A waiver wire darling shows up in this week's fantasy football matchups column as the injuries continue to mount. And a big-name 23-year-old running back might need to stay on fantasy benches this week.
Each week, matchup analysis like mine will only become more accurate as we learn about team and player tendencies. And last week, we ended up nailing five of our six matchups.
Like the first three weeks, I'll continue to identify and write up players that are not obviously starts or sits. Regardless of matchup, you're starting someone like Chris Olave every week, so I try to go a few layers deeper than your early-round fantasy studs.
Note: Projections refer to player props in the betting and prediction markets, which are a valuable reference tool
for anyone playing fantasy football.
Best Week 4 fantasy football matchups
C.J. Stroud vs. the Cowboys
Through three games, the Cowboys have allowed 5.5 more fantasy points per game than expected to opposing quarterbacks, based on their schedule. And Dallas knows it too, which is why it just traded a second-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Fortunately for Stroud, it's probably too soon to properly integrate Porter into the defense, and this matchup already comes with a hefty 48.5-point game total, with the favored Texans projected to score 26 points.
Stroud has been playing more aggressively than the past two seasons, as he currently ranks top-10 in average throw depth downfield. And, star receiver Nico Collins should return from a hamstring injury this week. Based on the excellent matchup, Stroud is the premier Week 4 quarterback streamer.
Braelon Allen at the Bears
At first glance, you might think the long football season has already gotten to me. Braelon Allen ... Who? The same Bears team that just held the Eagles to seven points on Monday Night Football?
Yes, the same Bears team that's quietly allowing a generous 4.9 yards per carry to running backs this season. The same Bears team that only has six days to recover from Monday night. It's a classic letdown spot for the Bears defenders after playing the game of their lives, and this Jets offense has actually been quite competent.
With Breece Hall set to miss the next couple of games, the nearly 250-pound Allen should step in and shoulder the load. Running backs have found success against the Bears both on the ground and through the air, so expect 15-18 reasonably efficient all-purpose touches for Allen.
In the betting and prediction markets, respect has already been given to Allen, too. His total yards prop is sitting at a tasty 71.5 yards, and his odds to score are nearly 50-50.
Jameson Williams at the Panthers
The Panthers had two great corners on the outside in Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, both of whom went on Injured Reserve this week. Through three games, Carolina had shut down opposing receivers on the outside, while getting pieced up in the slot. In short, opponents knew that you had to avoid the boundaries when passing against the Panthers.
I honestly don't know how a defense even attempts to overcome losing its top two corners right before facing one of the league's elite offenses. Jameson Williams has been quiet to-date, but we know the Lions view him as a valuable part of their offense given his recent extension. This is the week to start Williams, when he should feast on a motley crew of backups.
Darren Waller vs. the Lions
We're sticking with that Lions-Panthers game just a little bit longer, but now we turn to the other side. Detroit is currently allowing a preposterous 10 receptions, 117 yards, and two touchdowns per game to opposing tight ends. Yes, that is a real stat.
Wide receiver Jalen Coker's status is very much up-in-the-air for this one, and tight end Darren Waller just had a team-high eight targets last week with Coker going down early. Waller turned those targets into five receptions for 51 yards, a solid showing at the position.
This week, consider Waller a top-12 fantasy option based on the matchup.
Worst Week 4 fantasy football matchups
Jalen Hurts vs. the Rams
The Rams are top-five in pressure rate, at roughly 40% of passing plays. And they're allowing the second-fewest yards per pass play overall. For the Eagles, elite guard Landon Dickerson's IR stint is still ongoing.
Jalen Hurts has been one of the NFL's worst quarterbacks under pressure this year, averaging under four yards per attempt. I would expect the Eagles to have an improved performance compared to last week's complete debacle against the Bears on Monday Night Football.
However, it's a short week for the Eagles' offense to recover and rest up. And the Eagles are currently three-point dogs in a low 43.5-point game total. Scoring will likely be depressed in this one, and quarterbacks like Tyler Shough and Jared Goff should be considered ahead of Hurts in Week 4.
Omarion Hampton at the Seahawks
The Seahawks have allowed a paltry 2.9 yards per carry to running backs through three games, and their defensive line is one of their strengths. Leonard Williams and Byron Jones should have a field day clogging up the interior, as this is where the Chargers' offensive line is a true liability.
Zooming out, the Chargers are seven-point underdogs in a low 42.5-point game total, which means Vegas is expecting about 17 points of offense for Los Angeles. Because of game script concerns and the tough Seahawks defensive front, Hampton's rush yards prop is sitting at just 45.5 yards.
Last week, the Year 2 back only out-touched Keaton Mitchell 15-11, so the base workload appears to be shrinking. With Hampton, you're rooting for him to fall into the end zone this week in fantasy football. Call it a hot take, but I'd rather start Jets back Braelon Allen.
All Buccaneers pass-catchers vs. the Packers
Aren't the Packers bad? If you're asking that question, you're right. This is a matchups column, and the Packers defense looks like a true bottom-five unit right now. So let's look at the other side, and how the Buccaneers quarterback matches up with his receivers.
Baker Mayfield is set to miss at least three games after dislocating his thumb. Next man up is Jalon Daniels, an undrafted free agent who just spent six seasons at Kansas. He had a concerning 14-12 TD-INT ratio in 2024. And while his 2025 college season was better, his yards per pass attempt was still about as low as it gets to still end up on an NFL roster. Essentially, his improved 2025 season as a sixth-year senior was roughly the same passing efficiency as junior year Anthony Richardson, despite Richardson playing in a harder conference.
Also, Daniels is hyper mobile, with 10 carries per game last year. He should suck pass attempts out of this Tampa Bay offense, and when he does try to get the ball out to his pass-catchers, it should be inaccurate. Looking at prop lines, Emeka Egbuka (36.5 yards), Chris Godwin (26.5 yards), and Cade Otton (25.5 yards) are all priced like they're in for a rough week. You're benching all Buccaneers receivers in fantasy football until further notice.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 7 best and worst fantasy football matchups for Week 4
