Detroit Lions Defense Remains Tough to Trust in Week 4 0mLink copied!

Oct 2, 2026, 9:54 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop overcame his 2025 Week 18 demons in the final seconds of the Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil, nailing a 56-yard game-winning field goal as time expired. The AFC Special Teams Player of the Week also made a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter and all four of his point-after attempts. The Ravens' offense enters Week 4 with one of the slate's highest implied point totals at home against the Tennessee Titans, which should give Loop plenty of chances to split the uprights. With injuries to the Ravens' offensive line, the offense has a higher chance to stall within Loop's 50+-yard field goal range, giving the second-year kicker additional upside for fantasy managers. However, there is a 55% chance of rain in Baltimore at kickoff, though winds should remain relatively low. Fantasy managers should be mindful of local weather reports in case conditions worsen Sunday morning. Even so, Loop is RotoBaller's number two overall kicker for Week 4 and, with the Ravens having a late bye week this season, he is shaping up to be a long-term hold option for managers who want to avoid streaming the position.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 2, 2026, 9:53 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) won't be available for the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seahawks recently opened his practice window, but he remains ineligible for Week 4. According to Brady Henderson, Charbonnet has been looking fantastic in practice. It sounds like Charbonnet is recovering well from the torn ACL he suffered last season. There's a chance that Charbonnet is back in the mix for the Week 5 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Emanuel Wilson will likely be the lead back this weekend, with Jadarian Price (chest) also sidelined.--Andy Webb
Source: Brady Henderson

Oct 2, 2026, 9:45 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani (ribs) is a risky play in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Rookie running back Jadarian Price (chest) is slated to miss this matchup. Holani should see a decent amount of passing game usage, but he will likely cede rushing volume to Emanuel Wilson. This will be the Holani and Wilson show all game long, but it is difficult to trust Holani despite this being a neutral matchup for running backs in fantasy. Additionally, Seattle figures to be ahead for much of this matchup. As such, Holani's passing game usage could be capped. Until Week 3, in which the Seahawks played from behind for much of the game, Holani had not exceeded more than one reception in a game. Wilson is definitely the preferred Seahawks running back in Week 4. Leave Holani on waivers this week.--Quincy Milton III - RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:44 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson is in line for a big role in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seahawks will be without rookie running back Jadarian Price (chest), who picked up two DNPs to end the practice week. Wilson has been the preferred running back for carry volume behind Price throughout this season. Wilson has not been a particularly efficient runner this season, but he did manage 92 yards on 21 carries in Week 2 mop-up duty. Seattle figures to play from ahead for most of their matchup with the Chargers this weekend, which should provide Wilson with plenty of chances for touches. Wilson is unlikely to see much receiving volume this week, but he is the Seahawks' goal line back. As such, he should have a chance to fall into the end zone this weekend and accumulate decent yardage. He is a risky play because of his lack of passing game usage, but he will be the starting running back on a good offense this week. Wilson can be best viewed as a flex play in Week 4.--Quincy Milton III - RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:44 PM ET

Three games into his 2026 season, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has connected on all three of his field goal attempts and converted all 12 of his extra point tries. While the 27-year-old has been effective so far and Detroit is averaging 31 points per game, Bates' fantasy production has been held down by the Lions' touchdown-scoring efficiency so far in 2026. In Week 4, Detroit will travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. While the matchup profiles as a potentially high-scoring affair on paper, the weather forecast in Charlotte on Sunday currently calls for rain and some wind. If the elements are indeed a factor, fantasy managers should try to avoid Bates in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:42 PM ET

Three games into his 2026 season, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has recorded five catches for 92 yards on nine targets. While TeSlaa's overall line is underwhelming, he's coming off a season-high 60-yard performance in Detroit's Week 3 win over the New York Jets. In Week 4, Detroit will take on a Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.1) in the NFL through three weeks. However, Carolina's secondary is shorthanded, as starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) were both placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. With top Lions wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams occupying Carolina's defensive attention, TeSlaa could see some favorable matchups against reserve defensive backs. The Panthers offense should also be able to move the ball against Detroit's 32nd-ranked scoring defense, which could force the Lions offense into a pass-heavy game script. In deeper leagues, TeSlaa could be a decent desperation flex option for fantasy managers in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:38 PM ET

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (ankle) has been cleared to play during the upcoming Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Mitchell was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before getting through a full session on Friday. It appears the ankle issue won't be enough to keep him sidelined this weekend. Mitchell will serve as the primary backup to Omarion Hampton against a tough Seahawks defense. He looked decent on the ground last week when he rushed for 52 yards, but Mitchell remains a shaky fantasy option.--Andy Webb
Source: chargers.com

Oct 2, 2026, 9:32 PM ET

Across three games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 14 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. The 25-year-old is coming off his least productive game of the young season, as he recorded just three catches for 44 yards on four targets against the New York Jets. However, LaPorta will have a chance to bounce back in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers had a tough time containing Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in Week 3, allowing him to record 51 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine targets. Carolina's potent passing offense should also be able to move the ball against the Lions' struggling secondary, which could lead to a high-scoring, pass-heavy game script for both teams. As long as Detroit quarterback Jared Goff continues to throw the ball at his current rate (36.3 pass attempts per game), LaPorta has a chance for big production. He profiles as a solid TE1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:30 PM ET

The Baltimore Ravens DST looks to move on from its narrow 34-31 Week 3 win over the Dallas Cowboys as it hosts the Tennessee Titans in Week 4. The DST will be without star outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger), who has 17 pressures this season, tied for the league's fourth-most, and was ruled out Friday after a procedure for his broken finger. This puts a slight damper on the Ravens' pass rush, which has the league's fastest average time to pressure (2.39 seconds), and the unit ranks eighth-highest in quarterback pressure rate (39.3%). The Ravens DST will need to find ways to stress the struggling Sophomore Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who led the league in sacks taken (55) last season, without Hendrickson for the unit to meet its number two overall Week 4 projected ranking. Although the Ravens DST ranks 14th in yards allowed (321.3) and 21st in points (26) per game, the Titans offense is in a worse spot, ranking 30th in points (12.3) and 31st in yards (249.3). Nonetheless, the Titans have one of the week's lowest implied point totals, and the Ravens defense, according to cornerback Marlon Humphrey, has urgency to "get [the defense] fixed this game." The Ravens DST is a top-tier streaming option this week with high potential for turnovers and sacks at home against a low-scoring offense.--Matt McCauley
Source: Ryan Mink & Clifton Brown - Baltimore Ravens

Oct 2, 2026, 9:29 PM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has not quite gotten going in the early part of the 2026 season, recording 10 catches for 127 yards and zero touchdowns on 17 targets across three games. The 25-year-old has taken a back seat in his team's passing game so far, ranking fourth on the Lions in targets behind wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and tight end Sam LaPorta. As long as all of Detroit's main pass-catchers stay healthy, Williams may have trouble providing fantasy managers with consistent production. Still, Williams' big-play ability makes him a threat to go off in any given week. Week 4 might be a decent time for fantasy managers to bet on Williams, as he will take on the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.1) in the NFL through three weeks, but they also placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. In a relatively favorable matchup on paper, Williams profiles as a high-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:27 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry will face the Tennessee Titans for the first time in his career in Week 4 and is positioned for another bell-cow week. Last week against the Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro, Henry turned his 26 rushing attempts into 89 yards and two touchdowns, while also logging one reception for zero yards. The 32-year-old running back is dominating the Ravens' rush share, averaging 84% across the first three games. The Ravens are a heavy favorite in Week 4, which is likely to benefit Henry, who leads all qualified rushers in attempts (41), yards (220), and touchdowns (2) when playing with a lead. However, the Ravens' wounded offensive line raises concerns, with starting center Jovaughn Gwyn (ankle) and backup center Ethan Pocic (knee) both ruled out ahead of Week 4. Offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (toe), who missed Week 3, is questionable heading into the weekend after two limited practices to start the week and missing Friday due to rest. The Titans' run defense ranks top 12 in yards per rushing attempt allowed, but gives up an average of 126 rushing yards per game, and they have the third-highest opposition rush rate of 54%. Also, the Titans' interior linemen are allowing the fifth-fewest yards before contact per carry (0.8) and have the seventh-highest rate of hitting ball carriers at or behind the line of scrimmage (44.2%), according to Next Gen Stats. This should not deter managers from starting Henry, RotoBaller's sixth-ranked running back, with confidence in Week 4 as their fantasy team's RB1.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 2, 2026, 9:25 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) looks to carry the momentum from the team's thrilling 34-31 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil into Week 4 at home against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran quarterback did pop up on the injury report with a limited practice on Wednesday. Still, he logged two full practices to finish the week and heads into the weekend without an injury designation. In Rio de Janeiro, Lamar was efficient, completing 15 of 20 passes for 186 yards and two passing touchdowns, logging a 136.7 passer rating, which led all quarterbacks in Week 3. Fantasy managers were also pleased with Jackson's season-high 50 rushing yards, 33 of which were off two designed rushing attempts, also a season-high. According to Next Gen Stats, Jackson has scrambled to run on 12% of his dropbacks this season, the fourth-highest rate among qualified quarterbacks, accounting for 89 scramble rush yards, the fifth-highest in the league. Interestingly, the Titans' pass defense has allowed quarterbacks to scramble and run on 7.3% of dropbacks this season, the sixth-highest rate after three weeks, which should enable the elusive play caller to continue his success on the ground. This scramble ability may become even more necessary with the Ravens' depleted offensive line, but the Titans are allowing the NFL's longest quarterback time to throw (3.12 seconds), a bottom-third quarterback pressure rate of 33.3%, and second-lowest pressure rate against play action (17.4%) thus far. Lamar's favorite target, wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring), should be back to a full workload if he is active, which is likely to boost the two-time MVP's ability to generate more fantasy points through the air. Lamar Jackson remains a locked-in QB1 starter for fantasy managers across all league formats.--Matt McCauley
Source: ESPN

Oct 2, 2026, 9:23 PM ET

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler recently signed a one-year deal with the organization. He's back with Washington after only playing two games last season due to a torn Achilles tendon. The expectation was that Ekeler would play a depth role, but he might have a bigger impact than expected right away. Fellow back Rachaad White (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Week 4 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Jacory Croskey-Merritt will be the lead back with Kaytron Allen and Ekeler getting snaps behind him. Ekeler might be on the field more than expected during his first game back with the team.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 2, 2026, 9:22 PM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a quiet game by his lofty standards in Week 3, recording four catches for 19 yards and a touchdown on eight targets against the New York Jets. However, the 26-year-old is still off to an excellent start to the season, as he's hauled in 23 receptions for 225 yards and five touchdowns on 35 targets across three games. In Week 4, St. Brown and the Lions will go on the road to take on the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been tough to throw on so far in 2026, allowing the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.1) in the NFL. However, Carolina placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. Particularly if the Lions' defense continues to struggle and Detroit is forced to turn to the air, St. Brown could be well-positioned to have a big day. Even coming off the down week, St. Brown remains a must-start WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:18 PM ET

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has seen little involvement in his team's offense so far in 2026, recording 75 scrimmage yards on 12 touches across three games. However, the 25-year-old had his usage scaled up in Detroit's Week 3 win over the New York Jets, recording six carries for 26 yards and an 11-yard reception while playing a season-high 31% of his team's offensive snaps. As long as superstar Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs remains healthy, Vaki's production upside is limited. Still, Gibbs currently leads the NFL in touches, which may not be sustainable if Detroit hopes to keep him healthy throughout an 18-week season. If he sees another small bump in workload, Vaki could have some chances to score fantasy points in his Week 4 matchup against the Panthers. Carolina has had trouble against the run early on, allowing an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per carry and six total rushing touchdowns through three games. Vaki should not yet be trusted as a starter, but he could be worth stashing in deeper league formats.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:16 PM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has not been able to find much success early in the season. Heading into Week 4, Sutton has recorded eight receptions on 16 targets for 82 yards with zero touchdowns. The veteran wideout did finish with a team-high 46 receiving yards last week. The expectation was that the addition of Jaylen Waddle this offseason would hurt Sutton, but it wasn't supposed to make him irrelevant. Fantasy managers shouldn't give up on the veteran wideout just yet. He has posted top-15 seasons in each of the last two years, so give him some time to get going. We'll see if it gets better for Sutton against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4.--Andy Webb
Source: Pro Football Reference

Oct 2, 2026, 9:15 PM ET

Across three games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 463 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 83 touches. Gibbs has been productive on the ground, averaging over 100 rushing yards per game and collecting four rushing touchdowns. He's also taken on an even larger role in the Lions' passing game this season, hauling in 18 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets. Gibbs could be poised for another high-usage day in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have had major issues defending the run so far this season, allowing an NFL-worst 5.7 yards per carry and six total rushing touchdowns. Even if the Lions find themselves chasing points, Gibbs' involvement as a receiver out of the backfield should provide him with a safe production floor. Gibbs profiles as a must-start, high-end RB1 option for fantasy managers in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 9:13 PM ET

Three games into his 2026 season, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 70.6% of his pass attempts for 806 yards, eight touchdowns, and zero interceptions. With the Lions' defense struggling, Goff is averaging 36.3 pass attempts per game and has led the Detroit offense to three straight 30-plus-point performances. In Week 4, Goff and the Lions could find themselves in another high-scoring affair against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has been fairly stingy against the pass so far this season, allowing the fifth-fewest yards per pass attempt (6.1) in the NFL. However, the Panthers placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. If Carolina's offense torches Detroit's 32nd-ranked pass defense, Goff could turn to the air early and often against the Panthers' banged-up secondary. Fantasy managers should view Goff as a solid QB1 option in Week 4.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Oct 2, 2026, 6:59 PM ET

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (foot) is off the injury report after practicing in full all week. Waddle was seen wearing a boot on his foot after Week 3's win over the Los Angeles Rams, but head coach Sean Payton was not concerned. He is now good to go for Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers. In three games, Waddle has caught 11 of 20 targets for 150 yards and added 14 rushing yards on one carry. He's played just 68% of snaps and 74% of routes, but has been used in every alignment in the offense except the offensive line this season. He faces the 49ers in Week 4, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season, including strong performances against Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Marvin Harrison Jr. While Waddle is off the injury report, he carries some risk in a tougher matchup.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Zac Stevens - DNVR

Oct 2, 2026, 6:51 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has gotten off to a slow start to the 2026 season despite heavy usage. In three games, Brown has 49 carries for 197 yards and a touchdown, plus 10 receptions for 32 yards, averaging 11.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game. Brown has played 70% of the snaps so far this season, which ranks among the best among NFL running backs. However, his receiving role hasn't been as much of a factor, averaging just 10.7 yards per game through the air. He's relying more on his rushing ability, but that could be hard to come by in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which allowed the fewest fantasy points in 2025 and has allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards so far this season. While Brown is likely to bounce back, his receiving role will need to improve for him to be the low-end RB1 fantasy managers drafted him to be.--Nathan Harvey
Source: RotoBaller