Young Guns - Week 4

Guys, thanks for all the feedback over the last 2 weeks, it's definitely appreciated! And many of you have made a great point. "Dave, why did you name your article 'Young Guns' while the majority of your writing is on game lines and picks?" Initially I was intrigued with dissecting history and stats to analyze Vegas lines and integrated my "Young Guns" theme because of my interest in new players.

Young Guns will now take a Fantasy Football-like outlook: My favorite up and coming players, including second and third-year guys, matched up in that week's games.  Follow me on Twitter @daveschefke9.

Here's my Young Guns for Week 4, including my (*) TOP 3 for that INDIVIDUAL week. That means this week, against this team, not Top 3 overall. That will come later.

DOLPHINS/SAINTS- YES! They finally picked a good MNF game! Praise Jesus. I preached Tannehill all off-season and took a TON of criticism. The result so far? He's managed to lead a mediocre offense and decent defense to a 3-0 start. Thank you for being my anti-David Wilson for the year. He should do well against the Saints' defense. And someone explain to me how Lamar Miller is sharing carries with Daniel Thomas? I'm also still waiting for the Saints to play Nick Toon. No, not the beloved children's TV station. This kid has home run TD written all over him. If he can stay healthy, we all know Drew loves to go to the endzone, and Toon can make that happen.

EAGLES/BRONCOS- The Eagles will continue to lose, this week against my Broncos. Julius Thomas has been playing out of his mind. If the Eagles can get in the endzone, will Chip Kelly get cute again and go for a 2-point conversion in the first quarter? Won't matter, #BroncoNation is going to smoke them. Nobody believes me, but guys, you need to put in Nick Foles. The kid is a starter, especially on a team where your starter is Michael Vick. Just shocked Vick hasn't gotten injured yet...

RAVENS/BILLS- Let's see how EJ does against a struggling Ravens team. You have to like Torrey Smith torching Buffalo's secondary. And if he gets the chance, I expect another strong game from Bernard Pierce. I reiterate...he is AS GOOD as Ray Rice.

BENGALS/BROWNS- I love this game because it's all about the YOUNG GUNS. Expect Cincy to win with immediate help from Gio Bernard (*), Tyler Eifert, and Sanu. You AJ Green fantasy owners counting your points already...be careful. While I wouldn't be surprised to see him haul in a TD or two, Dalton has a lot of weapons and doesn't necessarily need AJ to win this game. Browns fans can look forward to watching their best player, Josh Gordon, back in his second game. On a team with no other weapons except their TE, he will get a ton of action. Unfortunately, he's up against an elite defense. Any fantasy owner should try and pick him up for coming games if they can.

CARDINALS/BUCS- Michael Floyd is still due for a breakout game. So is Doug Martin. Anyone? Yeah, real yawner here.

GIANTS/CHIEFS- The 0-3 Giants? The 3-0 Chiefs? David Wilson, are you going to make me look bad for a 4th consecutive week? I stick with my guns, this kid is going to be a star, but when? Speaking of underachievers, AJ Jenkins? Changing teams did nothing to change your 1st round bust status?

COLTS/JAGS- This better be your lock game for the week. Everyone knows I hate the "elite" argument, but in my book, Luck is elite. Yes, that means Top 5 everyone. Luck (*) will torch the Jags, hopefully with some impressive shots to super-sleeper T.Y. Hilton. TE Fleener is good. Really good. He could wind up with at least a TD today. The Jags have, well, hmmm....@TebowToJax

BEARS/LIONS- How are the Lions 3 point favorites? Stupid Vegas and their inside info. The Bears are really good this year and the Lions are, well, the Lions. Alshon Jeffery could bust out against the Lions' pathetic secondary.

SEAHAWKS/TEXANS- This could be, and hopefully is, a fantastic game. The Texans have been under-performing all year. The Seahawks are my Super Bowl pick and have continued to show why. This team doesn't get cocky. They work hard. They play as a team. They have good leaders and coaching, and an elite (in this case, #1) defense, which will prevent one of my favorite Young Guns, DeAndre Hopkins, from doing much this game. Don't play him. Look for another strong week from Russell Wilson who thrives under pressure, which will no doubt be coming from J.J. Watt.

STEELERS/VIKINGS- With how crappy this game is going to be, I'm shocked it's not our MNF game. Young Guns? Um the Steelers have a good defensive one (boring) in Jones. The Vikings have a really good one in Patterson. Will either make this game worth watching? Yeah, thought not.

JETS/TITANS- Let's see what Geno can do against a weaker defense. Really curious about how Justin Hunter is going to play. After hauling in the game-winning TD with 6 seconds left last week, over-performing Jake Locker should have more confidence in this kid. For anyone who missed my past articles, this kid oozes talent but has character flaws. Kendall Hunter has also been playing well too, but other than that, another boring game. How was this not our TNF game?

COWBOYS/CHARGERS- This is a battle of wills. Both teams are capable of beating just about anyone. Both teams are capable of losing to just about anyone. Both teams are in love with picks, fumbles, and in general, streaks of terrible, frustrating play. Let's see if DeMarco Murray(*) can continue torching defenses. Defensive Young Guns? Throwing you some more love, Morris Claiborne.

REDSKINS/RAIDERS- Are the Raiders actually favorites? Then I'm taking this as my "upset" even though RG3, Morris, and the rest of the Skins have been absolutely putrid this year. This game will be amusing if nothing else. Sarcasm aside, I think RG3 and Morris will indeed bust out this game...they're just too good not to against a weak defense.

PATRIOTS/FALCONS- The Pats are 3-0 and the Falcons are struggling. So I pick the Falcons. Yep. Brady is due for a loss. NE should be 1-2 and they know it. Tom Brady had Geno Smith over to his castle a couple weeks ago and convinced him to throw the Pats/Jets game. New England's only receivers are rookies, and while I really like Aaron Dobson, he's struggling mightily. Atlanta is due for a win, and Matty Ice will hook up with Julio Jones, along with a good running game, to win a close one. But more defensive Young Gun love to Chandler and Hightower, you guys should help keep it close.