Fantasy Football Week 4: Sunday Morning Start or Sit Thoughts

Just hours before the start of Week 4, I know many people have questions running through their heads.  Who should I start?  Who should I sit?

Let’s take a look at a few situations to try and settle things:

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears at New York Giants

If you were on the fence about using Cutler this week, you shouldn’t be any more.  Mathias Kiwanuka is out, possibly for the next few months, with a bulging disk in his neck.  Osi Umenyiora is having knee problems and is going to be a game-time decision, but even if he plays you have to wonder how productive he will be.  As it is, he has just one sack and five tackles on the season.

Linebacker Keith Bullock, suffering from turf toe, is doubtful to play.  Suddenly, the front seven of the Giants defense, considered their strength entering the season, appears to be held together with glue, at best.

If the defense can’t generate pressure on Cutler, he is going to be able to take his shots and pick them apart.  Considering his 870 yards with six TD and two INT, there’s no reason to shy away from him now. 

This news also helps the receivers, most notably Johnny Knox and Devin Hester.  Knox was going to be usable regardless, but Hester was a borderline No. 3.  Now he’s certainly worth using in all formats that require three wide receivers.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle

There’s still a lot of questions to be answered for fantasy owners this week, like if Steven Jackson is going to play or not.  Here’s a tidbit from ESPN Mike Sando (click herefor the full article):

“My gut feeling, based in part on Jackson’s comments earlier in the week, says the Rams will play it safe with Jackson and hold him out of the game. Even if Jackson does play, the groin injury could limit him and prevent him from playing a full game. ”

That comment came early this morning, after Jackson worked late on Saturday and planned to warm up early today, in an effort to get on the field.  At this point it’s impossible to trust him in any format, because even if he does take the field there’s no guarantee he can play all game or be productive.

Kenneth Darby figures to get the bulk of the carries, if Jackson does indeed miss the game, and can be considered a FLEX option if that happens.  If you plan on using him, just track the news in the hours leading up to the games to be safe.

Blair White, Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville

With Donald Brown out, and Joseph Addai a game-time decision, you have to think that the Colts are going to go even more pass oriented than normal.  With Pierre Garcon already ruled out, that means White, an undrafted free agent, will once again play a major role in the Colts offense.

In his NFL debut in Week 3, he had three receptions for 27 yards and one TD.  He was targeted six times, so it’s clear that Peyton Manning did not shy away from going to him. That was actually just one target shy of both Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.

That was against the Denver Broncos, a decent pass defense anchored by Champ Bailey (though they were banged up).  This week they get the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are currently allowing 289.0 passing yards per game, fourth worst in the league.  Not to mention, they are worst in the league in:

• Passing TDs allowed with seven (tied with three other teams)
• Most 20-plus yard passing plays allowed with 16
• Most 40-plus yard passing plays allowed with six

White certainly isn’t a must play option, but if you are in need of a fill-in due to injuries, he’s worth using at this point.  He should see plenty of action and get his chances, despite the depth of options the Colts have.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots at Miami

Fred Taylor, who missed practice all week, has already been ruled out for the Patriots Monday night game.  That leaves Green-Ellis to likely take the bulk of the carries, as he did in Week 3 against the Bills (16 carries for 98 yards and a touchdown).

This week he gets the Dolphins, who have been allowing 117.3 rushing yards per game thus far in 2010.  While a lot of the damage has come from Adrian Peterson (145 yards on 28 carries in Week 2), LaDanian Tomlinson did average 4.7 yards per carry last week (70 yards on 15 carries).

There certainly is reason to believe that Green-Ellis will be able to contribute in the running game and be a solid option this week as a low-end No. 2 RB or FLEX option.

What are your thoughts on these three players?  Would you play or bench them?  Why or why not?

Make sure to check out our Week 4 Rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses
• Waiver Worthy For Week 4
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers

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