By: Caleb Luketic // Contributing Writer
Week 4 of the NFL season is here, which means injuries are piling up and bye weeks have arrived. There are many surprise players that you need to know about, and there are some matchups that are too good to pass up in Week 4. The competition is heating up, and you need to gain an edge over your opponent.
Start ‘em:
QB: Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills put up 41 points against the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, which came as a surprise because Miami had a highly touted defense coming into the season. Taylor threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns, but he only ran for 12 yards. Taylor ran for 40 plus yards the first two weeks of the season and a rushing touchdown. Taylor has a fantastic matchup against the New York Giants, who rank 19th in passing defense. As the season progresses, the Bills QB is looking like a legit starter in the NFL, and he needs to be starting in your season long or daily fantasy league this Sunday.
RB: Joseph Randle – Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have been riddled with injuries, as they lost Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for an extended period of time. Post-injury the Cowboys were expected to be terrible on offense without their main two playmakers, but they looked better than expected under Brandon Weeden’s control. Randle was a huge part of their offensive success, as he rushed the ball 14 times for 87 yards and three touchdowns. Randle is in line for a similar workload on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
WR: Allen Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are not thought of as an offensive team, but they have some solid fantasy options, one being Allen Robinson. Robinson is the Jaguars top wide out, and he is taking on a lowly ranked Colts secondary that is ranked 25th in the NFL. Robinson had four receptions for 67 yards in Week 3, and his targets should increase against a shaky Indianapolis secondary.
TE: Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers take on a struggling Buccaneers team this week that has fallen to 1-2 on the season. The Buccaneers defense isn’t the toughest defense, which poses a great matchup for Olsen, who has been Cam Newtons’ favorite target this far into the season. Olsen is taking on the seventh ranked defense against tight ends, but Tampa Bay hasn’t faced a top tier tight end like Olsen. Olsen leads the Panthers in targets on the season, and he should continue to see the bulk of Newton’s targets.
D/ST: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals feasted on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3, as they had two pick sixes within the first six minutes of the 1st quarter. Arizona has a top ranked secondary, which provides a daunting task for most quarterbacks. The Cardinals are taking on Nick Foles and the Rams this week, and Foles should have a tough time against Arizona. I look for Foles to throw at least two interceptions, so expect big points from the Cardinals defense Sunday.
Sit ‘em
QB: Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are taking on the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. The Green Bay Packers defense has looked surprisingly good thus far in 2015, and they have the 10th ranked passing defense. Stafford has had immense struggles in 2015, as he is only averaging 13.4 points per game and ranks 23rd among quarterbacks in total fantasy points. I would avoid Stafford this week, and I would look to pick up Derek Carr or Tyrod Taylor to start in place of him if you don’t already have a backup quarterback on your bench.
RB: Lamar Miller – Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are traveling to London to take on the New York Jets this week. The Jets have the ninth ranked rushing defense, and Miller is only averaging 6.1 points per game. Miller has had struggles this season because the Dolphins offensive line has not looked as expected. Miller is currently the 43rd ranked running back in terms of total points, and I would avoid him this week against a stingy Jets defense.
WR: Jeremy Maclin – Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the 17th ranked passing defense in the Cincinnati Bengals this week. The Chiefs passing game has been mainly focused around Travis Kelce and Jamal Charles, but Maclin finally got in the mix on Monday Night as he found the end zone, ending a streak of 18 games in which a Chiefs wide receiver didn’t score a touchdown. The Chiefs are lacking at the quarterback position, which automatically hurts Maclin’s fantasy stock. I would sit Maclin this week because you can’t trust Alex Smith to find Maclin in open space against a good Bengals defense.
TE: Jared Cook – St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are taking on a top ranked secondary in the Arizona Cardinals. Nick Foles has struggled thus far in 2015, but he has found Cook on a couple big plays down the field. However, Cook only averages 4.6 points per game, and he only had one reception for seven yards in Week 3. Cook doesn’t get enough consistent targets to be a legitimate fantasy starter.
D/ST: Chicago Bears
The Seattle Seahawks shut out the Chicago Bears in Week 3, and the Bears take on another solid offense in the Oakland Raiders. When people think of Oakland, they usually think of terrible offense, and even worse defense, but things are looking up for the Raiders. Derek Carr has been the sole reason for their recent success. Carr has thrown for over 300 yards in back to back games, and Carr should be able to continue that against one of the worst ranked defenses.
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