WEEK 4: PLUG EM IN/SIT EM OUT

Quarterbacks

Plug em in 

• Matt Ryan (ATL Falcons): Matt Ryan has been on a mission offensively this year, if it wasn’t for the Falcons weak defense they would have a lot more wins. Missing his favorite targets, Julio Jones and Russell Gage, in week three’s matchup hurt his performance. Week 1 and 2 he had 24.90 and 28.52 fantasy points, but in week 3 it dropped to 12.42. This week Ryan faces a favorable matchup on Monday Night Football against the Packers who have allowed a 22.76, a 17.16 and a 22.52point performance to opposing QBs weeks 1-3 respectively. With Jones (hamstring) and Gage (concussion) likely to have time to recover due to a long week (MNF) I would expect them to be back in the mix which should bode well for the former MVP. 
• 49ers QBs (SF 49ers): If Jimmy Garoppolo suits up this week I would expect a big week from him. If Garoppolo is out, Nick Mullens will have the start once again and fill in for him. Either way both QBs have a favorable matchup against an Eagles defense that has struggled all year recording 0 interceptions, and only 1 forced fumble this year. Nick Mullens played really well during week two’s matchup, throwing for 343 yards and 1 touchdown. He will have another strong performance if Jimmy sits. To make things better for the Niners QBs, last year’s receiving leaders for the Niners, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, are likely to be back into the mix. Raheem Mostert and Jerrick Mckinnon also have a shot at suiting up this week. With a thin waiver wire for quarterbacks this week, both these QBs are in for a big week. 
• Joe Burrow (CIN Bengals): Joe Burrow currently ranks at the 10th best QB, which is surprising given the quality of the Bengals team. The last two weeks Burrow has played very questionable pass defenses in the Browns and the Eagles, and dropped 22.54 and 20.38 fantasy points respectively. This week Burrow is up against another bottom ten pass defense in the Jaguars. The past two weeks the Jaguars have allowed Ryan Tannehill and Ryan Fitzpatrick to finish with  26.76 and 25.20 fantasy points respectively. Joe Burrow has been on fire lately and I expect him to continue his hot streak this week against the Jaguars.
• Other plugs: Teddy Bridgewater (CAR Panthers), Aaron Rodgers (GB Packers), Baker Mayfield (CLE Browns)

Sit em out

• Ryan Tannehill (TEN Titans): Ryan Tannehill has a tough matchup this week against a Steelers defense that has a forced turnover every single game. Tannehill will have trouble passing the ball this week especially with his favorite target, AJ Brown, most likely missing more time. Tannehill had trouble last week as well against one of the weakest pass defenses in the Vikings. He only scored 11 fantasy points and threw an interception. I would be wary of Ryan Tannehill this week against a tough Steelers secondary. 
• Tom Brady (TB Buccaneers): Tom Brady had a nice game last week against a weak Broncos defense, throwing for 297 yards and 3 TDs. Tom Brady has yet to crack 300 pass yards and he will not this week against the Chargers secondary that even shut down Patrick Mahomes for the first half (until Mahomes popped off in the second half). With Casey Hayward on Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out due to injuries, Brady will have a tough time. I would be more comfortable leaving Tom Brady on the bench this week in this tough matchup. 
• Cam Newton (NE Patriots): Cam Newton has had one of his best seasons so far with the Patriots. This week however, I expect Newton to struggle against a Chiefs secondary that has shut down opposing QBs. Week 1 Deshaun Watson had 7 fantasy points at half and gained the rest during a garbage time rushing TD. Last week, Lamar Jackson was completely shut down dropping only 12 fantasy points against the Chiefs defense. With an already weak receiving core of the Patriots and the Chiefs defense, Cam Newton will have trouble getting more than 15 fantasy points this week. 
• Other sits: Dwayne Haskins (WAS Football Team), Derrick Carr (LV Raiders), Phillip Rivers (IND Colts)

Wide Receivers 

Plug em in

• Allen Lazard (GB Packers): Lazard finally broke out last week when Davante Adams sat out due to an injury. I have been on the lizard hype train since the offseason and I was so happy to see him shine and drop 26.40 fantasy points. This week Lazard is up against a weak Falcons defense that is allowing an average of 463.3 yards per game to opposing offenses. Davante Adams is also questionable once again this week after missing week three’s matchup against the Saints. Even if Adams suits up there will be more than enough yards to go around for both WRs.
• Stefon Diggs (BUF Bills): Stefon Diggs has been an absolute monster this year mainly due to Josh Allen’s MVP run so far. Diggs currently ranks at WR number 4 in PPR among all WRs. This is actually the first time the star wideout has a decently favorable schedule with Raiders standout CB, Damon Arnette likely to miss this week’s game due to an injury. Raiders defense has also allowed 406 yards per game on average to opposing offenses. This might just be a huge game for Bills WR1, Stefon Diggs. 
• Cooper Kupp (LA Rams): Cooper Kupp had become an afterthought when we saw how Mcvay was running his offense. It seemed to favor Robert Woods and his tight ends as well as the run game. However, last week with Tre White on Robert Woods we got to see Kupp breakout for the first time since 2019. I expect that trend to continue this week as the Rams face the Giants defense that has over 300 yards every week and just allowed a backup RB and QB to drop 420 yards last week. Cooper Kupp along with the rest of the high powered Rams offense should have a huge week offensively. 
• Other plugs: Scotty Miller (TB Bucs), Russell Gage (ATL Falcons), OBJ (CLE Browns)

Sit em out

• DK Metcalf (SEA Seahawks): DK Metcalf might just be matchup proof after dropping 19.20 fantasy points on Sephon Gilmore. However, I would still be wary of him this week against an underrated Dolphins secondary that has been tough on opposing WRs. The duo of Byron Jones and Xavier Howard is one that’s not talked about as much just because of how weak the Dolphins are as a team. If Jones and Howard are healthy and good to go this week I would expect DK to have trouble even with Russell Wilson throwing to him. 
• Eagles WRs: Eagles are up against the Niners during Sunday Night Football. The Niners are without their pro bowl corner, Richard Sherman once again this week but even then they are really tough on opposing offenses. Last week, Jason Verret and Emanuel Sanders filled in for the Niners and held the Giants receivers to 179 yards and no touchdowns. The Eagles might also be without Desean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery this week as they are both questionable. Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor have already been ruled out. Greg Ward is likely to be the number 1 receiver for the Eagles this week… I would steer clear of this offense especially this week. 
• Mike Evans (TB Bucs): Mike Evans basically did nothing last week, grabbing two 1 yard catches for two touchdowns. These touchdowns which could go to Leonard Fournette in the future are not enough to give Evans value. This week Evans has a really tough matchup against Casey Hayward. Casey Hayward held AJ Green to 10.10 and DJ Moore to 8.50 fantasy points in the previous weeks. Hayward also shut down Tyreek Hill for the most part, with Chris Harris Jr giving up Hill’s sole deep touchdown. Be wary of starting Mike Evans this week against the Chargers. 
• Other sits: K’Neal Harry (NE Patriots), DJ Moore (CAR Panthers)

Running Backs 

Plug em in

• Jeff Wilson Jr. (SF 49ers): Jeff Wilson scores a touchdown every time he touches the ball, this man has a nose for the red zone. Wilson Jr. only played the late third and the 4th quarter (28% of the snaps) after Jerrick Mckinnon left with a rib injury. In those limited carries he was able to drop 21.90 fantasy points. With Raheem Mostert missing practice today and Jerrick Mckinnon questionable to go for Sunday night, Wilson might be in for an expanded role. Eagles defense has also been weak against the run game allowing 191 yards to the Rams during week 2. The game script will also favor the Niners run game this week as they are expected to blow the Eagles out. 
• Darrell Henderson (LA Rams): Darrell Henderson has finally been named the starter for the LA Rams. With Cam Akers still recovering from his rib injury and Malcolm Brown nursing his finger, Henderson should once again get the majority of the backfield share. Henderson had 12 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles week 2 and 20 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown week 3 against a tough Bills defense. This week the Rams are up against a weak Giants run defense that just allowed 3 rushing touchdowns to the Niners during week 3 and 135 yards to the Bears week 2. Henderson is a must start this week and also a player to trade as Brown and Akers get healthier and start taking carries. 
• James Robinson (JAC Jaguars): James Robinson has quickly emerged as a favorite for the Jaguars backfield gaining rushing attempts and passing targets. After rushing for 102 yards during week 2 against Tennessee, he dropped 30.90 fantasy points against the Dolphins playing a big role in the passing game. Robinson now ranks as the 5th best PPR back. James Robinson has a great matchup against the Bengals defense this week who have struggled against the run all season. Bengals have allowed teams to rush for more than 100 yards in all their matchups and since Robinson gets the majority of the carries in the Jags backfield I expect him to produce. 

Sit em out

• Miles Sanders (PHI Eagles): Miles Sanders is one of the only healthy options left for Carson Wentz this week as most of the team is dealing with injuries. However, I expect Sanders to struggle this week against a Niners defense that has shut down opposing running backs. The Niners run defense even with all the injuries  have yet to allow a running back to get more than 63 rush yards. They also have a really good linebacker core which makes it difficult for running backs to gain yards after the catch. Sanders is tough to bench being a workhorse back so I would recommend you to be wary of starting him week 4 against the 49ers. 
• Jonathan Taylor (IND Colts): Jonathan Taylor has emerged to be a workhorse back for the Colts… or as it seemed after week 2 where he had 18 attempts at half! Week 3 against a weak Jets team in a game which was a blowout, Taylor only played 40% of the snaps and Hines was the running back involved in the passing game. It’s tough to predict what the Colts have in plan for their running backs as there has been a different situation every week. Either way I would be wary of starting Taylor this week as he is not a part of the passing attack and the Bears defensive line with Khalil Mack on the other end. The game script is also not likely to favor Taylor as I expect this to be a close game. Be wary of Taylor in your lineup this week. 
• Antonio Gibson (WAS Football Team): Antonio Gibson has emerged as the main back for Washington after Derrius Guice was cut. Gibson has yet to have his breakout game however as the Washington offense has struggled to get much going. This week I would definitely avoid Gibson as the Football Team takes on the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been one of the toughest teams against offenses allowing no running back to surpass more than 64 rush yards. Another red flag for Gibson is the game script. Washington is likely to trail early and will have to pass a lot to stay in the game which means no Antonio Gibson. 
• Other sits: Bucs RBs, Joshua Kelley (LA Chargers), Giants RBs

Tight Ends

Plug em in 

• Tyler Higbee (LA Rams): Tyler Higbee has been very inconsistent so far this year but so have most tight ends making Higbee the 4th best PPR TE. This week Higbee has a favorable matchup against the Giants. The Giants last week allowed big plays for the Niners backup TEs to make big plays. Ross Dwelley the third sting TE had 4 catches for 49 yards after Jordan Reed went down. Reed had 2 catches for 23 yards on 6 targets and dropped a TD. Tyler Higbee should have a good game in this favorable matchup against the Giants. 
• Noah Fant (DEN Broncos): The Broncos lead the league in injuries and it has been rough for them. There is also a third string QB in for the Broncos this week on Thursday Night Football. Brett Rypien will be in for the Broncos against a weak Jets defense that have been torched by the tight end position. Backup QBs also tend to throw their TE and RBs a lot since they play the role of the safety receiver. Fant should eat up against a Jets defense that has allowed 2 top 5 TE in the past 2 weeks. 
• Other plugs: Hayden Hurst (ATL Falcons), Ian Thomas (CAR Panthers), Evan Engram (NY Giants)

Sit em out

• Zach Ertz (PHI Eagles): Zack Ertz has not been the TE1 we have known for the past two seasons. With Carson Wentz on the struggle bus and the rest of the team down with injuries, Ertz has been getting all the attention from opposing defenses. This week Ertz has one of the toughest matchups against a Niners defense that hasn’t allowed a TE to get over 5 fantasy points this season. I would bench Zach Ertz this week who is likely going to be dependent on a TD this Sunday night. 
• Logan Thomas (WAS Football Team): Logan Thomas gets targeted so much by Haskins (8,9,7 targets weeks 1-3). Yet Thomas has not done anything with those targets averaging only 4 receptions from them and less than 10 yards each receptions. The potential is there, I see it but his breakout will have to wait. The Washington Football Team faces the Baltimore Ravens this week, a team that has continued to be tough against TEs since 2019. The Ravens had Travis Kelce get his worst week as well even though it was 14.50 fantasy points but come on that’s Kelce. Bench Thomas this week!
• Other sits: Eric Ebron (PIT Steelers), Sample (CIN Bengals), Rob Gronkowski (TB Bucs)

D/ST

Plug em in

• Rams D/ST: Plug of the week
• Niners D/ST
• Seahawks D/ST
• Ravens D/ST

Sit em out

• Packers D/ST: Sit of the week
• Patriots D/ST
• Colts D/ST
• Steelers D/ST

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