Last week some players put up a ton of fantasy football points. Hopefully you had those guys on your roster. If not, here are some changes you can make to give your team the edge in your Week 4 matchup.
Start ‘em
San Francisco running back Frank Gore: This beast should go off against a porous St. Louis defense this week. The Rams have a stout front four, but Gore is too big and strong to go down at the first level of the defense. Look for explosive runs by this week, picking up 10- to 15-yard chunks at a time. With a couple of touchdown runs and his rushing yards on the ground, look for Gore to put up a 22-point performance.
Oakland running back Darren McFadden also deserves a start in Week 4. Oakland will be facing a Washington Redskins defense that has been arguably the biggest disappointment thus far in the season. The Redskins have been playing as if they have no game plan on offense or defense. It is scary how bad the Redskins have underperformed so far this season.
McFadden will continue to be the only solid offensive weapon the Raiders have and, coupled with their size up front, is always a big-game threat. Three rushing touchdowns will cap McFadden’s day on his way to 26-point fantasy outburst.
Tampa Bay wideout Vincent Jackson should have a great week as well. He is facing the Arizona Cardinals’ less-than-stellar secondary, and should be open for Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman all afternoon. Jackson will be a deep threat in this game early and often.
The Bucs’ struggling offense should get back in rhythm this game, and Jackson’s efforts at wide receiver will help exponentially. Jackson is Freeman’s favorite weapon, so watch for the former San Diego Charger to be targeted regularly in this game. Jackson will catch a pair of touchdowns, as well as a few 30-yard bombs to pace his fantasy owners to big a day.
Sit ‘em
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson will not likely have a great day against the New York Jets. Although the Jets have struggled thus far, New York head coach Rex Ryan has proven to be a defensive genius in the past, and regardless of what players are on his roster, he will make sure they are in the right place on that side of the ball to make the plays they need to win.
If there is one thing Ryan likes, it’s stopping the run. The Titans are also in a transition period in their offense as they attempt to move to a more balanced attack. It is no longer just the Chris Johnson Show in Tennessee. Johnson’s rushing attempts will be thwarted at the line of scrimmage. I see a Jets victory 18-13, with Johnson only earning eight points on the afternoon.
Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Philadelphia’s losing streak should continue this week when they face what may arguably be the best team in the league in the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have an experienced secondary with the likes of cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Defensive end Robert Ayers will also dampen Philadelphia’s high tempo offense by creating pressure from the edge. Eagles quarterback Mike Vick will be forced to make quick decisions all afternoon because of that pressure, something that’s hampered Vick in the past. Jackson will likely catch only a few balls, maybe one for a touchdown. Regardless, the odds aren’t in Jackson’s favor, and I don’t see him putting up any more than 10 points against Denver’s defense.
Houston Texans wideout Andre Johnson won’t have a successful Week 4 either. He’s coming off a concussion suffered against the Titans in Week 3, not to mention the Texans are facing the best defense in the league in the Seattle Seahawks. Houston QB Matt Schaub will be under constant pressure due to Seattle’s aggressive defensive schemes.
Johnson also may not be at 100 percent from his recent injury, and it may be hard for him to add to his league-leading receiving totals with cornerback Richard Sherman draped all over him. Don’t expect him to surpass 10 fantasy points this week.
Good luck in Week 4.