CINCINNATI BENGALS
10/9/2026

LOOKING BACK
The Bengals lost for the second straight game to the Jaguars, 22-17. QB Joe Burrow was 39-54 for 428 yards but with just one touchdown and two interceptions. His numbers are big but he just doesn’t seem right to my eye. RB Chase Brown was terrible (9 rush, 10 yards) and the overall run game is just not being used. Fifteen rushes total in a close game for only 23 yards. WR Tee Higgins had a huge game (11-157-0) with WR Ja’Marr Chase going out early with a concussion but then Higgins left with a core injury. Chase had a 3-27-0 line. WR Dohnte Meyers had a 7-82-0 line and is different than either Chase or Higgins in that he has some wiggle to his game that can break one on any play. Not happened yet but its there. TE Mike Gesicki had a 3-40-1 line and is a good play at tight end outside someone like TE Brock Bowers. PK Evan McPherson was not good just because of opportunity. He had one field goal and just two extra points.
On defense, LB Barrett Carter had 11 tackles while LB Demetrius Knight Jr had 6. DL Boye Mafe had a sack as did DT Dexter Lawrence, DT Kris Jenkins and DE Myles Murphy.

LOOKING FORWARD
This week, the Bengals travel to Miami to face the winless Dolphins.
QUARTERBACK
QB Joe Burrow is a guy you play no matter what. The Dolphins defense has been stingy against the pass based on numbers from Ryan McDowell on his weekly flow chart. Miami has allowed just one top 12 finish to a quarterback this season.
RUNNING BACK
The reason the Dolphins have not given up much to quarterbacks and receivers is because teams have been so successful running the ball. Miami has allowed five top 24 games this season to runners.
RB Chase Brown, for my money, is easily the guy the Bengals should lean on in this one. If not, if the volume is not there, then the coaches (specifically play caller and head coach Zac Taylor) need to be evaluated strongly and, quite frankly, replaced after the bye week.
RB Samaje Perine and the rest of the runners on the roster are non rosterable for your fantasy team.
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR Ja’Marr Chase and WR Tee Higgins are both dealing with injuries and it is my opinion for the betterment of the team, they should not play this week. Get fully healthy for a big run after the bye. Keep your eye on the pre-game news, though, to see their status. If healthy and starting, you probably have to play both.
Beyond that, though, this might be the time to go with WR Dahnte Meyers who would be a solid play even if Chase and Higgins are healthy.
TIGHT END
TE Mike Gesicki is more like a third receiver than a tight end. He hasn’t played a lot of snaps but has been startable. He is worth playing. Miami has allowed three top 12 games to tight ends this season. None of the other tight ends are there yet. Bench em.
KICKER PK Evan McPherson is one of the best in the NFL. Start him.
IDP
If you are in a league that uses defensive tackles, DL Dexter Lawrence is an obvious play. DE Myles Murphy and DE Boye Mafe are veterans who can post solid numbers. DE Shemar Stewart was highly productive in his season debut against the Texans but did not play a snap against the Steelers. DE Cashius Howell, the first draft pick this year for the Bengals, looks like the real deal. A great long-term play.
At linebacker, LB Barrett Carter and LB Demetrius Knight Jr are now second year players who are expected to lead the way. Knight is the guy to play but he was benched for a series last week. Keep an eye on that.
In the secondary, DB Dax Hill, DB Bryan Cook are the top plays but might not be solid plays for your team.
End.

Mark Huber

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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
10/7/2026

Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts as the Colts return from Europe with a 2-2 record, and head to Pittsburgh to face the 2-2 Steelers:

LAST WEEK’S GAME: It was ugly and they appeared to be very slow as if they were playing in knee-deep mud all game. There is no way this team deserves to be 2-2 right now, and they are only so because they eked out wins over a 0-4 team and a 1-3 team in the last two weeks. They faced a thoroughly depleted and otherwise mediocre (but superior to Indy) team, and really barely won. A third string passer making his pro debut looked better than our $88 million veteran signal caller. The Colts turned the ball over early and often, and were stagnant offensively. But…the Commanders helped out with a ton of penalties and their own inefficiencies on 3rd and 4th down to give the Colts a decidedly closer-then-it-seems 30-13 win over in jolly old England. Taylor was super as usual, averaging a tick under 5 YPC and scoring twice. Thank goodness for him and Shrader, eh?

INJURIES/ROSTER: Sorry about the WR Keenan Allen issue last week; he injured his groin in London on Friday after I had submitted the report. He looks to be on track to play this week. Interesting that WR Darius Slayton was again a healthy scratch, since he was brought in with the assumption he could pick up the offense quick and contribute. There have been a lot of rumors (for the obvious plethora of reasons) that the Colts will trade for underutilized Marvin Harrison Jr. from the Cardinals, which would help this team but not anytime soon. The wimpy pass rush suffered two more hits as DE Michael Clemons was added to IR and DE Arden Key looks likely to miss time as well. They added veteran journeyman DE Carl Lawson to the practice squad, but he will be a rotation spot player at best. There were a couple of guys that got minor dings in the London game, but as of Wednesday night none are expected to miss the game this week as a result.

QUARTERBACK: Can’t get excited to start QB Daniel Jones, especially against a team with a solid pass rush and decent playmaking corners. He is the lowest scoring fantasy quarterback in the NFL among those that have actually started more than one game. He has scored the same number of points as Caleb Williams…who has played 1.5 games. Commanders’ third stringer Athan Kaliakmanis in a half last week scored more than Jones is averaging all season. Egads. He is unstartable and unrosterable right now, even in two-QB leagues.

RUNNING BACK: Yeah, you start RB Jonathan Taylor every week. Duh. He has yet to have a real “JT-like” game and has yet to top 100 yards rushing, but he still is a top-5 overall scorer scorer in both PPR and non-PPR systems since he scores so often. He has scored two TDs in 3 of his 4 games thus far, and is in the top 5 in rushing attempts, yards and total TDs. Steelers are not particularly proficient at stopping the run of the fantasy runner thus far, so I expect a high-volume and solid day for Taylor again.

WIDE RECEIVER: What a mess. WR Josh Downs was the only reasonable option at receiver last week in London, and he darn near posted a goose egg (3-16) for many fantasy owners. When the backup receivers and a back get more targets, can you really call yourself a lead receiver for your team? WR Keenan Allen returned to practice after missing last week, and is on track to start on Sunday; his mere presence should help free up Downs and Warren a bit more this week. Ashton Dulin and WR Laquon Treadwell may fill in as co-starters again this week, and neither is exciting even if that happens. I am not convinced there even will be enough total volume in the air to merit starting any of these guys, quite frankly. WR TIGHT END:If you are in a PPR league, TE Tyler Warren is still returning some value due to his leading the team in targets, receptions and receiving TDs. But in standard leagues, he is not even a top 15 option since his yardage is WAY down; if you are in a non-PPR league you are probably considering a platoon based on matchup, but likely are starting him due to weekly upside. The Steelers are middle of the pack in defending the fantasy position, but to be fair they have not played the upper echelon of targets. They have only allowed 13 tight end receptions thus far, although they have allowed a tight end to score each of the last two weeks. He is a solid, but probably a low-ceiling play even in PPR this week.

KICKER: PK Spencer Shrader is becoming a must-start guy. After a shaky week 1, he has posted three consecutive top-five totals and is the top scoring fantasy kicker over the last three weeks. The Steelers also have allowed 3 FGAs per game so far in 2026, the 3rd most in the NFL, so there should be opportunities. Aside from Taylor, this guy is the only must-start for fantasy in Indy right now.

DEFENSE: Aside from an inspired DL DeForest Buckner, the rest of the defense is playing as if they are lost and confused. Even the alleged strength of the defense (the secondary) struggled mightily in coverage the last few weeks. Now the Steelers have been fairly generous this year to opposing fantasy defenses, allowing the 4th-most PPG and 2nd-most sacks, but I question if the Colts are capable of taking advantage of their sketchy pass blocking and elderly quarterback. There are much stronger options to start this week on the waiver wire, most likely, even with a couple teams on a bye. Top pick LB CJ Allen has been almost invisible and has rarely seen the field through four weeks, and the team says he is still very confused on the field (maybe another early round bust for this team?).

OVERALL: No matter what the records and statistics say, it is hard to overlook the fact that the Steelers have been an absolute thorn in the side of the Colts, and that both Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field each have been a personal house of horrors for the Colts during their entire tenure in Indianapolis. And the games (especially in Pittsburgh) have generally been hideous beatdowns as well. The Steelers lead the all-time series 28-8, and the record is 19-3 since the Colts moved to Indy. The Colts have not won in Pittsburgh since 2008…and that was their only road win since the move from Baltimore. The Steelers are healthier, steadier, have more playmakers on either side of the ball. In addition, the Colts have traveled back from Europe, while the Steelers are coming off a mini-bye having played on Thursday. And on that Thursday, they lost to their hated rival, the Browns, so they will be in a foul mood. This one has all the earmarks of another curb stomping. Let’s go with the Steelers in a laugher this week, 34-13.

That is all for this week from the Crossroads of America. Good luck in your week 5 games!

End.

Chris Rito

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DENVER BRONCOS
10/6/2026

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Denver Broncos 24–14 at Levi's Stadium to move to 4–0 on the season. The game started slow offensively, with both defenses holding strong. Denver led 3–0 for most of the first half until San Francisco tied it at 3–3 going into halftime. In the third quarter, 49ers defensive back Siran Neal stripped Broncos returner Marvin Mims Jr. on a punt return and recovered the fumble at the Denver 28-yard line. That turnover setup the game's first touchdown, a 1-yard pass from Brock Purdy to Deebo Samuel Sr., putting San Francisco up 10–3. The 49ers offense scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-half possessions. Christian McCaffrey added a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to build a lead, but Denver cut the score to 17–14 late in the fourth quarter. With just over two minutes remaining, Brock Purdy hit George Kittle on a 56-yard touchdown pass to put the game out of reach at 24–14.
San Francisco 49ers :
Brock Purdy (QB): 19/30 for 218 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs. Bounced back from a slow first half to lead three second-half TD drives.
George Kittle (TE): 4 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD—highlighted by the game-sealing 56-yard touchdown catch late in the 4th quarter.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR): Totaled 70 yards from scrimmage (44 rushing yards on 3 carries, 26 receiving) and scored a 1-yard touchdown catch.
Mike Evans (WR): Led all receivers with 5 catches for 76 yards while battling through a rib injury.
Dre Greenlaw (LB): Led the defense with 12 total tackles.
Siran Neal (DB/ST): Provided the game's biggest momentum shift with a forced fumble and recovery on special teams.
Denver Broncos:
Bo Nix (QB): 25/42 for 214 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs.
RJ Harvey (RB): Active out of the backfield with 10 receptions for 68 yards alongside 25 rushing yards.
Jaylen Waddle (WR): Caught 5 passes for 35 yards and Denver's lone receiving touchdown.
Alex Singleton (LB): Stood out on defense, leading the Broncos with 14 total tackles and a tackle for loss.
Siran Neal’s forced fumble on Marvin Mims Jr. gave San Francisco short field position to score their first touchdown and seize momentum in a tight defensive battle. The 49ers offensive line kept Purdy clean without allowing a single sack, allowing the offense to go 9-of-14 for 129 yards and 2 TDs in the second half. San Francisco capitalized when it mattered most, using Deebo Samuel's dynamic chunk runs and George Kittle's 56-yard TD sprint to put the game away.
Denver Broncos @ LA Chargers
The Denver Broncos (2–2) travel to SoFi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Chargers (0–4). Denver enters following a tough 24–14 loss to the undefeated San Francisco 49ers, while the Chargers are still searching for their first win of the season. Denver Broncos
Bo Nix (QB): Nix has shown strong flashes with his dual-threat mobility, but needs to cut down on slow starts and sustain drives through four quarters.
RJ Harvey Harvey's passing-game usage out of the backfield has become a vital check-down option.
Patrick Surtain II (CB): The All-Pro cornerback will be tasked with shutting down the Chargers' primary wideouts and containing vertical shots downfield if healthy.
Nik Bonitto & Zach Allen (Pass Rush): Edge threat Nik Bonitto leads a relentless front seven that excels at forcing quick decisions and creating backfield chaos.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert (QB): Despite facing heavy pressure and persistent pass-protection issues, Herbert remains one of the league's top arm talents, capable of extending plays and mounting fourth-quarter drives.
Omarion Hampton (RB): The sophomore running back brings physicality and goal-line execution, serving as a primary focal point in the rushing attack.
Ladd McConkey (WR): Herbert's most reliable target in key third-down situations, using polished route running to generate quick separation. He suffered a foot injury against the Seahawks and may not be available.
Khalil Mack & Derwin James Jr. (Defense): Mack continues to anchor the edge rush, while James flies around in the secondary as the defensive leader.
The Chargers have struggled heavily in pass protection due to injuries along their interior line. Denver’s pass rush (Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, and Justin Strnad) must disrupt Justin Herbert’s rhythm early, collapse the pocket, and force rushed decisions. Denver has struggled with slow first-half offensive starts in recent weeks. Bo Nix must establish early rhythm throws to Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram, and Jaylan Waddle to avoid long third-down situations. Taking care of the football and dominating the turnover battle will be crucial, particularly on special teams where ball security was an issue against San Francisco. With Herbert often forced to release the ball quickly behind an banged-up line, linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad must rally quickly on check-downs and limit yards after the catch.
Orangeman’s Take The Broncos are struggling across the board on defense. The team is clearly suffering from not having Jonathon Cooper and John Franklin-Myers, and the linebacking group is a bottom-tier unit. With Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss both hurt, this unit could suffer even further. The Broncos have no running game to speak of. When Nix goes down field, his receivers are dropping passes, or he's off the mark. With Jonah Coleman still on IR and not eligible to come off until October 25th, Harvey needs to see the bulk of the carries. The Courtland Sutton we're seeing this season is not at all the Courtland Sutton of old, his separation skills are simply not there and nothing is working right now for him. In “the race to get better,” the Broncos fell further behind on Sunday, because most of their problems heading into the game remain unsolved.

Fantasy Outlook
Player PPR points

Quarterback
Bo Nix 16-17

Running Back
JK Dobbins 9-12
RJ Harvey 9-15
Tyler Badie 2-4

Wide Receiver
Courtland Sutton 9-13
Jaylen Waddle 11-16
Troy Franklin 6-9
Lil’Jordan Humphrey 0-2
Marvin Mims, Jr 3-5

Tight Ends
Evan Engram 5-7
Adam Trautman 2-3
Nate Adkins 2-3

Kicker
Wil Lutz 6-8

DST
Broncos D’ST 4-15

Good luck this week!

End.

Charles Rives

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LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
10/8/2026

Last week, the winless Chargers fell to the Seattle Seahawks 30-23. This week, the 0-4 Bolts take on the 2-2 Broncos in L.A., which is a game that the Chargers have a chance to win. But win or lose, they’re not playing well, that much is obvious. This report will be a review of last week’s loss, & a preview of the upcoming Broncos at Chargers game.

QB: Nothing new here, QB Justin Herbert continues to regress, although I don’t sense it’s entirely his fault. A new OC scheme, new OC Mike McDaniel, poor pass blocking and lack of surrounding talent are killing his stats. Last week, Herbert was 19-31 for 189 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, a lost fumble, and a paltry 62 quarterback rating. Herbert also ran 6 times for 40 yards. Sit him against a tough Broncos’ defense.

RB: The Chargers are starting to spread carries and receptions among 3 backs, which doesn’t help lead back RB Omarion Hampton. Last week, Hampton carried 9 times for 45 yards and a TD, RB Keaton Mitchell carried 10 times for 39 yards and had 5 catches for 24 yards, while RB Kamini Vidal had 5 carries for 25 yards, and 2 catches for 11 yards and a TD. Is this the beginning of a 3-headed monster? This week, consider Hampton a weak RB2 or FLEX. Mitchell is worth keeping an eye on but should probably be benched or started as a FLEX for those with a bye-week need. Vidal shouldn’t be owned in most leagues.

WR: It’s been a disappointing start for WR Ladd McConkey, who was targeted twice, but had no receptions. Ladd remains injured & may or may not play this weekend. You may recall I’ve been somewhat high on WR Tre’ Harris, & he caught 3 for 60 yards. WR Quentin “Stone Hands” Johnston caught 1 for 44 yards. I don’t love any of these guys this week. Harris could be a WR3 or FLEX for those in need. McConkey is a risky play due to injury.

TE: It was a so-so day for TE Orande Gadsden, who caught 5 for 36 yards. TE2 w/upside potential.

PK: It was a perfect day for PK Cameron Dicker, who was 3-3 on FGs (long of 40) and 2-2 on extra points. Due to offensive woes, he’s an average to above-average play this week.

DEF: The Chargers defense played hard, with 3 sacks and an INT. They look like an average option against the Broncos.

Good luck with your games this week!

End.

Brad Willis

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DALLAS COWBOYS
10/8/2026

The Cowboys played well and beat the Texans last week. The defense seems to be slowly improving with Joey Porter, Jr. playing well with his limited snap count. They still were victimized by a near fatal coaching snafu at the end of the first half. They attempted a 65 yard FG with 30 seconds left. The kick was no good, but they left enough time on the clock for Houston to kick a FG before the half ended. Fortunately, that did not cost them to game. However, these coaching errors need to be cleaned up or the coach needs to go.
This week they play a struggling Tampa team without QB Baker Mayfield.
QB Dak Prescott should be a safe QB1 this week. I would start him with confidence.
RB Javonte Williams is a low RB1 and should also be started with confidence. He has been somewhat TD dependent this season so he is not as safe a start as last season.
WR Ceedee Lamb has been a top 3 WR this season and should be started every week as a safe WR1. WR George Pickensis a safe WR2 with WR1 potential. You have to start him.
TE Jake Ferguson is a mid TE2. I would leave him on the bench unless you are desperate due to injury or bye week issues.
PK Brandon Aubrey is a safe start but not the elite fantasy performer that he has been in the past. I would start him weekly at this time.
I would still not start the defense until they show that they are capable, even against a beleaguered Tampa team.

Prediction: Cowboys 31 – Bucs 20

End.

Dr. Gil Brovar

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NEW YORK GIANTS
10/9/2026

Giants QB Jameis Winston upgrades to a streaming option for desperate fantasy owners against a soft Commanders defense. Start him if you need him.

RB Cam Skattebo remains a solid RB2 for fantasy against the Commanders. RB Najee Harris remains a risky play for fantasy due to limited touches.

WR Malik Nabers (knee) finally had a good game last week, so he is a high-end WR2 this week against the Commanders. Rookie WR Malachi Fields got his first score last week, but still saw limited targets, which is the same for WR Darnell Mooney. They both remain risky flex options. Forget the other WRs this week.

TE Isaiah Likely remains the safety valve for Winston and is seeing elite usage, making him a solid TE1 this week.

Good luck this week!

End.

Michael Nazarek

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WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
10/9/2026

Washington Commanders Week 5 Report hosting the New York Giants
Ok, so I’m not sure what chicken needs to be sacrificed to whom, but I CAN say that losing your back-up QB, not having your starting #1 WR, not having a backup running back that has been on the team for more than a week, all together cause some offensive disruption. WAS only managed to scrape together 13 against the Colts over in London, which given the defensive struggles IND had coming into the game was a bit surprising? Though, truth be told, not as surprising as the WAS run defense getting clowned.
Marcus Mariota showed up…and promptly got hurt. With Jayden there, but not active, the responsibility of leading the team fell on Athan Kaliakmanis, rookie from Rutgers. To be honest, you could fault his completion percentage, but overall he wasn’t the reason for the loss - 186y, 1td, 1int, 1 sack and had an 87 yard TD to Antonio Williams called back on a hold. The #3 ranked run defense? Yeah, they gave up 128 rushing yards and sadly three TDs.
This week WAS (1-3) gets to right the ship back from London as they host the NY Football Giants (3-1). Thankfully it appears that while Mariota is out (but not IR) Jayden Daniels is sporting a brace and a return to the lineup. Can the Giants win 3 in a row? Can Jameis be consistent? (history shakes its head). Only time will tell, but I’m hoping that home-cooking and being able to execute David Blough’s offense well enough to halt the Giant's success and start a new WAS win streak.
Washington opens this week as a 3 point favorite, and with some of their pieces back should be able to match that expectation. Daniels obviously is an upgrade. McLaurin is still injured but trending up, Chig came back surprisingly last week, and Antonio Williams keeps learning on the job. As of Friday it appears that Stephon Diggs is hurt, so check his availability. RB wise Bill is healthy but ineffective so far, they re-signed Austin Ekeler who saw some action and (surprisingly?) cut Katron Allen. The Giants are middling on run defense (16th) so if WAS can’t run this week, I’m not sure they will be this year.
The numbers say WAS is 17th in offense (9th rush, 24th passing) and NYG is 8th in defense (16th rush, 9th passing). On the flip side NYG is 22nd in offense (13th in rushing, 28th passing) against WAS who is 29th in overall defense (6th in rushing, 23rd in passing). What does this mean? I mean trends are 4 weeks old by now, so, WAS needs to button up their D to have any shot. For them, Bad Jameis would be a blessing,


Notable starters, trends, and start advice.
NYG QB Since replacing Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston has been serviceable at best? 43-78, 479y, 3TD, 3Int in just under 3 games. They are winning, but I’m not sure you can say it is him. Granted, WAS passing defense is…gracious. But you have to be able to pick someone better, really. Choose elsewhere RB Cam Skattebo, as stated before, is their workhorse. 68-235-1 for the year, which is ok i gues? He’s getting the attempts (12th in league) just hasnt made the volume fruitful yet. Not a RB1, but enough floor for a RB2. Start. WR Malik Nabers is a #1 when healthy, but hes not yet been “dynamic Malik Nabers”. He is #35 in targets this year, 37th in catches and 41st in yards. He’s a starter, and could ceiling at a #1 at any time, but more likely to score you like a WR2/3. You drafted him, start him. TE Isaiah Likely started on fire with Jaxson and has since cooled off a bit. Still ranks 12 in targets for all receivers, 13th in catches and 51st in yards with two total TDs. He’s firmly in that 2nd tier of TEs, and can pop off for a TD at any time given the targets. Start.

WAS QB Jayden Daniels is back from the elbow dislocation, but its the first game with the brace, so I really don’t know how to predict his performance? Will he be hesitant to run? Diggs is out, so is Antonio Williams or Treylon Burks going to be able to step in? If he plays normal, hes a low end starter, with upside. Start. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White had their roles. Bill ran, Rachaad caught and they split TDs. Rachaad is still nursing his shoulder injury and questionable, and Bill has just been..inefficient? Enter our old friend Austin Ekeler who ran more effectively (4-29) last week, but Bill caught a few passes effectively, so what I’m saying is - its a committee. Someone will do well. Roll dice for initiative. WR Terry McLaurin is back, Stefon Diggs is out, Treylon Burks has snagged TDs the last two games, and Antonio Williams has gotten some play (and just missed a long TD last week due to penalty). McLaurin is a start, and after that, dart throws? I feel one is goint to get a TD, but if I knew who, i’d be on DraftKings or FanDuel. TE Chig Okinkwo is back but, dear reader, I’m not sure that Blough’s offense really features a TE - their stats to date are combined less than a Bowers half game. Look elsewhere.
Outlook
O/U is 43ish and yeah they are at best average teams, so I cant see a shootout
I’ll go with WAS 24, NYG 20. Mclaurin, Bill, and (just to spite me) Chig get TDs. Still feel Antonio Williams is going to be a consistent performer by mid to late season. NYG-wise, we go chalk with Skattebo and Likely.
Go Commanders! Get it done!
End.

David Vohs

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CHICAGO BEARS
10/8/2026

Week 4: A Real Bore. Bears 23, Jets 12
A banged-up Jets team didn’t put up much resistance in this one. Bears LB Devin Bush said he got bored on the sideline at one point in the game. Let’s take a look:

Quarterback
To troll some people in the media who reported that QB Tyson Bagent would start this game before he made any sort of announcement, Bears HC Ben Johnson trotted QB Case Keenum out there for the opening snap so that he would be the official starter. Then he put Bagent, who lined up at receiver for the first play, behind center. Johnson can certainly be petty when he wants to be. Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards with one INT and had four rush attempts for one yard. He left a few throws out there, but overall he did pretty well and justified Johnson’s decision to “start” him.

Running back
RB D’Andre Swift had 15 carries for 58 yards and caught both of his targets for 16 yards. Then he lost another fumble, and he never saw the field again. RB Kyle Monangai was the beneficiary, rushing 30 times for 146 yards and two TDs and catching his lone target for four yards. Of course, this kind of thing can never be predicted, but good on you if you started Monangai. He did injure his thumb though, so that is something to keep an eye on. RB Roschon Johnson had four carries for 16 yards and caught his lone target for seven yards.

Wide receiver WR Rome Odunze caught six of his seven targets for 94 yards in his best performance of the season. WR Luther Burden III caught four of his six targets for 63 yards and had one run for 11 yards. WR Kalif Raymond caught both of his targets for 16 yards.

Tight end TE Colston Loveland hauled in six of his nine targets for 57 yards. TE Cole Kmet caught both of his targets for 13 yards. TE Sam Roush caught his only target for eight yards.

Defense/Special teams
After a Week 1 performance that made it look like it might be a long season for the defense, this unit has quietly put three solid performances together. It definitely helps that, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, the Bears’ defense has only been on the field for a league-low 192 snaps. In this game, the D registered three sacks, but no takeaways.

Kicker PK Cairo Santos hit all three of his field goal attempts and both of his extra points.

Week 5: Bears at Packers
The Bears now head to the not-yet-frozen tundra of Lambeau Field to take on the Cheeseheads on Sunday afternoon.

Quarterback
There won’t be any suspense this week, as Bagent will start. The Packers have allowed the 12th-fewest fantasy points/game to signal callers, and they’re fourth in the league against the pass. Not an ideal matchup for Bagent, and you hopefully have better options anyway. RG Jonah Jackson (ankle), LG Joe Thuney (pec), and RT Darnell Wright (ankle) all were limited on Thursday.

Running back
The Cheeseheads have allowed the second-most fantasy points/game to tailbacks, and their run defense is 28th in the league. Swift (hip/knee) DNP on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday, while Monangai (thumb/toe) missed both days. With a matchup this good, it’ll be important to watch the injury reports leading up to the game. Biggs said this week that he thinks Swift will stay as the starter despite being benched for fumbling last week. I think so too, but I think this could be a “three strikes and you’re out” kind of situation. If Swift loses another fumble, I think Monangai may leapfrog him on the depth chart.

If D’Andre is active, start him, with Monangai also startable, but probably more as a flex. Swift had two short TDs reversed by replay last week, so Monangai may get more goal line carries this weekend. It has to drive Johnson crazy that the Bears have had so much trouble scoring from close range. If Swift is out and Monangai is up, of course you’re starting Monangai. If both are somehow out, start Johnson.

Wide receiver
Green Bay is middling (17th) in fantasy points/game allowed to wideouts. Since Bagent targeted Odunze and Burden the most last week, I have them as average plays this week, with Raymond a deeper league option.

Tight end
The Packers have allowed the 19th-most fantasy points/game to tight ends. Given that Bagent targeted Loveland nine times last week, I have Loveland as an above-average play this weekend. After two relatively quiet games against the Cheeseheads in the 2025 regular season, he dominated in the playoff game against them with 8-137.

Defense/Special teams
Jordan Love has decent numbers, and GB still has dangerous weapons on the outside and at tight end. But the Packers can’t run the ball (dead last in the league). Kyler Gordon (calf) has fully practiced for most of the past couple weeks, could he be activated for this one? The Packers’ O-line is not good, so maybe the Bears can get some pressure on Love and force some turnovers. I have this unit as a slightly above-average play this weekend.

Kicker
The Cheeseheads have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points/game to kickers, likely because they have the worst red zone defense in the league. Look elsewhere this weekend.

Good luck this week!

End.

Richard Fung

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DETROIT LIONS
10/8/2026

Panthers 32, Lions 26

QB: The Lions didn’t have much trouble moving the ball through the air on Sunday night. QB Jared Goff ended up with 412 yards. He was only sacked once despite throwing 52 passes and didn’t have a turnover. However, his streak of games with at least 1 TD pass was in jeopardy until he threw a TD pass with under 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and when the Lions got the ball back just before the 2 minute warning they went 4 and out. So even with a few hiccups in his play and no rushing yards to pad his stats, big picture, Goff is exceeding his draft position in fantasy football, as he is ranked 5th in points among quarterbacks in my league. Since it looks like the Lions defense isn’t going to be fixed any time soon, high scoring games will continue to be the norm. Goff is a reasonable start this week at Arizona. The Cardinals defense isn’t great against the pass.

RB: It wasn’t a great night for RB Jahmyr Gibbs on Sunday as the Panthers did a good job of keeping him bottled up as his longest play was just 13 yards. He had 15-46 rushing with a TD, plus 4-31 receiving. It was his worst fantasy output of the season so far, but even his bad game was still productive. Nobody else had a carry so that was a lonely part of the box score. RB Sione Vaki did manage to catch one pass but the bottom line is that Gibbs will continue to get a heavy workload. There is no reason for the Lions to lighten his workload this week as they have a week 6 bye so I would expect 25 touches for Gibbs this week and then some much deserved rest during the bye. The Lions are pretty desperate for a win and their formula for winning involves running the ball with Gibbs.

WR/TE: ON a night where Goff had 412 yards, everybody got to eat. WR Jameson Williams led the way with 102 yards on 6 catches. He did miss a potential big gain early where you couldn’t technically call it a drop because he didn’t extend his hands to catch the ball. Goff appears on the radio in Detroit on Tuesday mornings and he said he thought Williams lost it in the lights. You just have to assume some weird stuff will happen with Williams. WR Isaac TeSlaa added 95 yards on 4 catches as it is good to see him get a bit more involved and back on the fantasy radar. TE Sam LaPorta had a strong game with 84 yards on 8 grabs with a TD and he is a top tier option at tight end as we move forward in the season. Oh and last but not least, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown quietly had 75 yards on 8 catches as he bounced back from a shaky game in week 3. LaPorta made some headlines as there were reports that negotiations on a contract extension are on hold. It does make you wonder if he could be a trade candidate later in the season, much like how the Lions traded TJ Hockenson midseason in 2022.

K/DST: It was a busy night for PK Jake Bates as the Lions had some struggles in the red zone which allowed him to have his best game of the season so far with 4 made field goals, including a 54 yarder. His kicks were right down the middle too so it looks like his preseason struggles may no longer be a concern. Consider picking him up after the Lions week 6 bye. As for the Lions defense, the struggles obviously are continuing. Tet McMillan was over 150 yards at halftime. The numbers are just ugly all around but the secondary is the main culprit. You should start as many players as you can against this defense. There is some positive news as S Brian Branch returned to practice while he remains on the PUP list from his Achilles injury in 2025. My guess is he will return after the bye, but it’s hard to say if he will be back to the level we remember.

I will return next week with a review of the Lions game in Arizona.

End.

James Hintz

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ARIZONA CARDINALS
10/9/2026

The Arizona Cardinals are 1-3 and lost a winnable game last week against the Giants on the road. This week they host the Detroit Lions (2-2 in the NFC North) in the desert. This is highly unlikely to be a 14-10 game, Detroit comes in as a 5.5 point favorite, and the O/U is 54.5, so the smarts are expecting a high scoring game - and given both defenses, it isn't a reach.
Arizona traded leads with the Giants across the game but a final play interception and DTD where Jacoby tried to hit Michael Wilson at the goal line proved to be the final nail. Jacoby targetted McBride and Wilson frequently, Arizona ran the ball relatively well, with Love going 14-63 and Allgier reprising his ATL vulture role by going 8-42-1. Brissett unfortunately threw 3 picks which limited the offense output.
This week, injuries seem to be of minimal concern with Jeremiyah Love nursing an ankle issue, but still expected to play. Defensively Andrew Wingard appears to be out, so they could be exploited by the Detroit offensive playmakers.

Through 4 weeks, ARI is 18th in offense (22nd rush, 23rd passing) and DET is 30th in defense (121st rush, 32nd passing). DET though is 5th in offense (20th in rushing, 4th passing) against ARI who is 28th in overall defense (20th in rushing, 21st in passing). I won't be surprised if one (or both) teams exceed 30 points.

Notable starters, trends and start advice
DET QB Jared Goff is 2nd in pass ypg, tied for 2nd in TDs, and has yet to throw a pick. Seems good, i’d suggest starting him RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Lets be honest shall we? If you have him, you spent significant draft capital on him. There is no stat I’m going to throw out that is gonna keep you from starting him against the 28th ranked defense in the league. I mean for posterity, Gibbs has the 7th most yards and 3rd most TDs - just as a rusher. Scrimmage yards he’s 3rd total and #1 in TDs. Don’t NOT start him.
WRs Amon-Ra St Brown and Jameson Williams are your main people to own - St Brown leads the team in targets and catches, 303yards with 5 TDs. He’s what we like to call a sure thing. Jameson is running about half as many catches (16 vs 31) but as the deep threat has 229 yards to Amon-Ra’s 303. HEs probably due, and ARI seems a good a place as any to catch his first this year. Start. TE Sam LaPorta is in that Dalton Kincaid, Now Travis Kelce level of FF TEs, good to great but not Bowers or McBride or Kittle. 22 catches on 32 targets, 228 yards and 2 TDs. ARI is 4th worst against TEs. Start.

ARI QB Jacoby Brissett is 20th in yards, 9th in attempts, tied for 5th in TDs but has thrown the 4th most Ints. Even with mistakes, he’s a start against Detroit this week and DET’s secondary is in shambles. Start RB Jeremiyah Love is still the starter, Allgier is the super-sub. Love is a Start, Allgier maybe helps you cover your off week with Kenneth Walker and Chuba Hubbard being off? You could do worse. WR Michael Wilson is your #1 for AZ, 44 targets (second to McBride’s 46), 258 yards, 1 TD. Marvin is still around, caught a TD, but has 85 yards FOR THE SEASON. Sigh. Start Wilson, he should be in play for the top 5 for the week.
TE: McBride. Start. I mean he's 3rd in the entire league in targets and receptions. You want an opportunity? Done. TDs will regress positively. Start.

Prediction:
DET is a more talented team, has more people that scare me and across the board has better players. I wont be surprise if DET gets 38+. Can ARI counter? Unlikely, I can imagine 4 TDs but thats squinting hard at Love, Allgier, McBride and Wilson.
Call it DET 41, ARI 28.
Go Cardinals!
End.

David Vohs

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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
10/7/2026

WEEK 4 RECAP: SURVIVING THE CHARGERS FLAG-FEST
Surviving an absolute street fight against Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers was non-negotiable for the Seattle Seahawks. Coming off an intense early-season slate, setting the tone at Lumen Field was essential before entering the brutal gauntlet of NFC West divisional play. At the VMAC this week, the coaching staff made it clear: finding a way to win messy games builds the championship fortitude required to defend the Lombardi Trophy. Seattle’s 30-23 home victory over Los Angeles delivered high-stakes tactical drama. Special Teams Coordinator Jay Harbaugh drew family blood against his father Jim, out-scheming the Chargers’ special teams units in critical situations to flip field position. The contest quickly degraded into an official-dominated flag-fest, with yellow laundry littering the turf as over 30 combined penalties halted all offensive rhythm. Yet, when the whistles finally quieted in the fourth quarter, Mike Macdonald’s "Dark Side" defense stood tall. Seattle’s front seven generated back-to-back red-zone stops late in the final period, slamming the door on a potential game-tying drive and securing crucial non-conference momentum. WR Tory Horton: Hauled in his first career touchdown on a crisp, contested red-zone slant, validating his impressive progress coming back from a cracked tibia and February rod insertion. WR Rashid Shaheed: Uncorked an explosive rushing touchdown on an end-around sweep, showcasing elite 4.3 speed as he erased angles in the open field. QB Sam Darnold: Exhibited cool, veteran command in noisy pockets, steering clear of turnover-worthy plays and converting key third-and-long attempts under heavy pressure.

WEEK 4 INJURY TAX RB Jadarian Price: The first-round rookie running back was officially placed on Injured Reserve(IR) after suffering a lower-body injury late in the fourth quarter. DT Leonard Williams: Battled through a mid-game ankle tweak; however, the veteran interior disrupter is expected to lace 'em up for Week 5.

With a grueling Week 4 victory in the books, Seattle turns its sights directly to an explosive division battle with first place hanging in the balance.
THE HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH: FIRST PLACE IN THE NFC WEST ON THE LINE
NFC West football is never civil, but this Week 5 showdown packs maximum institutional heat and structural importance. With sole possession of first place on the line, both organizations recognize that the winner dictates the operational narrative of the division heading into midseason. The electric atmosphere at Lumen Field will peak for a 1:25 PM PDT kickoff as the undefeated 4-0 San Francisco 49ers invade Seattle to face the 3-1 Seahawks. The bad blood between these two franchises is at an all-time high. San Francisco enters carrying a deep, unresolved grudge after watching Seattle celebrate its Super Bowl LX championship victory directly on the turf at Levi's Stadium—and inside the 49ers' home locker room. Amplified by ownership ties via the Khosla family, San Francisco arrives on a scorched-earth revenge tour, desperate to knock the defending champions off their home perch.
Statistical & Power Ranking Overview
In the statistical and power ranking overview, the San Francisco 49ers hold the #1 rank with a +5.6 differential, while the Seattle Seahawks closely follow at the #2 rank with a +5.4 differential. San Francisco boasts the #1 scoring offense in the league, averaging 30.5 points per game, whereas Seattle brings a balanced scoring attack. Defensively, the 49ers excel in elite offensive efficiency, while the Seahawks feature the #1 run defense in DVOA at -37.5%.
With the rivalry tension primed and the statistical foundations set, the focus shifts to the granular X-and-O match-ups that will determine who leaves Lumen Field in first place.
SCHEMATIC CHESS MATCH & ADVANCED METRICS
When HC Mike Macdonald and HC Kyle Shanahan stand on opposite sidelines, modern football becomes a high-speed game of mental chess. Beyond basic match-up tropes, underlying efficiency metrics, post-snap rotations, and personnel splits reveal where this game will truly be won or lost in the trenches. QB Brock Purdy's 0-Sack Anomaly vs. Macdonald’s Padlock QB Brock Purdy enters Week 5 behind an apparently immaculate pass protection unit, boasting a 0.0% sack rate through four games. However, he now runs straight into Mike Macdonald’s defensive schematic padlock. Macdonald’s coverage architecture has historically put Purdy in a blender; across their final two matchups last season, Macdonald’s disguised post-snap safety rotations held Purdy to an abysmal 4.5 points per game while forcing zero passing touchdowns and multiple turnovers.
The FB Kyle Juszczyk Void
San Francisco's primary run engine relies heavily on 21 personnel (2 RBs, 1 TE, 2 WRs), leading the NFL with a 42% snap frequency out of that grouping. However, Shanahan faces a major personnel void with All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk declared OUT and backup tight end Jake Tonges stranded on IR. Without Juszczyk to seal the C-gap or lead through the B-gap, Shanahan will be forced to alter his foundational outside-zone looks, either shifting to static 11 personnel or using extra offensive linemen in heavy sub-packages. This adjustment plays directly into Macdonald's hands, allowing Seattle's "Dark Side" front seven (led by LB Ernest Jones IV and DE DeMarcus Lawrence) to stack single-back boxes with 6- and 7-man fronts to choke off RB Christian McCaffrey's rushing lanes.
Screen Game Threat
A massive test for Seattle will be defending San Francisco's quick perimeter screen game. The 49ers rank 3rd in Screen EPA (+0.454), whereas Seattle's defense has leaked yardage against screens, ranking 30th overall (+0.278 EPA allowed). Seattle's defensive struggles stem from nickel corner over-pursuit and linebackers taking overly aggressive scrape angles into heavy traffic. Shanahan will look to isolate WR Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey in space to exploit these angles. Macdonald must counter by using Ernest Jones IV to trigger downhill fast, blowing up perimeter blockers and spilling the ball back inside to the flow of the defense.
Clean Pocket Darnold vs. Bosa-Less 49ers
The absence of superstar edge rusher DE Nick Bosa (OUT) creates a massive domino effect across San Francisco’s defensive front. Without Bosa, the 49ers' pressure rate has plummeted to 24th (25.8%), with their quick pressure rate dropping to 27th (40.0%). That aligns perfectly with Seattle's strength: the Seahawks rank #1 in the NFL in time to pressure allowed (3.01 seconds). Operating behind Charles Cross and Grey Zabel, Sam Darnold has been lethal when protected, ranking 3rd in clean-pocket EPA (+0.657). WR Cooper Kupp's Slot Advantage
Seattle holds a distinct structural leverage point in the passing game through WR Cooper Kupp. Kupp continues to deliver high-level efficiency (+30.6% DVOA, ranking 10th among WR3/slot alignments). He targets a weak San Francisco secondary ranking 31st against slot looks (+44.5% DVOA allowed). Look for Offensive Coordinator Brian Fleury to utilize pre-snap motion to shift Kupp across formations, isolating him against backup nickel coverage to create fast horizontal separation on third-and-medium.These schematic leverage points set the baseline for how individual usage will translate into fantasy production in Week 5.
POSITIONAL FANTASY PREVIEWS & STAT PROJECTIONS
Navigating Week 5 fantasy lineups requires a clear understanding of Seattle's evolving depth chart. With key injuries forcing changes to usage splits, tactical roles dictate fantasy starter value.
Quarterback
Sam Darnold
Stat Projections: 22/30 passing, 268 passing YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT.
Analysis: Operating behind an offensive line projected to give him elite pocket time against a depleted pass rush, Darnold serves as a high-floor QB2 with top-10 upside for Week 5.
Running Back Committee
With first-round rookie Jadarian Price on IR and RB Zach Charbonnet still working through his 21-day PUP practice window following ACL recovery, Seattle will utilize a defined two-man backfield. RB Emanuel Wilson
Stat Projections: 13 carries, 52 rushing YDS, 1 TD; 2 REC, 14 receiving YDS.
Analysis: Functions as the primary early-down and goal-line hammer. His patience, vision, and downhill burst make him a strong Flex play with high touchdown equity against San Francisco's defensive interior. RB George Holani
Stat Projections: 7 carries, 28 rushing YDS; 3 REC, 24 receiving YDS.
Analysis: Takes on dedicated duties as the pass-blocking, third-down, and two-minute drill specialist, offering a firm PPR floor for managers in deeper formats.
Wide Receivers & Tight Ends WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Undisputed Alpha WR1)
Stat Projections: 8 REC, 108 YDS, 1 TD.
Analysis: Dominating target shares across all field zones. Smith-Njigba is a locked-in, elite WR1 start in all formats. WR Cooper Kupp (Power Slot Dagger)
Stat Projections: 6 REC, 74 YDS.
Analysis: Primed to slice up the middle of the field against San Francisco's vulnerable nickel coverage shell. Strong WR2/Flex option in PPR formats. WR Rashid Shaheed (Deep / Gadget Threat)
Stat Projections: 3 REC, 45 YDS; 1 carry, 12 rushing YDS.
Analysis: A volatile boom-or-bust candidate capable of winning a fantasy matchup on a single deep shot or end-around sweep. WR Tory Horton
Stat Projections: 2 REC, 25 YDS.
Analysis: Rotational deep threat gradually earning more snaps in three-receiver sets as his leg strength fully returns.
Tight Ends (TE AJ Barner & TE Elijah Arroyo)
Tactical Context: Seattle had a similar loss like the 49ers whenFB Robbie Ouzts had a season-ending neck injury in August. Without Ouzts to mask heavy 12 and 13 personnel looks, Seattle has been forced into more static 11 personnel groupings. This shift requires both tight ends to maximize efficiency in specific situational roles.
AJ Barner: Projected 2 REC, 18 YDS, 1 TD. Remains the foundational in-line blocking Y-tight end with high red-zone target conversion.
Elijah Arroyo: Projected 3 REC, 38 YDS. Operating as a flexed receiving threat down the seam, Arroyo is a prime dynasty breakout candidate benefiting from Fleury's Shanahan-style tight end utilization.
Defense / IDP Matchup Analysis
Front Seven Focus
The "Dark Side" front seven carries the burden of setting the edge against Christian McCaffrey while collapsing the interior pocket to force Brock Purdy into early throws.
IDP Target List
Ernest Jones IV (LB): Projected 10 tackles. High-floor LB1 anchor who triggers downhill against run flows and diagnoses quick screen passes.
Derick Hall & Leonard Williams (EDGE/DT): Hall (boasting a 22% true pass set win rate) and Williams will lead the pass-rush unit hunting for Brock Purdy's first sack of the season.
Devon Witherspoon & Josh Jobe (CB): Primary secondary coverage keys tasked with bracket and shadow responsibilities against Deebo Samuel and WR Brandon Aiyuk on the outside.
FINAL VERDICT & SCORE PREDICTION
Taking down a division rival in the NFC West demands elite physical toughness and mental composure. Both teams recognize the stakes at Lumen Field, and neither will yield an inch of turf without a fight. Expect this game to play out as a classic, physical John Madden-style "snotknocker." San Francisco will attempt to establish Christian McCaffrey and test Seattle's screen defense early. However, Sam Darnold's clean-pocket efficiency, Cooper Kupp's middle-of-the-field dominance, and Mike Macdonald’s ability to generate second-half pressure on Brock Purdy will tip the scales to the home team late in the fourth quarter.

Final Score Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24, San Francisco 49ers 21.
Go 'Hawks!

End.

Rick Watts

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LOS ANGELES RAMS
10/8/2026

Fantastic Finish! After blowing a 16-0 halftime lead a week ago, the Rams battle back from a 20-10 halftime deficit to beat the Eagles 24-20. The victory evened the Ram’s record to 2-2 and salvaged what could have been a disastrous start of the season. The offense was sloppy for the first three quarters but the defense was solid for most of the game and especially in the second half when the held the Eagles scoreless. Los Angeles has another heavy-weight battle this week as they host the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night. The Bills were upset at home by the Patriots so they will be angry and focused when the face the Rams. Let’s take a look at how the Rams performed against the Eagles and their potential for week five.

QUARTERBACK: QB Matthew Stafford (32-51 for 317 with 2 interceptions) threw for a lot of yards but also threw two interceptions. Matthew was just a little off-target on several throws until the fourth quarter when he led the offense to the two touchdown drives. Buffalo is 27th in passing yards allowed at 274 yards a game. The Bills have collected 2 interceptions and 10 sacks, 6 from Greg Rousseau. If the line can protect Matthew, he could have a monster game. My week 5 game prediction is 275+ yards with at least 2 passing touchdowns and hopefully no interceptions.

RUNNING BACK: RB Kyren Williams (16-80 rushing with 2 touchdowns and 10-67 receiving) had a tremendous game, setting a career high in receptions, and scoring the game-winning touchdown on an incredible run breaking numerous tackles before diving into the end zone. RB Blake Corum (5-14 rushing and 1-7 receiving) had another quiet game and has taken a back seat to Kyren, who has been playing extremely well. The Bills are ranked 19 in rushing yards allowed at 116 yards per game. Buffalo allows 4 yards per carry and has surrendered 3 rushing touchdown. I think Kyren continues to garner the majority of touches and has another strong game. Week 5 predictions: Kyren – 120+ scrimmage yards with at least 1 touchdown, Blake – 45 scrimmage yards but no touchdown.

WIDE RECEIVER: WR Puka Nacua (9-125 receiving and 1-2 rushing with 1 touchdown) did not miss a beat after sitting out the last two games. WR Davante Adams (4-32) had a quiet game but just missed a touchdown and a few other receptions. After the last two games, it was understandable for Adams to take a step back. WR Konata Mumpfield (1-7) went back to his minimal backup roll with Puka back. Puka should have a bigger impact in his second week back and Davante should get back on track. My Week 5 predictions: Puka – 100+ receiving yards and 1 touchdown, Davante – 60+ receiving yards and 1 touchdown.

TIGHT END: With TE Terrence Ferguson on injured reserve and TE Colby Parkinson inactive, TE Tyler Higbee (5-67) had another strong performance while TE Davis Allen did not catch any of his two targets. Ferguson is out for a while and Parkinson is not 100% so Higbee could be depended upon again. My Week 5 prediction: Higbee 40+ receiving yards and a possible touchdown.

KICKER: PK Harrision Mevis (1-2 field goals (40 made & 48 missed) and 3-3 extra points) had a poor performance. Not only did he miss a relatively easy field goal, he also had a kickoff go out of bounds. Mevis needs to improve or he may not be with the Rams for very long. Weather is not a factor and home and I think (hope) Mevis bounces back. Week 5 prediction: 1-1 field goal (over 45-yards) and 4-4 extra points.

DEFENSE: I criticized this unit last week and I am glad they rose to the occasion and proved me wrong. Allowing 20 points in the first half may seem like poor defense; however, 17 of the points came on possessions that Philadelphia started on the Ram’s 28, 17, and 35 yard lines due to two interceptions and a long punt return. Last week I called out ED Byron Young (4 solos, 2 assists, and 2.5 sacks) and LB Nate Landman (4 solos and 5 assists) and they responded with their best games of the young season. Young was especially productive and I made the mistake of having him on my bench. Omar Speights (3 solos and 1 sack) had a sack for the second consecutive game. DB Kam Kinchens (3 solos, 3 assists, and ½ a sack) had a good game after missing the last two with a hamstring injury. The Bills are led by all-world quarterback Josh Allen, who has 6 passing touchdowns and 7 rushing touchdowns! Buffalo averages 259.75 passing yards per game while surrendering 3 interceptions and 9 sacks. Buffalo’s rushing attack is 5th in the league at 139 yards per game. They have 9 rushing touchdowns. I think this game could be high scoring but the defense can still make plays. My week 5 prediction: ED Byron Young continues to produce and gets at least one sack. If the front seven can apply pressure on Allen, I think McDuffie gets his second interception of the season.

The Rams showed a lot of heart coming back to beat the Eagles, while the Bills were sloppy against the Pats and lost their first game of the season. Maybe Buffalo took the Pats lightly and was looking ahead to their matchup with the Rams. All that matters is that this game should be very competitive and possibly high scoring. I think the Rams make a few more plays at home and beat Buffalo 31-24. I won my Dynasty and Keeper League games so I am 3-1 in Dynasty and 2-2 in my Keeper League. Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! God Bless!

End.

Layton Pang

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