10 RB sleepers to target for fantasy football week 4

3. Jonathan Stewart

Guess who one of the worst defenses in the NFL is right now? Yes, the New England Patriots are funnelling fantasy points for their opponents, and giving up a league-worst 461 yards per game along with a league-worst 31.7 points per game.

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Particularly on the ground, the Patriots have given up over 130 yards per game and simply can’t seem to slow anyone down.

This Carolina Panthers backfield is shaking out how we might have expected. Jonathan Stewart is running between the tackles and getting early down work, while Christian McCaffrey is starting to be heavily involved in the passing game and isn’t taking away the bulk of duties from Stewart.

The veteran Stewart has 45 carries compared to McCaffrey’s 25, while the rookie leads the team with 18 catches (Stewart has three).

Last week, McCaffrey racked up nine receptions for 101 yards, but only rushed for 16 yards on four carries. Stewart on the other hand, ran for 57 on 12. Against a porous New England defense and on the team that is desperate need of a win, the Panthers need to get back to running the ball and Stewart is the key component for that.