Welcome back to Fantasy Football: Fact or Fiction Week 4! I am joined once again by my counterpart, Erika Brown, as we break down some outcomes that we determine are fact or fiction.
Fact or Fiction – Week 4
Jonathan Taylor will still be an Indianapolis Colts’ running back after the trade deadline.
Dustin: Fact
It appears that the Indianapolis Colts want to hold Jonathan Taylor as a hostage rather than sending him elsewhere to finish up his career. The Miami Dolphins had previously attempted to trade for the star running back. However, the Colts wanted the Dolphins to send them wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in return. As of recently, there have been no teams that have inquired about Taylor, and there does not appear to be an end to the saga in sight.
Erika: Fact
According to reports, the Colts are asking for a high second-rounder for Taylor. As of now, no team has been willing to pay that price for the 24-year old running back. Even if the Colts are not willing to trade him, Taylor could still sit out for the season. Either way, his relationship with the Colts is fractured. While I do expect him to be traded before the 2024 season, I think he remains on the Colts this year.
De’Von Achane will finish as a top-10 running back in fantasy football.
Dustin: Fact
De’Von Achane scored six touchdowns in a six-quarter stretch over the past two games. He can score pretty much anytime he touches the ball. While the Buffalo Bills were able to keep him out of the end zone in the second half of the Dolphins’ 48-20 loss on Sunday, Achane will continue to put up fantasy football points in bunches. The Dolphins have a two-headed monster with Achane and Raheem Mostert, but Achane will likely see an increase in carries as the season progresses.
Erika: Fact
I have to say, watching Achane play football is always fun. In the past two games, he has racked up 304 yards on the ground and six touchdowns on a total of 26 carries. His usage may not be sustainable, but the Dolphins have found a way to use the rookie. Achane was more efficient on the ground than Raheem Mostert, too. If this staff continues using Achane this way, he could end the season as a top-10 back, easily.
The Vikings are the best one-loss team right now in the NFL.
Dustin: Fact
This might be closer than most people think, but the Minnesota Vikings are the best one-loss team in the NFL at this moment. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown for almost 1,100 yards with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. Meanwhile, running back Alexander Mattison seems to be heating up. The Vikings have lost their three games by a total of 13 points, and might be sitting at 2-2 if not for a Cousins’ interception in the end zone against the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
Erika: Fact
The Vikings are such an interesting team in 2023. They have one of the best, if not the best, wide receiver in all of the NFL. Their quarterback, while not usually a league winner, has done well. As of now, their three losses are all one score games. The problem with the Vikings is they can’t finish games. They stayed in the game with the Chargers in Week 3, then squandered their chance away. With the weapons surrounding Cousins, the Vikings should be a much more consistent team. Only time will tell if they can be better than their current record.
Christian McCaffrey will win NFL MVP this season.
Dustin: Fiction
Christian McCaffrey is playing out of his mind this season. In Week 4, he scored the San Francisco 49ers‘ first four touchdowns in today’s win over the Arizona Cardinals. However, it is seemingly possible that he does not keep producing at his current level. While this might be the year that a quarterback does not win the award, it likely remains in a quarterback’s hands at the end of the season. It is hard to argue with CMC’s production, but let’s face it – the NFL MVP award should just be called the NFL’s Best Quarterback Award.
Erika: Fiction
McCaffrey has played great, but the odds aren’t exactly in his favor. The past 10 NFL MVP’s have all been quarterbacks. Right now, the front runner for MVP is Tua Tagovailoa; and according to the Vegas odds, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen aren’t far behind. The last non-quarterback to win MVP was Adrian Peterson in 2012, who almost broke the single season rushing record with 2,097 yards. McCaffrey would need to stay healthy and have a stellar game every week this year in order to be in consideration.
Bill Belichick will step down as head coach at the end of the season.
Dustin: Fiction
The only way the junkyard dog will leave the New England Patriots is if he is fired. I don’t think anyone has the guts to tell him his time is up though; maybe he eventually walks away at some point. The Patriots have not looked good this season, but it’s hard to say if that is all coaching or just the product on the field.
Erika: Fiction
Belichick hasn’t had a great start to the season, and one of his worst during his tenure as a head coach. With that said, I don’t think he would step down on such a low note. He’s the kind of guy who wants to right the ship before heading out. I can see him making some changes to his staff and at quarterback. If Bill wants to end things with a team in disarray, I wouldn’t blame him, but I don’t see him giving up the reins any time soon.
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Dustin Brown
Dustin Brown is a writer for The League Winners. He enjoys hanging out with my family and friends when not trying to delivering NFL news or fantasy content to win your league. There is no sports stone left unturned when it comes to what he will watch.