Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 7 Start/Sit: Justin Fields, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Rashee Rice, Jameson Williams
Date: October 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 7 Start/Sit decisions, spotlighting controversial and trending fantasy players. Matthew Berry and the crew debate key dilemmas (Justin Fields, Rashee Rice, Jameson Williams, Jacory Croskey-Merritt), share their characteristic humor, and field instant chat and social questions. “Keep it open or close it out” anchors the show, mirroring Start/Sit advice with Berry’s signature context and candor. The second half features a “Blind Date” game breaking down notable player trends and trade values. Betting/futures lines and comeback player odds close out the football talk.

Main Themes & Segments

1. Keep It Open or Close It Out: Start/Sit Week 7 Decisions

(03:02–36:40)

Justin Fields vs. Panthers: Should You Still Start Him?

• Reluctant QB1 Endorsement:
  Berry names Fields a “very nervous top 10 ranking” but keeps him open (starts him) due to matchup, not player faith.

  “If he struggles here...this is a ranking that is not without trepidation because he could get yanked for Tyrod Taylor at any time. But I am keeping it open on Justin Fields. And the reason I have him as a top 10 play this week is entirely matchup based.” (04:25) — Matthew Berry

• Short Leash & Risk:
  Panel debates the downside: if Fields underwhelms early, he could be benched for Tyrod Taylor, especially with Garrett Wilson out.

• Fantasy vs. NFL Value:

  “We can debate whether he's been a good NFL quarterback, but he's been a good fantasy quarterback. All three of his games prior to last week...he'd scored at least 25 fantasy points.” (05:15) — Berry

Chase Brown vs. Steelers: Trust He’s a Lead Back?

• Disappointment & Volume Drop:
  Berry notes, "I don't know how you can start this guy," with declining snaps and Samaje Perine eating into his share.

  “The play in the argument in the preseason was this guy’s gonna get massive volume. He’s not getting massive volume...the offense is just bad, run game stinks.” (13:35) — Berry

• Panelist Dissent:
  Jay Croucher says, “I’d still go Chase Brown,” for TD potential (14:54).

Jaylen Warren vs. Bengals: Emerging Value

• Positive Trends:
  Warren keeps Berry’s endorsement thanks to heavy red-zone usage and Steelers’ improved offensive line packages.

  “He’s got 87% of the Steelers red zone rushes...the matchup is so good against Cincinnati.” (20:12) — Berry

• Panel Consensus:
  Steelers’ offense (under Arthur Smith) looks better; panel agrees Warren’s ceiling is higher than before.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (aka Bill) vs. Cowboys: Volume Play

• Commanders’ RB Workhorse:
  Despite fumble, Berry points to 18 touches and 78% command of RB opportunities recently.

  “Each of the past two games, no one other than [Bill] has had a goal line rush. He’s had 100% of the commander’s goal line rushes.” (25:01) — Berry

• Favorable Matchup:
  Cowboys’ run defense ranks bottom three over recent weeks.

Wide Receivers

• Rashee Rice vs. Raiders:
  Berry is bullish, ranking him WR20.

  “He’s their best wide receiver...I have him as a top 20 play. I’m keeping it open.” (27:35) — Berry

• Jameson Williams vs. Buccaneers:
  High-risk/high-reward, akin to “this generation’s Gabe Davis.” Berry slots him as a “shaky WR3,” keeping it barely open.

  “You either always start Jameson Williams or you never start Jameson Williams.” (31:31) — Berry

• Jauan Jennings vs. Falcons:
  Too banged-up and crowded WR corps; Berry drops him outside Top 45 WRs and closes it out.

Tight Ends

• Hunter Henry:
  Berry recommends dropping him (“closing it out”) after three straight games under 50 yards.

  “He is the ultimate sort of touchdown dependent tight end.” (35:34) — Berry

2. Notable Quotes & Banter

• On subtle humor:
  “Sometimes my humor is very subtle. Very subtle. It’s subtle and adult. Sometimes it sucks.” (01:42) — Berry
• Jets fandom pain:
  “There’s no rock bottom, just trap doors. I tell you guys, I’m just saying.” (19:13) — C. Rogers
• Fields vs. Penix future value:
  “I’m still going to say Fields because of the running...But it’s a closer conversation than it was a week ago.” (09:43) — Berry
• Running back chaos:
  “It’s Keystone Cops back there...Pete’s like scrolling TikTok and he’s just doing this...It is chaos.” (15:53) — Berry

3. Blind Date: Guess the Stat Profile

(40:38–52:31)

Players Revealed

• Jahmyr Gibbs:
  Berry (41:48) — Noting drastically reduced passing-game usage lately; not an automatic top-5 dynasty value anymore.

  “If somebody was willing to give me Jonathan Taylor for [Gibbs]? Yeah, of course.” (45:19) — Berry

• Ashton Jeanty:
  Recent workload surge after slow start; usage deemed “real.”

  “You just wish the team was in better scripts for him. But if they're gonna actually throw him the ball, that changes everything.” (46:46) — C. Rogers

• Jaylen Waddle:
  Elite production last two weeks with Tyreek Hill out; buying rest of season.

• Mike Evans:
  Elite air yards/targets but depressed fantasy points; “buy low” candidate if trade possible when healthy.

• Tucker Kraft:
  Hot start fizzled, but unlucky (tackled at 1 twice), still a viable TE1 with increased Packers’ opportunity.

4. Futures, Comeback Player, and Betting Talk

(55:19–57:43)

• Comeback Player Odds:
  Jay Croucher pushes Stefon Diggs (22:1) as a dark-horse, arguing for “story narrative” in voting but admits Dak Prescott, Aidan Hutchinson are true favorites.

  “Diggs is top four in NFL in target share the past three weeks...I think he has a path to being a top six, top eight receiver.” (55:30) — Jay Croucher

• Other Futures Picks:

  • Connor: Patrick Mahomes as regular season TD pass leader (15:1).
  • Berry: Drake May for MVP (16:1) given Patriots’ schedule, seat as “long-shot value.”

Key Timestamps by Segment

• Start/Sit Decisions Begin: 03:02
• Justin Fields Risk/Reward: 04:25–10:47
• Chase Brown Disappointment: 11:05–15:18
• Jaylen Warren Analysis: 19:03–21:37
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt Usage/Value: 25:01–27:09
• Rashee Rice, Jameson Williams, Jennings: 27:14–33:59
• Hunter Henry & TE Talk: 34:35–36:31
• Blind Date Player Profiles: 40:38–52:31
• Futures/Betting/Back to the Futures: 55:19–57:43

Notable Advice/Takeaways

• Start Fields if you’re desperate at QB, but monitor benching risk closely.
• Avoid Chase Brown if you have any alternatives; volume and O-line issues are critical.
• Jalen Warren is a strong RB2 this week; heavy usage especially in the red zone.
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt is an RB2/Flex with upside against Cowboys’ weak run D.
• Rashee Rice is startable as a WR2; Jameson Williams is a volatile flex.
• Sell Jameson Williams high if you don’t want to deal with the weekly roulette.
• Hunter Henry can go back to waivers; touchdown-or-bust.
• Jaylen Waddle and Mike Evans are compelling “buy” candidates in trades pending their roles and health.
• Consider Gibbs as trade bait if roster upgrades possible—especially for workhorse RBs.

Episode Vibe

True to “Happy Hour” form, the tone is playful, self-deprecating, and fast-moving with a mix of stats, personal anecdotes, and running inside jokes about Producer Pete, failed jokes, and the perils of NFL fandom/fantasy management. Perfect for fans who want practical fantasy insights and lively banter.