Even though we didn't have the greatest of calls last week, we're still not going to hang our heads. After all, how many of you thought that the much talked about Eagles secondary would be carved up by Eli Manning? Giants fans, please sit down! So even wih a couple of knocks on our name, we will continue to make a case for some of the boldest calls you will ever see, unlike those other people that play it safe. Here is Start Or Sit? Complex Sports Fantasy Football Tips (Week 4).
Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears (1:00 ET)
START: QB Jay Cutler, WR Steve Smith
SIT: RB DeAngelo Williams, any Bears WR
When will DeAngelo Williams wake up from the nightmare season he’s having? Not this week. In fact, we suggest you bench him until he shows that he’s even worth starting. On the Bears end, Jay Cutler looks like a good start for today’s games. He’s facing an average pass defense that has only sacked the opposing quarterback five times in three games. That means Cutler will not feel much pressure when trying to make the right read which can only mean a big passing day.
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 ET)
START: WR David Nelson, WR A.J. Green
SIT: CIN Defense
We never thought we would refer to the Bills offense as a powerhouse, but that’s exactly what they are at this moment. Facing the seventh-best defense against the pass shouldn’t prevent Buffalo from putting up some good numbers, but with Cincy’s best corner Leon Hall matching up against Stevie Johnson, another Bills wide receiver is going to make an impact, which is why David Nelson is listed as a must start. So far, Nelson has put up numbers comparable to Johnson and with much less attention. Silent but deadly. You know where we were going with that one, right?
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns (1:00 ET)
START: RB Chris Johnson, TE Evan Moore
SIT: RB Peyton Hillis, QB Matt Hasselbeck
This is purely a gut call, but maybe the real Chris Johnson will show up this week. The match-up could not be any more favorable. Cleveland’s defense gives up the fourth-most rushing yards per game, and even with a poor Titans offensive line, you have to think that CJ is capable of breaking off one big touchdown run. After missing last week’s game against the Dolphins, Peyton Hillis will be back on the field. But don’t expect him to be his usual bruising self this week. Since coming down with strep throat, the Browns running back has lost 10-12 pounds. And while his return is a good sign, Hillis may not be pushed into a full-time, starting role just yet.
Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys (1:00 ET)
START: RB Felix Jones
SIT: QB Tony Romo, RB Jahvid Best
As much as every analyst in that Monday Night Football booth was gushing about Tony Romo, fantasy owners weren’t pleased one bit. In a favorable match-up against Washington, Romo put up nine points. Nine points! Against a better defense in the Lions, Dallas’ quarterback won’t be posting great numbers, let alone surviving the game…unless that rib/lung injury is all just a hoax.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans (1:00 ET)
START: RB Arian Foster
SIT: QB Ben Roethlisberger
Once upon a time, the Steelers rushing defense was a force to be reckoned with. Nowadays, they are just a team that the opposing running back could wreck, which is why we feel Arian Foster is worth starting. The Texans running back looks like he’s fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but you may want to stash away Ben Tate on your bench just in case. As for Big Ben, the Houston defense is a scary bunch. They will pressure Roethlisberger to the point that he will make too many mistakes.
New Orleans Saints @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 ET)
START: RB Darren Sproles, TE Jimmy Graham
SIT: RB Mark Ingram
A lot of Saints representation in the start and sit section, but for good reason. Aside from Maurice Jones-Drew, is there any other Jaguars player you would feel comfortable starting? Speaking of Jacksonville, their rush defense is solid enough to stop a running back like Mark Ingram, but when it comes to Darren Sproles––a guy third on the team in rushing attempts but first in receptions––the Jags may not have an answer.
Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 ET)
START: RB Adrian Peterson
SIT: everybody else
A year ago, this game may have been one to watch. Right now, we would rather catch some of the MLB Postseason instead. It looks as though Minnesota will try to feed the ball more to Adrian Peterson which is music to fantasy owners’ ears. And if you need a great crescendo to accompany that symphony, the Kansas City defense gives up the fifth-most rushing yards per game.
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 ET)
START: RB LeSean McCoy
SIT: anyone else in a 49ers uniform that isn’t Frank Gore or Kendall Hunter
An angry Philadelphia Eagles squad at home isn’t a good match-up for anyone, let alone the poor San Francisco 49ers. While the Eagles defense isn’t as great as we were led to believe, they can still shut down an opposing team’s passing game. So with Nnamdi blanketing Crabtree, the rest of the team can focus on guarding against Vernon Davis.
Washington Redskins @ St. Louis Rams (1:00 ET)
START: QB Rex Grossman, RB Tim Hightower, RB Roy Helu
SIT: QB Sam Bradford
The St. Louis defense has been absolutely horrible this year, allowing 440.7 yards per game. After having a rough outing against the Cowboys, the Redskins will bounce back and put a lot of points on the board today. The Rams were thinking WR Danny Amendola would be returning, but he was downgraded to doubtful with his elbow still needing more time. As for Steven Jackson, only start him as a flex option this week. He hasn't shown that he is back to full health yet.
