The season is a fourth of the way complete, and by now, you probably know what your fantasy team is, and is not. Make adjustments, make moves, and make a plan. With that advice said, here’s the players from this weekend who deserve game balls.

QB
Tom Brady, NE, 22-36, 340 yards 3 TDs, 1 rush TD – This is why you drafted Tom Brady early. It was Brady-like in that he was relentless and marvelous for all fantasy owners. Pity those who went against him this week (which I did in two different leagues).

Ryan Tannehill, MIA, 26-41 431 yards, 1 TD – Where did this come from and against what LOOKED like an elite defense in Arizona. Tannehill goes off for 431 yards passing. Sure his TDs should’ve been more, but you didn’t start him anyway, did you? But he at least showed promise.

Honorable mention: Peyton Manning – so much for the arm strength concerns as Peyton was Peyton-like with 3 TDs, 300+ yards and laser-like accuracy.


RB
Marshawn Lynch, SEA, 118 rushes, 1 TD, 4 catches for 37 yards – Beast mode is back for Lynch owners. He showed his value as an early-round pick amassing 155 total yards from scrimmage and a score.

Stevan Ridley, NE, 106 yards, 2 TDs – Ridley is a quiet, unsexy fantasy running back. All he does is run and score. He’s averaged 4.6 yards per carry and 3 TDs. And he’s doing all of this with Brandon Bolden stealing touches and action from him too.

Honorable mention: Alfred Morris, WAS – I’ve not been shy about dislike of Mike Shanahan when it comes to fantasy football, but you can’t deny Morris’ numbers this week.


WR
Brian Hartline, MIA, 12 catches 253 yards 1 TD – Are you kidding me with this performance? If you started him, you’re either omniscient or were desperate. Hartline, paired up against two of the best DBs in football, assaulted the Cardinals, and maybe exposed them as frauds. Either way, nobody is more deserving a game ball this week, than the Dolphins #1 receiver.

Marques Colston, NO, 9 catches 153 yards 1 TD – Well look decided to finally show up to fantasy relevancy (albeit three weeks late). Colston finally put up WR1-type numbers, which is what his owners had been expecting of him. Either way, to encourage him to do more of the same, here’s a game ball.

Honorable mention: Desean Jackson, PHI, 6 catches 99 yards and a TD – Again, here’s honorable mention for another underperforming receiver who finally showed up with a big performance.

TE
Scott Chandler, BUF, 4 catches 62 yards, 2 TDs – Chandler is this week’s Dante Rosario. Likely on your waiver wire, he got two junk time TDs for Buffalo. He still has little fantasy value, but that doesn’t stop him from getting a game ball this week.

Owen Daniels, HOU, 6 catches 72 yards, 1 TD – Daniels is one of the many weapons on the Texans, but is second on the team in targets. He is a must-start every week at this point, and easily earns himself a game ball for this stud-like performance.

Honorable mention: Greg Olsen, 6 catches 89 yards 1 TD ¬– Someone here at GSI predicted this breakout recently. Just sayin’.

GAME-USED SOCK AWARD
Ryan Matthews, SD, 61 rushing yards, 2 catches for 21 yards – There were worse RB performances from RB1-type of guys (I’m talking to you Doug Martin), but allow me to hand this stinky, rancid, fungus-filled game-used sock to Matthews and graciously ask him to share it with Norv Turner too. Due to his fumbling problems, Turner gave the real action to Jackie freaking Battle who vultured catches and a TD from Matthews, who didn’t even start and only racked up his yards in junk time. Is it time to cut bait with Matthews? Either way, enjoy the sock pal, and here’s a second one for your overrated head coach too (how many championships has Turner won? Exactly).

Fantasy Football game balls, week 4, fantasy advice, game-used sock, ryan mathews