Week 4 matchups to exploit, avoid
Hopefully you did not take our advice and start Marcus Mariota ( 17 for 33, 214 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT) last week. And we were as surprised as anyone by the clunkers delivered by Arizona and Pittsburgh. Perhaps the return of Le’Veon Bell will get the Steelers back on track.
We saved a little face by recommending you pick up Jordan Howard. He could pay modest dividends this week against a soft Detroit run defense. Don’t be surprised if he keeps the starting job – albeit for a very bad Bears team – even after Jeremy Langford returns.
On to Week 4 …
MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT Cincinnati Bengals OPPONENT: VS DOLPHINS, THURSDAY, 7: 25
This is an excellent matchup for Jeremy Hill, and, perhaps, Giovani Bernard. Miami’s defense is 31st in rushing yards allowed. The Dolphins are a more respectable 18th versus the pass, but this is still a plus matchup for Andy Dalton and A. J. Green. Conversely, this is not a good week to start your Dolphins. The Bengals have played a brutal schedule thus far and have been in every game. Meanwhile, the Dolphins had to go to overtime to beat the Browns last week for their first win. Tyler Eifert is practicing again, but he is unlikely to play on a short week. If he does play, beware of a “Gronk- line” situation from last Thursday ( limited snaps, no targets).
MUST START: Hill, Green SOLID PLAY: Dalton, Mike Nugent, Bengals D/ ST
WORTH A LOOK: Bernard LAST RESORT: Tyler Boyd, Brandon LaFell
Washington OPPONENT: VS BROWNS, SUNDAY, NOON
Just when it looked like Washington’s season was destined to become a dumpster fire, the team rallies for a big win in the Big Apple. Banking on Kirk Cousins and the Washington offense carries risk for fantasy owners, but if you are going to roll the dice, this is the week to do it. Kirk and the boys are unlikely to face a better matchup than Cleveland at home. A problem for fantasy owners: Washington is distributing the ball to four receivers. Jordan Reed ( 16/ 190/ 0), Jamison Crowder ( 16/ 175/ 2), DeSean Jackson ( 14/ 238/ 1) and Pierre Garcon ( 13/ 135/ 0) are all capable of having big games. On the other hand, they are all ( except maybe Reed) capable of being shut out. Matt Jones left last Sunday’s game to be evaluated for a concussion, but was able to return. MUST START: Reed SOLID PLAY: Cousins, Jackson*, Dustin Hopkins
WORTH A LOOK: Jones, Crowder LAST RESORT: Garcon STAY AWAY: Washington D/ ST
Carolina Panthers
OPPONENT: AT FALCONS, SUNDAY, NOON
Atlanta is giving up 433 yards per game – only New Orleans and Oakland have yielded more. Their 30.3 points allowed per game is fifth- worst in the league. The Panthers are seventh in offensive yards, generating 389.3 yards per game … and that’s after being limited to 306 yards against a tough Minnesota defense. Carolina will have plenty of motivation to play well; they’re trailing Atlanta by one game in the NFC South. With Jonathan Stewart still sidelined, Cameron Artis- Payne should get the bulk of the RB touches, but expect most of the offense to run through Cam Newton. MUST START: Newton, Greg Olsen, Graham Gano SOLID PLAY: Artis- Payne, Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers D/ ST WORTH A LOOK: Fozzy Whittaker LAST RESORT: Devin Funchess, Ted Ginn
Denver Broncos OPPONENT: AT BUCCANEERS, SUNDAY, 3: 05
L. A. had not scored a touchdown prior to its Week Three visit to Tampa. The Rams offense found the end zone four times in a 37- 32 victory over the Bucs. Trevor Siemian is coming off a 312- yard, four- TD performance against a Cincy defense that is stingier than the unit he’ll face this week. Tampa’s defense is better against the run ( 14th) than the pass ( 20th), but we still like C. J. Anderson in this game. MUST START: Anderson, Broncos D/ ST SOLID PLAY: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Brandon McManus
LAST RESORT: Devontae Booker, Virgil Green*
ALSO CONSIDER Detroit Lions OPPONENT: AT CHICAGO BEARS, SUNDAY, NOON
The fourth- ranked Lions offense squares off against a decimated Bears defense, currently ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed.
San Diego Chargers OPPONENT: VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, SUNDAY, 4: 25
San Diego should move the ball up and down the field in this game. New Orleans’ defense is right where it’s been for three consecutive seasons: 31st in yards allowed. Be sure to also take a good look at your Saints. The over/ under on this game is around 53 – by far the biggest number of the week.
MATCHUPS TO AVOID Tennessee Titans OPPONENT: AT HOUSTON TEXANS, SUNDAY, NOON Oakland Raiders OPPONENT: AT BALTIMORE RAVENS, SUNDAY, NOON New York Giants OPPONENT: AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, MONDAY, 7: 30
The Vikings have faced the Packers and Panthers in consecutive weeks and are still ranked sixth in fewest yards allowed. They are even tougher on points – only Seattle and Philadelphia have allowed fewer than the Vikes’ 13.3 per game. New York is ranked sixth in total offense and should be able to muster some yards in the passing game. The Giants face a strong pass rush, however. Minnesota leads the NFL with 15 sacks. If the Giants fall behind early, it could be a long night for Eli Manning. MUST START: Odell Beckham Jr.
WORTH A LOOK: Eli Manning, Sterling Shepard, Giants D/ ST LAST RESORT: Orleans Darkwa STAY AWAY: Will Tye, Larry Donnell, Josh Brown
Tennessee managed j ust 10 points at home against a league- worst Raiders defense. It’s hard to imagine the Titans having much success on the road against a significantly better Texans squad. The Titans have a solid run game, but are 24th in passing, averaging just 229 yards per game through the air. That ranking is likely to drop this week in what should be a tough day for Mariota. Houston’s defense is ranked No. 1 versus the pass. At 40.5, this game is tied with Jets/ Seahawks for the lowest over/ under of the week. SOLID PLAY: DeMarco Murray
WORTH A LOOK: Delanie Walker* LAST RESORT: Derrick Henry, Jace Amaro ( if no Walker), Titans D/ ST
STAY AWAY: Mariota, Tajae Sharpe, Rishard Matthews, Ryan Succop Something will have to give when the Raiders and their second- ranked offense ( producing 436 yards per game) travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens’ second- ranked defense ( yielding just 254 yards per game). After watching Arizona struggle in Buffalo last week, we’re betting the long trip/ early start tips the scales in Baltimore’s favor. SOLID PLAY: Latavius Murray WORTH A LOOK: Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree LAST RESORT: Derek Carr, DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard, Clive Walford, Sebastian Janikowski STAY AWAY: Raiders D/ ST
ALSO BEWARE Chicago Bears OPPONENT: AT VS DETROIT LIONS, SUNDAY, NOON
Right now, the Bears are a reflection of their coach: a rambling, incoherent mess. Jordan Howard could, however, find reasonable success on the ground.
Los Angeles Rams OPPONENT: AT ARIZONA CARDINALS, SUNDAY, 3: 25
Despite scoring 37 points in Tampa, the Rams remain dead last in offense. They’ll run into an angry team in Arizona this week.
*— Check injury status