After an ugly Week 3, we saw much more success in Week 4. It was a solid bounce back performance where it was easier to spot the “Sit” candidates thanks to some very tough matchups.
Hits:
- Carson Palmer (16 pts)
- Dak Prescott (23 pts)
- Danny Amendola (14 pts)
- Cameron Brate (14 pts)
- Derek Carr (9 pts)
- Ben Roethlisberger (10 pts)
- Buck Allen (9 pts) / Terrance West (-1 pt)
- Marshawn Lynch (1 pt)
- Isaiah Crowell (3 pts)
- Amari Cooper (2 pts)
- Michael Crabtree (0 pts)
- Jason Witten (1 pt)
Misses:
- Trevor Siemian (11 pts)
- Joe Mixon (8 pts)
- Christian McCaffrey (7 pts)
- Tarik Cohen (8 pts)
- Jarvis Landry (8 pts)
- Cam Newton (33 pts)
- Ameer Abdullah (19 pts)
- Terrelle Pryor (13 pts)
Dragons/Starts
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston
I mean cmon this is just too easy. The Patriots defense has been god awful, and has a short week to prepare for a loaded Bucs offense. Jameis should be able to pick this secondary apart like every other QB has done so far in 2017. He’s an easy play this week.
Others: Carson Palmer (ARI), Jay Cutler (MIA)
Running Backs
Bilal Powell (NYJ)
Powell took full advantage of Matt Forte’s injury and ripped off a big day after handling 21 carries and catching a few passes. Forte is likely to be out again this week, and the Jets now take on the Cleveland Browns who as a whole are just plain bad. Powell has shown he’s one of the most productive backs when he gets the proper usage and opportunity. Another high workload against Cleveland should net great results.
Duke Johnson (CLE)
On the other side of this contest, Duke Johnson has seized the lead role of the Browns backfield. As bad as Cleveland has been offensively, Johnson has been consistent in the receiving game catching short passes, and even is being used on the goal line. We saw Leonard Fournette have a solid game last week versus the Jets, and while Johnson is no Fournette he has the receiving volume to keep his numbers and stats high.
Others: DeMarco Murray (TEN), Alex Collins (BAL)
Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant (DAL)
Like Dak, Dez is prime for a big day against a porous Packers secondary. After being matched up against a handful of elite corner to begin the year, Dez is licking his chops for this date against Green Bay on a nationally televised game. The lights will be the brightest and that’s usually when Dez shows up.
DeVante Parker (MIA)
For as bad as Miami has looked so far this year, their one positive consistency has been Parker. Parker has been compared to Alshon Jeffery by Cutler, except as a better version. He gets the big yardage and touchdowns compared to Landry who operates out of the slot and in the middle of the field with short routes. Parker is the better bet to blow up against a Titans secondary that was just eviscerated by Deshaun Watson and the Texans offense.
Others: Jaron Brown (ARI), Danny Amendola (NE), Aldrick Robinson (SF)
Tight Ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ)
What do we know about the Cleveland Browns other than they stink? They REALLY stink against tight ends. Last week it was Tyler Kroft. Preceding that it was Ben Watson and Jesse James lighting up the defense. The Browns are super susceptible to tight ends and Austin Seferian-Jenkins is starting to assert himself in the Jets passing game. I love this spot here and expect a touchdown from ASJ this week.
Others: Jared Cook (OAK), Hunter Henry (LAC)
White Walkers/Sits
Quarterbacks
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
But wait, Ben’s at home! Yeah I know, but have you seen this Jaguars secondary? Two top twenty ranked corners by PFF with two top fifty safeties back there. Jacksonville has been one of the league’s best defenses and has really locked down opposing QBs and WRs. Ben hasn’t thrown for over 300 yards this season, and I don’t see it happening this week.
Others: Eli Manning (NYG), Andy Dalton (CIN)
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy (BUF)
McCoy and the Bills offense has been slowly coming along despite a successful 3-1 campaign. On the road against a stingy front seven of the Bengals and an expected low point total in this game, McCoy could end up underwhelming once again.
Melvin Gordon (LAC)
The Giants defensive line is arguably their strongest aspect of the defense and Gordon has yet to crack 100 yards on the ground this year. This vaunted defense is not one I want to test a struggling RB against. His best chance would be to expose the linebackers in the receiving game. I think the tight ends have the big plays here for the Chargers.
Others: Joe Mixon (CIN), Isaiah Crowell (CLE)
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown (PIT)
HOT TAKE ALERT! Brown was visibly frustrated last game, throwing a water cooler on the sideline after not getting the looks he thought he should be getting. Now he’s going to have fits against Jalen Ramsey who ranks third overall in PFF’s corner back grades. Ramsey has been lights out and a shutdown corner all year so far. You know he’ll be up to the task of trying to shut down the best receiver in the NFL.
Alshon Jeffery (PHI)
Jeffery unfortunately draws coverage opposite Patrick Peterson against the Cardinals Sunday. While Arizona can be thrown on, it’s the WR2s and tight ends that have found success. I like Agholor and Ertz to have the better games for Philly’s passing game this week.
Others: Sammy Watkins (LAR), Amari Cooper/Michael Crabtree (OAK)
Tight Ends
Jason Witten (DAL)
Witten has seen his targets drop off a cliff the last two games with four and two looks. He’s caught one ball in each game, and the Packers have struggled more on the outside allowing the big plays. It’s Dez and Terrance Williams’ time to eat.
Others: Jack Doyle (IND)
Do you agree with Jimbo? Or is he clueless? Let him know at @theJMcGuinness.
