B/R Fantasy Football's Cheat Sheet to Winning NFL Week 4
Fantasy football is always unpredictable. Any fantasy analyst doing this for any amount of time has long since become accustomed to being wrong. Some players don't meet expectations. Others smash them. Guys get hurt.
But even by fantasy football's standards, the first three weeks of the season have been weird.
The fourth-ranked fantasy quarterback after three games? Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings. The first signal-caller in the league this year to throw for 300 yards and three scores? Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers. The first overall pick in most fantasy drafts this year (San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey) has yet to play and there's no timetable for his return. The No. 4 fantasy receiver? McCaffrey's teammate—Jauan Jennings.
It's enough to make even the most seasoned fantasy manager dizzy. Quite a few folks who thought they had solid squads are reeling at 1-2 or 0-3. And all the while the fantasy landscape keeps shifting—rapidly.
Keeping track of it all is enough to give someone vertigo. But we're here to stop the spinning—by taking a game-by-game look at the Week 4 slate. Players to start. Others to sit. Sleepers and pertinent stats, And of course an update on the injury status of fantasy's banged-up stars.
So settle in, intrepid reader—we have a lot to go over.
Fantasy scoring stats and points against data courtesy of My Fantasy League.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
1 of 16
A desperate Dallas Cowboys team rolls into MetLife Stadium Thursday needing a win in the worst way. They also head into the game at relatively full strength—no offensive skill-position players of note are on the injury report.
The Giants are in pretty good shape as well. Wide receiver Darius Slayton was limited in practice with a thumb injury, but he's the only offensive player for Big Blue banged up.
Start of the Week
Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: Singletary has been quietly solid this year, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and scoring twice on the ground. Dallas has been awful against the run this year, allowing a league-high 185.7 yards per game.
Sit of the Week
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: Cooks saw six targets last week after notching just two the week before, but he only caught two passes and has been out-pointed by Jalen Tolbert in back-to-back games. Cooks' days of fantasy relevance appear to be over.
Sleeper
Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,600]: Malik Nabers has been the big story in the Big Apple, but Robinson has quietly averaged over 11.5 PPR fantasy points per game this season. If the Giants fall behind and are forced to the air, Robinson could surpass that average in Week 4.
Stat to Know
163—the number of passing yards that New York's Daniel Jones has averaged in eight career starts against the Dallas Cowboys. In those starts, Jones has four touchdown passes, five interceptions, a completion percentage south of 59 percent and just one win.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
2 of 16
Key Injuries
The Saints could be desperately short-handed Sunday--running back Alvin Kamara (hip/ribs) and wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) are both questionable. If both sit, the Saints offense has big problems.
The Falcons head into Week 4 trying to shake off a close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they will do so at full strength—no notable Falcons players on offense appear on this week's injury report.
Start of the Week
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]: Pitts' target share this season hasn't been what fantasy managers had hoped, but he still ranks among the top 10 at his position ahead of a matchup with a New Orleans Saints defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points to tight ends this season.
Sit of the Week
Kirk Cousins, QB, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: With each passing week Cousins appears to be getting closer to 100 percent. But his passing numbers haven't been especially gaudy this year, and the Saints have given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Sleeper
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,400]: Mooney and Cousins appear to have developed an early rapport, with the fifth-year veteran eclipsing 14 PPR points in each of the past two games. The Saints aren't a great matchup, but Mooney has 15 targets over that two-game stretch.
Stat to Know
176.3. That's how many passing yards per game the Atlanta Falcons have allowed, ranking 11th in the league. A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes are a quality duo at quarterback, and Derek Carr and the Saints will have to earn their yardage through the air this week.
Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers
3 of 16
Key Injuries
The 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals have battled their share of injuries this season. But as they head to Charlotte looking for win No. 1 on the season, they will do so at relatively full strength, at least at the offensive skill positions.
The Carolina Panthers aren't so fortunate. Last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders came at a price—veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen landed on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring.
Start of the Week
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,600]: Burrow is coming off his biggest game of the season, throwing for 324 yards and three scores in last week's loss to the Washington Commanders. Three weeks into the season, the Panthers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Sit of the Week
Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: Johnson had himself a game last week, catching eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. The sledding could be more difficult this week in a bottom-10 fantasy matchup for his position with the Bengals.
Sleeper
Andy Dalton, QB, Carolina Panthers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: Dalton was the first quarterback in the 2024 season to throw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns, because of course he was. If the Panthers are going to pull off another upset, Dalton will need to have another big game.
Stat to Know
169—the number of yards from scrimmage that Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard amassed last week against the Raiders, good for a fourth-place finish among running backs in PPR points last week. The Bengals are having all kinds of struggles on the defensive side of the ball, so Hubbard is at least on the fantasy RB2 radar in Week 4.
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Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
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Key Injuries
The Los Angeles Rams have been short-handed at wide receiver of late, and that will continue in Week 4. Puka Nacua (knee) remains on injured reserve, and Cooper Kupp (ankle) has already been ruled out for Week 4.
The Bears could be short a pass-catcher as well this week—veteran wideout Keenan Allen has missed the last two games with a heel injury, but he's practicing again and was upgraded to full participation in practice Friday.
Start of the Week
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]: Odunze had the best game of his young career a week ago, hauling in six passes for 112 yards and his first career touchdown. The Rams have been woeful against the pass this year, allowing the third-most PPR points to the position.
Sit of the Week
D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: This has little to do with the Rams defense—Los Angeles hasn't been that much better against the run than the pass this season. But the Chicago run game has been miserable this season, averaging the fewest yards per game (72.7) in the NFC.
Sleeper
Los Angeles Rams Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $2,800]: No team in the league has given up more yards per game this season than the Rams. But Caleb Williams has struggled with turnovers and holding the ball too long, which should give the Rams pass rush ample opportunities to pile up sacks Sunday.
Stat to Know
26. That's how many touches Rams running back Kyren Williams had last week, parlaying them into 116 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. With the Rams beat up in the passing game, Williams has become the focal point of the team's offense—he should pile up the touches again in Week 4.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
5 of 16
Key Injuries
As the Vikings prepare for this NFC North showdown they will get a top offensive weapon back—wide receiver Jordan Addison has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but he's off the injury report and expected to play. So is quarterback Sam Darnold, who suffered a bone bruise in last week's win over Houston.
The Packers are hoping for similarly good news under center—after missing the last two games with a sprained MCL, Jordan Love is back at practice, albeit in a limited fashion. He's a game-time decision for Week 4.
Start of the Week
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: This recommendation hinges somewhat on Love's return to action. But if he does play, that could mean big things for Green Bay's No. 1 wide receiver against a Vikings secondary allowing the 10th-most PPR points to wide receivers this season.
Sit of the Week
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: There are a couple of reasons Love is a shaky start this week. There's the matter of Love's layoff. And there's the matter of a Vikings team that has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks so far this year.
Sleeper
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: That two Green Bay wideouts are starts this week and their quarterback is a sit pretty much sums up how weird the first three weeks of this season have been. But Watson could be good for a red-zone TD this week in a game that has the potential to be high-scoring.
Stat to Know
9.32—the number of air yards per attempt that Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has averaged this season. That ranks third in the league, ahead of the likes of C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Who knows if Darnold can keep this pace up, but there's no denying he has been one of 2024's biggest surprises—at any position.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
6 of 16
Key Injuries
There was some hope the Jaguars would have tight end Evan Engram back for Week 4. But as has been the case all season long in Jacksonville things aren't going according to plan--Engram will miss a third straight game with a hamstring injury.
The Texans have some injury issues of their own. The team's top two running backs in Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) both sat out Week 4, while wide receiver Tank Dell (ribs) was banged up in last week's loss to Minnesota. Pierce has been ruled out, but Mixon and Dell are questionable.
Start of the Week
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans [DraftKings DFS Value: $7,000]: Stroud was quiet in last week's loss to the Vikings, but he should wake up in a big way in Week 4. No team in the AFC has given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks this year than the Jaguars, who were just shredded by Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Sit of the Week
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,200]: Kirk finally had a decent stat line last week, but most of those numbers came in garbage time. The cold hard truth is that the Jaguars are such a mess that it's hard to trust any Jacksonville player in fantasy.
Sleeper
Houston Texans Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,000]: Put last week's miserable outing against the Vikings in the rearview mirror. The Jaguars are in free fall as a franchise, the Texans have talent defensively, and Jacksonville has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season.
Stat to Know
75.1—Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's passer rating through three games. Lawrence is completing less than 53 percent of his passes, has just two touchdowns in three games and ranks 26th in fantasy points among quarterbacks—behind the likes of Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos and Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
7 of 16
Key Injuries
The health of Russell Wilson's calf (and whether he'll supplant Justin Fields as the starting quarterback in Pittsburgh) remains the biggest injury storyline in Pittsburgh. But it isn't the only one—running backs Najee Harris (arm) and Jaylen Warren (knee) are also banged up. Harris is a go in Week 4, but Warren has been ruled out.
The Colts are in better shape injury-wise—after getting wide receiver Josh Downs back last week, Indianapolis doesn't have any significant offensive injuries.
Start of the Week
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,700]: The Steelers admittedly aren't tearing it up through the air. But Pickens is the unquestioned No. 1 wide receiver, and Sunday they face a Colts defense allowing the fourth-most PPR points to wide receivers this year.
Sit of the Week
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: Richardson's fantasy numbers haven't been what fantasy managers had hoped, and he has struggled in a big way as a passer. There isn't a team in the NFL who has given up fewer fantasy points to quarterbacks this year than the Colts.
Sleeper
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,900]: The Colts haven't just been generous to wide receivers this year—Indy has also allowed the seventh-most PPR points to tight ends so far this season. That's enough to get Freiermuth on the streaming radar in Week 4.
Stat to Know
49.3. That's Richardson's completion percentage through three games. He also has just three touchdown passes against six interceptions—including two a week ago against the Chicago Bears. We knew that the second-year pro was a work in progress throwing the ball, but Richardson has been a lot choppier than most expected.
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
8 of 16
Key Injuries
When the Broncos and Jets meet this week at MetLife Stadium, both will be at full strength on offense. Neither team has any new injuries to players of interest to fantasy managers.
Start of the Week
New York Jets Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,700]: Despite injuries up front, the Jets are playing well defensively—seventh in total defense and eighth in scoring defense. Through three games, the Broncos and rookie quarterback Bo Nix have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to defenses.
Sit of the Week
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,300]: The Denver passing game has been hit-or-miss at best, and Sutton will likely see a lot of Sauce Gardner Sunday in coverage. If fantasy managers have any other viable options at wide receiver, this is the week to explore them.
Sleeper
Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: The Broncos allow the fewest fantasy points wide receivers. But the Denver defense will probably focus on taking Garrett Wilson away from Aaron Rodgers, and Lazard and Rodgers have a longstanding rapport.
Stat to Know
118.9—Rodgers' passer rating in the Jets' Week 3 dismemberment of the New England Patriots. Rodgers completed over 77 percent of his passes, threw for 281 yards and tossed a pair of touchdowns without an interception. It was just one game, but last week at least Rodgers was the quarterback the Jets have been searching for since, well, ever.
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9 of 16
Key Injuries
The Philadelphia Eagles are all kinds of beat up at wide receiver—Britain Covey (shoulder) just landed on injury reserve, and starters A.J. Brown (hamstring) and DeVonta Smith (concussion) are also hurt. Smith has been ruled out, while Brown is questionable.
The Buccaneers have no such issues—coming off their first loss of the season, Tampa is in good shape offensively on the injury front outside of reserve running back Bucky Irving, who is questionable with a hamstring issue.
Start of the Week
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,100]: The Buccaneers haven't been kind to opposing tight ends—29th in fantasy points allowed to the position. But given the sad state of the Eagles' wide receivers, Goedert should be targeted approximately all the times ever Sunday.
Sit of the Week
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: White is off to a dismal start this season—he's averaging 22 rushing yards per game and just 2.1 yards per carry. The Eagles haven't been great against the run, but White just can't be trusted as a fantasy starter at this point.
Sleeper
Jahan Dotson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: If ever there was a time for Dotson to step up and start playing like a first-round draft pick, it's now—there's a very real chance he will be Philadelphia's de facto No. 1 receiver against Tampa's 24th-ranked pass defense.
Stat to Know
117.0—the number of rushing yards that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has averaged per game this season. Tampa has had its share of struggles stopping the run this season, allowing 137.7 yards per game on the ground. Given the state of the Eagles offense and the matchup, Barkley is a locked-in top-three running back in Week 4.
Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals
10 of 16
Key Injuries
The Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals both enter Week 4 with a prominent offensive player in the concussion protocol. Commanders running back Austin Ekeler suffered one in Monday's win in Cincinnati (he's since been ruled out for Week 4), while Cardinals tight end Trey McBride was banged up in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. Both have been ruled out.
Arizona wide receiver Marvin Harrison also has a quad issue, but his availability for Week 4 isn't believed to be in question.
Start of the Week
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,800]: Murray had a monster Week 2 in a favorable matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. Now he draws a Commanders team that has surrendered more fantasy points to quarterbacks than any team in the league.
Sit of the Week
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: This is admittedly a hunch, but after going off for 100 yards and a score last week "Scary Terry" feels ripe for a regression week. It's worth bearing in mind that McLaurin had 39 receiving yards in the first two games combined.
Sleeper
Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,300]: Just as they were a year ago, the Commanders are terrible against the pass this season. Marvin Harrison Jr. will no doubt see the lion's share of attention from the Washington defense, setting up Dortch for an afternoon of roaming free underneath.
Stat to Know
377.3. That's how many yards per game the Commanders are allowing defensively, which is fourth-most in the NFL. That's actually an improvement over last year, when Washington gave up 388.9 yards per game—most in the league. If your fantasy players are facing the Commanders in a given week, they'll probably do well.
New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers
11 of 16
Key Injuries
When the Patriots travel to San Francisco this week, it will be with a full-strength offense. Unfortunately, that offense is also terrible.
The San Francisco 49ers have enough injuries for both teams. Running back Christian McCaffrey remains on injured reserve. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is a game-time decision with a calf injury. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) got in limited practices this week, so he appears to be trending toward playing.
Start of the Week
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: Jennings had the best game of his career last week against the Rams, catching 11 passes and scoring three times. Now he gets to take on a Patriots defense that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points to wide receivers this season.
Sit of the Week
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,200]: Henry may well be the most dependable pass-catcher the Patriots have. But the Patriots offense is a hot mess, and no team in the league has given up fewer PPR points to tight ends this season than the 49ers.
Sleeper
DeMario Douglas, WR, New England Patriots [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,500]: Douglas had a decent game a week ago, catching seven of nine targets for 69 yards against the New York Jets. The 49ers have been relatively kind to opposing wide receivers, allowing the ninth-most PPR points to the position.
Stat to Know
119—the number of receiving yards that 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk has over the first three games of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Jauan Jennings had 175 yards in Week 3 alone. Yes, Aiyuk missed most of the offseason. But last week at least, it was Jennings who looked like San Francisco's No. 1 wide receiver.
Cleveland Browns at Las Vegas Raiders
12 of 16
Key Injuries
The Cleveland Browns have been ravaged by injuries, and the hits just keep coming. Tight end David Njoku (hamstring) and running back Jerome Ford (knee) both missed practice Wednesday, and wide receiver Amari Cooper was injured near the end of last week's loss to the Giants. Ford was back at practice Thursday, while Njoku has been ruled out.
The Raiders have injury issues of their own. Star wide receiver Davante Adams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and tight end Michael Mayer will miss the game for personal reasons.
Start of the Week
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: The Browns aren't a great matchup for tight ends. But the Raiders have to try to establish some offensive momentum, and getting the ball to their rookie tight end seems as good a place to start as any. Bowers finds the end zone this week.
Sit of the Week
Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,400]: The Raiders were just carved up like a Christmas goose by Andy Dalton. But Watson isn't playing especially well, his offensive line has been decimated by injuries, and now the team's skill-position players are dropping like flies.
Sleeper
Las Vegas Raiders Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,200]: Yes, the Raiders just allowed 36 points to the Carolina Panthers. But the Browns are a mess on offense, and Raiders edge-rusher Maxx Crosby should feast on a Browns offensive line that gave up eight sacks to the New York Giants a week ago.
Stat to Know
248.0—the number of yards per game Cleveland's pitiful offense has averaged this year, second only to the New England Patriots in terms of offensive futility. With the exception of Amari Cooper (if he plays), starting any Cleveland player in fantasy football leagues is asking to be disappointed.
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
13 of 16
Key Injuries
The Kansas City Chiefs remain without the services of running back Isiah Pacheco and wide receiver Marquise Brown, but that isn't news. There are no other fantasy-relevant injuries of note to report with the two-time defending champs.
The Chargers are in an entirely different boat—one that may be sinking. Quarterback Justin Herbert aggravated his high ankle sprain in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and is questionable at best. The team will get wide receiver Joshua Palmer back though--he's off the injury report after missing Week 3.
Start of the Week
Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,800]: Kelce has been a massive disappointment for fantasy managers this season. But there has to be a Kelce game coming sooner or later, and this week's tilt with the unraveling Chargers is as good a time as any.
Sit of the Week
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: After two big games to open the season, Dobbins came back to earth last week against the Steelers. Now he has to face a Chiefs defense allowing the third-fewest PPR points to running backs in a game where Kansas City will load the box to shut Dobbins down.
Sleeper
Kansas City Chiefs Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,600]: The Chiefs are once again quietly one of the NFL's better defensive teams. The Chargers haven't been a good fantasy matchup for defenses, but if Taylor Heinicke winds up starting under center, that rather changes things. He's, um, not Justin Herbert.
Stat to Know
23. That's how many receiving yards Kelce is averaging per game this season on eight catches—total. Yes, Kelce is old by NFL standards—he turns 35 next week. Maybe the bottom just fell out. But it's not outside the realm of reason that he still has a big game or two left in the tank. The question is whether fantasy managers should sell high if he has one—or try to buy low now.
Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens
14 of 16
Key Injuries
The Buffalo Bills have been as dominant as any team in the league over the season's first three weeks, while the Baltimore Ravens got off the mat with a win last week in Dallas.
Sunday night's big AFC showdown will be played by two teams both in good shape physically—nether the Bills nor Ravens have any significant offensive players on the injury report.
Start of the Week
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,600]: Shakir has emerged as the Bills' No. 1 wide receiver, catching six passes for 72 yards and a score last week against the Jaguars. The Ravens have been bad against the pass this year. As a matter of fact, in terms of passing yards allowed, no team has been worse.
Sit of the Week
Buffalo Bills Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,100]: The Bills are fourth in fantasy points among defenses three weeks into the 2024 season, but this week is a good time to look elsewhere—the Ravens have surrendered the fourth-fewest fantasy points to defenses this season.
Sleeper
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens [DraftKings DFS Value: $4,800]: Derrick Henry had his best game as a Raven last week, and the Bills have given up the eighth-most PPR points to running backs this year. But if the Ravens fall behind in this one, we could see quite a bit of Hill in a favorable fantasy matchup.
Stat to Know
430.3—the number of yards of offense the Ravens are averaging this year, tops in the league. The Bills are averaging over 100 yards less per game than the Ravens, but Buffalo's defense has also been far more formidable. Sunday night's duel between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson will decide quite a few fantasy matchups this week—as it should.
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
15 of 16
Key Injuries
The Tennessee Titans are a floundering 0-3 team that may be the NFL's worst. But from an injury standpoint at least, the team is in good shape. There are no Titans of import to fantasy managers on the injury report.
The Miami Dolphins haven't been so fortunate. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on injured reserve with a concussion, and second-string signal-caller Skylar Thompson may also miss Week 4 after being battered last week in Seattle.
The Dolphins did get running back Raheem Mostert back at practice, raising hopes that the veteran back will play on Monday night.
Start of the Week
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,000]: The Titans' passing game is a mess, but so is Miami's run defense, with the 'Fins allowing the fifth-most PPR points to running backs this year. That should offer the Titans an opportunity to get Pollard and the ground game going in Week 4.
Sit of the Week
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,900]: The Titans have been stingy to opposing wide receivers this year, giving up the third-fewest PPR points to the position. Add in Miami's very real problems at quarterback, and Waddle goes from must-start to risky fantasy play.
Sleeper
Miami Dolphins Defense [DraftKings DFS Value: $3,200]: The Dolphins haven't played especially well defensively this season. But this has a lot less to do with the Dolphins than the turnover machine that is Will Levis and a Titans team that has given up the most fantasy points to defenses in 2024.
Stat to Know
Five. That's how many interceptions that Levis has thrown in three games. He has thrown at least one in all three contests and has multiple picks in two games—including a pick-six in Week 1 that may have been the most ill-advised throw ever made. Simply put, Levis has been awful—and that's not even counting the three fumbles.
Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions
16 of 16
Key Injuries
Fantasy managers are no doubt hopeful that Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) will be back in lineups in Week 4. Well good news in that regard--Walker has been removed from the injury report and will face the Lions Monday night.
There's a big fantasy name banged up in Detroit too—tight end Sam LaPorta sprained his ankle last week in Arizona, although he appears to have dodged the dreaded high ankle sprain and should play Monday night.
Start of the Week
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,500]: DK Metcalf is an every-week no-brainer start. But Smith-Njigba could have a big night as well in a game with real shootout potential against a Lions defense allowing the second-most PPR points to wideouts this year.
Sit of the Week
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $6,300]: This applies to Zach Charbonnet as well if Walker can't go Monday night. The Lions are porous through the air but stout against the run. In fact, no team in the NFL has been a worse fantasy matchup for running backs after three weeks.
Sleeper
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks [DraftKings DFS Value: $5,000]: Calling Lockett a "sleeper" may be stretching things a bit, but the veteran hasn't had 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 1. Lockett will get back into the double digits in PPR points Monday night in game where the smart play is definitely to bet the over.
Stat to Know
248.7. That's how many total yards per game the Seahawks have allowed this season—tops in the NFC. However, that stat comes with the caveat that Seattle has faced the Patriots, Broncos and Dolphins—three teams who aren't exactly offensive juggernauts. Don't worry about Detroit's fourth-ranked offense at home Monday night. Week 4 is going to conclude with a barrage of scoring—and fantasy points.
Looking for more insight to make some tough roster or lineup decisions? Check out all the latest B/R Fantasy Football essentials here.
Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on X at @IDPSharks.
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