Washington Commanders

Washington Redskins Fantasy Slant: Redskin To Start And Others Across The League To Play

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The fantasy football season is in full swing heading into Week 4. Here is some advice on who to start or sit for this week, including analysis on which Redskins player will perform best this week.

The 2016 NFL regular season is already almost a quarter of the way over. Most fantasy football owners have figured out a pretty solid go-to starting lineup by now, or have already given up on their team entirely.

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However, let’s say you are still not quite sure about one position, and you’re going to be in a close game this week. That one player could be the difference between a win and a loss.

In the upcoming slides I will try to predict what player you have to have on your roster, which one you want to avoid starting, and which one might be a risk but could also yield a big reward. I will also try and predict what player on the Redskins is likely to have the biggest fantasy impact during Week 4.

Sep 18, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins Must Start: Kirk Cousins

Last week, Kirk Cousins finally started to play like the quarterback people expected him to be. After throwing three interceptions and only one touchdown in the first two games, Cousins turned his play around this past Sunday when he threw 2 TDs. The reason for this is because the Redskins finally started to trust their running game, which took the pressure off of Cousins.

The Redskins play the Browns this Sunday. Therefore, they shouldn’t have a major problem running the ball which will give Cousins a greater opportunity to throw the ball.

According to NFL.com, the Browns’ defense is 24th in the NFL in passing yards allowed to opposing teams. This coupled with the receiving weapons that the Redskins have should lead to Cousins having a fairly big game this week. I would predict him to have around 300 passing yards and a passing touchdown or two at minimum.

Sep 22, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) runs through the Houston Texans defense for a touchdown during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Must Start: LeGarrette Blount

LeGarrette Blount has been on fire so far this season. In three games, he’s totaled 298 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns. He’s been the Patriots go-to offensive weapon this season and that’s going to continue into this week.

This will most likely be Blount’s last week as the Patriots’ main offensive weapon since quarterback Tom Brady comes back from suspension in Week 5. It is still unknown who will play QB this Sunday for the Patriots. Therefore, owners with Blount on their fantasy team should expect him to put up big numbers, especially against a defensive rival.

Not only is Blount the main weapon, but he’s in a favorable matchup. According to NFL.com, the Bills’ rushing defense is ranked 15th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game. However, they also allowed Matt Forte to rush for three touchdowns on them in Week 2. So if the Patriots can get the ball anywhere near the goal line, look for them to give the ball to Blount to pound it into the end zone for six points for your fantasy team.

Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) is unable to stay in bounds against Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Must Sit: Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall has yet to make it into the end zone this year. In fact, he only has 160 receiving yards through three games. This lack of production may be because Ryan Fitzpatrick is throwing him the ball, but whatever it is it’s a serious concern for anyone with Marshall on their fantasy team.

In Week 4, Marshall also faces an extremely tough challenge, the Seattle Seahawks pass defense. The Seahawks defense ranks 1st in the league in opponents points allowed per game. They also rank 2nd in passing yards allowed. This defense mixed with Ryan Fitzpatrick’s poor recent performances is a deadly concoction for anyone who is thinking about starting Marshall on their fantasy football team.

The one brights side for owners of Marshall is that Jets receiver Eric Decker is ruled out for the game this Sunday, so he could get more targets. However, this will also make it easier for the Seahawks’ secondary to lock him off since they have one less target to worry about.

Sep 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles during the second half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Sleeper Pick: Philip Rivers

Any quarterback playing against the Saints defense has proven to be a safe QB to start so far this season. According to NFL.com, the Saints have the 25th worst pass defense in the league, allowing opponents an average of 299 yards through the air per game.

While teams have had no problem moving the ball through the air against the Saints, they have actually had a hard time scoring touchdowns by passing the football. In fact, the Saints have only allowed 3 passing touchdowns so far this season. This is why Philip Rivers is a sleeper pick: he could have a pretty average game if he only throws for 250+ yards and one touchdown, but if he’s able to put up 6 multiple times, then his numbers could skyrocket and he could have a much bigger fantasy impact.

Another important stat that makes Rivers less risky with a higher potential reward is the amount of interceptions he’s thrown. Through the first three games, Rivers has thrown 5 touchdowns and no picks. It is doubtful that he can continue this trend for the rest of the season, but this makes him a much less risky player to start. Especially this week against a weak pass defense like the Saints.