The Rundown: Week 4

Sep 30, 2020

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After several crazy weeks featuring injuries and breakout performances, Week 3 felt like a breath of relatively fresh air. A recent COVID outbreak on the Titans could sour a few lineups after it appears the league will push back the game by a few days, but at least we have some forewarning this time. It also leads to a more promising Week 4 that includes 50-plus total betting lines in eight of the 16 games. Those potential shootouts could prove fruitful for fantasy players in need of a bounceback week that gets them back on the playoff track.

Last week’s Rundown highlighted another lackluster week from Daniel Jones, a second straight Darrell Henderson highlight show, and a top-three finish for James Robinson. Gladly, we were wrong on Drew Brees, who had his first good week of the year as well as Austin Ekeler, who appears revitalized with Justin Herbert behind center.

Like last year, this article will leverage the wide array of 4for4’s data library including snaps, touches, targets, fantasy scoring, and red zone information. Lucky for you, this article will put everything in one place in time for those weekly matchup decisions.

Quarterbacks Trending Up

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Miami Dolphins

All Fitzpatrick has done since a Week 1 flop has been a pair of top-10 quarterback finishes. Some of it has been unsustainable as his four completions in the red zone have all resulted in touchdowns, but he has avoided costly interceptions and has started to run the ball a bit more. He gets Seattle this week, which will likely be a shootout against a defense that has allowed the most passing yards in the league through three weeks. The (Fitz)magic could continue here with another top-12 finish in the cards, although a slight slip into solid QB2 territory wouldn’t be surprising or disappointing.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Maybe this is a week early as the Vikings get the Seahawks next week, but Cousins has two top-13 finishes sandwiching an abysmal Week 2 performance against the Colts. The interceptions are unusually high, six already, but the emergence of Justin Jefferson last week along with reliable Adam Thielen should help curb what seems like a short-term turnover issue. The Texans haven’t forced an interception yet this season and their offense is capable of forcing this to become a high scoring affair. Dalvin Cook will feast here but Cousins should also get plenty of chances to score and put up another strong week.

Quarterbacks Trending Down

Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts

There was some potential for Rivers coming into the season that a strong offensive line and a good set of weapons would provide a bounceback of sorts for the longtime veteran. However, through three weeks, Rivers has yet to record a week with 15 fantasy points or a top-20 quarterback finish. He has been checking down to running backs more, targeting them on over 25% of his passes compared to just 17% for tight ends. Rivers isn’t helping the wide receivers either, having failed to support a top-24 fantasy week at the position through three games. The Colts also have the second slowest offensive pace so opportunities are already limited. Likely, we weren’t planning to start Rivers but his middling performances are beginning to make his receiving options tougher to play as well. He’ll get another tough test against the top-five pass defense of the Bears in what should be a low scoring affair all around.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

Honestly, Tannehill hasn’t had a bad season. He is ranked 13th in fantasy points so far, better than most have expected, and has a top-12 fantasy week already. The issues are bit further under the hood, starting with the red zone. Tannehill has just 13 attempts there (six of nine completions went for touchdowns) compared to 19 team rushing attempts. Derrick Henry also has at least 25 touches in every game, just one fewer than he had in all of 2019. The commitment to the run has ratcheted up from 2019 and their fourth-fastest offensive pace is likely not going to stick when compared against the 22nd ranking last year. The Steelers are a tough defensive matchup that could slow this offense down, providing another speed bump for Tannehill.