The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap – Week 4
It was quite a weekend of football in Week 4, with tons of “interesting” performances. Andy, Mike, and Jason are here to talk us down from the ledge.
Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Monday – Week 3 Studs and Duds & What Happened?
After discussing the weirdness that was Week 3, the guys get sophisticated.
Ready to Roll
This week, the guys are focusing on RBs who have underperformed so far this season. Looking at RBs who averaged 13 touches per game, Jason was searching for RBs who were hitting that touch threshold but were underperforming score-wise, meaning they were trade-for candidates. Most of the RBs who nailed this last season were on playoff teams, and this season, some names include Najee Harris and Bijan Robinson.
News
Justin Herbert reaggravated his ankle injury, and we might not see him until after the bye week. Sam LaPorta left Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain and tried to return to the game twice, and Trey McBride had a concussion in the same game. DeVonta Smith also had a concussion, and the Eagles have a Week 5 bye, so keep an eye on his availability. Adam Thielen left his game with a hamstring injury.
Studs
This will be a tiny segment this week. Woof. Dak is a stud but doesn’t really deserve to be here – he did it all without using CeeDee Lamb. Lamar, in the same game, was good on 15 pass attempts. Brock Purdy was excellent and they lost, and Malik Willis looked great in his revenge game. Andy Dalton dominated, and Sam Darnold is on track for MVP. On to the RBs, and Saquon is the highlight here. He might gain more value if Smith misses time. Kyren Williams scored a hat trick against San Francisco, and they face Chicago next week. Derrick Henry looked like vintage Derrick Henry and Zach Charbonnet had a big day in Seattle.
The hero we didn’t know we needed was Jauan Jennings, with a game for the ages. If Deebo and Kittle are out, he is still an option next week. Malik Nabers had a great game and is a clear superstar. The targets shot up for Amari Cooper, and he had a monstrous showing. Rashee Rice was amazing, and Diontae Johnson is ecstatic to have lost Bryce Young. Rome Odunze was successful despite Caleb Williams. Welcome back, Chris Olave. Dallas Goedert had himself a day for the TEs. Jake Ferguson had a good game, and out of nowhere, Cole Kmet appeared.
Duds
Jalen Hurts highlights the duds – he had zero TDs, and Jason is worried about him without Brown or Smith. Anthony Richardson was abysmal and not even running, which would be enough to even out the questionable passing. Full bench next week. With how C.J. Stroud is playing, he might only be a streaming option moving forward. Baker Mayfield pumpkined.
James Conner struggled against a solid Detroit run defense, and Rhamondre broke hearts on Thursday with negative points. Josh Jacobs ended up splitting snaps with Emanuel Wilson, which is something to monitor. De’Von Achane had a rough outing for a team without a QB, and Dobbins had a down week. D’Andre Swift was bad and is bad.
It is full panic mode for the Dolphins’ WRs, Mike Evans got the Patrick Surtain treatment, and Davante Adams had an odd game. Brandon Aiyuk looks terrible and is not earning his massive paycheck. Mike says you can consider moving out of Pitty City. Mark Andrews needs to be investigated – he ran four routes. The guys don’t know what to do, and the same can be said about Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta.
Good luck with the Monday night games.
Tuesday – Week 4 Waivers and Streamers & Ring of Honor Ceremony
Monday Night Recap
One of the two games last night was over in about 15 seconds, and Josh Allen did whatever he wanted to do – everyone got a TD! James Cook looked strong, and Dalton Kincaid redeemed the TE position slightly. Jacksonville looked horrendous, with Trevor Lawrence dying a slow death and Travis Etienne doing the best he could with the cards he was dealt. The other game was much more exciting, with QB Jayden Daniels looking to be in complete command of the offense. The team lost Austin Ekeler to a concussion late, and he was looking great. Terry McLaurin had a fantastic stat line, with a long TD capping off his evening. On the other side, it was a solid fantasy outing for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Their red zone offense is bad.
News
According to Sean McVay, Cooper Kupp will miss at least one more week. After being seen wearing a sling after last Sunday’s game, Najee should be okay to play this week. CMC is seeing a specialist in Germany, and our injury specialist, Matthew Betz, is guessing a Week 10 return.
Waiver Wire
Andy starts with the RBs, with Braelon Allen and Bucky Irving highlighting his prime pick-ups. Emanuel Wilson, the backup to Josh Jacobs, should also be remembered. Cam Akers is an excellent spot start if Joe Mixon misses another week, and Mike reminds us of Rico Dowdle and Roschon Johnson.
Jauan Jennings will top the pickups this week, and you should be able to start him again this week. Darnell Mooney might be a better rest-of-season option, and if you are considering QJ, the matchups coming up are brutal. Andy suggests letting someone else chase Jalen Nailor with the possibility of an imminent Jordan Addison return. You can consider the Packers’ WRs with the close return of Jordan Love. See if you can trade Michael Pittman.
Ah, the TE position. The dragon Jason would like to chase the most is Cole Kmet. Begrudgingly, other names include Tyler Conklin, Mike Gesicki, and Zach Ertz. Defenses to look at are Tennessee, Houston, Las Vegas, and New Orleans.
Full Stream Ahead
Andy is streaming Andy Dalton in a revenge game, Jason is going with Geno Smith, and Mike is starting Justin Fields.
Wednesday – Trade Targets and TNF Preview, Hungry for More
Hungry for More
As the season progresses, the guys have players and teams they want to see more from. Mike is hungry for more from the Carolina Panthers, who are riding high after the switch to Andy Dalton. Chuba Hubbard is someone to especially consider. Andy wants to see more from Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving. Finally, Jason is hungry for more from Dallas Goedert, especially with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith questionable to play this week.
News
Austin Ekeler is still dealing with his concussion from last week, and the guys do not anticipate seeing him on the field. The Chiefs elevated Kareem Hunt to the active roster and Jaylen Warren is in question to play this week. Tyler Huntley might start on Monday for the Dolphins.
Let’s Talk Trades
The Ballers each share a trade-away and trade-for candidate today. Mike starts us off with Jake Ferguson, who he is naming a trade-for player. He bounced back quickly from his early season injury, and you know they will throw in Dallas. He looks to be reliable moving forward. Andy whispers that Travis Kelce is an excellent trade-for candidate, an older TE who needs some time to warm up.
Jason’s trade-for candidate is George Pickens, who he thinks has been unlucky with situations, and Andy loves Brandon Aiyuk, who currently couldn’t be lower right now in the eyes of fantasy managers. He has top-15 potential and is worth pursuing.
On the other side, there are players that you want to send away. People hang onto names, and Andy says use that and try to trade Patrick Mahomes. The guys think you could move him for another QB plus something else. Mike disagrees with Jason’s trade-away target, who is Aaron Jones. He hasn’t lost a step, and managers should try to capitalize on it because it could all go wrong in several ways in Minnesota. Finally, Mike is suggesting to trade away D.J. Moore. Rome Odunze seems to be breaking out, and once Keenan Allen returns, it could get messy in Chicago.
Thursday Night Breakdown
The Dallas Cowboys head to New York to take on the Giants. Dallas has been playing poorly the last two games but is still the favorite on the road. Devin Singletary is in play against one of the worst run defenses. CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers are locked for the WRs, but past them, you are looking at complete dart throws. Jake Ferguson can be started.
Remember to drop it like it’s hot today – check out who has been dropped in your leagues!
Thursday – Starts of the Week and Week 4 Breakdown, Jason’s Curse
News
The Commanders have ruled out Austin Ekeler for this week’s game, and it will be the Brian Robinson show. Alvin Kamara did not practice on Wednesday due to a rib issue, and both Philly WRs did not practice. Unfortunately for Andy, Bucky Irving did not practice with a hamstring injury, and Tank Dell was out, so pay attention to that. George Kittle returned to practice, and it will come down to the wire for QB Justin Herbert.
Starts of the Week
Mike is starting C.J. Stroud, Devin Singletary, Tee Higgins, Diontae Johnson, and Conk Conk Tyler Conklin. Jason is going with Joe Burrow, Brian Robinson Jr., and Dalton Kincaid at Baltimore. Finally, Andy is starting Kyler Murray, Najee Harris, the combo platter of D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, and closing out with TE Jake Ferguson.
Fantasy Forecast
New Orleans versus Atlanta kick us off this week. Jason thinks Kyle Pitts should have a decent game this week, and Andy says trade him. You are starting Bijan and Drake London, and on the Saints’ side, you can go back to Shaheed as a flex play if needed. Darnell Mooney is an option, and if possible, you are sitting the QBs. The Rams head to Chicago to play the Bears. Roschon Johnson will get an extended look this week, which is good for everyone not named D’Andre Swift. Andy is starting the Bears’ WRs, and Cole Kmet is an option. Tutu Atwell had a solid game for Los Angeles last week, and you can take another shot there.
The battle of the North is Green Bay and Minnesota this week. Jordan Love might return, but keep an eye out. A lot of managers will be chasing Sam Darnold’s TD rate, and Andy is concerned that it might end this week. You are starting Josh Jacobs, and Andy is willing to go with Jayden Reed. Pittsburgh and Indy battle next in a lower over/under matchup. The Steelers do not give up many points to the QB, so go ahead and bench Richardson. It has been a bumpy ride. For the Steelers, Najee should have a great game, and Justin Fields could be started.
The Broncos head across the country to play the Jets. This game could be gross. Denver won’t be able to run on New York, and unfortunately, they probably will not be able to pass either. The matchup for Garrett Wilson is tough, and therefore Tyler Conklin could take advantage. Braelon Allen could also get some garbage time, and Breece will obviously crush. Philly and Tampa Bay are up next in a playoff rematch. Rachaad White is fine due to his passing work, and you are starting both Bucs WRs. The Eagles might have some issues allegedly missing their two big pass catchers, and they will need Dallas Goedert in this game, and you will start him.
The “still searching for a win Bengals” take on the Carolina Panthers in Mike’s game of the week. You can start Andy Dalton, Chuba Hubbard, and Diontae Johnson, and Andy suggests keeping your eyes on Xavier Legette. Zack Moss can be an RB2 on the other side of the football, and Andrei Iosivas could be a good stash. Joe Burrow is Jason’s start of the week.
Enjoy the Thursday night game!
Friday – Week 4 Matchups and TNF Pain, Wheel of Shame
Thursday Night Recap
Hope you all enjoyed a melatonin-laced game last night. CeeDee Lamb and Rico Dowdle looked great early on but then did nothing for the rest of the game. Dak was serviceable, but Devin Singletary was atrocious in a game where he should have taken advantage. Wan’Dale Robinson is the D’Andre Swift of the WRs, and he got the ball 11 times but seemed unable to make use of any opportunity. Malik Nabers had a great game but left with a concussion near the end of the matchup.
News
Jordan Love was limited on Thursday and will be a game-time decision this week. Alvin Kamara returned to practice, and Bucky Irving said he will play on Sunday. Rome Odunze was added to the injury report with a hip injury, so make sure to monitor that. Nico Collins is also battling a hamstring issue – tread carefully. Trey McBride has been ruled out.
Fantasy Forecast
Jacksonville gets to leave Florida to take on Houston, and we have to see if the Jags will figure it out. You are starting Travis Etienne and hoping for a TD, and Mike is okay starting Brian Thomas Jr. No one should be starting Trevor Lawrence. Diggs and Collins should be fantastic starts on the other side of the ball, with Dell potentially out. Cam Akers could also take advantage of some RB injuries in the Houston backfield. Washington heads West to play the Cardinals in a huge over/under game. Start both QBs and Brian Robinson should lead the Commanders’ backfield with Austin Ekeler out. Start your other studs, and Michael Wilson could benefit from Trey McBride out.
San Francisco plays New England in a game where they are heavily favored. You are only starting Rhamondre when it comes to the Patriots, and on the other side, you play your studs, and you can start Jauan Jennings again. Jordan Mason has a sky-high rushing line. Cleveland and Las Vegas are our next matchup in a game full of problems. Deshaun Watson has been horrid, and there are very few starts here. Amari Cooper, Brock Bowers, and Davante Adams might be it. Maxx Crosby seems to be hurt, pushing Andy away from the Vegas defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers and are road favorites. This should be the get-right game for Travis Kelce in a game that should be easy to control, but Xavier Worthy is not trustworthy right now. It might be tough for J.K. Dobbins against that Spags defense. Sunday night brings us Buffalo and Baltimore. You should be able to start Mark Andrews, and Jason believes this will be a TE game. You are starting all your studs, and Khalil Shakir has become the most trustworthy WR on the Bills team. Dalton Kincaid is Jason’s start of the week.
We have double Monday night games again, starting with Tennessee and Miami, and Andy thinks that Tyreek Hill will be alright long-term, even without Tua. However, this week might be challenging. Jason is starting Calvin Ridley, and both of the RBs are good to go. Seattle versus Detroit closes out the week with Jameson Williams and JSN as the main questions here, and both could be adequate starts. You cannot run on the Lions, but Charbs could be valuable in the passing game, especially if Kenneth Walker stays out. Keep an eye on Sam LaPorta and his ankle, and prep yourself with someone else if he doesn’t play.
After the guys reveal their DraftKings lineups, Mike spins the Wheel of Shame, and we are off to enjoy Week 4!