This is my 1,300th FF4W post, which for the superstitious might seem ominous. And given what's happened outside the NFL bubble the past 24 hours, maybe I should be more superstitious. A lot of things could change in our country in the coming weeks. For now, as always, let's stick to football while we can.
A good segue is COVID's impact on the Titans and Steelers, with their game rescheduled for Week 7. The NFL has some room to maneuver because of bye weeks and potential regular-season extensions. If the NBA can go on hiatus for months and then return so LeBron James can get a fourth ring (slight exaggeration, but some of you get what I'm saying), then surely--as reader Elizabeth Porter pointed out a few days ago--the NFL season could go 'til next spring if needed.
So right now Roger Goodell seems to have things under control.
But reportedly Tennessee won't return to game action until infections have been contained or eradicated. So what if a week from now they're still sidelined? And what if two more teams are forced to postpone their games? At some point, reshuffling schedules could become untenable. There's a tipping point. We're not close to getting there, but it's easier to foresee than it was last week.
As I wrote this summer, this season more than any other, it's essential to have deep benches. If your league doesn't, consider asking your commissioner to set up a FAAB-based expansion next Wednesday, adding 3-4 more roster spots--or else add 2-3 IR spots. These unusual times call for unusual midseason adjustments to help ensure everyone can compete even if some teams unexpectedly cancel their next game.
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A quick look at unconventional Week 4 bargains--the kinds most experts aren't spotting. At QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick (expert-consensus QB-15) is in a prime spot keeping up with an unstoppable Seattle offense, while Tom Brady (QB-17) should be at least moderately better than advertised against the seemingly perennially injury-plagued Chargers D. On the flip side, I'm not ready to anoint Joe Burrow (QB-11) as a must-start fantasy quarterback. While he might be fine this week, he won't meet expectations.
At RB, skipping past injured players who appear to be returning (like the undervalued Chris Carson), and the starters who are bolstered by teammates' recently announced injuries (like the undervalued Ronald Jones), I like Mike Davis (RB-18) given his major passing-game usage and Darrell Henderson (RB-19) against the beatable Giants. Full disclosure: I have both guys, and often don't prop up my own guys. But I genuinely see both as top-14 options this week. On the flip side, fantasy people haven't seemed to catch on yet that as good as Jonathan Taylor (RB-5) is, he's caught only three balls the last two games and is leaning toward more of a TD-dependent RB1.
At WR, I'll continue to heap praise on Anthony Miller (WR-55), and for the second straight week I like Justin Jefferson (WR-36) surprising managers. On the flip side, one huge game out of Allen Robinson doesn't merit a WR-6 ranking, especially with Nick Foles at the helm. Robinson would do well to snag six balls for 70 yards, but not nine for 100 and a score.
At TE, O.J. Howard (TE-25) is a deep cut worth taking seriously with Chris Godwin out. On the flip side, T.J. Hockenson needs some luck to meet his TE-9 ranking, particularly with Kenny Golladay back in the fold.