Fantasy Football Week 4: Darren McFadden Will Be The Real "Run DMC" vs. Texans
Week 4 brings a lot of interesting fantasy football matchups, and with injuries to key players like Jahvid Best and Steven Jackson, there are plenty of questions looming about several fantasy rosters. Who should you start and sit?
Playing the matchups can be dangerous, especially if you play them too seriously.
But when a defense is generously escorting its opponents up and down the field, or when it stops its opponent cold, it's hard not to take notice and take action in your fantasy lineup.
Here are some of the top matchups this week, and my predictions for how some fantasy studs and duds will fare.
Mark Sanchez Is on Fire, Buffalo Bills Won't Put Him Out
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Mark Sanchez has been uncharacteristically un-Mark Sanchez-like in the past two weeks of action. One of his good performances came against a New England Patriots defense that currently ranks 25th in the league, but the other came in a prime time road game, where Sanchez usually struggles, against the Dolphins defense that had just shut down Brett Favre and the Vikings a week prior.
The Bills defense has rolled out the red carpet for its opponents, and having all the time in the world in the pocket should help Mark Sanchez in his endeavor for an unprecedented (by his standards) third consecutive stellar performance, all coming against division opponents.
Stone cold lock: 25-for-40, 225 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception
Joe Flacco Will Struggle Mightily vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers don't care who their quarterback is, and their defense doesn't care who your quarterback is, either. They've only allowed two touchdowns overall through their first three games, and have stifled opposing offenses with their No. 1-ranked scoring defense.
Their pass defense has given up some yards, but has racked up five interceptions and 10 sacks already. This matchup bodes very poorly for Joe Flacco, who struggled against the Jets in Week 1, the Bengals in Week 2, and could struggle even worse if Ray Rice doesn't play vs. the top-ranked Steelers in Week 4.
Stone cold lock: 10-for-25, 114 yards, touchdown, interception
Will Marques Colston Show Up vs. Carolina Panthers?
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Marques Colston has been one of Drew Brees' favorite weapons since the two joined the team back in 2006. This year, though, the two have yet to get on the same page, connecting 14 times in their three games for only 154 yards and no touchdowns.
The Panthers have been anything but sound on defense through their first three games—all losses— allowing six combined touchdown passes. The Panthers don't really have a cornerback to match up with Colston's size, so I expect him to march up and down the field, and even to find the end zone for the first time this season.
Stone cold lock: 7 receptions, 82 yards, touchdown
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Jeremy Maclin Needs To Be Started in 100 Percent Of Leagues vs. Redskins
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Jeremy Maclin has been Michael Vick's favorite touchdown target since taking the reigns midway through the Packers game. The two have connected for four scores, tied for first in the league.
The Eagles face a Redskins defense that let Sam Bradford amass 237 yards and a touchdown, so Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin could continue to hook up big-time at home.
Stone cold lock: 8 receptions, 92 yards, touchdown
Ryan Grant Owners Need To Find a Better Option Than Brandon Jackson
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Yes, the Detroit Lions are one of the league's worst run defenses, but Brandon Jackson has been abysmal as a hand cuff for Ryan Grant owners. I was a staunch supporter of Jackson when Grant went down; the second-rounder seemed to have it all, including a star-studded offense surrounding him.
Since taking the reigns as the team's starter at running back, he's piled up a miserable 104 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. To make matters worse, fullback John Kuhn has nearly split carries with Jackson, who is a traditional running back.
The Packers seem perfectly content to let Aaron Rodgers air it out, and that will probably continue against what has also been a terrible pass defense in the Detroit Lions.
Stone cold lock: 10 carries, 38 yards
Could Matt Forte Have a Big Day vs. New York Giants?
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The Giants have been softies against the run this year, and look like the perfect candidate for Matt Forte's biggest game this year. The Giants started off solid against the Panthers by stifling Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but they've been ripped by the Colts and Titans for 296 yards and three touchdowns in the past two weeks.
The Bears haven't run very much in Mike Martz's pass-happy offense, but Forte has found a way to get involved in that facet with 14 receptions for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the first three contests.
I expect big things for everyone wearing a Bears uniform this week, and that goes doubly so for Matt Forte.
Stone cold lock: 8 rushes, 50 yards, 4 receptions, 40 yards, 2 overall touchdowns
Will Arian Foster Continue His Reign of Dominance vs. Oakland Raiders?
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The Raiders got gashed by Chris Johnson in Week 1, which is to be expected, but allowing a brutal 119 yards on the ground to the Arizona Cardinals is unexpected and unacceptable.
Foster is currently the league's rushing leader, and he proved last week against the Cowboys that he can even get it done against top talent. The Cowboys hadn't allowed a 100-yard performance by a running back in a long time before they met Foster.
Until the Raiders prove otherwise, start any running back that faces them, especially the top talents.
Stone cold lock: 23 carries, 115 yards, touchdown
Two To Start
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Darren McFadden: The former Arkansas Razorback has been as intimidating as a salamander over the past few seasons, but is running like his tail's on fire so far this season, putting up 425 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. At home against the Texans' pitiful 31st-ranked defense, expect "Run DMC" to walk this way and that way up and down the field.
Stone cold lock: 22 carries, 90 yards, touchdown, 3 receptions, 24 yards
Maurice Jones-Drew: Pocket Hercules has proven to be a fantasy demi-god over the past three weeks, contributing a piddly 250 overall yards on 63 touches with no touchdowns. Against Indianapolis' 28th-ranked rush defense, MJD could find his superhuman strength that has made him productive despite a porous offensive line.
Stone cold lock: 20 carries, 97 yards, touchdown, reception, 20 yards
Two To Sit
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Carson Palmer: The Browns pass defense looked vulnerable against the Ravens this past week, and so far they rank 12th in yards and had only given up two passing touchdowns before last week. Why? Because teams have been running up and down the field on them. Expect more of Carson Palmer the game manager, not the game changer, on Sunday, as the Bengals look to get Cedric Benson the ball and grind out a victory.
Stone cold lock: 10-for-18, 160 yards, touchdown, interception
Larry Fitzgerald: The Chargers may be 1-2, but they've looked good on defense in the process by only allowing 544 yards and three touchdowns through their first three games. They've got a lot to prove in this home contest, so expect the defense to come out fired up. We're all waiting for Derek Anderson to implode as the Cardinals quarterback, and it could happen this week against the Chargers. It'll be hard for Anderson to get Fitzgerald the ball with the pass rush right in his face.
Stone cold lock: 3 receptions, 58 yards
Waiver Wire Wonder: Chad Henne Could Be Lethal vs. New England Patriots
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The Dolphins signal-caller had a banner day against the Jets defense last week, and looks ready for another big day against a dismal Patriots defense that currently ranks 25th against the pass and 28th overall. They're getting no pressure on the quarterback, and their cornerbacks look incapable of covering, so I expect Henne to have a huge day.
Yahoo! percent owned: 45 percent
Stone cold lock: 220 yards, 3 touchdowns, interception
Chasing 2,500: Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans
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Everyone's favorite No. 1 overall pick in their fantasy draft made the Giants look silly on Sunday, piling up 125 yards and two touchdown on the ground at New Meadowlands Stadium.
The Broncos rank 10th in rush defense, but teams have been passing on them a lot more. We know that the Titans won't be doing that.
The Broncos weren't able to stop the Jaguars or Seahawks rush attacks from breaking the century mark. That is a mark Chris Johnson knows all too well, and when he can get that kind of yardage, he can usually get a couple of scores out of it as well.
Stone cold lock: 18 carries, 120 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 40 yards, 2 overall touchdowns
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