The phrase “Any given Sunday” proved to be true during week three of the fantasy season. The Buffalo Bills stunned the mighty Minnesota Vikings at the hands, and legs, of rookie Josh Allen. The ageless wonder, Adrian Peterson, juked father time and rushed 19 times for 120 yards and two scores.
This is part of what we love about fantasy football. The crazy unpredictability adds to the appeal of the sport.
In this week’s article, we’re going to take a statistical dive into players and matchups and pinpoint some of the stronger plays heading into week four.
As a quick reminder, bye weeks begin this week. The Carolina Panthers and Washington Redskins are on bye this week. Adjust all rosters accordingly.
Fantasy Football Week Four Starts and Sits Featuring Baker Mayfield
Starts: Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield vs. Oakland Raiders
The 2018 NFL first overall pick Baker Mayfield came in to relieve an injured Tyrod Taylor last in last week’s matchup. He immediately provided a spark to their offense and ultimately led them to their first win in…well…a very long time. He finished with 201 yards and no touchdowns, but more importantly, no interceptions.
Named the starter moving forward, Mayfield’s first task is an Oakland Raiders defense that has allowed five passing touchdowns to only one interception thus far. Last week, they allowed a season-high 289 yards to Ryan Tannehill. Mayfield showed enough in his impressive debut to be rostered as an immediate QB2. Until we see more from him, he’s better utilized as a super-flex or 2QB league start.
Kirk Cousins vs. Los Angeles Rams
This may initially seem like a bad call, but indulge me for a moment. Kirk Cousins and most of the Vikings did not look good last week. Many fantasy owners and daily fantasy sports (DFS) players were left disappointed. Fair enough. Now they’re heading into Los Angeles to battle the 3-0 Rams. Again, this has the appearance of a must-sit as opposed to must-start.
However, the Rams look like they’ll be missing both cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters. The Rams will either be sliding their slot corner over into coverage or starting backups. Either way, the receiving duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs is one of the more potent the league has to offer.
Cousins remains a strong startable option against a much less scary Rams pass defense. While they’ll still bring pressure, Cousins should be able to find one of his capable receivers and exploit their secondary.
Sits: Quarterbacks
Sam Darnold vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of rookies, Sam Darnold has been impressive while also reminding us all that he’s still a rookie. Week Four’s matchup is his toughest to date. The New York Jets travel to Jacksonville to battle with the Jaguars.
The Jaguars are a defensive nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. They have seven sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries thus far. They’re going to bring pressure to the young quarterback. Outside of 2QB leagues, Darnold is best left on benches this week.
Starts: Wide Receivers
Sterling Shepard vs. New Orleans Saints
This one is a pretty simple call. New Orleans is allowing the most fantasy points to the wide receiver position. Thus far, every team’s WR2 has been able to exploit their porous defense. In week one, DeSean Jackson finished with 146 yards and two touchdowns. Enter Week Two and Antonio Callaway put together 81 yards and one score. In Week Three, we all remember Calvin Ridley‘s 146 yards and three touchdown performance. WR2s are feasting opposite Marshon Lattimore.
It’s also worth noting that with tight end Evan Engram out, Sterling Shepard has a plate-full of targets to look forward too. Shepard is a must-start in all formats.
Keenan Allen vs. San Francisco 49ers
Keenan Allen has been off to a bit of a slow start. However, he’s averaging 8.6 targets-per-game through the first three weeks of the season. Squaring off against a 49ers defense that’s allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers puts Allen firmly in line for a bounce-back kind of fantasy week.
Sits: Wide Receivers
Quincy Enunwa vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Following the same logic behind benching Darnold this week, sitting Quincy Enunwa might be a good idea this week. Outside of Odell Beckham Jr. no receiver has tallied more than 48 yards against the Jaguars defense. Enunwa has been Darnold’s go-to receiver thus far, but it’s shaping up to be a rough outing for the Jets offense.
Starts: Running Backs
Ezekiel Elliott vs. Detroit Lions
Ezekiel Elliott has not put up the kind of gaudy stats that fantasy owners have come to expect from the third-year pro. He’s only broke 100 yards rushing one time this season. Despite that, he has two touchdowns in three games. He remains the focal point of this offense that has been otherwise flat.
Elliott will continue to see stacked boxes as opposing defenses are not showing much concern for the passing attack. The Dallas Cowboys take on the Detroit Lions this week. The Lions have been graciously allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. They’ve allowed two 100-yard games.
Zeke should be in line for a heavy workload and finish with an RB1 game this week. Start him in all formats.
Sony Michel vs. Miami Dolphins
Sony Michel entered the season injured. He made the start last week and couldn’t find much room to work. However, the Patriots fed him 14 carries and three targets last week.
Rex Burkhead landed on injured reserve with a neck injury, leaving Michel and pass-catching specialist James White to handle the backfield. This almost locks in Michel as the goal-line back. Based on that and volume, Michel should be a great start in plus matchups. This week against a Miami Dolphins squad that’s allowing the ninth-most points to running backs, seems like that kind of matchup. Roll him out as volume-based RB2 with touchdown upside.
Sits: Running Backs
Aaron Jones vs. Buffalo Bills
To this point in the season, it seems like a good idea to start anyone against the Buffalo Bills. Fair enough. However, this backfield is a muddled mess. It has become a three-headed beast that’s too sparse to count on. Even in a plus matchup, it’s difficult to start Aaron Jones until some clarity emerges. Right now, Jamaal Williams is favored based on his pass-blocking ability for a hobbled Aaron Rodgers.
Jones should remain on benches until this backfield gets figured out. Jones should continue to see his role grow this season.
