Fantasy Football Week 4: Complete Thursday Night Preview

Now comes the interesting part in regard to your fantasy team.

With the start of Week 4 comes the first of the off weeks for the 32 NFL teams. You won’t be seeing the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, St. Louis Rams or Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, Sunday or Monday.

Are you prepared to win without having Peyton Manning, Marshawn Lynch and A.J. Green at your disposal?

Thursday night brings the renewal of the longtime rivalry between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, with both clubs off to 1-2 starts in 2014.

So how is your fantasy team doing three weeks into this season? We’ll see if we can help in any way.

Starting Quarterbacks

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New York Giants: Eli Manning

The Giants are not only coming off their first win of the season, but Manning did not throw an interception in last week’s 30-17 victory over the Houston Texans. It marks the first time that the veteran signal-caller did not turn over the ball this season.

It is also worth noting that in his last eight meetings with Washington, Manning has thrown twice as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (five).

Fantasy Prediction: 23-of-36, 251 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT. 2 carries, 7 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins: Kirk Cousins

The numbers have been good for the third-year pro, who made his first start of the season last week.

In 2014, Cousins has completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 677 yards, five scores and just one interception.

In 83 dropbacks this season, he has been sacked just twice, and these days, the New York pass rush has been far from spectacular.

Fantasy Prediction: 24-of-32, 283 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. 4 carries, 14 yards, 0 TD.

Running Backs

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New York Giants Starter: Rashad Jennings

Last season, the Giants were one of the worst teams in the league running the football for a variety of reasons, hence the free-agent addition of Jennings.

In three games this season, the veteran runner has totaled 68 carries for 286 yards and a pair of scores. He has also caught eight passes for 95 yards. He figures to be as busy as possible in this tilt.

Fantasy Prediction: 20 carries, 83 yards, 0 TD. 2 receptions, 23 yards, 0 TD.

New York Giants Backup: Andre Williams

We are still waiting for Williams to reach the end zone for the first time in the regular season. He’s totaled only 46 yards from scrimmage on 21 touches this season and is not really an option when it comes to the passing game.

Fantasy Prediction: 7 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD. 0 receptions.

Washington Redskins Starter: Alfred Morris

The third-year performer has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable runners but is a non-factor when it comes to the passing game. Morris has totaled 253 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in 59 carries in 2014.

Fantasy Prediction: 25 carries, 132 yards, 2 TD. 0 receptions.

Washington Redskins Backup: Roy Helu

While Morris is the workhorse, Helu offers a little more versatility. He’s totaled 72 yards rushing on 13 carries this season and has scored one touchdown and also caught five passes for 81 yards.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 carries, 28 yards, 0 TD. 2 receptions, 15 yards, 0 TD.

Wide Receivers

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New York Giants: Victor Cruz

After a sluggish start to the season, the former Pro Bowler totaled five grabs for 107 yards and waltzed into the end zone for the first time this season last week versus the Texans. In his last three games against the Redskins, he’s totaled 18 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown.

Fantasy Prediction: 8 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD.

New York Giants: Rueben Randle

Randle has been targeted 20 times in three games, and 10 of those came last Sunday versus Houston. He’s totaled 11 catches this season but for only 67 yards and a score.

Fantasy Prediction: 5 receptions, 71 yards, 0 TD.

New York Giants: Preston Parker

With Odell Beckham still sidelined and Jerrel Jernigan on injured reserve, Parker is the third wideout these days. He’s totaled four receptions for 62 yards this season, grabbing three passes for 33 yards in Week 3 versus the Houston Texans.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 24 yards, 0 TD.

New York Giants: Corey Washington

Injuries elevated Washington’s status, and while he’s played in all three games in 2014, he’s been targeted only once by Eli Manning.

Fantasy Prediction: 1 reception, 6 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins: Pierre Garcon

The league leader in receptions in 2013 is off to another productive start, totaling 22 catches for 227 yards and one touchdown this season. That’s because in last week’s 37-34 loss at Philadelphia, he was targeted 16 times and caught 11 passes for 138 yards and a score in quarterback Kirk Cousins’ first start of 2014. He should post decent numbers against the Giants’ unpredictable secondary.

Fantasy Prediction: 6 receptions, 75 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins: DeSean Jackson

Dating back to his career with the Eagles, Jackson has always been a thorn in the side of the Giants, and this week will prove to be no exception. The three-time Pro Bowler has totaled 198 yards and a score on 14 catches this season, with 117 yards and a touchdown coming last week against his former employers in Philadelphia.

Fantasy Prediction: 8 receptions, 134 yards, 2 TD.

Washington Redskins: Santana Moss

The veteran wideout has been inactive in each of the team’s first three games this season. We’ll assume that he’ll be on the field versus the Giants, but definitely proceed with caution.

Fantasy Prediction: 4 receptions, 30 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins: Andre Roberts

While the free-agent acquisition this offseason has caught nine passes for 117 yards in 2014, his primary role is now on special teams.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 16 yards, 0 TD.

Tight Ends

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New York Giants Starter: Larry Donnell

Who would have thought this summer as the Giants were looking for a reliable tight end that Donnell would be leading the team in receptions three weeks into the season? The emerging pass-catcher has totaled 18 grabs for 182 yards and a score in 2014.

Fantasy Prediction: 3 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD.

New York Giants Backup: Daniel Fells

Fells, who was out of the league in 2013, was in the tight end mix this summer, and while he hasn’t posted huge numbers to date, it’s worth noting that two of his four receptions have gone for touchdowns.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 11 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins Starter: Niles Paul

With Jordan Reed hobbled again, Paul has seized the moment. He’s caught 18 passes, second only to Pierre Garcon on the team, and leads Washington with 253 receiving yards. His lone touchdown grab came in Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fantasy Prediction: 2 receptions, 13 yards, 0 TD.

Washington Redskins Backup: Logan Paulsen

Paulsen doesn’t figure to be a factor, and his numbers this season resemble an area code (470): four receptions for seven yards and zero touchdowns.

Fantasy Prediction: 0 receptions.

Defense/Special Teams

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New York Giants Defense/Special Teams

Tom Coughlin’s team has had its ups and downs on this side of the ball. The Giants have three takeaways in as many games, all interceptions, and all came at the expense of Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last week.

New York’s pass rush has produced only seven sacks in three games and faces a Redskins offensive front that did not allow a sack in last week’s loss at Philadelphia.

Fantasy Prediction: 28 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 0 FF.

Washington Redskins Defense/Special Teams

Only three teams in the league have allowed fewer total yards than the Redskins, who also rank third in the NFL versus the run and hope to put the clamps on Rashad Jennings on Thursday night.

While Jim Haslett’s unit has also totaled 10 sacks in three games, Washington got none of those in last week’s 37-34 loss at Philadelphia. Still, outside linebackers Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo bear watching. Mike Jones of The Washington Post has the latest on Orakpo’s injured left hand.

Fantasy Prediction: 24 points allowed, 5 sacks, 0 INT, 2 FF.

Best Sleeper Adds

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A couple of these performers may not be on your team and could be worth adding on Thursday. Sometimes, a little last-minute shopping can be beneficial.

1. Andre Williams, Running Back, New York Giants (Owned in 31.9 percent of ESPN leagues)

The rookie from Boston College was supposed to be the answer when the offense got close to the end zone. So far, Williams has totaled 19 carries for 39 yards in 2014 and has not scored. But the short week helps his stock rise, at least for this matchup.

2. Larry Donnell, Tight End, New York Giants (Owned in 13.8 percent of ESPN leagues)

The tight end was a big question mark for the Giants this offseason, but Donnell has apparently settled into the role. The unsung performer has totaled at least five receptions in each of New York’s three games this season.

3. Andre Roberts, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins (Owned in 1.8 percent of ESPN leagues)

The one-time Arizona Cardinal has caught nine passes for 117 yards this season. He may be worth picking up if DeSean Jackson is hampered this evening. Roberts is the team’s main threat on both punt and kickoff returns.

Injury Report

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Here is a look at the latest injury report regarding the Giants and Redskins, focusing on key performers, courtesy of NFL.com.

New York Giants
Player		Status
Odell Beckham	WR	Out
Devon Kennard	LB	Out
Jon Beason	LB	Doubtful
Zackary Bowman	CB	Questionable

We are all still waiting for Beckham to make his first NFL appearance. In any case, the bigger absence figures to be Beason, who was inactive last week after starting the first two games of the season. Not having the productive tackler around to slow down the likes of Alfred Morris could be a real problem.

Washington Redskins
Player		Status
Robert Griffin III	QB	Out
Jordan Reed	TE	Out
WR DeSean Jackson	WR	Questionable
Cory Lichtensteiger	C	Questionable
Chris Baker	NT	Questionable
Jason Hatcher	DE	Questionable
Alfred Morris	RB	Probable
Tyler Polumbus	T	Probable
Brian Orakpo	LB	Probable

The Redskins have their share of injuries, and a short week certainly doesn’t help.

Morris and Polumbus practiced all week, while Baker and Orakpo returned to full practice on Wednesday. Hatcher, Jackson and Lichtensteiger were all limited in practice on Wednesday.

Sit or Start

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We know who the stars are when it comes to this contest. But is there a pivotal player or two who may be on your roster that you can’t decide whether to start or not? Here’s a little help.

RB Andre Williams (Giants): Rashad Jennings is coming off 34 carries on Sunday versus the Texans. Williams ran the ball six times for 18 yards in that contest, but off a short week, look for him to spell Jennings more often.

Verdict: Sit

WR Preston Parker (Giants): Parker totaled three receptions for 33 yards in Sunday’s win over Houston. But Eli Manning appears to be getting more comfortable with Victor Cruz again, and tight end Larry Donnell is becoming a favorite target as well.

Verdict: Sit

TE Niles Paul (Redskins): Only Pierre Garcon has caught more passes this season for the Redskins. With Jordan Reed out, he’ll see his share of throws his way. And three of Kirk Cousin’s five touchdown passes this season have gone to Paul (one) and fullback Darrel Young (two).

Verdict: Start

Some statistical support provided by Pro-Football-Reference and ESPN.com. Depth chart info provided by Ourlads.