Five to Thrive Five to Dive - NFL Week 4

Welcome into 5 to Thrive, 5 to Dive. In this weekly write-up, I’ll try to predict which players will outperform their weekly FantasyPros rank (Thrives) and those who will underperform (Dives). This isn’t a start-sit piece. It’s simply telling you who has a chance to do what this week. After lighting the world on fire by going 7-1-2 in Week 2, I came crashing back to Earth in Week 3 with a 4-5-1 record. That’s still decent (I shoot for about 50%) but ideally we’d have a higher hit rate. That’s where Week 4 comes in.
​
NOTE: Due to a busy work week, these write-ups will be a little shorter than usual. My apologies but it’s free, so don’t bitch too much now. ​

Thrives

Matt Stafford, QB Detroit Lions
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 13)
​
Matty Snapback has a chance to enter the Top 10 for QBs this week. In his matchup against Kansas City and the juggernaut that Patrick Mahomes is running, the Lions are going to have to play keep up. Stafford should have to go to the air early and often against a Chiefs’ secondary that has faced Gardiner Minshew, Derek Carr and an inaccurate Lamar Jackson. That’s significant to note because Kansas City hasn’t been terrible this year but Stafford and his weapons (Kenny G, Jones, Hockenson) provide a different challenge.

James Conner, RB Pittsburgh Steelers
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 7)

I’m not sure if this is me hoping things turn around for Conner and the Steelers or if I truly agree with what I’m saying here. So do with that what you will. The Terminator has a golden opportunity in a potential get right game for the Steelers this Monday Night at home against the Bengals. Cincinnati has struggled against the run, giving up the 2nd most rushing yards thus far. If Conner and the Steelers don’t get it done this week, I’m going to start drinking heavier.

Wayne Gallman, RB New York Giants
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 22)
​
After Saquon went down Sunday against Tampa, we’ve seen a lot of different opinions on Wayne Gallman and whether or not he can help your team that much. The one that has made me laugh the most though on Twitter is the amount of people who have said that Gallman isn’t Saquon. Well, no fucking shit he’s not one of the most talented running backs ever with generational abilities. If you follow those people, stop. They’re bad. Gallman does have a great opportunity this week at home against a Redskins defense that has given up the 4th most rushing yards this season. The G-Men’s offense looks reborn under Daniel Jones. I think Gallman will provide you high-end RB2 value.

Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Redskins
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 23)

I love this Giants-Redskins game. Both of their defense are fucking terrible and their offenses have been surprising. McLaurin, the rookie from Ohio State has had a tremendous start to his young career. In all 3 of his games, Scary Terry has gone for over 50 yards and a TD. Good news for him, that should continue this week as he is likely to see a lot of the burnt remains of Janoris Jenkins. He’s #suckedbutts this year. Be on the lookout however as he popped up on the injury report late in the week.

Christian Kirk, WR Arizona Cardinals
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 24)
​
Captain Kirk is a great volume play. In his 3 games so far, the 2nd year player out of Texas A&M has seen 32 targets which accounts for a 24% target share for the Cardinals offense. Arizona will continue to implement the air raid system with Kyler Murray and that’s a great thing for Kirk as he’ll continue to get looks every week. This week, Kirk should gets a great individual matchup against Shaquill Griffin of the Seahawks and should look to take advantage.

Dives

Deshaun Watson, QB Houston Texans
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 3)
​
Another week, and another appearance for my dear Watson on the Dives list. Last Sunday, Deshaun decided to take a big shit in my mouth with my call as he rolled to an absolutely bonkers game against the Chargers. I’m going back to the well this week though, however. Watson will face a Carolina defense that can get pressure on the quarterback. Houston’s offensive line has struggled so far and could again against the Panthers. Carolina’s secondary has been impressive as well, giving up the 2nd fewest passing yards. I don’t see Deshaun posting another monster game, but I also didn’t see my “parents” telling me that I was adopted either.

Dalvin Cook, RB Minnesota Vikings
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 5)

Yeah, Cook leads the league in rushing. And yeah, he’s looked great doing it. I’m going to bet against him this week, however. Chicago’s defense is ferocious and has given up the 5th fewest rushing yards and the 4th fewest fantasy points to the position. They’re also smart enough to realize that they need to take away the best thing Minnesota has and make Kirk Cousins beat them. If this season has been any indication, he can’t. I don’t see Dalvin finishing in the Top 10 this week.

Nick Chubb, RB Cleveland Browns
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 11)
Despite starting to take over the backfield as he should’ve all along (he played 99% of snaps last week), I think Chubb is gonna have a hard time against the Ravens this week. Boner jokes, they’re funny. Anyways, Baltimore’s defense has been stout against the run this season giving up the 3rd fewest rushing yards and 6th fewest fantasy points to the running back position. And much like the Bears’ D, I can see the Ravens’ D making the QB beat them. Baker Mayfield has not looked right so far and if that continues, the Browns offense is going to continue to struggle.

Amari Cooper, WR Dallas Cowboys
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 5)
​
Every week, there’s a call that scares me the most. This is the one for this week. Cooper will take on a Saints’ defense this week that has been lit up through the air so far. So why is he on the Dives, Hank? Well, his individual matchup isn’t one that I love. Marshon Lattimore is a solid cover corner who figures to shadow the Cowboys top option in the passing game. Additionally, news broke this week that Cooper had to get an MRI on his ankle on Wednesday. I’m not a big fan of that at all. If the Saints are smart, they’ll make another WR beat them.

Chris Godwin, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(FantasyPros Week 4 Rank: 15)

Tough matchup. A QB I don’t trust. Potential health problems. That’s a bad recipe for a young WR. This week, the 3rd year WR from Penn State will take on the Rams in LA. The Rams have been phenomenal against WRs this year as their secondary has shut down all of the passing attacks they’ve seen so far. And despite balling out last week, I don’t trust Jameis Winston at all, no matter how skrong he is. And much like Cooper, Godwin’s name popped on the injury report as well. He’s the GOD, but we should look to worship somewhere else this Sunday.

Author

Hank Mardukus is a Fantasy Football expert and a weekly columnist at Blitzed Football. You can yell at him on Twitter here.