Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry · NBC Sports, Matthew Berry

Week 14 Love/Hate: James Cook, George Pickens, Nico Collins, Matthew Stafford

December 4, 2025·52 min·4 clips

James Cook averages 21 fantasy points against the Bengals, but the hosts debate if 'Jimbo' fits his playing style.

Matthew Berry hosts this fantasy football advice episode alongside Jay Croucher and Lawrence Jackson. The show focuses on providing Week 14 start/sit recommendations, specifically highlighting players they "love" or "hate" for fantasy lineups. Berry opens by sharing a personal story about attending his daughters' national cheer competition in Orlando, thanking NBC and his boss Alexa for the flexibility. The hosts analyze running back James Cook, citing his career-high 32 carries last week and his offensive coordinator's comments about his readiness. They note running backs with at least 15 touches against the Cincinnati Bengals average over 21 fantasy points per game. Kyren Williams is recommended despite a timeshare because he faces an Arizona Cardinals defense allowing consistent production to running backs. Bucky Irving is highlighted after receiving 81% of Tampa Bay's running back rushes and all goal-line carries in his return game. Chuba Hubbard is added to the love list because the Carolina Panthers are favorites and he consistently gets 20-25 carries. Javonte Williams makes the list due to his high touch volume and red-zone usage for the Denver Broncos. On the hate list, David Montgomery is downgraded because the Dallas Cowboys' run defense has significantly improved since acquiring Quinton Williams. R.J. Harvey is considered touchdown-dependent with limited recent carries, and Jaylen Warren faces a tough Baltimore Ravens run defense. At wide receiver, George Pickens is a top play against the Detroit Lions' man coverage, which he has dominated statistically this season. Nico Collins is recommended against a struggling Kansas City Chiefs pass defense. Jameson Williams is discussed as a potential focal point for the Detroit Lions, especially if Amon-Ra St. Brown is limited. Tight end Dalton Kincaid is a love option against a Bengals defense that allows the most fantasy points to the position. Michael Wilson is mentioned as a potential fill-in if Marvin Harrison Jr. is out, given his target share in previous absences. Xavier Worthy headlines the hate list due to a tough matchup against the Houston Texans and a declining role since Rashee Rice's return. Keenan Allen is also on the hate list due to inconsistent production and quarterback uncertainty for the Los Angeles Chargers. A.J. Brown's expectations are tempered because the Philadelphia Eagles may not need a huge game from him to win. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending statistical analysis with informal banter between the hosts. Fantasy managers seeking specific start/sit advice for the critical Week 14 matchups will find this episode valuable. Listeners who prefer narrative-driven football content or are not actively managing a fantasy team might choose to skip.

As heard by us

Useful receiver advice that lands best when it stays with matchup data.

Fantasy Football Happy Hour settles into useful receiver talk after a light stretch of Orlando chatter. Matthew Berry, Jay Croucher, and Lawrence Jackson give George Pickens credit for beating man coverage, and Nico Collins comes off as close to his usual level again after a run…

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