Fantasy Football Week 4 Projections: Projecting Joe Flacco's Stats

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco exploded for a career-high 389 yards in a 37-7 Week 3 win over the St. Louis Rams. The fourth-year man out of Delaware looked like a legit fantasy No. 1 quarterback during that performance. But you shouldn't expect that kind of production this weekend.

The Rams have the NFL's 19th-ranked passing defense, as they have allowed 252 yards per game, and Baltimore was able to exploit it. But this Sunday night, Flacco and the Ravens face a stacked New York Jets secondary that is allowing just 188.7 passing yards per game (sixth in the NFL).

While the Jets have been good against the pass, opponents have run wild on them. Rex Ryan's defense has allowed a whopping 136.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 31st in the league.

Flacco looked great against the Rams, but much of his success came by way of rookie Torrey Smith's breakout game. Smith had five catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. This week, the Ravens' second-round pick from the 2011 NFL draft will line up as the team's No. 2 receiver, which means he will be matched up with either Antonio Cromartie or Darrelle Revis. Obviously, Smith will not be able to break loose like he did against the Rams' leaky secondary.

With Lee Evans likely missing Sunday's game due to an ankle injury, the Ravens will probably plan on pounding the ball with running back Ray Rice. While that might open some things up for Flacco, don't expect him to throw the ball 48 times like he did against St. Louis.

If Flacco is the best quarterback on your roster, you should probably go ahead and start him. Just don't expect anything more than 200 yards and a touchdown. The Jets have a fantastic secondary and a great pass rush, and Ryan will make it his mission to shut down Baltimore's aerial attack.