The Rundown: Week 4

Sep 26, 2019

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

We are nearly one-third of the way through the fantasy football regular season. If you haven't cried yourself to sleep yet, then your team is either 3-0 or you at least have Dalvin Cook on your roster. The blowback from injuries continue but we push forward towards the fantasy playoffs. The Thursday preview is available so this will cover the rest of the week's slate including start/sit recommendations.

Make sure to subscribe here if you want to read The Rundown each week.

Fantasy Rating Key

(5) - Elite option. Must start.
(4) - Strong option. Likely start.
(3) - Good option. Low-end starter to high-end backup.
(2) - Weak option. Possible flex or desperation play.
(1) - Bad option. Bench in nearly all cases.
(0) - Not an option. Injured, bench, or waivers.

Redskins @ Giants

Spread: Giants -3 | Total: 49.5

While a matchup of two first-round draft picks at quarterback would be appealing, the fact that even one is starting makes this more intriguing. The Redskins seem poised to stick with Keenum, who is racking up passing stats in an effort to cover up a bottom three rushing attack. The Giants will give him an inviting matchup with two of three quarterbacks having thrown for 380 or more passing yards against them. The New York offense lost Saquon Barkley but the Redskins have been a bottom-five rushing attack so there could be some success early. Expect a heavy passing attack from the Giants with a dash of run offense.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins will continue to throw the ball often and at least the fantasy returns have been fair. Three different wide receivers are averaging more than an 80% snap share with Vernon Davis not far behind at 75%. So long as this team trails, they’ve thrown the most in the second half when losing, the passing game will accumulate fantasy points.

Team Trends That Matter

Tied for first with five touchdowns while trailing. All are passing touchdowns.
All three opposing quarterbacks have thrown three touchdown passes and scored at least 19 fantasy points.
No running back has exceeded 13 total touches in a game. Five instances between 10 and 13.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Case Keenum (1) - One of four quarterbacks averaging over 40 attempts per game
RB Adrian Peterson (2) - Hasn’t averaged two receptions per game since 2014. At 1.5 this year
RB Chris Thompson (3) - One of two running backs with 40-plus receiving yards in every game
WR Terry McLaurin (3) - 15-plus PPR points in every game in 2019. One of five wide receivers
WR Paul Richardson (0) - Two receiving touchdowns through three weeks. Tied for his second-most in any of his six seasons
WR Trey Quinn (0) - Has not exceeded 40 receiving yards in any game but at least four catches in each
TE Vernon Davis (3) - Decrease in snap share every week. From 82% to 71% in Week 3

New York Giants

A 70% passing rate makes it clear how this team operates on offense. It has led to lots of yardage, a ranking in the top 10, but without Saquon Barkley for a while, the efficiency will take a hit. Daniel Jones will look to build off his debut and the team will likely oblige him. That means good things for Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram. The run will need to be opportunistic, or a big lead to develop for any chance to help fantasy players.

Team Trends That Matter

Four different wide receivers had a 40% snap share or better in Week 3. 11 different players are averaging at least one catch per game.
All three opposing quarterbacks have scored 22 or more fantasy points.
O.J. Howard is the only tight end to exceed 40 receiving yards against the Giants.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Daniel Jones (3) - 34.2 fantasy points ranks second since the merger for a quarterback making his debut
RB Wayne Gallman (3) - Only had five touches on 41 Week 3 snaps
WR Sterling Shepard (4) - Has been off the field for just four offensive snaps when healthy
WR Darius Slayton (0) - 0.39 PPR points per snap ranks first among Giants wide receivers
TE Evan Engram (5) - One of two tight ends with multiple games of 20-plus PPR points