Welcome to Crossing the Streams (Week 4). This is where we highlight kickers and D/STs we are starting this week. For the starts, we will be avoiding the obvious starts, and will only be selecting players outside the top 10 who could conceivably be available to stream off the waiver wire. After each week we will show a report card with our Hit and Miss rate grade. A hit will be any player that scores more than 8.0 fantasy points which we will refer to as the magic number, with anything under that being a miss. For our full list of weekly rankings, head over to The FFU Weekly Rankings Page or try out our Sit/Start Tool Powered by Fantasy Pros.
Kickers
Evan McPherson, Bengals vs CAR (7)
McPherson has been mediocre to start the season and currently sits as PK13 on the year. He is 5 for 6 on extra points and 7 for 8 on field goals. McPherson has hit once from beyond 40-yards and twice from beyond 50-yards. This week, he gets a matchup with the Carolina Panthers who rank as the 7th best matchup for opposing kickers. The Panthers are allowing 11.3 fantasy points per game and should make for a boom spot for the currently inconsistent McPherson if the Bengal’s offense can get back on track.
Tyler Bass, Bills vs BAL (3)
Bass has been consistently average this season and currently ranks as PK14. He is 13 for 14 on extra points and 5 for 6 on field goals. Bass has hit twice from beyond 40-yards but is yet to hit from beyond 50-yards. In Week 4, he gets a matchup with the Baltimore Ravens who have been the 3rd best matchup for opposing kickers this year and are allowing 12.7 fantasy points per game to the position. Bass and the Bills have been consistent to start the season and should be looking forward to such a favorable matchup to allow a blowup spot for Bass.
Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers vs PHI (17)
McLaughlin put up two solid performances to start the season before dropping a dud of a performance in Week 3 against the Broncos. He currently ranks as PK16 on the year and is 7 for 7 on extra points and 5 for 5 on field goals. Not only is he perfect on kicks this year, but he has added in two field goals from beyond 50 yards. This week he faces the Eagles who are just an average matchup for kickers, but with the consistent play McLaughlin has demonstrated this season, he should be easy points in a potential shootout.
D/ST
Miami Dolphins DST vs TEN (1)
The Dolphins have been bad to start the season and rank as DST22 on the year. They have totaled 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions but have given up far too many points against. In Week 4 however, they get a matchup with the Tennessee Titans who ranks as the best matchup for opposing DSTs. The Titans are allowing 18.7 fantasy points per game to the position and with Will Levis throwing up YOLO balls all over the field they are sure to allow tons of points again to a struggling Dolphins squad.
Tennessee Titans DST vs MIA (2)
The Titans are on the flip side of this matchup and much like the Dolphins DST, they have been awful. The Titans sit as DST26 and have totaled 7 sacks, and 1 forced fumble while also giving up tons of points scored. They face the Dolphins who are allowing 11.7 fantasy points per game and have been a DST goldmine with Tua Tagovailoa out of the lineup. This Dolphins offense simply has no spark plug to ignite their engine without their quarterback and their inability to score will make Tennessee a safe start in Week 4.
Cleveland Browns DST vs LV (3)
The Cleveland Browns have been average this season and sit at DST15 overall. They have 9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles on the year but their struggling offense has made their DST a risky play. This week, they face the Raiders who are the 3rd best matchup for opposing DSTs and have allowed 11.0 fantasy points per game to the position. This game is likely to be a sloppy, low-scoring game and should make Cleveland a solid streaming option in Week 4.
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