Mulligan’s Fantasy Forecast, Week 4
So, who had Michael Vick as the leading fantasy scorer through the first three weeks of the season? If you did, well you’re just a liar. What Vick has done to this point in the season is truly impressive and with the Eagles not facing many elite defenses in their schedule this season, there’s no reason he can’t keep it going all year. On the flip side, Kevin Kolb owners have to feel sick to their stomachs right now.
Godd match-ups
Louis Murphy vs. Texans defense: Murphy is off to a great start this season, out-performing the likes of Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson to this point in the season. Murphy gets the best possible match up for a wide receiver in the NFL right now as the Raiders play the Texans this week. Houston is allowing an insane 368 yards passing per game through three games this season so look for the Raiders best receiver to keep it going this week.
DeAngelo Williams vs. Saints defense: DeAngelo Williams’ owners have waited patiently for him to get things going this season. Enter the New Orleans Saints, who are allowing teams to run all over them to the tune of 145 yards per game (3rd worst in the NFL). Sure, you’d think the Saints will focus more on Williams and make QB Jimmy Clausen beat them, but they way New Orleans is getting trampled this season that probably won’t matter. I’d look for Williams to notch his first 100-yard game and first TD of the season this week.
Not so good match-ups
Mike Wallace vs. Ravens defense: Wallace had a big game against the Buccaneers last week, grabbing three catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. But the Ravens are not the Bucs. Baltimore has the number one pass defense in the NFL to this point, allowing teams to pass for just 116 yards per game. Don’t expect another big performance from Wallace this week.
Ray Rice/Willis McGahee vs. Steelers defense: Rice suffered a knee injury in last week’s game against the Browns and, as I write this, his status is unknown for this week’s game against Pittsburgh. Regardless of who is Baltimore’s running back this week, it won’t be someone you’ll want in your fantasy lineups. Through three games, the Steelers are allowing less than 60 yards per game on the ground to their opponents.
Waiver wire watch
Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns: After Hillis’ monster performance last week, he’s now a top-ten ranked running back in standard format leagues. It’s likely that he will remain the starter in Cleveland for the time being, and he faces a middle of the pack rushing defense in the Bengals this week.
Kyle Mulligan is a contributing sports writer for the Observer. He welcomes your feedback and can be reached at kjmulli@gmail.com.