NFL Predictions Week 4: Fantasy Projections and Guide to Latest Vegas Odds

It might seem hard to believe, but we've already reached October and the fourth week of the fantasy football season—which kicked off on Thursday night when the Cincinnati Bengals blasted the Miami Dolphins 22-7.

We've learned quite a bit about the fantasy landscape over the first three weeks of the 2016 season, even though injuries and matchups have done their best to cloud the situation. Patterns are beginning to emerge that should give us some insight into what the future holds.

Quarterback Trevor Siemian, for example, seems to be settling in nicely for the Denver Broncos. Meanwhile, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert appears to be on the decline.

We're going to use some of what we've learned through the first three weeks and apply it to the remaining slate of Week 4 games.

We'll be taking a close look at some potential fantasy studs, but first, let's take a look at the Week 4 odds, courtesy of Odds Shark.

Away	Home	Odds	O/U	Prediction
Indianapolis Colts	Jacksonville Jaguars	IND -2.5	49	27-24 IND
Seattle Seahawks	New York Jets	SEA -2.5	39.5	21-18 NYJ
Detroit Lions	Chicago Bears	DET -3	48	23-20 DET
Cleveland Browns	Washington Redskins	WAS -7.5	47	28-23 WAS
Tennessee Titans	Houston Texans	HOU -4.5	40.5	22-16 HOU
Buffalo Bills	New England Patriots	NE -7.5	44	29-22 NE
Carolina Panthers	Atlanta Falcons	CAR -3	51	31-28 CAR
Oakland Raiders	Baltimore Ravens	BAL -3.5	46.5	30-23 BAL
Denver Broncos	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	DEN -3	43	24-17 DEN
New Orleans Saints	San Diego Chargers	SD -4	53.5	29-24 SD
Dallas Cowboys	San Francisco 49ers	DAL -2.5	45	24-22 DAL
Los Angeles Rams	Arizona Cardinals	ARI -8	43	28-17 ARI
Kansas City Chiefs	Pittsburgh Steelers	PIT -4.5	47	23-18 PIT
New York Giants	Minnesota Vikings	MIN -4.5	42.5	24-19 MIN

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

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San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has long been a respectable fantasy starter. Though the Chargers have missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, Rivers has passed for 9,078 yards and 60 touchdowns during that span.

Rivers is off to a strong start in 2016 as well, despite having already lost quality pass-catchers like Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead. Through three weeks, he has racked up 789 passing yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions.

Rivers has done a tremendous job of spreading the ball around while still getting it to playmakers like Travis Benjamin (17 receptions, 229 yards) and Tyrell Williams (11 receptions, 201 yards). He has also proved to be as accurate as ever with his current supporting cast.

Rivers' current completion percentage of 68.7 is nearly four points higher than his career completion percentage of 64.9.

Last week, Rivers torched the Indianapolis Colts for 326 yards, though he failed to score a touchdown. He has another favorable matchup this week at home against the New Orleans Saints.

Pro Football Focus rates the Colts 32nd in pass coverage through Thursday night of Week 4. The Saints are rated just above them at 31st. It shouldn't be a surprise to see Rivers top the 300-yard mark again.

Projections: 25-of-35, 305 passing yards, 2 touchdowns

Melvin Gordon, RB, San Diego Chargers

Unlike Rivers, second-year Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has only leaped onto the fantasy stage over the past few weeks. He was mostly a disappointment as a rookie, seeing as how he failed to even get into the end zone once.

This year, Gordon already has four touchdowns to go with 195 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards.

His matchup against the Saints defense is also favorable. Pro Football Focus rates New Orleans just 30th against the run.

Expect Gordon to see a heavy workload on Sunday. As Graham Barfield of FantasyGuru.com recently pointed out, his role has been magnified since Woodhead was placed on injured reserve:

Don't be surprised if Gordon manages to go over the 100-yard mark for the second time this season.

Projections: 24 carries, 104 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 31 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

DeMarco Murray, RB, Tennessee Titans

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Running back DeMarco Murray has essentially been the centerpiece of the Tennessee Titans offense this season. Through three weeks, he has racked up 41 carries for 245 yards, 17 receptions for 132 more yards and three total touchdowns.

Murray has found the right role for himself, a year after he couldn't seem to find one with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I know what I’m capable of doing and what I’m not capable of doing," Murray said, per John Glennon of the Tennessean. Nobody has more confidence in themselves than I do."

He should continue to get a large workload this week against the rival Houston Texans, and he should continue to produce. The Texans are rated just 25th in run defense by Pro Football Focus.

Expect Murray to have another strong game against a rival opponent that just lost its top defensive player:

Projections: 18 carries, 102 rushing yards, 4 receptions, 44 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Terrelle Pryor, WR, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns might not have a plethora of true fantasy standouts, but quarterback-turned-receiver Terrelle Pryor seems to be developing into one.

Though the Ohio State product began his pro career as a quarterback, he made the decision before the 2015 season to make the switch to wide receiver. For a while, it seemed like the move might not pay off, but he has exploded onto the fantasy scene this year at his new position.

The 6'4", 233-pound pass-catcher has already caught 14 passes for 244 yards this season and has added four carries for 21 yards and a touchdown. With the Browns now relying on rookie Cody Kessler at quarterback, Pryor has even been asked to fill in as a change-of-pace signal-caller.

Last week against the Miami Dolphins, he completed three of his five pass attempts for 35 yards.

Expect Pryor to see a variety of roles this week against the Washington Redskins. He should continue to grow as a receiver as the season wears on, and the Browns will probably continue to put him under center in stretches until Kessler become more comfortable with the pro game.

Fortunately, this week brings a matchup that should allow Pryor to thrive in his multitude of roles. Washington is rated just 22nd in overall defense by Pro Football Focus.

Projections: 9 receptions, 102 receiving yards, 4 carries, 19 rushing yards, 3-of-5, 40 passing yards, 1 touchdown