Week 4: Game Recap
And just like that, we’re a quarter of the way through the NFL season! By now, you should more or less understand the outlook of your team. Are you on autopilot waiting for a playoff spot? Are you going to have to fight and claw your way into the postseason? Somewhere in between? Let’s recap what went down in Week 4 so we can better understand our roster construction.
Broncos vs. Jets, 37-28
After missing Week 2 & 3, Jamison Crowder was Sam Darnold’s security blanket yet again with surprisingly big yardage.
WR Jeff Smith will be an interesting deep waiver wire target who could hold some value for as long as Breshad Perriman and Denzel Mims are out.
Drew Locke will improve the passing offense, but Jerry Jeudy’s big play ability and Tim Patrick’s steady involvement are encouraging signs.
Even with Phillip Lindsay’s eventual return, you have to feel good about Melvin Gordon’s involvement, solidifying him as a steady high RB2.
Saints vs. Lions, 35-29
Alvin Kamara remains the undisputed RB1, but Latavious Murray has been heavily involved on the ground in three of four weeks, especially around the goal line in Week 4.
Emanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith finally stepped up with Michael Thomas out - though I’m not sure either will warrant much fantasy consideration once “Can’t Guard Mike” returns.
The disparity in target share between Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones is far greater than expected, leaning heavily in favor of Kenny G.
Adrian Peterson isn’t a slouch, but at some point the Lions are going to have to see what they have in D’Andre Swift.
Buccaneers vs. Chargers, 38-31
Despite the bummer record, Justin Herbert is looking more and more like a legit NFL QB.
Austin Ekeler went down early with what looked like a severe hamstring injury, while Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson struggled in relief.
Even on a bunk ankle, Mike Evans had no issues dicing up the Chargers’ secondary all day long. Assuming he’s good to go in Week 5, he’s a top fifteen wideout with Chris Godwin likely sidelined again.
Ronald Jones II rumbled for 111 yards on 20 carries, adding another 17 yards through the air on 6 catches. We’ll see if that performance was enough to keep Leonard Fournette in the backup role.
Bengals vs. Jaguars, 33-25
Welcome back, DJ Chark! The Jags clearly struggled without their primary receiver in Week 3, and all he did was return with 8 catches for 95 yards and 2 TDs.
I hope you didn’t panic and sell Joe Mixon. I’d bet my lunch that Mixon finishes as a top twelve fantasy tailback.
I wouldn’t blame you for sitting AJ Green at this point. Tyler Boyd is the clear #1, and Tee Higgins’ involvement is only increasing.
Vikings vs. Texans, 31-23
Considering how many injuries have decimated first round selections, Dalvin Cook owners have to be pleased with their top three RB.
Just in case you had any doubt, Adam Thielen is still very much the top passing option up north. Justin Jefferson’s success will only open up the field more.
Many debated who’d be the top wideout in Houston following the departure of DeAndre Hopkins, but it’s clearly Will Fuller. Not even close.
Seahawks vs. Dolphins, 31-23
What knee sprain? Chris Carson looked explosive out of the Seattle backfield, compiling 100 yards from scrimmage with 2 TDs.
DK Metcalf now leads the NFL in receiving yards. His target share and aDOT enter him in the WR2 conversation.
Myles Gaskin wasn’t the workhorse he was in Week 3, but he’s still a viable FLEX option. There’d be potential for more if it weren’t for Jordan Howard’s goal line work.
DeVante Parker had a huge day through the air against an atrocious Seattle defense. Start your WRs against the Seahawks.
Browns vs. Cowboys, 49-38
The inconsistency might be annoying, but this is why you always have to start OBJ. He’s way too talented and way too athletic to ever be left on your bench.
If Nick Chubb is indeed sidelined for a while, Kareem Hunt is a top ten RB lock. And that may be conservative.
The Cowboys have no defense. Which is fantastic news for Dak and all Dallas pass catchers. Michael Gallup happened to be the odd man out this week.
Zeke was inefficient through the air last week, but he’s as gamescript-proof as they come. But you already knew that.
D’Ernest Johnson will be an interesting waiver wire add this week. 13 carries for 95 yards should turn some heads.
Panthers vs. Cardinals, 31-21
Mike Davis kept on with his best CMC impression. He’ll be on the RB 1/2 cusp for as long as McCaffrey remains sidelined with an ankle sprain.
As DJ Moore continued to disappoint, Robby Anderson is distancing himself from the pack. Hard to argue that he’s anything but the number one down the field option for Teddy Bridgewater right now.
Kenyan Drake is becoming more and more of a concern. The volume has been there, but Arizona continues to look elsewhere in the red zone. He also left the game in the 4th with what looked like a chest injury.
Kyler Murray played a clean game, and further proved that his precision through the air and quickness on the ground make him a top five fantasy quarterback.
Ravens vs. Washington, 31-17
I hope you read my buy-low article last week! Mark Andrews might be volatile, but few TE’s find the endzone as often as he does.
The Baltimore backfield is right up there with the Rams and Patriots. Edwards, Ingram, and Dobbins had 9, 9, and 6 touches respectively. It’s a crapshoot.
Antonio Gibson is a baller. How did he not get the ball more at Memphis? He’d have more potential in a better offense, but he’s looking like a mighty fine top twenty RB or so.
Don’t sleep on Terry McLaurin. He’s the best receiver in his class, and he’s making a compelling argument as a bonafide fantasy WR1.
Rams vs. Giants, 17-9
I want no part of Sean McVay’s backfield. After a dominating performance by Darrell Henderson in Week 3, Malcolm Brown took the lead on Sunday. Cam Akers isn’t even back yet. UGH.
Tyler Higbee’s involvement hasn’t been quite what we expected. He’s averaging just shy of 4 targets per game, and would hardly be on anyone’s radar if it weren’t for his 3 TD game in Week 2.
From a fantasy perspective, the Giants are almost as ugly as the Jets.
Bills vs. Raiders, 30-23
We can’t stress about Josh Jacobs. Yes the last three weeks have been disappointing, and his volume has taken a dip recently. Maybe that hip is more troublesome than originally reported?
Devin Singletary’s goal line scamper was the first touchdown scored by a Buffalo RB since November 2019. Josh Allen’s dominance through the air and his ability to tuck and run have clearly taken a toll on Devin Singletary’s upside.
Many questioned Stefon Diggs’ fit in Buffalo, but golly it sure seems like a perfect match. He’s distanced himself as Josh Allen’s clear #1, as few other wideouts offer consistent volume with big play explosivity.
Colts vs. Bears, 19-11
Allen Robinson is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, and he seems to be QB-proof. With that said, the vast majority of his production came in garbage time.
The Colts’ defense is the real deal. Let’s withhold judgment on Nick Foles until further notice. Up next is another stingy defense in Tampa Bay.
Frank Reich’s willingness to give Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins a combined 18 carries is really frustrating for Jonathan Taylor owners. The volume has still been there, so better days should be ahead.
It’s officially time to bench TY Hilton. Zach Pascal paced the team in targets with 8, all while Hilton’s work came near the line of scrimmage.
Chiefs vs. Patriots, 26-10
Damiere Byrd showed flashes of brilliance alongside Julian Edelman’s uncharacteristically poor performance, but I’d hesitate to invest given the offense's probable schematic shift once Cam Newton is healthy.
Damien Harris looked awesome in his first game back from IR, so he’s worth the roster add. Don’t overpay though, as Sony Michel is likely to return in a few weeks.
If that’s a down week for the Chiefs’ offense, then all Mahmes, Hill, Kelce, and CEH owners should be ecstatic.
Packers vs. Falcons, 30-16
Hello, Robert Tonyan! The Packers head into a BYE next week, making this the ideal time to add the young TE while the rest of your league may be looking for other options.
I can’t explain Calvin Ridley’s goose egg to you. Let’s call it a mulligan.
Todd Gurley had himself a big fantasy night with 2 scores - but he looks like a shell of his old self. Not to mention his lack of receiving involvement. I’d be looking to sell high.
