It is so hit and miss when writing a Sleepers & Duds type stories.
But the key is consistency.
Last week, I had some big hits with Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Minnesota’s Jordan Mason as Sleepers, but then there were the misses with some Duds – Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia passing game finally woke up and Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs finally had a big role in passing game.
You win some, and you lose some.
Now let’s get into the Week 4 Sleepers and Duds.
QB Sleepers
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta
Penix Jr. was so bad last week that there was a Kirk Cousins sighting at the end of the Falcons’ 30-0 loss to Carolina.
However, this week Penix Jr. will be back under center and faces Washington’s 23rd ranked passing defense.
The Commanders have given up more than 260 passing yards in their last two games, and are giving up more than 8.7 yards per attempt in those two games.
Penix Jr. has averaged 6.87 yards per pass attempt until last week’s debacle against Carolina. There is major upside potential against Washington this week.
QB Duds
Dak Prescott, Dallas
Despite being in a great situation to have a big passing day against Chicago, Prescott fizzled against the Bears bottom 10 pass defense.
This week doesn’t get any better when the Cowboys play host to Green Bay and Micah Parsons.
The Packers are the leading the league in yards per pass attempt at 4.3. And that mark is not even close to the three other teams that are tied for second at 5.1 yards per pass attempt.
And add in a revenge game for Parsons, Prescott, who will be without top WR CeeDee Lamb (ankle), may have a very long day trying to pass the ball.
RB Sleepers
Kansas City Running Backs
Whether it is Isiah Pacheco or Kareem Hunt, a Chiefs running back should have a big game against Baltimore.
Entering the big afternoon showdown on Sunday, the Ravens rank last in fantasy points allowed to RBs, according to our Blitz Sports Media fantasy points allowed by position. The Ravens are giving up 33.6 points to RBs.
Though the Kansas City backfield has struggled this season with a middle of the pack 108.0 yards a game. Pacheco still doesn’t look like himself before his lower leg injury last season, and Hunt doesn’t have the burst of his younger days.
But the Ravens defense struggles against run give the Chiefs RBs some hope. Baltimore is giving up 149.0 yards a game, including allowing 224 yard in its Monday night loss to Detroit.
Pacheco averaged 4.5 yards a carry in the Chiefs’ road win against NY Giants last week.
RB Duds
Cam Skattebo, NY Giants
Skattebo had a breakout game in the loss to the Chiefs, but may find the road to success a little tougher vs. LA Chargers.
Skattebo had 60 rushing yards and a touchdown and added 6 receptions for 61 yards on eight targets last Sunday night, but now the Chargers bring a Top 10 rush defense to NYC.
The Chargers give up 94.7 rushing yards a game, good for 9th in the league, while only allowing 12.1 fantasy points to RBs, according to our Blitz fantasy points allowed by position.
WR Sleepers
Sterling Shepard, Tampa Bay
Shepard finds himself in a good spot this week as veteran Mike Evans will miss time with a hamstring injury.
Shepard has played at least 60 percent of the snaps in each for the Buccaneers games this season and will be called upon to help rookie Emeka Egbuka to carry the pass catching duties against Philadelphia.
For the season, Shepard has averaged 51 receiving yards a game on 11 catches.
The Eagles have given up 185.7 passing yards a game and may give Egbuka some extra attention this week leaving the door open for Shepard to excel.
WR Duds
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville
Thomas Jr. hasn’t lived up to his rookie season hype as he struggled last week until a late 46-yard catch and run.
But it’s not for lack of playing time for his second-year growing pains as he leads the WR in snaps and target share at 23.1 percent. He’s only averaging 38.3 yards a game on just 7 catches.
Now the Jaguars have to travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers and their fifth ranked passing defense. They only give up 162 passing yards a game.
After giving up 124 receiving yard to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in their first game, San Francisco has limited No. 1 receivers to only 49 yards a game.
TE Sleepers
Oronde Gadsden II, LA Chargers
Gadsden II made the most of his opportunities in his first playing time this season.
He finished with 5 catches for 46 yards on 7 targets and had two big catches on the Chargers game-winning drive in their win against Denver.
This week Gadsden, who dominated the Chargers TE targets last week, faces a NY Giants defense that gave up to 7 catches to Kansas City tight ends last week.
TE Duds
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans
Johnson has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers despite the Saints sluggish offense.
He has 19 catches on 28 targets for 176 yards and a touchdown. But now he and the Saints face their second straight road and it’s at Buffalo.
The Bills have smothered tight ends this season, giving up only 3.9 points according to our Blitz fantasy points by position.
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