Fantasy football Week 4: Top 10 best matchups to attack
As you lock in your starting lineup for this weekend’s fantasy football week 4, these are the top 10 best matchups to attack.
Both Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) are in a great matchup to attack in fantasy football week 4. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been a rough and tumble first three weeks of the fantasy football season with plenty of injuries across the league. Most fantasy football teams are having to adjust and reformat their starting lineups as players go down and new options emerge. As you look to get your lineup finalized for all the action in fantasy football week 4, check out these top 10 best matchups to attack on the following slides.
As you try to make your tough lineup calls for the weekend, remember to check out each players’ matchups. While over-weighting matchups can result in leaving good starts on your bench, analyzing some of the best matchups to attack can help you get players in a place where they could have monster weeks in fantasy football week 4. If you’ve played fantasy football for any length of time, you know just how huge matchups can be.
Whether you come into the weekend’s action ahead, behind, or yet to get your matchup underway, check out the matchups you should try to target for a big Sunday and Monday. To help you with your lineup decisions for the week, my Week 4 rankings will be updated throughout the weekend. You can also use our cool new start/sit advice tool to see who I think you should have in your lineup and whether the full panel of experts at FantasyPros.com agrees or disagrees.
If you’re still uncertain based on your league’s quirks or other issues, you can always find me throughout the weekend on Twitter @FansidedFantasy to ask your specific question. It’s also a good idea to set a bookmark on our fantasy football hub to keep up with all our content this weekend and in the weeks to come. Check back on Sunday morning for last-minute sleepers to give you a late boost, and make sure to check back Monday for the leading scorers, biggest busts, and most pleasant surprises of Week 4.
To see my take on the top 10 fantasy football Week 4 matchups, check out the following slides starting with a wide receiver ready to go off across the pond.
Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts receiver T.J. Hilton (13) makes the game winning touchdown catch against the San Diego Chargers. The Colts won 26-22 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sport
T.Y. Hilton vs Jaguars (in London)
The Colts and Jaguars take their combined 1-5 record across the pond to Wembley Stadium for the first of London games this season. They’ll help get Sunday off to an early start with a 9:30 AM ET kickoff time, and one player who should be ready to start your morning fast is speedster T.Y. Hilton.
The Colts’ receiver helped the Colts avoid an 0-3 start last week taking a 63-yard touchdown to the house late in the fourth quarter. Hilton had his best game of the year in the Colts 26-22 win totaling 174 yards on his eight catches as well as booking his first trip to the end zone. He should be able to build on that confidence this week since he has a history of shredding his divisional rivals from Jacksonville posting at least 100 yards in four of his eight career matchups against them.
The Colts are dealing with injuries at WR with Donte Moncrief (the team’s no. 2 option) on the shelf. His absence has left even more targets for Hilton who has gotten 12, 11, and 11 targets in his three games this season. When a playmaker like Hilton is getting that many chances, I think he has a great chance to again be an elite play. He has unlimited potential and should be started in almost every format.
Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs with the ball against Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Melvin Gordon vs Saints
The Chargers continue their schedule of favorable matchups as they face the Saints this week at home. San Diego is 1-2 after losing a pair of heartbreakers on the road including last week’s game to Hilton and the Colts. One bright spot for the Chargers, though, has been the good play of sophomore running back Melvin Gordon.
Gordon didn’t score a touchdown in his rookie season, but he already has found the end zone four times in the team’s first three games. Last week, he saved his week with a short touchdown run, but he was still a little bit of a disappointment in what looked like a good matchup against Indy. He ended up with just 35 yards on his 16 carries but did have 43 yards on four catches.
He is no longer sharing time with Danny Woodhead who is out for the year and Dexter McCluster and Kenneth Farrow aren’t cutting into his workload much. Gordon should get all the run he can handle in another great matchup this week as the Chargers come home to face old friend Drew Brees.
In their first home game, Gordon gave the Chargers 102 rushing yards, and he could be near that number again against a leaky New Orleans defense. The Saints have allowed more fantasy points to opposing RB than any other team in the league by a wide margin. In three games, they have surrendered seven rushing and receiving TDs and over 600 total yards to opposing RBs. Gordon is poised for a huge day of fantasy points, so get him in your lineups for fantasy football week 4.
Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) catches a touchdown pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Coby Fleener @ Chargers
After a slow start, Coby Fleener finally found his groove with Drew Brees and the Saints offense. Coming into fantasy football week 4, the early season bust is a must-start TE as he and the Saints travel to San Diego in a revenge game for Brees.
Brees started his career in San Diego working with Antonio Gates before signing with the Saints and making Jimmy Graham an elite fantasy option. His history of producing huge fantasy points with his tight end made Fleener one of the hottest sleepers coming into the season after the Saints signed him away from the Colts. Fleener started the season with a thud, but he and Brees finally clicked on Monday.
Against the Falcons, Fleener hauled in seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown while being targeted 11 times. Willie Snead’s absence definitely helped him get more looks, but now that he and Brees are locked in look for big production going forward.
The Chargers are a great matchup for Fleener not only because of the revenge factor, but also because they struggle to defend opposing TE. No team in the NFL has allowed more receiving yards to opposing TE than the Chargers who have give up 282 yards on 23 tight end receptions. Only allowing one TE touchdown keeps them from leading the league in fantasy points allowed at the position, but Fleener is a great matchup to target in fantasy football week 4
Sep 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Denver defeated the Cincinnati 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Emmanuel Sanders & Demaryius Thomas @ Buccaneers
After complaining about being “frustrated” in the Broncos offense, Sanders went off for a monster game last week against the Bengals. First-year starter Trevor Siemian went to Sanders early and often against the Bengals throwing 13 passes his way. Sanders caught nine of those targets for 117 yards and a pair of touchdowns after totaling just 88 yards and no touchdowns in the first two weeks of the year.
While Sanders had the bigger week last week, Demaryius Thomas is still the team’s no. 1 option. Thomas only got seven passes his way on Sunday but still had 100 yards and a touchdown. Thomas is back to practicing in full after a hip injury early this season.
Both receivers are set up for more success as the the Broncos head to Florida to face the Bucs this week. Tampa is giving up the third-most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing WR including a league-high seven WR touchdowns.
Both Sanders and Thomas are good plays this week, so enjoy the success of the Denver offense and get them in your lineup for fantasy football week 4 in a great matchup against Tampa’s struggling defense. If I had to pick just one, I’d lean toward Sanders since he has established a clear rapport with Siemian. Both are WR2’s in my fantasy football Week 4 rankings and should be started if possible.
Sep 19, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Soldier Field. The Eagles won 29-14. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Howard vs Lions
The Bears have lost Ka’Deem Carey and Jeremy Langford the last two weeks, and they were forced to bring in Joique Bell before this week’s game against the Lions just to have a healthy backup that they were comfortable with. The starting job is definitely in the hands of rookie Jordan Howard, though, how has shown enough flashes to be a good start in fantasy football week 4 against the Lions.
Howard didn’t get a touch in Week 1 but had 22 yards on three carries against the Eagles in Week 2. Last week, he ended up with 92 yards against the Cowboys after stepping in when Langford went down. Since Langford is out for the next few weeks, Howard will get a chance to be the team’s go-to option in some good matchups in the coming weeks.
The Bears drafted Howard in the fifth round out of Indiana and were hoping he could be a part of their backfield solution after Matt Forte left via free agency. After the injuries, he is their solution since he’s all that’s left. He could run away with the starting job since Langford didn’t look great before his injury.
He’ll start is campaign for the starting job in a tough matchup, though. Detroit has had its defensive issues, to be sure, but they’ve been solid against the run. They haven’t let an opposing RB into the end zone in the firs three weeks of the season and have allowed the seventh-fewest RB fantasy points. Howard is worth a look since he’ll get the touches, but he’s not a locked-in RB2 just yet.
Sep 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Diego Chargers receiver Travis Benjamin (12) makes a reception over Indianapolis Colts corner back Darryl Morris (35) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Benjamin & Tyrell Williams vs Saints
The Chargers have filled in for the loss of Keenan Allen with a pair of new faces this season. Benjamin joined the team as a free agent and Williams only played in Week 17 last season, but the two have quickly gelled with Phillip Rivers. The entire Chargers offense is a good unit to watch against the Saints sieve-like offense which is on a short week and traveling across the country.
I expect there to be plenty of points in the San Diego shootout this week and both Benjamin and Williams have a chance to go off. The top receiver on the team is former-Browns’ standout Travis Benjamin who had a surprisingly quiet week last week in Indianapolis. He had 82 yards on his four catches but didn’t get into the end zone and lost a fumble. In the Chargers only home game, though, he hung 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the Jaguars, so look for him to enjoy the return to sunny San Diego this week.
Tyrell Williams has also risen to the occasion for the Chargers and actually led the team in targets last week hauling in six catches for 69 yards. He has been one of Rivers’ go-to options and has the athletic ability to turn any touch into a touchdown.
The Saints gave up 294 yards on 20 catches to the Giants’ receivers in their only other road game this year. Look for them to allow the the Chargers receivers to rack up the fantasy points this week in one of the most lucrative matchups on both sides in fantasy football week 4.
Sep 25, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Terrelle Pryor (11) is tackled by Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Terrelle Pryor @ Washington
Coach Hue Jackson has suffered a rough start to his tenure with the Browns, but he is creative enough to find ways to get the ball into the hands of his remaining playmakers. Terrelle Pryor was the focus of the Browns attack last week against the Dolphins, and he’s a good play in fantasy football week 4 since he should be in for another busy week against Washington.
Pryor played both quarterback and receiver while adding in 21 rushing yards as well. He caught eight passes for 144 yards and completed three-of-five passes for 35 yards. Pryor rushed for a touchdown and was the best Browns’ playmaker left after the team lost RG3 and his backup Josh McCown in the first two weeks of the season. Pryor will get plenty of work in fantasy football week 4, and now he could get more time in his expanded role since Josh Gordon’s return could be farther away than initially expected.
Washington is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WR this season, the third-most to opposing RB, and the 11th most to opposing QB. Since Pryor will likely put up stats as a receiver, rusher, and passer again this week, I think he’s in for another monster week.
Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) looks on during the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Flacco vs Oakland Raiders
The Ravens are 3-0. Really… I confirmed it with multiple sources just to be sure.
Flacco and the Ravens have played a VERY soft schedule to get to 3-0 though beating the Bills, Browns, and Jaguars who are a combined 1-8 in the first there weeks. The good matchups keep rolling for the Ravens, though, as they come home this week and take on the Raiders who have to travel across the country for an early start.
The Raiders are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing QB even after giving up no passing TD’s and only 214 yards last week to Marcus Mariota. They were absolutely crushed by Drew Brees and Matt Ryan in the first two games of the season, and Flacco could make sense as a streaming option this week based on the good matchup.
It’s been an uneven start to the season for Flacco who didn’t throw a TD pass last week against th Jags, but still did enough to get the team the win including scoring a rushing TD of his own. He is a fringe option most weeks, but in this matchup I think he has enough upside to be the best waiver wire plug-and-play replacement for Aaron Rodgers or Carson Wentz (who are on bye-weeks in fantasy football week 4). He also makes a good QB2 start in all formats since he’s at home where he’s usually good in a great matchup.
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller (86) celebrates his third quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Miller & Brian Hoyer vs Lions
While the Lions defense has been stout against the run (which is why Jordan Howard is risky), they have been eminently shreddable through the air especially by opposing tight ends. Look for the Bears tandem of Brian Hoyer and Zach Miller to produce good lines this week in their NFC North battle against Detroit.
In his first start of the season, Hoyer threw for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Bears’ loss last week to Dallas. He didn’t throw a pick or challenge Dallas down the field, but he showed he can check down and produce decent totals when the defense gives him the chance.
On both Hoyer’s touchdown passes, Zach Miller ended up on the receiving end. They were garbage time scores, but they made Miller the highest scoring TE of last week. Miller ended up with eight catches on nine targets for a total of 78 yards.
The Lions have allowed more fantasy points to opposing TE than any other team in the NFL. Only the Falcons have allowed four tight end touchdowns, but the Lions lead the league in TE touchdowns allowed with five. Detroit has given up a TE touchdown every week which is enough to make Miller and Hoyer low-cost sleeper plays in DFS formats and solid waiver plug-and-play considerations for fantasy football week 4.
Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) and cornerback Dwayne Gratz (27) during the second half of a football game at EverBank FieldThe Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST vs Colts (in London)
The streaming defense market is a thin one in fantasy football week 4. Many of the matchups to target play defenses that are already extremely owned. I was able to grab the Bengals Defense in one of my leagues which played out well on Thursday Night Football, but if you are still searching for a streamer, check out the Jags.
Last week, Jacksonville ended up as the no. 7 defense in standard scoring and forced three turnovers. One of those turnovers was on a fumble by Devin Hester and two were Joe Flacco interceptions. Paul Posluszny led the team with ten solo tackles and a dozen total tackles. They picked up a pair of sacks by Malik Jackson and Yannick Ngakoue and finished with three tackles for loss.
The Jags are still 0-3, but their defense looked much better than it had against the Packers or Chargers the first two weeks of the season. This week, the Jags will take on the Colts who have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing D/ST units. Each of the last two weeks, Indy has allowed a defensive touchdown while turning the ball over multiple times. They also have allowed multiple sacks every game this season. The London games can tend to be sloppy which sometimes leads to big games for Team D’s. Grab the Jags if you need a one-week option for fantasy football Week 4.
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