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After one of the best Week 2 performances in the NFL, San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates fell back down to earth in a big way versus the Buffalo Bills. In Week 3, the big pass-catching threat saw only one target, which he hauled in for eight yards. After a lackluster outing, look for Gates to turn it around in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a defense that has struggled containing tight ends so far this season.
The biggest threat to Gates’ production on a week-to-week basis is tight end Ladarius Green. Last week, Green caught four passes for 64 yards. However, looking deeper, Green ran only nine pass routes, so the amount of targets he saw is clearly an aberration at this point. Additionally, Green is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury for Week 4, so Gates looks to still have the upper edge for fantasy football purposes heading into Sunday.
The matchup will excite fantasy owners, as the Jaguars have given up a touchdown to an opponent’s tight end in every game so far. Most recently, Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts lit up the Jaguars’ defense, tallying 44 points on the day. The tight-end combination of Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener racked up 92 yards and one touchdown each.
With Philip Rivers expected to have his way versus Jacksonville on Sunday, Gates should see a fair share of chances to produce. Green will most likely be unable to repeat his Week 3 performance, cementing Gates as a viable Week 4 start.
Week 4 Projection: four receptions, 72 yards, one touchdown.
Nicholas Sciria is a San Antonio Spurs writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Nick_Sciria, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
