Playoffs on the Line in MLB Matchups + TNF Rivalry Game

In today’s newsletter…

• Leading Off: A few fantasy tips

• NFL: Offenses are running the ball 55.38% of the time against Dallas

• MLB: Phillies’ Sanchez has 2.17 ERA over last 45.2 innings

• College Football: Army leads the nation in rushing yards per game

• WNBA: Caitlin Clark is averaging 23 points, 9 assists in her last 14

• Golf: Americans have outscored Internationals 56.5-23.5 in Presidents Cup foursomes since 2007

• Overtime: Lawsuits are dominating sports right now

Week 4 of the NFL kicks off with the Giants and Cowboys on Thursday Night Football and ends with another twofer on Monday night. I’ll be watching the Vikings vs. Packers at 1pm, Chiefs vs. Chargers at 4:25pm and Bills vs. Ravens on Sunday Night Football. You can check out our quick guide to Week 4 on our website. And here are a few insights from NFL Next Gen stats to help with your fantasy football lineup this week:

• Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard recorded 13 carries between the tackles (62% of his attempts), rushing for 74 of his 114 yards in Week 3. The Bengals have contacted rushers behind the line of scrimmage on inside runs at the 4th-highest rate in the NFL (50.0%) but have allowed the 2nd-most yards after contact on such runs (175) this season.

• Nico Collins has totaled 95 receiving yards for the Texans when lined up against press coverage this season, the 3rd-most in the NFL. The Jaguars have aligned their outside corners in press coverage on 36% of snaps, the 5th-highest rate in the league.

• Cardinals left guard Evan Brown has allowed just 4 pressures (1 sack) on 102 pass rushes this season (3.9% pressure rate), the 6th-lowest among left guards this season (min. 40 pass blocks). Brown is projected to matchup against Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who has aligned as the right interior defensive lineman on 88% of snaps this season. Allen has generated 7 pressures on 74 pass rushes this season (9.5%).

• Giants QB Daniel Jones has completed just 40 of 69 pass attempts (58.0%) for 340 yards, one touchdown, and an interception against zone this season. His 58.0% completion rate against zone is the 2nd-lowest in the NFL. The Cowboys have played zone coverage on 73% of dropbacks this season (14th in NFL), up 18% from last season (32nd in NFL). They have allowed the lowest success rate (30.3%) in zone coverage in 2024.

In today’s newsletter, Craig is tracking a full slate of MLB action, Chris has the WNBA playoffs and Thursday Night Football, and Jack is covering Thursday and Friday college football along with golf’s Presidents Cup.

- Abe Rakov