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Monday Morning NFL Recap - Week 4 Surprises, Busts & Laughers

To be honest, I'm not really sure what happened this weekend.  Watching the games this week, I gave it 50-50 odds I somehow drove through some sort of weird sci-fi dimensional portal when I wasn't looking and ended up on Htrae or something and I just can't cope right now.  The Rams are winning the NFC West?  The Panthers are 1-3?  The Bills shut out the Patriots at home?  Blake Bortles was the best quarterback in the country?

(I'll pause for a second for Falcons and Steelers fans to realize the Jags played in England.  Can't really blame them for not knowing that, though, considering it was an extra-early Jaguars game which means statistically the only people who watched it on TV were the direct family members of the players.)

It got so weird today that I was seriously expecting backward language from the next person I spoke to, but then Antonio Brown was flagged and fined for a taunting penalty after scoring and I realized that the natural order was fine.  Sometimes crazy things happen in the NFL, but as they say, "birds fly, fish swim, and the stick up Roger Goodell's ass fines players for no good reason."

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So now that I've got my feet back under me, let's dive into the results of Week 4.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

 

It's Monday Morning... What Just Happened

 

The Winners:

  • Julio Jones and Matt RyanFunny story - I've got a friend who asked me for draft advice this year.  Said he was picking fourth.  I told him "Julio dude."  I am truly eloquent in text messages.  His response: "F*ck Julio," and he proceeded to draft Odell Beckham Jr.  He played against Julio this week.  I laughed.  For those who don't know, Julio Jones had 300 yards receiving on 12 catches, with a touchdown for good measure.  Matt Ryan also went supernova, passing for 500 yards and 4 TDs, and they did it all against the feared Panthers' defense.
  • Russell WilsonWilson rebounded nicely after a rough start to the season, posting 300 passing yards and 3 touchdowns.  Unfortunately for fantasy players, those passes went to C.J. Spiller, Christine Michael, and Tanner McAvoy, who I thought for a second was the guy who plays Professor Xavier nowadays.  For a brief moment, a glorious vision of mutant football sprung forth in my mind's eye, as Colossus rumbled down the field until getting blasted to the ground by one of Cyclops' optic blasts.  Sadly, though, I was misinformed, and mutant football will exist only as an increasingly battered script proposal that the NFL keeps sending back to me with a restraining order attached.  Which I feel is unfair, considering they actually made the movie Draft Day.
  • Jordan ReedAny time the game of "tight end roulette" ends with two touchdowns, you've had a good game.  Also, any time I get to use the phrase "tight end roulette," I snicker like a teenager.  I make no apologies for this.  You know what you've gotten into.  God, I can't wait for Jake Butt to get drafted.
  • Michael CrabtreeCrabtree had a monster game for the 3-1 Raiders, netting 88 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Naturally, I traded him away for Eric Decker in week 1.
  • Ben RoethlisbergerRoethlisberger may have put up a flaming wreck last week, but he made up for it in spades.  Throwing for 300 yards and 5 touchdown passes, Roethlisberger and the Steelers cruised to a 43-14 rout of the Chiefs that was never really that close.  The return of Le'Veon Bell proved to be a huge boon to the Steelers' offense, which will be sorely needed when Brown gets himself ejected by saying something mean-ish in the general vicinity of a referee one of these weeks.
  • Ezekiel ElliottZEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKE.  The rookie leads the NFL in rushing yards through 4 weeks after putting up 138 yards rushing and a touchdown.  I'd hate to say "I told you so" to all the people who told me stupid shit like "Darren McFadden will get most of the Cowboys' carries and also Zeke isn't that good" but I'm also lying, so haha I told you so.

The Losers:

  • London: Poor England.  We force the Jaguars on them annually like a five-year-old running up to his mommy and saying "look, I drew a professional football team," but mostly it's just hideous uncoordinated colors blotching up and down the page and the mom is thinking "ugh, it's just Jaguars, it doesn't look anything like a football team," and she has to stick it on the fridge anyway.  This seems mean considering the Jaguars won, but the Colts are one ambitious Van Helsing wannabe away from losing their franchise QB for good and being permanently 2-14, so we've got to keep some perspective here.
  • The NFC West: You let the Rams take the division lead.  Have you SEEN the Rams?  They have an offensive line so bad they let the 49ers hold Todd Gurley to 47 yards, and he had 52 yards after contact in that game.  That is legitimately mind-blowing, and somehow that unit is leading the NFC West.  Seriously.  Case Keenum is winning this division.  If I were a neutral fan, I'd see this and be furious.  However, I'm an Angeleno, so I'm seeing this and being all like "suck it, everyone who thinks we didn't deserve our team back."
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick again, because it's just too easy: I mean, at least it was the Seahawks this time.  The Legion of Boom.  Kansas City has a pretty decent secondary when it's not being lit up by the Steelers, but they don't have a fun name and a Campbell's commercial.  It makes sense for quarterbacks to have bad games against them.  But the fact that Fitzpatrick played two decent secondaries in a row and averaged 4.5 picks per game bodes ill for the Jets' playoff hopes.  And their fans' not dying of alcohol poisoning hopes.
  • The Patriots: Which is extra satisfying, considering the fact that in the last week I've heard the statement "We get the best quarterback in history back next week" three fucking times and it turns out that while the natural human response to smugness that concentrated is "savage beatings," those are actually against the law.  So the week's been frustrating.

All in all, it was a pretty good week of football, despite its identity-crisis-inspiring beginning.  Be sure to enjoy your victories this week.  Go out and celebrate that hard-earned fantasy win.  I suggest a nice dinner, accompanied by the adult beverage of your choosing.  Just make sure it's not TOO nice, cause you don't want Roger Goodell mailing you a penalty flag for "excessive quality of food and beverage consumption."

That fine is killer.

 




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Ezavier Crowell has Immediate Opportunity at Alabama
Terry McLaurin

a Veteran Buy for Contending Dynasty Managers
CFB

Mark Bowman a Day 1 Impact Player for USC?
Tee Higgins

Becoming an Underappreciated Dynasty Asset
CFB

Bill Belichick Says Relationship with First North Carolina Team "Wasn't Great"
Alex Caruso

Erupts for 31 Points in Game 1 Loss to Spurs
CFB

Kemario Taylor a Breakout Candidate at Quarterback
Jalen Williams

Productive in Comeback Game
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss the Undisputed Top SEC Quarterback Entering 2026?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Records First Double-Double of Postseason
CFB

Rocco Becht The "Unifier" of Penn State's Roster
Stephon Castle

Opens Conference Finals With Double-Double
Dylan Harper

Makes Outstanding Two-Way Impact in Game 1 Win
Victor Wembanyama

Dominates Game 1 Against Thunder
Mattias Samuelsson

Picks Up an Assist in Season-Ending Loss
Rasmus Dahlin

Nets Fourth Postseason Goal
Jakub Dobes

Records 37 Saves in Game 7 Win
Lane Hutson

Contributes Power-Play Assist in Game 7 Victory
Nick Suzuki

Extends Road Point Streak
Alex Newhook

Scores Series Clincher in Overtime
Jackson Holliday

Orioles Reinstate Jackson Holliday From Injured List on Monday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
Jose Altuve

Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
Larry Nance Jr.

is Questionable for Game 1 on Tuesday
OG Anunoby

is Probable for Tuesday's Game 1
Luke Kornet

is Cleared for Game 1
New Orleans Pelicans

Jamahl Mosley Agrees to Become Pelicans Next Head Coach
De'Aaron Fox

is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Monday
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Set to Start Game 7
Corey Seager

Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Tage Thompson

Can Match Franchise Record With Another Multi-Point Game
Nick Suzuki

Seeks More Road Success Monday
Lane Hutson

Riding a Five-Game Assist Streak Into Game 7
Filip Gustavsson

Needs Offseason Surgery
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Cam Skattebo

Dynasty Stock Rising Following NFL Draft
Kaleb Johnson

Logging First-Team Reps in OTAs
Evan Engram

Dynasty Value Fading After Production Decline in 2025
TreVeyon Henderson

Dynasty Outlook Clouded By Split Backfield in New England
Caleb Williams

' Dynasty Upside Remains Sky-High Entering 2026
Bijan Robinson

Is Bijan Robinson the No. 1 Overall Player in Dynasty Formats?
Woody Marks

Should Have Plenty of Opportunities to Catch Passes
Drew Allar

Working as QB4 in First OTA Session
Aaron Rodgers

Reports to Steelers Facilities on Monday
Alvin Kamara

Saints Remain Non-Committal on Alvin Kamara's Future
Chris Olave

Saints Continue to Work on Extension With Chris Olave
Parker Washington

a Sneaky Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Melquizael Costa

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 117
Jarquez Hunter

Can Jarquez Hunter's Dynasty Outlook Improve in Year 2?
Arnold Allen

Bounces Back
James Conner

Off the Dynasty Radar Entirely?
Elijah Arroyo

Will Elijah Arroyo Continue to Have Trouble Getting on the Field?
Daniel Santos

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Tre Tucker

Not a Long-Term Solution in Dynasty Leagues
MMA

Dohoo Choi Wins His Third Consecutive Fight
Malcolm Wellmaker

Suffers His Second Loss In A Row
Juan Diaz

Scores Second-Round Submission
Christian Edwards

Defeated At UFC Vegas 117
CFB

Transfer Running Back Arnold Barnes Visiting Iowa State on Monday
Modestas Bukauskas

Gets Split-Decision Win
Jack Bech

a Dynasty Hold as New-Look Raiders Offense Takes Shape
Jaydon Blue

a Low-Value Dynasty Stash Until Depth Charts are Settled
Makai Lemon

a Top-Five Pick in Dynasty Rookie Drafts
Jhostynxon Garcia

Expected to Join the Pirates on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Goes Cold in Game 7 Loss
Quinn Hughes

Open to Signing Extension This Offseason
Jalen Duren

Finishes Game 7 with Quiet Line
Cade Cunningham

Endures Cold Shooting Night Sunday
Joel Eriksson Ek

Misses Second Round Due to Heel Injury
Sam Merrill

Catches Fire in Game 7 Win
Evan Mobley

Posts Versatile Double-Double in Game 7
Jonas Brodin

Sits Out Round 2 Due to Toe Injury
Donovan Mitchell

Guides Cavaliers Into East Finals
Sam Malinski

Practices Fully Sunday
Jarrett Allen

Scores 23 Points in Cavs' Game 7 Rout of Pistons
Josh Manson

Rejoins Practice
Kevin Huerter

Active on Sunday Night
Caris LeVert

Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert Available Sunday
Dean Wade

Max Strus Replaces Dean Wade in Starting Lineup Sunday
Colt Emerson

Mariners Promoting Top Prospect Colt Emerson to Major Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Fantastic First Season Continues With Two More Homers
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Dazzles With 13-Strikeout Complete Game on Saturday
Blake Snell

to Undergo Elbow Surgery on Tuesday
Clay Holmes

Could Miss Around Three Months
Jose Altuve

Exits After Swing
Corey Seager

Absent With Back Spasms on Saturday
Jeremy Lauzon

Misses Saturday's Practice
Mark Stone

Doesn't Practice Saturday
Josh Manson

Misses Practice, Considered Day-to-Day
Brent Burns

Day-to-Day Ahead of Conference Finals
Cale Makar

Considered Day-to-Day
Trevor Story

Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Blake Snell

Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Kyle Schwarber

on a Heater, Hits Two More Homers to Take Major-League Lead
Clay Holmes

Suffers Fractured Fibula on Friday Night
Blake Snell

Heads to 15-Day Injured List
Blake Snell

Scratched From Start on Friday for Undisclosed Reasons
Max Fried

Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
CFB

Julian Sayin Looking To Build Off Of Strong Debut Season
CFB

College GameDay Set for First Three Weeks
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Aiming For Ohio State Receiving Records
CFB

Keshaun Singleton Projects as Auburn's WR1
CFB

Jeremiah Cobb Impresses New Auburn Staff
CFB

Alberto Mendoza Very Likely to Start for Georgia Tech
CFB

Charles Woodson Jr. Commits to Michigan
Jordan Westburg

to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Melquizael Costa

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Main Event
Arnold Allen

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 117
Daniel Santos

Set For UFC Vegas 117 Co-Main Event
MMA

Dohoo Choi Returns At UFC Vegas 117
Juan Diaz

Set To Make His UFC Debut
Malcolm Wellmaker

Looks To Bounce Back
Christian Edwards

Set For His UFC Debut
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Virginia Tech Lands Commitment from Four-Star QB Peter Bourque
CFB

NFL Veteran Tom Moore Joins Iowa Coaching Staff
CFB

Can Cam Cook Dominate in Return to Big 12?
CFB

ACC, Big 12 Support 24-Team College Football Playoff
CFB

Anthony Colandrea Looking to Elevate Nebraska Back to National Contention
CFB

Kwazi Gilmer Set for Big Impact at Nebraska
Justin Thomas

Trending Well Ahead of PGA Championship Despite Concerning Form
J.J. Spaun

Trending Up Ahead of PGA Championship
Adam Scott

Riding Strong Form Into PGA Championship
Patrick Reed

Looking to Make Another Run at PGA Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Looks to Build on Strong Finish at Truist Championship
Sam Burns

Must Keep Ball in Play at PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Complete Career Grand Slam at Aronimink
Brandt Snedeker

Not the Best Option for the PGA Championship
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at PGA Championship
Maverick McNealy

Seeking Better Start in Philadelphia
Harry Hall

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Aronimink
Hideki Matsuyama

Attempts to Improve Over 2025 PGA Championship
Scottie Scheffler

Looks to Defend PGA Championship at Aronimink
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Keep Momentum Rolling in Philadelphia
RANKINGS
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1B
2B
3B
SS
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SP
RP

RANKINGS

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