For the second week in a row, we get to wrap up an exhilarating NFL schedule with a doubleheader on Monday Night Football. Week 4 could turn out to be a turning point for one of the Tennessee Titans or Miami Dolphins. Miami has only one victory, while the Titans remain winless, and getting back into the win column is a crucial step for both teams before the season slips away. Conversely, the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions have already established themselves as top threats in the NFC, and tonight’s intra-conference battle is an opportunity to flex their muscles early.
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Sleeper Fantasy Picks for Titans vs. Dolphins and Seahawks vs. Lions
Tyler Huntley More 24.5 Passing Attempts
Wisely, Mike McDaniel recognized that Skylar Thompson wasn’t the answer under center. The Miami Dolphins’ pivot struggled through a game and a half, throwing for a combined 187 yards and just 5.7 yards per pass attempt. It’s time for Tyler Huntley to step up, and we expect the fifth-year quarterback to respond with a superior performance.
Huntley has been an effective quarterback when called upon. Across 20 games (nine starts), the former undrafted free agent has a decent 64.6% completion percentage with an average of 8.9 yards per completion. His best season came back in 2022 when Huntley was named to the Pro Bowl on the strength of a 67.0% completion percentage in four starts. He averaged 20.0 pass attempts per game as a starter while operating a Baltimore Ravens offense that relied heavily on the run.
Let’s not forget that the Dolphins offense is predicated on moving the ball via the air. With threats like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Braxton Berrios ready to stretch the defense, it’s imperative that the passing game gets going to create space for De’Von Achane and the ground attack. We saw the perils of ineffective passing last week, with the Fins mustering just 205 total yards on offense. Huntley’s precision in the aerial assault sets the playoff hopefuls up for success against the Titans.
Through three weeks, opponents are averaging 26.0 pass attempts per game against Tennessee, and that benchmark should climb higher after tonight’s AFC showdown. Miami desperately needs to maximize its efficiency through the air, and Huntley was tagged as the guy to make that happen. We’re anticipating a heavier dose of the passing attack at home, setting Huntley up to exceed 24.5 pass attempts.
Tony Pollard Less 2.5 Receptions
The Titans have the opposite problem of the Dolphins. The AFC South basement dwellers have relied too heavily on Will Levis to get the offense moving, and it continues to cost them in the turnover department. The second-year quarterback has more interceptions than touchdowns this season, accumulating just 193.6 passing yards per game. Keeping Miami’s high-octane offense off the field should be a priority, meaning more emphasis on the ground game on Monday Night Football. Both of those factors should play a role in Tony Pollard falling below 2.5 receptions.
Pollard has been a safety valve for Levis in the passing game this season, but the checkdowns have done nothing to improve the Titans offense. Tennessee continues to languish in the bottom of most offensive categories, ranking 27th in points and 29th in yards per game. Substantial gains aren’t expected in either category, meaning the Titans need to get back to controlling the clock and dictating tempo with more involvement from Pollard and Tyjae Spears.
The Dolphins have also been effective at limiting opposing running backs in the passing game. Through three games, they’ve allowed just seven receptions to running backs. Zach Charbonnet had the most effective game against Miami, and he was still limited to just three catches and 16 yards. An equally stout performance is expected on MNF.
Tennessee needs to get back to running the football. Levis continues to make mistakes, and the Titans offense continues to pay for it. With more of an emphasis on the ground game, we’re anticipating less involvement from Pollard in the passing attack. Consequently, he’s projected to fall short of 2.5 receptions at Hard Rock Stadium.
Geno Smith More 22.5 Passing Completions
Despite their best efforts, defending the pass remains the Lions’ biggest weakness on defense. And that’s a vulnerability the Seahawks will attack on Monday night. Geno Smith is off to an exceptional start this season, and another standout performance is expected at Ford Field.
It seems that its pass defense will be Detroit’s eternal flaw. So far this season, the Lions have allowed 22.3 completions, a 65.7% completion rating, and 34.0 pass attempts per game, all of which fall in the bottom half of the league. Smith and the Seahawks are well aware of these shortcomings and will be writing a similar game script on Monday Night Football.
More importantly, Smith has the faculties to shred the Lions defense. He’s recaptured his league-leading form from 2022, completing 74.8% of his passes for a career-best 7.6 yards per pass attempt and 262.3 yards per game. He’s leveled up over the past two weeks, completing 59 of 78 throws for a 75.6% completion percentage and 7.9 yards per pass attempt.
Seattle’s passing game enter’s tonight showdown in top form. Smith is marching the Seahawks downfield with ease and is locked in with his receivers corps. Worse, the Lions don’t possess the structure or personnel to prevent the Seahawks from inflicting more damage. As a result, Smith should sail over his completions total on primetime.
Jameson Williams More 3.5 Receptions
Thankfully for Lions fans, Detroit can fight fire with fire on Monday Night Football. Jared Goff has re-established a connection with Jameson Williams, turning to the young wide receiver more frequently this season. With Seattle’s top defenders focusing on Amon-Ra St. Brown, that should allow Williams to have a sneaky good game.
Although he’s just three games into the campaign, Williams is well on his way to surpassing all of the career benchmarks he set last year. Already, the Alabama product is halfway to his target and reception highs from 2023, soaking 11 catches on 23 passes thrown his way. More impressively, that accounts for a 21.5% target share, vastly superior to the not-so-nice 6.9% mark he set in 2023.
Williams is also set up as a prime bounce-back candidate on Monday Night Football. After totaling 10 receptions on 20 targets through the first two weeks, the third-year pro was held to just one catch on three balls thrown his way in Week 3. That leaves plenty of room to grow heading into tonight’s home battle against the Seahawks.
The Lions’ offensive strengths are well-known, but that still hasn’t prevented them from moving the ball downfield. We’re anticipating another robust passing performance, with Jameson Williams taking on a more prominent role under the bright lights. His completions total is set too low, leaving an advantage in backing him to surpass 3.5 receptions.
