What You Need to Know From Week 4

Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA Today Sports

MIA @ CIN

• Tua Tagovailoa went out with a scary concussion, maybe his second in five days, and will miss at least Week 5 with no timeline for his return to play. Teddy Bridgewater was solid in relief and looked to Tyreek Hill a lot.
• Raheem Mostert dominated snaps and touches in the backfield even though Chase Edmonds scored and had a chance to score again. Mostert is the better hold right now.
• Joe Burrow continued to play within himself and posted a solid fantasy night. He’ll get to pick on the Baltimore secondary he lit up last year in Week 5.
• Joe Mixon is getting a ton of opportunity, and even though it hasn’t translated into massive production yet, the big games are coming.
• Though ADP indicated otherwise, Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase have about the same value. Higgins had a long score as teams are having success throwing on Xavien Howard this year. He’s not 100% right now.

MIN vs NO (London)

• Dalvin Cook looked fine playing through a shoulder injury in a harness, but he did give way to Alexander Mattison on passing downs more often, so Mattison got the receiving touchdown in this one.
• Justin Jefferson had a week-winning stat line, and it’s clear even though he’ll have floor games in bad matchups, his ceiling games will more than make up for it.
• It doesn’t look like target volume will be there consistently enough to support K.J. Osborn or Irv Smith’s weekly startability. Both need an injury to Thielen or Jefferson to matter in fantasy leagues.
• Andy Dalton was fine in place of Jameis Winston and may give Dennis Allen something to think about going forward. If Dalton is the starter, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara will benefit… once they are healthy enough to play. Neither was on the field in Week 5, and Kamara being out was a bit of a surprise. Chris Olave was ok as the #1 receiver with Jarvis Landry still hurting but out there, but his value will be down if Dalton starts.
• Mark Ingram got banged up in this one. Latavius Murray looked great in relief, but the Broncos signed him from the practice squad on Monday, so it’s not clear who will start in Week 6 against Seattle.

SEA @ DET

• Geno Smith looks good and in control. He was one of the best fantasy plays of the week, but the real takeaway is try to start everyone against Detroit.
• Rashaad Penny was huge against the opponent that allowed his biggest game last year. He should be in lineups against the Saints this week, while Kenneth Walker will remain the backup as long as Penny is playing this way.
• The pass offense runs through Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, but Will Dissly is getting open in the red zone and Geno Smith is finding him. Dissly is a good streamer in Week 5 if you need a tight end.
• Jared Goff was outstanding and productive without his top wide receiver, top running back, and #2A receiver. He’s an every-week start in 1QB leagues until that approach backfires badly. The Seahawks also look like a defense we want to target when setting lineups. The Patriots are up next for the Lions.
• Jamaal Williams broke a 51-yard score and converted another short touchdown, so we don’t need to ask whether he should be in our lineups for Week 5 if Swift is out.
• Goff still looks comfortable throwing to Josh Reynolds, his teammate going back to their days together with the Rams. Reynolds is startable as long as one of St. Brown or Chark is out, and maybe even when both are in… at least until Jameson Williams is back. Williams is worth a stash in deep leagues considering the quality of this offense.
• T.J. Hockenson had a career day and a record-breaking day for a Lion tight end. This upside should give us reason to keep him in as an every-week play going forward.

NYJ @ PIT

• Zach Wilson had a few big mistakes and started slow, but came on with a huge fourth quarter that made it look like he has turned the corner. He might be worth a pickup in 1QB leagues considering the talent he has around him at wide receiver.
• Breece Hall opened up a lead in snaps and touches from Michael Carter, and he looked like he deserved it. Consider him a fantasy RB2 going forward.
• Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore are more dynamic, but it looks like Corey Davis is Zach Wilson’s favorite target. All three are what the heck flexes until we see if there will be a pattern here.
• Tyler Conklin is still startable with Wilson at quarterback, but perhaps with a lower PPR ceiling.
• Kenny Pickett got in for the second half and will take over at quarterback for the Steelers. He’s worth an add in deeper 1QB leagues.
• Najee Harris should benefit from the change even though Pickett scored both rushing touchdowns this week.
• George Pickens was the main man for Pickett and should be added as your top waiver wire priority. Try buying high if he’s already on a roster.
• Pickett looked Pat Freiermuth’s way a lot. He’s a winner in light of this change.
• Diontae Johnson dropped Trubisky’s only interception and almost scored a spectacular touchdown from Trubisky, but Johnson barely looked his way. Keep Johnson in vs. Buffalo, but be ready to be disappointed and reconsider starting him if Week 5 vs. Buffalo is a dud.