Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 4th, 2020 4:25 PM ET
Location: Arrowhead Stadium
Betting Odds: KC -7, 53 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Cam Newton (Start, QB1)
Cam Newton has been one of the biggest surprises of this season. Not because he is relevant in fantasy but he is actually passing the ball with precision and accuracy. Last week was a bit of a down game for Newton but that was mainly because the Patriots were running the ball at will. This week Cam should have every opportunity to get it done on the ground and through the air. This could certainly be a shootout in Arrowhead and Newton has one of the highest floors of any QB in week 4.
Running Backs
Sony Michel (RB3, Flex), James White (Flex, RB3), Rex Burkhead (Flex if White Sits), Damien Harris (Sit)
This backfield has become a jumbled mess very quickly. Damien Harris and James White both returned to practice this week, leaving everyone’s role up in the air. This is after Rex Burkhead had a monster game last week and now it seems he could fade off into irrelevance. It is unclear whether White will actually play this week as he has been dealing with the death of his family members after a horrific car crash. If White sits again, Burkhead would be a very intriguing flex with RB2 upside in a matchup where the Pats should need to pass a lot. If the game plays out the way people think it will, Sony Michel would be taken out of the equation pretty quickly. But you never know with the Pats, they could plan to pound the ball and play the time of possession game. All that being said, I don’t trust any of these backs as more than a flex play.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Julian Edelman (Flex, WR3), N’Keal Harry (Sit), Damiere Byrd (Sit)
I have seen a lot of experts saying to fade Julian Edelman this week after last week’s dud but I think he would be the main benefactor of a potential shootout here. That being said, the Chiefs’ secondary has been incredibly stingy and last week only allowed 97 passing yards to the Ravens. I don’t think that Edelman has a huge ceiling for this week but in PPR leagues he is definitely serviceable. I don’t expect N’Keal Harry or Damiere Byrd to see the volume to warrant any consideration and their only contributions would most likely come from a receiving touchdown. Edelman has been marked questionable all week but this has been the case most weeks and there aren’t any reports saying he is in danger of missing.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (Start, QB1)
Does life get any better for Patrick Mahomes? After a massive extension, engagement, and now the announcement that he will be a father. Not to mention that he and the Chiefs are 3-0. I would be slightly concerned about the matchup if he didn’t just shred the Baltimore Ravens to the tune of 385 yards and five touchdowns. Mahomes is a must-start in every situation and you are playing him no matter what concerns you may have this week.
Running Backs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Start, RB1)
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is up against a tough matchup this week but in this offense, it does not matter. He is averaging 15.2 points every week and is involved on the ground and in the air. The Patriots are 19th in YPC and passing yards allowed to RBs, which is very encouraging, given CEH’s role. He has one of the highest floors of any RB in the league and if he can start putting the touchdowns in there as well, watch out.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Tyreek Hill (Start, WR1), Sammy Watkins (Sit), Mecole Hardman (Sit), Demarcus Robinson (Sit) Travis Kelce (Start, TE1)
Tyreek Hill certainly has a tough matchup this week, as he faces off against Stephon Gilmore. However, Tyreek has managed to find the end zone in every game this season and has 23 targets over three games. The Patriots are allowing 8.2 yards per completion, which is encouraging for Hill as someone who gets his yards in bunches. A similar story with Sammy Watkins, who led the team in targets last week. I could see him being productive in this one but it is always hard to predict when Watkins will go off or if he will get hurt again, which happens often. If you need a deep-league flex, certainly play him but I can’t confidently recommend him this week. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are both off the radar for now due to inconsistent snaps and volume. Even after Hardman’s 4-81-1 game last week. Kelce is an obvious start at the TE position and I can’t even fathom anyone wanting to sit him.
-Aaron Rader (@Ray_Dur on Twitter and Reddit)