There seems to be a time in every fantasy football season when we decide to stream a quarterback who seems way too good to be true. And to quote Lt. Aldo Raine, "We hear a story too good to be true ... it ain't." I typically look at streaming quarterbacks in the same light. When the matchup seems too overwhelmingly good, it probably isn't going to work out for you.
I bring this up because last week it was Marcus Mariota. It's almost unfair to bring him up because he was injured early in the contest (and still almost outscored Justin Herbert on the week). But there always seems to be something about streaming a quarterback the entire public has rallied around.
Again, I mention this because everyone has gone wild for Jacoby Brissett because of his matchup with the Lions this week. Even my guy Daniel Dopp has Brissett ranked fifth (at the time of this writing). Again, I will tell you that when you see a matchup too good to be true, it likely is.
I know it's anecdotal, but I've been burned by so many smash quarterback matchups that there isn't an SPF high enough to protect me. I've taken more burns than Super Mario trying to rescue the princess. I've suffered more burns than Jerry Gergich at a Pawnee town hall meeting. I've suffered more burns than ... well, you get the point.
I understand why you want to play Brissett. I mean, it's the Lions. I'm just not sure that I'm ready to do it. And with that, here are some research notes you need to know heading into the big weekend.
Quarterback notes
It should be noted that quarterback scoring was down in Week 4. No quarterback topped 30 points, the leader being Drake Maye (26.16). Is Maye back? The Raiders are middle of the pack in points allowed to quarterbacks this season and top 12 in DVOA, but I'm still rolling with Maye.
One quarterback you might consider benching this week is Jalen Hurts. He has struggled and last week had 93 passing yards, with the Eagles struggling to convert on third down. They traded away offensive lineman Cam Jurgens. Like, are the Eagles trying to win here? I'm curious. I feel like you need to start Hurts because of his rushing potential. But, like English food, I'll indulge, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Trevor Lawrence was a low-end QB1 in most fantasy drafts. He's playing excellent football, but he's not a great fantasy quarterback. He's also not great in London, where he has played seven times and scored 14.2 fantasy points per game, including fewer than 20 points in each game. He has won only one game in London when he threw more than one touchdown pass (2024 against the Bears). He also tossed two picks in that one.
Wide receiver notes
I might feel skittish starting Brissett, but I'm loving Michael Wilson. I targeted Wilson over Marvin Harrison Jr. this summer, and it's paying off now. Wilson has scored 42.4 points over the past two weeks, which would make him the No. 6 receiver in fantasy. He leads the NFL in targets (30) and red zone targets (8) over the past two weeks. He absolutely needs to be started.
I do feel good about Harrison, too -- because it's the Lions, not that I think he's back (was he ever there?). But I've targeted Harrison and Brian Thomas Jr. as trade candidates because, well, they are trade candidates in real life. There's a chance (I'm just spit-balling here) either receiver could be sent to a receiver-needy team. I'm still a big believer in their talents, and they could benefit from a change of scenery.
I am buying Carnell Tate. He is trending up, punctuated by 21.5 fantasy points in Week 4. He has close to 30% of the Titans' target share this season. Just give Brian Daboll a little time to cook.
Malik Washington is a potential streaming option for anybody missing one of the Chiefs' or Panthers' pass catchers while they're on bye. He has 10-plus points in back-to-back weeks. The Dolphins' strength of schedule has been ridiculous to start the season. Maybe Miami can get something going as the schedule loosens up. That might even be good news for running back Ollie Gordon II.
Roman Wilson has 31.4 points in his past two games. He has had at least six targets in all four games this season. Do I trust the Steelers yet? I do not.
And finally, I spoke in jest when I said Michael Penix Jr. should be the MVP. But the Falcons look so different with him under center. And he has made Drake London the receiver we all wanted him to be. So I'm cool with it.