Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 4.
Notes:
• I have to lead off with the biggest news of the weekend and that’s the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance. Personally, I’m a fan, but if you thought this weekend was unbearable, wait until the Week 11 “Monday Night Football” game between the Eagles and Chiefs. The four-letter network will probably have a channel dedicated to Swift, an Eagles fan, in a booth with Donna Kelce.
• The Dolphins are a scary football team and I want as many shares as possible of this offense until someone can slow them down. De’Von Achane is likely the top target for many fantasy football owners after his four-touchdown game, and I advise adding him if available. Don’t go overboard on the FAAB to get Achane, though, as Raheem Mostert is still the starter. In deeper leagues, I’m stashing Jeff Wilson in the event one of the other backs suffers an injury upon Wilson’s return from his own ailment.
• It was a breakout week for many of the game’s elite receivers who got off to a slow start to start the campaign. Davante Adams showed us he’s still one of the best, regardless of who is at quarterback, while Ja’Marr Chase and A.J. Brown were both terrific on Monday. Combine their efforts with those of Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill this weekend and it was a terrific Week 3 for those who invested high picks at receiver.
• Speaking of elite pass-catchers, Keenan Allen was phenomenal against Minnesota, hauling in 18 receptions for 215 yards, and the cherry on top was a 49-yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Mike Williams. Allen was heavily targeted even before the injury to Williams, who is out of the season with a torn ACL. Joshua Palmer moves to second in the pecking order, while first-round pick Quentin Johnston will get more opportunities. Allen will be rising in the rankings, as he figures to consistently garner double-digit targets with Williams sidelined.
• I mention the receivers because outside of Christian McCaffrey, it’s been a rough start for the running backs taken early during drafts. Here are some of the running backs in the top 10 of half-PPR scoring: The aforementioned Dolphins backs, Brian Robinson, James Conner and Jerome Ford. It’s still early and I’m not giving up on any running backs drafted in the first three rounds, but it’s been a cruel reminder why the league doesn’t want to pay the position and why so many fantasy managers are moving to a Zero RB strategy.
• Zack Moss, who is currently RB11 in half-PPR scoring, was terrific once again this week, recording 32 touches for 145 scrimmage yards and a touchdown reception in the win against Baltimore. Moss owners will have to wait and see what his future holds with Jonathan Taylor eligible to return from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list next week. You’re starting Moss this week and hoping that either Taylor refuses to play for the Colts moving forward or gets traded elsewhere.
• It’s time to give some love to players on bad teams who are often overlooked but still posting solid fantasy numbers. Players I’d like to highlight are Miles Sanders, James Conner, George Pickens, Courtland Sutton and Hunter Henry. They aren’t sexy players, but this is a lineup that would win plenty of weeks.
• Some key injuries to keep an eye on heading into Week 4 are Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Watson. We should expect to see Anthony Richardson and Jaylen Waddle back this week after missing Sunday with concussions.
• Locally, the injury to monitor is to Gus Edwards, who left on Sunday with a concussion. Melvin Gordon stepped in for Edwards, with Kenyan Drake only getting three touches. Justice Hill missed this weekend with an injury of his own, leaving some doubt as who could be the starter heading into this week. I’m avoiding this situation altogether, at least for Week 4.
• This is the first of several weeks this season with a 9:30 a.m. EST game, so set your lineups accordingly. This week, it will be the Falcons traveling to London to play the Jaguars. This is the first of back-to-back games overseas for the Jags, and any inactive players for these teams will be announced around 8 a.m. EST, so set those alarms.
• There are four teams on a bye next week (already!?), so plan ahead if you have any Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers and Seahawks players.
• This note might seem repetitive, but I cannot stress enough to keep an eye on the weather when making kicker selections. Make it three consecutive weeks with Mother Nature being a factor on the East Coast.
Thursday Night Game: Lions vs. Packers
Sunday Night Game: Chiefs vs. Jets
Monday Night Game: Seahawks vs. Giants
Top Pickups of the Week: C.J. Stroud, De’Von Achane, Adam Thielen, Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, Joshua Palmer, Sam LaPorta
Buy Low: Trevor Lawrence, Derrick Henry, Cam Akers, Calvin Ridley, Jahan Dotson, Kyle Pitts
Sell High: Kyren Williams, Zack Moss, Michael Pittman, Gabe Davis, Pat Freiermuth
Send to the Waiver Wire: Derek Carr, Antonio Gibson, Damien Harris, Rashod Bateman, Juwan Johnson
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Jordan Love
Running Back: Alvin Kamara
Wide Receiver: Elijah Moore
Tight End: Sam LaPorta
Defense: Broncos
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Samaje Perine
Wide Receiver: Terry McLaurin
Tight End: Cole Kmet
Defense: Jets
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Brock Purdy
Running Back: Roschon Johnson
Wide Receiver: Joshua Palmer
Tight End: Zach Ertz
Defense: Colts
NFL Picks for Week 4
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 30-18)
Packers (vs. Lions)
Jaguars (vs. Falcons)
Bills (vs. Dolphins)
Vikings (vs. Panthers)
Broncos (vs. Bears)
Ravens (vs. Browns)
Steelers (vs. Texans)
Colts (vs. Rams)
Saints (vs. Buccaneers)
Eagles (vs. Commanders)
Bengals (vs. Titans)
Chargers (vs. Raiders)
Cowboys (vs. Patriots)
49ers (vs. Cardinals)
Chiefs (vs. Jets)
Seahawks (vs. Giants)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 9-6)
Jaguars -3 vs. Falcons
Colts +1.5 vs. Rams
Bengals -1.5 vs. Titans
Chiefs -9.5 vs. Jets
Seahawks +1.5 vs. Giants
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 7-8)
Vikings-Panthers Over 44.5
Broncos-Bears Under 46
Buccaneers-Saints Under 40.5
Patriots-Cowboys Under 42.5
Cardinals-49ers Over 43.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-5 fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the “Sunday Night Football” game.