Sunday of Week 4 was a thrilling day for fantasy football. From the early morning games in London with a cup of coffee to the evening games in New York with a nightcap, football seemed to go on forever. I am here for that! We hope you were able to catch at least some of the games.
Now, let’s review some takeaways from Week 4 and look ahead to Week 5.
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Falcons at Jaguars
There were only two offensive scores in this Toy Story matchup f. One was a 15-yard reception by Drake London in London, and the other was a first-quarter 30-yard TD by Calvin Ridley. Bijon Robinson led all players in fantasy in this one with 105 rushing yards off 14 carries and added five grabs for 32 yards. He needs more touches. Trevor Lawrence left two TDs on the field, which would have boosted his and Christian Kirk’s day in England.
Takeaways:
- The Jaguars will stay in London to face a stout Buffalo Bills’ defense who have allowed the fewest points to QBs, second-fewest points to WRs, and 10th fewest points to RBs through three games this season.
- ATL’s running-based offense returns Stateside to host the Texans defense, allowing the sixth most fantasy points in three games to RBs this season. Is it too early in the season to request Taylor Heinicke under center for the Falcons?
Dolphins at Bills
Josh Allen reminded us of who the real QB1 is after delivering the top QB performance of Week 4 by going 21/25 for 320 yards with four passing TDs and adding 17 yards and a rushing TD. Allen’s favorite target Stefon Diggs put on a show with six catches for 120 yards and three TDs off seven targets.
The fantasy darlings of last week fell short this week in terms of fantasy production. De’Von Achane paced the Fins with eight carries for 101 yards and two rushing scores, while 55 yards rushing yards came from one play. He led the team in carries, and one has to wonder if he’s taken hold of this backfield now that he is healthy.
Takeaways:
- The Bills will travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face the Jaguars, which will be their second time doing so since 2015. The Jags have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing QBs on a per-game basis this season but the third-fewest to RBs.
- The G-Men are headed to South Beach with the seventh friendliest defense to RBs and are middle to the pack when it comes to points allowed to QBs and WRs. The Dolphins’ offensive is trending for a huge bounceback in Week 5.
Broncos at Bears
Da Bears’ offense finally looked proficient, but they still lost, and we don’t care in fantasy that they’re 0-4. Maybe they should change the team’s name to the Cubs? Too soon, Chicago? Justin Fields was the second-highest-scoring QB this week by going 28/35 for 335 passing yards and four passing TDs while adding 25 yards on the ground. D.J. Moore erupted for eight receptions for 131 yards and one TD off nine targets. Cole Kmet secured seven balls for 85 yards and two touchdowns off nine targets. Khalil Herbert rushed for 103 yards off 18 carries. The Broncos have allowed the most yards this season and are poised to be the defense you hope your players are facing.
Russell Wilson quietly threw three TDs and 223 yards. Wilson was one of four QBs to have at least three passing TDs in Week 4. Javonte Williams left the game due to a hip injury and did not return. It was Jaleel McLaughlin, not Samaje Perine, who handled the Broncos backfield with seven carries for 72 yards, adding three catches for 32 yards and a score. He’s worth a speculative add if Williams has to miss time.
Takeaways:
- Chicago will travel to the Nation’s Capital for Thursday Night Football, in which the Commanders have allowed the seventh-most points to WRs and the 5th most rushing yards to QBs. Fields will be a must-start in this one.
- The Zach Wilson-led Jets will travel to the Mile High City bringing their above-average defense, which has allowed the fourth fewest points to WRs and 11th fewest to QBs, despite allowing the fifth most receiving yards and eighth most rushing yards to RBs this season.
Rams at Colts
Puka Nacua continues his record-setting rookie season with nine receptions for 163 passing yards and one TD off 10 targets. It’s a shame we won’t see what a full season with Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay play-calling looks like for Nacua as Cooper Kupp is expected to return to practice and a possible return in Week 5. Kyren Williams netted 127 all-purpose yards and two rushing scores off 28 touches as the unquestioned RB1 for the Rams. The pair of Rams’ skill players produced the third-most fantasy points for RBs and fourth-most fantasy points for WRs in Week 4.
On the other side of the ball, Anthony Richardson put up the third most fantasy points for a QB in Week 4, throwing for 200 yards with two passing TDs and adding 56 rushing yards with one TD. Zach Moss carried 18 times for 70 yards, again proving he can be the workhorse back for the Colts.
Takeaways:
- It’s hard to know what offense the Rams will look like if Kupp returns against the Eagles in Week 5. Philly’s defense has been dominant against the run, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to RBs. Their secondary is a different story, as they are allowing the sixth most fantasy points to QBs and the ninth most points to WRs this season.
- Richardson and the Colts will host the Titans, who currently allow the 10th most points to QBs but allow the seventh-fewest rushing yards to QBs. Michael Pittman should bounce back, as the Titans are the fourth friendliest defense to WRs in fantasy.
Notables:
- A.J. Brown led all WRs in Week 4 with off-for 9 receptions for 175 yards and two scores against the Commanders, who have allowed the seventh most points to WRs this season. Brown and the Eagles will face the Rams, who are middle of the pack defensively and equally allow 50% of fantasy points to WRs in the slot and the outside.
- Christian McCaffrey did typical CMC things as the highest-scoring skill player of Week 4 with 20 carries for 106 rushing yards with three rushing TDs, adding seven catches for 71 yards and a receiving TD off 8 targets against the Cardinals, who all the 10th most fantasy points to RBs. CMC and the Niners have a showdown with rival Dallas Cowboys, who allow the fourth fewest points to RBs. Arizona will host Joe Mixon and the Bengals.
- Nico Collins returned as C.J. Stroud’s favorite target, going wild for 168 receiving yards on seven catches and two scores off nine targets against the Steelers, who allow the fifth most points WRs. Collins will be tested against the Falcons, who are ninth-best against WRs this season. The Ravens wideouts go against the Steelers in Week 5.
- Derrick Henry returned to form, rushing for 122 yards and one score off 22 carries. He added a passing touchdown of two yards to the chagrin of his opponents against the Bengals’ 11th-best defense against RBs this season.
- Lamar Jackson put on a show, scoring four TDs by throwing for 186 yards, two TDs, and rushing for 27 yards and two TDs against the best-ranked defense against opposing QBs. Mark Andrews caught both TDs, tallying five grabs for 80 yards against the best-ranked defense against TEs in 2023. Ravens will face the Steelers, who allow the fifth most points to WRs and RBs.
- Isiah Pacheco reminded us how valuable he can be in a Chiefs offense when he dominates the touches out of the backfield. He carried the ball 20 times for 115 yards and one rushing score and added three catches for 43 yards against the Jets, who’ve allowed the 14th most points to RBs. Pacheco will have a slightly tougher matchup against the Vikings, who have allowed the 12th fewest points to RBs this season.
- Bye Weeks will officially begin next, with the Browns, Chargers, Seahawks, and Buccaneers out for Week 5.
Thanks for your time checking out Week 4 takeaways. While you’re here, check out more fantasy goodness at Razzball. Follow me on Twitter/X @Jefferson__21.
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