RADIO
Danny Boily looks at fantasy football landmines, busts, and avoids for Week 4 of 2025. Given these fantasy situations, consider benching these players.
We’re through the initial chaos of the season, and by Week 4, you should have a decent read on your fantasy roster. The problem is, so does everyone else. With no teams on a bye week, your lineup decisions just got tougher, with a full complement of players to choose from. This is where championships are quietly won—by avoiding the duds.
We’re here to identify the landmines. These are the players with name recognition, players you may usually slot into your lineup without a second thought, but who are set up for failure this week. Brutal matchups, troubling usage patterns, and other red flags are waving.
If you have a viable pivot, now is the time to use it.
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Dak Prescott, QB, vs. Green Bay Packers
Through three weeks, Dak Prescott has been pedestrian, ranking as the QB19 with a meager 16.67 points per game. His 6.3 yards per attempt suggests an offense that is struggling to generate explosive plays, and things are about to get much, much worse.
The Cowboys will be without superstar receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has been officially ruled out with an ankle injury. That thrusts George Pickens, in his first year with the team, into the alpha role against a ferocious Green Bay defense. To compound the issue, this marks the return of Micah Parsons, the former Cowboy-turned-Packer, who will be playing with an unquantifiable amount of motivation.
The Packers' defense is a statistical nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. They have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to the position all season (11.43 per game) and have surrendered only three passing touchdowns. Their pass rush has been revamped, jumping from 18th in pressures last season to sixth this year, and their red zone defense is the third-best in the NFL. Without his top weapon and facing a motivated Parsons leading a swarming defense, Prescott is a high-end QB2 at best this week.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, vs. Carolina Panthers
Managers who drafted Rhamondre Stevenson are likely in a state of perpetual frustration. He’s currently the RB25, but his hold on the Patriots' backfield is slipping through his fingers—literally. Fumbles have once again become a major issue, with two lost fumbles in last week’s loss to Pittsburgh.
That poor ball security has eroded the coaching staff’s trust, and the box score tells the story. Stevenson was outrushed by both Antonio Gibson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson, with his snap share at a concerning 50% on the season. The coaches have publicly stated their intent to get Henderson more involved, signaling a full-blown committee (or job loss) is on the horizon.
Now he faces a Carolina Panthers defense that is flying high after shutting out the Falcons in Week 3. They’ve allowed only five total touchdowns all season (second-best in the NFL) and have been particularly stout against the run, giving up just two rushing scores. With a diminishing role and a matchup against a confident, stingy defensive front, Stevenson’s floor has completely fallen out. He belongs on your bench until further notice.
Rhamondre Stevenson fumbles before breaking the plane. #Steelers recover the #Patriots' fumble and take over.
This is Stevenson's 2nd fumble today pic.twitter.com/ozME4blM5U
— New England Sports Fellow (@NESportsFellow) September 21, 2025
Jameson Williams, WR, vs. Cleveland Browns
Jameson Williams has been a bright spot for the Lions, performing as a solid WR3 and finding the end zone. He’s a dynamic playmaker, and it’s tempting to lock him into your lineup, especially in an offense that has looked explosive. This week, however, he runs headfirst into a defensive brick wall.
The Cleveland Browns' defense isn’t just good; it's dominant. They are allowing a league-best 204.3 total yards per game and have suffocated every offense they’ve faced. With 11 sacks on the season, their pass rush terrorizes quarterbacks, forcing errant throws into a secondary that has locked down opposing receivers. The Browns rank ninth in fewest fantasy points allowed to the position.
While the Lions' offense is potent, this matchup has all the makings of a low-scoring, defensive slugfest. Williams’ fantasy value is tied to his big-play ability, but his underlying metrics—a modest 12.1% target share and zero end zone targets—show he isn't the primary option. Against this elite defense, those deep shots will be few and far between. It’s a week to fade the Lions' speedster.
Zach Ertz, TE, vs. Atlanta Falcons
Just when we thought he was fading, Zach Ertz has turned back the clock, re-emerging as a reliable fantasy force. He’s the TE7 on the season, commanding a healthy 15.8% target share and averaging over 10 fantasy points per game. He has been a set-and-forget starter for many managers who snagged him in the later rounds.
That reliable production, however, is about to collide with the NFL’s premier tight end lockdown unit. The Atlanta Falcons are not just good against the position; they are a statistical black hole, allowing a league-best 3.6 fantasy points per game to tight ends. It’s a matchup that effectively removes the position from the field of play for fantasy purposes.
While Ertz may be searching for some rhythm with backup Marcus Mariota, this Falcons defense is a different beast entirely. They boast the NFL's number one pass defense (131 yards/game) and the second-best total defense. Ertz’s production is bound to regress hard against a unit this dominant. Despite his impressive start, he is the textbook definition of a landmine in Week 4.
Xavier Worthy, FLEX, vs. Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy managers who stashed the electric Xavier Worthy have been patiently waiting for his return. After being injured on a freak play in Week 1, he’s set to make his debut in a potential shootout against the Baltimore Ravens. The temptation to immediately plug him into your flex spot is immense, but you must resist.
Worthy is returning from a significant shoulder injury and is expected to wear a brace, raising serious questions about his health and effectiveness. Coaches will likely ease him back into action with a limited snap count, making it difficult for him to see the volume needed for a productive fantasy day.
While the Ravens have given up some yardage to receivers, they’ve been stingy near the goal line, allowing only five passing touchdowns all season. Throwing a player returning from a shoulder injury into that buzzsaw is a massive risk. The ceiling is high, but the floor is a goose egg. Let him prove his health on the field before you trust him in your lineup.
Xavier Worthy #chiefs
Confirmed shoulder dislocation which is exactly how it looked. Kelce hits him from the front so most likely a posterior dislocation.
Two possible outlooks
1: Rehabs and returns to play. NFL average return to play is within 3 weeks. Would not expect a hit… pic.twitter.com/YWgzODNQSm
— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) September 7, 2025
Final Thoughts
Navigating the early part of the season is about adapting and making unemotional, data-driven roster moves. Starting your studs is a sound strategy, but blindly trusting big names in terrible situations is how you lose manageable matchups.
This week, the data screams caution for Prescott, Stevenson, Williams, Ertz, and Worthy. As you set your lineups, don’t just look at last week’s box score. Dig a little deeper into metrics like snap percentage, air yards, and red zone target share.
These underlying numbers often reveal who is poised to break out and who is a potential landmine waiting to happen. Play the matchups, trust the process, and secure that Week 4 victory.
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