2020 NFL Week 4 Start 'em & Sit 'em
As we head into Week 4 of the NFL season getting your start ’em and sit ’em decisions right is a crucial element to success. Week 4 is a huge week in the world of fantasy football as we enter into the second quarter of the regular season. Heading towards the half way point of the fantasy season means that every win counts as you look to set yourself up for the rest of the year. That is why we are here to help you make those tough decisions.
Quarterback
Automatic Starts: Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott, Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Josh Allen
Start of the Week: Jared Goff vs. New York Giants
Jared Goff is on a roll. New York isn’t (0-3). Backup Nick Mullens just dropped nearly 350 yards on this poor Giants D and Jared Goff himself was over 300 against the Bills in what was nearly a comeback victory. Goff and the Rams roll through New York this week without much trouble and Goff puts up points, get him in your lineups.
Other notable starts:
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson is going to drop five TDs on this Dolphins D, Fitzpatrick will need to throw to keep up and he’s been extremely efficient of late. Seattle D can’t get a stop against anyone and Fitzpatrick will throw bomb after bomb, a great sleeper pick in Week 4.
Deshaun Watson vs. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota D ranks 29th for opponents passing yards averaging just under 300 yards a game. Watson doesn’t have DeAndre Hopkins anymore but he is still a top five QB and this has a big Watson game written all over it.
Joe Burrow vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The No.1 pick is getting more and more comfortable with this offense and he is showing us why he was selected first overall. Five TDs to zero interceptions in his last two games despite nearly being killed in his last game is extremely impressive for any QB let alone a rookie. Roll with Burrow this week against a Jags D that’s allowing the fifth most points to the QB position.
Sits – Justin Herbert, Tom Brady, Carson Wentz
Running Back
Automatic Starts: Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Dalvin Cook, Aaron Jones.
Start of the Week: Austin Ekeler @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Ekeler was my start of the week last week and finished as the RB3 on the week. This week Ekeler and the Chargers face last seasons top rush defense, so why is he my start of the week? Because he is going to continue to get INSANE volume. The Buccaneers have allowed the fifth most points to receiving backs so far and Ekeler is another smash play this week.
Other notable starts:
Devin Singletary @ Las Vegas Raiders
Zack Moss has returned to practice but that’s not stopping Singletary appearing on my starts of the week. Singletary was able to rack up over 120 scrimmage yards against the Rams and now faces a Raiders team that just got gashed for 250 rushing yards against the Patriots giving up three TDs to Rex Burkhead.
James Robinson @ Cincinnati Bengals
If you managed to pick up James Robinson before his value exploded congratulations, he’s been the steal of the season so far. He’s been awesome and his matchup this week can’t get much better. The Bengals rank 31st against the run, Robinson has three TDs in his last two games, you do the maths.
Darrell Henderson vs. New York Giants
The Rams should beat up the poor New York Giants and Henderson fresh off a 114 yard performance against the Bills should continue his great form against the Giants. Akers is still banged up and Brown seems to have fallen behind Henderson in the pecking order. Expect big things from Henderson on this run heavy Rams team.
Sits – Jordan Howard, Both Tampa Bay backs, Adrian Peterson
Wide Receiver
Automatic Starts: Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas (when healthy), Chris Godwin, Tyreek Hill, Julio Jones
Start of the Week: Devante Parker v Seattle Seahawks
Parker hasn’t lit it up yet but this feels like the game to get his season going. The Seattle D ranks dead last against the pass, averaging a shocking 430 yards a game. Parker & Fitzpatrick showed great chemistry last season and with Fitzpatrick having to drop back and throw a hundred times to keep up with #LetRussCook, Parker should easily see double digit targets.
Other notable starts:
Allen Lazard @ Atlanta Falcons
Who’s the number two WR in Green Bay? That was answered last week in New Orleans where he lit it up for 146 yards and a TD. With or without Adams this week there will be big opportunity for Lazard against the Falcons, who have let everybody comeback to beat them. The Falcons rank 31st against the pass (350+ yards a game through the air conceded) meaning Lazard can be counted on for another 100 yards next Monday night.
Will Fuller vs. Minnesota Vikings
Will Fuller is the epitome of the boom/bust fantasy option but I’m pulling for a big game against the Vikings pass D shipping just under 300 yards a game to wide receivers. Watson is one of my starts of the week and his link up with Fuller will be key.
Tyler Boyd vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Boyd and Burrow have a great on field relationship. Boyd recorded 10 receptions last week for 125 yards and has cemented himself as the No.1 receiver on the team. The matchup is really good. I’m rolling with Boyd as a fine flex start.
Sits – TY Hilton, Darius Slayton, Anthony Miller
Tight End
Automatic Starts: Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Zach Ertz
Start of the Week: Darren Waller v Buffalo Bills
Darren Waller holds a huge target share (over 30%) and Buffalo rank 31st for allowing points to the TE position. Waller had a massive dud against the Patriots last week but I’ve projected him to have a top five week and get back to similar figures that he recorded in Week 2.
Other notable starts:
Dalton Schultz vs. Cleveland Browns
Dalton Schultz wasn’t on anybody’s fantasy radars at the start of the season but if he’s not on yours now you may need to re-evaluate. Schultz has been the TE6 through the last two weeks, Prescott’s passing attempts don’t appear to be slowing down, and Schultz will get plenty of looks against the Browns who rank 28th against the TE position.
Jimmy Graham vs. Indianapolis Colts
If 2020 wasn’t insane enough, Jimmy Graham is the TE7 through three weeks. Nick Foles has come in and targeted Graham often in Week 2. He leads the team in red-zone targets and although the matchup is tough the volume will be there.
Evan Engram @ L.A Rams
Engram has been one of the biggest disappointments at the TE position so far but he’s too good for the rot to continue. Tyler Kroft scored two TDs on the Rams last week and I wouldn’t bet against Engram cashing in and getting his season off and running.
Sits – Greg Olsen, Jared Cook, Chris Herndon
Alastair Cook
Fantasy Football Analyst
ALASTAIR, A DIE-HARD BUCCANEERS FAN FROM NORWICH AND UP AND COMING FANTASY CONTRIBUTOR CAN BE FOUND ON HIS TWITTER PAGE The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill)