Three weeks into the season, we are just starting to reach the point where the data in the FantasyPros fantasy points allowed tool is truly meaningful. Of course, we still need to consider the context of how teams have reached their numbers, but we are getting a lot closer to being able to trust this year’s rankings without any input from last year.
Without further ado, here are the best (and worst) matchups at every position for Week 4.
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Fantasy Points Allowed: Best & Worst Matchups (Week 4)
Week 4 Quarterback Fantasy Football Matchups
Good Matchup: Jordan Love (QB – GB) @ Dallas Cowboys
Three weeks into the season, Jordan Love has been just an OK fantasy quarterback. He coasted to efficient, low-volume wins in Weeks 1 and 2, then struggled against the Browns on Sunday. However, this week is set up to be his first truly elite outing of the season, as he has a prime matchup with the Cowboys.
Dallas’ defense ranks first in the league with over 28 points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Yes, they had to face Lamar Jackson, but they were also shredded by Russell Wilson (who just got benched) and Caleb Williams (whom everyone was calling a bust roughly 10 days ago). Love should join that list with a big fantasy outing in Dallas on Sunday night.
Bad Matchup: Dak Prescott (QB – DAL) vs. Green Bay Packers
We can stay put in Jerry World to find our bad quarterback matchup, as Dak Prescott is in for a rough reunion with Micah Parsons (and Co.). The Packers have given up just 12.1 points per game to opposing quarterbacks, the second-lowest number in the league. Especially without CeeDee Lamb, this looks like a week where Prescott is more of a borderline QB1 or even QB2 than a solid QB1 option.
Week 4 Running Back Fantasy Football Matchups
Good Matchup: J.K. Dobbins (RB – DEN) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
To the dismay of fantasy managers betting on an RJ Harvey breakout, J.K. Dobbins is the Broncos’ No. 1 RB right now. In fact, his role is only growing, as Sean Payton finally gave up on the Tyler Badie experiment in Week 3. As a result, Dobbins played 71% of the Broncos’ offensive snaps, handled 11 of their 13 running back carries and saw two targets on a 47% route participation rate.
The Bengals are the perfect matchup for Dobbins to take advantage of that solid role. They have given up the second-most points per game to opposing backs, and that number should only trend up now that they are without Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future. The Broncos are seven-point home favorites in this Monday night contest. You can confidently fire up Dobbins as a solid RB2.
Bad Matchup: David Montgomery (RB – DET) vs. Cleveland Browns
The Lions ran all over the Ravens on Monday night. Montgomery in particular had a huge game, finishing with 151 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. However, if anyone can slow down Detroit’s rushing offense, it’s the Cleveland Browns. Wait, that can’t be right, can it?
Believe it or not, it is. After holding Derrick Henry to just 23 scoreless yards in Week 2, Cleveland’s defense repeated its success by keeping Josh Jacobs in check with a miserable 30 yards on 16 carries in Week 3. Running backs have averaged a putrid 2.2 yards per carry against Cleveland’s defense.
With elite touchdown equity on a Detroit team that is still projected to score nearly 27 points on Sunday, Montgomery isn’t a must-bench. You’ll also notice that I’m not even mentioning Jahmyr Gibbs, who is a must-start. But if the Browns can shut down King Henry and Jacobs (who only salvaged a usable fantasy day with nine targets), they could cause trouble for Montgomery. If you have another option, consider it.
Week 4 Wide Receiver Fantasy Football Matchups
Good Matchup: Chargers Receivers (WR – LAC) @ New York Giants
I considered doubling down on targeting the Cowboys’ defense, which does lead the league in points allowed to opposing receivers. However, just behind them are their NFC East rivals, as the Giants have allowed 36.4 points per game to opposing wideouts.
That sets up perfectly for the Chargers’ trio of Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen and Quentin Johnston. This group also benefits from the fact that the Chargers’ offense has been incredibly pass-happy to start the season, with a pass rate 8.8% above expected. Even if they get a big league, Justin Herbert should keep slinging it. It’s very rare for a team to support three viable fantasy receivers, but all three are solid starting options this week.
Bad Matchup: Stefon Diggs (WR – NE) vs. Carolina Panthers
Technically, the Panthers have only been the third-softest matchup for opposing receivers so far this season. However, they have given up the fewest receiving yards and the fewest receiving touchdowns to the position, and are just one reception away from having the triple crown. The only reason their overall rank isn’t at the bottom is a Brian Thomas Jr. rushing touchdown in Week 1.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t see 31-year-old Stefon Diggs taking many end-arounds this weekend. In fact, Diggs’ usage in general has been underwhelming. He has seen just a 14% target share in the Patriots’ offense on a 56% route participation rate. Once we also consider this bad matchup, the veteran wideout is an obvious fantasy bench in Week 4.
Week 4 Tight End Fantasy Football Matchups
Good Matchup: T.J. Hockenson (TE – MIN) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
T.J. Hockenson started this fantasy season very slowly, catching just four passes for 27 scoreless yards across the first two weeks of the year. However, he bounced back in Week 3, with five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown. The return of Jordan Addison does complicate Hockenson’s outlook going forward, but this is a good matchup for him to stay hot.
The Steelers rank second in the league with 15.9 points per game given up to opposing tight ends. That’s even less impressive when you consider they have faced the Patriots (Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper), Seahawks (AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo) and Jets (Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert). That’s not exactly a Murderer’s Row of the league’s best fantasy tight ends. With that in mind — and given the state of the position — Hockenson is a solid TE1 this week.
Bad Matchup: Zach Ertz (TE – WAS) @ Atlanta Falcons
Zach Ertz has turned back the clock this season. The 34-year-old ranks as the TE4 in half-PPR points, and his only down game came last week with Marcus Mariota under center. However, even if Jayden Daniels is back, I wouldn’t rush to plug Ertz into your lineup.
The Falcons have allowed a whopping total of six catches for 48 yards and zero touchdowns to opposing tight ends. They also haven’t exactly faced an elite set of tight ends (Cade Otton, T.J. Hockenson, Ja’Tavion Sanders), but that is still an absurd stat. Instead of a solid backend TE1, Ertz is more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 in this matchup.
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Ted Chmyz is a fantasy football contributor for FantasyPros.com. Find him on Twitter and Bluesky @Tchmyz for more fantasy content or to ask questions.
