As the injuries continue to pile up with key fantasy stars across the NFL, it is becoming even more important for fantasy owners to make the right decisions about who to start and who to sit in their lineup.
Some fantasy stars are also simply underperforming so far this year including Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, who was a high draft pick this year, as well as most of the receiving threats on the Chicago Bears despite the fact they are 2-1 so far this season. Other stars have emerged including New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, who should be started on almost any fantasy team.
However, there are some players who seem matchup dependent or have simply flown under the radar. So, who should you start and sit in Week
4?
Start: QB Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
In his first game back from his glute injury, Darnold had nearly 400 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Washington Commanders. Now he gets to go against the Los Angeles Chargers who look terrible this season. However, Josh Allen looked terrible against the Chargers last week, which may give some people pause about putting Darnold in the lineup. But, that seemed more like Allen just having a bad game as opposed to anything in particular Los Angeles was doing. Also, the Chargers will not be able to stop Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba who will probably find the end zone at least once which should help Darnold’s fantasy production.
Sit: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Despite being one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Joe Burrow has not been the greatest fantasy football quarterback through the first three weeks as he is currently the No. 12 quarterback in fantasy. He only has one game so far where he had over 20 points that was last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, facing the Jacksonville Jaguars defense this week is a more difficult matchup. Jacksonville has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, has only allowed two passing touchdowns all year and has four interceptions. This is not promising for Burrow’s fantasy production. There are quarterback options available on the waiver wire to pick up this week with a higher upside than Burrow. Just for this week, he is someone that should be put on the bench.
Start: WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals
With how well tight end Trey McBride has performed for the Arizona Cardinals, their top wide receiver Michael Wilson has flown under the radar so far this season. Through the first three weeks, he is the No. 20 receiver in fantasy and had an explosion of fantasy points last week against the San Francisco 49ers. While he is not going to get 17 targets every game, Wilson has consistently gotten a lot of targets and going against the New York Giants will actually be his best matchup of the season. He is someone that should be in your starting lineup this week.
Sit: WR Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
A lot of Rome Odunze fantasy owners are putting him on the bench and for good reason. He is averaging 7.3 points in full PPR leagues through the first three games and has yet to score at least 10 points. His targets actually increased with Case Keenum at quarterback, but he also dropped a touchdown. While Odunze is supposed to be Chicago’s top wide receiver, he has not lived up to that through the first three weeks. He is someone to keep on the bench until further notice.
Start: RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
After having modest fantasy production in Week 1, Tuten has put up decent numbers the last two weeks including scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. Cincinnati has only allowed one touchdown to running backs through the first three weeks of the season, but they are still a good matchup for opposing running backs. Tuten also consistently gets carries, which provides him with a decent fantasy floor no matter who he is going against.
Sit: RB David Montgomery, Houston Texans
Maybe Houston’s offense will get back on track if wide receiver Nico Collins is able to return, but that is not going to fix Montgomery’s problem. He has yet to average more than three yards per carry in any game this season. Last week against the Indianapolis Colts who came into that game as one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL, he only had 33 rushing yards. At this point, it does not matter if he is going against a poor run defense; he still cannot put up points. Keep him on the bench this week.
Start: TE Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
Likely is coming off his worst game of the season with just two receptions for 13 yards. However, he was still getting the targets as Jameis Winston looked his way five times. Also, the Tennessee Titans happen to do well against tight ends. But, he has a much better matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends through the first three weeks of the season. Last time Likely faced a team that gives up a lot of points to tight ends was the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys and he had 78 receiving yards and two touchdowns in that game. Jaxson Dart was his quarterback, but Winston is still able to get him the ball. Likely is someone who should be back in the starting lineup this week.
Sit: TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
LaPorta is coming off a down week with only four targets, three receptions and 44 yards. He was getting more targets in the first two weeks with eight targets in the opener and seven targets in their game against the Buffalo Bills. Week 3 was a rough matchup against the New York Jets, but the Panthers are not an excellent matchup. They have only allowed 12 receptions to tight ends in the first three games and the Lions have plenty of other targets between receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as well as running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Carolina happens to struggle against the run. Keep LaPorta on the bench if you can.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Starts and sits for fantasy football ahead of Week 4
