Roman Bruno
Content Contributor
The classic, all-helpful Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em series has reached Woodward Sports! This will be a weekly series by yours truly, and I hope for it to be your main source for fantasy football advice throughout the season. Have any questions? I have the answers! Welcome to Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 4.
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Russell Wilson (DEN) @ Las Vegas Raiders
Wilson has struggled to start the season, but he has a nice opportunity to bounce back against the Raiders. The Raiders have allowed 22.63 fantasy PPG to QBs this season, the fourth-most in the league. Wilson has the weapons to post great fantasy performances, but he just has not figured it out yet. He will explode eventually, and this week could be it. Trust is fading in Wilson, but fantasy managers need to stay patient and keep starting the QB in hopes he pays off.
Joe Burrow (CIN) vs. Miami Dolphins
Burrow was featured as a must start on last week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ’em. He was a top fantasy QB last week, and he can definitely repeat in Week 4. Going up against the Dolphins on Thursday night should make for an exciting and interesting matchup. Miami’s defense has allowed 25.95 PPG to QBs this season, the most in the league. The Bengals are also debuting their new White Bengal helmets, which is +100 drip for Burrow. After starting out slow, Burrow is starting to prove why he is a coveted fantasy asset this season. Keep on starting him.
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams (DET) vs. Seattle Seahawks
With D’Andre Swift likely to miss this week due to a couple of lingering injuries, Williams looks to carry the bulk in the backfield. Williams scored twice in Detroit’s loss versus the Vikings, earning him a spot in the top waiver wire pickups of this week. Seattle’s defense has allowed 4.9 yards per carry, something the Lions RBs have been able to do quite easily so far this season. There could not be a better matchup for Williams as he gets his first start of 2022.
James Robinson (JAX) @ Philadelphia Eagles
You would not have guessed that Robinson was coming off of an Achilles injury based on his performances to start the season. Robinson looked sharp in Jacksonville’s Week 3 victory against the Chargers. His best moment was running for a 50-yard touchdown on fourth down. Robinson has scored in all three games this season, and hopefully that trend continues against the Eagles. Philly’s D has been an intimidating matchup for opposing QBs, but they have allowed 110 rushing yards per game. Look for Robinson to continue his hot start and prove he can lead the backfield again this season.
Wide Receivers
Chris Olave (NO) vs. Minnesota Vikings
The rookie had a fantastic showing last week and stepped up in place of the injured Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry. Despite the Saints loss, Olave finished with 13 targets for nine receptions and 147 yards. Olave could get more involved moving forward. He’ll be facing a Vikings secondary that has allowed the fourth-most receptions to opposing WRs this season. The Saints/Vikings game will be an early morning contest as they will play in London on Sunday. Make sure to plan accordingly, but Olave looks to have another promising performance across the pond.
DeVonta Smith (PHI) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
What a game for DeVonta Smith. He was targeted 13 times, hauling in eight receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown, including two Randy Moss-esque catches. It is a very encouraging performance for the young receiver. The Jaguars have allowed 251 passing yards per game, which is no problem for QB Jalen Hurts. Managers can expect Smith to cool off a little bit, but he is worth the start. He has been limited this week with a back injury, so make sure to monitor his progress heading into the weekend. Philly’s passing offense has been great this season, enough to satisfy both Smith and star WR A.J. Brown.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (DET) vs. Seattle Seahawks
If Hockenson is healthy enough to play this week, he should see a nice volume of targets. With several key weapons potentially out for the Lions, Hockenson will need to step up big time. He has been quite disappointing so far this season, but now he has an opportunity to prove he deserves top TE money. Seattle’s defense has allowed 14.4 fantasy PPG to TEs, the ninth-most in the league. Hopefully Hockenson can follow suit, as he will be looked upon to have a good game if the Lions are going to continue their success on offense.
Dawson Knox (BUF) @ Baltimore Ravens
Knox has not done anything noteworthy in fantasy so far, but this matchup is a juicy one. Even though the Ravens have only allowed 31 passing yards to TEs this season, this game could be a high-scoring one. Both teams’ offenses are capable of putting up big numbers, and Knox has the ability to contribute. This is Knox’s redemption game, and he can certainly find the endzone this week against an overall susceptible Ravens secondary. Fantasy managers can be comfortable starting Knox this week.
Defense/Kicker Streamers of the Week
In addition to the skill player Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Ems, here are my top streaming options for Defense/ST and Kicker:
Green Bay Packers vs. New England Patriots
Three words: Mac Jones Out (probably). Green Bay’s defense has done a nice job the past couple weeks as a fantasy streamer, but they are now the top option in Week 4. Brian Hoyer will likely start in place of Jones, and you just cannot expect for them to get much going offensively. Green Bay Defense also gets some great matchups in the following weeks after this, so if you pick them up for this week, you can definitely keep them around.
Greg Joseph (MIN) vs. New Orleans Saints
Joseph has only attempted five field goals this season, but three of those attempts have been from 50+ yards. New Orleans have allowed 12 fantasy PPG to opposing kickers, the third-most in the league. This Vikings offense can move the ball up and down the field, which bodes well for Joseph in getting some attempts from any distance. If he capitalize on all his attempts (which he should get plenty) then it will be a good day at the office for Joseph.
Sit ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff (DET) vs. Seattle Seahawks
Goff was in the QB streamer conversation after his four TD performance in Week 2. However, he cooled off in Week 3, only throwing for one touchdown and one interception. The matchup this week versus Seattle seems enticing, but the Lions may be without RB D’Andre Swift, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, and potentially TE T.J. Hockenson. Without some of Goff’s most reliable weapons on the field, he may not be in line for a savory fantasy performance. There are better streaming options available for this week.
Trevor Lawrence (JAX) @ Philadelphia Eagles
The sophomore QB had a great fantasy performance last week. He threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns, also finishing as a Top 5 fantasy QB. However, this week’s matchup against the Eagles should be one all fantasy managers need to avoid. The Eagles defense has held opposing QBs to only three passing touchdowns, while also forcing four interceptions. It is hard to start any QB right now against this Philly D, so definitely bench Lawrence so you can avoid the grief later.
Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins (BAL) vs. Buffalo Bills
Dobbins made his 2022 debut this past week against the Patriots. While fantasy managers are probably eager to get Dobbins into their starting lineups, this is not the week to do so. The Bills have given up 47 rushing yards per game, the lowest in the league. Dobbins has been limited in practice this week with a chest issue, but he seems healthy enough to play. Regardless, Dobbins needs to be on the bench until he proves he can produce post-ACL tear.
AJ Dillon (GB) vs. New England Patriots
Dillon continues to split work with Aaron Jones and has been touchdown-dependent so far this season. Both RBs should be weary ahead of a matchup against Bill Belichick and the Patriots. New England’s defense has only allowed one rushing touchdown so far this season. With little involvement in the passing game, Dillon’s role and expected fantasy production will remain stagnant barring an Aaron Jones injury. Bench Dillon if possible for this week.
Wide Receivers
Adam Thielen (MIN) @ New Orleans Saints
Thielen has been a clear TD-dependent fantasy option so far this season. Last Sunday, he finally caught his first TD of the season, and ultimately put up a respectable fantasy stat line. He had to carry the passing offense since Justin Jefferson was no where to be found, finishing the game with just three receptions for 14 yards. That makes two dud weeks in a row for Jefferson, and if he is going to bounce back, then it is not good news for Thielen. The Saints have also held QBs to just 183 passing yards per game. Thielen is too volatile to trust at the moment, and he will need to prove to managers he can be more consistent.
Allen Robinson (LAR) @ San Francisco 49ers
Robinson is picking up where he left off last season, and not in a good way. Through three games, he has only been targeted 12 times, catching seven passes for 88 yards and one touchdown. He is severely lacking the volume needed to be a reliable fantasy option. This matchup against the Niners does not do him any favors, as they have given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to WRs this season. Fantasy managers are feeling the burn of drafting Robinson thinking he would perform in Los Angeles, but that is still waiting to be seen. Bench him and do not think twice about it.
Tight Ends
Tyler Conklin (NYJ) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Conklin had a very solid game last week against the Bengals, catching all eight of his targets for 84 yards. However, sophomore QB Zach Wilson returns this week, so it is uncertain if Conklin can repeat a similar performance. This Jets offense needs a reset week for fantasy, as managers will need to see how the offense changes from Joe Flacco at the helm to Wilson. If Conklin can still command a decent target share, then he may become a viable streamer. In the meantime, it is best to bench/drop him.
Jelani Woods (IND) vs. Tennessee Titans
Woods only caught two balls last week against the Chiefs, but both were touchdowns. Do not be fooled by the fantasy numbers, as Woods is still fighting in a crowded TE room in Indy. It is hard to expect Woods to be a fantasy producer without touchdowns. Woods is not really worthy of a roster spot at the moment, so you can be okay dropping him. Woods will need to see an increase in targets before managers can start to be relatively interested.
Stay tuned for next week’s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em!
Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
