NFL Players You Should Start & Sit in Fantasy Football for Week 4

Aug 24, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) drops back during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

Rivers, lacking his No. 1 back while Melvin Gordon continues his holdout, has gotten off to a lackluster start. Through three games, the Chargers are 1-2, and Rivers has tossed two picks while completing 66.4 percent of his passes. The vet hasn’t been particularly bad, but he also hasn’t been the dominant gunslinger we saw last season (4,308 yards, 32 TDs to 12 INTs, 105.5 passer rating)—partially due to lack of protection, as he’s been sacked 10 times.

We should see vintage Rivers this week. The Chargers face a poor Miami defense that’s ranked No. 28 in the league in passing D and has allowed big days from Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady. Rivers and lead weapon Keenan Allen—who got 17 targets against Houston, hauling in 13 passes for 183 yards and a pair of scores—are both rightfully expected to put up big numbers.

The Cardinals are 0-2-1 to start the season, but they’ve certainly put a more entertaining product on the field than they did last season. The No. 1 overall pick had a rough day in Week 3 against Carolina, which was hungry for its first win. Murray threw the ball 43 times but only accrued 173 yards, tossing two picks in the process.

He’ll have an easier go of it this week, as Arizona faces Seattle. The Seahawks have played backup QBs the past two weeks, but Mason Rudolph and Teddy Bridgewater both performed admirably, and Andy Dalton went off against Seattle in Week 1 (35-of-51, 418 yards, two TDs). Expect big numbers for the former Oklahoma star.

Crushing news for the Giants on Sunday, as all-everything second-year back Saquon Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain that should sideline him for 4-8 weeks. That said, Big Blue is still feeling great after rookie QB Daniel Jones’ impressive first outing. There’s new life injected into the franchise, which looked comatose through two games.

While Saquon is out, Gallman—a fourth-round pick from Clemson in 2017—gets the lead back role. He didn't get much opportunity and failed to shine in his limited chances against Tampa, rushing five times for 13 yards, but will have an opportunity to flourish Sunday against Washington, which has surrendered 142 rushing yards per game. Don’t expect the Giants to fully unleash Daniel Jones in only his second appearance; there should be a steady diet of the run game in NY’s offensive game plan, and Gallman will be the one eating, Zeke style.

So, how long does Jay Gruden hold onto his job? While Derrius Guice recovers from his torn meniscus, the Redskins are going with the ol’ running back by committee approach. Veteran Adrian Peterson—who didn't even suit up for Week 1—has gotten 22 total carries over the past two weeks, but Thompson is the most dynamic weapon in Washington's backfield. 

He’s especially valuable in PPR leagues, as he has more catches (16) than carries (12) this season. His workload has been consistent as a go-to option for Case Keenum. Thompson has yet to see pay dirt this season, but Washington’s ground game now draws a favorable matchup against the Giants. New York is 30th in the NFL in points allowed this season and allowed a big day for Buffalo’s two-back system (Frank Gore, Devin Singletary), which is similar to Washington’s, in Week 2.

Last week, we were dead-on in our tight end predictions (start Greg Olsen, sit Tyler Eifert). Davis is one of our favorite tight ends this week. The reason? He—like Thompson—has a dream matchup against the Giants, who have surrendered an NFL-worst 332.3 passing yards per game.

Though they pulled off an exciting win against the Bucs on Sunday, the Giants allowed Mike Evans to absolutely go off, hauling in eight passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Case Keenum is off to a surprisingly strong start this season, and the veteran Davis has been one of his favorite targets. Expect a big day for the 35-year-old former 49ers tight end.

Sit ’Em

Mayfield was a consensus early QB pick in fantasy leagues but hasn't lived up to that billing. He has only three TDs to five interceptions this season, with 805 total passing yards and an underwhelming 56.9 percent completion percentage. His numbers were much better as a rookie in 2018, when he had a 93.7 passer rating (70.3 so far in 2019).

This week, Cleveland draws the Baltimore Ravens. Though the numbers point to Baltimore’s defensive vulnerability, that unit will be motivated after getting lit up by Patrick Mahomes & Co. last week. We’re expecting a low-scoring affair in this AFC North rivalry game as Cleveland (1-2) looks to tie the Ravens (2-1) at the top of the division. Mayfield is too gifted to stay down forever, but don’t expect him to light it up this week.

We still don’t know if Josh Allen is amazing or terrible—but the signs have certainly been encouraging this year. After throwing a costly interception in the second half against Cincinnati, Allen showed mental resolve in driving the Bills down the field for a game-winning score.

Allen is a fantasy darling because he can put up numbers both through the air and on the ground, but he’ll have his hands full against New England’s suddenly dominant D this weekend. People in Buffalo are excited about the 3-0 start, as well they should be. But this is a tough matchup for the young Bills. New England’s D has looked impenetrable since the Super Bowl, and lockdown corner Stephon Gilmore will have a little more juice than usual against his former team.

The Rams have the fourth-best pass defense in the league this year. They held Mayfield in check Sunday night, and Odell Beckham Jr. had a so-so outing as well (six catches, 56 yards). Godwin has proven himself mostly worthy of the hype in his second year, catching 14 balls for 214 yards and two touchdowns. But he has a tendency to disappear for stretches; for example, he was silent in Tampa's explosive day against the Giants.

L.A. locked down the Browns’ talented passing game and will do the same against Tampa Bay. Keep Godwin and Jameis Winston on your bench this week. Of course, Mike Evans is the one must-start in that aerial attack.

Montgomery has seen a high volume of targets in Matt Nagy’s offense since Week 2. This week, the promising rookie from Iowa State will line up across from Anthony Barr and the Vikings. Fellow upstart rookie back Josh Jacobs faced the same task last week and disappointed, rushing for 44 yards.

Minnesota was gashed by Aaron Jones in Week 2 but has otherwise been stout against opposing RBs. The Vikings’ pass D has proven more susceptible than its run D. Mitch Trubisky and Allen Robinson are decent plays in Week 4, but Montgomery should be benched if you have other competent options.

Carolina boasts the No. 2 passing D in the NFL behind their defense-minded coach Ron Rivera. The Panthers have stymied Murray and Jared Goff, and held Winston to a mediocre day so far this year.

Houston has been league average in terms of passing in 2019. Fuller is the Texans’ No. 2 option in the passing game, having caught 11 passes for 160 yards, but Kenny Stills is becoming a bigger part of the team’s offense, and Keke Coutee and Jordan Akins also siphon targets. Given the tough matchup and wide pass distribution, no Houston receiver behind DeAndre Hopkins should be in your lineup this week.