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DFS: The Slate, Part I - A Detailed Look at the Week 4 Schedule

Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Here's a breakdown of Sunday's early slate of games (London game excluded; click here for Part II; all times ET):

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.

Line: Colts -4 (opened at -8 1/2)
O/U: 43 1/2 (opened at 47)
Weather: Dome

Andrew Luck is unable to play leaving Matt Hasselbeck as the Colts Quarterback. This change has significantly effected the line as the Colts are now four point favorites and pulled down the Over/Under. ... RB Frank Gore looked sensational last week, and finds himself in another plus matchup especially with Luck out. Expect 15+ touches, 80+ yards and a score. ... T.Y Hilton and Donte Moncreif both have their upside significantly limited by Hassellbeck and it is quite debatable whether or not they should even be rostered in DFS. ... Jaguars QB Blake Bortles was a decent garbage-time play in New England, and is looking at a similar fate here. He'll have to throw no matter what, so don't hesitate to take a tournament shot on him. ... RB T.J. Yeldon is an uninspiring option this week; look for value elsewhere. ... The sheen has come off the sneak value of WR Allen Robinson, who has had one good week so far. 11 catches on 28 targets isn't good. ... Allen Hurns is a decent GPP play as a deep threat in a game that should see Jacksonville air it out often.

Prediction: Jaguars 20, Colts 17
DFS MVP: Blake Bortles

New York Giants at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.

Line: Bills -6 1/2 (opened at -5 1/2)
O/U: 45 (opened at 47)
Weather: Overcast, 60 F; E wind @ 7 mph

Giants QB Eli Manning has had back-to-back solid efforts, but will be hard-pressed to duplicate that success against a Bills defense that hasn't yet shown its teeth. Manning is a GPP option only. ... The Giants are averaging just 3.6 yards per carry, with none of the backfield triumvirate stepping up through three games. The only one worth rostering is Shane Vereen, who has tournament value as a PPR factor. ... Odell Beckham Jr. has shown to be as matchup-proof as any wideout in the NFL; he should reach value this week even if Eli struggles. ... Rueben Randle can be avoided. ... Bills QB Tyrod Taylor has been a pleasant surprise, and remains reasonably priced. He's dealing with a minor ankle injury that should dampen his rushing value, but he's still good for multiple scores against a suspect Giants defense. ... RB Karlos Williams could be one of the most popular plays of the week if LeSean McCoy doesn't suit up. Williams is going to see all the work he can handle, and should be rostered in all formats. ... WR Sammy Watkins may also miss the game, opening the door for Percy Harvin to assume a No. 1 role at a great price point. If Watkins is out, pounce on Harvin. ... Robert Woods becomes a solid tournament play if Watkins misses the game.

Prediction: Bills 27, Giants 20
DFS MVP: Karlos Williams

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Line: Panthers -3 (opened at -3)
O/U: 40 (opened at 39 1/2)
Weather: Possible Thunderstorm, 77 F; W wind @ 11 mph

Panthers QB Cam Newton has thrived despite having few offensive weapons at his disposal, and should have a solid day against a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed six passing touchdowns in three games. Consider him a high-floor, moderate-ceiling play. ... RB Jonathan Stewart has been hobbled by a knee injury that could keep him out or limit him Sunday. If he plays, he's a GPP-only option; if he doesn't, steer clear of backups Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne. ... WR Ted Ginn Jr. has seen steady targets as Newton's most reliable receiver, and is on the tournament radar. ... TE Greg Olsen has been targeted 25 times the past two weeks, and is a great cash-game play if you don't mind paying up. ... Bucs QB Jameis Winston was hounded by the Houston defense last week, and now has to contend with an equally formidable Panthers unit. Keep him off your roster. ... Doug Martin's YPC through three weeks: 4.7, 3.7, 3.3. He's no longer a viable option in any format. ... When Winston's upside is capped, WRs Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson effectively cancel out each other's fantasy value. Evans will be the better choice on a weekly basis, but neither is worth picking in Week 4.

Prediction: Panthers 23, Buccaneers 13
DFS MVP: Greg Olsen

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.

Line: Eagles -3 (opened at -3)
O/U: 45 (opened at 47 1/2)
Weather: Chance of rain, 63 F; NE wind @ 15 mph

It's now or never - again - for Eagles QB Sam Bradford, who has been subpar over his first three games. The Redskins have limited opposing QBs to 607 passing yards and four scores, but have no interceptions and just four sacks. Bradford should have time to operate, making him a speculative GPP play. ... RB DeMarco Murray is trending toward a return, but will struggle to do much against a Washington run defense allowing 3.6 yards per carry. Murray should be avoided, as should the rest of the Philadelphia rushing corps. ... WR Jordan Matthews has the highest floor on the team, and makes for a safe cash-game option with the Eagles looking to jack up the tempo. ... Nelson Agholor should see an uptick in targets after going largely ignored through the first three weeks, but still isn't DFS-worthy. ... Washington QB Kirk Cousins will look to keep pace with Bradford - and though he'll make his share of mistakes, he's an intriguing GPP play at home against an all-or-nothing Philadelphia pass defense. ... The running back situation is a mess; avoid it until a clear No. 1 emerges. ... WR Pierre Garcon is likely atop the depth chart for another week; he's a strong cash-game play based on the wealth of targets he'll see. ... TE Jordan Reed is a top-5 option at his position - and though he's finally priced like it, he's worth the cost in all formats.

Prediction: Redskins 24, Eagles 21
DFS MVP: Jordan Reed

Oakland Raiders at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.

Line: Raiders -3 (opened at -2 1/2)
O/U: 44 (opened at 44 1/2)
Weather: Chance of rain, 58 F; ENE wind @ 11 mph

The Raiders are a road favorite for the first time in forever thanks to a much-improved offense led by QB Derek Carr. He's a terrific option in all formats; he still carries a low salary and has a plum matchup against a Bears pass defense that is just plain bad. ... RB Latavius Murray was a star last week, and should be squarely in the sights of GPP and cash game players alike. He's one of the most heavily-used RBs in the game, and should see a boatload of touches in this one. ... WR Amari Cooper is a must-play across all games, but don't sleep on Michael Crabtree; both players could easily see double-digit targets, giving them both high floors. Crabtree is too cheap to ignore. ... Barring a miracle, Jimmy Clausen will be under center for the Bears this week. Facing Oakland at home should be a much kinder matchup than last week's road date in Seattle, but Clausen isn't a DFS option. ... RB Matt Forte, on the other hand, should see heavy usage in what is expected to be a close game. This could be his best showing of the season. ... WR Alshon Jeffery won't be worth his price tag in this one. Wait until Jay Cutler returns before considering him. ... TE Martellus Bennett has a high floor, and should see some red-zone action. Roster him in a GPP if you want to spend up.

Prediction: Raiders 30, Bears 24
DFS MVP: Latavius Murray

Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Line: Falcons -5 (opened at -5)
O/U: 47 (opened at 46)
Weather: Dome

Texans QB Ryan Mallett has had back-to-back mediocre outings since taking over as the starter; if he's going to reward DFS players, it'll be this week against a porous Falcons defense. Fire him up as a contrarian GPP play who will be one of the lowest-owned QBs of the week. ... RB Arian Foster (groin) will be a game-time decision - and if he plays, he should be used in all formats. Foster is a game-changing talent at the lowest price he'll be all season. If he sits, Alfred Blue will be a popular pick; the Falcons have allowed six rushing scores, and Blue is a good bet to increase that total ... WR DeAndre Hopkins is the perfect Mallett combo option, and is a solid cash-game pick on his own if you're looking to fade the top-priced guys. ... Falcons QB Matt Ryan is a must-play at home against a Houston defense that has surrendered six passing touchdowns. ... RB Devonta Freeman had a career game in Week 3; he likely won't repeat the feat against the Texans, but his expected volume of work makes him a great cash-game play. ... Play Julio Jones. Everywhere. ... The No. 2 role in Atlanta has bounced from Roddy White to Leonard Hankerson; neither is playable except as a long-shot GPP option.

Prediction: Falcons 27, Texans 21
DFS MVP: Julio Jones

Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

Line: Bengals -3 1/2 (opened at -4)
O/U: 45 (opened at 44)
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 65 F; NE wind @ 6 mph

Chiefs QB Alex Smith has been an uninspiring daily fantasy player to date, and that won't change with a Week 4 matchup in Cincinnati. Avoid him. ... Jamaal Charles has arguably been the best running back in the league so far. He belongs on any roster you can fit him on; he's worth the big ticket. ... WR Jeremy Maclin ended the Chiefs' hilarious wide receiver TD drought, but he's a weekly GPP-only play until - and unless - he can duplicate his Week 3 output. ... TE Travis Kelce's floor remains high heading into a favorable matchup with the Bengals - but his price may be a bit much to stomach. ... Bengals QB Andy Dalton has been one of the top DFS value plays of the season; look for him to continue his hot run against a Chiefs pass defense that has been eviscerated for 10 passing touchdowns. ... The dividing lines in the Bengals' running back situation are clearly drawn: When they're ahead, it's Jeremy Hill. When they're behind or passing, it's Giovani Bernard. Neither is worth more than a tournament flier. ... WR A.J. Green showed last week why he's still on the WR1 radar; he's a steep play, but should return value comfortably against the woeful Chiefs. ... Marvin Jones has scored in two straight games and is a decent GPP option in Dalton's pass-heavy attack ... Ditto Tyler Eifert, who remains a Dalton favorite despite last week's zero.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Chiefs 21
DFS MVP: Andy Dalton

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