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Fantasy Football Report: Week 4

Four weeks out of seventeen. Your season is just about 25% over. If your team sucks, then accept it. If you’re team is great, then bask in the glory. Some players have reached a point where they are just not going to come through for you (I am looking at everyone on the Bengals here). Speaking of the Bengals, Its time to get to our first headline of the Week 4 recap.

Carson Palmer Sits Out Week 4 Against Cleveland

Bengals’ QB Carson Palmer, nursing a sore elbow, missed Sunday’s game against the Browns. He injured it in Week 3 against the Giants and was benched in order to rest his injury. Ryan Fitzpatrick started in his place and couldn’t stop the bleeding in Cincinnati by throwing three picks and failing to beat the Browns. Palmer says he will play in Week 5 against the Cowboys.

Anquan Boldin Leaves Game After Helmet-to-Helmet Hit

Cardinals’ WR Anquan Boldin took a vicious (and illegal) hit in the 4th Quarter of Arizona’s loss to the Jets. Boldin was carted off the field. Boldin suffered a fractured sinus membrane and it is uncertain if he will play Sunday (I highly doubt he will). According to the Arizona Republic, Jets’ DB Eric Smith was fined and suspended by the NFL for the hit on Boldin.

Cedric Benson Signs With Bengals

ESPN.com is reporting that former Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson has been signed by the Cincinnati Bengals. Benson’s career has been marred by off the field incidents and if the Bengals need a quick fix to their offense, then they are barking up the wrong tree.

Now for the Stars and Gripes of Week 4 (Get it? Starts and Gripes? I don’t care what you think, I know it is catchy.)

Week 4 Top Performers

Larry Johnson (RB), K.C. Chiefs: Johnson had his best game of 2008 with 198 yds rushing and 2 TD. He has run for 319 yds in his last two contests.

• Week 5 Outlook: The Chiefs march into Carolina and face the Panthers who are allowing 114.3 rush yds per game.

Brett Favre (QB), New York Jets: The future Hall of Famer did something on Sunday he has never done in his career, throw 6 Td’s in one game. In total, he was 24-34 for 289 yds on the day.

• Week 5 Outlook: Favre gets to rest his ailing ankle since the Jets are on the bye. However, he faces the Bengals in Week 6 which should make for some big numbers.

Greg Jennings (WR), Green Bay Packers: Jennings finally found the end zone with 2 TD and also had his third 100-yd game of the season with 109 yds

• Week 5 Outlook: Jennings gets to rip apart the Falcons defense which is giving up over 330 yds per game.

Week 4 Duds

Derek Anderson (QB), Cleveland Browns: Anderson continues to struggle with 138 yds, 1 TD, and 1 INT in Week 4. His QB rating for the season is an embarrassing 49.9.

• Week 5 Outlook: If Anderson does not get his act together then he may be benched in favor of Brady Quinn. He is on the bye this week so maybe he can recharge his batteries.

Marion Barber (RB), Dallas Cowboys: Barber carried just 8 times for 26 yards and failed to find the end zone for the first time this season.

• Week 5 Outlook: Great news for Barber, he gets to face the Bengals. Cincinnati is allowing 164 rush yds per game and over 330 yds total to opposing offenses. Barber should run and catch all over them.

Andre Johnson (WR), Houston Texans: Johnson still can’t find a rhythm with Matt Schaub and caught only 3 catches for 38 yds.

• Week 5 Outlook: The Texans face the Colts who although absolutely suck against the run (199 yds per game), they can shut down any passing game as evident by allowing only 141 yds per contest.

Unexpected Stars

Lance Moore (WR), New Orleans Saints: With Colston and Shockey out with injuries, Moore stepped up with 101 yds and 2 TD.

• Week 5 Outlook: Even though the Saints face a Vikings’ defense that allows just 207.5 pass yds per game, Drew Brees is going to throw the ball all day, everyday. So it would be wise to start Moore.

Steve Breaston (WR), Arizona Cardinals: Breaston was one of three Cardinals WR with at least 100 yds receiving when he hauled in 9 catches for 122 yds.

• Week 5 Outlook: Breaston may see significant looks if Anquan Boldin misses Week 5. Keep in mind though, Breaston put up his numbers even before Boldin left the game with injury. Arizona faces the Bills who allow only 168.5 pass yds per game.

Deuce McCallister (RB), New Orlenas Saints: Deuce was loos on Sunday when he carried 20 times for 73 yds and a TD.

• Week 5 Outlook: Deuce outcarried Reggie Bush 20 to 10 and if healthy, can be very valuable. Yet the forecast looks bad against Minnesota since the Vikings surrender only 71.8 rush yds per game.

Sports of Boston Friends and Family Football League

• I won a close one by a score of 95.58 to 84.26. Kurt Warner’s 473 yds and 2 TD’s made up for his 3 INT and 3 lost fumbles. Picking up Saints’ WR Robert Meachem worked out for me since he got me 99 yds and a TD.
• Our friend Dev remains in first with a blowout over SoB’s Geoff (151.78 to 87.62).
• Although Dev is in first, SoB’s KC leads the league in points with 503.42. His only loss of the season was at the hands of Dev in Week 3.
• A trade went through between our friend Dev and SoB’s Mike. Mike traded Hines Ward and Matt Forte to Dev for Eddie Royal and Jason Campbell.
• A second trade went down between our friend “kj’s #1’s” ans SoB’s Chris. Chris received QB Jake Delhomme for QB J.T. O’Sullivan.
• Recent pickups include: Brady Quinn, Patrick Crayton, Dustin Keller, Antonio Bryant, Donald Lee, and Lance Moore.

Tags: Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Brett Favre, Carson Palmer, Cedric Benson, Derek Anderson, Deuce McAllister, Fantasy, Fantasy Football Report, Greg Jennings, Lance Moore, Larry Johnson, Marion Barber, Steve Breaston

© 2009 Sports of Boston, LLC.