Week 4 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em

In this upcoming crucial Fantasy week, I share advice on which guys you should start, and who to sit come Sunday. Enjoy the Week 4 start ’em sit ’em!

Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Matthew Stafford at New York Jets
Projected Fantasy Points: 27

Stafford is coming off of a horrific performance last week, in which he threw for 246 yards, but threw 2 interceptions, and had no touchdowns. Things should turn around for Stafford this week, as he faces off against the Jets, who have allowed an average of 23 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, which ranks among the worst in the NFL. The Jets secondary has gotten exposed so far this season, which could open things up for Stafford’s receivers. Stafford should be considered a top 5 option at QB this week.

Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Colin Kaepernick vs. Philadelphia
Projected Fantasy Points: 24

Last week, Kaepernick enjoyed a good performance against a strong Cardinals defense, as he threw for 245 yards and a TD, and also added 54 rushing yards to his performance. This week, Kaepernick faces off against the Eagles, who have allowed an average of 26 fantasy PPG to opposing quarterbacks this season, which ranks 31^st among the entire league. Kaepernick should also rack up the rushing yards to add to his stat line. He should definitely be started in most, if not all situations.

Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Tony Romo vs. New Orleans
Projected Fantasy Points: 23 

Romo stepped up big last week for Dallas, driving his team back from a 21-point deficit at St. Louis, and throwing for 2 TDs in that process. Romo enters a favorable matchup in Week 4, against the Saints, who rank 23^rd against opposing fantasy quarterbacks this season. Dallas could be playing from behind in this game, which could cause Romo to have to throw the ball a ton, which is a trend we saw, a lot, last season. Come Sunday; consider Romo a great option at quarterback.

Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Teddy Bridgewater vs. Atlanta
Projected Fantasy Points: 9

Bridgewater has been a hot commodity lately fantasy wise, as he takes over as the Vikings’ starting quarterback due to Matt Cassel’s injury. Bridgewater makes his first career start this Sunday against the Falcons, but I wouldn’t have him starting for your fantasy team. The Falcons have been surprisingly good against opposing quarterback this season, allowing an average of just 14.7 fantasy PPG, which ranks 7^th in the NFL. Also, I don’t love trusting rookie quarterbacks in their first start, as Bridgewater could make some mistakes on Sunday. There are plenty of better options at quarterback this week.

Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Ryan Tannehill at Oakland
Projected Fantasy Points: 7

The Dolphins are starting to get very frustrated with Ryan Tannehill, and reports are coming out that they are highly considering benching him. Although he is starting for Miami this week, I would highly recommend you don’t start him in fantasy. Ignorant fantasy owners will see Tannehill is playing Oakland and immediately think of him as a good option because of the Raiders’ weak defense, however, that shouldn’t be the case. Tannehill has just not been good, at all, this season, and could very well be benched mid-game Sunday if he begins to struggle. Tannehill shouldn’t be started, better yet, owned in any fantasy leagues.

Running Backs Start ‘Em: C.J. Spiller at Houston
Projected Fantasy Points: 14

Spiller has struggled to start the season, despite his one touchdown in Week 1 against Chicago. C.J. has less than 7 fantasy points in his last two games, however, has still received the bulk of the carries in the Bills backfield. Spiller enters a great matchup in Week 4 against the Texans, who have allowed an average of 19 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs, which ranks 20^th in the NFL. A part of the reason Spiller wasn’t seeing as much touches last week was because the Bills were playing from behind, so they had to throw the ball. Spiller should have a productive day on Sunday, and is a great starting option.

Running Backs Start ‘Em: Donald Brown vs. Jacksonville
Projected Fantasy Points: 15

Brown was mentioned in my “Week 4 Waiver Wire” column this week, because he is now the starting back for San Diego. Brown received a whopping 31 carries last week, and that number could be similar this week. The Chargers face off against the Jaguars, who have allowed a crazy 29 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs, which is worst in the NFL. The Chargers should be ahead in this game, like last week, and we should Brown carrying the ball a ton Sunday, maybe even 31 times. The Chargers have no other healthy reliable running backs, so I assure you, Brown is the guy, and should be considered possible a top 10-fantasy running back this week.

Running Backs Start ‘Em: Lamar Miller at Oakland
Projected Fantasy Points: 13

With the injury to Knowshon Moreno, Miller is now the workhorse for the Dolphins. Miller started last week against the Chiefs, and played well, rushing for over 100 yards on just 15 attempts. Miller faces off against a weak Raider run defense this week, as they have allowed an average of 21 fantasy PPG to apposing running backs, which ranks a mere 24^th in the NFL. With the issues with QB Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins are going to running the ball a ton on Sunday, and that will be with Lamar Miller. Miller is a fabulous start at RB this week.

Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Chris Johnson vs. Detroit
Projected Fantasy Points: 5

It looks as if Chris Ivory is right there with Johnson on the Jets’ depth chart, as last week Ivory out-touched Johnson, 14-10. Ivory also out-performed Johnson, which is bad news for CJ2K’s fantasy value. Not to mention, Johnson enters a really tough opponent this week, Detroit, whom ranks 6^th in the NFL against opposing fantasy running backs this season. Ivory and Johnson could end up splitting reps again this week and I want no part of it. I’m sitting Chris Johnson, as should you.

Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Toby Gerhart at San Diego
Projected Fantasy Points: 3

Gerhart has simply been a major disappointment this season, and frankly, its time to give up. Gerhart has just 11-fantasy points TOTAL on the season so far. Another factor is that the Jaguars are behind in almost every game, which causes them to throw the ball a lot more. Gerhart can simply not be trusted, and at this point, I don’t know if its worth it to even own him. Definitely, don’t start him.

Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Golden Tate at New York Jets
Projected Fantasy Points: 11

As I stated with Stafford, the Jets secondary has been horrendous this year, and Tate should take advantage of that on Sunday. Rex Ryan will most likely key his defensive backs in on star Calvin Johnson, which could open plenty of things up for Tate. Over the start of the season, we have seen the Stafford does seem to like Tate and has used him as a secondary target behind Calvin. Especially against the Jets this week, I’d start Golden Tate, who seems prone to have a great day on Sunday.

Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Jeremy Maclin at San Francisco
Projected Fantasy Points: 16 

Maclin has had amazing start to the season, as he has proved to be not only a top 10-fantasy receiver, but also a star receiver for the Eagles. Chip Kelly has even said that Maclin “always gets open” and that “We [The Eagles] need to get him the ball more.” Maclin enters another great matchup in Week 4 against the 49ers, who surprisingly struggle against opposing fantasy wide receivers, ranking last in the league in that aspect. Maclin should see even more touches this week in San Francisco, and should be considered a must start in all leagues.

Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Markus Wheaton vs. Tampa Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 11 

Ben Roethlisberger has shown that he likes Wheaton, as Wheaton has 20 targets over the first three weeks of the season. When teams lock in on star Antonio Brown, Wheaton is called to the rescue and seems to produce. Wheaton has a juicy matchup against the Bucs’, who allow 29 fantasy PPG to opposing receivers, which ranks 31^st in the NFL. Tampa Bay was toasted last week by Julio Jones, meaning they could keep a strong eye on Antonio Brown, which should open up the door for Wheaton. Don’t be afraid to start Wheaton Sunday, as he is a valuable option.

Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em: Torrey Smith vs. Carolina
Projected Fantasy Points: 3 

Unfortunately, Torrey Smith has been irrelevant fantasy wise to start the season, as he has yet to reach over 5 fantasy points in a game this season. Steve Smith looks as if as he has taken over as the Ravens’ number one receiver, and should definitely be the man this week. Steve Smith has been waiting for his matchup this week against his ex-team Carolina, which means another week that Torrey, takes a backseat to Steve. And Carolina has been tough to opposing receivers this season, allowing an average of just 18.3 fantasy PPG. I don’t thing Torrey Smith is a guy you can trust, at least this week.

Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Riley Cooper at San Francisco
Projected Fantasy Points: 2

Coppers time of fantasy relevance might be coming to a close, as it looks like Jordan Matthews might have taken over as the Eagles’ secondary receiver behind Jeremy Maclin. Cooper has had a rough season so far, and I don’t see him turning things around this week, especially with the emergence of Jordan Matthews. Even with top-notch receivers on bye weeks, I don’t think Cooper is someone to rely on.

Tight Ends Start ‘Em: Travis Kelce vs. New England
Projected Fantasy Points: 10 

Kelce is living up to all his pre-season hype, as he has had at least 8 fantasy points in each of his last two games. He has become one of Alex Smiths favorite targets and that should continue this week. The Chiefs take on New England, in a game where the Chiefs may have to throw the ball more with Jamaal Charles still banged up. Kelce should see plenty of looks in the red zone, as we have seen the last two weeks. Kelce’s role is progressively increasing and Andy Reid has already said he needs to get his rookie tight end more involved. Kelce pencils in as a great start on Monday night.

Tight Ends Sit ‘Em: Owen Daniels vs. Carolina
Projected Fantasy Points: 4 

I like Daniels going forward, as he takes over as the Ravens’ starting tight end. But, this week he enters a really tough matchup against the Panthers, who have allowed just 6 fantasy PPG to opposing tight ends, which ranks 11^th in the NFL. Daniels is a risky play this week, as I’d like to see how he fits into the Ravens’ offense as the starter before slotting him into a starting fantasy role. I wouldn’t advise anyone to start Daniels this week, unless they have to.

Defense/Special Teams Start ‘Em: Bills DST at Houston
Projected Fantasy Points: 13

The Bills’ defense could be a sneaky good play this week as they face off against the Texans, who could once again, be without their top weapon; Arian Foster. Ryan Fitzpatrick turns the ball over a lot, which we saw against the Giants last week, and Buffalo has the D-Line to stop the run, and sack the QB. If you are searching for a defense due to bye-weeks, Buffalo is a good option.

Defense/Special Teams Sit ‘Em: Bears vs. Green Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 4

The Bears’ defense has been good to start the season, but they face off against the Packers’ high-powering offense this week, which could cause some problems. This seems like the week that the Packers offense is ready to explode, and I certainly wouldn’t risk starting the opposing defense. There are certainly better defensive options this week.

I hope everybody enjoyed this Week 4 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em, and I’ll be back next week! Follow me on twitter: @Nadelman99 for fantasy talk, advice, or any questions you may have. Feedback on my articles is always appreciated.