Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Week 8 Start/Sit: Caleb Williams, Alvin Kamara, Matthew Golden, T.J. Hockenson
Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Matthew Berry | Co-hosts: Jay Croucher, Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This episode is packed with classic Matthew Berry banter, detailed start/sit advice for Week 8's toughest fantasy dilemmas, discussion of player injuries and waiver wire stashes, and the crew's popular “Keep It Open or Close It Out” segment. The focus is on helping listeners navigate "Bymageddon" — a week overloaded with byes and difficult lineup decisions. Additionally, the trio brings their signature humor, digressions, and sharp analysis to bear on listener questions, player debates, and future bets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Player Nicknames & Banter (“X Marks the Spot”)

• Early laughs about giving Xavier Leggette (Panthers WR) the "X" nickname after a double-digit target game.
  • Quote: “You get double digit targets, you get to pick your letter.” – Matthew Berry (01:48)
  • Jokes about needing more notable 'X' names in sports.
  • Running gag about other athletes and comic characters (e.g., Xena the Warrior Princess, Xavier McDaniel).

The Fantasy Misery Index — Matthew’s League of “Assholes”

• Matthew describes his desperate fantasy season: losing Mike Evans for the year, a non-existent waiver wire, and Tyrod Taylor as QB pick-up due to injuries and byes.
  • Quote: “This is my Super Bowl. This is my opportunity to get a win. The team is terrible.” – Matthew Berry (10:07)
• Spirited chat with listeners in the YouTube chat about his team’s woes.
• The term "excuse-ler" emerges as a nickname for Matthew's misfortune explanations.

Jets Quarterback & NFL Media Meltdown

• Jokes and debate about Jets owner Woody Johnson’s murky commentary on Zach Wilson and the meaning of “rating” (QB rating, PFF, or even Madden).
  • Quote: “If we could just complete a pass it would look good. You know we gotta complete some path.” – Woody Johnson (05:46)
• Tyrod Taylor’s “day-to-day” injury creates more fantasy chaos in deeper leagues.

Keep It Open or Close It Out — Week 8 Start/Sit Segment

1. Caleb Williams (QB, Bears)

• Start/Bench Dilemma: Coming off three poor games, faces the Ravens.
• Berry's View: Keep it open — “In a week where there’s not a lot of options… I do think Caleb Williams, who’s been bad… against the Ravens he gets it going. I’m at QB11.” (13:05)
• Notes: Ravens’ defense last in pressure rate over the last month and second most fantasy points allowed to QBs.
• Tiebreaker with Jackson Dart: Both favor Dart’s season-long upside slightly due to his offensive role and rushing.

2. Tyrod Taylor (QB, Jets)

• If he plays (knee injury, day-to-day), he's a mid-tier QB2 against a bottom-three Bengals pass defense. (16:53)
• QB16 in Berry’s initial ranks before injury news.

3. Alvin Kamara (RB, Saints)

• Concern: Extended slump with under 13 points since Week 2, vs. Bucs run defense.
• Berry's View: Keep it open — “He’s just going to get a lot of work… Buccaneers allow the most receiving yards per game to running backs this season.” (19:11)
• Kendre Miller (backup) out for the year; Kamara played 85% of snaps in Week 7.
• Fantasy Rank: RB17 – Hope for PPR “scammery.”

4. Jakori Kroski-Merritt (RB, Commanders)

• Situation: Usage up but production weak (<8 points in 3 of last 4); faces Chiefs, heavy underdogs, likely without Jaden Daniels.
• Berry's View: Close it out — “He’s just not involved in the passing game… He’s my RB25, but I’m not excited about it.” (22:55)

5. Kamani Vidal (RB, Chargers)

• Opportunity: Faces Vikings, gets workhorse usage with Haskins and Hampton out.
• Berry's View: Keep it open — “Big workload… Vikings are middle of the pack in run defense... he’s a low-end RB2, high-end flex in a ‘Bymageddon’ week.” (26:15)
• Fantasy Rank: RB22

6. Roma Dunze (WR, Bears)

• Notes: Two quiet weeks, but top 20 WR prior.
• Berry’s View: Keep it open — “His main wide receiver… every game except one, 22% target share. If there’s a Bears WR getting 16+ fantasy points, it’ll be him.” (28:16)
• Fantasy Rank: WR17

7. Khalil Shakir (WR, Bills)

• Floor vs. Upside: Good for ~8 points, but low ceiling.
• Berry’s View: Close it out — “He’s had one game with more than 45 yards… not a lot of upside… even in a week like this, I'm at WR34.” (30:25)
• Bills are run-heavy favorites; Panthers allow 3rd fewest WR fantasy points.

8. Matthew Golden (WR, Packers)

• High Variance, Lottery Ticket: Great stash for upside, little current production. Only one game with more than four receptions.
• Berry’s View: Close it out for this week, but possibly stash for upside ROS. “He’s a good player that will eventually get better... but it just hasn’t been there yet for Matthew Golden.” (32:54)
• Multiple comparisons to similar WR “lottery tickets” (Jameson Williams, Keon Coleman).
• Quote: “Do you want to swing for the fences? Matthew Golden’s the answer.” – Jay Croucher (33:55)

9. T.J. Hockenson (TE, Vikings)

• Disappointing season but heavy usage with Carson Wentz, lack of other TE depth this week.
• Berry’s View: Reluctantly keep it open — “Given state of the position… he’s a tight end eight.” (38:06)
• Chargers have allowed a TD to a TE in 3 of their past 4.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Fantasy Gloom:
  • “The excuse-ler has become the bummed out-ler.” — Regular Rudy in the chat, as Berry laments his season (45:18)
• On Kamara’s Usage:
  • “Given the state of running back… you’re hoping for some PPR scammery here.” — Berry (20:18)
• On Ronde Gadsden’s Prop Bet Variance:
  • “He’s the ultimate high variance player… that’s the way to beat the books if you can, is to exploit that variance.” — Jay Croucher (27:35)
• On T.J. Hockenson’s Motivation:
  • “Maybe the Hockler sits there and goes like, I can’t have a Ronda Gadsden be the tight end everyone talks about over this out of this game.” — Matthew Berry (38:46)

Blind Date Segment (Player Stat and Trend Guessing)

• Jordan Addison (Vikings WR): In the last four weeks, quietly a fantasy WR1 in points per game.
  • Stats: 94 yards/game, top 10 in targets; overshadowed by Jefferson, breakout season.
  • Quote: “Very quietly, Jordan Addison’s kind of having a breakout year.” — Berry (46:26)
• Romeo Doubs (Packers WR): Top 8 fantasy WR over the last four weeks, driven by TDs.
  • Quote: “It’s Dobbs and Tucker Kraft in the passing game. There’s not much else that you’re worried about there.” — Berry (48:28)
• DeVonta Smith (Eagles WR): Over the last three weeks, averages out similarly to A.J. Brown in target share and fantasy output, despite much lower preseason ADP.

Listener Q&A & Chat Highlights

• Who to trade/hold among high-variance WRs: Listeners debate Golden, Jameson Williams, and others as rest-of-season stashes (e.g., “Do you want eight points per week or to swing for the fences?”).
• Chat jokes and fantasy nicknames: The listeners’ YouTube chat, as read by the hosts, is a consistent source of inside jokes, ribbing, and comic relief.

Back to the Futures — Bold Bets & Futures

Jay Croucher’s Take

Bengals to Make the Super Bowl

• Odds: +270 to make the playoffs, +800 to win the AFC
• “The Bengals with Joe Burrow can beat any team in the playoffs… this is a mispriced bet.” (54:55)

Connor Rogers’ Pick

Micah Parsons to Lead League in Sacks:

• Odds: +800
• Favorable “game in hand,” projected positive game scripts.

Matthew Berry’s Pick

Tyler Warren for Offensive ROY:

• Still third in betting, leading all tight ends with high production.
• “The voters are going to reward the Colts for their season, and this is one way to do it…” (55:52)

Notable Timestamps

• 01:15 – Xavier Leggette “X” nickname riffing & target jokes
• 10:00 – Berry’s Super Bowl: Describes his fantasy team disaster
• 13:05 – Caleb Williams, “keep it open” discussion & Ravens matchup
• 19:11 – Alvin Kamara usage and PPR “scammery” for Week 8
• 22:55 – “Close it out” on Jakori Kroski-Merritt
• 26:15 – Kamani Vidal’s RB22 value and Chargers backfield analysis
• 28:16 – Roma Dunze “keep it open” for Week 8
• 30:25 – Khalil Shakir closed for low upside
• 32:54 – Matthew Golden ROS upside vs. current utility
• 38:06 – T.J. Hockenson – reluctantly starting as TE8
• 46:26 – Jordan Addison’s quiet breakout (“blind date” stat segment)
• 54:36 – Futures bets: Bengals, Micah Parsons, Tyler Warren

Tone & Style

• Upbeat, quick-witted, sometimes self-deprecating — lots of laughs, running jokes (e.g., about fantasy team misery, Xavier “X” Leggette, the excuse-ler).
• Conversational but analysis-driven — stats, matchup breakdowns, and strategic fantasy advice.

Summary Table – Key Players ("Keep It Open or Close It Out")

| Player | Decision | Rationale | |------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Caleb Williams (QB) | Open | Great matchup, few options in a tough bye week | | Tyrod Taylor (QB) | Open (if plays) | Weak Bengals pass defense, potential QB2 value | | Alvin Kamara (RB) | Open | Volume + PPR upside vs. Bucs' RB receiving weakness | | Jakori Kroski-Merritt (RB) | Closed | No pass game role, tough matchup, low upside | | Kamani Vidal (RB) | Open | Workhorse touches, good flex/play in Bye-pocalypse | | Roma Dunze (WR) | Open | Main target, plus matchup, positive game script | | Khalil Shakir (WR) | Closed | No big games/upside, Buffalo run-heavy favorites | | Matthew Golden (WR) | Closed (active week), open(long-term stash) | High variance, future upside, not yet producing | | T.J. Hockenson (TE) | Open | Usage, Chargers vulnerable to TEs, lack of TE depth |

This episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour showcased Matthew Berry’s trademark mix of deep analysis, humor, and practical advice, including start/sit calls for key fantasy players, waiver/lottery ticket philosophy, and wisecracking camaraderie that keeps loyal listeners coming back. Even with “Bymageddon” upon us, Berry’s team may be in shambles, but his insights (and self-deprecation) are as sharp as ever.