Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Big Names to Avoid This Weekend

Each year, even the most reliable of fantasy football performers run into opponents once or twice a season that stop them in their tracks, leaving their owners wondering what happened.

We've seen it happen with Mike Wallace, Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III and a number of other fantasy studs already this season, and it's a trend that will certainly continue in Week 4.

Heading into the fourth week of the 2013 fantasy football campaign, here's a look at the big names to steer clear of based on their upcoming games.

Chris Johnson

Yes, it always seems strange to leave one of the league's most prolific rushers on the bench, but there are a couple of reasons to consider doing just that with Chris Johnson in Week 4.

Firstly, while he's still been reasonably productive, getting at least 70 yards in each of the Titans' three games, Johnson has yet to find the end zone, and his 3.7 yards per carry are a full yard below his career average.

More importantly, Johnson's about to go up against the New York Jets, who have one of the league's most potent defensive units so far in 2013, so if ever there was a time that it made sense to sit the three-time Pro Bowl selection, it's now. 

Going into Tennessee's home tilt against Rex Ryan's boys, the Jets rank among the league's best in defending on the ground and through the air, so don't expect Johnson to emerge from his slump this weekend.

Eli Manning

So far, Eli Manning has looked nothing like the guy who lead the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, as the former No. 1 overall pick has thrown eight interceptions in three games, which puts him on pace to blow his previous career-high of 25 out of the water.

To make matters worse, Manning's about to take on the surging Kansas City Chiefs, who are guaranteed to make life difficult for the two-time Super Bowl MVP.

That's because the Chiefs lead the league with 15 sacks through three games and are tied for seventh with four interceptions. 

I'm not saying Eli can't bounce back, because he's got a penchant for proving people wrong, but against a vastly improved Chiefs defense, I don't see it happening this week. 

Manning's never exactly been an elite fantasy quarterback, so even if he does find a way to lead the G-Men to a victory, I have a feeling that his numbers will be pretty ugly either way. 

Greg Jennings

Three games into Greg Jennings' Minnesota Vikings career, the former Packers Pro Bowl receiver is one of the few even somewhat productive offensive weapons on the roster, as the 30-year-old's racked up 160 yards on 11 receptions. 

Part of that is due to the dysfunctional play of his quarterback, but nonetheless, Jennings still hasn't been the impact wideout that the Vikings envisioned him being. 

And, unfortunately, with Minnesota getting ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jennings' team should feel confident about their chances of getting victory No. 1 on the season, but his fantasy owners shouldn't be to optimistic about his odds at having a big game. 

Despite all the Steelers' struggles thus far, Mike Tomlin's bunch has actually been among the league's stingiest against the pass (currently sitting third in that regard). 

While I do think Jennings will get better as the season wears on, I don't see him posting anything more than 50 yards against the Steelers, who have yet to allow a receiver reach the 80-yard plateau this season.