against the schedule. Like where are the losses coming? The seven and a half point favorites at the Patriots, at the Falcons by at Panthers home. Chiefs. That'll probably be the most difficult game. Dolphins, Bucks, Texans, Steelers, Bengals, Patriots, Browns, Eagles. Week 17. That will be an epic game. And then the jets in week Eagles.

[Matthew Berry]

In Week 17 at the Browns in Week 16, like in December, you know, cold weather game, you could see that Week 12 at the Texans on a short week, you could see maybe that that could be a trap.

[Jay Croucher]

Probably lose the game at some point.

[Matthew Berry]

But just my point is it's like 16, 1, 7, 15 and 2. Like they've got a real chance at that. So yeah, Sean McDermott plus 1400 to win coach of the year.

[Jay Croucher]

I think Josh Allen's never looked better as well.

[Connor Rogers]

I agree.

[Jay Croucher]

In total control.

[Connor Rogers]

Could. Could their win total move to 14 and a half?

[Jay Croucher]

I think it. Yeah, it should.

[Connor Rogers]

Yeah, it's been 13 and a half for a while. That's wild.

[Matthew Berry]

It's and fair that music means. It's closing time. You do not have to go home, my friends. But unfortunately you can't stay here. We're back tomorrow. For Jay. For Connor. It's me, the whiny baby oil cry baby Matthew. We'll see you tomorrow. Peace out.