Thursday night is starting to become a lot of fun.
The games selected for Thursday night haven’t always been competitive, high-scoring affairs, but that’s starting to change.
Last week we had Baker Mayfield’s debut and this week we had a shootout between the Vikings and Rams.
Jared Goff recorded the first 400-yard, five-touchdown game on three days’ rest in NFL history. He had a perfect passer rating to boot.
Here’s a look at who else you should start, and sit, in Week 4.
START THESE GUYS
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: He gets to face the 49ers who are in the bottom-10 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. They’ve already given up eight TD passes through three games.
Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals: Though A.J. Green is battling a groin injury, the Bengals have a good passing matchup against the Falcons. Dalton is building chemistry with Tyler Boyd, a third-year receiver looking to break out.
Case Keenum, QB, Broncos: The Chiefs have given up 1,127 yards passing, which is worst in the league. Keenum will be playing at home against a team that is second worst in points allowed to quarterbacks.
Gio Bernard, RB, Bengals: Bernard filled in well for an injured Joe Mixon last week, rushing for 61 yards and making five receptions for 25 more. He has a great matchup this week against he Falcons. They’re third worst in points allowed to running backs.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Browns: The Raiders allow 5.1 yards per carry and Hyde is on a scoring streak. Having Mayfield start could open things up even more for the running back.
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks: The Cardinals are second worst in points allowed to running backs, allowing five rushing touchdowns to the position. That’s the most in the league. Carson eclipsed 100 yards on 32 carries last week.
Allen Robinson, WR, Bears: Facing the Buccaneers is a good thing for a guy who gets targeted as much as he does. Tampa Bay has given up 595 yards through the air to receivers. They’ve surrendered 56 receptions to receivers which is last in the league.
Geronimo Allison, WR, Packers: Randall Cobb is dealing with a hamstring injury and Allison has yielded solid production. I’m betting he gets more than four targets, like he did last week, against the Bills this week.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants: He’s the No. 2 wideout in N.Y. and has an outstanding matchup with the Saints. Shepard should build upon his 80-yard, TD performance last week.
SIT THESE GUYS
Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys: He hasn’t thrown for more than 170 yards in a game yet this season and he has just as many picks as he does touchdown passes. The Lions are in the top-10 in terms of limiting fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders: The Browns are actually really good at limiting quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. They intercepted Ben Roethlisberger three times and held Drew Brees to 243 yards and two touchdowns. Those are pedestrian numbers for an elite quarterback. Carr isn’t an elite quarterback.
Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars: He was outstanding two weeks ago against the Patriots, but in his two other games he failed to eclipse 200 yards passing. Bortles faces the Jets, a team that has allowed three touchdowns while making five interceptions.
Alex Collins, RB, Ravens: Fantasy owners are pulling their hair out every time they see Javorius Allen make the most of a red zone opportunity. The back up running back is cutting into Collins’ production tremendously.
Kenyan Drake, RB, Dolphins: He hasn’t gained more than 53 yards rushing in a game and has put up two duds in three weeks. He’s very dependent on touchdowns at this point and the Patriots have allowed just one on the ground so far this season.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills: There’s good reason to believe the Packers will lead this game. And there’s no good reason why McCoy should be in the game while dealing with a rib injury. He’s expected to play, but you can’t trust he’ll be that productive.
Chris Hogan, WR, Patriots: Tom Brady isn’t throwing him the ball. Wait until Hogan has a decent game before you start him. Honestly, if he doesn’t perform this week, you can cut him.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Raiders: I’m not going to get fooled by his big performance last week. He had two huge gains after showing next to nothing the first two weeks. If he strings two good games together we can start thinking about inserting him into the lineup.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: This week could be telling for him. If he can somehow be productive while nursing a hamstring and playing with a rookie quarterback, you might be able to start him again. Just don’t do it yet.
Contact Cat Vasquez at 512-445-3677. Email cvasquez@statesman.com. Twitter @AAS_Cat.
