In the ever-evolving world of fantasy football, Week 4 highlighted several key statistics that may have gone unnoticed by fantasy enthusiasts. Among these, Xavier Worthy’s impact on the Kansas City Chiefs has opened new avenues for fantasy owners to explore. As yahoo fantasy analyst Joel Smyth points out every Monday, understanding overlooked stats can be the difference between victory and defeat in your league. In this article, we will delve deep into ten essential stats from Week 4, providing insights and analysis to boost your fantasy strategy.
### Main Keyword: Xavier Worthy
#### 1. Impact of Xavier Worthy on the Chiefs
In Kansas City’s recent games, Xavier Worthy has emerged as a crucial player, enhancing the team’s offensive capabilities. When Worthy was on the field, Patrick Mahomes averaged 5.6 air yards per attempt, as opposed to a mere 3.3 when he was not present. This jump in productivity illustrates how Worthy’s presence can open the field, allowing Mahomes to stretch the defense and capitalize on downfield opportunities. Worthy’s role in the receiving corps looks promising, especially with the noticeable change in the depth of his targets compared to last season.
#### 2. DeMario Douglas and Stefon Diggs
Shifting our focus to the New England Patriots, DeMario Douglas’ route changes had a significant impact on Stefon Diggs’ target share. In Week 4, following a lackluster performance early in the season, Diggs saw his target share soar from 14% to 41%. This increase coincided with a greater percentage of routes run, jumping from 56% to 86%. With Douglas’ limited effectiveness, Diggs took advantage of the opportunity, making him a player to monitor going forward, particularly as he shakes off the rust from an ACL injury.
#### 3. Chris Godwin’s Slot Usage
Chris Godwin’s utilization has sparked concerns among analysts and fantasy players alike. Despite being a reliable fantasy receiver in past seasons, Godwin ran only 29% of his routes from the slot, a statistic that is troubling for his fantasy upside. Historically, Godwin’s best performances have come when predominantly used in the slot, boosting his fantasy points per game from 12 to 17. If this trend of limited slot usage continues, it may spell trouble for his fantasy value moving forward.
#### 4. Cam Skattebo’s Volume Increase
Over in Jacksonville, Cam Skattebo had an underwhelming fantasy outing, scoring only 12 points despite an impressive 27 touches. In a game where the Giants shifted towards a run-heavy strategy, Skattebo’s volume remains a positive takeaway. With goal-line opportunities and receiving work, Skattebo could see a rise in production if given a favorable matchup in future weeks.
#### 5. Trey Benson’s RB Touches
Trey Benson had a staggering 93% of the RB touches against the opposition this week, although it came in a truncated appearance lasting just over 56 minutes. This percentage suggests that, when given full game scenarios, Benson could elevate his fantasy value significantly, particularly next week against a struggling Tennessee defense. A performance like that would be critical for fantasy managers looking for reliable running back options.
#### 6. Zavier Scott’s Increase in Targets
A less recognized player is Zavier Scott, who received a shockingly high eight targets in Week 4. Although he is not yet a household name, this volume points to potential opportunities for production against favorable matchups. For fantasy players with struggling RB options, Scott may provide a viable alternative going forward, particularly in a pass-heavy offense.
#### 7. Woody Marks Emerges
Another player to keep a close eye on is Woody Marks, who saw his share of touches explode from 23.3% to an impressive 58.3%. With 21 touches resulting in 25.9 fantasy points, Marks showcased not only his capability to run but also his utility as a receiver. While the Texans’ overall offensive struggles place a cap on his potential, he remains a strong waiver wire candidate with high upside for future games.
#### 8. Kendre Miller’s Rising Touches
Kendre Miller’s growth in touches is another intriguing development. With numbers reflecting 5-6-9-11 touches over recent games, Miller’s performance indicates a trend of increasing involvement in the Saints’ offense. While Alvin Kamara’s presence has limited his fantasy ceiling, Miller has demonstrated efficiency with his opportunities, placing him on the radar as a potential low-end RB2.
#### 9. Green Bay Packers’ Distribution
Despite a significant offensive outing from Jordan Love, the distribution of targets among the Green Bay Packers’ wide receivers raises questions for future matchups. Only ten different players caught passes, signaling a lack of depth in the receiving options. The largely unproductive day for Matthew Golden, who had a missed opportunity to shine, makes managing expectations tricky moving forward.
#### 10. The Bears’ Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Bears allowed a dismal adjusted yards before contact rate of 3.09, offering opposing offenses room to flourish. As illustrated by the Raiders’ performance, who capitalized on this statistical anomaly, understanding defensive matchups can ultimately shape a fantasy strategy. Key players need to be monitored based on their performances against defenses with such weaknesses, especially in the context of future matchups.
### Conclusion
Week 4 has revealed vital insights that can guide your fantasy football strategy moving forward. The emergence of players like Xavier Worthy, alongside shifts in other offensive patterns, signals opportunities that savvy fantasy managers will seize. As always, it’s imperative to stay attuned to these statistics and trends, as they can significantly impact lineup decisions and waiver wire strategies. With the season unfolding, these insights will be pivotal in crafting a championship-winning team.
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