Sit/Start Week 4: Reviewing All the Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 29th at 1:00 pm EST

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX 

Betting Odds: -5.5 Houston via Oddsshark

Network: Fox

Sleeper Spotlight: Kenny Stills

 

Carolina Panthers

 

Quarterback:

• Kyle Allen (Streamer/Bye Week fill in)

 

Kyle Allen had an impressive debut in week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals, throwing for 261 yards and 4 TDs. The Cardinals defense has been one of the worst in the league to start the year but this was still a surprising performance from the undrafted backup QB. Allen proved to be more than competent and looks to continue his hot start against the Texans this week. The Texans pose a much bigger threat on defense than the Cardinals did so this should be a nice test for the backup QB with Cam Newton already being ruled out of this game. Look for Allen to struggle a bit in this game but still have a nice stat line as they will have to throw eventually to keep up with the high flying offense of the Texans. Allen could make your Superflex lineups or even a 12 team or deeper lineup if you are having to replace Jimmy Garropolo this week.

 

Running Backs:

• Christian McCaffrey (Must start RB1)

 

Christian McCaffrey got off to a slow start in week 3 against an awful Cardinals defense but he broke a 76-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter to turn in another top 10 RB performance. His usage was something we were looking at coming into this game and for him to get 27 touches was a great sign of things to come if this will be Kyle Allen’s offense for the next couple weeks. McCaffrey received 21 “competitive touches” as his final 6 carries were used to drown out the clock as the Panthers were preserving a 15 point lead. The positive thing here is that the Panthers offense didn’t look awful with Allen under the helm. Alvin Kamara had almost 170 all-purpose yards with 7 catches and 20 touches in his week 1 matchup with the Texans. Austin Ekeler had his worst game of the season last week but still managed 16 touches and 7 catches. Going up against the Texans this week, McCaffrey will have to be a major part of the offense once again so look for him to provide another solid RB1 outing.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• D.J. Moore (Start, WR2)
• Curtis Samuel (Start, Flex)
• Greg Olsen (Start, low-end TE1)

 

Kyle Allen’s group of receivers had a great day against the Cardinals in week 3 but that was the Cardinals. Coming into this week, fresh off a great performance and more repetitions in practice, look for Allen to continue to get the ball to his playmakers. D.J. Moore was the least productive of the wide receivers in week 3 but he bailed you out with his lone catch coming on a 52 yard TD from Allen. He only had 2 targets against the Cardinals but I would look for the Panthers to get him more involved going up against the Texans this week. He is the safest play among these weapons for me. Curtis Samuel looked like Allen’s favorite target last week as he hauled in 5 catches for 53 yards on his 7 targets and a TD. It was nice to see Samuel be a factor last week but that defense in Arizona can’t be compared to this one in Houston. Look for Samuel to take a step back this week but should still be a viable flex option especially if you are having to play him due to bye weeks. Greg Olsen had the TE dream matchup last week as every tight end going against the Cardinals so far this year has turned in a top ten performance. Look for Olsen to turn into Allen’s safety blanket this week as a guy he can look for on third downs and maybe in the red zone. The Texans have played against Jared Cook, James O’Shaughnessy, and Virgil Green so far this year so we don’t have the best gauge on how good they are going against the TE but Olsen is a lower-end TE1 for me this week.

 

Houston Texans

 

Quarterback:

• Deshaun Watson (QB1)

 

Deshaun Watson has had a great start to the year passing for 3 TDs in week one versus the Saints and also last week versus the Chargers. His one tough matchup against the Jaguars he struggled but still bailed you out with a rushing TD. Watson’s floor is so high week in and week out because of his rushing ability and the weapons he has around him. He has proven so far this year to be one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the league and that trend should continue against the Panthers this week. The Panthers defense has given up 20 points each of the past two weeks against Jameis Winston and Kyler Murray. Look for Watson contribute running and throwing the ball en route to a top ten fantasy QB day.

 

Running Backs:

• Carlos Hyde (Start, Flex)
• Duke Johnson (Sit)

 

What a frustrating situation this backfield has become. Carlos Hyde has risen from the dead and become the workhorse back in this offense while Duke Johnson has yet to make his mark despite his talents. When Lamar Miller went down for the season it was Duke that was supposed to jump into this dynamic offense and become the #1 RB on this high flying offense. Hyde has taken that role as he has out carried Duke every game. Hyde has posted an 83-yard game, a 90-yard game, and a 19-yard game but in that one, he scored a TD. Hyde, unfortunately, is the RB you want to start if you own him as he looks to have the advantage over Duke. As for Duke owners, this is the week to sit him. He has yet to perform up to our expectations even though he has landed in a dream situation. Duke is still a hold for me in fantasy leagues but the trust isn’t there yet to feel great about starting him.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:

• DeAndre Hopkins (Start, WR1)
• Will Fuller V (Start, WR3)
• Kenny Stills (Start, Flex)
• Keke Coutee (Sit)
• Jordan Akins (Sit)

 

DeAndre Hopkins has had two “duds” at least for his standards in a row now only producing 9 and 13 points the past two weeks going against Jalen Ramsey and Casey Hayward. This week he gets James Bradberry who is an above-average cornerback but Hopkins should be able to provide WR1 numbers as the Texans will be looking to throw a lot in this game. We have seen the upside from Hopkins in his week 1 outing against the Saints where he had 8 catches for 111 yards and 2 TDs. We have also seen the floor for Hopkins with an average of 11 points in his other two games. I’d expect a line somewhere around 20 points for Hopkins this week as your sure-fire WR1. This offense can sustain two to three fantasy relevant WRs every week. Will Fuller V is the deep threat of the WR corp and we have seen his upside with Watson as he has gone on some incredible TD streaks. Fuller V is a guy that, if you own him, you have to throw him in your lineup based on the upside he provides. He has had consistent points per game so far this year with 8.9, 8, and 10.1 points. Look for him to get going here with a deep pass from Watson for a TD. Kenny Stills looks to have taken over for Keke Coutee as the slot receiver and 3rd option in this passing attack. This relegates Coutee to the bench and possibly waivers in your league. However, Coutee is one injury away from having a great role in a pass-heavy offense so I would stash for now. As for Stills, he has elevated himself into flex consideration moving forward as the 3rd passing option in this high flying offense. He is a safe flex for me this week. Jordan Akins had 2 TDs last week but I can’t trust him just yet. I have my eye on him but no need to start him in your fantasy leagues just yet.

-Colin Weatherwax (@CWeatherwax13)