The Fanatics Sit/Start Advice for Week 4
Week four of the NFL season is the first quarter pole. Hopefully, things are going your way and you are able to remind your friends every week about how much better than them you are. If not don’t worry too much if you are not there is still plenty of season left. But that window is closing fast. So before you set your lineup, check out my sit start for this week and if the player you are considering is not here feel free to hit me up on facebook or twitter. You can find me on Facebook group Dynasty League Problems or on twitter @MikeKelleyDLP Good luck this week.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Eli Manning (NYG) vs NO
Manning had a rough start to the season, but to be fair he started the season against one of the best defenses in Jacksonville and a Cowboys team that can get after the quarterback. Then in week three, he faced a solid Texans defense but in that game, he was able to move the ball and had a very good 297 passing yards and two touchdowns while completing 86 percent of his passes. Now, this week he gets possibly the worst pass defense in the NFL the New Orleans Saints, who have been tourched by just about every team they have faced. They have given up 345 passing yards per game, over three touchdowns per game and 39 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. This could be the game that really launches the Giants offense. Now I am not expecting Manning to match those averages because they have a more balanced offense, but he could push 300 passing yards and three touchdowns pretty easily this weekend. Especailly if the game becomes a shoot out early on, which is very possible.
Other Starts
- Matt Ryan (ATL) vs CIN
- Case Keenum (DEN) vs KC
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Derek Carr (OAK) vs CLE
The Raiders have not had the start to the season they hoped for. They have had some tough matchups to start the year and this week will not be much better. The only thing they have going for them this week is that they are home. The Browns have not been great either, but the defense has been very solid this year so far and now they have a shot in the arm with Baker Mayfield starting this week as well. The Raiders might be able to pull this win out, but I don’t see this game producing a lot of points leaving Carr an undesirable start this week. He could push 250 yards but I am not sure he gets more than one touchdown and me might even throw a pick or two in the process. There should be plenty of other options this week so look elsewhere if you are streaming your quarterback.
Other Sits
- Dak Prescott (DAL) vs DET
- Blake Bortles (JAX) vs NYJ
Running Back
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
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Giovani Bernard (CIN) @ ATL
With Joe Mixon expected to miss at least one more week, that means Bernard owners can run him out at least one more time and expect RB2 numbers or better. Last week as the lead back he rushed 12 times for 61 yards and a touchdown and also brought in five passes for 25 yards giving him a nice 19.6 points in PPR leagues. This week Bernard goes up against a banged-up Falcons defense that has been very generous to running backs so far this season. The Falcons have given up the 28th most points to running backs over the first three weeks, and I am expecting more of the same from Bernard. I can see him getting 15 carries for 70 yards and another good day catching the ball where he could get seven receptions for 50 yards. So even if he does not find the end zone he could still produce right around the 19 point mark.
Other Starts
- Sony Michel (NE) vs MIA
- Jordan Howard (CHI) vs TB
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
James Conner (PIT) vs BAL
Conner had a fantastic week one, and then in weeks two and three he came back to Earth. He still produced enough for his owners, but people expecting more performance like week one will likely be disappointed most weeks. Workload alone should keep Conner startable most weeks, but this week he faces the best defense in division rival Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have been one of the best teams in stopping running backs this year so I don’t see Conner having a lot of success this weekend. The one thing that could bail him out this week is catching enough passes to make up for the lack of yards on the ground. If he maintains his nine-point average in the passing game he could sneak into the low RB2 numbers, but if you are starting him expect week three numbers at best not week one numbers.
Other Sits
- Derrick Henry (TEN) vs PHI
- Isaiah Crowell (NYJ) @JAX
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Allen Robinson (CHI)
Tampa Bay has scored a lot of points. Tampa Bay has also given up a lot of points. So this week’s game against the Bears could easily be no different. So far this year Mitchell Trubisky has not been pushing the ball down the field. As a result, Robinson’s production has been limited. This week though could be a week that the Bears open things up and see what Trubisky can do. I believe this is the perfect opportunity to push the ball and see what kind of connection Robinson and Trubisky can have on those deep balls. If the Bears finally push the ball Robinson could be in line for a huge game to the tune of eight receptions for 120 yards and at least one touchdown.
Other Starts
- Corey Davis (TEN) vs PHI
- Mike Williams (LAC) vs SF
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) vs SEA
12 receptions for 113 yards and zero touchdowns. You might think that was Larry’s line last week, but in reality, it is his total after three weeks. I do expect things to get better for him now that Josh Rosen is starting, but I don’t think I can risk starting him against a Seahawks defense that is not as good as we are used too, but still very tough for a rookie quarterback to play against. As a result, I am not thrown Fitz out when the entire Cardinals offense has struggled to date. I need to see the Cardinals offense turn around before I trust any of them at this point. If Fitz can produce more than five receptions this coming week it might be a sign that things are turning around, but that possibility of that happening is not enough for me to roll him out this week.
Other Sits
- Keelan Cole (JAX) vs NYJ
- Quincy Enunwa (NYJ) @ JAX
Tight End
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Jimmy Graham (GB) vs BUF
Jimmy is having a solid year, but not as good as everyone was hoping for when he went to Green Bay. He is just outside of TE1 rankings and could use this week against a weak Bills team to make his way into the top ten. He is getting the targets needed to produce he just needs a few more yards and some red zone looks and he will leap right into the top 10 ranks of tight ends. I can see Graham getting about seven receptions for 80 yards and a good shot at finding the end zone this week. Plus I think the less Aaron Rodgers runs around on his knee the more likely he leans on the big Graham to bail him out of sticky situations.
Other Starts
- Vance McDonald (PIT) vs BAL
- David Njoku (CLE) @ OAK
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
George Kittle (SF) @ LAC
Two things have me concerned about Kittle this week. First is his opponent the Los Angles Chargers, who have done a terrific job of shutting down opposing tight ends so far this year. Tight ends are averaging under three points per game this year and while I suspect Kittle will do better than three points I am not expecting anything great. The other concern I have is no Jimmy G. That will hurt him for the rest of year unless the 49ers go out and get someone to play quarterback better than what they have currently. In PPR formats he might maintain some value, but before Jimmy G. went out he was barely in the TE1 ranks I am not sure it will be possible for me to stay there now.
Other Sits
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (JAX) vs NYJ
- Jared Cook (OAK) vs CLE
Defense
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Seattle Seahawks
Rookie quarterbacks usually struggle with Seattle’s ball-hawking defense. The Cardinals not only have a rookie quarterback making his first start, but the whole offense has also looked terrible all year on top to that. Any way you slice it, the Seahawks D will be flying all over the place doing their best to welcome Josh Rosen to the NFL.
Other Starts
- Philadelphia Eagles
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers offense has been throwing the ball all over the place this season and while the Raves defense has been solid at times this year I can see the Steelers looking to run up the score in this one.
Other Sits
- Miami Dolphins
Michael Kelley is a member of the Going For 2 team. You can check out his website Dynasty League Problems for more writings or find him on Twitter @mikekelleydlp spreading fantasy knowledge for the masses.
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