Fantasy Football Predictions and Tips: Week Four

The dissapointments after Week Three and what to look forward to in Week FourAlex Stewart The Santa Clara September 28, 2017Buy/Sell for Week 4 Sell High Todd Gurley (RB, LAR). Gurley is coming off of a 100+ yard, 3 total TD performance against the 49ers in Week Three. All the hype says he is back to 2015 form, where he was one of the top running backs in the NFL.So far, he has gone up against very subpar defenses in the 49ers, Redskins, and the Colts. In the future, the Rams have numerous top tier run defenses lined up such as the Cowboys, Seahawks (twice), Jaguars, Cardinals, Giants, Texans and Vikings. You can risk it by waiting one more week, but your window to sell for more than he’s worth is closing.Buy Low Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA). Baldwin was a top 10 receiver last year for fantasy, so it’s easy to see why he was taken in the middle-early rounds of the draft.Baldwin is a great candidate to buy low. With an elite QB like Russell Wilson and the fact that he is in the top 10 for running routes, his fantasy value should hit a nice incline as the weeks go on.So far, however, minor injuries and bad play from the Seattle offense have hindered him in the fantasy world. I would check in with his owners in your league to see if they are ready to jump ship.Key Waiver PickupsChris Thompson (RB, WAS) and Devin Funchess (WR, CAR). These two are key pickups because their starter counterparts, Rob Kelley (RB, WAS, Rib Bruise) and Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR, Sprained Knee) are injured.The Carolina offense has already been largely ineffective and hobbled without the reliable TE Greg Olsen (Broken leg), but if you are in a PPR league, Funchess (11.9 percent owned in ESPN Leagues) stands to get as many targets as he can handle because he is basically the only offensive weapon for the Panthers at the moment.On the Washington side, Kelley being out opens the door to the speedy Chris Thompson, who had quite the game against the Raiders (25 pts). Thompson (83.9 percent owned in ESPN Leagues) is largely a bench player in leagues, but if you can snag him off waivers, you have yourself a steal for the coming weeks.Injuries As if there weren’t enough people suspended for at least part of the season, here comes the inevitable: injuries. They are a part of every season and 2017 is no different. Here are the key injury updates for Week 4:NAME, Position, Team, Injury, Injury LevelDerrick Henry RB TEN Bruised Thigh QuestionableDoug Baldwin WR SEA Strained Groin QuestionableMelvin Gordon RB LAC Sprained Knee QuestionableDarren Sprolles RB PHI Broken Arm Out 6-8 wks.Kevin Benjamin WR CAR Sprained Knee DoubtfulJordan Howard RB CHI Sprained Toe QuestionableMatt Forte RB NYJ Sprained Toe QuestionableSam Bradford QB MIN Strained Knee DoubtfulAndrew Luck QB IND Shoulder Tear DoubtfulTyler Eifert TE CIN Knee, Back QuestionableGreg Olson TE CAR Broken Leg Out 6-8 wks.Jordan Reed TE WAS Chest Pain QuestionableRob Kelley RB WAS Bruised Rib QuestionableRandall Cobb WR GB Bruised Chest DoubtfulKey Fantasy Matchups for Week 4 JAX@NYJ: This game usually isn’t very highly anticipated, but with the recent play of Jacksonville’s defense (32 points in the first three weeks), it’s worth keeping an eye on as they face arguably the worst offense in the NFL. Anticipate the D/ ST to score better than projected for this week.OAK@DEN: Everyone knows Denver’s defense is one of the best. That’s why it will be interesting to see if Amari Cooper (No. 11 proj. WR), Michael Crabtree (No. 15 proj. WR), and Marshawn Lynch (No. 13 proj. RB), can bounce back after a terrible performance (four combined fantasy points) against an average Redskins defense last Sunday.TEN@HOU: Derrick Henry (25 pts first three weeks) and DeMarco Murray (No. 10 proj RB) have been quite the fantasy tandem at RB for the Titans this year. Owners should think twice about starting someone from Tennessee’s offence this week though, because the Titans draw the stout Texan’s defense. Going up against JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney always results in trouble for opposing offenses.Ezekiel Elliott (No. 3 proj RB) owners will hope for a turnaround from an abysmal nine rushing yards against Arizona.Contact Alex Stewart at astewart@scu.edu or call (408) 554- 4852.