Week 4 Start'em/Sit'em
This is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 4 of the 2020 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FFN. FFN rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Christian McCaffrey, Travis Kelce, or Michael Thomas. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Joe Burrow (CIN, QB)Coming into this week's rankings, Burrow lands at the #10 spot. The rookie has had at least 20 fantasy points each game including back to back 24-point outings. Combine that with a juicy matchup against the Jaguars who give up the 6th-most fantasy points, and Burrow belongs in your lineup.
Start 'em Aaron Rodgers (GB, QB)So much for relegating Aaron Rodgers to fantasy-backup status... He's the 6th-best fantasy QB after nearly a quarter of the fantasy season, and his matchup on Sunday night doesn't get much better. Nobody gives up more fantasy points to QBs than Atlanta including an average of 35 points to Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson.
Start 'em Jared Goff (LAR, QB)Ranked 11th this week among QBs is Jared Goff who has finally started to play the way we expected him to. The matchup with the Giants should be favorable as New York just got schooled by Nick Mullens for 343 yards and a score. Keep in mind that the Niners' most potent offensive weapons were largely not on the field - eerily similar to New York's situation.
Start 'em James Robinson (JAC, RB)Fournette who? The Jacksonville run game has been explosive so far with James Robinson. Last week we had him ranked as a low-end RB2 and he delivered big last Thursday night. This week he's inching close to that coveted RB1 status as he hits our rankings at #13 facing a Cleveland defense that surrendered an average of 25 fantasy points to the Chubb/Hunt combo in Week 2.
Start 'em Mike Davis (CAR, RB)Handcuffs matter. With Christian McCaffrey sidelined, Mike Davis has filled in admirably - particularly in PPR formats where he's been heavily involved in the passing game (16-119 over past two games). Keep him locked in against the Cardinals this week who have given up two receiving scores to running backs in the first three weeks.
Start 'em Darrell Henderson (LAR, RB)While most of our attention was focused on Cam Akers and Malcom Brown, the guy who has emerged out of the Rams 3-man committee has been Darrell Henderson coming off back-to-back games of nearly 20 fantasy points. Keep him in your lineups as he'll face a Giants defense that has given up an average of 19.2 points over the last two weeks to Jerick McKinnon and David Montgomery.
Start 'em Allen Lazard (GB, WR)If Davante Adams suits up for Monday night, Lazard's prospects dim a bit, but he's still worth a start this week against an Atlanta secondary giving up the 4th-most fantasy points to wide receivers, and it's not just the WR1 on the opposing team. They've given up double-digit points to wide receiver combos every week including Allen Robinson/Anthony Miller, Amari Cooper/CeeDee Lamb, and DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett.
UPDATE: Lazard underwent core injury after this article was written and is OUT indefinitely.
Start 'em Tyler Boyd (CIN, WR)All aboard the Burrow train. Burrow has thrown 105 times over the last two games - a significant number. Tyler Boyd has been a major beneficiary of that volume catching 10 of his 13 targets last week for 125 yards. While AJ Green and Tee Higgins will compete for looks, Boyd has been the most consistent fantasy option.
Start 'em DeVante Parker (MIA, WR)Nobody has given up more fantasy points to wide receivers this year than Seattle. Julian Edelman and Julio Jones' big games came against Seattle. Last week the Seahawks allowed four of the Cowboys receivers to reach double digits. There's no reason why Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeVante Parker won't have big days.
Start 'em TJ Hockenson (DET, TE)You have to like this matchup. After giving up 22.2 fantasy points the last two weeks against Robert Tonyan (GB) and Darren Waller (LV), the Saints will likely struggle to contain TJ Hockenson. Nobody has surrendered more fantasy points to tight ends on the year than New Orleans.
Start 'em Dalton Schultz (DAL, TE)The Browns have struggled against tight ends this year giving up the 8th-most fantasy points to them. In fact, they've given up an average of 13.8 points to Logan Thomas, Drew Sample, and Mark Andrews. Given the passing volume from Dak Prescott and the loss of Blake Jarwin, Schultz may very well surpass his #14 ranking on FFN this week.
Start 'em Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB, DEF)The Tampa Bay defense is on a roll. In the last two games, they've managed double-digit fantasy points racking up 11 sacks, 2 picks, and and 2 fumble recoveries. Next up: a rookie QB playing in his first road game...
Start 'em Mason Crosby (GB, K)The best kicker in fantasy football so far this year is...Mason Crosby. Better yet - he's been consistent. Delivering double-digit points each week, you can't ask for anything more from your kicker.
Sit 'em Carson Wentz (PHI, QB)I can't do it. I just can't put Carson Wentz into any lineup right now. The Philly offense seems like a shell of its former self. The O-line is porous, Wentz seems to be forced to run for his life every game, and his receiving corp is seriously banged up. While Alshon Jeffery might return this week, the matchup is horrible.
Sit 'em Nick Foles (CHI, QB)This is a classic case of deja-vu. Nick Foles was the savior for the Bears last week coming from behind to beat the Falcons with three touchdowns. Seems eerily familiar to last year in Jacksonville where the Foles experiment didn't work out. You'll get these kinds of games from Foles, but don't automatically assume that he'll repeat that performance against an Indy defense that's giving up the fewest fantasy points to QBs on the season.
Sit 'em Philip Rivers (IND, QB)You'd think that it would be easy to project Philip Rivers by now, but the man defies expectations. In plus matchups, he underperforms. In tough matchups, he overperforms. We'll stick to conventional wisdom this week and put weight on the fact that Chicago has given up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to QBs keeping Matt Ryan, Daniel Jones, and Matthew Stafford to 16 points or less.
Sit 'em Leonard Fournette (TB, RB)It's not easy predicting what will happen with that Tampa Bay backfield. Fournette was relegated to back up status after a solid week prior. Even if he gets a bigger slice of the pie this week, it will be against a tough Chargers defense giving up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to running backs. They haven't allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season.
Sit 'em Jordan Howard (MIA, RB)Unless you play in a touchdown-only league, Jordan Howard is all but droppable now. The Dolphins have shown that they only need him near the goal line. Myles Gaskin has taken over the depth chart relegating Howard to his niche. Add in the fact that Seattle has been brutal to running backs this year, and even touchdowns become questionable here.
Sit 'em Antonio Gibson (WAS, RB)Ranked 28th this week on FFN is dynamo Antonio Gibson having hit double-digit production in his last two games. Look for Baltimore to bounce back after that loss on Monday night. They're giving up the 5th-fewest fantasy points to RBs.
Sit 'em Terry McLaurin (WAS, WR)McLaurin is ranked 23rd this week among wide receivers, and while he's a low-end WR2, he's likely to finish the day as a WR3. While Baltimore got embarrassed on Monday night allowing big games for both Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, they have largely kept all receivers at bay.
Sit 'em T.Y. Hilton (IND, WR)T.Y. Hilton may lead his team in targets, but he hasn't been as productive with those targets as many had hoped. He's averaging just 3.3 receptions per game and hasn't had more than 53 yards in a game. The Bears give up the 8th-fewest fantasy points to receivers on the year, and they haven't surrendered a receiving touchdown to a wide receiver yet.
Sit 'em Justin Jefferson (MIN, WR)It might seem crazy not to start this week's waiver wire darling, but any expectation that Justin Jefferson will repeat last week's performance (7-175-1) seems illogical. The Texans allowed JuJu Smith-Schuster to hit double-digits last week but kept all Ravens receivers to single-digits the week before. The Vikings would have to become a pass-heavy offense this week for Jefferson to have a chance at surpassing this week's ranking of #39.
Sit 'em Jimmy Graham (CHI, TE)Jimmy Graham has as many receiving touchdowns in three games with the Bears as he had all season with the Packers in 2019. Could this be a resurgence of the Jimmy Graham from the 2017 Seahawks or the 2013/2014 Saints? Maybe...but a matchup with Indy is far more difficult than the easy matchups he has had to start the season. Nobody is allowing fewer fantasy points to tight ends than the Colts.
Sit 'em Rob Gronkowski (TB, TE)Gronk finally saw some more targets last week. After seeing just four targets through the first two games, he capitalized on seven targets last week catching six of them for 48 yards - still not the kind of production that fantasy owners were hoping for. Gronk has largely served as a blocking TE, but with Godwin expected out for the next two weeks, perhaps he'll see more targets, but he's going to have to get into the endzone to make him fantasy-relevant again.
Sit 'em New England Patriots (NE, DEF)The Patriots typically field a dominant fantasy defense, but fantasy owners who watched the Kansas City / Baltimore game on Monday night have got to be wondering to themselves: If Baltimore can't stop Kansas City, what makes me think that New England will be able to?
Sit 'em Cairo Santos (CHI, K)This really comes down to whether or not you believe that Nick Foles will be able to move the ball effectively against the Colts. We don't. Add to the fact that Indianapolis gives up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to kickers, and Santos belongs on your bench.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 2, 2020 7:06 am
Standard league, in the flex, do you like gaskin or Parker more? I feel like Miami will be behind at least in the second half... so Parker should get more work? Seattle worse against the pass than the run right? Thanks! Also I picked up MAC at TE but could still grab hhenry. I like MACs matchup better this week, thoughts? Thanks again!
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 2, 2020 7:08 am
BTW-My primary TE is JSmith, thanks Rona!
Nerd CommentedOct 2, 2020 10:00 am
I like Parker for the same reasons you articulated. Would prefer to have Hunter Henry at TE.
Mustard tiger CommentedOct 2, 2020 12:36 pm
Standard league. Looking to start hayden Hurst or Robert tonyan at te
Nerd CommentedOct 2, 2020 1:40 pm
I'd go against the rankings and play Tonyan.
FlupiesForEver CommentedOct 2, 2020 3:33 pm
PPR League. I have a banged up Miles Sanders versus SF or Darrell Henderson versus the Giants. Thinking about Hendo. Any advice?
Nerd CommentedOct 2, 2020 3:36 pm
Henderson may very well end up having the better day, but I'd still start Sanders.
hoop2311 CommentedOct 2, 2020 3:56 pm
PPR format. I need 2 of the 3. 16 team league. Thanks in advance .
Jeff Wilson Jr
Ty Hilton
John Brown
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 10:26 am
If Wilson had more of a role there, I'd typically roll with the RB, but in this case, I'd go with Hilton/Brown. Good luck!
Mustard tiger CommentedOct 2, 2020 4:50 pm
Standard league. I know it may sound crazy but Tyler Boyd, David Montgomery or hunter renfrow in the flex position. I'm leaning towards Boyd but I do like that renfrow is pretty much the only wr left on vegas
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 10:28 am
I like Boyd a lot - the Bengals throw a ton - and Renfrow should have a bunch of targets, but I think the workload is there for Montgomery. He's probably the safest pick.
Meat Dragon CommentedOct 2, 2020 11:59 pm
Should I start Slayton or Tre’Quan Smith? I’m worried about Slayton against Jalen Ramsey and Smith has Detroit and no MT.
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 10:30 am
Slayton leads the team in all receiving categories, but Ramsey will likely smother him. I'd roll the dice on Smith this week. Good luck!
tramz18 CommentedOct 3, 2020 11:33 am
I have C.Carson but am scared to start even if he's active.I have Gauge that i could plug in for Carson as my Flex or i could pick up Inman(Washington) with their WR being banged up this week.Which would you do? Thanks.
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 11:43 am
Carson has the most upside and I'd still start him. Pete Carroll says that he looked good this week. I think Gage (concussion) is only fantasy relevant if Jones or Ridley miss time (both look like they will suit up)
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 11:44 am
Murray
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 11:57 am
I think you have to stick with Ertz - he's the only one healthy on that team.
JosGuys CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:00 pm
Marques Valdes-- or McLauren at WR since Lauren is questionable
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:50 pm
MVS may have a great game, but I'd struggle sitting McLaurin.
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:51 pm
Hurst - we may not even see a NE game this week (TBD).
Hinzie22 CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:13 pm
Hi, thanks for all the advice! I need to start one of these 4 wrs in .5ppr league. Marquise Brown, DJ Chark, C. Lamb, or J Jefferson?
Nerd CommentedOct 4, 2020 10:23 am
Probably roll with Chark. Good luck
vikes_2000 CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:41 pm
Should I start Stafford vs a banged up Saints secondary or Brees in the same game?
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 12:52 pm
Stafford
Nerd CommentedOct 4, 2020 10:20 am
Either one...seriously.
If you have both of these guys, my suggestion is to trade one of them away for another solid RB or WR. If you can't play both guys, trade one.
Nerd CommentedOct 4, 2020 10:21 am
McLaurin and Hilton (tough matchup but no Pittman or Campbell)
jamill CommentedOct 3, 2020 4:00 pm
Standard league. Need 1. David Montgomery, T. Gurley II, or Mike Davis? thanks!!
jamill CommentedOct 3, 2020 4:02 pm
Actually need 2 of the above. Double thanks!!
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 8:04 pm
Davis - good luck
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 8:03 pm
Mahomes - great problem to have there
Nerd CommentedOct 3, 2020 8:03 pm
Both great options - I'd still go with Stafford. Of course, saying that means that Fitz will go off...
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 4, 2020 11:46 am
standard league, start 2 from: CCarson, MGaskin, DParker (was able to grab Fitzmagic for Mahomes and already starting SDiggs and Acooper at WR and JJacobs at the other RB slot) thanks
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