30 Sep Joe’s Must Starts of Week 4
“To start, or not to start, that is the question.” -William Shakespeare, probably. Woah there Billy, today might just be your lucky day. Week 4 is finally here and I for one cannot wait! This is a crucial week for those 0-3 teams out there. Dropping to 0-4 can feel like a death sentence to your fantasy season, but earning that 1-3 record makes you one step closer to raising your league’s championship trophy. That tantalizing win is dangling right in front of your fingertips and I am here to help you snatch it. Enough jibber jabber, ol’ Billy is waiting; I present to you the second edition of my Starts of the Week: Joe’s Must Starts of Week 4
My QB Starts of the Week
Tom Brady @ NE
Let us begin with the man who might very well be as old as William Shakespeare, Sir Tom Brady. The narrative of this revenge game needs no introduction and is so legendarily epic. The greatest quarterback of all time heads back to the former city he called home for twenty seasons. Although he has little left to prove, Brady has a permanent chip on his shoulder. This is what separates him from the majority of athletes. I am expecting him to make a bold statement in this game, potentially even attempting to throw as many touchdowns as he has rings (seven and counting).
Jalen Hurts vs. KC
Yes, I watched Monday Night Football and saw Jalen Hurts’ two-interception performance vs. the Cowboys. I am also not scared-off by it at all. Even after struggling all game, Hurts still finished with over twenty fantasy points. His rushing ability gives him the potential to finish top five at the position every week. This Sunday, the multi-talented QB faces Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Chiefs. We just watched Justin Herbert out-duel Mahomes and now it is time for Hurts to give it a try. I give the Eagles close to no chance to defeat the Chiefs, but believe Jalen will have a monster statistical performance. Start him with extreme confidence in this one.
Sam Darnold @ DAL
Since when did starting Sam Darnold feel like a semi-safe option? Other than some sloppy plays after CMC went down, Darnold has been extremely consistent in his opening games with Carolina. He has the perfect coaching staff and pass-catching weapons to be successful on a weekly basis. This week he goes up against the Dallas Cowboys, who are giving up 20.8 fantasy on average to the quarterback position. I think Darnold has a great chance to at least meet that average and potentially exceed it. Look for the team to lean on the passing game heavily and for him to continue to hyper-target D.J. Moore.
Taylor Heinicke @ ATL
This one looks gross on paper but hear me out. Heinicke has scored over twenty PPG in back-to-back weeks, against some pretty fierce defenses. This week he gets a refreshing break and faces a struggling Atlanta defensive unit. I expect Heinicke to have a very solid showing in this exhibition and would 100% consider streaming him this week if you need a QB.
My RB Starts of the Week
David Montgomery vs. DET
The Chicago offense might have put together the most pitiful performance I have ever seen. The team’s prized rookie, Justin Fields, was sacked nine times in this game as the Bears got dismantled by the Browns. Who would be crazy enough to make any player from this dumpster fire their start of the week? I think we both know the answer to that question, this guy! I expect the team to rely very heavily on the run and throw more dump-off passes after last week’s bloodbath.
Jonathan Taylor @ MIA
Sometimes all a struggling player needs is an amazing matchup to get the ball rolling. After a hyped-up preseason, JT has underwhelmed in fantasy to start the year. This week he gets to play against the Miami Dolphins, who are currently ranked 31st against the run. Nyheim Hines is not going anywhere anytime soon, but Taylor is due for a monster game. His situation in Indianapolis reminds me a lot of Antonio Gibson’s in Washington. Both young, developing superstars are far too talented to be held back much longer. Start Taylor with confidence and set your expectations sky-high. His buy-low window is expiring faster than the milk you forgot in your fridge a few weeks ago.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire @ PHI
After two lackluster games to start the season, CEH turned up the gears in Week 3. He rushed 17 times for 100 yards and added a touchdown in the passing game. Although it is respectable to question his consistency, CEH has another great matchup against the Eagles on Sunday. I expect him to build off of his commendable performance and put up similar numbers in this game. The whole Chiefs offense should come out hungry, as they currently are in last place in the AFC West at 1-2.
Zack Moss vs. HOU
Always have to include a dangerous Start of the Week to keep you engaged. This week, I am feeling another glowing performance out of Moss. Going up against Houston in Week 4, the projected game flow should fit like a glove for Moss to succeed. He has scored three touchdowns in the last two games and I anticipate him to continue this trend. In a delectable matchup, expect Moss to further advance himself as the RB1 in Buffalo over Devin Singletary.
Other RBs I love this week:
James Robinson @ Cin, Javonte Williams vs. Bal, Najee Harris @ GB, Nick Chubb @ Min, Chuba Hubbard @ Dal, Kenneth Gainwell vs. KC
My WR Starts of the Week
Corey Davis vs. TEN
If you follow me on Twitter (@JoeBeldnerFFB), odds are you know how high I have been on Corey Davis this season. After two grotesque games in back-to-back weeks, nothing has changed on my stance. In Week 1, Davis erupted for 97 yards on 5 catches with 2 TDs. The last two games have been undoubtedly ugly for Davis and the Jets, but he still received 10 targets in his last outing. We should not be surprised that Zach Wilson was outsmarted by Bill Belichick and then struggled mightily in his first time playing in the Mile High City. This week, the Jets get a much better matchup against Corey’s old team, the Tennessee Titans. Expect Davis to play with a chip on his shoulder in a revenge game vs. his former team. I am not haunting this hype-train after making him my Start of the Week.
I am going on paper stating that this game will be the defining moment of a huge breakout season for Davis. When he pops off for your team, think of me.
Ja’Marr Chase vs. CIN
Ja’Marr the Star has been nothing short of spectacular to start his rookie season. He has four touchdowns on the year, scoring two in Week 3 @ Chicago. Heading into Week 4, Chase is on a scorching hot streak and will be playing in his first spotlight game on Thursday Night Football. Teammate, Tee Higgins, has already been ruled out for the game, providing a continued uptick in targets for the budding superstar. Expect Joe Burrow to look to Ja’Marr heavily in this game vs. the Jaguars. This very well may be the game where Ja’Marr becomes a household name to the casual football fan.
Odell Beckham Jr. @ MIN
I have been extremely critical of OBJ the last few years. He is #1 on my “Do Not Draft List” and I have never, and probably will never draft him to any of my fantasy teams. This week, I would love to have him on a roster and would start him in a heartbeat. In his first game returning from injury, OBJ looked a lot like his prime self. He immediately received 9 targets from Baker Mayfield and finished The game with 5 catches for 77 yards. After losing Jarvis Landry, the Browns offensive unit is in dire need of a boost. In an tantalizing matchup in Minnesota, expect OBJ to rise to the moment and provide that much needed spark.
Jakobi Meyers vs. TB
Jakobi Meyers is the real deal. His game miraculously matches the way that Mac Jones prefers to throw the ball. I see a promising seed being planted between the two players, which with time and care will blossom into a beautiful flower. How much does Jones like throwing to Meyers? Enough to give him 14 targets last week vs. the Saints. Meyers finished the game with an impressive 9 catches for 94 yards. In a game where Mac Jones is going to have to prove himself against the best quarterback to ever play in Foxborough, expect him to lean heavily on his new favorite target.
This matchup screams garbage-time points for Jakobi, especially now that the team will be without the pass-catching services of James White.
Other WRs I love this week:
D.J. Moore @ Dallas, Michael Pittman @ Miami, Terry McLaurin @ Atl, Tim Patrick vs. Baltimore, Van Jefferson Jr. vs. Ari
My TE Starts of the Week
Mike Gesicki vs. IND
Who would have thought that playing alongside Jacoby Brissett would be beneficial to the fantasy outlook of Mike Gesicki? The athletic TE caught 10 of 12 targets for 86 yards last week at Las Vegas. I do not see this game as a fluke. He is the perfect safety blanket for Brissett to turn to when facing adversity in the pocket. Gesicki does not get a great matchup in Week 4, but I project his volume to be substantial enough to overcome it.
Logan Thomas @ ATL
If Taylor Heinicke is going to have a huge week, odds are his pass-catchers are too. When he’s not throwing the ball to Terry McLaurin, I expect the rock to be tossed to Thomas. He has scored in two of his first three games to start the season and gets a great matchup in Week 4. Thomas is extremely efficient and does not need an abundance of targets to be productive. The fantasy forecast is looking bright for Thomas with a significant chance of a touchdown.
Dawson Knox @ HOU
Did you wake up feeling dangerous? Courageous enough to start Dawson Knox in a picturesque matchup? If desperate, I absolutely would be. Knox has quietly had a very productive season thus far, scoring in back-to-back games. Having the privilege of playing alongside a player like Josh Allen can make a player more appealing than they actually are. This is certainly the case when it comes to young Dawson Knox. If you are in a pickle at the position and need a streamer, you can do much worse than Mr. Knox.
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A ride-or-die NY Jets fan from Northern New Jersey who is passionate about sports, music and art. He works in purchasing for a fragrance manufacturer during the day and will go the extra mile to make sure your Fantasy Football teams are always fresh.