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Week 4 Highlights: Underdog QBs Light Up the Fantasy Football Scene

2024-09-30

Author: Ming

Week 4 of the NFL season has proven to be a spectacular display of talent from quarterbacks who have been overlooked or deemed castoffs by their previous teams. As fantasy football enthusiasts delve into their rosters, this week’s games highlighted the redemption arcs of several players.

Leading the pack is Justin Fields, once disregarded by the Chicago Bears, who racked up an impressive 31.98 fantasy points — the highest of the week. Fields' performance in a 27-24 loss against Indianapolis included 312 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, and three total touchdowns, marking a significant step forward in his career. With Najee Harris struggling to make an impact in the running game, it was Fields who shone, showcasing his dual-threat capability and solidifying his place as a must-start in fantasy leagues.

Right on his heels is Baker Mayfield, who continues to silence critics after being jettisoned from teams in search of a stable QB. Mayfield logged 28.88 fantasy points in a commanding 33-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, connecting for 347 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a score on the ground. With talented weapons like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin around him, Mayfield appears poised to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a competitive stretch against teams like Atlanta and New Orleans in the coming weeks.

Sam Darnold, labeled a placeholder for the Minnesota Vikings, also made headlines by throwing three touchdowns against Green Bay. Although game flow limited his attempts, Darnold’s efficient play indicates he may be finding his stride. He faces a tough matchup against the New York Jets next week, but with a roster full of playmakers, including Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, there is potential for further fantasy brilliance.

Other notable performances from Week 4 include: - **Nico Collins of Houston** continues to dominate, catching 12 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown in a win over Jacksonville. As he proves his worth as a reliable fantasy asset, expect his target share to remain substantial even when Tank Dell returns to the lineup. - **D'Andre Swift finally breaks out** after poor early-season performances. Despite being started in only 29% of Yahoo leagues, Swift delivered 165 total yards and a touchdown against the Rams. His breakout could signal a change in the Philadelphia offense. - **Jayden Reed's stock is soaring** now that Jordan Love is showing consistency. Reed carved out a beautiful 7-catch, 139-yard, and 1-touchdown game against Minnesota, making him a key player to watch moving forward. - In stark contrast, **Najee Harris’ struggles continue**. Despite three catches for 54 receiving yards, Harris remains unable to find the end zone, raising concerns among his fantasy managers.

A few quick takes from around the league: - **Travis Kelce re-emerges** as a key target in the Kansas City Chiefs offense. The injury to Rashee Rice means Kelce will likely see more targets, so keep an eye on him. - **Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts** struggled tremendously in Week 4 without much offensive action to show for it. Both players need to bounce back as their teams continue to rely on inconsistent passing games. - **Taysom Hill showed dominance** with two rushing touchdowns before suffering a rib injury, signaling a possible resurgence for the New Orleans offense. - **Courtland Sutton is proving to be resilient**, producing consistent numbers despite the Denver Broncos’ struggles.

As the NFL season progresses, these underdog quarterbacks and emerging talents are making fantasy football more thrilling. With each passing week, the narrative builds as these players seek redemption and evolutionary success on the field.