RADIO
Brandon Murchison's under-the-radar starts and sits for your Week 4 fantasy football lineups - sneaky players to start, and typical starters that may disappoint.
Week 3 in the NFL seemed to be a return to normalcy in the world of fantasy football. Many of the players we are accustomed to seeing at the top of scoring leaderboards returned. Mike Evans and Keenan Allen paced the field with great matchups while Alvin Kamara and Patrick Mahomes continued their hot starts as well. But we also saw some surprising names towards the top of the scoring list with Daniel Jones and Kyle Allen taking advantage of opportunities and running with it. It just goes to show you that under the right circumstances, any player can put forth a solid effort is the matchup warrants it.
As we head into Week 4, things are starting to round into shape in fantasy as the upper echelon players are beginning to separate themselves from the pretenders. As the sample size in gameplay begins to get larger we can easily identify matchups to take advantage of and ones that we should be avoiding. Of course, we know that the top-tier players will continue to hold down their spots in our starting lineups, but spotting the fringe matchup plays can be the difference between a win or a loss for the week. Sliding in that RB3 into the RB2 spot for the week with a prime matchup is something that the keen owners do frequently.
So let's jump into the numbers as I present to you my Woo's and Boo's for Week 4 to help you with those tough lineup decisions you may be facing.
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Woo! - Week 4 Starts
Philip Rivers @ Miami Dolphins
Rivers comes into this matchup in Week 4 as an obvious start against a poor Dolphins Defense. The Dolphins are currently next to last in the league in points allowed to the position (29.6 FPPG) and Rivers has all the skill position players needed to take advantage. He has exceeded at least 293 passing yards in each game this season, a number that should be no problem come Sunday. Look for a quick scoring first half for Rivers and the passing attack. He should exceed 300 yards in this contest with at least 2 scores. He was drafted as a QB2 for most teams, but this is the week that you need to get him into your lineups.
Carlos Hyde vs. Carolina Panthers
Aside from his low rushing output last week, Hyde has been every bit the player that we thought that we'd see from a healthy Lamar Miller. He is dominating the touches in the Texans backfield and will see a plus matchup in Week 4 against a Panthers Defense that is 11th in points allowed (19.7 FPPG). I expect to see a balanced attack from the Texans on offense this week with Hyde returning low-end RB2 value. Look for 90 yards rushing and a score in Week 4 from him.
Sterling Shepard vs. Washington Redskins
Shepard returned to the Giants a week ago and made an instant impact with seven catches for 100 yards and a score. With Daniel Jones bringing new life to the passing game, Shepard is primed to take advantage of a cake matchup. The Redskins rank 2nd in points allowed to opposing receivers (38.7 FPPG) but more importantly they give up points to slot receivers in bunches. As a defense, the Redskins have allowed opposing slot receivers to go 20-of-25 for 205 yards and four touchdowns. All these points towards Shepard having a stellar day in Week 4. He should be viewed as a WR2 this week with a solid floor as he should find the end-zone yet again.
Will Dissly @ Arizona Cardinals
In what is largely considered to be the start of the week among the fantasy community, Dissly is primed for a big day in Week 4. The Cardinals are by far the worst defense in the league in points allowed to the position (21.6 FPPG). He has three scores over the last two games, and with the trade of Nick Vannett, Dissly will see all the snaps for the Seahawks at tight end this week and should feast on this defense. Look for Dissly to haul in five catches for 70 yards and a score in this game. Making him an easy start at the position for the week. Hopefully, you won the bidding war in waivers for him this week.
Boo! - Week 4 Sits
Baker Mayfield @ Baltimore Ravens
Mayfield and the Browns offense have been somewhat disappointing, to say the least, to open up the 2019 season. With only one 300-yard game so far and more interceptions over touchdowns (5 to 3), he will not see the going any easier in Week 4. Even with the big week by Mahomes in Week 3, the Ravens Defense is one of the better units in the league in points allowed to quarterbacks (18.2 FPPG). I expect for this game to be somewhat of a low scoring affair, and while Mayfield should find the end-zone once, don't expect much in terms of yardage. If you have a solid option at QB2 on your roster, I would entertain the thought of playing the better matchup this week.
Derrick Henry @ Atlanta Falcons
He has scored a touchdown in each of his three games to open the season, but in Week 4, Henry could see that streak snapped. The Falcons are a mid-tier defense in points allowed to the position (17.3 FPPG) and could phase Henry out of the game-plan early on in this contest. If the Falcons offense gets out to the early lead, we will see Dion Lewis on the field more for the Titans, decreasing the opportunities for Henry. You'll likely be in a position in which you will be starting Henry this week, but if you happened to play the wire and picked up a Wayne Gallman, I would start him over Henry due to the matchup here.
Sammy Watkins @ Detroit Lions
After the Week 1 explosion, Watkins has returned to Earth with very modest numbers the last two weeks. He has totaled 113 yards over the last two weeks without a score and now will see a tough matchup against Darius Slay in Week 4. The Lions Defense as a whole has given up plenty of points to opposing receivers (25.2 FPPG), but with the plethora of weapons on the Chiefs offense, they can avoid testing the matchup with Watkins. Look for Watkins to play as more as a low-end WR3 this week and is a player that you could put on your bench if you have better matchups in play.
Jared Cook vs. Dallas Cowboys
Being drafted as a solid TE1 before the year began, Cook has been a bust to begin the 2019 season. He's largely been invisible in the passing attack (five receptions in three games) and has yet to find the end-zone. Now with Teddy Bridgewater at QB and playing a fairly tough Cowboys Defense in Week 4, don't expect for the breakout to occur. The Saints will look to employ a more simplified offensive attack in this game and Cook will see a very small amount of targets. There are players potentially available still (Dawson Knox) with better matchups and more opportunities to score. Explore those possibilities.
More Week 3 Lineup Prep
