Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season is here, and with it comes a Sunday-to-Monday all day slate loaded with fantasy football implications for PPR managers. Between injuries reshaping depth charts, surprising breakout candidates, and Vegas lines hinting at game scripts, there’s plenty to unpack before you set your lineup. This week we’ll break down every matchup from Sunday and Monday highlighting must-start players, risky options who could disappoint, and the latest fantasy-relevant injury updates. Whether you’re chasing upside in shootouts or looking for safe volume in grind-it-out games, consider this your playbook to gaining an edge heading into Week 4.
Sunday, September 28
Vikings vs Steelers (Dublin) 9:30am EST — MIN -2.5 | Total 40.5
- Must plays:
- DK Metcalf (PIT, WR1): Target hog.
- Jordan Mason (MIN, RB1): Lead back, volume matters in low-total spot.
- Updates: PIT RB1 Jaylen Warren is OUT. Expect Kenneth Gainwell to step into a sizeable workload.
- Risk: Passing games capped in a 40.5 total.
Commanders at Falcons — ATL -2.5 | Total 45.5
- Must plays:
- Bijan Robinson (ATL, RB): PPR stud.
- Kyle Pitts (ATL, TE): Should see work.
- Updates: With Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels out, Marcus Mariota starts. Expect Deebo Samuel to be a focal point for WAS at WR.
Saints at Bills — BUF -15.5 | Total 47.5
- Must plays:
- Alvin Kamara (NO, RB): Script-proof.
- Ray Davis may be a play is deep formats.
- Updates: Buffalo heavily favored; temper expectations for Josh Allen and BUF WRs — blowout could limit passing volume.
Eagles at Buccaneers — PHI -3.5 | Total 43.5
- Must plays:
- A.J. Brown (PHI WR).
- Bucky Irving (TB, RB).
- Emeka Egbuka (TB, WR): Must start.
- Updates: Mike Evans is OUT. Chris Godwin is back but on a ramp-up.
Browns at Lions — DET -9.5 | Total 44.5
- Must plays:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs (DET).
- Quinshon Judkins (CLE, RB).
- Risk: Browns WRs shaky, TEs are in play in deeper formats.
Panthers at Patriots — NE -5.5 | Total 42.5
- Must plays:
- Tetairoa McMillan (CAR, WR).
- Treyveon Henderson (NE, RB).
- Notes: CAR TE room not viable (injuries).
Titans at Texans — HOU -7.5 | Total 38.5
- Must plays:
- Tony Pollard (TEN, RB).
- Nico Collins (HOU, WR).
- Nick Chubb (HOU, RB), though Woody Marks could split.
- Risk: Ceiling capped by 38.5 total.
Chargers at Giants — LAC -6.5 | Total 43.5
- Must plays:
- Justin Herbert (LAC, QB), Omarion Hampton (LAC, RB). LAC WRs
- Malik Nabers (NYG, WR). Cam Skattebo (NYG, RB)
- Updates: Jaxson Dart is starting at QB for NYG. Monitor chemistry with Nabers and rest of WR group.
Colts at Rams — LAR -3.5 | Total 49.5
- Must plays:
- Jonathan Taylor (IND, RB1), Michael Pittman Jr. (IND, WR1).
- Puka Nacua (LAR, WR1).
- Updates: Davante Adams is ACTIVE despite not practicing much this week — worth starting, but manage risk.
Jaguars at 49ers — SF -3.5 | Total 47.5
- Must plays:
- Christian McCaffrey (SF, RB).
- Travis Etienne (JAX, RB)
- Proceed with caution Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX, WR), Travis Hunter (JAX, WR hybrid).
- Updates: SF WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are in play with George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk hurt.
- Brock Purdy returns after 2 weeks out — play him confidently.
Ravens at Chiefs — BAL -2.5 | Total 48.5
- Must plays:
- Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews (BAL).
- Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce (KC).
- Updates: KC RB room is a committee you can’t trust.
- Xavier Worthy is back, but expect a ramp-up.
Bears at Raiders — LV -1.5 | Total 47.5
- Must plays:
- Rome Odunze (CHI, WR), D’Andre Swift (CHI, RB).
- Jakobi Meyers (LV, WR).
- Ashton Jeanty (LV, RB) — upside breakout candidate.
- Updates: Brock Bowers (LV, TE) has a big-week path in this matchup.
Packers at Cowboys — GB -6.5 | Total 47.5
- Must plays:
- Josh Jacobs (GB, RB).
- George Pickens (DAL WR with CeeDee out).
- Jake Ferguson (DAL TE)
- Javonte Williams (DAL, RB).
- Updates: Love Jordan Love this week, but not clear which GB pass catcher (outside Tucker Kraft at TE) will emerge.
Monday, September 29
Jets at Dolphins — MIA -2.5 | Total 44.5
- Must plays:
- Garrett Wilson , Breece Hall.
- Tyreek Hill, Devon Achane.
- Updates:Justin Fields is back — play him with confidence.
- Ollie Gordon (MIA, RB2) could flash in PPR, but depth chart favors WRs.
Bengals at Broncos — DEN -7.5 | Total 44.5
- Must plays:
- Ja’Marr Chase (CIN, WR1), Chase Brown (CIN, RB1).
- Courtland Sutton (DEN, WR1).
- Updates: Chase Brown is still seeing volume, but temper expectations against a tough Denver front.
Quick Start/Sit Notes
- Green lights: DK Metcalf, Bijan Robinson, Emeka Egbuka, Odunze, JK Dobbins, Breece Hall, Tyreek Hill, Brock Bowers, Michael Pittman, Justin Fields, Treyveon Henderson, Ashton Jeanty
- Yellow lights: Kenneth Gainwell, Brian Thomas Jr, David Montgomery, Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle
- Red flags: KC RBs (committee), BUF WRs (game script), depth WRs in low totals.
Week 4 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal slates of the season, with injuries forcing lineup changes, new stars carving out roles, and betting lines giving us clear clues about where fantasy points will flow. In PPR formats, volume is everything, so lean on target hogs and pass-catching backs while steering clear of murky committees and low-total traps. As always, keep an eye on Sunday inactives and late-breaking news before kickoff — one piece of injury intel can swing a matchup. If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to bookmark the site, share it with your league mates, and drop your toughest start/sit dilemmas in the comments. Let’s make Week 4 a winning one.