Fantasy Football Week 4 stat projections
Week 3’s top-five quarterbacks included Kirk Cousins, Austin Davis and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Two Chiefs were among the top-five running backs, and of course, neither was Jamaal Charles. Knile Davis ran for 132 yards and a touchdown, while the lightly used Joe McKnight caught six passes for 64 yards and two scores. The top-scoring receivers from Week 3 were a bit more predictable, but rookie Jordan Matthews popped into the top five with eight receptions, 59 yards and two trips to the end zone.
• MORE FANTASY: Week 3 Waiver Wire | Fact or Fiction
What surprises are in store for this week? Which big-name players will carry their owners to a win? Find out that and more in SI.com’s fantasy football stat projections for Week 4.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
QB: Aaron Rodgers – 327 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 14 rush yards
RB: Eddie Lacy – 95 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
RB: James Starks – 31 rush yards
WR: Jordy Nelson – 7 receptions, 107 rec yards, 2 TD
WR: Randall Cobb – 7 receptions, 121 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Davante Adams – 3 receptions, 35 rec yards
TE: Andrew Quarless – 3 receptions, 26 rec yards
K: Mason Crosby – 4 PAT
DST: Packers D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 34 points allowed
QB: Jay Cutler – 285 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Matt Forte – 124 rush yards, 2 TD, 4 receptions, 39 rec yards
WR: Brandon Marshall – 6 receptions, 82 rec yards
WR: Alshon Jeffery – 7 receptions, 115 rec yards, 2 TD
TE: Martellus Bennett – 4 receptions, 47 rec yards
K: Robbie Gould – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Bears D – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 28 points allowed
No, seriously, this NFC North matchup will be a shootout. Everyone who’s worried about Eddie Lacy and Matt Forte will breathe a little easier after this week.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans
QB: EJ Manuel – 214 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 17 rush yards
RB: C.J. Spiller – 48 rush yards, 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
RB: Fred Jackson – 56 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Sammy Watkins – 5 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Robert Woods – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
WR: Mike Williams – 3 receptions, 28 rec yards
TE: Scott Chandler – 3 receptions, 25 rec yards
K: Dan Carpenter – 2 PAT
DST: Bills D – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 23 points allowed
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 268 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Arian Foster – 88 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 24 rec yards
RB: Alfred Blue – 20 rush yards, 1 reception, 8 rec yards
WR: Andre Johnson – 7 receptions, 92 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: DeAndre Hopkins – 4 receptions, 80 rec yards
TE: Garrett Graham – 4 receptions, 44 rec yards
K: Randy Bullock – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Texans D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 14 points allowed
There really isn’t a whole lot to get excited about in this game. Arian Foster should be back, and you should plug him into your lineups with confidence assuming that is the case. The Bills' running back coin flip lands on Jackson this week.
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
QB: Jake Locker – 272 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Bishop Sankey – 72 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
RB: Shonn Greene – 33 rush yards
WR: Kendall Wright – 6 receptions, 82 rec yards
WR: Justin Hunter – 4 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Nate Washington – 2 receptions, 22 rec yards
TE: Delanie Walker – 4 receptions, 58 rec yards
K: Ryan Succop – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Titans D – 1 sack, 1 FR, 34 points allowed
QB: Andrew Luck – 260 pass yards, 2 TD, 23 rush yards, 1 rush TD
RB: Trent Richardson – 52 rush yards, 1 reception, 6 rec yards
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw – 70 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
WR: T.Y. Hilton – 5 receptions, 87 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Reggie Wayne – 7 receptions, 84 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Dwayne Allen – 4 receptions, 37 rec yards
TE: Coby Fleener – 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
K: Adam Vinatieri – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Colts D – 1 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
Keep an eye on Jake Locker’s wrist injury this week. Charlie Whitehurst would get the nod if Locker can’t go. Andrew Luck, meanwhile, has taken a leap, at least in fantasy leagues, this year.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens
QB: Cam Newton – 261 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 25 rush yards
RB: DeAngelo Williams – 50 rush yards, 3 receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Kelvin Benjamin – 6 receptions, 104 rec yards
WR: Philly Brown – 4 receptions, 54 rec yards
TE: Greg Olsen – 7 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Graham Gano – 1 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Panthers D – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 19 points allowed
QB: Joe Flacco – 255 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Bernard Pierce – 64 rush yards, 2 receptions, 10 rec yards
RB: Lorenzo Taliaferro – 30 rush yards
RB: Justin Forsett – 8 rush yards, 3 receptions, 20 rec yards
WR: Steve Smith – 6 receptions, 99 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Torrey Smith – 4 receptions, 80 rec yards
TE: Owen Daniels – 4 receptions, 41 rec yards
K: Justin Tucker – 1 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Ravens D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 13 points allowed
We get a pair of defense-first, ball-control teams in this game, which may not make for the most compelling fantasy football theater. Expect a healthy dose of Cam Newton action as the entire Carolina backfield is nursing some sort of injury. You’ll also want to ignore the Baltimore backfield in this matchup.
Detroit Lions at New York Jets
QB: Matthew Stafford – 337 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Reggie Bush – 28 rush yards, 5 receptions, 60 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Joique Bell – 34 rush yards, 3 receptions, 22 rec yards
WR: Calvin Johnson – 7 receptions, 126 rec yards, 2 TD
WR: Golden Tate – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
TE: Joseph Fauria – 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
TE: Eric Ebron – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
K: Alex Henery – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Lions D – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 10 points allowed
QB: Geno Smith – 184 pass yards, 2 INT, 15 rush yards
RB: Chris Ivory – 54 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
RB: Chris Johnson – 25 rush yards, 3 receptions, 23 rec yards
WR: Eric Decker – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Kerley – 4 receptions, 47 rec yards
WR: David Nelson – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
TE: Jeff Cumberland – 1 reception, 11 rec yards
K: Nick Folk – 1 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Jets D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
The Jets have shut down Eddie Lacy and Matt Forte in consecutive weeks, which is bad news for Joique Bell. Expect the Lions to lean a bit heavier on Reggie Bush, the superior receiver, this week. On the other side of the ball, Detroit’s front seven should be able to wreak havoc on this Jets offense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers
QB: Mike Glennon – 220 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Doug Martin – 85 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 17 rec yards
RB: Bobby Rainey – 33 rush yards, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
WR: Vincent Jackson – 6 receptions, 84 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Mike Evans – 4 receptions, 71 rec yards
TE: Brandon Myers – 3 receptions, 35 rec yards
K: Patrick Murray – 2 PAT
DST: Buccaneers D – 1 sack, 31 points allowed
QB: Ben Roethlisberger – 281 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Le’Veon Bell – 115 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 34 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: LeGarrette Blount – 63 rush yards
WR: Antonio Brown – 8 receptions, 110 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Markus Wheaton – 5 receptions, 79 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Heath Miller – 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
K: Shaun Suisham – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Steelers D – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 14 points allowed
Doug Martin is expected to return this week and he is a great play against an average-at-best run defense in Pittsburgh. On the other side of the field, Le’Veon Bell is slowly but surely becoming a top-five running back this year.
Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders
QB: Ryan Tannehill – 253 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: Lamar Miller – 113 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 27 rec yards
WR: Mike Wallace – 5 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Brian Hartline – 6 receptions, 64 rec yards
TE: Charles Clay – 6 receptions, 73 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Caleb Sturgis – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Dolphins D – 5 sacks, 2 INT, 17 points allowed
Tannehill's future uncertain heading into Miami's London road trip
2 sacks, 24 points allowed
The NFL always finds a way to export one of its most boring games to London. Lamar Miller has RB1 potential this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers
QB: Blake Bortles – 253 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 13 rush yards
RB: Toby Gerhart – 57 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
WR: Allen Robinson – 6 receptions, 90 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Cecil Shorts – 6 receptions, 73 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Allen Hurns – 4 receptions, 61 rec yards
K: Josh Scobee – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Jaguars D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 30 points allowed
QB: Philip Rivers – 325 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Donald Brown – 95 rush yards, 4 receptions, 35 rec yards
WR: Keenan Allen – 7 receptions, 109 rec yards, 2 TD
WR: Eddie Royal – 3 receptions, 43 rec yards
WR: Malcom Floyd – 4 receptions, 60 rec yards
TE: Antonio Gates – 5 receptions, 67 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Nick Novak – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Chargers D – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
The Blake Bortles Era will begin with a bang in San Diego, as the rookie out of Central Florida will keep the Jaguars surprisingly close to the Chargers. In the end, Philip Rivers will be too much for the Jags.
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
QB: Matt Ryan – 315 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: Steven Jackson – 67 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 15 rec yards
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers – 15 rush yards, 2 receptions, 10 rec yards
RB: Devonta Freeman – 15 rush yards
WR: Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 110 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Roddy White – 5 receptions, 75 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Harry Douglas – 3 receptions, 58 rec yards
WR: Devin Hester – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
TE: Levine Toilolo – 1 reception, 10 rec yards
K: Matt Bryant – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Falcons D – 1 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
QB: Teddy Bridgewater – 220 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 16 rush yards
RB: Matt Asiata – 43 rush yards, 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
RB: Jerick McKinnon – 25 rush yards, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
WR: Cordarrelle Patterson – 5 receptions, 89 rec yards, 1 TD, 33 rush yards
WR: Greg Jennings – 7 receptions, 74 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Rhett Ellison – 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
K: Blair Walsh – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Vikings D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 30 points allowed
Teddy Bridgewater gets a beneficial matchup in the first start of his career, and is worth playing in two-quarterback formats. Matt Asiata, however, is not a player to start in fantasy leagues this week.
Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers
QB: Nick Foles – 296 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: LeSean McCoy – 79 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 31 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Darren Sproles – 14 rush yards, 3 receptions, 28 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Maclin – 6 receptions, 102 rec yards
WR: Jordan Matthews – 3 receptions, 47 rec yards
WR: Riley Cooper – 2 receptions, 19 rec yards
TE: Zach Ertz – 5 receptions, 65 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Cody Parkey – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Eagles D – 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed
QB: Colin Kaepernick – 236 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 41 rush yards
RB: Frank Gore – 81 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Carlos Hyde – 45 rush yards
WR: Michael Crabtree – 5 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Anquan Boldin – 6 receptions, 72 rec yards
WR: Stevie Johnson – 3 receptions, 31 rec yards
TE: Vernon Davis – 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
K: Phil Dawson – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: 49ers D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 27 points allowed
LeSean McCoy may not put up gaudy yardage totals again this week, but he’ll finally start finding the end zone against San Francisco. See if you can talk his owner into a trade by playing up his slow start and his tough matchup this week.
New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys
QB: Drew Brees – 322 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Pierre Thomas – 31 rush yards, 5 receptions, 37 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Khiry Robinson – 48 rush yards
WR: Marques Colston – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
WR: Brandin Cooks – 5 receptions, 68 rec yards
WR: Kenny Stills – 2 receptions, 30 rec yards
TE: Jimmy Graham – 8 receptions, 120 rec yards, 2 TD
K: Shayne Graham – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Saints D – 3 sacks, 1 FR, 26 points allowed
QB: Tony Romo – 275 pass yards, 1 TD
RB: DeMarco Murray – 107 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
WR: Dez Bryant – 7 receptions, 114 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Terrance Williams – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards
WR: Cole Beasley – 3 receptions, 30 rec yards
TE: Jason Witten – 4 receptions, 48 rec yards
K: Dan Bailey – 2 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Cowboys D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
The Cowboys have allowed 21 catches, 261 yards and three touchdowns to tight ends this year. What do you think Jimmy Graham is going to do to them? The Saints, meanwhile, haven’t done well against running backs this year, setting DeMarco Murray up for his fourth-straight 100-yard game.
New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs
QB: Tom Brady – 271 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Stevan Ridley – 54 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Shane Vereen – 22 rush yards, 4 receptions, 46 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Julian Edelman – 7 receptions, 91 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon LaFell – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
WR: Danny Amendola – 2 receptions, 25 rec yards
TE: Rob Gronkowski – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
K: Stephen Gostkowski – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Patriots D – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 23 points allowed
QB: Alex Smith – 200 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 35 rush yards
RB: Jamaal Charles – 82 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
RB: Knile Davis – 39 rush yards, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
WR: Dwayne Bowe – 4 receptions, 53 rec yards
WR: Donnie Avery – 3 receptions, 40 rec yards
TE: Travis Kelce – 5 receptions, 66 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Cairo Santos – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Chiefs D – 1 sack, 1 INT, 24 points allowed
Fantasy owners have to recalibrate their expectations for Tom Brady, but he’s still worth starting this week. The Chiefs are in the middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. It sounds like Jamaal Charles will play, but you may not be able to roll the dice, given the Monday start, if you only own one of Charles and Knile Davis.
