Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Week 4 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers

Quarterback
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers) 
Going up against the Patriots stunningly inept defense was apparently all Cam Newton needed to get back on track. The 2015 league MVP gave Matt Patricia's disorganized group fits all game long, picking up 360 total yards (316 passing, 44 rushing) and 4 TD's (3 passing, 1 rushing) in the Panthers huge upset victory at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Newton will look to prove that this strong showing wasn't a fluke against a stingy Lions defense that has allowed the 8th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. 
Honorable Mentions: DeShaun Watson (Texans), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Andy Dalton (Bengals)


LVP: Matt Ryan (Falcons) 
After a decent start to 2017, Matt Ryan had his 1st truly poor showing of the young season in Week 4. Ryan managed a respectable yard total (242), but threw just 1 TD and turned the ball over 3 times (2 INT's and a lost fumble) against the Bills surprisingly stout defense. Ryan enters the week 5 Bye with 1,109 YDS, 5 TD's and 5 INT's and should be able to bounce back nicely from the 5 INT's he's thrown over the past 2 games in a week 6 tilt versus the Dolphins weak secondary.
Dishonorable Mentions: Trevor Siemian (Broncos), Jay Cutler (Dolphins), Matthew Stafford (Lions)

Running Back
MVP: Le'Veon Bell (Steelers)
Ladies and gentleman, the Le'Veon Bell that we all know and love appears to be back. The Steelers dual-threat monster out of the backfield finally shook off the tremendous amount of rust he'd shown in the first 3 weeks of the season with an inhuman beatdown (186 total yards and 2 rushing TD's on 39 touches) of the Ravens D on Sunday afternoon. This performance has vaulted Bell back into the high-end RB1 conversation and he should be a threat to eclipse 100+ yards from scrimmage every week moving forward.
Honorable Mentions: Todd Gurley (Rams), Ezekiel Elliott (Cowboys), Lamar Miller (Texans)

LVP: Melvin Gordon (Chargers)
Melvin Gordon's early-season scoring bonanza came to a sudden, brutal end in Week 4. Gordon couldn't get anything going against the Eagles tough front 7, mustering just 29 total yards (22 rushing, 7 receiving) on 11 touches in yet another close loss for the NFL's #1 unloved orphan franchise. While his lingering knee injury could continue to have an effect on his volume, Gordon should still be able to find some success against the Giants so-so run D this week. 
Dishonorable Mentions: Jay Ajayi (Dolphins), Marshawn Lynch (Raiders), DeMarco Murray (Titans)

Wide Receiver 
MVP: Jordy Nelson (Packers)
The proud annual tradition of Jordy Nelson embarrassing the Bears secondary on national television took place this past Thursday night. The Packers top WR turned 4 receptions into 75 yards and a pair of garbage-time touchdowns in the final game of the illustrious Mike Glennon-era in Chicago. Nelson has shown no signs of slowing down at age 32 and will be locked-in as a high-end WR2 until further notice. 
Honorable Mentions: Devin Funchess (Panthers), Tyrell Williams (Chargers), DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)

LVP: Demaryius Thomas (Broncos)
The Broncos passing game went through a lot of unforeseen struggles against the Raiders below-average secondary on Sunday and while no one besides backup tight end A.J. Derby had a noteworthy game, Demaryius Thomas ended up faring the worst. Thomas registered under 65 yards for the 1st time in 2017, picking up a depressing 11 yards on a single reception. I fully expect Thomas to return to his usual, reliable WR2 production levels following the Broncos bye this week.
Dishonorable Mentions: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos), Golden Tate (Lions), Antonio Brown (Steelers)

Tight End
MVP: Travis Kelce (Chiefs)
Travis Kelce's hot-and-cold 2017 rolled on this week. Kelce followed his painful 1-yard performance against the Chargers with a 7 REC/111 YD/1 TD evisceration of the Redskins on Monday Night Football. Even with his erratic play thus far, Kelce remains one of only a handful of high-upside TE1's in the world of fantasy football. 
Honorable Mentions: Cameron Brate (Buccaneers), Charles Clay (Bills), Zach Ertz (Eagles)

LVP: Jason Witten (Cowboys)
Say it ain't so! The typically reliable old man Witten failed his fantasy owners this week with a 1 catch, 9-yard performance in a high-octane shootout against the Rams on Sunday afternoon. Witten has cooled down considerably after his hot start and will be a low-end TE1 at best when the Packers travel to AT&T Stadium in Week 5.
Dishonorable Mentions: Coby Fleener (Saints), Eric Ebron (Lions), Martellus Bennett (Packers)

Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Seattle Seahawks 
For the 1st time this season, the Seahawks defense looked like themselves. This perennially elite defense flashed their trademark physicality and toughness against a hapless Jacoby Brissett-led Colts offense on Sunday night, registering 3 sacks and a pair of takeaways (an INT and fumble recovery) that resulted in scores in a season-saving 46-18 win for the reigning NFC West champions. Kris Richard's group will likely have their hands full when they travel to face the red-hot Rams offense in LA this Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers

LVP: Baltimore Ravens
While it wasn't as ugly as their Week 3 trip to London, the Ravens defense once again failed to impress this week. Dean Pees' unit surrendered 26 points while mustering a sack and an interception in a deflating loss at home to the Steelers. With the way their offense has played of late, I'd advise benching this group indefinitely until Flacco and co. can stay on the field for more than 3 plays at a time.
Dishonorable Mentions: New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons

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