Week 4 is officially here, and fantasy football owners have some tough start 'em, sit 'em decisions ahead of them. There are some injuries to navigate through again (see below), and the numbers are becoming our friend in knowing what matchups to exploit and avoid. Some games this week have high-scoring appeal, like Browns-Cowboys, Saints-Lions, Seahawks-Dolphins, and Falcons-Packers; others look like disappointing clunkers, like Broncos-Jets and Eagles-49ers. Here’s the lineup advice you need to read to know who to play in seasonal leagues along with some DFS bargain picks for DraftKings and FanDuel.
The biggest injuries to watch this week include Michael Thomas (ankle), Julio Jones (hamstring), Davante Adams (hamstring), George Kittle (knee), Raheem Mostert (knee), A.J. Brown (knee), DJ Chark (chest), Chris Carson (knee), Chris Godwin (hamstring), Zack Moss (toe), Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), and Tyrod Taylor (chest), but you know more will pop up closer to the weekend.
And if you're looking to play any Steelers or Titans this week, however, you would be out of luck. The NFL is moving the game to another week after Tennessee's COVID-19 outbreak. Cam Newton also won't be available after the Patriots added him to the COVID-19 list on Saturday. The rest of the available Chiefs and Patriots are set to play on Monday evening now instead of Sunday afternoon.
WEEK 4 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Start: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. NE), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at WAS), Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. CLE), Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at MIA), Josh Allen, Bills (at LV), Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at CAR), Aaron Rodgers (vs. ATL)
Stronger starts
Deshaun Watson, Texans (vs. MIN). The Vikings’ defense is a shell of its former self with the pass rush and secondary, and he showed us something grinding to put up decent stats on the Steelers.
Drew Brees, Saints (at DET). Let’s not talk about his decline when he’s putting up big numbers even without Michael Thomas (ankle). He's getting plenty of help from his playmakers again with the Lions on deck.
Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. JAX). He was pounded by the Eagles’ pass rush last week and still hung in there to put up pleasing digits. He has his most comfortable rookie matchup yet against the Jaguars at home.
Jared Goff, Rams (vs. NYG). The Giants just allowed Nick Mullens to drop three hundy on them, and the streaky Goff is red hot after that big near comeback in Buffalo.
Matt Ryan, Falcons (at GB). Downgrade him a bit again if there’s no Julio Jones (hamstring) and Russell Gage (concussion), but he should put up pleasing garbage stats on the other side of Aaron Rodgers with Calvin Ridley and others.
DFS bargains
Matthew Stafford, Lions (vs. NO, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,200 on FanDuel). He’s got Kenny Golladay back with both Marvin Jones Jr. and T.J. Hockenson playing well, and he’ll need to chuck often at home against a Saints’ secondary having all kinds of issues.
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at HOU, $5,600 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel). The Vikings’ terrible defense is prompting them to need to throw more than they would like. The key is whether Cousins can pass off an effective running game, which should be the case again.
Deep streamers
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dolphins (vs. SEA), Baker Mayfield, Browns (at DAL).
WEEK 4 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. LAC). The Chargers’ pass defense remains loaded, and the Bucs should want to be more defense and run-oriented with Chris Godwin (hamstring) likely to miss another game.
Gardner Minshew, Jaguars (at CIN). Minshew disappointed against the Dolphins, and the Jaguars’ best bet to win at the Bengals will be going run-heavy with James Robinson.
Carson Wentz, Eagles (at SF). You just can’t go back to the Wentz well now with a tougher defense on the road.
Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers (vs. ARI). You might think about living the stream with him, but the Cardinals’ pass rush can give him problems.
Deep traps
Justin Herbert, Chargers (at TB), Derek Carr, Raiders (vs. BUF)
WEEK 4 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight End | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Running backs
Regular starts
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (vs. CLE), Dalvin Cook, Vikings (if they play, at HOU), Alvin Kamara, Saints (at DET), Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Browns (at DAL), Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. JAX), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. BUF), Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (vs. NE), Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at TB), Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. ATL), Kenyan Drake, Cardinals (at CAR), Todd Gurley, Falcons (at GB), Miles Sanders, Eagles (at SF), Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at CHI)
Stronger starts
James Robinson, Jaguars (at CIN). Robinson will be running wild against a Bengals’ defense that still wilts quickly against the run.
Devin Singletary, Bills (at LV). Zack Moss may return from his toe injury, but both should have nice combined volume against a reeling Raiders front.
Melvin Gordon, Broncos (at NYJ). He’s been quiet of late with their other offensive woes, but Gordon should come through in this cake walk on a short week.
David Johnson, Texans (vs. MIN). Johnson did score in an otherwise ho-hum performance against the Steelers and now gets a much easier Vikings defense overall.
Mark Ingram, Ravens (at WAS). Their running backs will rebound big time as they go back to playing with a big lead.
Mike Davis, Panthers (vs. ARI). He’s touching the ball in key situations without CMC and can put up another solid scrimmage day with a shot at another score.
Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (vs. PHI). It’s not the greatest matchup, but with likely no Raheem Mostert (knee) and Tevin Coleman (knee), they remain the lifeblood of a limited offense at the moment.
DFS bargain
Darrell Henderson, Rams (vs. NYG $5,80 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel). He’s rolling as the hot hand for two big weeks in a row with Cam Akers (ribs) ailing, and he should get plenty of nice work on the reeling Giants with a big lead.
WEEK 4 DFS CASH LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Running backs
Weaker starts
Antonio Gibson, Washington (vs. BAL). He’s been good with the volume and scoring, but this is a rough spot.
Adrian Peterson, Lions (vs. NO). Believe it or not, it’s another “revenge” game for All Day, but the Saints’ run defense is really tough and the committee is bothersome.
Joshua Kelley, Chargers (at TB). He is a bit game-script dependent with Austin Ekeler, and the Chargers won’t be winning or ahead at the Buccaneers.
All Patriots (at KC). The matchup is good, but the usage could be expanded with Damien Harris and James White joining Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel and J.J. Taylor.
All Jets (vs. DEN). Ugh.
All Giants (at SF). Double ugh.
All Dolphins (vs. SEA). Triple ugh.
WEEK 4 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Start: Wide receivers
Regular starts
Michael Thomas, Saints (if he returns, at DET), Julio Jones (unlikely to play) and Calvin Ridley, Falcons (at GB), Davante Adams, Packers (unlikely to play, vs. ATL), Tyreek Hill Chiefs (vs. NE), Chris Godwin (iffy to play) and Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. LAC), DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals (at CAR), Kenny Golladay, Lions (vs. NO), Allen Robinson, Bears (vs. IND), D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. ARI), Adam Thielen, Vikings (at HOU), Amari Cooper, Cowboys (vs. CLE), Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, Browns (at DAL), Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, Rams (vs. NYG), Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at MIA), D.J. Chark, Jaguars (if he returns, at CIN), Terry McLaurin, Washington (vs. BAL), Keenan Allen, Chargers (at TB), Stefon Diggs, Bills (at LV), Julian Edelman, Patriots (at KC), DeVante Parker, Dolphins (vs. SEA)
Stronger starts
Michael Gallup and CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. CLE). The Browns’ secondary is hurting, and these guys will stay hot at home.
Marquise Brown, Ravens (at WAS). He’ll make up for his Chiefs lame game with a big scoring play here.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (vs. JAX). He’s the real go-to guy for Burrow, and the matchup rocks.
Robby Anderson, Panthers (vs. ARI). Anderson was quieted by a good Chargers secondary, but he’ll get going at home against the Cardinals away from Patrick Peterson.
John Brown, Bills (if he plays, at LV). Watch the calf injury that caused a zero game last week, but he’s built to burn the Raiders’ young corners.
Mecole Hardman, Chiefs (vs. NE). He flashed like they needed him to against the Ravens, and with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce getting attention, watch out again.
Emmanuel Sanders, Saints (at DET). They used him much better against the Packers and should continue to, regardless of Michael Thomas’ status.
DFS Bargains
Will Fuller, Texans (if the play, vs. MIN, $5,900 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel). Fuller followed up his zero in Week 2 with a nice performance against a tough Steelers secondary. He should roast the Vikings.
Justin Jefferson, Vikings (if they play, at HOU, $5,200 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel). The Texans are OK on the outside with Bradley Roby but are getting roasted elsewhere, including the slot.
Marvin Jones Jr., Lions (vs. NO, $4,900 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel). Jones has been quiet early, but Golladay’s return is sure to garner attention of the Saints secondary for him to have his best game of the season at home.
Deep sleepers
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. PHI), Preston Williams, Dolphins (vs. SEA), Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (vs. BUF)
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
A.J. Green, Bengals (vs. JAX). It’s just not happening between him and Joe Burrow the way it did with Andy Dalton.
T.Y. Hilton, Colts (at CHI). It’s just not happening between him and Philip Rivers the way it did with Andrew Luck.
Darius Slayton, Giants (at LAR). He is bound to get the Jalen Ramsey treatment. Good night.
Brandin Cooks, Texans (if they play, vs. MIN). He’s too hard to trust regarding his usage with Deshaun Watson.
Anthony Miller, Bears (vs. IND). He’ll cool off here opposite Allen Robinson.
All Eagles (at SF). We’re not sure who’s healthy here beyond Greg Ward Jr., so no thanks.
All Jets and Broncos (vs. each other). Don’t reach for production that isn’t reliably there, even with Braxton Berrios.
All non-Chark Jaguars (at CIN). Chark (chest), if healthy, is the only one here you can truly trust.
MORE WEEK 4: Top waiver pickups | FAAB budget planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Start: Tight ends
Regular starts
Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. NE), George Kittle, 49ers (if he returns, vs. PHI), Mark Andrews, Ravens (at WAS), Zach Ertz, Eagles (at SF), Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. BUF), Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. NYG), Hunter Henry, Chargers (at TB), Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. SEA)
Stronger starts
Noah Fant, Broncos (at NYJ). A QB change won’t change the fact he’s their most dangerous receiver in a plus matchup.
Hayden Hurst, Falcons (at GB). He might be very busy with their non-Ridley wideout injuries.
Evan Engram, Giants (at LAR). He’s bound to finally do something. Hey, they woke up Tyler Kroft last week.
Austin Hooper, Browns (at DAL). If he’s ever going to do anything, this primo spot would be the week.
Jimmy Graham, Bears (vs. IND). Might as well trot him out with Nick Foles after one big old-school week. Same goes for Mo Alie-Cox on the other side.
DFS Bargain
T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. NO, $4,900 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel). Make that three Lions to like. You can pick either Jones or Hockenson to stack in some lineups with Matthew Stafford. The Saints have really struggled to cover tight ends against Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, and Green Bay.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Logan Thomas, Washington (vs. BAL). The matchup is great, but he’s hard to trust when there are better streaming options.
Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard, Buccaneers (vs. LAC). You still can’t go here.
Drew Sample, Bengals (vs. JAX). The matchup is great, but he’s hard to trust when there are better streaming options.
Chris Herndon, Jets (vs. DEN). Nothing says yes.
Greg Olsen, Seahawks (at MIA). His inconsistent usage makes him very shaky even after a solid game.
Jordan Akins, Texans (vs. MIN). It’s easier to exploit their corners.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Start: Defenses
Stronger starts
Ravens (at WAS), LAR (vs. NYG), 49ers (vs. PHI), Buccaneers (vs. LAC), Bills (at LV), Cardinals (at CAR), Jets (vs. DEN)
DFS Bargain
Chiefs (vs. NE, $3,200 on DraftKings, $3,800 on FanDuel). Gotta love this matchup even more with Brian Hoyer starting.
Fantasy Football Week 4 Who To Sit: Defenses
Weaker starts
Colts (at CHI), Broncos (at NYJ), Chargers (at TB), Seahawks (at MIA), Saints (at DET), Patriots (at KC), Bears (vs. IND)
