NFL Week 4 Fantasy Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

Before we get started, I just want to let you know that I’ve already posted up my NFL Week 4 Predictions. I also wrote an article on solid week 4 waiver wire pickups to consider.  Check both of those out.

START ‘EM:

1.) Fred Taylor & Maurice Jones-Drew – The Jags got back to doing what they do best: running the football. There were enough carries for both players against the Colts and they both put up huge numbers. This week, the Jags will remain committed to the run against the Texans, who are allowing 168.5 yards on the ground.

2.) Selvin Young – If you haven’t been playing Selvin Young, this may be a good week to start him. In his last two games he’s turned in 78 and 65 yard games. Even more impressive is his average: 6.9 YPC. Against the Chiefs, the 31st ranked rushing defense, he should have a big game.

3.) Marshawn Lynch – Not that you would ever sit him the way that he’s playing, but he has the Rams this week. I think he’s good for 150 yards and 2 TDs. The Rams are allowing 2 rushing TDs per game.

4.) Chris Perry – Perry was finally able to do some things rushing the ball and he got 74 yards of 20 carries and a TD against the Giants, who have a pretty good run defense. This week, he’ll have an easier defense to work with: the Cleveland Browns (25th against the run). The Browns are also allowing 2 rushing TDs per game.

5.) Lee Evans – Evans has gotten off to a good start, averaging 81.3 YPG. Look for him to break the century mark against the Rams this week.

6.) Bryant Johnson & Isaac Bruce – The 49ers play the Saints, who’ve let teams pass all over them all year and their defense is depleted with injuries. The Saints are 29th against the pass. J.T. O’Sullivan is looking pretty good too. The 49ers surprisingly have the 12th ranked passing offense.

7.) DeSean Jackson – The Bears may be good against the run, but they’re struggling against the pass (ranked 28th). With Westbrook possibly out of the lineup Sunday, look for McNabb to be passing the ball often and so far his favorite target has been DeSean Jackson. Reggie Brown may be another option, but he didn’t do anything last week and still seems to be recovering from a lingering hamstring injury, which also makes Greg Lewis another good waiver wire option to play this Sunday.

8.) Greg Jennings & Donald Driver – The Bucs are ranked 27th against the pass. Both players should have big games.

9.) Chris Chambers & Vincent Jackson – The Raiders have been awful against the pass. Philip Rivers will air it out a lot this game.

10.) J.T. O’Sullivan – Sullivan has been quite impressive in his first 3 games. Against a poor Saints defense, he should be putting up good numbers. If have a QB in a bad matchup (Big Roethlisberger vs. Ravens, Eli or Peyton on the bye week), you may want to pick up O’Sullivan this week on your waiver wire. He’s averaging 235 YPG and threw 2 TDs against the Lions, 1 against Seattle in week 2, and only has 1 INT.

SIT ‘EM:

1.) Clinton Portis – Portis has a tough Dallas defense this week, which ranks 6th against the run. They’re only surrendering 84.3 rushing yards per game. Last year at Dallas, Portis only carried the ball 12 times for 36 yards. In week 17, Portis did get 104 yards, 27 receiving yards, and 2 TDs against the Cowboys, but that was when Dallas was resting their starters because they already clinched home-field advantage.

2.) Matt Forte – Forte is up against the best run defense in the NFL — the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are giving up less than 50 yards a game on the ground. Steven Jackson, Marion Barber, and Willie Parker — three outstanding backs — all shut down by the Philly D.

3.) Willie Parker & Brian Westbrook – Both players should be out this Sunday with injuries.

4.) Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben is questionable this week and even if he does play, don’t count him doing much against a tough Raven’s D that has found its identity again. The Ravens are ranked 1st against the pass allowing just 100 YPG.

5.) LenDale White & Chris Johnson – It’s tough to bench two players that are off to phenomenal starts, but the Titans are up against the Vikings, one of the best defenses against the run.

6.) Willis McGahee – McGahee saw his first action of the season last week and had a pretty good game: 62 rushing yards, 11 receiving yards, 1 TD, but I would keep him benched against the Steelers run defense.

7.) Santonio Holmes & Hines Ward – With Big Ben banged up and against the best passing defense in the league, don’t expect monster numbers from either player.