Fantasy Football: Week 4 Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em

Fantasy Football Expert Mark Deming looks at which fringe players you should start and sit as we gear up for Week 4 of the NFL season!

Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore

START ‘EM

QUARTERBACKS

QB Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers

There has been a mixed bag regarding Allen this week. Some think he’s garb and only played well vs. a shaky Arizona defense. Others have already passed the torch from Newton to Allen. Allen obviously is not the threat like Cam in the RPO designed plays and Allen holds the ball in the pocket too long. But the kid made some amazing plays, throwing dimes on the run and across his body. I say he stays hot. Allen can put up 200/2 TDs in this offense all day.

QB Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts

There were rumors of teams trying to acquire Brissett via trade the last few seasons and the Colts didn’t bite. Brissett currently ranks 4th in the NFL with 7 passing TDS. Head coach Frank Reich is an underrated play caller and Oakland has allowed six passing TDs, fourth most in the league.


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RUNNING BACKS

RB Phillip Lindsey, Denver Broncos

Im my opinion Lindsey separated himself from Royce Freeman in Week 3 with goal line toughness and the ability to open up the Broncos’ screen pass defensive game. If you used a high draft pick on Lindsay and have been hesitant to play him, go for it. 

RB Justin Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

The time is now with  Jackson vs the hapless Dolphins. Jackson looked impressive last week and had a rushing TD nullified. It’s no secret that Miami struggles vs RBs. The Dolphins have allowed six TDs (four rushing and two receiving) and surrendered a league-high 537 rushing yards. To put that in perspective the second-most rushing yards allowed is Pittsburgh with 385 rushing yards allowed. 

WIDE RECEIVERS

WR DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers

If you selected Moore with a high draft pick in season long, please don’t fear a decline with Kyle Allen at QB. It might not be transparent in Moore’s box score but with Allen starting at QB in Week 3, Moore was used in strategic plays and formations. He also hit on a 52-yard TD reception. Moore has been consistent averaging 15.3 fantasy points.

WR Dede Westbrook, Jacksonville Jaguars

Fantasy nation seems to be down on Westbrook since his Week 3 Thursday performance where he had some crucial drops including a TD. Shake it off and insert Westbrook into your lineup with confidence. An optimist would focus on the Week 3 volume (season-high 10 targets) and up and coming rookie QB Gardner Minshew. 

TIGHT END

TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

I wasn’t sure if Olsen would see a decline  in volume and production without his guy Cam Newton under center. But instead Olsen flashed in a two-TD game and looked spry while hauling in six of seven targets. A TE can be a young QBs best friend and Allen definitely seeks Olsen. In fact Olsen and Allen just missed connecting on a 3rd TD. 



SIT ‘EM

QUARTERBACKS

QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

I took some heat last week for choosing Wentz as a sit but I am doubling down again. Wentz enters the matchup vs Green Bay on a short week and dinged up supporting cast. If you haven’t watched the Packer defense, they are a confident bunch and you can see the talent on the eye test. Green Bay has allowed one passing TD on the season and only the Patriots defense ranks higher in shutting down QBs thus far.

QB Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

I anticipate the Rams giving Winston fits as they host the visiting Bucs. For all Winston’s success he seems to match it with flaws. I believe the Rams will bottle up the QB and he could struggle vs the 3rd overall defense vs QBs who have allowed just one passing TD.

RUNNING BACKS

RB Frank Gore, Buffalo Bills

Gore was a Week 3 start and came through with a TD but unfortunately this week I believe a stinker is in the cards. The Patriots have the personnel and the intelligence to slow down the Bills. The Pats rank 2nd overall against the run and haven’t allowed a rushing TD yet. 

RB Lesean McCoy, Kansas City Chiefs

This is a gut feel call but I don’t think shady makes it through the game vs the Lions. Shady showed courage battling through injury in Week 3 but unfortunately that makes him a suspect play as he continues to battle an ankle injury. 

RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

Last time I checked it is not 2015 anymore and Freeman’s run as an elite fantasy RB are done. For some reason experts keep including him in their top 20 RBs each week. Prove us wrong Freeman but life of an NFL RB declines quickly.

WIDE RECEIVERS

WR Alshon Jeffrey, Philadelphia Eagles

Alshon is a stud WR but a short week and battling injury doesn’t usually equate to production. I’ve talked about the Green Bay defense above the article and Im benching my Alsohn shares this week as I’ll take the patient approach with the Eagles offense. Alshon feels like a forced start in Week 4 in my opinion.

WR Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

WTF bro? Yes I understand nobody in season long wants to see Edelman on the sit list. Chest injuries can be tricky and one severe hit could put Edelman on the sideline. The Patriots are smart and may not feature Edelman as usual to protect him for the long term. If you have WR depth consider other options in Week 4.

TIGHT END

TE O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A month ago Howard was being selected around the same area in drafts as fellow 3rd year TE Evan Engram. Ingram is breaking out and Howard continues to try to make his mark in the Bruce Arians’ offense. 


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