Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Who Are Fantasy Football's Smart Matchup Plays?

Week 4 of the fantasy football season has arrived—a pivotal fantasy week. By this point, your team is in position to be at the top of the league and in firm position for the playoffs. Or, on the other hand, you're desperately attempting to scramble to not become the league bottom-feeder. 

Matchup is one of the deciding factors in choosing between a borderline starter and an above-average bench player. Matchup can also keep the games best under wraps or lead to an explosion, so who should you start this week?

Start 'Em: Mikel Leshoure, RB

Mikel Leshoure was one of the brightest spots for the Lions in their disappointing overtime loss against the Tennessee Titans. Leshoure scored almost 20 points in standard leagues after returning from his suspension due to the league's substance abuse policy.

You should start him in your league this week because he's due for another great game against division rival Minnesota. The Vikings are coming off an impressive victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but may be set up for that big letdown that hits teams after an emotional win.

If this letdown happens, expect the Lions to get ahead early and run Leshoure for a full load. After an unlucky injury in his rookie season, Leshoure had a great first game and can be expected for at least 12 points in his Week 4 matchup against the Vikings.

Sit 'Em: Fred Jackson, RB

C.J. Spiller has been the NFL's biggest fantasy surprise, but as the fantasy gods giveth, they taketh away. Spiller will be out due to injury in Week 4, but the previously injured Fred Jackson will return to the Bills starting lineup. 

Jackson will face off against the New England Patriots, a team that will be hungry for a win after a close game that was decided by a controversial field goal. It's also their first time being under .500 in a long, long time, which should fire up the Patriots into a first-half scoring frenzy. 

With the Bills behind early, they'll have to rely on the arm of Ryan Fitzpatrick instead of Jackson's power-running game. Sit Jackson because he's coming off of injury and doesn't have a very good matchup against New England. 

Start 'Em: Jordy Nelson, WR

Last year's fantasy surprise, Jordy Nelson, has been held under 200 total yards and without a touchdown thus far, but now he'll be matching up against a defense that is last in yards given up per game (477 YPG). 

Nelson is going to find the same rhythm they had last year and will explode for a multi-touchdown game. The Saints defense is pitiful and will allow Nelson to run all over the field and give owners who drafted him the payoff they've been waiting for. 

Sit 'Em: Martellus Bennett, TE

The Eagles have been staunch against tight ends this fantasy season, allowing a measly 4.3 points per game. They have only allowed one red-zone touch to tight ends through Week 4 and show no signs of stopping that. 

Martellus Bennett has been Eli Manning's favorite red-zone target this year, leading him to be the fourth-ranked tight end points wise this year. He's coming off of a 13-point performance, but the secondary and linebacking corps of the Eagles is just too good to give up that much to Bennett.

After his explosion since the beginning of the year, he will no doubt be targeted heavily by the Eagles defense, making him a sit for this week.