Even
Peyton Manning wants to improve.
"We're looking for a little more consistency as far as who we are going to be each Sunday as opposed to figuring it out, 'Hey, this week we're going to have to be a throwing team, this week we'll be a running team.' We'd like to be the same team every single Sunday," Manning said.
In that one quote, Manning distills the difference between the Colts and matchup-based teams like the Patriots and Packers.
Of course the Colts tailor their gameplan specifically to attack an opponent's weakness, like every team. But essentially the Colts want to perfect what they do best, and make you stop it. What the Patriots do best is morph every week into the offense that suits them best.
That could mean a lot of
Aaron Hernandez and
BenJarvus Green-Ellis one week, and plenty of
Fred Taylor and
Brandon Tate the next.
The Colts' approach is the one preferred by fantasy leaguers. The Patriots approach is the one gaining steam throughout the league.
The Packers weren't making some grand statement about
Brandon Jackson on Monday night when they played with an empty backfield for much of the night or handed
John Kuhn six inside carries. It was just the attack they felt best suited their personnel against the Bears that night.
Jackson will have his 15-20 touch games, but the Packers will inherently be unpredictable. So will either amorphous teams like the Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Saints, and Seahawks.
When in doubt, roll with the offenses that have consistent roles. That's why we rank someone like
Legedu Naanee over a matchup-specific threat like
Lance Moore.
And now, for the rest of the guys we can't really predict but try to anyway.
Week 4 QuarterbacksQBs going up: Michael Vick: The Redskins pass defense no longer looks like a tough matchup. Vick has reached every-week must start territory and his schedule stays mostly easy.
Matt Ryan: After watching last week's game, I'm over any early Ryan concerns. And the 49ers are a neutral matchup.
Chad Henne: Sneaky play in what figures to be a shootout.
Kyle Orton: If he can produce big against a solid Titans secondary, he's a true QB1.
Vince Young: Actually played pretty well last week during the rare times he was allowed to pass. Think he'll have to throw more this time.
QBs moving down: Matt Schaub: Still a starter, but shoddy pass protection could lead to a lot of rushing attempts.
Joe Flacco: Despite the excellent performance against Cleveland, you don't want any part of the Steelers defense right now.
Eli Manning: Worried how his struggling tackles will hold up against
Julius Peppers.
Chris Johnson: I've been very disappointed by the Titans' run-blocking. This is a week they should be able to get off.
Editor's Note: Check out our free preview of
Season Pass for the rest of the week.
Even
Peyton Manning wants to improve.
"We're looking for a little more consistency as far as who we are going to be each Sunday as opposed to figuring it out, 'Hey, this week we're going to have to be a throwing team, this week we'll be a running team.' We'd like to be the same team every single Sunday," Manning said.
In that one quote, Manning distills the difference between the Colts and matchup-based teams like the Patriots and Packers.
Of course the Colts tailor their gameplan specifically to attack an opponent's weakness, like every team. But essentially the Colts want to perfect what they do best, and make you stop it. What the Patriots do best is morph every week into the offense that suits them best.
That could mean a lot of
Aaron Hernandez and
BenJarvus Green-Ellis one week, and plenty of
Fred Taylor and
Brandon Tate the next.
The Colts' approach is the one preferred by fantasy leaguers. The Patriots approach is the one gaining steam throughout the league.
The Packers weren't making some grand statement about
Brandon Jackson on Monday night when they played with an empty backfield for much of the night or handed
John Kuhn six inside carries. It was just the attack they felt best suited their personnel against the Bears that night.
Jackson will have his 15-20 touch games, but the Packers will inherently be unpredictable. So will either amorphous teams like the Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Saints, and Seahawks.
When in doubt, roll with the offenses that have consistent roles. That's why we rank someone like
Legedu Naanee over a matchup-specific threat like
Lance Moore.
And now, for the rest of the guys we can't really predict but try to anyway.
Week 4 QuarterbacksQBs going up: Michael Vick: The Redskins pass defense no longer looks like a tough matchup. Vick has reached every-week must start territory and his schedule stays mostly easy.
Matt Ryan: After watching last week's game, I'm over any early Ryan concerns. And the 49ers are a neutral matchup.
Chad Henne: Sneaky play in what figures to be a shootout.
Kyle Orton: If he can produce big against a solid Titans secondary, he's a true QB1.
Vince Young: Actually played pretty well last week during the rare times he was allowed to pass. Think he'll have to throw more this time.
QBs moving down: Matt Schaub: Still a starter, but shoddy pass protection could lead to a lot of rushing attempts.
Joe Flacco: Despite the excellent performance against Cleveland, you don't want any part of the Steelers defense right now.
Eli Manning: Worried how his struggling tackles will hold up against
Julius Peppers.
Chris Johnson: I've been very disappointed by the Titans' run-blocking. This is a week they should be able to get off.
Editor's Note: Check out our free preview of
Season Pass for the rest of the week.
Week 4 Running BacksRBs moving up: Ahmad Bradshaw:
Brandon Jacobs is just another backup and Bradshaw has a complete game now. Love the way he's running inside and he's made strides as a receiver.
Cedric Benson: It's a tough week at the top of the rankings, so Benson's safe 20 carries have him high. Not a lot of great matchups out there.
DeAngelo Williams: If he's going to do it, the Saints rush defense provides a chance.
Ronnie Brown,
Ricky Williams: They both often chew up the Patriots. Expect a high scoring game.
Shonn Greene: This is the week to use him. The Jets are going to run like crazy and want to get Greene going.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Keep an eye on
Fred Taylor's status.
Chris Ivory: If Pierre was out, we'd put Ivory in the top-20.
Jason Snelling: Curious to see how
Michael Turner responds after 30 carries. Snelling has looked as good or better than Turner through three weeks. Could pile up big yards if the Falcons get the lead.
RBs moving down: Jahvid Best: I'd play him, but toe injuries are especially concerning because players often don't finish what they started. You also have to keep a close eye on
Steven Jackson,
Ray Rice, and
Pierre Thomas. But I'd play them if they are out there.
Ryan Mathews: The concern nows is that they'll be overly careful with him in his first game back.
Tim Hightower: Stepping back into the role we expected all along, but still not a terrible flex PPR option.
Clinton Portis: Can't trust him.
Ryan Torain looked more explosive last week.
Week 4 Wide ReceiversWRs moving up: DeSean Jackson: Jackson faces the only team as bad against top receivers as the Jaguars.
Brandon Marshall: Without
Leigh Bodden, the Patriots don't have a player physical enough to stop Marshall.
Austin Collie: Even if
Pierre Garcon is back, you can't sit fantasy's top wideout thus far against the awful Jaguars secondary.
Brandon Lloyd: It's hard to separate the Broncos wideouts.
Eddie Royal should be the most consistent, while Lloyd should score the most touchdowns.
Legedue Naanee: The Cardinals secondary struggles against secondary receivers and Naanee is turning into a consistent WR3 if you need help.
Kenny Britt: He's quietly started to turn it around and the Titans will need to throw more this week.
Jacoby Jones and
Kevin Walter: They can benefit from
Andre Johnson's injury, even if he plays.
Louis Murphy: We're believers. Especially when he faces the Texans.
WRs moving down: Larry Fitzgerald:
Steve Breaston's absence can't hut, but it's fair to be concerned.
Andre Johnson: Nmamdi + bum ankle could be a bummer. With that said, it's tough to bench AJ unless you are stacked.
Steve Smith (Car):
Jimmy Clausen +
Jabari Greer is another rough combination.
Mike Sims-Walker and
Michael Crabtree: Two of our favorites are in major slumps. We like Crabtree to be more consistently eventually. MSW is victim to
David Garrard's crisis of confidence.
Mike Wallace: Tipped pass touchdowns won't happen against the Ravens. He's a top-15 option when
Ben Roethlisberger comes back, but don't bet on another big game from
Charlie Batch.
Week 4 Tight EndsTEs moving up: Antonio Gates: You can't climb from No. 1, but its worth noting Gates is outscoring every wide receiver in the fantasy football except one.
Aaron Hernandez: If you picked him up, it's time to think about trading the guy you drafted.
Tony Gonzalez: Consistently beat double teams in New Orleans.
Greg Olsen: Starting to believe he can be a consistent part of the offense.
TEs moving down: Brent Celek: Everyone ahead of him has seen more targets except Hernandez, who can do more with less.
Heath Miller: One guy clearly hurt without
Ben Roethlisberger. Hang on to him, though.
Marcedes Lewis: Don't trust anyone in that offense.
Owen Daniels: It's time to let him go. He may help at some point, but there's too much depth at the position.
Week 4 Team DefenseWeek 4 Kickers