Fantasy Football Week 4: Skill-Position Players with Most Favorable Matchups

As the 2014 NFL season chugs along, it becomes more and more important to look at the data gathered and make fantasy football decisions based on matchups. Preying on the right defense can be the difference between winning and losing each week when it comes to putting together the right combination of skill-position players.

When deciding between two players, it makes sense to consider the defenses that each skill-position player is raring to go up against. Injuries have started to take hold of some rosters and it's clear which teams have the goods on defense and which don't. 

Let's take a look at the players at each skill position who look set to shred the opposition and put up big fantasy football numbers in Week 4.

These aren't necessarily the players who will put up the biggest totals, but those who can help out a team based on the matchup and for whatever reason, might not already be in the starting lineup.

Quarterback

Philip Rivers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

If Philip Rivers can torch the Seahawks' vaunted "Legion of Boom" secondary, he will certainly make short work of the Jaguars corners and safeties in the friendly confines of Qualcomm Stadium.

Rivers has thrown for six touchdowns and 778 yards this season against just one interception. Those already-stellar numbers could be set to skyrocket over the next few weeks, starting with Week 4 against Jacksonville.

With running back Danny Woodhead out for the season, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, and Ryan Mathews out with a knee injury, the Chargers will be forced to pass the ball a ton in the coming weeks, lest they believe getting Donald Brown 30-plus touches every week—the number came out to 37 against the Bills—is a viable strategy.

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

The Jaguars have given up eight passing touchdowns and 918 passing yards this season, the worst marks in the league—although the Eagles are tied in passing touchdowns against. They may spend a bit more time with the ball now that rookie quarterback Blake Bortles is starting, but he already showed he has a learning curve in throwing two interceptions in the second half. Turnovers just means more time for Rivers to pick apart the defense.

According to ESPN.com, Rivers had the 14th-highest average draft position among quarterbacks. This suggests that he may not be a starter in some leagues. If you happen to have Rivers, now is the week to give him the starting nod. If he's not on the roster, think about swinging a trade for him this week, especially if you're struggling at the quarterback spot.

Rivers is not only a good bet against the Jags, but a strong player to consider starting or making a blockbuster trade for going forward.

Running Back

Lamar Miller vs. Oakland Raiders

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Running backs are still incredibly valuable in fantasy sports, but it can be tough to gauge a player's output when so many teams are moving to a tandem or committee approach. Fantasy owners of Lamar Miller knew that would be a problem with Knowshon Moreno in the fold, but the latter is unfortunately out with an elbow injury, leaving Miller to rack up all the glory against the porous Raiders defense.

The men in black and silver are giving up 157.0 rushing yards per game in 2014 and have forced and recovered just one fumble on defense. If there is a team to have a breakout game against, it's this one. ESPN.com's Bill Williamson also reported that Raiders linebacker Miles Burris was spotted wearing a boot on Tuesday, and that the team is already thin at that position:

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Burris and fellow backup Kaluka Maiava started Sunday alongside rookie Khalil Mack. If Burris, Maiava and Moore can’t play against the Dolphins, the only other linebacker on the roster is undrafted rookie Bojay Filimoeatu and he’d be in line to start in that scenario. The Raiders also have undrafted rookie Spencer Hadley of BYU on the practice squad. 

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Miller put up 132 all-purpose yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, and yet the team only scored 15 points. There is a very good chance that he finds the end zone this week, especially if the Dolphins coaching staff doesn't trust the shaky Ryan Tannehill to deliver in the red zone.

However, head coach Joe Philbin can apparently still find things for Miller to improve upon, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

This, combined with a stagnant Raiders offense that is averaging just 253.4 yards per game, means Miller should see plenty of time with the ball and will build upon his Week 3 performance against the Chiefs.

He's already a starter in larger leagues, but he may have been overlooked for those playing in eight or 10-person leagues. Miller also garnered just 28 touches over the first two games, so some fantasy owners may have given up on him too early and traded him for a quick fix. Now is the time to put him back in the starting lineup.

Wide Receiver

Terrance Williams vs. New Orleans Saints

Tom Gannam/Associated Press

Now, everyone already knows to start Dez Bryant as a WR1 every single week. But with the Dallas Cowboys playing host to the New Orleans Saints, a team that can't help but get involved in shootouts, wide receiver Terrance Williams deserves a look.

The Saints are giving up an average of 29.45 points to wide receiver corps this year, per ESPN.com.

Williams has just eight receptions on the season, but he's turned two of them into scores and has been targeted 13 times, suggesting there is room for improvement. Indeed, Williams put up 838 yards in 2013, so he is due for a breakout game.

Romo clearly showed trust in Williams when he found him open over the middle for the go-ahead score against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3, and there are few other receiving options on the 'Boys outside of Bryant and Jason Witten to compete for the signal-caller's attention.

Williams is a good bet to play as a WR3 or in the flex spot in Week 4.

Tight End

Delanie Walker vs. Indianapolis Colts

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The Colts defense has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends so far this season, per Yahoo Sports, so look for Delanie Walker to emerge as the favored pass-catcher for the Tennessee Titans in Week 4.

Walker is averaging 13.7 yards per catch and has two touchdowns on the young season, flashing the talent that was partially hidden when he backed up Vernon Davis in San Francisco. Titans safety George Wilson considers him one of the better players in the league at his position.

"When you see a lot of marquee tight ends, big-name guys, and when you hear those discussions, you never really hear Delanie's name mentioned," he said, via The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt. "I think that's a matter of the market he plays in, and maybe us not winning consistently yet to get the spotlight on him."

ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky considers him the lone bright spot for the Titans this season:

Somehow, Walker is only owned in 82 percent of Yahoo Sports leagues (subscription required). If he's still available, now is the time to snatch him up. If he's on the bench, give him a start this week against the Colts. Their high-powered offense could force the Titans to play catch-up all game long, likely resulting in Walker getting some extra catches, even if it's in garbage time.

All stats courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.