Simply put, week four was strange. Ray Rice was in the lineup, but didn’t really play. Andre Johnson was supposed to play, but didn’t. Jahvid Best played, but was obviously hurt. Arian Foster didn’t start, but still posted one of the best days in the league.
Again, strange.
Week Four Fantasy MVP
It would be easy to give it to Arian Foster or LaDainian Tomlinson, but the trophy this week goes to Bengals Wide Receiver Terrell Owens.
After posting just 14 catches for 152 yards in the first three weeks, Owens exploded for 10 catches, 222 yards and a touchdown.
While this type of line won’t likely come again, he’s taking advantage of the double teams faced by Chad Ochocinco each week.
Week Four Fantasy LVP
After starting the season on fire, Jay Cutler had a night to forget in New York. In fact, the concussion he sustained after throwing for just 42 yards probably will allow him to do just that. With no touchdowns, one interception, and three fumbles, Cutler posted negative points in virtually every format.
Lineup Fun
You probably won if your lineup looked like this…
QB David Garrard = 163 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, three total touchdowns
RB Arian Foster = 131 rushing yards, 56 receiving yards, three total touchdowns
RB LaDainian Tomlinson = 133 rushing yards, 22 receiving yards, two touchdowns
RB Maurice Jones-Drew = 105 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, two touchdowns
WR Terrell Owens = 10 catches, 222 yards, one touchdown
WR Calvin Johnson = 6 catches, 86 yards, two touchdowns
WR Eddie Royal = 8 catches, 113 yards, two touchdowns
TE Antonio Gates = 7 catches, 144 yards, two touchdowns
You probably lost if your lineup looked like this…
QB Jay Cutler = 42 passing yards, one interception, three fumbles (one lost)
RB Chris Johnson = 53 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, one lost fumble
RB Ray Rice = 20 rushing yards, 9 receiving yards
RB Matt Forte = 26 rushing yards, 7 receiving yards
WR Mike Sims-Walker = o catches
WR DeSean Jackson = 3 catches, 19 yards, 2 rushing yards
WR Randy Moss = 0 catches
TE John Carlson = 1 catch, 15 yards
Gut Checks
I’d be worried if…
I’m relying on Chris Johnson to have a repeat of 2009. We warned you at the beginning of the season that back-to-back 2,000 yard seasons would be incredibly unlikely. With two clunkers sandwiched in between two good games, we’re seeing that ring true.
I’m expecting an early season contribution from CJ Spiller. With just three touches last week, the Bills seem to be saving him for the playoffs. Unfortunately, they won’t be in them.
I own Kevin Kolb. We said a few weeks ago that he looked way too comfortable holding a clipboard. If he looks anything like he did Sunday, he’ll find himself doing just that for a long, long time.
I didn’t sell high on Darren McFadden. After a great run, the injury bug has struck again. Is this just a blip on the radar?
I have Mike Sims-Walker. He has 12 catches for 139 yards and one touchdown this season. Unfortunately, he has zero catches in half those games.
I’m hoping for a renaissance from Laurence Maroney. Josh McDaniels has categorized Knowshon Moreno’s status this week as “hopeful.” Yeah, I’ll bet that’s true after watching Maroney the past two weeks.
I own Clinton Portis and didn’t make a play for Ryan Torain. Portis has a groin injury that should open the door for Torain to stake a claim for the starting job in Washington.
I was hoping for anything from Cadillac Williams this year. Kareem Huggins and LeGarrette Blount are said to be gearing up for a three-headed timeshare in Tampa.
A Look Back at our Waiver Suggestions for Week Four
Five we hit on:
1. Ryan Torain = 70 rushing yards, one touchdown, and one possibly significant injury to Portis
2. Lance Moore = 5 catches, 37 yards, one touchdown
3. Kenneth Darby = 21 total yards, one touchdown
4. Willis McGahee = 41 total yards, one touchdown
5. Danny Woodhead = 47 total yards, one touchdown
Four we missed on:
1. David Gettis = Two catches, 37 yards
2. Dominique Zeigler = No catches
3./4. Kevin Smith / Maurice Morris = One miraculous Jahvid Best comeback
A Look Back at our Sneaky Plays for Week Four
1. Blair White = Two catches for 20 yards
2. Charlie Batch = 141 yards, one interception
3. John Kuhn = 39 rushing yards
4. LaDell Betts = 47 rushing yards
5. Stephen Williams = Three catches, 32 yards
6. Legedu Naanee = One catch, four yards
7. BenJarvus Green-Ellis = 76 rushing yards, one touchdown
8. Justin Forsett = 65 rushing yards, twenty receiving yards
9. Laurence Maroney = 5 rushing yards, 10 receiving yards
10. Kenneth Darby = 21 total yards, one touchdown
A Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Five Waiver Wire
1. Mike Bell, RB, PHI
If LeSean McCoy is out, Bell could be in line for a much bigger role in the coming weeks.
2. Tiquan Underwood, WR, JAX
If you watched closely this week, you saw Underwood being the second target for Garrard behind Mike. That’s Thomas, NOT Sims-Walker.
3. Max Hall, QB, ARI
We suggested adding Hall on dynasty rosters back in August. His vault up the depth chart seems to be complete.
4. Derrick Ward, RB, HOU
One thing was very apparent after seeing Ward rumble for 80 yards and a score for the Texans. The offensive line can make any back look pretty good. If I own Foster, I own Slaton.
5. Steve Johnson, WR, BUF
The Bills offense is anemic, but Johnson has been coming on of late.
6. Brandon Stokley, WR, SEA
Stokley was signed off the street this week, but he could be of value in a PPR league. He had four catches for 62 yards in his debut.
7. Travis Beckhum, TE, NYG
He had just one catch for 25 yards, but Kevin Boss has done nothing to make us think he can be a top-tier TE.
8. Ben Watson, TE, CLE
He’s been coming on as of late and dare we say the Browns don’t look horrific right now.
9. Javon Ringer, RB, TEN
He makes plays every time he touches the ball. If I own CJ, I own Ringer. He’s a dynasty league must have stash.
10. James Anderson, LB, CAR
IDP owners need to recognize what he’s doing right now. This guy is a total beast.
Keep in mind the names found on this list are added to ones from previous weeks. For the prior week’s picks, check out the links below:
Week One
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Good luck this week!
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I’m looking to pick-up a temporary defense to cover Pittsburgh’s bye week. I like Kansas City but I don’t like there match-up against the Colts and Peyton Manning.
Which would you pick?
Kansas City @ Indy
St Louis @ Det
This is a no-brainer to me.
ST LOUIS
espn is reporting that the patriots are looking at trading randy moss back to the vikings. in that case which patriots receiver would be the one to have edelman or tate ?
Do you make this trade?
Matt Ryan and Rice and LT
for
Mendenhall, Matthew Stafford, and Hines Ward
The Ryan team has Rivers as QB1, with only Ronnie Brown as the other RB. WRs are R. White, Collie, Mike Wallace, Mike Williams
The Mendenhall team has Pierre Thomas and Brandon Jackson as RBs, but is stuck with Stafford and Vick as QB. This team also has Royal, D. Jackson, Braylon Edwards, and Smith (car) as WR.
Dynasty PPR 10 Team League
Would you trade J. Stewart for R. Torain? J. Stew is the better back, but suddenly is the clear #2 back in a terrible offense. Torain has little competition for carries and is playing in a much more stable offense. Do you see Torain grabbing the starting job and running with it?
Absolutely NOT. There’s no way I even consider that deal, regardless of format. You have to think ahead here.
Williams is a FA at the end of the season, and it’s unlikely the Panthers will keep them both. Even if they do, he’s getting up there in age. We saw what Stewart can do last year when given opportunities. You have to give it some time.
Torain may grab the starting job and run with it, but who knows if that’s long term. He has one very significant trend that follows him and that’s getting injured. I’d want to see a solid 8-10 game stretch before I’m sold fully on him.
Mike Shanahan is incredibly unpredictable with running backs. Mike Anderson, Selvin Young, Tatum Bell, Mike Bell, the list goes on and on.