Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 4: Smart Matchup Plays, Sleepers and More

The progress is akin to baby steps, but start 'em, sit 'em decisions are finally becoming easier.

It took three weeks for the world of fantasy football to reveal itself. Sleepers have surged, busts have faded and injuries have unfortunately occurred and impacted all involved in one fashion or another.

Week 4 offers plenty of drama. Steve Smith gets a shot at the Carolina Panthers. Two rookie quarterbacks seem ready to begin new eras. It goes on, but through it all, there is one constant—those who do the research via deep dives beneath the white noise emerge winners by this time next week.

So let's get right to it. Here is a look at some of the best matchup-based plays, sleepers and more for Week 4.

Top Matchup Plays

Matthew Stafford, QB, DET (at NYJ)

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Never mind the fact Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was a complete dud last week with all of three points against Green Bay. Detroit bulldozed its way on the ground to a win, and Stafford made a few iffy decisions and lost a fumble.

That would be what we call an anomaly, folks.

Stafford scored 29 in Week 1 and followed that with 13 more against Carolina's defense. Now he gets to take on the New York Jets, a team that through two weeks allowed the second-most points to quarterbacks, with one of those weeks coming against Oakland. 

As it stands, New York's No. 1 corner, Dee Milliner, is hobbled. Stafford is going to have a massive day as the inverse of last week happens thanks to the Jets' superb run defense.

Matt Forte, RB, CHI (vs. GB)

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As far as top running backs go this season, Chicago's Matt Forte has been as up-and-down as it gets.

As have most at the position.

That matters little against Green Bay. Going off the note above, the Lions of all teams found running room against the miserable Packers defense last week. In fact, the team has surrendered the fifth-most points to the position so far this season.

We know Forte is explosive, but take into account some homework done by Footballguys' Chad Parsons:

Now imagine that against Green Bay. It does not get much better this week.

Dez Bryant, WR, DAL (vs. NO)

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Dez Bryant has now scored touchdowns in each of his past two games. Even better, he has done so against two of the league's better cornerbacks, Janoris Jenkins and Jason McCourty.

New Orleans has nothing to speak of in that regard.

The Saints give up the second-most points to wideouts this year (behind the Jets, for those Stafford and Megatron owners), so Bryant gets the nod, as this one figures to devolve into a shootout between two powerful offenses pretty quickly.

A game with no defense means Bryant is in for a huge day.

Jimmy Graham, TE, NO (at DAL)

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What Jimmy Graham is about to do Sunday in Dallas should be a criminal offense.

It simply does not matter which tight end lines up against the Cowboys—they won't stop him. Last season, the team surrendered the fourth-most points to the position. This year, they rank No. 1. Here is a look at the stat lines for the tight ends who have been fortunate enough to line up against Dallas so far:

Week	Name	REC	YDS	TD	Fantasy Points
1	Vernon Davis (SF)	4	44	2	16
2	Delanie Walker (TEN)	10	142	1	20
3	Jared Cook (STL)	7	75	0	7

The only thing that can stop tight ends against the Dallas defense? Themselves—Jared Cook mind-numbingly dropped a surefire score last week.

So yes, Graham is the best play of the week. Perhaps overall.

Sleepers to Utilize

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, CAR (at BAL)

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Before Monday Night Football to end Week 3, Carolina rookie wideout Kelvin Benjamin ranked as the sixth-highest scorer at the slot. He now has two scores on the year and two performances with 15 or more points.

So much for those drop issues that hurt his draft stock. Bleacher Report's Ryan Riddle put it best:

Baltimore ranks in the bottom 13 in terms of points allowed to receivers. Benjamin is one of the most dangerous big-play threats in the NFL at the moment, so do not make the mistake of keeping him on the bench because of his rookie status.

Donald Brown, RB, SD (vs. JAC)

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Remember Donald Brown? It is time to, as he is not only an elite waiver-wire pickup this week, he is a must-start option in all leagues. No exaggeration.

San Diego's starting back, Ryan Mathews, is out for an extended period of time. Backup Danny Woodhead was lost for the season Sunday.

As the starter, on short notice, Brown rumbled for 62 yards on 31 carries and added 27 yards through the air. Forget the averages, volume equals production. Now he gets to take on Jacksonville, a team that gives up the second-most points to the position.

Again, get him in those lineups.

Top Sits of the Week

Arian Foster, RB, HOU (vs. BUF)

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For a brief moment, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster appeared to be in 2010 form. He scored a respectable nine points to open the season and then exploded for 20 in Week 2 while looking like one of the league's only workhorses, otherwise known as an owner's dream.

Then he got hurt.

Foster himself provided an update on his status heading into Week 4, per Drew Dougherty of HoustonTexans.com:

A gimpy back is one to avoid, especially if he heads into a clash with Buffalo, a team that ranked in the top 10 against the position in terms of points allowed. Steer clear, even if Foster suits up.

Andrew Luck, QB, IND (vs. TEN)

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Quarterback is too deep of a position to toy around with.

Andrew Luck is a big name, yes, but get him out of those lineups. Yes, he has scored 25, 18 and 31 points this season. Meanwhile, Tennessee has ranked as the third-best team against quarterbacks, allowing 9, 11 and 11. That final number would have been much lower had Andy Dalton not caught a touchdown pass (weird).

Still thinking about it? Last year, Luck scored 18 against the Titans one week, 10 the other. Tennessee is even better this year. Again, quarterback is too easy to find production at to risk a miserable outing. Find a sure thing.

All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info. Statistics courtesy of ESPN. Cincinnati, Denver, Arizona, Cleveland, St. Louis and Seattle on bye weeks.