NFL Takeaways: Week 4

In our last week of full lineups, let’s hope your squad is trending in the right direction. If not, we’ve got you covered here with the NFL Razzball crew. Let’s take a look at my Week 4 takeaways as we look forward to Week 5.

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Quarterbacks

Player: Patrick Mahomes
Game: vs. Ravens
Stats: 25-38, 270 passing yards, 4 TDs

The Chiefs’ offense was back to its old ways against an injury-riddled Ravens defense. This was the first chance to see how Mahomes would perform with a healthy passing corps, and he lit up Baltimore for four TDs, his first multi-passing TD game of the season. Mahomes will have his hands full on MNF against the Jaguars’ defense that has forced 13 turnovers through four games this season.

Notables:

Michael Penix Jr connected on chunk plays, resulting in a big bounce-back performance at home against the Commanders, who allow the eighth-most points to QBs. His next opportunity will be in Week 6 at home against the Bills.

Josh Allen did his thing against the Saints with three total TDs, two passing and one rushing. Saints have now given up 10 total TDs to QBs through four weeks. The Bills will face New England, who are middle of the road against QBs, which shouldn’t worry Allen shareholders.

Jaxson Dart’s first start ended with an upset W over the Chargers, tallying two TDs, one passing and one rushing. Dart’s rushing appeal bolsters his fantasy value after posting 10 carries for 54 yards. He’ll return to SEC country on the road at the Saints in Week 5, who generate the eighth-most points to QBs.

The Bucs’ passing game was bailed out with two TDs of 77 and 72 yards. Baker Mayfield’s remaining yardage was a respectable 140 yards against the Eagles, who allow the seventh fewest passing yards to QBs entering Week 4. Mayfield has a poor matchup on paper on the road in Seattle, but they permitted Kyler Murray to toss 200 passing yards and two TDs on TNF.

CJ Stroud had his best output of the season, passing for 233 yards and two TDs, in a tough matchup against the Titans, who’ve allowed the sixth fewest points to QBs. The passing game is still a work in progress, but the emergence of Wood Marks out of the backfield should help against the Ravens in Week 5.

Matthew Stafford padded his stats with a fourth quarter rally. He was responsible for conducting the Rams’ two final drives of 90 yards and 88 yards. Stafford’s 375 passing yards were his most yards since joining the Rams in 2021. Impressively, the Colts were limiting QBs to the fifth-fewest points entering this game. The Rams will face SF next week, who have yet to allow 200 passing yards by a QB.

Brock Purdy returned to action, immediately showcasing his value for his fantasy shareholders, throwing for 309 yards with two TDs, but three turnovers. He’ll face the Rams next, who held Daniel Jones to his worst fantasy outing of the season with two picks.

Jordan Love continued the trend of exploiting the Dallas defense, who allow the most points to QBs, with his best performance of the season with three TDs and 300+ yards. He’ll face Cincinnati in Week 6.

Without CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott posted his first QB1 finish with three passing TDs and called his number with a rushing score against the Packers, who allow the second-fewest points to QBs. The Cowboys were forced to pass after getting behind early, leading to one of the wildest finishes of the young season. This is another reason why you shouldn’t consider benching your top players in tough spots.

Running Backs

Player: Ashton Jeanty
Game: vs. Bears
Stats: 21 carries, 138 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 17 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs on 8 targets

As the rookie RBs continue to break out, Jeanty reminded us not to overlook his a slow start. He regained an 85% snap share this week, securing third-down snaps after losing those same snaps from Weeks 2 through 3. Locked back into a volume role with this performance on his resume, Jeanty is a sure-fire RB1 at Indianapolis with the looming Week 5 Bye Week.

Notables:

The rushing defense continues to be an issue for Tennessee, to the delight of the fantasy community, which allows the third-most points to RBs. The Woody Marks breakout was on full display in this generous matchup against the Titans. I was a believer in Marks entering the preseason and appears poised to take over as the RB1 for the foreseeable future after leading the Texans in snaps and touches.

Kenneth Gainwell received RB1 workload in Dublin, Ireland, after Jaylen Warren inactive tag before the Steelers’ Week 5 bye. He tallied 25 touches with two rushing scores. Rookie Kaleb Johnson was an afterthought with six rushing attempts on 11 snaps. I will be curious about the workload split in Week 6 against the Browns’ top-rated rushing defense to RBs.

James Cook has scored a rushing TD, five total, in four straight games to start the season. Cook has a rushing TD in eight consecutive regular-season games, which is currently the longest active streak in the NFL. He also has three straight games rushing over 100 yards, the most by an RB this season, which is also the longest active streak this season. Cook’s next opponent is New England, and he has scored two TDs in six career games versus the Patriots, while scoring a rushing TD in his last two games against them. I hope you’re not playing against him in Week 5!

Omarion Hampton showed us that last week was no fluke, posting over 165 all-purpose yards with one rushing TD on 17 touches. The matchup was conducive to fantasy points as the Giants allow the third most RBs, so it was good to see Hampton take advantage of the matchup and extra touches. Hampton will be on the RB1 radar next week after back-to-back 20+ point performances.

Bucky Irving is a threat anytime he’s involved in a play and delivered with a 72-yard TD dime from Mayfield. He totaled 165 yards on 20 touches against Philadelphia’s middle-of-the-road defense against RBs. Irving will face the Seahawks next week, who limited Trey Benson on TNF, while ranking as the 13th toughest defense to RBs.

Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars offense, posting his second 100-yard rushing game this season, adding one rushing score against a San Fran defense that’s allowing the seventh fewest points to RBs. Etienne looks more like his ’23 version than his ’24. Should he continue to pace, he is going to be a league winner, considering his ADP. Next up is a date with the Chiefs on MNF.

The Saints’ backfield is suddenly murky after Week 4. Kendre Miller played 30% the snaps, generating double-digit (11) carries for 65 yards and a TD. Alvin Kamara played his normal usage (49 snaps, 19 touches), while losing red zone work. He was sorta involved the passing game with 25 routes and catching four passes for two yards. New Orleans has a SMASH matchup against the Giants in Week 5. Miller should be a popular add next week.

The Commanders’ backfield is officially non-fantasy friendly. All three backs played 20 or 19 snaps. The early down backs each ran seven times, totaling around 50 yards. This could be the drill all season unless one steps up. I hope they trade for Kamara.

Bijan Robinson went over the century mark in receiving yards for a second time this season, both times occurring at home. He’ll look to make it a third game in Week 6 when the Falcons host the Bills.

In his first career start, Cam Skattebo led all RBs in Week 4 with 25 carries for 79 yards with two receptions for 11 yards. He added a two-point conversion. More impressive is that the Chargers allow the third fewest points to RBs, as Skattebo finished as the RB18. Look for better efficiency against the Saints, who rank as the eighth most advantageous defense to opposing RBs.

Josh Jacobs extended his rushing TD streak to 13 games (regular season and postseason) as he continues to dominate for the Packers regardless of his opponent. He’s locked in as a top-five RB until further notice.

The Jaguars, Seahawks and Rams have yet to allow a RB rushing TD through four weeks.

Wide Receivers

Player: Puka Nacua
Game: vs. Commanders
Stats: 13 receptions, 170 receiving yards, 1 touchdown on 18 targets

We are seeing the next triple crown WR season since Cooper Kupp’s 2021 season under Sean McVay. He’s incredible to watch and wins at all levels in his route running. I can’t overlook his teammate, Davante Adams, who caught his third straight TD. Nacua and Adams will face their toughest test against the 49ers, who limit WRs to the fifth-fewest points. Fun nugget; last season, there were 13 instances where a WR caught over 170 receiving yards.

Notables:

DK Metcalf has been steady, but nothing too exciting thus far in his first season with Pittsburgh. Yet he has one of the safest floors with little target competition outside of his RBs. He had his best performance against the Vikings, who are the best-rated defense against WRs, catching all five of his passes for 126, including an 80-yard touchdown. He’ll face the Browns in Week 6.

It’s no coincidence Drake London excelled with Penix at home against the Commanders, the seventh friendliest defense to WRs. He dominated the snap share (55/65), targets (10), and routes (27) out of the Falcons’ WRs. Oddly, Darnell Mooney was targeted just once. The game script should be in his favor at home versus the Bills in Week 6.

Khalil Shakir is once again the safest WR for the Bills offense as he leads all WRs in targets from Josh Allen. Shakir makes for a decent WR3 as the Patriots are giving up the fourth-most points to WRs, and are around the league average in allowing points to slot WRs.

Quentin Johnston paced all Chargers’ pass catchers in snaps, targets, yardage, and TDs. Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey will continue to battle each other for targets in this offense. This was the worst performance by Herbert this season, so hopefully just an anomaly for Allen and McConkey. I am most worried about McConkey. The Chargers have a get-right matchup against the Commanders, who let the Falcons have their way with them.

Xavier Worthy returned from his Week 1 injury and was a catalyst for the Chiefs’ offense. He paced all pass catchers with eight targets and 83 receiving yards. All three TDs from Patrick Mahomes went to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and Tyquan Thornton. Thornton’s usage has hurt the most, playing only 25 out of 67 offensive snaps. We’ll get a second look at this group on MNF against the Jags, who limited the 49ers’ top WRs to 70 yards.

One step forward and three steps backwards for A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, who combined for four receptions and 36 yards. The Eagles’ WRs were simply not needed as Philly played with a large lead. They’ll face the Bronocs next, who allow the sixth-fewest points to WRs.

The return of Jordan Addison freed up Justin Jefferson to produce his best outing of the 2025 season. They each went over 100 yards. Addison drew an impressive eight targets, with Jefferson posting 11. Wentz looked comfortable within the offense, which should help maintain both their value. You should feel comfortable starting them both in England against the Browns.

Deebo Samuel is settling in as the WR1 in Washington regardless of the QB. He is getting the volume and has scored three TDs over three games with three finishes over 17 points. He’ll return to the West Coast facing the Chargers, who are allowing the fourth-fewest points to WRs in the early going.

I fear the worst for Malik Nabers, as it appears his season is ending due to a knee injury. Darius Slayton, along with Wan’Dale Robinson, will be the next guys up. Tough to know how the target shares will end up with Dart under center. They’ll have a favorable matchup at least for next week against the Saints.

George Pickens replaced CeeDee Lamb as Dak’s go-to WR, finishing with one of the best games of his career with 8 receptions for 134 yards, two scores on 11 targets. Look for an encore in Week 5 as the Jets allow the 10th most points to opposing WRs.

Dallas has allowed an absurd nine receiving TDs to WRs through four games due to Romeo Doubs hat trick on SNF. Let’s see if the Jets’ WRs can capitalize.

The LA Chargers are the only team to allow one receiving TD to WRs through four weeks into the season. The Broncos have allowed one and play tonight on MNF.

Tight Ends

Player: Dallas Goedert
Game: vs. Buccaneers
Stats: 4 receptions, 37 yards, 2 touchdowns on 4targets

Goedert was essentially the entire passing offense for the Eagles against a top-five defense against TEs. He has three TDs in the last two games as a vital part of the passing attack for Jalen Hurts. You could do worse at the TE position. He draws an unfavorable matchup against the Broncos, but he will be needed in the red zone.

Notables:

Kyle Pitts Sr was second in targets and routes for the Falcons, generating his best finish of the season with 70 yards and a TD. There was an effort to ensure his involvement, which bodes well for his season-long outlook.

Tyler Warren’s injury in Week 3 limited his playing time, but he returned to Week 1 and 2 usage, playing around 88% in Week 4. He contributed two rushing attempts, scoring a TD, along with 70 receiving yards. His next matchup is against the Raiders, who allow the seventh fewest points to TEs.

As expected, Jake Ferguson was involved more in the passing game as the number two option for Prescott, tallying his first TD of the season. His next three matchups are good on paper, so he should continue to be a TE1.

Theo Johnson scored a TD on five targets, which tied a team high with Dart. Nabers is set to miss the season, so expect more usage as the season progresses. He’s a great speculative waiver add for TE help.

Buffalo’s TE room was a headache last season and is repeating again. Rookie Jackson Hawes led all Bills TEs in snaps in Week 4. Dawson Know played the second most snaps in Week 4. Meanwhile, Dalton Kincaid leads all Bills’ TEs with three TDs along with receptions and targets despite a part-time role. Kincaid is for a great sell-high candidate right now.

Brock Bowers was the Raiders’ top receiving option against the Bears, posting five catches for 46 yards. Over his last three games, he’s laid three duds considering the standards he set last season. His past two matchups were against two of the top 10 friendliest defenses to TEs. He’ll look to regroup in Indianapolis in Week 5, who check in as a neutral matchup.

Tucker Kraft missed out on two TDs. He is still a TE1 within the high-scoring Packers offense.

Bye Week Update

Week 5 Byes include the Falcons, Bears, Packers, and Steelers. Adjust your lineups accordingly!

🚨 Red Zone TD Scoring 🚨

Philadelphia leads the NFL at 100%. Rounding out the top 10 are Miami (83%), Washington (78%), NY Jets (75%), Cincinnati (75%), Detroit (74%), Green Bay (71%), Carolina (70%), Pittsburgh (69%), and Dallas/Buffalo/NE/Cleveland (66%).
The bottom five teams with Red Zone TD Scoring Percentages are the NY Giants (27%), Houston (33%), LA Chargers (36%), Tampa Bay (36%), and Tennessee/SF (42%).

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