ZB’s Start’ Em Sit Em’ Week 4 & TNF Preview

By ZachBrook@Zbrook Sep 27, 2018, 7:32pm EDT

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams

QB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 4:

Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers:

Matchup: vs. 49ers

Week 3 Stats: 226 Passing YDS, 2 TD, 17 PTS

The veteran signal caller played a lot better than I expected against Aaron Donald and the Rams in Week 3. Despite throwing against a stellar secondary, Rivers lit it up. He may have a budding star in second-year receiver Mike Williams, and since Week 8 of 2016, Rivers has recorded more games with multiple touchdown passes than any other quarterback in the NFL.

QB I like in Week 4:

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins:

Matchup: @ Patriots

Week 3 Stats: 289 Passing YDS, 3 Passing TD, 26 Rushing YDS, 26.2 PTS

If you honestly predicted that Ryan Tannehill would be 3-0 heading into Week 4, then you have clearly done your homework. Coming off a terrific performance against the Raiders, a team that is apparently struggling to find a reliant pass-rusher...who would have thought, Tannehill heads to Gillette Stadium for the Dolphins toughest test so far this season, facing Tom Brady with a sub .500 record. Most experts do not consider the Dolphins to be real contenders like their fellow undefeated counterparts in the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, but that perception will surely change if they can drop TB12 to 1-3.

QB to keep an eye on in Week 4:

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns:

Matchup: @ Raiders

Week 3 Stats: 201 Passing YDS, 9.8 PTS

The reigning Heisman trophy winner finally claimed the spotlight on Thursday Night Football last week after subbing in for the injured Tyrod Taylor. Baker Mayfield made the most of his opportunity once again, snapping the Browns’ 19-game losing streak, and finally giving the people of Cleveland some hope and assurance that they have found their man in the pocket for the next decade-plus. If he is available, pick him up immediately, and depending on who you are trotting out at QB in Week 4, he is worth consideration for a reliable streaming candidate with major upside.

QB I am hesitant about in Week 4:

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams:

Matchup: vs. Vikings

Week 3 Stats: 354 Passing YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT, 25.6 PTS

As impressed as I have been with the former number one pick, I am expecting a poor outing tonight against the Vikings who were absolutely embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills at home last weekend. As critical as I am of their signal caller, Kirk Cousins, I cannot imagine how silent their locker room must have been after the clock hit 0:00, and they notched their first lost of the season, discouraging bookies around the nation. Tonight will be a shootout, but I don't see Sean McVay’s squad being undefeated come tomorrow morning.

QB that I am avoiding in Week 4:

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys:

Matchup: vs. Lions

Week 3 Stats: 168 Passing YDS, 1 Passing TD, 2 INT, 21 Rushing YDS, 8.8 PTS

This offense looks defeated. The absence of their starting center Travis Frederick, the departure of their former captain Jason Witten and their lack of a main option on the outside has dragged “America’s Team” down to the depths of the NFC East. As much as Dak Prescott impressed me after taking the reins from Tony Romo two seasons ago, I have not seen that same spark. This weekend they matchup against Matt Stafford’s Lions who have the best three-man receiving tandem in the NFL. If you have not already, it is time to drop Dak Prescott.

RB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 4:

Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears:

Matchup: vs. Buccaneers

Week 3 Stats: 61 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 2 Receptions, 20 Receiving YDS, 16.1 PTS

The Bears have been gaining a lot of notoriety to start the 2018 campaign, mostly due to their stellar defensive stalwarts. Their offense on the other hand, is a work in progress as their second-year signal caller Mitchell Trubisky adjusts to the new offense. One of his most promising weapons this year, has been Jordan Howard. Howard has expanded his already exemplary ground attack with the newly acquired ability to be a pass catching option, negating the necessity of Tarik Cohen to be on the field as much as he has been in the past. A matchup with the struggling Tampa Bay defense should make for Howard’s best outing of the year so far.

RB I like in Week 4:

Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos:

Matchup: vs. Chiefs

Week 3 Stats: 53 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Reception, 5 Receiving YDS, 12.8 PTS

This season’s projected breakout running back has not gotten off to the hot start that most people expected after he lit up the preseason. Royce Freeman will look to establish himself this Sunday against the Chiefs, who have given up the third-most yards per carry to opposing running backs.

RB to keep an eye on in Week 4:

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers:

Matchup: vs. Bills

Week 3 Stats: 42 Rushing YDS, 1 Reception, 5 Receiving YDS, 5.7 PTS

Aaron Jones returned from suspension last week against the Washington Redskins and looked polished in his season debut. He average 7.0 yards per carry in his first game back. Look for him to put the league on notice against the Bills on Sunday and establish himself as the best ground option for the Green Bay Packers.

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins

RB I am hesitant about in Week 4:

Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings:

Matchup: @ Rams

After missing the majority of his inaugural campaign last year after sustaining an ACL tear, Dalvin Cook could not get rid of the injury bug. After injuring his hamstring in Week 2, he assured the media that he would be ready to go in Week 3 against Buffalo, which ultimately did not happen. As of this week, he did not participate in practice on Monday, and he was limited on both Tuesday and Wednesday. They are optimistic that Cook will be in uniform this evening, but against a terrific Rams’ defense, I would not roll the dice.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

RB that I am avoiding in Week 4:

Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia Eagles:

Matchup: @ Titans

The oft-injured halfback announced this week that he plans to play this weekend despite suffering a small back fracture in Week 2. The Eagles relied on a committee in Week 3 against the Colts with Corey Clement (56 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 19 Receiving YDS) and Wendell Smallwood (56 Rushing YDS, Rushing TD, 3 Receptions, 35 Receiving YDS) bearing the load in the victory. I expect a similar technique with Ajayi not at full strength.

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

WR that needs to be in your lineup in Week 4:

Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants:

Matchup: vs. Saints

Week 3 Stats: 9 Receptions, 109 YDS, 19.9 PTS

The former LSU star has seen no less than nine targets through the first three games of the 2018 season. The Saints secondary leads the league having allowed 48 receptions and 843 receiving yards through three games this season. Get ready for OBJ to re-establish himself as one of the best wideouts in the league.

WR I like in Week 4:

John Brown, Baltimore Ravens:

Matchup: @ Steelers

Week 3 Stats: 5 Receptions, 86 YDS, 13.6 PTS

John Brown is my top streaming candidate this weekend for the Ravens matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football. The Steelers have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, which improves the possibility that Joe Flacco will air it out, and Brown will be on the receiving end, hauling in a score.

WR to keep an eye on in Week 4:

Doug Baldwin, Seattle Seahawks:

Matchup: @ Cardinals

Doug Baldwin did not enter the season at full health. He then suffered an MCL injury in the season opener in the opposite knee that kept him sidelined for a month of training camp. He is confident that he will be able to suit up this weekend against Arizona, but with a tough matchup against Patrick Peterson combined with the rust he will surely be shaking off once retaking the field, I would be hesitant to start him this weekend.

WR I am hesitant about in Week 4:

Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets

Matchup: @ Jaguars

Week 3 Stats: 4 Receptions, 57 Receiving YDS, 9.7 PTS

Anyone matched up with the Jaguars secondary automatically gets flagged in my book, and with Quincy Enunwa’s rookie signal caller’s shaky performance in Week 3, this one is going to look ugly. Jalen Ramsey does not mess around, A.J. Bouye has been stellar and the Jets offense will surely struggle in Week 4.

WR that I am avoiding in Week 4:

Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders:

Matchup: vs. Browns

Week 3 Stats: 2 Receptions, 17 YDS, 3.7 PTS

All of the offseason hype is gone. Jon Gruden’s $100 million hire looks like a complete failure, and his star receiver and former first round pick Amari Cooper does not seem to be in his schemes. He was a dud in the season opener, followed it up with a solid performance in Week 2 but his box score was dreadful on Sunday against the red-hot Dolphins. Cooper will not be in any of my lineups until I see consistent play. This week he will be matched up against one of the best up-and-coming corners in the NFL, rookie Denzel Ward. I want no part of this dumpster fire of an offense in Week 4.

TE that needs to be in your lineup in Week 4:

Trey Burton, Chicago Bears:

Matchup: vs. Buccaneers

Week 3 Stats: 4 Receptions, 55 YDS, 9.5 PTS

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have given up the most fantasy points to tight ends this year. Their starting safety Chris Conte became a GIF on Monday Night Football thanks to Vance McDonald and subsequently sustained an injury that will sideline him from here on out. Trey Burton is ready to show the Bears top brass that he is worth every penny of $32 million dollar contract that he signed this offseason. Get ready.

TE to keep an eye on in Week 4:

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns:

Matchup: @ Raiders

Week 3 Stats: 2 Receptions, 36 YDS, 5.6 PTS

The former Miami Hurricane has been atop my list of breakout tight ends for some time now. David Njoku never could get the ball rolling with Tyrod Taylor in the pocket, but something seemed to change when Baker Mayfield stepped in. The offense gained life, and they actually played like a well-oiled machine. I am very curious to see if Njoku takes advantage of the rookie signal caller’s first start this weekend.

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

TE I am hesitant about in Week 4:

Rhett Ellison, New York Giants:

Matchup: vs. Saints

Week 3 Stats: 3 Receptions, 39 YDS, 1 TD, 12.9 PTS

Despite the absence of Evan Engram this weekend, I still would not take a chance with his backup, Rhett Ellison. Even with a very susceptible Saints secondary, I see most of Engram’s targets heading in in the direction of Sterling Shepard.

Thursday Night Football Starts & Sits: Minnesota Vikings (2-1) vs. Los Angeles Rams (3-0)

Vikings:

Kirk Cousins: Sit

Dalvin Cook: Flex

Latavious Murray: Sit

Adam Thielen: Start

Stefon Diggs: Start

Kyle Rudolph: Start

Vikings D/ST: Sit

Dan Bailey: Start

Rams:

Jared Goff: Stream

Todd Gurley: Start

Brandin Cooks: Flex

Robert Woods: Flex

Cooper Kupp: Flex

Rams D/ST: Stream - with caution

Sam Ficken: Sit