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

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.

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 |

“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.

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.

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]

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]

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]

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.

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]

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.