Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Projections for Top 10 Players at Each Position

Another week, another slew of difficult decisions in fantasy football.

Several stars are either on a bye or facing arduous matchups, making this weekend even more challenging. Having six teams on a bye means no Peyton Manning or Marshawn Lynch, which leaves a few breakout stars eligible to start.

With the Thursday night matchups already passing, it's time to figure out the starters for Sunday's slate. Intriguing players Keenan Allen and Dwayne Allen will be worth a start, especially with other stars out for the week.

Here's a look at the top 10 players and advise at each position.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Drew Brees	NO	@DAL	27
2	Philip Rivers	SD	JAC	26
3	Andrew Luck	IND	TEN	24
4	Aaron Rodgers	GB	@CHI	22
5	Matt Ryan	ATL	@MIN	22
6	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	TB	21
7	Matthew Stafford	DET	@NYJ	19
8	Nick Foles	PHI	@SF	17
9	Jay Cutler	CHI	GB	16
10	Colin Kaepernick	SF	PHI	14

Start 'Em: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. TB)

Ben Roethlisberger mangled the Carolina Panthers defense in Week 3 and has a great matchup this weekend.

Manning being on a bye means owners will be looking for a backup, and Big Ben can more than fill the role. As Anita Marks of Bleacher Report notes in the video above, Roethlisberger should be set up for similar numbers to his 196 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers.

Not only did Roethlisberger shine, but his entire offense comes in with more confidence. The Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller spoke about where the team is heading into this week, per CBS Pittsburgh:

"

The film yesterday, the meetings yesterday, everything is a little better after a win like that.

... I told them that we have an opportunity to play Sunday night with everyone watching to redeem ourselves. I thought we did a good job of going out and redeeming ourselves on national TV.

"

Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Steelers redemption tour will likely continue. Roethlisberger has a plethora of weapons like Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton, so expect him to go off against the Buccaneers and carry fantasy teams.

Sit 'Em: Alex Smith, KC (vs. NE)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

On the completely opposite end of Roethlisberger is Alex Smith, who won't be a great fantasy option in Week 4.

Smith is a consistent quarterback, but the New England Patriots defense is simply not a good matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback passed for three touchdowns in Week 3, but faces a defense that has allowed that combined total through three games.

His production on Sunday also looks like a product of the defense he faced, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes:

Sure, the Pats have yet to face a great quarterback, playing against Ryan Tannehill, Matt Cassel and Derek Carr thus far, but they are still impressive. Owners in need may look at Smith still, but he's not a great option under center.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	DeMarco Murray	DAL	NO	21
2	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	TB	19
3	Jamaal Charles	KC	NE	18
4	LeSean McCoy	PHI	@SF	17
5	Matt Forte	CHI	GB	17
6	Eddie Lacy	GB	@CHI	16
7	Frank Gore	SF	PHI	15
8	Lamar Miller	MIA	@OAK	13
9	Arian Foster	HOU	BUF	12
10	C.J. Spiller	BUF	@HOU	12

Start 'Em: Frank Gore, SF (vs. PHI)

How upset was Frank Gore after his performance in Week 3? Likely not as furious as fantasy owners that started him.

Here's the thing, Gore faced off with one of the best rushing defenses against the Arizona Cardinals and only got six attempts. Those carries produced just 10 yards, but he will be a vital part of the game plan against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gore will also have more help getting into the open field with Anthony Davis now healthy, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle:

Philly is allowing 106 rushing yards per game, which is lowered by allowing Toby Gerhart just 42 yards in the season opener. In their lone road game, the Eagles allowed Trent Richardson to rush for 79 yards, his highest total since joining the Indianapolis Colts. That statistic speaks for itself.

Sit 'Em: Chris Ivory, NYJ (vs. DET)

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Just when owners started trusting Chris Ivory, here we go telling them to bench him.

This season, Ivory has carried much of the load despite the addition of Chris Johnson, totaling 190 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 55 receiving yards. In addition, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan noted he will have an increased role, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News:

Here's the problem—that Detroit Lions rushing defense is simply not forgiving. The Lions are holding running back corps to just 12.57 points this season and held the Green Bay Packers to 6.50 points last week.

Ivory has definite flex or even low-end RB2 potential this season, but he's simply not a great option now. In a game where the Lions defense will likely destroy the Jets, Ivory will be limited for owners who need him.

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Calvin Johnson	DET	@NYJ	22
2	Julio Jones	ATL	@MIN	20
3	Dez Bryant	DAL	NO	19
4	Jordy Nelson	GB	@CHI	18
5	Antonio Brown	PIT	TB	16
6	Alshon Jeffery	CHI	GB	15
7	Keenan Allen	SD	JAC	15
8	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	@SF	14
9	Randall Cobb	GB	@CHI	13
10	Brandon Marshall	CHI	GB	12

Start 'Em: Keenan Allen, SD (vs. JAC)

Keenan Allen's production this season has been baffling. Not just in terms of fantasy points, but his 17 total targets are lower than Jordan Matthews and even Allen Robinson.

Expect Philip Rivers to look his way much more this week against the Jacksonville Jaguars' horrid defense. Michael Fabiano of NFL.com offered his take on the breakout receiver from 2013:

"

This week, he's playing the Jaguars. So have some faith and start Keenan Allen. They've given up an average of almost 24 fantasy points to wide receivers this year. If Keenan Allen can't produce against the Jaguars in San Diego this week, well, it is time to push the panic button. Start him this week and hope for better things.

"

In Week 3, the Jaguars were demolished by the Colts for a total of 31.40 points by receivers. That included 247 yards to wideouts and a touchdown, which should mean a big day for the disappointing fantasy producer.

Rivers' love affair with Allen has hit a speed bump through the early weeks in 2014, but this tandem will start clicking this Sunday.

Sit 'Em: Eric Decker, NYJ (vs. DET)

Regardless of whether he's healthy or not, Eric Decker is not a smart start against the Lions.

Much like the aforementioned Ivory, Decker is up against a stout defense that has limited receivers, too. Even against a Green Bay offense that features Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, Detroit held it to 11 total points.

Owners in need of a receiver with Demaryius Thomas or A.J. Green out might need to start Decker in deep leagues, but expect low numbers again. Decker may have returned to practice this week, but owners with other options will need to look elsewhere this week.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	@DAL	19
2	Rob Gronkowski	NE	@KC	16
3	Antonio Gates	SD	JAC	14
4	Greg Olsen	CAR	@BAL	13
5	Vernon Davis	SF	PHI	12
6	Martellus Bennett	CHI	GB	11
7	Dwayne Allen	IND	TEN	10
8	Delanie Walker	TEN	@IND	10
9	Zach Ertz	PHI	@SF	8
10	Travis Kelce	KC	NE	7

Start 'Em: Dwayne Allen, IND (vs. TEN)

A myriad of tight ends have been underwhelming this season, but Dwayne Allen has shown promise. Despite not having a single reception in Week 2, he's still a significant part of the Indianapolis offense.

The hip injury of Dennis Pitta and bye weeks for Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron have owners looking for a viable option at the position. Fantasy analyst C.D. Carter points out Allen should be a target:

In Week 4, the Colts face a Tennessee Titans defense that has limited tight ends thus far, but Andrew Luck loves Allen near the end zone. Tennessee allowed 13.80 points to Kansas City tight ends in Week 1, a total owners should expect to see from the former Clemson tight end.

Sit 'Em: Jason Witten, DAL (vs. NO)

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

As blasphemous as it is to say, Jason Witten simply hasn't been a good fantasy player this season.

Sure, he's a great team player and a great blocking tight end, but his production has been dismal. Through three games, he has failed to crack 50 yards and has just 95 total yards on the season with no touchdowns.

Tacking onto those horrid stats, Witten also faces a New Orleans Saints defense that is allowing just over five points against tight ends. Unless in serious need with a player like Thomas on the bench, Witten should be riding the bench in Week 4.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Projected Points
1	Justin Tucker	BAL	CAR	15
2	Nick Novak	SD	JAC	14
3	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	@KC	14
4	Dan Bailey	DAL	NO	13
5	Matt Bryant	ATL	@MIN	12
6	Adam Vinatieri	IND	TEN	12
7	Cody Parkey	PHI	@SF	10
8	Mason Crosby	GB	@CHI	9
9	Nick Folk	NYJ	DET	8
10	Robbie Gould	CHI	GB	8

Start 'Em: Dan Bailey, DAL (vs. NO)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Against kickers in fantasy, the New Orleans Saints have surrendered an average of 11.33 points. Whether it's holding teams in or around the red zone or being gashed by two 50-plus yarders, the Saints have allowed a ton of points to kickers.

The Cowboys are at home and Dan Bailey will use his magical boot multiple times, as long as DeMarco Murray doesn't ruin those long attempts.

Sit 'Em: Blair Walsh, MIN (vs. ATL)

Andy King/Getty Images

Don't make this too hard on yourself. Kickers are the least of your worries during byes, even though Steven Hauschka has the week off. The Atlanta Falcons defense may be porous, but they only allow 6.67 points to kickers, making Blair Walsh a difficult pickup to start in Week 4.

Defense/Special Teams

Rank	Unit	Opponent	Projected Points
1	New England Patriots	@KC	13
2	Carolina Panthers	@BAL	12
3	San Diego Chargers	JAC	10
4	Pittsburgh Steelers	TB	8
5	Buffalo Bills	@HOU	8
6	Atlanta Falcons	@MIN	7
7	Houston Texans	BUF	6
8	Miami Dolphins	@OAK	6
9	Detroit Lions	@NYJ	5
10	Baltimore Ravens	CAR	5

Start 'Em: Atlanta Falcons (at MIN)

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Keeping with the theme of the Falcons defense, it might actually be a smart start this week. Following a good week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team now faces a rookie quarterback.

Teddy Bridgewater will be under pressure all day and Atlanta will test him all day, leading to good points for desperate owners.

Sit 'Em: San Francisco 49ers (vs. PHI)

USA TODAY Sports

Traditionally a great fantasy defense, the 49ers have been gutted by offenses this season. Going up against an Eagles offense that has weapons at nearly every position makes the Niners a tough start.

Fantasy defenses have scored an average of just three points against the Eagles thanks to players like Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy, Zach Ertz and Jeremy Maclin. Those missing defenses like the Seattle Seahawks or Arizona Cardinals will need to look elsewhere.

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