The end of Week 4 used to be the end of the first quarter of the season, until the league added a 17th game last season. It's still a good time to make league assessments. There's still so much up for grabs. You've got front-runners like the Bills and Eagles, but divisions like the AFC South, NFC West, AFC North and honestly most divisions are all in play. Like the real life game, it's all still in front of your fantasy football teams. Even if you're 0-4, a winning streak is still very possible, especially in a league this fluid.
Here's a look at some players who are trending in the right direction and some that you should probably worry about.
RISING
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Lions: He threw four TDs for the second time in the last three games. He gets the Patriots next, who aren't the same team we're used to seeing Bill Belichick trot out onto the field.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers: Tom Terrific finally had a game we're used to seeing from him Sunday night, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns as the Bucs tried to keep up with the Chiefs. He should keep it going against the Falcons next week.
Joe Burrow, Bengals: After a terrible four-interception Week 1, Burrow has at least two TD passes in each of his last three games. He gets to face a Ravens defense that isn't great defending the pass in Week 5.
Running backs
Austin Ekeler, Chargers: He finally produced the kind of fantasy score that he was drafted to produce, scoring three touchdowns Sunday. The biggest difference from this week to the previous three is that he found the end zone.
Miles Sanders, Eagles: I think he's better than he gets credit for, as he's carried the ball at least 13 times in each week while having at least 80 rushing yards in three of four games. He exploded for 134 yards and two scores in Week 4 and has four good matchups upcoming.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks: The game with Detroit had huge numbers, including Penny's output. He has a nice schedule ahead of him: the Cardinals twice, the Giants and the Chargers after the Saints next week.
Wide receivers
DK Metcalf, Seahawks: Geno Smith has been pretty amazing at times this year. Metcalf caught seven passes for 149 yards a week after a 64-yard, one-score game in Week 3. Tyler Lockett also had a big day Sunday.
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: He’s developing chemistry with Cooper Rush and it looks like Dak Prescott is close to returning. After a weak start, he's caught at least six passes for at least 75 yards in each week since.
Tee Higgins, Bengals: The No. 2 wideout for Cincy is looking like the No. 1 option. He caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Higgins has gained at least 71 yards in each of the last three weeks.
Tight ends
T.J. Hockenson, Lions: His huge game against the Seahawks could be a sign of things to come as he's got two good matchups for tight ends in the next three games.
FALLING
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins: He’ll miss Week 5, and the type of injury he sustained has lots of eyes on his situation. It could be a while before he puts up a big fantasy score again.
Justin Fields, Bears: Fields hasn't accounted for a touchdown in two games and is averaging just 8.5 completions per game. He's gained 99 yards on the ground over the last two games but a lack of TDs hasn't maximized that effort.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons: He failed to find the end zone in any fashion against the Browns and has to face the Bucs and 49ers over the next two weeks. I don't have high hopes for him after a decent first three weeks.
Running backs
Javonte Williams, Broncos: Unfortunately, he blew out his knee Sunday and will miss the rest of the season. With Melvin Gordon having fumbling issues, newly-signed Latavius Murray will be a high priority on the waiver wire this week.
Jonathan Taylor, Colts: He's dealing with an ankle injury, but even before that he's only had two out of four good fantasy games so far. You play him if he's available, but you may have to lower your expectations.
Kareem Hunt, Browns: Nick Chubb was always going to be the top guy in the backfield, but it looks like Hunt must find the end zone to have fantasy relevance. He hasn't done that since Week 1.
Wide receivers
Amari Cooper, Browns: After back-to-back 101-yard performances, Cooper had just one catch for nine yards in Week 5 against the Falcons. Really not sure what to make of that. It's boom or bust for Cooper so far.
Gabe Davis, Bills: Since his ankle injury he's been pretty pedestrian, catching four passes for just 50 yards over the last two games. I'd expect him to bounce back against the Steelers. Couldn't get much worse.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens: After two great games to start the season, it looked like Bateman was ready to take the next step in his career. Unfortunately, he's coming off back-to-back duds.
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