Fantasy Football – Week 4 Start Em' And Sit Em'

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Welcome to the best time of the year Sports Fans. Here is where I will tell you who I think you should start or who I think you should sit for your fantasy team.

This year, I will give you your obvious must starts (guys you start every week no matter who they play), a few players from each position who you should start, a sleeper start em’, and a must sit em’.

Also, I will be giving projections for those players. Enough talk, let’s get down to business!

QB Obvious Must Starts

Drew Brees – NO vs. NYJ – Projection: 275 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Peyton Manning – IND vs. SEA – Projection: 300 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Tom Brady – NE vs. BAL – Projection: 275 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Philip Rivers – SD vs. PIT – Projection: 300 Yards 2 TD, 1 INT

Aaron Rodgers – GB vs. MIN – Projection: 255 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB Start Em’

Matt Schaub – Houston Texans vs. OAK 

Schaub has looked very good in these past two weeks, throwing for 657 yards and seven touchdowns.

This week he goes up against the 14th-ranked pass defense of the Oakland Raiders. Start Em’. Projection: 300 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears vs. DET

After a horrid first week, Cutler has redeemed himself these past two weeks, throwing for 483 yards and five touchdowns.

This week he gets the 30th-ranked pass defense of the Detroit Lions. Start Em’. Projection: 275 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Trent Edwards – Buffalo Bills vs. MIA

Edwards had been surprisingly good for the first two weeks, throwing for 442 yards and four touchdowns to just one interception, but was definitely anything but good last week against New Orleans, only throwing for 156 Yards and NO Touchdowns.

This week however, he gets the 26th-ranked pass defense of the Miami Dolphins. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 245 Yards, 2 TD. 1 INT

QB Sit Em’

Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs vs. NYG

Cassel was fairly accurate last week, going 14 of 18 with two touchdowns, but still only threw for 90 yards.

This week, he gets the No. 1-ranked pass defense of the New York Giants. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 150 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys vs. DEN

Romo was awful in week two against The Giants, throwing just one touchdown and three interceptions. He was better last week vs. Carolina, but didn’t throw a touchdown.

This week, he goes against the No. 2-ranked pass defense of the Denver Broncos. Sit Em’. Projection: 215 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens vs. NE

So far this season, Flacco has been a surprising fantasy force, throwing for over 800 yards and six touchdowns in the first three games.

However, this week he faces Bill Belichick and the sixth-ranked pass defense of the New England Patriots. Sit Em’. Projection: 250 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

RB Obvious Must Starts

Adrian Peterson – MIN vs. GB – Projection: 100 Yards Rushing, 2 TD, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

Maurice Jones-Drew – JAX vs. TEN – Projection: 70 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 6 Receptions, 45 Yards, 1 TD

Steven Jackson – STL vs. SF – Projection: 80 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards

Matt Forte – CHI vs. DET – Projection: 105 Yards Rushing, 2 TD, 4 Receptions, 30 Yards

Chris Johnson – TEN vs. JAX – Projection: 90 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

RB Start Em’

Brandon Jacobs – New York Giants vs. KC

The big boy has been held in check so far this year, only rushing for 196 yards and one touchdown in three games, but he should have his best game this week against the 19th-ranked run defense of the Kansas City Chiefs. Start Em’. Projection: 100 Yards Rushing, 2 TD, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards

Cedric Benson – Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE

It looks like last season was no fluke for Benson. He is truly reborn in Cincinnati as he has run for 293 yards and two touchdowns in three games. This week he gets the 30th-ranked run defense of the Cleveland Browns. Start Em’. Projection: 115 Yards Rushing, 2 TD

Steve Slaton – Houston Texans vs. OAK

Slaton has been a complete bust through the first three games, rushing for just 127 yards and no touchdowns.

However, this week he gets the 28th-ranked run defense of the Oakland Raiders and that could cure all. Start Em’. Projection: 100 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards

Glenn Coffee – San Francisco 49ers vs. STL – Coffee will get his first career start this week with Frank Gore out with an injury. He couldn’t have asked for a better matchup. He faces the 27th-ranked run defense of the St. Louis Rams. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 85 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards

RB Sit Em’

Ryan Grant – Green Bay Packers vs. MIN – Grant has rushed for over 200 yards and two Touchdowns in the first three games of the year. However, you can’t expect much from him this week against the Williams Wall and the 12th-ranked run defense in Minnesota.

He averaged just 83.5 yards in two games vs. them last year. Sit Em’. Projection: 55 Yards Rushing

Fred Jackson – Buffalo Bills vs. MIA

The one thing that the Dolphins can do is stop the run. They are ranked third in the NFL in run defense. Plus, Marshawn Lynch returns from suspension this week. Sit Em’. Projection: 40 Yards Rushing, 5 Receptions, 45 Yards

Larry Johnson – Kansas City Chiefs vs. NYG

Johnson has been a shell of his former self this year. He has just 136 yards rushing in three games and has lost a fumble.

This week he goes against the 20th-ranked defense of the New York Giants, which is much better than their ranking shows. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 50 Yards Rushing

WR Obvious Must Starts

Randy Moss – NE vs. BAL – Projection: 7 Receptions, 90 Yards, 1 TD

Andre Johnson – HOU vs. OAK – Projection: 8 Receptions, 100 Yards, 1 TD

Reggie Wayne – IND vs. SEA – Projection: 8 Receptions, 105 Yards, 1 TD

Calvin Johnson – DET vs. CHI – Projection: 6 Receptions, 65 Yards, 1 TD

Greg Jennings – GB vs. MIN – Projection: 6 Receptions, 100 Yards, 1 TD

Marques Colston – NO vs. NYJ – Projection: 7 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Terrell Owens – BUF vs. MIA – Projection: 5 Receptions, 50 Yards, 1 TD

WR Start Em’

Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers vs. PIT

Jackson has emerged as the favorite target in San Diego and has 16 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns in three games this year.

This week he gets the 15th-ranked Pass D of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are still without S Troy Polamalu. Start Em’. Projection: 7 Receptions, 105 Yards, 1 TD

Steve Smith and Mario Manningham – New York Giants vs. KC

These two guys have emerged as the Go to Guys for Eli Manning and have a combined 40 receptions for 540 yards and four touchdowns in three games.

This week they get the 20th-ranked pass defense of the Kansas City Chiefs. Start Em’ Both. Projections: Manningham: 6 Receptions, 65 Yards, 1 TD – Smith: 7 Receptions, 85 Yards, 1 TD

Chad Ocho Cinco – Cincinnati Bengals vs. CLE

Ocho Cinco is Back! He has 14 receptions for 234 yards and a touchdown in three games this year. He has a great matchup vs. the 16th-ranked pass defense of the Cleveland Browns, whom he has scored four touchdowns in his last six games against. Start Em’. Projection: 8 Receptions, 115 Yards, 1 TD

Devin Hester – Chicago Bears vs. DET

Hester is emerging as the number one receiver in Chicago with QB Jay Cutler. He has 13 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns in the first three games.

This week he draws the 30th-ranked Pass D of the Detroit Lions, who have allowed 10 passing touchdowns this year. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 7 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

WR Sit Em’

Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs vs. NYG

He is hurting and has no QB and is facing the best pass defense in the NFL. No Thanks. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 3 Receptions, 35 Yards

T.J. Houshmandzadeh – Seattle Seahawks vs. IND

He was supposed to come to Seattle and make a huge impact as their number one go to guy.

However, he has just 14 receptions for 145 yards in three games and now is playing with backup QB Seneca Wallace against the 10-ranked pass defense of the Indianapolis Colts. Sit Em’. Projection: 4 Receptions, 45 Yards

Antonio Bryant – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. WAS

He once again may not play due to a bad knee, but even if he does, he is playing with second year QB Josh Johnson and that terrible Buccaneers offense.

Plus, they are facing the 11th-ranked pass defense of the Washington Redskins. Sit Em’. Projection: 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

TE Obvious Must Starts

Jason Witten – DAL vs. DEN – Projection: 7 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Antonio Gates – SD vs. PIT – Projection: 6 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Dallas Clark – IND vs. SEA – Projection: 6 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD

TE Start Em’

Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins vs. TB – Cooley was extremely involved in the offense in the first two weeks, catching 14 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.

However, last week he caught just three balls for 38 yards. This week he faces the not so tough 21st-ranked pass defense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Start Em’. Projection: 7 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears vs. DET

He hasn’t lived up to his huge expectations yet, but last week was a good start. He caught five balls for 44 yards and a touchdown against Seattle.

This week, he faces the 30th-ranked pass defense of the Detroit Lions, who have allowed ten passing touchdowns this year. Start Em’. Projection: 6 Receptions, 55 Yards, 1 TD

Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers vs. STL – Davis has been the biggest surprise at the TE position so far this year. He has 14 receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns in three games.

This week he goes up against the 25^th ranked pass defense of the St. Louis Rams. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 60 Yards, 1 TD

TE Sit Em’

Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders vs. HOU – The Raiders offense has been anemic thus far and Miller’s production has suffered. He has just eight catches for 113 yards in three games and with no real number one WR, he is getting double teamed.

This week he faces the 17th-ranked pass defense of the Houston Texans, but I just don’t trust his QB to get him the ball. Sit Em’. Projection: 2 Receptions, 25 Yards

Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans Saints vs. NYJ

Shockey has been much more involved in the Saints offense this year, but I still don’t like him against the fifth-ranked pass defense of the New York Jets. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 4 Receptions, 40 Yards

D/ST Start Em’

Washington Redskins vs. TB – The Tampa offense is terrible, and Albert Haynesworth should have a field day against their second-year QB. Start Em’.

New York Giants vs. KC – Matt Cassel beware…Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck are coming for you. Start Em’.

Chicago Bears vs. DET – The Bears D has been much improved this year and I think they will wreak havoc on rookie QB Matt Stafford this week. Start Em’.

D/ST Sit Em’

New York Jets vs. NO – Never start a Defense against the best Offense in the NFL. Sit Em’.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. SD – Without S Troy Polamalu, they are not themselves and they are facing a very good offense, led by QB Philip Rivers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who returns from injury. Sit Em’.

There you have it Sports Fans. Any questions or concerns, please email me at [e-mail] and look for my weekly Sunday Morning Start Em’/Sit Em’ Chat.