Sneaky Starts: Week 4

Sep 29, 2016

All but the luckiest fantasy owners need to find the proverbial diamond in the rough at some point – a waiver wire or bench player capable of putting up some points in a pinch. This weekly feature is dedicated to that part of fantasy football. It's not pretty, but it's part of the game.

Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, Christine Michael, Charles Sims, Terrelle Pryor, DeVante Parker and Cameron Brate were a few of the standout Sneaky Starts in Week 3. Let’s take a look at Week 4.

Note: Our Hot Spots (Strength of Schedule) Reports are now updated with 2016 data, so I’ll refer to adjusted fantasy points allowed as aFPA.

Quarterbacks

Andy Dalton (vs. MIA) and Joe Flacco (vs. OAK) should both produce in good matchups at home.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys (@ SF)
Fantasy-wise, Prescott has been pretty good in his last two starts, throwing for a total of 540 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for another 42 yards and two scores. Meanwhile, the 49ers have had a tough time stopping the pass, yielding six passing touchdowns in three games. Note: If Dez Bryant (knee) can’t play, then Prescott is less attractive this week, though he’s still startable in a nice matchup.

Trevor Siemian, Broncos (@ TB)
Siemian surprised in Cincinnati last week, throwing for 312 yards and four scores against what was supposed to be a good pass defense. He has a good matchup this week against the Buccaneers, who have given up 8.5 YPA and seven passing touchdowns in three games.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins (@ CIN)
The Bengals struggled to stop Trevor Siemian last week, so Tannehill should be able to produce for the third straight week. He has thrown for 708 total yards and five touchdowns (along with four interceptions) in the last two weeks.

Alex Smith, Chiefs (@ PIT)
It’s unlikely that the Chiefs are going to jump out to a lead against the Steelers, so they’re probably going to have to throw the ball more than they’d like. The Steelers have been pretty mediocre against the pass.

Brian Hoyer, Bears (vs. DET)
Detroit’s banged-up defense gave up four passing touchdowns in the first half to Aaron Rodgers last week, and leads the league with 10 touchdown passes allowed through the first three weeks. This game has sneaky high-scoring potential with neither defense being able to put up much of a fight.

Blaine Gabbert, 49ers (vs. DAL)
In the first three weeks, the Cowboys have given up 870 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Gabbert stunk against Seattle (big surprise), but managed 413 passing yards and three passing touchdowns to go along with with 53 rushing yards and a score in two games against the normally tough Rams and Panthers. The going should be easier for Gabbert against Dallas. Desperate owners could do worse.