This week, like every week, we will look back on last week’s advice first to see how we did. It was another strong week for this matchups column. Philip Rivers wasn’t the breakout QB we expected, but he was serviceable. Ezekiel Elliott dominated. Brian Hoyer and Jordan Howard were excellent options if you decided to start them after reading. Phillip Dorsett showed why he was worth starting in a plus matchup in just one play. Jameis Winston, Latavius Murray and Tavon Austin all suffered through terrible weeks — calling them sits was the right move, too. The only miss (and it was a big one) was on wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Let’s jump right into the Week 3 plays now.
Best matchups
Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles (vs. Lions)
Just like Week 3, the top quarterbacks don’t have the top matchups. Tom Brady was in consideration here, but there are real concerns about the Browns’ surprisingly improved pass rush (12th-best) and game script if the Patriots take a multi-touchdown lead early. The Browns are not the best matchup in Week 4; the Lions are. In fact, the Lions are on the verge of passing the Saints as the best matchup for opposing passing games on a weekly basis.
Although Pat Thorman cautions that this game might have a slow pace, Wentz’s efficiency should trump the fact that the Eagles’ offense might get off a few fewer snaps. Fresh off his bye week, Wentz should be prepared to pick on the many deficiencies of the Lions’ pass defense. The Lions currently rank No. 32 in pass rush overall and No. 28 in pass coverage (all you have to do is avoid Darius Slay). If you worried at all about the Lions shutting down the run and forcing the Eagles to use a one-dimensional and predictable attack, you’ll be happy to know that the Lions own our No. 31 overall run defense rank. They just allowed Bears RB Jordan Howard to chew up 111 yards rushing on 23 carries.
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