Start' EM Sit' EM Week 4
Three weeks of the fantasy season is set in stone and there's no changing the past. So how are you making out so far in your leagues? The fantasy season has had some nice twists and turns and some unexpected occurrences, to say the least. This week alone has had some surprises to write home about for bragging rights. Did you catch the buzz saw the Miami Dolphins threw out this week? Nearly every Dolphins player for fantasy went off! If you played nothing but Dolphins players, you would have scored nearly 200 fantasy points alone. The star of the show to me was rookie running back Devon Achane, especially since I have him stashed nearly everywhere in my fantasy leagues. There were other fantasy players that managers were out on in Week 3 after a slow start. Did you start Alexander Mattison in Week 3, for example?
As we head into Week 4, it becomes even more important to get the right players in your fantasy lineups. Hopefully, you're still over 500 and rolling in your fantasy leagues. I'd be lying if I said I was killing it in every league. But there's no rest for the steady fantasy manager. Week 4 is on the horizon so I have some more options for this week's start/sit column.
Week 4 Start' EM
*Start percentages via ESPN Fantasy
Matthew Stafford vs. IND (11.8% Start)
Matthew Stafford didn't have the greatest of games in Week 3 while facing off against a low-key tough Cincinnati Bengals defense. But Stafford has a chance to put up better numbers against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4. The Colts are allowing 250 yards per game passing and have given up four touchdowns over the season's first three weeks.
Geno Smith vs. NYG (21.9% Start)
Geno Smith has been pretty solid over the first part of the fantasy season. After a unexpected Week 1, Smith bounced back with two back to back performances in Weeks 2 and 3. Currently the QB15 on the season, the New York Giants present another opportunity for a big game. The Giants are allowing just over 17 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks (12th most among fantasy defenses).
Javonte Williams vs. CHI (54.7% Start)
We know the talent is there for Javonte Williams but he hasn't had his "coming out" game as of yet this season. Williams is averaging just eight fantasy points per game after three weeks but gets the Chicago Bears in Week 4. The Bears defense has been one of the worst in the league against the run this season, allowing 121 yards per game on the ground to opposing running backs and the second-most fantasy points per game.
Zach Moss vs. LAR (51.1% Start)
Zach Moss has been crushing it for fantasy managers since taking over the lead job while Jonathan Taylor has been on IR. Moss is averaging a crazy 21.6 FPPG heading into Week 4. The Rams are a little tougher on running backs in overall yardage per game but have allowed a 4.5 y/a average to opposing running backs so far. With the amount of volume Moss is getting, he should still be a safe play in Week 4.
Quentin Johnston vs. LVR (0.7% Start)
With Chargers WR Mike Williams (ACL) OUT for the rest of the season, rookie wide receiver Quentin Johnston should see an expanded role moving forward. The Chargers get the Raiders in Week 4 and that could be the matchup the young rookie needs to get on the board. The Raiders are allowing the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers after three weeks of football.
Jakobi Meyers vs. LAC (20.2% Start)
Conversely, Jakobi Meyers is another wide receiver that has an opportunity to help fantasy managers out this week. Meyers gets a vulnerable Chargers defense that's still allowing the most fantasy points to wide receivers heading into Week 4. Another nod to Meyers is that he's averaging 11 targets per game since returning from his concussion.
Sam LaPorta vs. GB (32.5% Start)
Talk about a breakout game for the young rookie TE. Sam LaPorta showed why he's both a needed weapon in the Lions offense and why fantasy managers should keep him in their lineups after torching the Atlanta Falcons and leading all tight ends in fantasy points (22.4) for Week 3. The Packers are the opponent for Week 4, giving up nearly 11 FPPG to the tight end position.
Week 2 Sit' EM
Justin Fields vs. DEN (61.8% Start)
Justin Fields has not lived up to the offseason hype so far this season and the Chicago Bears offense has largely disappointed fantasy managers altogether. Fields is averaging just 14.6 FPPG and hasn't the urge to run like he did last season. The Broncos got absolutely destroyed by the Miami Dolphins in Week 3 and should be looking to get that taste out of their mouths. The Bears offense is averaging just 15.7 points per game.
Miles Sanders vs. MIN (69.3% Start)
Miles Sanders has been a bit underwhelming to start the season off. Sanders is averaging just 12.2 FPPG heading into Week 4. Sanders is seeing passing work as he was able to have a solid fantasy Week 3 with 17.7 fantasy points against the Seattle Seahawks. However, for Week 4 Sanders gets a Vikings team that's allowing just the 10th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs at 16.3/g.
Zay Flowers vs. CLE (40.2% Start)
Zay Flowers has been playing well so far this season and with Odell Beckham dealing with an ankle injury, Flowers was able get a 13 point game for fantasy managers against the Colts in Week 3. But for Week 4, in a divisional game at that, the Ravens get a stingy Browns defense that is giving up the fewest fantasy points per game on the season.
David Njoku vs. BAL (39.6% Start)
Njoku's involvement in the offense has taken a hit with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore taking the lion-share of targets. Not to mention the emergence of Jerome Ford out of the backfield too. Njoku is averaging about 5.5 targets a game but his yardage hasn't been there. The Ravens come in as one of the toughest fantasy defenses against the TE position, allowing just 4.1 FPPG, the second-fewest for fantasy defenses.
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