We’re officially in the heart of the NFL season, and it’s already been wild. Nine games in Week 4 were decided by seven points or fewer, and most were high-scoring, with only three teams scoring under 14 points. Some big names like A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry continue to underwhelm, and fantasy managers are starting to worry. Let’s look at who’s trending up, who’s trending down, and how you should set your lineups heading into Week 5
Starts
QB – Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs WSH)
Justin Herbert has been mediocre over his last two games, finishing under 15 fantasy points in each while committing three turnovers. Some managers are panicking, but this is the week to trust him, as he is still averaging over 260 passing yards per game with seven touchdowns through four weeks.
Now he gets Washington — a defense that has made every quarterback look good. In Week 2, Las Vegas QB Geno Smith threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, Atlanta QB Michael Penix passed for over 300 yards and two scores while completing nearly everything. Herbert has a strong chance to post 300 yards and three touchdowns. Lock him into your lineup.
RB – Woody Marks, Houston Texans (@ BAL)
Have the Texans found their new lead back? It certainly looks that way.
With veteran RB Joe Mixon sidelined, rookie Woody Marks has steadily earned more work. After playing only 11% of snaps in Week 1, Marks jumped to 56% in Week 4’s win over Tennessee. He logged 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown, plus four receptions for 50 yards and another score.
Any back seeing 20+ touches is a must-start — especially against Baltimore. The Ravens have allowed 565 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground through four games. Marks is trending upward and should be in your lineup.
WR – Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders (@ LAC)
Coming into the season, many doubted Deebo Samuel, but he’s proving the skeptics wrong. Despite multiple double-digit fantasy outings, he was still started in fewer than 50% of leagues last week. With WR Terry McLaurin still expected to miss time, Samuel is a must-start.
He’s been highly efficient, catching 22 of 27 targets for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 46 rushing yards and a score on the ground. With QB Jayden Daniels back under center, expect Washington to design plays specifically for Samuel. Until McLaurin returns, he’s locked in as a starter.
TE – Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (@ BAL)
Just a few weeks ago, this offense looked shaky, but now it has two players on the start list. Dalton Schultz has posted back-to-back games with at least five catches and 30+ yards. That may not be flashy, but with 21 targets already this season, his role is secure.
Tight end production is scarce, and Schultz has a stable floor. In what could be a shootout against the Ravens, he belongs in lineups, as Baltimore has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends on the year.
Defense – Arizona Cardinals (@ TEN)
Arizona’s defense isn’t flashy, but it’s solid. The Cardinals are allowing just 18 points per game, with four takeaways and eight sacks so far on the year. Those aren’t elite numbers, but they’re enough to make them a great streaming option against Tennessee.
The Titans’ offense has been abysmal, averaging just 3.7 yards per play, ranking fifth-worst in rushing yards and second-worst in passing yards, making Arizona a strong play this week.
Sits
QB – Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (@ CIN)
At first glance, Jared Goff might look appealing against a banged-up Bengals squad, but this figures to be a low-scoring game.
Outside of his Week 2 explosion against Chicago (300+ yards, five TDs), Goff has averaged under 200 passing yards with just three touchdowns. Detroit is a run-first team, and if they jump ahead early, expect heavy rushing volume. As a result, Goff’s ceiling is capped — sit him.
RB – Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (@ ARI)
Pollard entered the year as Tennessee’s lead back, but efficiency has been an issue. Through four weeks, he has 68 carries but just 3.8 yards per carry and only one touchdown. He’s also been invisible in the passing game with just six catches total.
Additionally, this week’s matchup doesn’t help. Arizona ranks top-11 against the run, allowing only two rushing scores all year. To that end, Pollard is best left on the bench.
WR – A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles (@ DEN)
It feels wrong to bench a talent like A.J. Brown, but the production hasn’t been there. Aside from his Week 3 breakout (109 yards and a score), he’s been quiet — including a game with fewer than 10 yards receiving.
To make matters worse, it's obvious the Eagles’ passing game is currently struggling, averaging just 150 yards per game. Facing a stout Denver defense, Brown is too risky to trust. Bench him this week and wait for a better matchup in Week 6 against the Giants.
TE – David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (@ MIN)
Njoku’s talent is undeniable, but Cleveland’s offense is holding him back, as the Browns rank near the bottom of the league with only two passing touchdowns all year. Njoku is touchdown-dependent, and his floor is dangerously low — he managed just two catches for 11 yards last week.
Additionally, Minnesota has allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends, making Njoku a sit for Week 5.
Defense – Denver Broncos (@ PHI)
The Broncos’ defense has been serviceable in good matchups, dominating weaker teams like the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals. But against strong offenses, they’ve struggled — allowing 29 points to the Colts in Week 2.
Now they face the Eagles, who rank seventh in total offense, average over 25 points per game, and have turned the ball over only once. Denver is a sit in Week 5.
