Fantasy Football Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

Sometimes you have to put your fantasy picks where you never intended.

Week 4, the start of the bye season, is time for that—especially with regard to your Pittsburgh Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Heath Miller and the defensive/special teams).

Fantasy has a funny roller-coaster nature to it.

It also leaves you holding your breath, like the owners of Rob Gronkowski (back/arm) and Danny Amendola (groin) might be doing all day Sunday before the nightcap in Atlanta. We prescribe a plan of action on Gronk and avoiding Amendola all together. 

We have your starts, sits and updated Week 4 rankings position by position right here in this must-read slideshow.

Quarterbacks: Start Big Ben Roethlisberger in London; Sit Eli Manning

Start 'Em

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

You don't need a road map to see how advantageous the Vikings defense is. It made Brian Hoyer look good, so expect Big Ben coming off a 400-plus-yard game against a good Bears defense to have a field day in London.

The return of Le'Veon Bell (foot) and Heath Miller (knee) will only help. It is going to be a big week for your Steelers. Start Big Ben and reap the rewards.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

The Browns have only allowed two touchdown passes this season, but Dalton is finally playing a team he can take advantage of. The Bengals have started out with a relatively tough schedule, and they might be engaging in a surprising shootout here. The Browns have a good run defense and will take the run away, while the Bengals will be without three core defensive backs.

Expect this game to bust the over and for Dalton to get sleepers like Mohamed Sanu, Marvin Jones, Jermaine Gresham and Tyler Eifert involved. This is the deepest set of targets Dalton has had yet, and it will be his best week too.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

We are staying stubborn with the player who let so many of us down in Week 3 at Tennessee. The Chargers are back home and facing a potent Cowboys team that can push the score better than the Titans did a week ago.

Rivers passed only six times in the second half because the Chargers were trying to hold on to a lead and grind the clock. That won't happen against the Cowboys, who have been the sixth-worst team in fantasy against quarterbacks. And they haven't even played a good one yet.

Sit 'Em

Eli Manning, New York Giants

If this one isn't apparent right now, we have nothing for you. Manning has been a turnover and sack machine behind an offensive line missing three starters. That is a recipe for disaster, and that is what Manning has been.

Oh, the Chiefs just happen to have been a top-10 team in fantasy against quarterbacks through three weeks too.

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals

Everyone was loving Palmer as a sleeper coming into the year, and his Week 1 showcase with Larry Fitzgerald made them look like a match made in fantasy heaven. That hasn't been the case. Now the Cardinals travel to Tampa Bay to face a defense that is hungry and much better than anyone anticipated.

Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

Ordinarily, this wouldn't be necessary to say, but Locker is coming off a shocking performance against the Chargers that made him look like Steve McNair, picking up 68 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. He also orchestrated a last-minute comeback.

He has to face an underrated Jets defense now, though. The Jets are the fifth-best team in fantasy against quarterbacks, having frustrated even the likes of Tom Brady. Locker is in for a long, bad day.

Week 4 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	vs. Phi	1	0
2	Drew Brees	NO	vs. Mia	2	0
3	Andrew Luck	Ind	at Jac	9	+6
4	Matt Ryan	Atl	vs. NE	5	+1
5	Tom Brady	NE	at Atl	8	+3
6	Robert Griffin III	Was	at Oak	6	0
7	Russell Wilson	Sea	at Hou	11	+4
8	Matthew Stafford	Det	vs. Chi	7	-1
9	Tony Romo	Dal	at SD	3	-6
10	Colin Kaepernick	SF	at StL	10	0
11	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. Dal	12	+1
12	Michael Vick	Phi	at Den	4	-8
13	Andy Dalton	Cin	at Cle	17	+4
14	Jay Cutler	Chi	at Det	13	-1
15	Alex Smith	KC	vs. NYG	16	+1
16	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	at Min	14	-2
17	Joe Flacco	Bal	at Buf	18	+1
18	Matt Schaub	Hou	vs. Sea	24	+6
19	Eli Manning	NYG	at KC	19	0
20	Carson Palmer	Ari	at TB	22	+2
21	Sam Bradford	StL	vs. SF	20	-1
22	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	at NO	21	-1
23	Terrelle Pryor	Oak	vs. Was	15	-8
24	Mike Glennon	TB	vs. Ari	30	+6
25	Geno Smith	NYJ	at Ten	27	+2
26	EJ Manuel	Buf	vs. Bal	23	-3
27	Blaine Gabbert	Jac	vs. Ind	35	+8
28	Jake Locker	Ten	vs. NYJ	28	0
29	Brian Hoyer	Cle	vs. Cin	26	-3
30	Matt Cassel	Min	vs. Pit	31	+1

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Running Backs: Start Bernard Pierce, Sit Stevan Ridley

Larry French/Getty Images

Bernard Pierce will be doing some end zone dancing regardless of whether Ray Rice plays this week (doubtful).

Start 'Em

Bernard Pierce, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice (hip) is a game-time decision in the truest sense of the term, according to the AP's Matt Zenitz, but Pierce should be starting in all fantasy lineups regardless of Rice's status. Pierce will get 60 yards and a touchdown even if a ginger Rice starts for the Ravens against a Bills run defense that has given up the second-most rushing yards per game in the NFL through three weeks (155).

Bilal Powell, New York Jets

The 149 yards rushing last week is one thing, but the fact that Chris Ivory (hamstring) is out is the best news for Powell owners. The Titans also have given up the 10th-most points to fantasy running backs through three games. The Jets are going to pound them on the ground with the emerging Powell. Keep him active in all leagues.

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders offense has shown a lot more spunk than anyone could have imagined. The Redskins have also been brutally bad on defense. Even if they are a lot better on run defense than they have shown—third worst in fantasy against running backs to date—a healthy McFadden is far too good to sit.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags haven't gotten anything done offensively, but MJD has at least proven healthy in the early part of the season. This should be his best game to the tune of 100 yards and a touchdown. If you cannot start him at home against the Indy run defense, you cannot start him against anyone.

Sit 'Em

Stevan Ridley, New England Patriots

He will eventually get going for the Pats, but don't expect it to happen here. The Falcons have a very good run defense and are currently fifth best in fantasy against running backs, allowing under 80 total yards rushing per game. You shouldn't feel threatened by the likes of plodder LeGarrette Blount or the spry Brandon Bolden as much as the Falcons as an opponent this week.

Joique Bell, Detroit Lions

He has been productive in the passing game, so the Bears run defense shouldn't scare you too much. The bad news is Reggie Bush (knee) is expected to play. In an important division game against a rugged defense, expect Bush to do all of the lifting and Bell to be minimized.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati Bengals

BGE and rookie Giovani Bernard have both been solid performers in tandem for fantasy owners, but don't count on that this week. The one thing the Browns do on an elite level is stop the run, so expect BGE to get gummed up for 14 carries, 35 yards and no scores. You should start Bernard amid his hot start but not BGE here.

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

He has gotten a lot more work than anyone expected, and C.J. Spiller (thigh) was banged up in the last game. The Bills' best attack on offense is staying stubborn with the run, but that will be tough against a Ravens defense that is one of only two in the NFL that has yet to allow a touchdown to a running back. Start Spiller through thick and thin, but expect a mere 50 combined yards from Spiller's backup.

Week 4 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs. NYG	1	0
2	Adrian Peterson	Min	vs. Pit	2	0
3	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at Den	3	0
4	Trent Richardson	Ind	at Jac	9	+5
5	Doug Martin	TB	vs. Ari	5	0
6	Frank Gore	SF	at StL	11	+5
7	Alfred Morris	Was	at Oak	6	-1
8	Matt Forte	Chi	at Det	4	-4
9	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	at Hou	7	-2
10	Arian Foster	Hou	vs. Sea	12	+2
11	DeMarco Murray	Dal	at SD	8	-3
12	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. NYJ	14	+2
13	Bernard Pierce	Bal	at Buf	21	+8
14	C.J. Spiller	Buf	vs. Bal	15	+1
15	Darren McFadden	Oak	vs. Was	10	-5
16	Knowshon Moreno	Den	vs. Phi	22	+6
17	Reggie Bush	Det	vs. Chi	13	-4
18	Bilal Powell	NYJ	at Ten	17	-1
19	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	vs. Ind	16	-3
20	Giovani Bernard	Cin	at Cle	19	-1
21	Darren Sproles	NO	vs. Mia	18	-3
22	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs. Dal	27	+5
23	Lamar Miller	Mia	at NO	20	-3
24	Ray Rice	Bal	at Buf	23	-1
25	Stevan Ridley	NE	at Atl	24	-1
26	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	at Min	32	+6
27	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	vs. NE	31	+4
28	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	at Cle	35	+7
29	Joique Bell	Det	vs. Chi	25	-4
30	David Wilson	NYG	at KC	26	-4
31	Willis McGahee	Cle	vs. Cin	39	+8
32	Daniel Thomas	Mia	at NO	42	+10
33	Daryl Richardson	StL	vs. SF	30	-3
34	Fred Jackson	Buf	vs. Bal	28	-6
35	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	at TB	33	-2
36	Ronnie Hillman	Den	vs. Phi	44	+8
37	Brandon Bolden	NE	at Atl	40	+3
38	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs. Mia	34	-4
39	Ben Tate	Hou	vs. Sea	36	-3
40	LeGarrette Blount	NE	at Atl	59	+19
41	Isaiah Pead	StL	vs. SF	43	+2
42	Jason Snelling	Atl	vs. NE	29	-13
43	Montee Ball	Den	vs. Phi	41	-2
44	Kendall Hunter	SF	at StL	62	+18
45	Danny Woodhead	SD	vs. Dal	37	-8
46	Michael Bush	Chi	at Det	50	+4
47	Ronnie Brown	SD	vs. Dal	68	+21
48	Jordan Todman	Jac	vs. Ind	64	+16
49	Robert Turbin	Sea	at Hou	58	+9
50	Bryce Brown	Phi	at Den	45	-5
51	Marcel Reece	Oak	vs. Was	46	-5
52	Roy Helu	Was	at Oak	60	+8
53	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Cin	51	-2
54	Jonathan Dwyer	Pit	at Min	54	0
55	Felix Jones	Pit	at Min	49	-6
56	Alfonso Smith	Ari	at TB	72	+16
57	Andre Ellington	Ari	at TB	48	-9
58	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. Mia	53	-5
59	Knile Davis	KC	vs. NYG	77	+18
60	Jackie Battle	Ten	vs. NYJ	67	+7

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Wide Receivers: Start Denarius Moore, Sit Brian Hartline

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Broncos couldn't hold Denarius Moore down Monday night, so don't count on the Redskins being able to.

Start 'Em

Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

You might think Moore needs Terrelle Pryor (concussion) at 100 percent because they have such a good thing going, but it might not matter here. The Redskins have been the worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, allowing a league-high 801 yards and five touchdowns through three games. Moore is coming off a big Monday night performance against a much better Broncos secondary. Get him active in all leagues.

Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

He has not gotten into the end zone yet, but Joe Flacco's leading receiver is on pace for a career high in catches (85) and yards (1,434). Throw 10 touchdowns onto those numbers, and you have a fantasy superstar. Against the Bills, you might see season highs of eight catches for 100 yards and multiple touchdowns.

The Bills have been the fourth-most generous team to wide receivers in fantasy. Smith is a must-start.

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

Coming off a huge week against the Bears (nine catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns), Brown is a must-start. He won't get to those totals again, but the Vikings are missing a starting corner, and they have allowed the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL. It should be a field day for Ben Roethlisberger and Co.

Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns

He is just a second-year receiver, but his second game of the season should be another bountiful one. You have to start him after his season debut, which saw him go for 10 catches, 146 yards and a touchdown. He even helped make Brian Hoyer look capable.

The Bengals have a solid secondary, but they are without three core defensive backs: corner Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Reggie Nelson and corner Leon Hall. Terence Newman (knee) isn't 100 percent either, and Brandon Ghee is coming off a concussion. It could be another surprising week for the Browns passing game.

Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins

He seems to be overshadowed every week, but the good news is Robert Griffin III (knee) and Garcon (foot) are absent from the Redskins' injury report. Also, the Raiders are a bottom-10 team in fantasy against wide receivers. Expect a breakthrough week for your frustrating starter, Garcon.

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts 

Everyone is expecting big things out of Andrew Luck against a Jags secondary that has allowed five touchdown passes to wide receivers. Only the Patriots and Seahawks have allowed fewer receptions to wide receivers, but Hilton gets five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown here.

Sit 'Em

Brian Hartline, Miami Dolphins

For those not paying attention, the Saints defense under Rob Ryan is no longer one to take advantage of. The Saints have allowed just 184.3 passing yards per game, good for fourth in the NFL. Hartline is the Dolphins' most frequently targeted receiver (29 targets to Mike Wallace's 21), so expect Ryan to take him out of the equation this week.

DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

Even if Andre Johnson (shin) is out, Hopkins will be a bad play against the Seahawks secondary. It can shut down anyone, especially a rookie receiver having to work with a mediocre quarterback in Matt Schaub.

The Texans' passing success is based off play action, and a tough Seahawks run defense won't have to bite out of the secondary. This will be the leanest week of the season for the emerging Hopkins.

Donnie Avery, Kansas City Chiefs

Everyone is hating on Dwayne Bowe because of Alex Smith's inability to get the ball downfield, and then everyone goes and picks up Avery in all leagues. You can use him against the Giants as a sleeper, but he isn't a starter if you are sitting Bowe. Avery is going to regress into the depths of fantasy receivers once Bowe gets incorporated into the offense. Believe that.

Kenny Britt, Kendall Wright, Nate Washington and Justin Hunter, Tennessee Titans

Britt is in the doghouse amid a contract year and has a cracked rib. Wright, Washington and even Hunter (game-winning touchdown catch last week) have had their moments being Jake Locker's rotating favorite receiver. Locker and all of these receivers are going to find things much tougher against Rex Ryan and the Jets, who are annually a great team against wideouts.

Week 4 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Julio Jones	Atl	vs. NE	4	+3
2	Dez Bryant	Dal	at SD	2	0
3	Calvin Johnson	Det	vs. Chi	1	-2
4	A.J. Green	Cin	at Cle	6	+2
5	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at Det	5	0
6	Demaryius Thomas	Den	vs. Phi	3	-3
7	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at Den	7	0
8	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	at TB	15	+7
9	Marques Colston	NO	vs. Mia	16	+7
10	Andre Johnson	Hou	vs. Sea	19	+9
11	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Cin	18	+7
12	Torrey Smith	Bal	at Buf	11	-1
13	Wes Welker	Den	vs. Phi	8	-5
14	Julian Edelman	NE	at Atl	23	+9
15	Victor Cruz	NYG	at KC	10	-5
16	Antonio Brown	Pit	at Min	12	-4
17	Reggie Wayne	Ind	at Jac	13	-4
18	Pierre Garcon	Was	at Oak	9	-9
19	Roddy White	Atl	vs. NE	32	+13
20	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	at KC	25	+5
21	Steve Johnson	Buf	vs. Bal	22	+1
22	Eric Decker	Den	vs. Phi	14	-8
23	Mike Wallace	Mia	at NO	21	-2
24	Anquan Boldin	SF	at StL	20	-4
25	Cecil Shorts	Jac	vs. Ind	26	+1
26	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at Jac	27	+1
27	Denarius Moore	Oak	vs. Was	35	+8
28	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs. NYG	24	-4
29	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	at Ten	40	+11
30	Vincent Jackson	TB	vs. Ari	17	-13
31	Eddie Royal	SD	vs. Dal	34	+3
32	Sidney Rice	Sea	at Hou	49	+17
33	Tavon Austin	StL	vs. SF	33	0
34	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	vs. Sea	31	-3
35	Donnie Avery	KC	vs. NYG	50	+15
36	Greg Jennings	Min	vs. Pit	42	+6
37	Brian Hartline	Mia	at NO	28	-9
38	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	at Min	36	-2
39	Mike Williams	TB	vs. Ari	30	-9
40	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	at Atl	29	-11
41	Vincent Brown	SD	vs. Dal	53	+12
42	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. NYJ	48	+6
43	Golden Tate	Sea	at Hou	39	-4
44	Kenny Britt	Ten	vs. NYJ	63	+19
45	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	at Cle	56	+11
46	Jason Avant	Phi	at Den	68	+22
47	Stephen Hill	NYJ	at Ten	43	-4
48	Marlon Brown	Bal	at Buf	41	-7
49	Andre Roberts	Ari	at TB	52	+3
50	Rueben Randle	NYG	at KC	57	+7
51	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at Det	45	-6
52	Nate Washington	Ten	vs. NYJ	54	+2
53	Chris Givens	StL	vs. SF	37	-16
54	Michael Floyd	Ari	at TB	38	-16
55	Dwayne Harris	Dal	at SD	73	+18
56	Lance Moore	NO	vs. Mia	55	-1
57	Robert Woods	Buf	vs. Bal	65	+8
58	Ryan Broyles	Det	vs. Chi	44	-14
59	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	at Ten	80	+21
60	Austin Pettis	StL	vs. SF	70	+10
61	Kenny Stills	NO	vs. Mia	75	+14
62	Harry Douglas	Atl	vs. NE	66	+4
63	Riley Cooper	Phi	at Den	72	+9
64	Rod Streater	Oak	vs. Was	51	-13
65	Doug Baldwin	Sea	at Hou	64	-1
66	Marvin Jones	Cin	at Cle	92	+26
67	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at Jac	62	-5
68	Aaron Dobson	NE	at Atl	46	-22
69	Jerome Simpson	Min	vs. Pit	74	+5
70	Robert Meachem	NO	vs. Mia	93	+23
71	Davone Bess	Cle	vs. Cin	69	-2
72	Santana Moss	Was	at Oak	60	-12
73	Justin Hunter	Ten	vs. NYJ	77	+4
74	Keenan Allen	SD	vs. Dal	83	+9
75	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Cin	78	+3

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Tight Ends: Start Rob Gronkowski, but Be Sure to Back Him Up

Start 'Em

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots

The Boston Globe's Ben Volin has a source saying Gronk will play, and Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald wrote the "outlook is not optimistic." Regardless, if Gronk gets on the plane to Atlanta on Saturday, expect him to play Sunday night. If he plays, he gets into the end zone—you heard it here first. Get him active.

If you are worried about late bad news, you can back up Gronk with Zach Sudfeld or Miami's Charles Clay, who plays Monday night. If you have waited on Gronk, you have had a second tight end on your roster anyway. Swap him out for Sudfeld or Clay as emergency Gronk replacements.

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

The loss of Dwayne Allen (hip) for the season was overshadowed last week by the Colts' trade for Trent Richardson. With Ahmad Bradshaw (neck) out this week, Richardson stands to overshadow the sleeper that is Fleener again. Instead, Fleener will reach the end zone, perhaps even twice, like lowly Zach Miller did a week ago against the Jags.

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

This is shaping up to be a coming-out party for the Steelers' Miller. Not only did he prove healthy last week with 35 yards, but he also gets a Vikings team that has allowed the second-most points to tight ends in fantasy through three games. The Vikings made Jordan Cameron look like a Hall of Famer last week, and they have given up six touchdowns to tight ends in the young season.

Sit 'Em

Brandon Myers, New York Giants

He has gotten off to a decent start, but most of his work has come in garbage time. Eli Manning has been a mess, and the Kansas City Chiefs defense has been good. The Chiefs are the fourth-best team in fantasy against tight ends through three games. Myers is a bad play with so many options emerging at the position.

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

The Ravens have been the eighth-worst team in fantasy against tight ends, allowing big numbers to Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron on the young season, and Chandler proved healthy last week coming off reconstructive knee surgery.

The issue we see here is the Ravens are much better against tight ends than they have shown. They were No. 1 against the position last year, so ignore the poor start. They are going to get it figured out sans Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard.

Zach Miller, Seattle Seahawks

He is coming off a surprising two-touchdown game against the Jags, but chalk that up to the Seahawks giving other teams things to prepare for inside the five. Those calls are going to be runs in more meaningful games.

The Texans have allowed just seven receptions to tight ends through three weeks. Only the Saints (six) and Jets (five), two Ryan-coached defenses, have allowed fewer.

Week 4 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. Mia	1	0
2	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Cin	4	+2
3	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	vs. NE	6	+3
4	Jason Witten	Dal	at SD	2	-2
5	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. Dal	5	0
6	Julius Thomas	Den	vs. Phi	3	-3
7	Owen Daniels	Hou	vs. Sea	11	+4
8	Rob Gronkowski	NE	at Atl	9	+1
9	Vernon Davis	SF	at StL	7	-2
10	Coby Fleener	Ind	at Jac	12	+2
11	Kyle Rudolph	Min	vs. Pit	16	+5
12	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at Det	8	-4
13	Jared Cook	StL	vs. SF	10	-3
14	Heath Miller	Pit	at Min	14	0
15	Brandon Myers	NYG	at KC	13	-2
16	Joseph Fauria	Det	vs. Chi	33	+17
17	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	at Cle	19	+2
18	Tyler Eifert	Cin	at Cle	20	+2
19	Scott Chandler	Buf	vs. Bal	17	-2
20	Charles Clay	Mia	at NO	15	-5
21	Zach Miller	Sea	at Hou	27	+6
22	Brent Celek	Phi	at Den	18	-4
23	Rob Housler	Ari	at TB	25	+2
24	Zach Sudfeld	NE	at Atl	26	+2
25	Kellen Winslow	NYJ	at Ten	24	-1
26	Dallas Clark	Bal	at Buf	23	-3
27	Fred Davis	Was	at Oak	32	+5
28	Zach Ertz	Phi	at Den	29	+1
29	Marcedes Lewis	Jac	vs. Ind	34	+5
30	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	vs. Chi	22	-8

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Defensive/Special Teams: Start Pittsburgh Steelers, Sit Minnesota Vikings

Start 'Em

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have already been an underrated fantasy unit because of their so-so 2012. Their slow start to 2013 has made them even more under the radar. They turn it around here against the Vikings, who were the sixth-most favorable matchup for an opposing defensive unit coming into the week. Now, they are starting Matt Cassel for Christian Ponder (rib), which makes the Steelers even more intriguing.

Baltimore Ravens

They have gotten off to a bad start in the post-Ray Lewis era, but the Bills and a rookie quarterback should get them back into fantasy minds as a solid unit to trust. The Bills haven't been really error prone, but they haven't been all that productive either, particularly in the running game. Consider the Ravens a top-eight unit this week.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Giants have been the most forgiving team in fantasy against defenses thanks to the sack- and error-prone Eli Manning operating behind a banged-up offensive line. The Chiefs have been the most productive unit in fantasy too, which makes this "start" almost too obvious.

Arizona Cardinals

With so many solid streaming options available, you might not have to dip this deep into the defensive pool, but the Cardinals are playing a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start in Mike Glennon. That is reason enough to consider the Cards D/ST if you have the likes of the Panthers or Packers on bye, the Patriots facing the Falcons or the Dolphins facing the Saints.

Sit 'Em

Minnesota Vikings

Many have jumped on this unit because of the Steelers' struggles. Pittsburgh has been the second-worst team in fantasy against defenses to date. But we expect a Pittsburgh rebound, especially after watching the Vikings turn Brian Hoyer and the Browns into an offensive juggernaut. Ben Roethlisberger is not in Hoyer's league...and we mean that in the good way for Big Ben and the bad way for those hoping to score some points with the Vikings defense in fantasy.

New England Patriots

They have had their fantasy moments the past couple of years despite some issues in the secondary. Those issues have yet to rear their ugly head, but it needs reminding that EJ Manuel, Geno Smith and Josh Freeman aren't exactly Jim Kelly, Joe Namath and Steve Young. Matt Ryan is. It is a bad week to have the Pats defense, and that is not something we plan to say much this season (save for the Denver week).

Miami Dolphins

They have held up nicely thus far, even beating the banged-up Falcons at home last week. Traveling to New Orleans to face Drew Brees in prime time will be a different story. Don't start Miami's defense in any leagues here. There are just too many solid streaming options to dump it for this week.

Week 4 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	vs. NYG	3	+2
2	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	at Cle	2	0
3	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	at Hou	1	-2
4	San Francisco 49ers	SF	at StL	8	+4
5	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	at Buf	5	0
6	Denver Broncos	Den	vs. Phi	6	0
7	Chicago Bears	Chi	at Det	4	-3
8	Houston Texans	Hou	vs. Sea	13	+5
9	New York Jets	NYJ	at Ten	12	+3
10	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	at Min	10	0
11	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	at TB	9	-2
12	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB	vs. Ari	15	+3
13	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	at Jac	7	-6
14	Minnesota Vikings	Min	vs. Pit	11	-3
15	New Orleans Saints	NO	vs. Mia	19	+4
16	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	at SD	16	0
17	Tennessee Titans	Ten	vs. NYJ	14	-3
18	St. Louis Rams	StL	vs. SF	20	+2
19	Washington Redskins	Was	at Oak	26	+7
20	San Diego Chargers	SD	vs. Dal	27	+7
21	New England Patriots	NE	at Atl	17	-4
22	Atlanta Falcons	Atl	vs. NE	22	0
23	Cleveland Browns	Cle	vs. Cin	18	-5
24	Miami Dolphins	Mia	at NO	23	-1
25	New York Giants	NYG	at KC	25	0
26	Oakland Raiders	Oak	vs. Was	28	+2
27	Detroit Lions	Det	vs. Chi	21	-6
28	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jac	vs. Ind	30	+2
29	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	at Den	29	0
30	Buffalo Bills	Buf	vs. Bal	24	-6

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Kickers: Jump Back on Justin Tucker, Avoid Rookie Caleb Sturgis vs. New Orleans

Start 'Em

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens

The second-year kicker has gotten off to a disappointing start along with the entire Ravens offense, but the outlook is a lot better against the Bills. They have given up the second-most points to kickers in fantasy to date. Tucker is headed for a busy week.

Ryan Succop, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs' believers are slow to buy into Succop thus far this season. He is owned in just 14 percent of CBS Sports leagues and active in just 8 percent. The Giants have given up the most touchdowns through three weeks and are third worst in fantasy against kickers. It should be another great week for Succop loyalists. 

Garrett Hartley, New Orleans Saints

He is one of those rare kickers who fantasy owners avoid because they are afraid of Drew Brees peppering the scoreboard with touchdowns and mere extra points. Well, the Dolphins have allowed the fourth-most field-goal attempts in the NFL through three games. Only the Eagles, Bucs and Chargers have allowed more. Hartley should get three-plus field goals to go with the touchdowns this week.

Sit 'Em

Caleb Sturgis, Miami Dolphins

The rookie has displayed a strong and accurate leg, and the Dolphins offense has been a lot more productive than anyone could have envisioned in their 3-0 start. The problem is the Saints have played a lot better defense this year under Rob Ryan and have allowed the fewest points to kickers this season. It is a bad week to jump on the Sturgis bandwagon, which will get crowded as the season progresses.

Randy Bullock, Houston Texans

The first-year kicker corrected his misses from Week 2 to Week 3, but now the Seahawks defense looms. There is no reason to feel rushed to have Bullock in fantasy right now. He should be available next week off waivers.

Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks

Last week was supposed to make him a star. Instead, it has him left on the scrap heap. Keep him there against the Texans defense, which is bound to play better than it has shown to date. There are too many more productive kickers facing better matchups to be leaving this guy in.

Week 4 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	at Atl	2	+1
2	Matt Prater	Den	vs. Phi	1	-1
3	Matt Bryant	Atl	vs. NE	4	+1
4	Blair Walsh	Min	vs. Pit	6	+2
5	Dan Bailey	Dal	at SD	3	-2
6	Justin Tucker	Bal	at Buf	7	+1
7	Garrett Hartley	NO	vs. Mia	5	-2
8	Phil Dawson	SF	at StL	9	+1
9	Greg Zuerlein	StL	vs. SF	10	+1
10	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	vs. Was	8	-2
11	Nick Novak	SD	vs. Dal	19	+8
12	Alex Henery	Phi	at Den	12	0
13	Robbie Gould	Chi	at Det	13	0
14	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	at Jac	16	+2
15	Ryan Succop	KC	vs. NYG	15	0
16	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	at NO	17	+1
17	Randy Bullock	Hou	vs. Sea	18	+1
18	Mike Nugent	Cin	at Cle	23	+5
19	Steven Hauschka	Sea	at Hou	11	-8
20	David Akers	Det	vs. Chi	14	-6

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.