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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 4
10/1/15
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: Tennessee, New England

Joe Flacco

Tom Brady owners looking for a bye week replacement can take a chance on the man in Baltimore.


Grab a Helmet

Tyrod Taylor v. NYG: Tyrod Taylor, top 5 fantasy quarterback. Say that a few times, and let it sink in, because folks, it’s the truth! Taylor has displayed the athleticism and arm talent we guessed he might have, as he languished as a backup in Baltimore. Granted, I’m sure there are a few duds on the horizon, but the coaching staff is playing to his strengths right now, and he’s playing within the framework of the offense. He’s averaging 30-plus rushing yards a game, and has completed a sterling 74 percent of his passes with 8 total touchdowns. The Giants lack any semblance of a pass rush so another efficient, high-floor day is on the horizon. With Tom Terrific and Marvelous Marcus on bye, Taylor makes for a strong QB1 start.

Joe Flacco @ PIT (THU): Even though I don’t like Flacco, I do feel sorry for him. Outside of the ageless Smith, this offense has next to no offensive threats. The run game has disappeared, and Flacco has hoisted the ball up 94 times in the last two games. Historically Flacco is at his statistical worst when asked to throw that much, but back-to-back 360-plus-yard games means it’s time to pay attention. He currently sits as the QB18 in standard leagues, but on a short week he gets the shell-shocked Steelers. He threw for 6 touchdowns last year in three games vs Pittsburgh, and has a good shot for another 250-plus yards and 2-touchdown game. Flacco might not win you the week, but he won’t lose it either.

Derek Carr @ CHI: Another guy swimming in the low end QB2 pool is Derek Carr. And while I like his game (he throws a great fastball to go along with touch down the seams), I’m not ready to roll with him as my starting fantasy QB. But, he’s got some serious upside this week because he’s got a budding superstar in Amari Cooper to throw to, a threating run game to keep defenses honest, and is playing a Chicago team that’s already prepping for the 2016 draft. Going on the road to Chicago is never easy (the Bears were competitive vs. Green Bay in Week 1), but Carr has shown me enough to take the leap. He’s mint in 2-QB leagues, and might be a feisty, cheap option in daily leagues.

Grab a Headset

Matthew Stafford @ SEA: The Lions are 0-3, defenses are calling out their plays, Stafford is playing hurt, and to help right the ship they get to travel to the Seahawks, who despite earing their first win, are still fighting for their lives. There isn’t a worse quarterback match-up in the league this week. Detroit can’t run, the offense is vanilla, Calvin Johnson has lost his mystique. I could go on and on about how bad this offense is, but you get the idea. The schedule has been fairly oppressive to start the year, but I haven’t seen anything from Stafford to show me he’s taken positive steps in his development. You would have to be incredibly desperate to run Stafford out into this buzzsaw, so stay far away.

Andy Dalton v. KC: I will admit, the Red Rifle looks like he has his 2013 mojo so far in 2015. Perched in the top 3 in quarterback scoring, Dalton has an 8-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a career passing day, and a rushing touchdown. He’s hosting a downtrodden Kansas City team that was dismantled on Monday Night Football, so shouldn’t he be up above, grabbing a helmet? The Chiefs can bring the heat, and if it weren’t for some mis-cast players in the secondary, and a Hall of Famer behind center, they would have been more competitive against Green Bay. Suspended shut-down corner Sean Smith returns for the Chiefs which should provide stability in the back end. If they can get A.J. Green covered (no small task), I think Dalton will struggle to throw from his spot, and make a few mistakes. Proceed with caution.

Teddy Bridgewater @ DEN: Everyone’s darling darkhorse for a QB1 finish is barely rosterable three games into the season. With AP back rumbling through, around and over defenders, Minnesota has put the shackles on Bridgewater and asked him to manage games. He’s only attempting 24 passes a game, and most of those are within a few yards of the line of scrimmage. Bridgewater has been under 155 yards passing in two-straight games, and has accounted for only 2 touchdowns on the season. Throw in a trip to Mile High against the league’s best defense, and you have the recipe for a disaster omlet. Oh look who I may have to start this week for an injured Roethlisberger in our FFToday league! Let’s hope you aren’t as lucky as me!

Running Backs