If we thought Week 2 was rough for injuries, Week 3 entered the chat and chose violence. The injury report just keeps getting longer, leaving fantasy managers scrambling to patch the holes in their lineups and figure out who they can trust this week.
That’s where streaming can save you. Whether you’re replacing an injured starter, dealing with an underperforming player or just looking to take advantage of a great matchup, I have you covered. Here are the players I’m targeting for productive fantasy performances in Week 4.
QB: C.J. Stroud, Houston vs Dallas
Why I like him: Although Houston may still be searching for its first win, that doesn’t mean Stroud hasn’t been giving fantasy managers serviceable production. He’s averaging 15.7 fantasy points per game, and Houston hasn’t been shy
about putting the ball in his hands. Stroud has 794 passing yards through three games, the seventh-most in the league.
Now he gets a Lone Star State showdown against a Dallas defense that has been very friendly to opposing quarterbacks. While the Cowboys are only allowing a shade over 200 passing yards per game, they are surrendering a passer rating of 123.2 – the second-highest mark in the league – and are only one of four teams who have yet to force an interception.
In a season already marred by injuries and some seriously underwhelming quarterback play, many fantasy managers may find themselves streaming the position in Week 4. Stroud’s passing volume, combined with this matchup, makes him a smart place to turn.
The play: If you’re scrambling for a quarterback this week, Stroud is an easy streamer to trust. The volume is already there, and Dallas gives him one of his best opportunities yet to turn those passing yards into a fantasy day with more points.
RB: Bucky Irving & Kenny Gainwell, Tampa Bay vs Green Bay
Why I like them: Yes, I’m giving you two running backs from the same backfield, and I’m doing it on purpose.
Despite missing Tampa Bay’s final two possessions against Minnesota in Week 3, Irving is not expected to carry an injury designation into Week 4, according to head coach Todd Bowles. That’s important because the Buccaneers will have undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels under center after Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb. Tampa Bay loved what it saw from Daniels in the preseason, but I still can’t imagine the Bucs asking their rookie quarterback to come out slinging it on his first start. This feels like a week to lean heavily on the ground game and let Daniels get comfortable.
Fortunately, Green Bay is exactly the defense you want to face with that plan. The Packers, still without Micah Parsons, allow a league-high 24.6 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, who average 4.36 yards per carry against them.
Irving hasn’t exactly been making a ton of noise this season, but he’s quietly sitting at RB15 in fantasy production through three weeks. He’s the obvious play here.
Gainwell is where I’m willing to get a little more creative. He’s basically been on a milk carton for the first three weeks, so I’m certainly not pretending his usage has been encouraging. But this is a matchup-specific recommendation. If Tampa Bay protects Daniels with a run-heavy approach, there should be enough work for a second back to get involved. Gainwell’s pass-protection ability could also help keep him on the field while the rookie settles into the pocket.
The play: Irving should be in your lineup as an RB2 against a Green Bay defense that has been a gift to opposing running backs. Gainwell is the deeper-league streamer and a desperation Flex play for managers dealing with injuries.
WR: Josh Downs, Indianapolis vs Washington
Why I like him: With Alec Pierce on IR, targets in Indianapolis have become increasingly concentrated among Downs, Keenan Allen and Tyler Warren. Downs has a slight edge among the trio, with a 24.5% target share, and he also leads the team in first-read target percentage. In other words, he isn’t just benefiting from Pierce’s absence. He’s becoming a priority in this passing game.
Downs couldn’t ask for a much better matchup in Week 4. Washington is allowing the most fantasy points and touchdowns per game to opposing wide receivers this season. If that isn’t enough to get your attention, the Commanders also allow 42.9% of their opponents’ total fantasy production to come from wide receivers.
The opportunity is there, the matchup is about as exploitable as it gets and Downs is already commanding the kind of target share we want to see from a streamer.
The play: Downs is a strong WR2/WR3 play and one of my favorite streaming options for the week.
TE: Darren Waller, Carolina vs Detroit
Why I like him: The Lions have been incredibly vulnerable against tight ends this season, allowing the most receiving yards and touchdowns to the position through three weeks. Opposing tight ends are averaging a whopping two touchdowns and over 100 yards per game against Detroit, making this one of the best matchups you can ask for at a position where reliable fantasy production can be tough to find.
Even better, Week 3 showed us that Waller doesn’t have to be completely touchdown-dependent to help your lineup. He caught five of his eight targets for 51 yards, giving us some encouraging volume and a usable fantasy day without finding the end zone.
There’s also reason to like how Waller fits into this Carolina offense. The Panthers rank 12th in EPA per play with 12 personnel, giving them even more incentive to keep their tight ends involved. With Waller’s growing role and a Detroit defense that has struggled mightily against tight ends, this is a matchup I want to exploit.
The play: Waller is a strong streaming option at tight end in Week 4 and belongs in starting lineups if you’ve been searching for consistency at the position.
FLEX: Michael Pittman, Jr. Pittsburgh vs Cleveland
Why I like him: Week 4 will be Pittman’s second game back from plantar fasciitis, and another week removed from the injury should help. He was targeted five times by Aaron Rodgers in Week 3, his season-high to date, an encouraging sign as he works his way back into the offense.
Yes, Pittman also had a drop that led to a now-viral clip of Rodgers making his displeasure very clear. But Pittman has historically been a reliable pass catcher, so I’m not particularly worried about one bad moment. More importantly, this feels like a good week to get back in his quarterback’s good graces.
The matchup certainly helps. Cleveland is allowing 36.2 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers through three weeks, the seventh-highest in the league. With Pittman getting healthier, his targets trending in the right direction and a favorable matchup on deck, Week 4 sets up nicely for a bounce-back performance.
The play: Pittman is a solid WR3/Flex option this week with enough upside to outperform that designation.
One Last Thing
This is the time of year when some fantasy managers lose interest after a rough start. Don’t be that guy or gal in your league. Keep hustling. Pay attention to usage, chase the right matchups and keep working the waiver wire. A bad start doesn’t mean a bad season, and there’s still plenty of football left to turn things around. Make it through Week 4, and then we’ll worry about Week 5. Keep grinding.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Stacy’s Streamers: Six Players to Start in Week 4
