Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

Episode: Wild Card Takeaways: Colston Loveland, Josh Allen + Texans at Steelers Preview
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Matthew Berry
Co-hosts: Connor Rogers, Jay Cratch

Overview

This episode dives deep into a thrilling NFL Wild Card weekend, highlighting breakout fantasy performances, coaching decisions, and advancing storylines for both real and fantasy football. Matthew Berry and the crew provide sharp recaps of playoff action—focusing on performances by Colston Loveland, Josh Allen, the Packers-Bears drama, the Rams’ gritty win, and more. They close out the episode previewing the upcoming Texans at Steelers matchup and share betting angles for the next round.

Wild Card Round Recap: Key Games & Fantasy Lessons

Packers vs. Bears: Colston Loveland’s Star Turn

[05:51–15:43]

Notable Performances & Storylines

• Jordan Love led with 30 fantasy points; Romeo Doubs was phenomenal. Colston Loveland posted 23.7 points, the best Bears rookie TE playoff game since Keith Jackson (1988).
  • Matthew Berry: “Colston Loveland, right there with 23.7 points—he was amazing in this game.” [06:17]
  • Jay Cratch: “Third straight game with at least 20 or more fantasy points. He’s had over 20 fantasy points every time he’s hit seven targets.” [06:22]
• Bears staged their seventh fourth-quarter comeback of the season.
  • Berry: “From 6:51 in the second quarter to 2:59 in the fourth, the Bears’ win probability never went above 25%—they kept fighting in impossible spots.” [06:57]
• Colston Loveland was given the game ball, although kicker woes nearly cost Chicago the game.
  • Jay Cratch: “I am surprised the Bears gave the game ball to Loveland and not Brandon McManus, who missed two field goals and an extra point. He might not make it on the plane.” [09:27]

Turning Points

• Special teams’ near-meltdown for the Bears (missed kicks) and favorable (if lucky) bounces for the Packers kept the game in doubt.
  • Jay Cratch: “Three different fumbles where you thought the Bears had a chance—they just didn’t bounce their way.” [08:21]
  • Connor Rogers: “Inexplicably took a delay of game that pushed the last field goal attempt back five yards.” [10:04]

Fantasy Implications

• Loveland’s 2025 value: Elite TE1 upside.

  • Jay Cratch: “I can’t imagine five tight ends get drafted next year and Loveland isn’t one of them… Trey McBride, Brock Bowers are the only ones definitely ahead of him.” [11:44]
  • Connor Rogers: “A ton of upside as Caleb Williams develops, second year in Ben Johnson’s offense, and clearly their regime’s first pick.” [13:11]

• Packers WRs remain a mystery.

  • Berry: “Romeo Doubs is a free agent. Maybe that elevates Matthew Golden, but as a pass-catcher room, they’re tough to figure week to week.” [14:17]
  • Connor Rogers: “Just so many humans—unless they consolidate, none are particularly appetizing for fantasy.” [14:37]

Rams vs. Panthers: Stafford’s Clutch Play and Coker’s Breakout

[16:04–25:24]

Game Recap & Notable Moments

• Matthew Stafford delivered late, clinching a narrow win for the Rams.
  • Jay Cratch: “You run out of adjectives for Puka Nakua. Stafford: multiple TD passes in 16 of 18 games this year!” [17:00]
  • Connor Rogers: “He had confidence he was going to march down and do that.” [17:43]
• Jalen Coker (“Cokeheads unite!”) registered a huge target share and has emerged as a trusted receiver.
  • Jay Cratch: “When he gets six targets, he’s averaging over 17 fantasy points/game; 32% target share this game for Coker.” [23:34]

Rams in Perspective

• Recent struggles create doubt for the upcoming matchup vs. Bears, line moves in the Bears’ favor.

  • Connor Rogers: “Rams shaky for six weeks—they were favored by four and a half, but it’s looking more like a coin flip now.” [18:09]
  • Jay Cratch: “I like the Bears at home, even as underdogs. The Rams don’t like the cold.” [18:19]

• Defensive vulnerabilities highlighted, especially by Bryce Young and the Panthers’ WRs.

  • Jay Cratch: “Jalen Coker, Tedro McMillan—they moved the ball against the Rams’ secondary.” [20:31]

Panthers Offense

• Coker and McMillan look like future fixtures; Chuba Hubbard appears to have the RB1 edge.
  • Jay Cratch: “Chuba Hubbard looked like the better back… Dowdle probably not back after his own comments.” [25:13]

Niners vs. Eagles: Injuries, Trick Plays, and Coaching Fallout

[25:24–34:04]

Game Highlights

• Niners pull off a massive upset behind Christian McCaffrey and a trick-play TD from Jauan Jennings to CMC.

  • Shanahan (via Connor Rogers): “Please remind JJ to throw it away if it’s not open—he thinks he can make every play.” [25:54]
  • Matthew Berry: “Jauan threw a perfect ball… hell of a catch by Christian.” [26:08]

• Brutal injury for George Kittle (Achilles), huge blow for SF.

  • Jay Cratch: “Every ex-player in the room: That’s his Achilles.” [27:35]
  • Berry: “Fantasy doctors finally got one right, playoffs time.” [27:40]

• Philadelphia’s collapse in the red zone.

  • Connor Rogers: “Season on the line… four plays, and they go backwards one yard.” [29:06]
  • Jay Cratch: “They could not stop the run—how does Saquon not have 30 carries?” [29:57]

Fantasy and Narrative Implications

• Coach of the Year debate

  • Berry: “Kyle Shanahan should be coach of the year.” [29:33]
  • Connor Rogers: “I think Ben Johnson steals some votes, but this performance would have helped Shanahan.” [22:52]

• Jalen Hurts’ regression

  • Berry: “You’re not scared of Jalen Hurts as a runner anymore.” [33:10]
  • Jay Cratch: “He’s not a good enough passer to just pick you apart—his running made him effective.” [33:14]

• Eagles’ future in flux

  • Jay Cratch: “I think A.J. Brown will be traded. It’s probably best for team and player.” [30:32]

Bills vs. Jaguars: Allen’s Heroics & Lawrence’s Disappointment

[34:04–41:32]

Game Flow & Key Takeaways

• Josh Allen delivers another strong fantasy performance; Parker Washington continues elite volume.

  • Jay Cratch: “Tush push for 10 yards—superman stuff!” [35:00]
  • Parker Washington: “Fourth straight game with at least a 27% target share and 19+ fantasy points.” [35:00]

• Trevor Lawrence reverts in the biggest moment.

  • Connor Rogers: “Old Trevor Lawrence—the first interception was horrific… didn’t rise to the moment.” [36:06]

• Missed opportunity on a critical 4th-and-short for Jags

  • Jay Cratch: “Lawrence tripped on a 4th and 1, just short of the sticks. If he converts, Jags could go up 14–3. 14-point swing.” [37:41]

Fantasy Outlook – Jaguars WRs

• Berry: “If the Jags trade Brian Thomas Jr., the top three are Myers, Hunter, and Parker Washington in 11 personnel.” [37:27]

• Jay Cratch: “Best value might be Washington based on ADP, but Myers is safest floor, Hunter highest ceiling.” [36:45]

• Coaching decisions under scrutiny:

  • Jay Cratch: “Don’t know why they didn’t run it 35+ times versus a bad run defense. Jags ran for 6.7 yards/carry.” [41:00]

Patriots vs. Chargers: Betting Woes & Fantasy Frustration

[41:32–45:31]

• Patriots D dominated, Justin Herbert could not withstand the onslaught; Amari Hampton’s snap count drives fantasy and betting drama.

  • Jay Cratch: “My Berries Bet (Hampton over 11.5 carries) was sunk after he played just one snap. If he’s active, that roster spot should matter!” [43:09]

• Frustrated by late roster news, Cratch vents at length about how teams should handle injuries and fantasy-relevant actives/inactives.

Texans at Steelers Preview & Player Props

[47:45–50:47]

• Steelers' man coverage means Nico Collins could shine; Stroud likely to struggle under pressure
  • Connor Rogers: “Steelers play a ton of man coverage—Nico Collins is the guy to beat. But CJ Stroud has been awful under pressure.” [48:55]
  • Jay Cratch: “Schultz’s prop (42.5) is appealing, given how vulnerable Steelers have been against TEs.” [48:54]
• Props to watch: Dalton Schultz (O/U 42.5 receiving), Kenneth Gainwell for checkdowns, Adam Thielen (O/U 10 yards—the ultimate deep cut) [49:44]
• Bets: Jay leans "under" on the point total (38.5), Connor prefers Steelers +3, expects Rodgers’ time-to-throw to be all-time quick vs. Texans’ pass rush.

Betting Nuggets & Divisional Round Lines

[50:47–53:55]

• NFC Lines:

  • Niners +7 vs. Seahawks (O/U 45.5):
    • Connor: “I think the Seahawks are going to destroy the Niners, unfortunately.” [52:34]
    • Berry: “I’ll take the under. Seattle defense can shut them down.” [52:55]
  • Rams -3.5 @ Bears (O/U 51.5):
    • Jay: “Still like Bears plus the points. Rams don’t like the cold.” [53:15]

• AFC Lines:

  • Bills vs. Broncos a near pick ‘em, Bills’ injury concerns but overall high upside.
    • Connor: “I think the Patriots get a favorable matchup and go to the Super Bowl.” [50:34]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Colston Loveland’s TE ranking next year:
  • Jay Cratch: “There’s not anyone you feel like you’re definitely taking over Loveland, other than maybe McBride and Bowers.” [11:44]
• On Rams’ struggles:
  • Connor Rogers: “Six weeks of the Rams being pretty shaky … it’s closer to a coin flip with the Bears.” [18:09]
• On Eagles’ meltdown:
  • Connor Rogers: “With the season on the line, four plays and they go backwards one yard.” [29:06]
• On Jalen Hurts:
  • Matthew Berry: “Nobody is scared of Jalen Hurts running anymore.” [33:10]
• On betting drama:
  • Jay Cratch (re: Berries Bet): “If he’s active, if you’re going to waste an active roster spot, you expect him to be playing. Not for good vibes!” [43:09]
• On Steelers’ defense (Texans preview):
  • Connor Rogers: “CJ Stroud has been awful under pressure… I think there’s a chance this doesn’t go well for him on the road.” [48:55]
• On the Bears as overachievers:
  • Jay Cratch: “They remind me of the Commanders last year—every bounce went their way.” [21:52]
• On divisional round underdogs:
  • Connor Rogers: “I think the Seahawks are going to destroy the Niners, unfortunately.” [52:34]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Packers-Bears, Colston Loveland: [05:51–15:43]
• Rams-Panthers, Jalen Coker: [16:04–25:24]
• Niners-Eagles, Shanahan’s trick play, Kittle injury: [25:24–34:04]
• Bills-Jags, Allen’s heroics, Lawrence struggles: [34:04–41:32]
• Patriots-Chargers, Amari Hampton/Berries Bet drama: [41:32–45:31]
• Texans-Steelers preview, player props: [47:45–50:47]
• Divisional round lines, NFC/AFC: [50:47–53:55]

Tone & Flow

High energy, irreverent, with sharp insights and recurring inside jokes. The hosts toggle between hard fantasy analysis, locker room banter, and playful shots at each other (and at the real NFL figures they discuss). Quotes reflect an engaging, conversational style—equal parts analysis, humor, and “group chat” vibes.

Conclusion

This episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour provides in-depth player analysis, gambling insights, and authentic reactions to an exhilarating wild card round. It sets the stage both for next week’s playoff contests and for critical off-season questions—coaching moves, roster turnover, and fantasy draft implications for 2026.