“One Battle After Another” is an appropriate description of my fantasy season, but it’s also one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Highly recommend it. Onto the Week 4 recaps.
Chicago Bears @ Las Vegas Raiders
• Ashton Jeanty erupted for three scores and 155 yards from scrimmage. Jeanty lost a fumble in the first quarter (he was blown up right away), but he responded with an explosive 64-yard TD run. Jeanty looked great while breaking tackles, and the biggest news was his two receiving scores inside the 10-yard line (when he shed tacklers during both TDs). Jeanty benefitted from a plus matchup, but he also looked different after going back to his original stance from college.
• Dome Geno Smith has thrown three interceptions during both home games to open the season. He was bad Sunday, hurting Las Vegas’ entire passing attack.
• Caleb Williams (-11.3% CPOE) might’ve been even worse, although at least he continued to feed Rome Odunze. The Bears ran a fake flea flicker, and Williams also appeared to fake a stumble like Jared Goff during another play, as Ben Johnson pulled out all the tricks.
• Kyle Monangai will overtake D’Andre Swift at some point this season.
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Giants
• Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury while trying to come down with a deep catch midway through the second quarter. Nabers entered Sunday with the second most catches over the first 19 games of a career in NFL history (Odell Beckham Jr.). It’s obviously a devastating blow to fantasy managers with no real recourse.
• The Giants lost their star wide receiver the same day they debuted their new franchise quarterback. Jaxson Dart had a TD run during the opening drive and finished as fantasy’s QB9 this week despite facing a stout Chargers’ pass defense and losing Nabers early. Dart also appeared to be playing through a tight hamstring. Dart was used almost exclusively out of shotgun, and he posted an 11% scramble rate and an 18% designed-rush rate. He almost had a second TD run but was stuffed at the goal line. Dart would’ve suddenly been a top 12ish fantasy QB if not for the Nabers injury.
• Cam Skattebo saw an 89% snap share, 27 touches and all five RB carries inside the 10. He was stopped at the goal line multiple times late in the fourth quarter, but the volume was there. The Giants’ offense could be rough without Nabers, but Skattebo will see increased targets and is a locked in fantasy start with Tyrone Tracy Jr. out.
• Big man interception almost taken to the house.
• Omarion Hampton finished as the RB7 this week despite seeing just 12 carries. The Chargers called only four run plays in the first half, but Hampton finished with 100% of the RB rush attempts and five targets. He had an angry 18-yard run and a 54-yard TD rush. Joe Alt went down with a high-ankle sprain, and the Chargers have the league’s highest PROE, but Hampton must be considered a top 10 fantasy back rest of season.
• Justin Herbert failed to become the first QB in NFL history with 10 consecutive road games without an interception during a rare off game (although in his defense he continues to deal with a ton of pressure).
• Quentin Johnston led Los Angeles in targets (13), catches (eight), receiving yards (98) and touchdowns (one). He’s finished as a top 25 fantasy WR during all four weeks to open the season and twice in the top five. Johnston is nearly doubling Ladd McConkey in yards per route run through one month, when he’s emerged as the Chargers’ WR1 and as fantasy’s best late pick or waiver wire add. Johnston is more of a hold than a sell high.
• McConkey went 6-1-11-0 against a Giants’ defense that had been getting destroyed from the slot. McConkey will unquestionably improve and is officially a buy low in fantasy, but he looks like the Chargers’ No. 3 receiver.
Washington Commanders @ Atlanta Falcons
• A big sigh of relief for Drake London’s fantasy managers. Michael Penix played far better, Darnell Mooney left with a hamstring injury, and London’s big game could’ve been even bigger if not for a game-script that called for just 26 passes. London’s shoulder injury also appears to be behind him.
• Penix was terrific outside of his pick, and it was encouraging to see his aDOT (10.5 yards) in the 83rd percentile.
• Bijan Robinson reached a career-high top speed of 21.85 mph on his 69-yard reception, and his touchdown run was absolutely absurd.
• Marcus Mariota threw a dime to Deebo Samuel for a TD strike on fourth down, but Atlanta has played far better pass defense than expected this season.
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt remains in a timeshare, and it didn’t help that Washington held the ball only 25 minutes during Sunday’s game.
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