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DET @ GB
- David Montgomery was able to play and reprised the Jamaal Williams role of designated finisher of drives to the tune of three scores. He's officially an every-week start if he wasn't already.
- Jahmyr Gibbs still isn't producing the explosive plays we'd hoped for and is only a flex play with Montgomery back.
- Jared Goff could have had a bigger night, but like last year, a large share of the offensive touchdowns are being scored on the ground. He's still a high-floor QB1 against Carolina and going forward.
- Jordan Love didn't do much until garbage time. The Lions defense has improved by leaps and bounds over the first month of the season and could be a viable D/ST this week against Bryce Young and Carolina. Be patient with Love as he finally gets to play with his full deck of aces in Las Vegas this weekend.
- Aaron Jones and Christian Watson were back but on restrictive snap counts. The Packers' medical and coaching staff continues to be one of the most conservative in the league.
- With Watson on a snap count, Romeo Doubs was the leader in targets and catches by a large margin. He might still be a WR3/Flex even after Watson is back to a full snap count.
- Luke Musgrave was set up for a big game but left early with a concussion. The Lions should still be targeted with tight end plays, as Josiah Deguara had four catches for 34 yards.
ATL VS JAX
- Desmond Ridder was subpar again in this one, throwing interceptions on back-to-back plays in the first half that put the game out of reach because the offense is anemic with him at the helm. The team has confirmed that he will start in Week 5, but a repeat poor performance could lead to Taylor Heinicke starting in Week 6.
- Jonnu Smith decisively outproduced Kyle Pitts and might be a fantasy start for now. The hope for Pitts teams (and Drake London teams and Falcons fans) is that Heinicke gets in soon to revive the pass offense.
- Calvin Ridley was effectively covered by A.J. Terrell all day but still managed a touchdown on an improvisation play and drew a long pass interference. Ridley should be better against Buffalo in London this week, as the Bills just lost #1 corner Tre'Davious White. Terrell will likely tangle with Nico Collins as the Texans come to Atlanta.
- Trevor Lawrence was a disappointment as the Jaguars controlled the game, and the passing game was able to stay conservative. Hopefully, better health down the line in his wide receiver group and the return from suspension of left tackle Cam Robinson this week will help open up the pass offense and improve his and Travis Etienne's fantasy value.
LAR @ IND
- Puka Nacua caught his first NFL touchdown, and it was a walkoff overtime game-winner. Even if Cooper Kupp returns this week, he should be in lineups.
- Kyren Williams had another huge game, although his role and the offense created the production more than he did. Ronnie Rivers is the clear backup, and he looked good in limited work. He should be carried as an injury-upside backup if bench size allows.
- Tyler Higbee came into the game with an Achilles issue but still produced well. He is being used more as a downfield target, and his value could persist after Kupp's return.
- Anthony Richardson actually finished a game, and he was a fantasy force even though he struggled as a passer for a lot of the game. He's an elite fantasy QB1.
- Michael Pittman was a dud because Richardson only completed 11 passes. Keep Pittman in against the suspect Titans secondary.
- Jonathan Taylor could return this week, and the team has opened his 21-day window to return from the PUP list (the Rams have opened the window for Kupp's return, too). Zack Moss's value should revert to a Taylor injury upside backup, assuming Taylor returns to the team.
BAL @ CLE
- It's clear four weeks in that this is going to remain the low-volume pass offense we saw from Baltimore in the Greg Roman era. The good news is that Lamar Jackson has been aggressive in finishing drives with rushing scores (two more this week), and he was throwing more downfield in his 19 pass attempts. He's still an elite fantasy quarterback heading into a matchup at Pittsburgh that has given him problems in the past.
- Gus Edwards was the clear lead back but ineffective against a strong Browns run defense. Justice Hill was healthy enough to play but used sparingly, so his role should grow, while camp sensation UDFA Keaton Mitchell could return from injured reserve soon. Edwards is bench depth for now and is as likely to see his value fall due to a crowded backfield as it is to rise because Jackson stops hogging rushing scores.
- Even with Odell Beckham and Rashod Bateman sidelined, neither Zay Flowers nor Nelson Agholor had a good fantasy game as Mark Andrews reasserted himself as the #1 target in this passing game. No Ravens receiver is going to be a reliable weekly play this year.
- Fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson got the start as Deshaun Watson's throwing shoulder was too sore to go after he took a hit on it as a runner in Week 3. Thompson-Robinson was overwhelmed and not ready for prime time. Watson should be back after the team's Week 5 bye.
- The entire offense suffered with a green rookie in at quarterback, but Jerome Ford was still in on over 60% of the snaps and heavily involved in the passing game with five catches on six targets. He's still an RB2 for fantasy going forward.
- David Njoku suffered burns on his face from a fire pit accident and still played, notching six catches. He might be worth carrying through the bye after a slow start to the year.
MIN @ CAR
- Kirk Cousins threw a 99-yard pick-six, but the Vikings still controlled the game because the Panthers offense is meek. Cousins only threw 19 passes, so the fantasy value of he and the whole passing game other than Justin Jefferson suffered. Expect a bounce-back in pass volume against the Chiefs this week.
- Alexander Mattison was strong and strengthened his grip on the backfield after a slow start, but Cam Akers took over for Ty Chandler as the backup and ran well. He's worth carrying as an injury-upside backup if bench size allows.
- The Panthers passing game went back to being weak for fantasy, but it did still fuel Adam Thielen to a solid outcome in PPR leagues. Thielen should remain in lineups as a WR3/Flex against the Lions.
- Miles Sanders was clearly affected by the groin issue that has plagued him since camp and put him back on the injury report last week. Chuba Hubbard got more snaps, but if both are active vs. Detroit, neither is worth a spot in lineups.
- Terrace Marshall had a similar high volume, low yards per catch game to Thielen to revive some value, but the team was rumored to be in the market for another starting receiver coming into the game.
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