We learned a lot in the first three weeks of the season, so we can use that to inform our lineup decisions. The best way to do so is to focus on the matchup, consider the game script and compare your thoughts with FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR).
You’ll find three fantasy football booms to start and three busts to bench for Week 4. We need to balance what we’ve learned in the first three weeks while not overreacting as we head into the fourth week of the season. With that in mind, let’s make those lineup decisions easier for you in Week 4.
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Fantasy Football Week 4 Start/Sit Advice
Fantasy Football Boom Starts
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)
Matthew Stafford is playing terrific football so far this year, averaging 246.3 passing yards per game at 7.8 yards per attempt. Up next is a home game against the Colts in a favorable game environment, with the Rams having an implied total of 26.5, which is fourth-highest on the slate.
If you’re trying to navigate Jayden Daniels‘ injury, Stafford makes a lot of sense as a streamer. This is a terrific passing game led by Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. There’s a legitimate chance that this will be one of Stafford’s most productive games of the season.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)
TreVeyon Henderson has been a major disappointment so far this season, as the Patriots’ coaching staff has opted to ride veteran Rhamondre Stevenson while mixing in Antonio Gibson. But after Stevenson fumbled twice and Gibson fumbled once last week, that opens the door for Henderson to take control of this backfield.
This is an offense that desperately needs explosive plays, which is what Henderson brings to the table. Up next is a terrific matchup against the Panthers, who were gashed by Travis Etienne earlier this season. I know Henderson has been frustrating — especially since you took him in the fourth round — but now is the time to trust the rookie.
Ladd McConkey (WR – LAC)
Ladd McConkey has the fantasy community making wild claims that he’s the No. 3 WR in the Chargers’ offense, behind Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. That feels like a case of recency bias. We need to remember that it’s only a small sample of three games, and that can’t make us forget about McConkey’s dominant rookie season.
With Justin Herbert playing like an MVP candidate and the Chargers going pass-heavy on offense, it’s only a matter of time for McConkey to have a spike week. This looks like a good spot against the Giants, who have allowed Deebo Samuel and CeeDee Lamb to have big games.
Fantasy Football Bust Sits
C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU)
C.J. Stroud was one of my boom picks last week, and that worked out terribly. I’ve lost all confidence in this offense after how abysmal they looked in an exploitable matchup against the Jaguars. After all, this was a defense that had just been picked apart by Jake Browning.
With that in mind, don’t get tempted to start Stroud in a home game against the Titans, which looks like a good matchup on paper. The third-year quarterback is struggling, the offensive line has issues with pass protection and new offensive coordinator Nick Caley looks like a dud. That’s a recipe for lackluster fantasy production.
Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)
Javonte Williams has been one of the best picks in fantasy football this season. But Week 4 is a tough matchup against the Packers, who have an elite defense. While Quinshon Judkins was able to find success against this group, we saw them shut down Jahmyr Gibbs earlier this season.
The Cowboys are dealing with injuries on the offensive line, and top weapon CeeDee Lamb is out for this game. That makes me believe this offense will really struggle to move the ball in this matchup. This makes Williams more of a Flex play than an entrenched RB2.
Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)
Zay Flowers got off to a good start this year, but his dud in Week 3 reminds us that the Ravens’ pass-catchers are boom-or-bust because it’s a run-heavy offense and Lamar Jackson likes to spread the ball around. That doesn’t mean you need to bench Flowers, but you should consider him as a mid-range WR2 instead of a low-end WR1 like he’s usually ranked as.
While it could be a more pass-heavy game script against the Chiefs, I don’t think Kansas City has enough offensive firepower to turn this game into a shootout. With that in mind, I’m tempering expectations on Flowers in this matchup.
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