Fantasy Football 2024 Week 4: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em
It’s always something you never would’ve guessed with the NFL. The Bengals are 0-3. The Vikings are undefeated after beating the 49ers and the Texans in consecutive weeks. Malik Willis is balling in Green Bay. Andy Dalton was the first QB this season to achieve 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns. See what I mean?
Week 3 saw some more big names go down with injuries. Chargers QB Justin Herbert aggravated his ankle and was seen in a walking boot, Eagles WR DeVonta Smith and Cardinals TE Trey McBride are both in concussion protocol, and Lions TE Sam LaPorta is day-to-day with a low-ankle sprain.
As we look to week 4, let’s see if we can capitalize on the best players available before we enter the land of bye weeks.
Ian’s Record: 12-10 (very rough week, but hey it happens)
Start ’em
Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys) at Giants
Dallas is in trouble early.
Following back-to-back losses, the Cowboys find themselves tied at the bottom of the NFC East after Washington’s shocking victory in Cincinnati. The Giants also surprised Cleveland after sacking Deshaun Watson 8 times and securing their first win on the back of rookie WR Malik Nabers.
However, Prescott is 12-2 against the G-Men since entering the league, and last year outscored them 89-17. I like Dak and the Cowboys to bring the heat as they try to shift their momentum and get back to .500.
Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seahawks) at Lions (if Kenneth Walker doesn’t play)
With Kenneth Walker still out due to an oblique injury, Charbonnet should see plenty of volume after gashing the Dolphins and being well-involved in the passing game.
Even if Walker is deemed fit to suit up, it’s going to take a workhorse load against Detroit’s tough run defense, so I’m expecting Charbonnet to take most of the reps.
Stefon Diggs (WR, Texans) vs Jaguars
While Diggs hasn’t found the endzone since week 1, he’s certainly been contributing a lot more than most (me) might’ve thought when he was first traded to Houston. He led the team in targets last week and caught double what the next highest receiver did.
Jacksonville is in shambles after allowing touchdowns to 4 different receivers last week. With Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz to also worry about, Diggs should be open all day against this struggling secondary.
Dallas Goedert (TE, Eagles) at Bucs
I would like to personally apologize to Goedert for what I said last week.
With the added-insult injury of DeVonta Smith hitting the concussion protocol, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Goedert in another volume-heavy scenario this week, even if A.J. Brown comes back.
The matchup is tough, Tampa has yet to allow a touchdown to a TE, but I’m not making this mistake again.
Sit ’em
Anthony Richardson (QB, Colts) vs Steelers
Here’s the thing about Anthony Richardson. Can you rely on him to make a couple inhuman throws for a massive gain? Yes. Can you rely on him to throw 2 interceptions in the process? Also yes.
He’s been fun to watch in his much-anticipated return, but he’s just been too careless with the ball to be deemed a top fantasy option. He’s thrown 1 touchdown pass in the past two games, as well as 5 interceptions to go along with it.
Pittsburgh is also currently surrendering the least amount of fantasy points to opposing QBs on the year, to no one’s surprise, and has intercepted more footballs than they’ve allowed in the endzone. Pass.
Josh Jacobs (RB, Packers) vs Vikings
Jacobs has yet to not only have his flash breakout game to remind us he’s still got it, but also to find the endzone. With Malik Willis running a fair amount and Emanuel Wilson shoving his way into the rotation as well, this just hints at a strange dynamic going into week 4.
Brian Flores also has Minnesota’s defense on a different level, so I’m expecting the entire Green Bay offense to look uncomfortable for a good majority of the day.
Xavier Worthy (WR, Chiefs) at Chargers
Following week 1, I was really happy I decided to draft Worthy with a later-round pick. Since then, not so much.
It’s obvious that Mahomes’ favorite target is Rashee Rice, and Worthy just hasn’t been successful in the run game since week 1. He’s only averaging 4 targets and managed to bring in 4 catches in that span, and has only run the ball 4 times for 18 yards.
Even though Derwin James is suspended, LA’s secondary has been going off, allowing only 1 receiving touchdown so far and have yet to allow a rushing touchdown. Don’t get rid of him yet though, remember it’s the Chiefs we’re talking about. Mahomes will find him at some point as the season goes on.
Hunter Henry (TE, Patriots) at 49ers
Henry received more than his fair share in week 2, reeling in 109 yards on 12 targets in their loss to Seattle. Other than that, he’s been mostly quiet as the Pats run a low volume passing offense and spread the ball around more than fantasy owners might like.
The 49ers also remain awesome against tight ends with their linebackers and safeties, currently allowing a meager 2.3 points per game to opposing tight ends. Pass.
