What are we to expect in Week 4 of the NFL regular season? By this point some things start to clear up and some of the personalities of these teams begin to solidify and we get a good look at what to expect for the rest of the regular season. There have already been some huge fantasy surprises, whether it is Pat Mahomes and Ryan Fitzpatrick lighting up your lineups with massive point totals or those that took Le’Veon Bell with their top pick, only to see him sitting on jet skis in Miami still holding out. It is also evident that with the increasing emphasis (to the point of irrational…see Mathews, Clay) on protecting the Quarterback, passing and receiving numbers will continue to increase to the point where it is not unreasonable to think that some of these offensive records will fall in short order. With all that being said, heading into this week, there are matchups that look particularly favorable and there are some players that while they may not be at the forefront of many fantasy owner’s minds, they may want to consider taking a look at them this week in their lineups. Here are a few of those guys:
4-EYED PREVIEW #1: Philip Rivers – Quarterback – Los Angeles Chargers
Looking ahead to this weekend, one of the most favorable matchups for any QB is Phillip Rivers, who will be taking on the San Francisco 49ers. Over the first three weeks of the season, the Niners have allowed an average of 28 points and 385 yards passing per game. They have only forced 2 turnovers (no interceptions) and All-Pro Cornerback Richard Sherman will be out with an injury this week. Along comes Rivers, who has had a very Philip Rivers start to this season, currently sitting 7th in both total passing yards and total QB Fantasy points (according to the Fantasy in Frames scoring rubric). He has been able to stay away from the turnover bug, having only thrown one interception and has been pretty proficient in spreading the ball around, while averaging 23 fantasy points per game. Along with Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen, Rivers seems to have made it a point to include his running backs in the passing game, as Melvin Gordon is currently tied for the team lead in receptions with Allen and along with Austin Ekeler the Chargers RBs have combined to average nine catches for 92 yards over the first three games. This week Rivers faces a depleted 49’ers defense that is giving up almost 400 yards in total offense per game and opposing QBs are averaging 23.5 fantasy points per game.
4-EYED PREVIEW #2: Matt Breida – Running Back – San Francisco 49er’s
When Jerick McKinnon went down with a torn ACL during a team workout just before the start of the season, the San Francisco 49ers turned to Matt Breida to shoulder the load for the running game. Over the first three games of the season, Breida has not only capably taken over the starting running back spot, he is one of the early surprises as he currently sits atop the NFL in rushing yards. This week he and the 49ers face the Los Angeles Chargers and their 24th ranked rushing defense. It is safe to assume that Breida was either not drafted in most fantasy drafts, or was a late round pick up, due mostly to the fact that McKinnon’s injury did not occur until after the Niners last preseason game. Once McKinnon’s injury was determined to be a season-ender, Breida’s status quickly moved up as he would win the starting job over veteran Alfred Morris. After a slow start against a good defense in Minnesota, Breida busted out for 138 yards and a touchdown against Detroit and then 90 yards last week against the Chiefs. This week he once again goes up against a good defense as the Niners travel to LA. For this week, Breida will not be seen as a RB1 and could possibly fit in as an RB2, depending on one’s RB depth, I would definitely look at him as a flex candidate based off the projection of 10 points that the Fantasy in Frames scoring rubric estimates. Also, do not discount the fact that the Chargers have averaged giving up 18.6 fantasy points this season to opposing teams running backs, and that is with a solid week one performance.
4-EYED PREVIEW #3: Sterling Shepard – Wide Receiver – New York Giants
The New York Giants are home this Sunday against the New Orleans Saints and if recent history of these two team’s head-to-head is any indication of what could happen in this game, then get yourself comfortable and enjoy the ride, because the offensive explosion will be spectacular. Not only could recent head-to-head history dictate this, but just the New Orleans defensive performance so far this season might indicate what’s to come. Enter Sterling Shepard, the Giants #2 Wide Receiver, who through the first three games of the season was on pace to average over 100 targets this season, however, with the injury to Evan Engram, do not be surprised if Shepard’s targets tick up even higher than his current average. So far this season, the Saints have not been especially adept at not only stopping a team’s #1 WR, but they have had real problems with stopping their #2 as well. In Game 1 against the Buccaneers, while Mike Evans was racking up 147 yards and a TD, DeSean Jackson went off for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. Then there was last week as Julio Jones caught 5 balls for 96 yards, but he was outpaced by rookie WR Calvin Ridley, who would torch the Saints secondary to the tune of seven receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns. With Odell Beckham Jr. on the other side, occupying most teams top CB, Shepard will most likely be left one on one, which, as we have seen could be the recipe for a huge game Sunday. So, I would still look at Shepard as a strong WR3, but if you want to take the risk and bump him up to the WR2 slot for this week, as you may not be able to stomach seeing him sitting on your bench accumulating much needed, but useless points, I would not look down on you for that decision.
4-EYED PREVIEW #4: Larry Ogunjobi – Defensive Tackle – Cleveland Browns
Coming into this season, most people had hope for the Cleveland Browns, not so much that they would be a team that makes a push to the playoffs, but as a team that will not be nearly as bad as last year’s 0-16 mess. They came into this season with some talented players throughout the roster, particularly on defense, where guys like Myles Garrett and Joe Schobert would lead the way. One of the more pleasant surprises on the Browns defense so far has been the play of second year defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. Through the first three games of the season, Ogunjobi has 18 total tackles and 3 sacks. Putting him on pace for 96 tackles this season, which from the DT position, is a pretty high number. The Browns play the Raiders this week, so that means the interior of the Browns line should get a healthy dose of Marshawn Lynch coming up the middle, as well as taking aim at QB Derek Carr. Right now, Ogujobi is the 8th highest scoring Fantasy lineman and his average of just over 8 points per game makes him a viable starting DL on most fantasy rosters in leagues that have a dedicated defensive lineman position!