Week 4

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This past week, fantasy owners faced the difficult task of replacing some of their players due to bye-weeks for the first time this season. With LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson out last week, two of the top three draft picks were absent from fantasy lineups. This week, players from Denver, NY Giants, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay need to be replaced. Eli Manning may be the only fantasy starter at QB out, but a lot of starters at RB and WR will also be unavailable. All four teams are probably starters at D/ST, possibly leading to a run to the waiver wire. In my weekly Start & Sit column, I will help you to find replacements for those players/teams, and of course give you advice for setting your lineup.

 
START

QB:

Daunte Culpepper, Mia: It may be now or never for Culpepper and the Dolphins passing game. Houston’s weak secondary should be no match for the Dolphins, and Culpepper should have lots of success finding open receivers.

Drew Bledsoe, Dal: Coming out of their bye week, Bledsoe and the Cowboys will face the lowly Titans in week 4. With the weapons surrounding him, that should turn out well for Bledsoe and his fantasy owners. Start him.

Others to start:
Brad Johnson, Min
Brett Favre, GB
Jake Delhomme, Car
Drew Brees, NO
Chad Pennington, NYJ
Kurt Warner, Ari

No-brainers:
Peyton Manning, Ind
Carson Palmer, Cin
Donovan McNabb, Phi
Tom Brady, NE
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Marc Bulger, StL
Michael Vick, Atl

 
RB:

LaMont Jordan, Oak: After two dismal performances in weeks 1 and 2, Jordan owners must be glad that the Browns are coming to town. Cleveland has had huge issues against the rush so far, and won’t be able to stop Jordan either.

Reuben Droughns, Cle: The way Oakland has played against opposing running backs so far, Droughns is a good start this week. The only question that remains is, were the Raiders able to fill this hole during their bye week? I would not bet on it, so trust Droughns in this one.

Others to start:
Chester Taylor, Min
Deuce McAllister, NO
Reggie Bush, NO
DeAngelo Williams, Car
Willis McGahee, Buf
Julius Jones, Dal
Dominic Rhodes, Ind
Joseph Addai, Ind
Edgerrin James, Ari
Clinton Portis, Was
Frank Gore, SF (if healthy!!!)
Corey Dillon, NE (if healthy!!!)
Laurence Maroney, NE

No-brainers:
LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
Larry Johnson, KC
Ronnie Brown, Mia
Warrick Dunn, Atl
Brian Westbrook, Phi
Steven Jackson, StL
Rudi Johnson, Cin

 
WR:

Michael Jenkins, Atl: Arizona has stopped the run quite a bit better than the pass so far. While I am sure that the Falcons will still find enough space to do damage on the ground, Jenkins might also be worth a look this week, especially if you need a fill-in at WR.

Eddie Kennison, KC: After being completely invisible through the first two weeks, Kennison should be able to help your team this week with a game at home against San Francisco. The 49ers showed improvement against the pass so far, but KC should still be able to rack up good yardage through the air against them.

Others to start:
Reggie Wayne, Ind
Keyshawn Johnson, Car
Joe Horn, NO
Braylon Edwards, Cle
Darrell Jackson, Sea
Roy Williams, Det
Drew Bennett, Ten
Troy Williamson, Min
Randy Moss, Oak
Antonio Bryant, SF
Santana Moss, Was
Derrick Mason, Bal
Terry Glenn, Dal
TJ Houshmandzadeh, Cin

No-brainers:
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Terrell Owens, Dal (if healthy!!!)
Steve Smith, Car
Donald Driver, GB
Torry Holt, StL
Chad Johnson, Cin
Chris Chambers, Mia
Donte Stallworth, Phi

 
TE/K/D:

Joe Klopfenstein, TE, StL: Detroit has had problems containing opposing tight ends so far, so if you are hurting at TE this week, Klopfenstein might be a good option for you.

Lawrence Tynes, K, KC: The Chiefs, who have struggled scoring points in the first two weeks, are fresh off their bye week for their game against the 49ers. San Francisco is improved on defense, but at home, Tynes should still get enough scoring chances to warrant fantasy consideration.

Miami, Def: Against a struggling Houston offense, the Miami defense is definitely worth a look this week if you need a fill-in at D/ST. With so many good defenses on their bye weeks, there is definitely some need out there.

 
SIT

QB:

Phillip Rivers, SD: While Rivers has played solid so far, he has not faced a tough challenge yet, but the Ravens’ defense will provide one. The aggressive Ravens will be too much for him on Sunday, so you better keep him on your bench.

Alex Smith, SF: The Chiefs have been surprisingly tough on defense, as they have allowed only 146.5 yards per game so far. Coming off their bye week, they have had time to prepare for the 49ers, and will limit Smith’s success this week.

RB:

Jamal Lewis, Bal: The Ravens – Chargers matchup this week pits the best two rushing defenses in the league against each other (sorry, Chicago…), and Lewis will be the one really hurt by that. Better use other options, as Jamal will not reward you with a lot fantasy points.

Maurice Morris, Sea: While the waiver wire battle for Morris should now be over in most leagues, it’s not a good idea to start him against Chicago. Even Alexander struggled before his injury. However, after their bye next week, their schedule looks a lot better. Get Morris, but don’t start him – yet.

WR:

Lee Evans, WR, Buf: Evans has always been hit or miss, and so far, we have seen more miss this year. With a matchup against a good Vikings’ defense ahead, better keep Evans on your bench.

Keenan McCardell, WR, SD: On paper, McCardell is the #1 WR in San Diego, but he is still only the third receiving option behind Gates and Tomlinson. Against a strong Ravens’ defense, this does not look too promising.

TE/K/D:

Jeb Putzier, TE, Hou: While Miami’s offense has not started out well this year, at least their defense has not played too badly. They have kept the TE position in check (especially if you leave out that one long Miller catch that should not have been a TD in week one), so don’t count on Putzier or any Houston TE.

Neil Rackers, K, Ari: Tough call here considering Rackers is one of the top fantasy kickers, but the Atlanta defense has been great so far, and will also keep the Cardinals’ offense in check.

Philadelphia, Def: The Eagles have lost Lito Sheppard and Jevon Kearse on their defense, and Brett Favre has looked solid in back to back weeks. The Favre aura on Monday night may just be enough to make this a shaky start.

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