Welcome to Week 4 of the 2023 season, and the first in our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This is where it all begins. It’s a chance to get off on the right foot and begin undefeated. As such these decisions are now more fun than ever.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. All stats refer to 1/2 PPR, 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. The number in brackets next to an opponent is that teams rank against the position. Rank 1 is the best possible matchup, Rank 32 is the worst. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Start’Em
Brock Purdy, 49ers v ARI (27)
After battling injury all off-season, Purdy has looked better than expected through two weeks. This week he gets a matchup with a Cardinals defense allowing 21.1 points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Purdy should be a low-end QB1 in this matchup and has significant touchdown upside. Fire him up with confidence.
Daniel Jones, Giants v SEA (8)
Daniel Jones and the new York Giants have gotten off to a rocky start this year, but the porous Seahawks pass defense might be exactly what they need to get back on track. The Seahawks have allowed 20.6 points per game to opposing quarterbacks and are more likely to get into a shootout than be a shutdown defense. Jones is a low-end QB1 in this matchup.
Justin Fields, Bears v DEN (2)
This is the make-or-break for me with regards to Justin Fields, at least as far as 1QB leagues are concerned. Fields has looked awful in September and if he isn’t able to post big numbers against a brutal Broncos defense that was just destroyed by the Dolphins, than I will consider him droppable in 1QB leagues. He is a last ditch effort QB1 with QB1 overall upside in this matchup, if the Bears can get it together.
Sit ‘Em
Dak Prescott, Cowboys v NE (29)
After two weeks of looking unbeatable, the Cowboys were embarrassed by the Cardinals in Week 3. This week they face off against a Patriots defense that figures to make this game a slow, low-scoring affair. Dak is likely to finish outside of the top-12 quarterbacks this week in a bad matchup. Sit him, to avoid a potential turnover fest.
Joshua Dobbs, Cardinals v SF (27)
Joshua Dobbs has been the Cinderella of the fantasy season in Arizona, unfortunately for him the 49ers figure to have something to say about that. Dobbs has been fantasy relevant in superflex leagues, but in this matchup I don’t want to start even elite quarterbacks. Sit Dobbs in favor of pretty much anyone you can stream.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers v NO (22)
Mayfield has been surprising to start the season, not necessarily good, just not as bad as expected. This week he faces off against division rival New Orleans that has a habit of shutting down the Buccaneers offence. The Saints are allowing only 14.7 points per game to opposing quarterbacks and are quickly becoming a must-avoid defense. Sit Baker in favor of better options.
Start ‘Em
Roschon Johnson, Bears v DEN (1)
What once appeared to be a committee backfield, seems to be turning towards rookie Roschon Johnson. If that wasn’t enough to have you excited about him, a matchup against a Broncos run defense that just allowed Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane to rack up 8 total touchdowns should. The Broncos are allowing 47.2 points per game to opposing running backs, that’s 15 points per game for than the next worst defense. If the bears can’t get the run game going in Week4, it’s time to cut loos of all of them. Start Johnson as an RB2 with RB1 upside.
Javonte Williams, Broncos v CHI (2)
On the flip side of this game we have the second worst run defense, the Bears. They are allowing 32.2 points per game to opposing running backs and should be an easy target for Javonte Williams. This is another case of do-or-die time. If Javonte isn’t able to show week winning upside against this weak matchup, he may not be what we thought he was. Williams is also a RB2 with RB1 upside.
Alexander Mattison, Vikings v CAR (3)
The third of my put up or shut up running backs in Week 4 is Alexander Mattison. Mattison gets a Panthers defense that is allowing 31.2 points per game to opposing running backs. If Mattison isn’t able to produce against this bottom-feeding defense he may soon be replaced by newcomer Cam Akers. Fire Mattison up as an RB2 and hope he’s better than he’s looked so far.
Sit ‘Em
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots v DAL (30)
Rhamondre Stevenson hasn’t been the league-winner many expected to kick off the season. This week it doesn’t figure to get any better for him as he faces a stingy Cowboys run defense. The Cowboys are allowing only 11.5 points per game to opposing running backs and should make it tough on Stevenson in what is likely to be a negative game script for New England.
Brian Robinson, Commanders v PHI (32)
Brian Robinson looked great in the Commanders first two games that saw them in a run-heavy game script, that was not the case in Week 3 and he disappeared. In Week 4, he will face another terrible game script and is likely to disappoint once again. The Eagles are holding opposing running backs to 8.2 points per game. The Commanders are going to be in a pass heavy game as they likely trail by double digit points. This isn’t the game to start Robinson, sit him.
Alvin Kamara, Saints, v TB (31)
Kamara looks to make his return from a three-game suspension this week, and he will do so against a Buccaneers run defense that is allowing 9.1 points per game to opposing running backs. He is likely to be rusty and eased into a workload, pair that with the bad matchup and you are best off to wait a week before firing him up.
Start ’em
Adam Thielen, Panthers v MIN (3)
It’s revenge game time. Adam Thielen faces off against the Minnesota Vikings for the first time in his career. Many experts left him for dead when he arrived in Carolina, but he has been the unquestioned target leader for the Panthers. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has used him early and often as a reliable target and against a Vikings defense allowing 44.2 points per game to opposing running backs, Thielen figures to be a top-12 wide receiver once again in Week 4.
Tank Dell, Texans v PIT (5)
The diminutive Tank Dell has been the surprise of the season to this point. He has seemed to form an excellent bond with fellow rookie CJ Stroud. The duo faces off against a Steelers pass defense that is allowing 37.9 points per game to opposing wide receivers. This is a statement game for Dell, another monster performance would show he’s not just a flash in the pan. Fire him up as a WR2 this week.
DJ Moore, Bears v DEN (6)
Here’s yet another player in the Bears v Broncos game who is at a crossroads. He should put up WR2 numbers with little effort against the Broncos pass defense, should he fail to do so it may be time to significantly downgrade his rest of season ranking. Start him as a WR2 and hope he finds his way, and that Justin Fields can figure it out.
Sit ’em
Zay Flowers, Ravens v CLE (32)
Flowers has been off to a wonderful start in his rookie season. That could come to an end this week against a tough Browns defense that is ranked as the worst matchup for opposing wide receivers. The Browns are holding wide receivers to 14.9 points per game and points could be at a premium in this defensive struggle. Sit Flowers if you can, or expect flex level production at best.
DeAndre Hopkins, Titans v CIN (31)
The theme in my column today seems to be make-it-or-break-it weeks. That holds true for Hopkins as well. Many have determined that he is washed up and will no longer be a reliable fantasy asset, this is his chance to prove them wrong. The Bengals are a bottom-10 defense against receivers and should make for an easy game for Hopkins. Start Hopkins as a risky WR2.
George Pickens, Steelers v HOU (22)
Pickens has been on fire since Diontae Johnson exited the lineup with an injury, that may come to an end this week. The Texans are a run-funnel and the Steelers may not need to pass in this game. Pickens can be used as a WR3 or flex option this week, but with the Texans holding opposing wide receivers to 23.0 points per game, production could be hard to come by.
Start ‘Em
Luke Musgrave, Packers v DET (1)
Musgrave has been one of the more impressive rookies this season as he has stepped up in the absence of Packers star receiver Christian Watson. This week he faces a Lions defense allowing 14.8 points per game to opposing tight ends. Look for Musgrave to slice and dice this Lions team on his way to a low-end TE1 finish in Week 4.
Cole Turner, Commanders v PHI (2)
Cole Turner is the default starting tight end in Washington after Logan Thomas sustained a concussion. This week the Commanders face an Eagles defense whose lone weak spot seems to be the tight end position. They are allowing 14.5 points per game to opposing tight ends and figure to make Turner fantasy relevant for at least one more week. Fire him up as a touchdown dependent and risky top-12 option.
Gerald Everett, Chargers v LV (6)
The Chargers face a Raiders team that looks lost in all aspects of the field, that includes stopping opposing tight ends. Allowing 12.0 points per game to opposing tight ends, they make for a get right spot for the struggling Everett. Start him as a low-end TE1, with massive touchdown upside.
Sit ’em
David Njoku, Browns v BAL (30)
David Njoku is struggling to say the least. A matchup in Week 4 with the Baltimore Ravens isn’t going to help that. The Ravens are allowing only 2.8 points per game to opposing tight ends and this low pass-volume offence doesn’t figure to throw enough for Njoku to produce in the matchup. Bench Njoku this week as he is likely to be a massive dud.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys v NE (29)
I hate to rain on the Jake Ferguson parade, but this is not the week to play him. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have a unique talent for shutting down opposing tight ends. Ferguson is likely to befall a similar fate in Week 4. Ferguson may have a solid long-term outlook, but he needs to be firmly anchored on your bench this week.
Dalton Schultz, Texans v PIT (28)
Schultz has been a major disappointment since coming over from Dallas. Many expected him to lead the Texans in targets, but to this point he has been the fourth option for rookie CJ Stroud. In Week 4 he faces a Steelers defense allowing only 3.6 points per game to opposing tight ends. Schultz is not only a sit this week, but is getting into droppable territory.
Start ‘Em
Denver Broncos DST v CHI (3)
Starting a D/ST that just gave up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins may seem idiotic, but it’s the right play. The Bears offense is that bad. The Broncos were thought of as a high-end D/ST coming into the season and have been a major disappointment. If they aren’t able to scrape together a solid performance against this matchup, it’s time to send them to the waiver wire. They are a top-six defense in Week 4, as scary as that it.
Kansas City Chiefs DST v NYJ (6)
The Chiefs face off against Zach Wilson in Week 4, enough said. The Jets simply cannot score with Wilson at quarterback and between low-scoring and high-turnovers, they are a prime target to face off against. Start the Chiefs as a top-three option this week.
Seattle Seahawks DST v NYG (2)
Seattle hasn’t been a picture of defensive prowess to open the season. This week they matchup with the other struggling New York team. Daniel Jones has struggled mightily and unless the Giants figure it out quickly they should be an easy matchup for Seattle. Start Seattle as a low-end DST1 this week.
Sit ‘Em
New England Patriots DST v DAL (31)
The Cowboys may have looked terrible in Week 3, but they are still a terrible matchup for opposing D/STs. As hard as it will be to sit the Patriots vaunted defense, that’s exactly what you will have to do this week. Dallas simply has the ability to score too many points to make them a safe play. If you can pick up a second defense to stream, this is the week to do it. Don’t drop the Patriots though.
Arizona Cardinals DST v SF (30)
The 49ers are another offense I am looking to avoid with my starting D/ST. As surprising as the Cardinals have looked through three weeks, the 49ers aren’t likely to take them lightly. Avoid San Francisco at all times is my theory, and this week is no different. Bench the Cardinals.
Buffalo Bills DST v MIA (27)
The Bills were likely one of the top-three D/STs drafted in your league, so suggesting that you sit them may be confusing, but you can’t start a defense against an offense that just scored 70 points. The Dolphins offense seems unstoppable at this point and could easily put up 40 points against even the stingiest of defenses. Sit the Bills, and stream a second D/ST if you can for Week 4.
Start ‘Em
Dustin Hopkins, Browns v BAL (2)
These AFC North games tend to be a low-scoring, field goal fest. I expect that to be the case in this matchup. The Browns and Ravens are both solid on defense and struggling on offence, that could produce multiple opportunities for long field goals in this one. Start Hopkins as a top-five option at kicker this week.
Chase McLaughlin, Buccaneers v NO (4)
The Saints and Buccaneers are two more teams who could play to a low-scoring Week 4 matchups. That could make for another barrage of long field goals as these offences struggle to score touchdowns. Add in Baker Mayfield as the quarterback and this gives me all the logic I need to start McLaughlin for Tampa Bay as a mid-range PK1.
Graham Gano, Giants v SEA (6)
The final kicker to target may be the only one in a shootout. I expect both these teams to score early and often which should produce many chances for field goals and extra points. Gano is a solid low-end QB1 this week who could see a spike week if the Giants are forced to settle for multiple long field goals.
Sit ‘Em
Joey Slye, Commanders v PHI (32)
The Commanders are going to struggle to even get in field goal range against the Eagles defense and that’s all the motivation I need to sit Joey Slye. The Commanders just aren’t good enough on offense to play with Philadelphia and there are likely to be few opportunities for Slye to get on the board.
Blake Grupe, Saints v TB (31)
The Saints will be starting a different quarterback this week and with Alvin Kamara returning from suspension they could struggle to find their timing and offensive rhythm. Grupe didn’t look good in Week 3 and is a solid option to sit this one out against a stingy Buccaneers defense allowing only 4.0 points per game to opposing kickers.
Chad Ryland, Patriots v DAL (30)
The Patriots are going to struggle to keep up with the potent Dallas offense making this a tough matchup for Ryland. The Cowboys have allowed only 5.7 points per game to opposing kickers and Ryland is a must-sit in this tough matchup.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 4 of the 2023 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Image Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
