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FFL: Week 4 | NFL: Week 4

Studs and Duds: Divisional Round

Mon Jan 22 9:38am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Kelce comes up big for Chiefs


Well, that was a lot better. The games were really good this weekend. Even the first one that ended up pretty lopsided. It was still good for the half. The rest of the games were really entertaining, though. Most of them were really back and forth, and could have gone to either team in the end. It made for some great entertainment. And the fantasy numbers weren’t too bad, either. There were some really big games this weekend. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of some of those big games on all your playoff fantasy teams.

Ravens 34, Texans 10

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson proved why he is the front runner for MVP this year. He had a great game, going 16-of-22 for 152 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also led the team in rushing, hitting the 100-yard mark. Jackson ran 11 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson scored 37.6 fantasy points. He has 35-plus fantasy points three of five games

Fantasy Dud: C.J. Stroud. The Ravens did a great job of holding the impressive rookie in check. He did not score a touchdown in the game and failed to hit 200-passing yards. Stroud was 19-of-33 for 175 yards without a score or turnover. He still had a monster rookie season and is going to be one of the best fantasy quarterbacks for years to come.

Game Notes: Justice Hill had 13 carries for 66 yards, leading the Ravens in rushing for ar running back. He also caught two passes for 11 yards, finishing with 77 total yards.

Dalvin Cook made his Ravens debut and ran eight times for 23 yards. He got nearly all his work with the Ravens up big late in the game.

49ers 24, Packers 21

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey had his usual huge fantasy game. He ran 17 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He also had seven receptions for 30 yards. McCaffrey had 31.8 fantasy points. This was his fourth game this season with 30-plus fantasy points. McCaffrey just keeps posting huge numbers on a weekly basis

Fantasy Dud: Brandon Aiyuk. With Deebo Samuel sidelined much of the game, you thought Aiyuk might get a little more work. Well, that didn’t happen. Aiyuk was a disappointment to fantasy teams, catching just three passes for 32 yards. It was a down game for the star receiver.

Game Notes: Deebo Samuel injured his shoulder early in the game and was unable to return. He had two receptions for 24 yards. This is an injury to watch going forward. Samuel is a huge part of the 49ers offense.

Aaron Jones hit the 100-yard rushing mark. He had 18 carries for 108 yards. Jones finishes the season with five straight 100-yard games.

Lions 31, Bucs 23

Fantasy Stud: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs had a big game rushing and receiving, showing his dual threat ability. He ran nine times for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had four receptions for 40 yards, giving him 114 total yards and a score. Gibbs outproduced starter David Montgomery running the ball despite having one less carry.
  
Fantasy Dud: Chris Godwin. Godwin had one of his down games this week, catching four passes for 40 yards. He was up and down all season, so this shouldn’t be a huge surprise. Godwin still had a fine season but here is to hoping he can produce more consistent numbers next year.

Game Notes: Mike Evans had eight receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. This was his fourth 100-yard game of the season. Evans had a huge season and shows few signs of slowing down.

Jared Goff continued his great play in the playoffs, going 30-of-43 for 287 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He has 275-plus passing yards each of his two playoff games without a turnover.

Chiefs 27, Bills 24

Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce showed he can still play a big role in the playoffs. He had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first two-touchdown game of the entire season. It was the fourth time he topped 20 fantasy points in a game, though. Kelce scored 24.5 fantasy points in this one.
  
Fantasy Dud: Stefon Diggs. Diggs was held in check once again, catching three passes for just 21 yards. It was kind of the theme of the second half of his season. Diggs really disappeared down the stretch, causing some concern for next season.

Game Notes: Josh Allen was huge in defeat, especially as a runner. He ran 12 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 26-of-39 for 186 yards and a touchdown.

Isiah Pacheco had a solid game, rushing 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. He had a catch for 14 yards, giving him 111 total yards.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 4

Player Notes
Keenan Allen Sep 25 1:40pm ET
Keenan Allen

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) is returning to practice on Wednesday and will be a limited participant, according to head coach Matt Eberflus. Allen injured his heel in the season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 and hasn't played since. However, with his return to the practice field in the first practice of the week, the 32-year-old veteran is lining up for a return to action in Week 4 to face the Los Angeles Rams. Allen could be limited in his playing time if he returns this weekend, though, and his heel injury may be something he has to manage the rest of the season. Allen's return will inevitably mean fewer targets for rookie Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet, who both went off in the Week 3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Allen caught just four of 11 targets for 29 yards in his Bears debut in Week 1.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Sep 25 1:20pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (ankle) remains out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Njoku suffered a high-ankle sprain in the Week 1 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has missed the last two games as a result. With a DNP to open the week, he's off on the wrong foot in terms of returning to play in Week 4 versus the Las Vegas Raiders. Njoku will need to get on the practice field later this week to at least give himself a chance to return. As things stand right now, fantasy managers should be planning to go in another direction for their starting TE spot. In the last two contests with Njoku sidelined, Jordan Akins has been Cleveland's top pass-catching TE but has produced just five receptions on eight targets for 39 receiving yards. If Njoku misses his third straight game, Akins will be a TE2 sleeper play, at best.

From RotoBaller

Jerome Ford Sep 25 1:20pm ET
Jerome Ford

Cleveland Browns running backs Jerome Ford (knee) and Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring) are both expected to miss the first practice of the week on Wednesday. It's unclear right now if Ford's knee injury is serious enough to potentially keep him from playing in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders or if they're just giving him a day of rest. The 25-year-old had 10 carries for 37 yards and also caught three passes for 33 yards in the Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. We'll have a better idea of Ford's status for Sunday's contest on Thursday, but this is definitely a situation to watch going forward. If Ford is indeed in danger of missing the Week 4 game, D'Onta Foreman would become a popular waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers hurting at the position early in the year. In the Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Foreman had 14 carries for 42 yards.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Sep 25 1:20pm ET
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (Achilles, foot, thigh) is expected to miss the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Garrett has been playing through multiple injuries of late and was seen walking off the field gingerly during the team's Week 3 loss to the New York Giants. The good news is that the All-Pro pass-rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year had clean results on his MRI exam on Monday and will attempt to play through his injuries for now. The Browns are considering the 28-year-old to be day-to-day for now. Garrett probably isn't going to practice much while working through these injuries, but we'd expect him to suit up in Week 4 in a juicy matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Garrett is a must-start in IDP fantasy lineups as long as he's active, but his injuries certainly give him more of a bust factor.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Sep 25 1:10pm ET
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is still regarded as week-to-week due to an ankle injury that kept him out of the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, according to sources. It's no lock that Mixon is able to return to action in Week 4 versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. We'll have a better idea of Mixon's status for this Sunday's game later in the week. Dameon Pierce (hamstring) hasn't played the last two weeks, but he's trending in the right direction and is expected to return in Week 4. So if Mixon misses a second straight game, both Pierce and Cam Akers figure to split Houston's backfield against the 0-3 Jaguars. Fantasy managers that used Mixon in their starting lineups the first two weeks of the season need to plan as though he'll miss another game this weekend. This is your cue to check the waiver wire and add Pierce if you're in dire straights at the RB position.

From RotoBaller

Dameon Pierce Sep 25 1:10pm ET
Dameon Pierce

In a positive development for the Houston Texans, running back Dameon Pierce (hamstring) is expected to return for a Week 4 matchup against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, according to league sources. Pierce has been sidelined the last two games with a strained hamstring, but he figures to lead the backfield if Joe Mixon (ankle), who is regarded as week-to-week, misses his second straight game. With both Mixon and Pierce out in the Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Cam Akers played a team-high 43% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball nine times for 21 yards, adding an eight-yard touchdown reception. Pierce is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues, so he's certainly an interesting waiver-wire pickup ahead of Week 4 for fantasy managers in a pinch at the RB position if Mixon is eventually ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aubrey Sep 25 11:50am ET
Brandon Aubrey

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey is the No. 1 kicker through three weeks of play. The 29-year-old has drilled all 10 of his field-goal attempts, with five of those coming from beyond 50 yards. Aubrey draws a plus matchup with the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football this week. He should be started in all formats and remains the top kicker option in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Jake Ferguson Sep 25 11:40am ET
Jake Ferguson

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson is one of the top tight end options heading into Week 4 after a strong return game in Week 3 where he caught six passes for 95 yards. With how poorly the tight end position has started off this season, Ferguson is a no-brainer start in a Thursday night matchup with the New York Giants. Dallas has shown that they will lean on the passing game this season, and with Ferguson being one of the top options for quarterback Dak Prescott, he grades as a high-end TE1 ahead of the game.

From RotoBaller

Foyesade Oluokun Sep 25 11:23am ET
Foyesade Oluokun

Updating previous reports, Jacksonville Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun (foot) isn't a candidate for the Reserve/Injured list, according to head coach Doug Pederson.

Fantasy Spin: Oluokun is one of the best linebackers in fantasy, and it sounds like he may only miss two or three weeks. Keep him stashed and jump on him if he hits waivers.

From TheHuddle

Ezekiel Elliott Sep 25 11:10am ET
Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott only touched the ball four times in last week's loss to Baltimore. Elliott's usage has not been consistent enough this season to consider him a weekly starter, but this week's matchup with the New York Giants offers more upside than last week's did. Elliott will likely need a touchdown to pay off for fantasy purposes, making him a tough start in most formats. He ranks as a low-end RB3, as he should once again split the already limited rushing work with Rico Dowdle.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Sep 25 11:10am ET
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle saw 50% of rush attempts and a 10% target share in Week 3's loss to Baltimore. Dowdle's increased usage is encouraging for the future of his fantasy viability, but firing him up into starting lineups for Week 4 may be too early. While Thursday's matchup with the Giants is not ugly on paper, expect Dallas to continue to lean on the passing game. Dowdle will need a touchdown in order to pay off for fantasy purposes, and he has yet to score one in 2024. The 26-year-old is a low-end RB3 option this week.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Cooks Sep 25 11:10am ET
Brandin Cooks

Dallas Cowboys veteran receiver Brandin Cooks projects in WR4 range ahead of Thursday night's game against the New York Giants. Cooks has seen a fairly consistent role throughout the first three weeks as Dallas' WR2 and third option in the passing game. The 31-year-old is averaging five targets per game and has an 80% snap share on the season. Being on the field leads to opportunity, and we know that Cooks will be on the field for the Cowboys on Thursday night. He isn't a sexy start and doesn't have the highest ceiling, but Cooks can be considered as a flex option this week.

From RotoBaller

Dak Prescott Sep 25 11:00am ET
Dak Prescott

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott recovered from weak fantasy production in the first two games of the season with a 379-yard, two-touchdown performance that also included a rushing touchdown in Week 3's loss. He finished the week as the QB2 in fantasy. Prescott has a similar ceiling heading into Thursday night's divisional clash with the New York Giants. New York's secondary is susceptible to big plays, creating an opportunity for Prescott to stack up fantasy points. He grades as a QB1 option ahead of Thursday Night Football and should be started in all formats.

From RotoBaller

Jonathan Mingo Sep 25 10:40am ET
Jonathan Mingo

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is expected to step in as the team's third wide receiver in three-receiver sets according to Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer. With Adam Thielen (hamstring) on IR, the opportunity is there for Mingo to step into more of an expanded role and see the field more often. So far this season, the LSU product has six catches for 59 yards. He is still expected to operate behind receivers Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette but with Andy Dalton at quarterback, the Panthers offense all of a sudden looks able to facilitate some fantasy wide receivers. Mingo is an interesting name to watch on the waiver wire to see how he fares in his new role.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Sep 25 10:30am ET
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette could see more opportunities with Adam Thielen (hamstring) placed on IR according to Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer. The rookie out of South Carolina has six catches for 77 yards in three games this season. With Thielen out now, Legette could emerge as a secondary target for new quarterback Andy Dalton behind Diontae Johnson. Dalton was much more effective in leading the Panthers' offense in Week 3 and looks like an upgrade over Bryce Young. Legette could benefit from that and the increased snap share he is likely to see with Thielen sidelined. Legette is looking like a sneaky waiver-wire addition ahead of what could be a breakout Week 4.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Love Sep 25 10:20am ET
Jordan Love

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 4 but has a very good chance to play according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport says the Packers should have Love back and although it is not for sure, it is "as close as it has been". Love practiced all of last week in pads before being ruled out. Malik Willis led the team to a win over the Titans in Week 3 in Love's absence. In Week 4, a Love return would give him a matchup against a very tough Vikings defense at home. It would likely boost the entire Green Bay offense, including their deep receiving corps. All signs point to Love getting back on the field this week and beating his initial timetable for his MCL injury.

From RotoBaller

Kwon Alexander Sep 25 9:30am ET
Kwon Alexander

Free Agent linebacker Kwon Alexander is set to sign with the Denver Broncos on their practice squad, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Alexander is a former Pro Bowler who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 draft. The talented and versatile linebacker has also played for the 49ers, Saints, Jets, and Steelers before signing with the Broncos. The Denver defense has allowed 15.3 points per game so far this season in three games and is coming off a dominant performance in a 26-7 victory at Tampa Bay in Week 3. Alexander should eventually add depth to the linebacking corps and could find some playing time after beginning on the practice squad.

From RotoBaller

Kwon Alexander Sep 25 9:13am ET
Kwon Alexander

Free-agent LB Kwon Alexander (Steelers) signed an undisclosed deal with the Denver Broncos Wednesday, Sept. 25.

From TheHuddle

Wan'Dale Robinson Sep 25 7:20am ET
Wan'Dale Robinson

New York Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson heads into Week 4 after a solid performance in the 21-15 win over the Browns, where he caught seven passes for 61 yards. Robinson has been utilized primarily as a short-area target, averaging 11.57 fantasy points per game in 2024. He has 123 total receiving yards and one touchdown, with 15 receptions and 24 targets. Facing the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4, Robinson must contend with a defense ranked 15th against wide receivers, allowing 594 passing yards this season. His quickness could help exploit Dallas' weaker slot coverage, but the Cowboys have held opposing WRs to just 25.90 fantasy points per game. Robinson's target share offers a stable floor but remains a low-upside flex option in this divisional matchup.

From RotoBaller

Roman Wilson Sep 25 4:50am ET
Roman Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about what rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson needs to do to earn playing time: "He just has to keep working. It's tough to get on a moving train." Ahead of their Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers made the surprising choice not to dress Wilson, who has been recovering from an ankle injury sustained during training camp. This injury caused him to miss the preseason and the first two games of the regular season. Wilson remained inactive despite logging two full practices to finish the week and having no injury designation going into Sunday. The Steelers only dressed four wide receivers for the game, although running back Cordarrelle Patterson also contributes as a receiver. The team's third-round pick from Michigan in the 2024 NFL Draft is eager to get on the field soon.

From RotoBaller