Fantasy Football Outlook: Ja’Marr Chase, Davante Adams, Adam Thielen (Week 4)

As fantasy managers are about to enter the last week before byes become a factor for the next two months, this will be the last time they will have a full roster to contemplate start/sit decisions.

Last week, we saw Keenan Allen massively exploit his matchup. I mentioned he would have a “sizable return,” but even I underestimated the level of points he would to return fantasy managers last week.

These are WR/CB matchups that fantasy managers need to be aware of and either take advantage of or be cautious about this week. Here are all my notable matchups for the week. Below we dive into a few players.

WR/CB Matchups: Week 4 (Fantasy Football 2023)

Advantageous Wide Receiver Matchups

Ja’Marr Chase (CIN) vs. Kristian Fulton (TEN)

It has been a slow start for Ja’Marr Chase and the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals offense so far in 2023. However, there were signs of life in Week 3 that fantasy managers will cling to. Chase totaled a career-high 15 targets in Week 3.

This week, he faces Kristian Fulton of the Tennessee Titans. Fulton has been someone wide receivers have had success against. According to the FantasyPoints Data Suite, Fulton is giving up the most fantasy points per route run against him, allowing a whopping 0.63 fantasy points per route run.

Given Chase is one of the best route runners in the NFL, this is one of the greatest mismatches of the weekend slate. Fantasy managers would always start Chase, given he was a first-round pick. However, expect him to return WR1 numbers this week.

Davante Adams (LV) vs. Michael Davis (LAC)

Another huge mismatch this weekend is Davante Adams, currently the WR4 in PPR scoring this season, going up against Michael Davis of the Chargers. The Chargers stumbled to their first victory in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings, but it has been extremely difficult for this defense to make any significant stops.

The Chargers are giving up a massive 450.7 yards a game of total offense, which is the second most in the NFL behind the Denver Broncos. They also lead the NFL in receiving yards allowed, with 1,011 receiving yards in three games. They are currently tied for the third-most receiving TDs allowed, with seven conceded this season.

Davis hasn’t made too many big plays so far this season. He also has conceded 0.60 fantasy points per route run against him this season. Justin Jefferson amassed a big day against Davis last week, and it is expected Adams will put up similarly large numbers against him this week.

Adam Thielen (CAR) vs. Josh Metellus (MIN)

Adam Thielen goes against his old team this week on the back of a 14-11-145-1 day against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. With Andy Dalton under center, the Panthers threw the ball at an enormous rate. Dalton attempted 58 passes in Week 3. While that should go down this week, fantasy managers can expect the Panthers to throw the ball significantly more than the 31 times to recognized receiving targets in Week 1 and Week 2.

What also is a plus for fantasy managers is Thielen is against Josh Metellus. Metellus is someone giving up significant points per route run. Although this number dropped in Week 3, despite a huge day for Keenan Allen, Metallus is giving up 0.34 fantasy points per route run.

Expect Thielen, who will want to show the Vikings what they are missing, to make a statement this week. Fantasy managers can comfortably start Thielen in the flex, as this is a great matchup for him to exploit.