Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Week 9 Start/Sit: Jared Goff, Rico Dowdle, Marvin Harrison Jr., Stefon Diggs
Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, Connor Rogers

Episode Overview

This episode brings the crew together to dissect week 9’s most pressing start/sit decisions, focusing on Jared Goff, Rico Dowdle, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Stefon Diggs. In signature fashion, the group debates player usage and trends, offers practical rankings and advice, and injects plenty of humor while negotiating the ever-shifting fantasy landscape. Notably, the crew introduces a new “Jersey Wall” feature, plays a game of "Keep It Open or Close It Out," and runs their popular “Blind Date” segment with a fantasy twist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kansas City Chiefs Backfield – Pacheco's Injury & Replacements

Timestamp: 02:07 – 05:49

• Isaiah Pacheco is week-to-week with an MCL sprain.
  • Kareem Hunt expected to get primary goal-line/rushing work.
  • Rashad Smith’s (rookie) utilization may increase, particularly in the passing game; he formerly played WR in college and is compared to Tyrone Tracy.
  • Berry: “He will get the goal line work... but I think you've seen Burchard Smith's usage continue to increase. We know there's an explosiveness there.” [04:48]
• Fantasy Advice:
  • Both running backs should be rostered.
  • Watch for any trade deadline moves by KC, as new moves could change the outlook.

2. Start/Sit Dilemmas—Keep It Open or Close It Out

Jared Goff (Lions)

Timestamp: 05:49 – 08:44

• Only two games with 18+ fantasy points this season.
  • Berry: “He has one top 10 week on the season. He's finished higher than QB17 only twice this year... I'm closing it out.” [06:58]
  • Team’s run-heavy script limits Goff’s ceiling even in favorable matchups.
• Consensus: Not startable in standard 1QB leagues, but superflex viable.

Travis Etienne (Jaguars)

Timestamp: 08:44 – 10:49

• Connor and Berry discuss Etienne’s high workload but lack of recent fantasy output.
• Berry ranks him RB17, “reluctantly keeping it open” due to volume and matchup optimism.

Rico Dowdle (Panthers Backfield)

Timestamp: 13:32 – 16:58

• Dowdle is running better than Chuba Hubbard but the split is nearly even in snaps.
• Berry: “...reluctantly keeping it up on Rico Dowdle. He's my running back, 22 this week... assuming he plays more snaps, I think that switches this week.” [15:49]
• Situation is risky: Bad team, split workload, matchups matter for his viability.

Jordan Mason (Vikings)

Timestamp: 17:08 – 18:17

• Berry is out: “I'm closing it out. He's my running back. 36... ideally you’re looking elsewhere.” [17:19]
• Poor offensive line, uncertain backfield splits.

3. Jersey Wall Feature: "Stay or Go?"

Timestamp: 19:08 – 31:11

• New segment debates which players deserve “Wall” status (fantasy relevance).
• Marvin Harrison Jr.: Kept on the wall.
  • Berry: “No team has allowed more TDs on deep passes than the Cowboys... Harrison’s just too talented for me to close that out.” [20:53]
• Quentin Johnston: Dropped.
  • Berry: “Closing it out... only a 9% target share last three games... just don't imagine how you could start QJ until you see some production on the field.” [22:16]
• Stefon Diggs: Kept on the wall.
  • Berry: “I’m as a mid-tier WR3... I get the concerns, but I’m keeping it open on Diggsy.” [23:18]
• Mark Andrews: Removed from wall.
  • Berry: “He’s a touchdown-dependent TE2... it’s been a tough road for Mark Andrews. I’m closing it out.” [26:26]
• Audience Poll determines Chris Olave replaces Andrews on the Wall.
• Humorous banter about “front-running” nature of the Wall and its real estate.

4. Blind Date: Guess-The-Player Game

Timestamp: 37:21 – 49:05

• Segment presents anonymized player stats to the panel to guess the identity.
• Highlights:
  • Chase Brown: Low usage since Joe Flacco’s arrival, but viable as offense improves.
  • Jalen Warren:
    • “18th in the NFL in fantasy points per game... only scored like basically one touchdown. You figure... positive touchdown regression is coming.” [41:15]
  • Kamani Vidal: Unexpected RB1 volume and performance replacing injured backs.
  • Zay Flowers:
    • “A 30% target share for the Ravens... potentially a buy-low opportunity with Lamar coming back.” [46:51]
  • Tee Higgins:
    • Offense increasingly Jamar Chase-centric, limiting Higgins’ value.

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On fantasy trade etiquette:
  • Berry: “I'm a big believer that your word should mean something... if you and I negotiate a trade and I say done deal and you say done deal... it’s a done deal.” [11:16]
• On Carolina RBs:
  • Berry: “As fantasy managers and analysts trying to figure out what this Carolina running back room looks like, we appreciate [Dave Canales’ honesty].” [14:30]
• Roasting Jay about his team bandwagon jumping:
  • Berry: “It's a little rich for you who jumps from team to team to shut down other bandwagon jumpers. Like saying I'm the only one that can do it.” [25:27]

6. Futures Bets and Awards Markets

Timestamp: 52:06 – 56:51

• Defensive Rookie of the Year:
  • Crew debates longshots like Ezraku and Will Johnson; critique Abdul Carter as odds favorite.
• Berry’s Bet: Seahawks +220 to win NFC West.
  • “The Seahawks defense is great... Give me the Seahawks at plus 220.” [53:23]
• Jay on Comeback Player of the Year:
  • Advocates for Aidan Hutchinson at +450: “He’s got 48 pressures and six sacks already and the Lions are a great team...” [54:50]
• Discussion of betting markets highlights how narrative factors and media sentiment influence awards, not just stats.

7. Recurring Humor & Community Engagement

• Costume Contest Promo:
  • Showcase of a listener in a “Jay costume,” complete with WNBA jersey, Foster’s beer, and “losing futures tickets.” [49:23]
• Jersey Wall Democracy/Dramatization:
  • Regulars in the chat vote on which jersey gets prime wall placement; poll results humorously subject to host vetoes.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:07 — Chiefs Backfield Post-Pacheco Injury
• 05:49 — Keep It Open or Close It Out (Start/Sits)
• 13:32 — Rico Dowdle vs. Chuba Hubbard Debate
• 19:08 — Marvin Harrison Jr. Wall Discussion
• 22:16 — Quentin Johnston Analysis
• 23:18 — Stefon Diggs vs. Falcons Secondary
• 26:26 — Mark Andrews’ Fantasy Drop-Off
• 37:21 — Blind Date "Guess the Player" Segment
• 52:06 — Futures Bets & Awards Markets

In Summary

This episode captures everything Fantasy Football Happy Hour is known for: actionable, witty fantasy analysis, lively debate, and listener interaction.

• Start/Sit clarity is given for key fringe players, with justifications grounded in matchup, trends, and advanced usage metrics.
• Jersey Wall segment reflects the ever-changing landscape of fantasy stardom—and group chemistry adds entertainment.
• Blind Date tests the group’s player knowledge and keeps listeners sharp on emerging trends and stats.
• Futures and awards talk rounds out the episode by connecting real NFL performance and betting value to fantasy relevance.

Matthew Berry’s tone remains consistent: direct, opinionated, and always playfully engaging—a must-listen for fantasy enthusiasts and casual NFL fans alike.