What You Need to Know from Week 4

DAL @ NYG

• If there's going to be a fantasy-relevant running back in Dallas, it will most likely be Rico Dowdle. Ezekiel Elliott's role is shrinking, so more high-value touches are going Dowdle's way. Dowdle scored as a receiver on a well-blocked play and had some good runs in the second half. Dowdle could be useful during the bye-week gauntlet.
• Hunter Luepke looks like a Swiss army knife RB/FB tweener with receiving chops. The team is very comfortable with him as the sole back on the field, so he's worth a preemptive add in very deep leagues.
• Jake Ferguson is the clear #2 target, and if he can stay healthy, he will be one of the best picks at tight end.
• Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert are mostly in the background and probably not worth a roster spot in typical leagues.
• Daniel Jones was efficient but missed badly on multiple deep throws that were open. The upside of this offense is capped as long as he's the quarterback.
• Devin Singletary was bottled up, as it appears the Cowboys have made adjustments to their run defense. The pass defense was very vulnerable, with Justin Fields and the Steelers up next.
• Malik Nabers is going to get enough targets to be in the running for #1 overall fantasy wide receiver - if he can stay on the field. He suffered a concussion and took some punishment on the way to a strong night in PPR leagues.
• Wan'Dale Robinson is Jones' safety valve, and he should be a high-floor WR3/Flex in PPR through the bye-week gauntlet.

CIN @ CAR

• Joe Burrow was more comfortable on a big day for the offense. Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase both look like their old selves. Burrow's fantasy value is at cruising altitude.
• Chase Brown scored twice in short yardage and looked good while getting close to the same workload as Zack Moss. With the offense ascending, Brown has weekly flex value and big injury upside. Moss is also still a weekly flex as he scored on a short pass and was effective.
• Erick All Jr. is emerging as the primary receiving tight end and should only improve as time passes since his 2023 ACL surgery. He's worth an add on the tight end merry-go-round.
• Andy Dalton showed he could be effective against a team other than the checked-out Raiders. He will support the fantasy value of the running game and maybe two receivers every week and be a high-floor injury/bye backup in 1QB leagues.
• Chuba Hubbard is running hot and very involved as a receiver. He has been one of the most valuable late-round picks, and Jonathon Brooks is not returning to practice this week.
• Diontae Johnson is very comfortable with Dalton and showed no signs of a groin issue that had him questionable going into the game. He's a WR1 until further notice.
• Xavier Legette did not look like a raw rookie against NFL defenders and filled in admirably for Adam Thielen. Thielen is out for at least three more weeks, so Legette is a priority waiver add.

NO @ ATL

• Taysom Hill was a focus in the red zone and scored twice, but left with an abdominal injury. Tight end is brutal so he could be worth rostering even if he's going to miss a week or two. Stay tuned.
• Rashid Shaheed set a career-high in catches and showed that he doesn't need to catch a bomb to be a good play.
• Alvin Kamara was sharp even though he came into the week questionable with multiple injuries, but he is taking a lot of hits. KenDre Miller is being activated from injured reserve and could be worth a preemptive pickup in deep leagues.
• The Falcons scored two non-offensive touchdowns and mostly had a long day against the Saints defense. They are still underperforming expectations with Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
• Bijan Robinson has been on the injury report, but Tyler Allgeier has earned the increasing share he's getting in the backfield. He was the sparkplug in the second half. Allgeier should be rostered across formats, and Robinson's weekly and season-long upside will take a hit if Allgeier keeps this up.
• Darnell Mooney drew a key pass interference to set up the game-winning field goal. His fantasy line was down from previous weeks, but he has arrived as a WR3/Flex option.
• Kyle Pitts might as well be invisible. He looks sluggish and the Falcons don't seem to be making a priority of manufacturing opportunities for him. He's sadly droppable. 

JAX @ HOU

• Trevor Lawrence was off, and the Jaguars fell to 0-4, mostly because of him. He's not a viable fantasy starter in 1QB leagues and maybe not even an essential hold with things breaking down in Jacksonville.
• Travis Etienne Jr. got banged up blocking early in the game but didn't miss much time. Tank Bigsby broke off a long run that the Jaguars wasted with a fourth and goal quarterback draw play call. Bigsby deserves to have a big enough role to cap Etienne's upside in a mediocre offense.
• Christian Kirk was the most reliable target for Lawrence and could have had a big day if Lawrence hadn't missed him open deep. He's back to being a WR3/Flex option, even with Evan Engram possibly back for the game vs. the Colts.
• Brian Thomas Jr. has established his weekly value and can only go up from here. Congrats if you got him in redraft.
• CJ Stroud finally had the ceiling game we were expecting to be more regular this year. He'll face a weary Buffalo defense this week.
• Cam Akers was taken off the field too often for J.J. Taylor and Dare Ogunbowale to have sustainable value even if Joe Mixon's return isn't in Week 5. Akers is droppable.
• Nico Collins would be a first round pick if we were drafting today. He is clearly the apple of Stroud's eye and currently is on a 2000+ yard pace.

DEN @ NYJ

• This was a sloppy, rainy day that featured little offense, but Bo Nix and the pass offense was still well below expectations in those conditions in the first half. Eventually he had a few good downfield throws, including one to Courtland Sutton, but the Bucs game is looking like the aberration here.
• Tyler Badie fumbled and suffered a back injury early in his first start. Javonte Williams looked renewed after that and should be picked up where he was rightfully dropped last week. The Broncos defense is good enough to keep the running game viable every week.
• Aaron Rodgers looked old in these conditions, and the whole offense struggled. The Vikings could be a tough draw next week.
• Allen Lazard is staying ahead of Mike Williams in snap count, but Williams is starting to make plays on contested catches downfield again. If Rodgers' play doesn't pick up, it might not matter who the #2 option is.
• Garrett Wilson isn't standing out and is starting to look like a first-round fantasy bust.
• Breece Hall was bottled up and looked like the inferior back to Braelon Allen again. Allen should continue to get enough touches to justify matchup flex plays, and Hall's ceiling is dropping by the week.

MIN @ GB

• Sam Darnold was a maestro in the first half. He has clearly arrived as a high-floor QB1 with the return of Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson will be returning soon to boot.
• Addison scored twice, including once as a runner, relegating Jalen Nailor to a very small role. Nailor is droppable for priority waiver pickups or if you need higher floor depth for the bye-week gauntlet, but don't forget him in dynasty or if injuries strike the Vikings wideouts again.
• Jordan Love was rusty in the first half but got aggressive and posted some huge numbers in the attempt to come back from 28 down. He's fine despite playing with a brace and a must-start against the Rams.
• Josh Jacobs' snap share was 61%, and he only touched the ball 13 times in a poor game script. He's not a fantasy RB1 right now. Emanuel Wilson remains rosterable as a high injury upside backup.
• Christian Watson went out with an ankle injury and will miss at least one week. Dontayvion Wicks scored twice in his stead and while Wicks hands have been inconsistent, his results in a small sample size speak for themselves. He's a priority pickup.
• Jayden Reed played like a much bigger receiver downfield and has Love's trust. He might be a fantasy WR1 for the rest of the season.
• Tucker Kraft is clearly the primary receiving tight end and he's the priority pickup at tight end. He had a costly late fumble but is still a player on the rise.

PIT @ IND

• Justin Fields had another good day as a passer and looked like the best goal-line running option, scoring twice. He's a high-ceiling QB1 against the Cowboys this week.
• Najee Harris broke free on a short pass but was otherwise ineffective as a runner against what was thought of as a weak run defense coming into the game. Cordarrelle Patterson outplayed him but left with an ankle injury that will probably sideline him for multiple weeks.
• Calvin Austin III faded into the background after a big Week 3. Even with improvement as a passer, Fields can only support George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth's value.
• Jonathan Taylor was great again but suffered a high ankle sprain. It's the same ankle he hurt last year. Trey Sermon is a pickup if bench size allows and a what-the-heck flex against the Jaguars if Taylor is out.
• Anthony Richardson left with a hip pointer. It was reported that him sitting was more precautionary than out of fear of serious injury. He's not a sure thing for Week 5. Joe Flacco would be an option in 2QB/Superflex if he starts at Jacksonville.
• Michael Pittman Jr got off to a hot start with Richardson and carried it over with Joe Flacco. With another good game in Week 5, he'll be back in the circle of trust.
• Josh Downs is a primary read on many Colts pass plays. He has WR3/Flex value now that he's healthy, no matter who starts at quarterback in Week 5.

LAR @ CHI

• Matthew Stafford was courageous and took a lot of punishment in this one. He might be able to support WR3/Flex value for Jordan Whittington and/or Tutu Atwell if you are in a bye-week pinch.
• Kyren Williams continues to be the best part of the offense. He should have been a fantasy first round pick.
• The Bears established the run, and Caleb Williams was mostly a game manager. Williams missed on some deep throws and looked for D'Andre Swift a lot. The rookie quarterback isn't an essential hold with the Bears getting back to a run game/defense-led ethos.
• DJ Moore scored but looked frustrated on the sidelines. The whole Bears passing game is underperforming and only Moore should be a Week 5 lineup consideration against the Panthers.
• Swift broke out as a runner and receiver as the reports of Roschon Johnson (who at least scored and appears to be rosterable in deep leagues) getting a longer look never materialized. Swift was a week winner and has to be in Week 5 lineups.

PHI @ TB

• Jalen Hurts was outgunned without his top two receivers but still did enough in a blowout loss to be a viable fantasy start. Better days are coming after the bye. 
• Saquon Barkley wasn't used as much as a receiver as we hoped, but still broke a long run and wasn't a lineup liability. He's the most valuable running back in fantasy football.
• Dallas Goedert had a solid game even though he was the only viable receiving option. He has been one of the most valuable tight ends after a slow start.
• Baker Mayfield was very sharp and shook off the long afternoon vs. Denver in Week 3. He has arrived as a high floor fantasy QB1 and we'll all get to watch him vs Atlanta on Thursday.
• Bucky Irving tightened the snap split with Rachaad White and scored. White looked as good as he has all year. Both backs are just flex plays, as this should be a true RBBC.
• Cade Otton had his second solid game in a row; this time, he wasn't a struggle target. He's worth a pickup and start if you're on the tight-end merry-go-round.

NE @ SF

• The Patriots offense is cratering and can't support any viable play with Rhamondre Stevenson fumbling seemingly every week. Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, who could see his role grow, are the only rosterable players in the offense in typical leagues. 
• Ja'Lynn Polk is showing signs of life, but Kendrick Bourne should be activated soon, so this passing game is still a stay away.
• If the Patriots are waiting for the offensive line to improve to plug in Drake Maye, we aren't seeing Maye any time soon.
• With George Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. back, the four primary passing game targets (Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings being the others) shared the production somewhat equally. Aiyuk isn't an automatic start if your wide receiver group is strong.
• Jordan Mason looks like the best pick in fantasy drafts, with Christian McCaffrey out for at least another month and battling bilateral Achilles tendinitis.

WAS @ ARI

• Jayden Daniels continues to play as well as any rookie quarterback through his first four games and at a high level even when compared to great quarterbacks in their prime. He's looking like a potential league winner if he can stay healthy.
• Brian Robinson Jr is a borderline fantasy RB1 as the lead back in a much better-than-expected offense. Jeremy McNichols looked good and scored twice as the #2 back, although Austin Ekeler should be back from his concussion soon. McNichols stat line shows Ekeler's potential value.
• Terry McLaurin put up a good fantasy line without the benefit of a long score. He's a high-ceiling WR2 as long as Daniels is playing like this.
• Kyler Murray's big game against a reeling Rams team is looking like the aberration. It's reasonable to bench him for a quarterback who has been outperforming him despite being drafted after him.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. is going to be a primary option in the red zone, which could be enough to deliver his second-round price tag value. He's a solid WR2 after a slow start.
• James Conner shrugged off his rough Week 3 against the Lions and went over the century mark with a score. He's still an every-week play, even in a tough matchup against the 49ers.

KC @ LAC

• Rashee Rice went down with a knee injury that was originally feared to be a torn ACL. He is seeking a second opinion but will certainly miss significant time. 
• Patrick Mahomes II is not startable with Rice sidelined, but he did hit Xavier Worthy for a long score and fed Travis Kelce for the first time this year. Worthy is a boom/bust WR3/Flex and Kelce is back in our circle of trust.
• Carson Steele fumbled early and was benched for Kareem Hunt, who looked better than he did last year. Hunt apparently was playing with a sports hernia last year. He's worth a pickup, even though Samaje Perine got the short-yardage touchdown. Steele can be dropped after a whirlwind last two months.
• Justin Herbert wasn't 100%, but he was good enough to make Ladd McConkey startable. Herbert should be better after the bye, and McConkey has the look of a WR3/Flex in the making.
• J.K. Dobbins remained the clear lead back and is still a fantasy RB2 after the offense gets healthier during the bye.

CLE @ LV

• Deshaun Watson ain't it. No wide receiver in this offense is a reliable play with him at quarterback, although Amari Cooper did have an 80-yard touchdown called back.
• Jerome Ford was a frequent checkdown target and has PPR RB2/Flex value against Washington, although Nick Chubb will return to practice this week.
• Davante Adams missed this game with a hamstring injury and is now the subject of trade speculation. Jakobi Meyers is a PPR WR3/Flex and Tre Tucker a boom/bust flex for as long as Adams is out.
• Alexander Mattison looked better than Zamir White again and the team has said he deserves more touches. Mattison should be added in typical leagues. White isn't an essential hold.
• Brock Bowers was contained in his first real floor game, but his rest-of-season outlook is still strong with Adams possibly on his way out of Las Vegas.

BUF @ BAL

• Josh Allen and the whole Bills offense got railroaded by Derrick Henry. Unlike in Week 3, the Ravens defense didn't let the opponent off the ropes. Everyone should bounce back against the Texans this week.
• Khalil Shakir was very good on a scramble drill play and continues to be the only every-week start among the Bills wideouts. He was reportedly sore after the game, so watch the practice reports.
• Derrick Henry looked like a player in his prime with an 86-yard touchdown to open the game, and he didn't let up after that. The Ravens are going to be a run-first team as long as they can, hurting the value of all of the passing game targets.
• Justice Hill led the offense in receptions and receiving yards and scored. He has flex value in PPR leagues and big Henry injury upside.
• The team said Mark Andrews will have bigger games in the future after he was barely involved for the second straight week. He's a buy-low but still worth considering against a weak Bengals pass defense in what could be a high-scoring matchup.
• Don't bail on Zay Flowers, who was also a victim of the game script for the second straight week.

TEN @ MIA

• Will Levis threw an inexplicable interception again this week and then left with an injury. Mason Rudolph was a game manager in his stead, so there's no quarterback controversy here. Levis is still among the least valuable starting quarterbacks in fantasy football. This passing game isn't going to produce a consistent weekly start.
• The running game ruled the night for the Titans. Tony Pollard was a solid RB1 play, and Tajae Spears an adequate flex. Spears is worth carrying through the bye.
• Tyler Huntley wasn't any better than Skylar Thompson or Tim Boyle. Only De'Von Achane should be in lineups until Tua Tagovailoa (who should return in Week 8) is back, and Achane isn't an automatic start at Foxboro this week.
• Tyreek Hill's thumb got banged up again. He's a buy low while his redraft teams are probably off to a slow start and he can't be put into lineups for another month.

SEA @ DET

• Geno Smith was outstanding and should be considered a high-floor QB1. A much bigger night was there if Ken Walker III hadn't scored three times on the ground. 
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a solid PPR game, and his value is up with Smith playing well and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb willing to go pass-heavy when the game script or matchup dictates.
• The Lions offense was as sharp as it has been all year, reserving the momentum of a surging Mike MacDonald defense. Jared Goff is back into matchup QB1 consideration going into his bye. He even caught a touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown.
• The Lions offense is going to be balanced, so much like the 49ers, it probably won't support the value of all of its passing game targets. Jameson Williams is getting fewer targets every week, but he scored from 70 yards and still presents a tempting WR3/Flex option after the bye.
• Sam LaPorta showed no ill effects from his Week 3 ankle injury. He's disappointing, but still worth starting with the bar so low at wide receiver.