Week 4 Thursday Night Football Preview: Steelers vs. Browns

A fresh new week of football is right around the corner as Week 4 begins. It has been rough out here in these fantasy football streets. And honestly, these Thursday night games have been pretty good. This time around, the Cleveland Browns are taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a TNF/AFC North battle. The Steelers and Browns enter Thursday Night Football with 2-1 records. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers go head-to-head to get things started. Now let’s break down which players you should have for your fantasy lineups.  

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Thursday Night Football Preview

Cleveland Browns

Deshaun Watson was a huge question mark before the season began. Shoot, he was still considered a question mark in Week 1. But Watson has started to settle into the quarterback role. Over the last two games, Watson has gone for 382 passing yards and four touchdowns (and no interceptions). Most notably, Watson’s fantasy output has gone up since Week 1. Watson posted 19.7 fantasy points in Week 2 and 20.7 fantasy points in Week 3. 

The Steelers have been hard on opposing quarterbacks heading into Week 4, holding them to just 13.4 fantasy points per game. That ranks as the fourth-lowest FPPG among fantasy defenses. Watson has looked better over the last few games, but I am leaning towards benching him. At best, I am only starting him in Superflex formats.

Looking at the running backs, this may be a game where Quinshon Judkins can make some noise. Judkins has been relatively quiet to start the season, averaging just three yards per carry. Judkins has also been held scoreless with no rushing touchdowns over the first three games. The Steelers have allowed one rushing touchdown to begin the season, but have allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. The Steelers have also allowed the ninth-most receiving yards to opposing running backs, putting Judkins in prime position if he can be used as a receiver in this game. Judkins is averaging just three targets per game, but he’s gone 9 for 9 for 53 yards through the air. 

For the wide receivers, Denzel Boston is a must-start as he continues to lead the Browns receiving group in fantasy points. Boston is just behind KC Concepcion in targets, 20-15, but Boston is averaging 14.2 FPPG to KC’s 6.3. The Steelers have already ruled out CB Joey Porter JR with a “back” injury, and Jalen Ramsey is listed as questionable with a broken wrist. With major injuries to the Steelers’ secondary, Boston may find the end zone for the second time this season. Harold Fannin Jr. is another pass-catcher I trust heading into this game. Fannin heads into Week 4 as the TE9, averaging nearly 13 FPPG. He’s producing too well to bench him. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have a few players to consider for the fantasy lineups if you need them. First up is Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers heads into Week 4 ranked as the QB22 among fantasy quarterbacks, averaging 13.1 fantasy points per game. Rodgers is coming off a 22.7-point performance against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Browns defense ranks 19th in points allowed to fantasy quarterbacks at 17.9 FPPG. Rodgers might be a decent play if all else fails. In a single-QB 12-team league, Rodgers is hanging around the waiver wire until further notice, but in a Superflex, he’s worth playing if you don’t have anyone else on your roster. Just temper expectations. These divisional games can be tough. 

Jaylen Warren should fit comfortably as an RB2 for fantasy lineups. Fellow Steelers running back Rico Dowdle (toe) has been ruled out. The Browns have been tough against the run, but with Dowdle out, expect the Steelers to lean even more on Warren. Warren’s pass-catching ability makes him a versatile play against the Browns. The Browns are giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs so far this season. But again, that is where Warren’s versatility comes in. The Browns are allowing 106 yards per game to running backs heading into Week 4. 

For wide receiver, DK Metcalf sits at the top of the pecking order. Metcalf is ranked as the WR42, according to Fantasydata. But this could be a game where he breaks out. The Browns are allowing 36.7 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. The Browns are also giving up 10.7 yards per reception to receivers. Metcalf, and even Michael Pittman, may do some damage against the vulnerable Browns secondary. Both Metcalf and Pittman are averaging under 10 fantasy points per game. I wouldn’t put them in your lineups outside of a flex spot, and that might be generous. 

Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth isn’t worth starting this week. The “Muth” is averaging 9.4 fantasy points per game and hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1. Freiermuth is averaging about five targets per game, but those targets aren’t turning into points. You can leave him off your roster and put him back on the waiver wire. 

Final Thoughts

While there are some options to play, there aren’t many sure-fire names worth trusting your lineup with. The Steelers wide receiver group isn’t generating nearly enough trust in fantasy to be good. As stated earlier, the Steelers’ top two wide receivers are averaging under 10 fantasy points per game. Pat Freiermuth is right along with them. Jaylen Warren might be the safest player to use in this game. This week he has the backfield all to himself. That’s everything from goal-line work to catching passes. For the Browns, Watson might be worth the risk. But I would search for better options. The Browns have better fantasy weapons in Denzel Boston and Harold Fannin. If I’m putting any players in my lineup, it has to be Deshaun Watson, Quinshon Judkins, and Harold Fannin.  

Make sure to check out all of our Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!