Unlike Week 3, there are a ton of high-priced QBs and RBs to sort through on this Week 4 slate. I’ll be breaking down all twelve matchups, sharing my thoughts on player prices* and stacking opportunities. As you read, please note that the player names in bold are what I consider my “core” players or guys that I’m sliding into a large percentage of my lineups. Oh, and if you’re new to DFS, you should check out my DFS Tips and Tricks article here.
*All player prices referenced are from FanDuel.
Saints @ Lions (54 O/U)
This matchup looks great on paper: two good offenses up against two below-average defenses. Alvin Kamara ($8,800) should be an absolute lock in your cash lineups. He’s the heart and soul of the offense, receiving over 10 targets per game. However, I’m not eager to play Drew Brees or any other Saints pass-catcher. Brees hasn’t played well without Michael Thomas in the lineup, and, although Thomas has a chance to play this week, we don’t know how involved he will be coming off the high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1.
My favorite play on the Lions’ side of the ball is TJ Hockenson ($5,400). The Saints are dead last in points allowed to TEs, and Hockenson could see plenty of targets if the Lions are forced to play catch-up in the 2nd half. Kenny Golladay ($7,300) is also a fine tournament option given his penchant for big plays and TDs.
Chargers @ Buccaneers (43.5 O/U)
This game isn’t as exciting as some of the other matchups on the slate, as evidenced by the low total. However, I do like Mike Evans ($7,400) as a bit of a contrarian play. The Chargers’ defense is highly regarded, but they’re dealing with a ton of injuries. With Chris Godwin out, Evans should command a significant target share.
If you want to run it back with an option from the Chargers, I prefer Austin Ekeler ($6,900). The Buccaneers have been able to limit opposing RBs on the ground, but Ekeler could produce massive receiving numbers if the Chargers find themselves trailing in this game.
Jaguars @ Bengals (49 O/U)
Because there are so many premier QBs on the slate, I don’t believe that Gardner Minshew or Joe Burrow has what it takes to provide a tournament-winning performance. By extension, I’m not particularly fond of any of the receiving options in this one. However, I think both RBs are strong plays at their respective prices. James Robinson ($6,600) has looked great as the workhorse in this Jacksonville backfield, and he’s up against a Bengals defense that has allowed the 4th-most PPG to RBs this season.
On the other side, Joe Mixon ($6,800) is just a breakout waiting to happen. He’s averaged over 20 opportunities per game this season, and he draws by far his easiest matchup of the season in Week 4.
Vikings @ Texans (54.5 O/U)
In this soft matchup, David Johnson ($6,700) is a good option for cash games, though he’ll be heavily-owned in tournaments. As the cheapest of the dual-threat QBs, I love the idea of stacking Deshaun Watson ($7,800) with Will Fuller ($6,100). I won’t be surprised at all if we finally see a bounce-back from Watson against the weakest opponent he’s faced all season.
For the Vikings, I’m back on board with their two primary weapons: Adam Thielen ($7,100) and Dalvin Cook ($8,700). Thielen took a back seat to rookie Justin Jefferson in Week 3, but Thielen is still Kirk Cousins’ favorite target. If the Vikings get behind, which is something they’ve done all season, Thielen will be the biggest beneficiary. Meanwhile, Cook finds himself in an incredibly favorable matchup. The Texans have allowed the 5th-most PPG to RBs this season, and maybe we’ll finally see Cook get involved in the passing game if the Texans build an early lead.
Seahawks @ Dolphins (53.5 O/U)
After three straight 30+ point performances, many will be eager to plug Russell Wilson ($9,000) into their lineups. While he’s not a bad play by any stretch, I do wonder how much he’ll have to throw against this Miami team. Remember, Wilson has gone up against three prolific offenses in the Falcons, Patriots, and Cowboys thus far. If Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Dolphins’ offense can’t keep pace, we might see a more run-heavy approach in the 2nd half. Feel free to play Tyler Lockett ($7,500) or DK Metcalf ($6,900), as well. The Dolphins’ secondary is exploitable, and either player could catch a pair of TDs.
For the Dolphins, I really like Devante Parker ($6,500) this week. In a negative game script, Ryan Fitzpatrick could attempt 40-50 passes, and Parker is easily his favorite target. We’ve seen the Seahawks get beat deep over and over again this season, so I won’t be surprised if Parker is able to break some big plays.
Browns @ Cowboys (56 O/U)
The Cowboys have been a fantasy goldmine so far this season due to their porous defense and league-leading pace of play. Vegas is expecting another high-scoring affair in Week 4, so fire up Dak Prescott ($8,200) with any combination of Amari Cooper ($7,100), Michael Gallup ($5,900), or Ceedee Lamb ($5,600). If you think this is the game where Dallas is finally able to build a sizable lead, you could roll with Ezekiel Elliott ($9,000).
Despite strong back-to-back performances, Nick Chubb ($8,300) is a risky play in this matchup. The Cowboys have been tough against RBs, and Cleveland may have to skew more pass-heavy as the game goes along. If the Browns are trailing, Kareem Hunt ($5,900) becomes an intriguing option. He’s been averaging a healthy 16 touches per game, and his snap share would only increase in a negative game script. You can also look at Odell Beckham Jr. ($6,600) in tournaments.
Cardinals @ Panthers (51.5 O/U)
Stacking Kyler Murray ($8,400) with DeAndre Hopkins ($8,700) has been a profitable decision so far this season, and I’ll be all in on the duo again in Week 4, assuming Hopkins plays. However, this could be the week we finally see Kenyan Drake ($7,000) break out. Drake has been getting the touches, but he hasn’t made many splash plays. That could change against the Panthers, who are dead last in fantasy points allowed to RBs.
Despite a bumpy start to the season, I’m still a believer in DJ Moore ($6,800). I think that Moore along with Robby Anderson ($6,200) could benefit from a negative game script, or at least a high-scoring back-and-forth affair. Meanwhile, Mike Davis ($6,300) appears to have absorbed the majority of Christian McCaffrey’s workload, so I can’t object to playing him on the hope that he finds the end zone a couple of times.
Colts @ Bears (43 O/U)
This is one game that I’m just not excited for. Philip Rivers and the Colts’ pass-catchers have been underwhelming thus far, and the Bears have at least a league-average defense. You can play Jonathan Taylor ($7,500) and bank on the volume, but his price has crept up to a point where you really need a couple scores for him to pay off.
For the Bears, I’m only considering Allen Robinson ($7,000). We finally saw Robinson return to form in Week 3 when Nick Foles took over, racking up 10 receptions for 123 yards and a TD on 13 targets. If Nick Foles continues to lock in on Robinson moving forward, we could see some massive performances from the 27-year-old.
Ravens @ Washington (45.5 O/U)
This matchup against Washington should be a huge bounce-back opportunity for Lamar Jackson ($9,600) and the rest of the Ravens’ offense. Lamar, Marquise Brown ($6,300), and Mark Andrews ($7,400) are all viable, and stackable, options in this contest. However, they aren’t among my favorite plays on the slate due to the outrageous point spread. The Ravens are favored by two full TDs, which means we could see plenty of handoffs and even some backups late in the game if Washington is unable to keep the score close.
On the other side, you should only be looking at Terry McLaurin ($6,600).
Giants @ Rams (48 O/U)
You can’t go wrong player Cooper Kupp ($7,200) or Robert Woods ($6,700) in this soft matchup, but my favorite Ram this week is actually Darrell Henderson ($6,400). Ever since Cam Akers suffered a rib injury in Week 2, Henderson has dominated the backfield touches. Despite Malcolm Brown playing plenty of snaps, Henderson commanded 23 opportunities in Week 3, compiling 120 yards and a TD. He’s in a smash-spot this week as a heavy-favorite against a poor run defense.
Meanwhile, I’m hard-pressed to find any Giants worth playing. Darius Slayton ($5,500) always has boom potential, but he’ll be getting the Jalen Ramsey treatment this week, and Evan Engram ($5,600) just hasn’t looked like himself this season. For now, this is probably an offense to avoid.
Patriots @ Chiefs (53.5 O/U)
This matchup feels like a bit of a trap for the Patriots’ offense. On the surface, this game looks like a potential shootout and a good spot for Cam Newton ($7,900) and Julian Edelman ($6,400). However, we just saw this Chiefs’ defense shut down the league’s best dual-threat QB, and no team is allowing fewer PPG to opposing WRs.
Tyreek Hill ($8,000) is my favorite option on the Chiefs’ side of the ball. Hill’s big-play style is ideal for tournaments, and he’ll be matched up with Stephon Gilmore who has been exposed repeatedly this season. I also like the price tag for Clyde Edwards-Helaire ($7,400) this week. He’s always got a great chance to score, and he has become very active in the passing game as well.
Bills @ Raiders (52.5 O/U)
This matchup is one of my favorites on the slate. Josh Allen ($8,600) is playing MVP-caliber football right now, and the Bills’ offense is throwing more than anyone could have anticipated. Stack Allen with Stefon Diggs ($7,000) and run it back with Hunter Renfrow ($5,300).
The Bills have been utterly incapable of defending the slot this season, allowing Jamison Crowder, Mike Gesicki, and Cooper Kupp to go over 100 yards with a TD in back-to-back-to-back games. Darren Waller ($6,700) and Josh Jacobs ($8,000) are solid, high-volume options, as well.
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