Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 4
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 4.
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL) vs. Green Bay Packers
Many had high expectations for Prescott this season. Unfortunately, he is only the QB18 for the year, averaging 14 fantasy points per game. The veteran was outstanding in the Week 2 shootout against a struggling New York Giants defense, totaling 361 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 22.1 fantasy points. By comparison, Prescott has 439 passing yards, one touchdown, and 19.9 fantasy points in the other two games this season, scoring 12 or fewer in both outings. More importantly, he won’t have CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker for Sunday night’s matchup.
Sunday’s matchup against the Packers would have been difficult for Prescott, even if everyone was healthy. Green Bay has held quarterbacks to only 189 passing yards and one touchdown per game this year. Furthermore, they surrendered only 11.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the second-fewest in the NFL over the first three weeks. Jayden Daniels is the only quarterback to score more than 10.9 fantasy points against the Packers this season (19.7). Don’t be surprised if Micah Parsons makes Prescott’s life a nightmare on Sunday night.
David Montgomery (RB – DET) vs. Cleveland Browns
Last week, Montgomery was unstoppable in the win over the Baltimore Ravens. The veteran ended Week 3 as the RB2, totaling 12 rushing attempts for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and 29.4 PPR fantasy points. While he is the RB8 for the year after his massive performance last week, Montgomery hasn’t played like a top-10 running back. He had 22 rushing attempts for 82 yards, one touchdown, and 21.4 fantasy points over the first two weeks, averaging 0.65 fantasy points per attempt. Unfortunately, Montgomery has an awful matchup in Week 4.
While the Browns’ offense has severely struggled, their defense has been spectacular. They have surrendered 22.7 points per game, allowing 17 or fewer twice over the first three weeks despite facing the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Green Bay Packers. More importantly, Cleveland has shut down opposing rushing attacks, giving up only 42.7 yards per game and 2.3 yards per attempt to running backs. The Browns have allowed running backs to average only 12.8 fantasy points per game, the second-fewest in the NFL, surrendering 15.7 or fewer in every outing.
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC) vs. San Francisco 49ers
Etienne has been one of the bigger fantasy surprises over the first three weeks. The veteran is the RB9 for the year, averaging 15.7 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Bhayshul Tuten is nipping at his heels after the Jaguars traded away Tank Bigsby. More importantly, Etienne has become less productive with each passing week. He has averaged fewer yards per rushing attempt (8.9 vs. 5.1 vs. 3.5) and fewer fantasy points per game (18.6 vs. 16.9 vs. 11.6) despite seeing at least 16 touches in every contest.
The veteran played 38 snaps compared to 12 for the rookie last week. Yet, Tuten scored only 3.5 fewer fantasy points than Etienne (11.6 vs. 8.1) against the Houston Texans. More importantly, the 49ers have shut down opposing rushing attacks this year. They have held running backs to 16.3 fantasy points per game, the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, San Francisco has surrendered only 79.3 rushing yards per game to running backs. Etienne will likely need to fall into the end zone to score double-digit fantasy points this week.
DK Metcalf (WR – PIT) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy players need to set their lineups Saturday night, as the Steelers and Vikings face off Sunday morning in Dublin, Ireland. Furthermore, Metcalf should be on your bench this week. The star wide receiver hasn’t lived up to draft expectations, ranking as the WR31 over the first three weeks, averaging 11.8 PPR fantasy points per game despite finding the end zone in back-to-back outings. More importantly, Metcalf’s target volume had declined in every contest. After totaling seven targets in Week 1, the veteran has 10 over his past two games.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defense has been outstanding this season. Over the first three weeks, they have held wide receivers to 8.3 receptions for 92.7 receiving yards, 0.3 touchdowns, and 18.2 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the Vikings had completely shut down wide receivers over the past two weeks, allowing 11 receptions for 134 receiving yards and 21.3 fantasy points. More importantly, DJ Moore, Drake London, and Ja’Marr Chase have averaged 55.7 receiving yards and 7.8 fantasy points per game against Minnesota this year. Expect a quiet performance from Metcalf in Ireland.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Hopefully, McLaurin can play on Sunday after suffering a quadriceps injury in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The star wide receiver showed signs of shaking off the training camp rust against the Raiders, totaling three receptions on four targets for 74 receiving yards and 10.4 PPR fantasy points before leaving the game with the quad injury. However, he still isn’t 100% in game form after sitting out training camp. More importantly, fantasy players should avoid starting McLaurin this week against an improved Falcons pass defense.
Atlanta struggled to slow down Emeka Egbuka in Week 1, surrendering 23.6 fantasy points and two touchdowns to the rookie wide receiver. However, the Falcons have held all other wide receivers to 100.7 receiving yards and 17.4 fantasy points per game, giving up zero touchdowns. Furthermore, they’ve erased opposing No. 1 wide receivers, limiting Mike Evans, Justin Jefferson, and Tetairoa McMillan to 60 receiving yards and 9.7 fantasy points per game this season. Meanwhile, Washington might be without Jayden Daniels for the second consecutive game because of a knee injury.
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Many fantasy players dropped Andrews ahead of the Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions, as the veteran was only the TE55 over the first two weeks, averaging 1.5 PPR fantasy points per game. He had only two receptions on four targets for seven receiving yards in the first two contests. Furthermore, Andrews appeared to no longer be a significant part of the offense. However, he had a fluke performance on Monday night against the Lions, totaling six receptions for 91 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 27.1 fantasy points.
Yet, the veteran didn’t see an uptick in route participation in Week 3. Andrews had a 68.4% route participation rate against the Lions. By comparison, he had a 70.9% rate over the first two weeks. More importantly, Zay Flowers had only three targets in Week 3, while Isaiah Likely should make his season debut on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have held tight ends to 34 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and 6.1 fantasy points per game this year, the third-fewest in the NFL. Sell high on Andrews while you can.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
