Joshua Abbe, Mason Thompson, Givanni Damico | September 27th, 2019
Well here’s to hoping you didn’t lose Saquon Barkley, but if you did don’t feel defeated yet. You aren’t the only one and some of our writers did as well. It’s a painful experience as if you were hurt alongside him, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Now you get to test your management skills till he returns and as the season goes along start to make trades and waiver pickups to stay afloat till Barkley, Tyreek Hill, Drew Brees, A.J. Green, and other key players return.
To help fantasy football players with their roster construction, three of our writers have provided some insight on which players they would start, would sit, and consider a sleeper for week four. Be sure to follow all of them on twitter and ask any of The Scorecrow’s fantasy writers for fantasy advice.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Matt Ryan vs Tennessee Titans
Ryan gets a Titans team that has allowed only six touchdowns this season. So while the matchup seems tough, Ryan has scored 19 or more fantasy points in all but two of his last nine from home. Gardner Minshew just had an 18 point game against them as well. I like Ryan here as a low end QB1 to start. – Josh
Matthew Stafford vs Kansas City Chiefs
I had Stafford listed as my sleeper last week as he played the Eagles. Unfortunately, he didn’t put up the numbers I thought he would against the Eagles secondary. I’d keep him in your lineup this week as the Lions will try to keep up with the dynamic Chiefs offense. I expect this to be one of the best fantasy games of the year for players on both teams. – Mason
Jared Goff vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers secondary has struggled mightily every year in recent memory and that has improved this year, but it still wasn’t good enough to stop Daniel Jones and the Giants. Goff has looked solid this year, but he hasn’t made great use of the weapons that surround him. I think that this is his breakout week where he throws for over 300 yards and at least a pair of touchdowns. – Gio
Sits
Baker Mayfield @ Baltimore Ravens
Let’s be honest here, Baker has not looked good so far this season. Until he can perform, he needs to be a must sit. Especially going into Baltimore facing a defense that has allowed less than 15 fantasy points to visiting quarterbacks since the 2018 season. Ravens are also ranking top five in pressuring the quarterback percentage and blitzing as well. – Josh
Josh Allen vs New England Patriots
Allen has been a solid quarterback for fantasy players so far through the first three weeks. This week he gets to go up against the top-ranked fantasy defense against quarterbacks as he plays New England. New England has held Ben Roethlisberger to under 11 points, Ryan Fitzpatrick to negative points, and Luke Falk to under three points so far this season. This is the best chance the Patriots defense has had at succumbing to a quarterback this season but I’d leave Allen on the bench this week if possible. – Mason
Tom Brady @ Buffalo Bills
Last time the Bills played Brady and the Patriots, Brady was held to 126 yards, one total touchdown, and two interceptions. The time before that, Brady failed to throw a touchdown. Despite the Patriots’ dominance over Buffalo as a team, Brady hasn’t looked good at all in their last four meetings. The Bills’ defense has held opposing quarterbacks to 674 passing yards through the first three games. That might not seem like an incredible number but a lot of those yards came in garbage time for the opponents. The Bills should be able to contain Brady once again. – Gio
Sleepers
Kyler Murray vs Seattle Seahawks
Murray gets an intriguing matchup Sunday facing a Seahawks defense that has allowed the past three quarterbacks they faced throw two touchdowns each. While allowing an average of about 18 fantasy points per game to the position. While Murray hasn’t been horrendous this season, he could stand out in the game and breaking out. Not to mention, he can run the ball too! – Josh
Jacoby Brissett vs Oakland Raiders
Brissett has quietly scored over 20 points in each game so far this season. This week he goes against the 12th ranked defense against quarterbacks. I expect another strong game from Brissett this week and he should be added in most leagues after this week. – Mason
Case Keenum @ New York Giants
Keenum has been getting a lot of hate from Redskins’ fans, and maybe he deserves it, but he’s still a very viable option as a fantasy quarterback. He’s taking on one of the worst defenses in football with a relatively decent supporting cast around him. If there’s any week to take a chance on him, this is it. – Gio
Running Backs
Starts
Josh Jacobs vs Indianapolis Colts
No secret Jacobs has had a rough go as of late, only getting a combined 14 fantasy points over the last two weeks. Fast forward to Indy and a Colts defense giving up five yards per rush and 27 fantasy points a game to running backs this season. Plus, head coach Jon Gruden wants to get him involved in the passing game more. He’s a great RB2/fringe RB1 start Sunday. – Josh
Austin Ekeler @ Miami Dolphins
In what could possibly be his last game as the premier back for the Chargers, Ekeler gets a chance to help owners once more as he takes on the Dolphins. Ekeler’s lowest point total came last week where he still scored just over 15 points against the Texans. In a game that should be over pretty early, Ekeler should get plenty of opportunities. He should also still play a valuable role in the offense once Melvin Gordon comes back as well. – Mason
Mark Ingram vs Cleveland Browns
After leaving New Orleans where he was stuck splitting carries with Alvin Kamara, Ingram has been having a great season. He ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns on just 16 touches against the Chiefs on Sunday. The Browns held Todd Gurley and the Rams’ rushing attack last week, but I don’t think they do that against Baltimore because they have too much to worry about with Lamar Jackson being a dual-threat. – Gio
Sits
Frank Gore vs New England Patriots
The Patriots have allowed the fewest amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs and with the game more than likely going to the passing game. Gore has little too, no fantasy value going into Sunday. Devin Singletary could be dressing up as well returning from injury and most like the passing back taking touches away from Gore. – Josh
David Montgomery vs Minnesota Vikings
Montgomery has had the majority of the touches in the Bears offense the last two weeks. While he has had the most opportunities, the production hasn’t been there as he has scored under 25 points combined the past two weeks combined. This week he goes up against a Vikings defense that held Josh Jacobs to a mediocre game last week and has held opposing running backs to under 20 points per game this year. In a Bears offense that has had little to no star power other than the first half against Washington, Montgomery will be the main focal point for the Vikings defense. – Mason
Wayne Gallman vs Washington Redskins
Gallman is currently the successor of Saquon Barkley until he returns from his ankle injury. He doesn’t have a great track record throughout his first three years and is nothing special. Daniel Jones showed that he’s not going to be like Eli Manning and feed the running backs throughout the entire game, and unless Gallman gets some goal-line touches, he may be rendered useless in that offense.– Gio
Sleepers
James Conner vs Cincinnati Bengals
I know, Conner a sleeper? He has been awful to start the season, with only scoring one touchdown so far and only rushed for 97 yards. Fortunately for him, he plays a Bengals defense giving up the most fantasy points to the position. Whether it be lack of talent or no Big Ben, if Conner balls out, sell him the following Tuesday. – Josh
Justin Jackson @ Miami Dolphins
Similar to Ekeler, this might be the last game where Jackson sees a portion of the time-share in the Chargers offense. If the game gets out of hand quickly, Jackson will have plenty of carries that could result in valuable fantasy points. He has had multiple touchdowns called back due to penalty this year, so he is due to finally get one that counts this week. – Mason
Rex Burkhead @ Buffalo Bills
Burkhead had a nice week last week and will look to continue his production this week. Last week, James White was out because of his child being born, so he’ll be back this week, but I think Burkhead proved himself as a solid part of that Patriots’ rushing attack. This is a very risky play because of how much the Patriots splits carries, but the Bills’ defense has not done an immaculate job at stopping the run this year which may give Burkhead more opportunities to toat the rock. – Gio
Wide Receivers
Starts
Tyler Lockett @ Arizona Cardinals
Yes, “Lock It” in for Lockett this week. Was dying to say that this season and with his matchup this Sunday was perfect timing. Arizona has allowed an average of 140 receiving yards and 33 fantasy points to the slot position for 2019. With Lockett lining up in the slot spot 72 percent of the time and Cardinals giving up 250 passing yards a game, he should thrive Sunday. – Josh
Marvin Jones vs Kansas City Chiefs
Jones lit up the stat sheet against the Eagles defense last week. He was far and away Stafford’s favorite target and it seems like the gap between him and Kenny Golladay isn’t as much as we all thought. Jones will face a Chiefs defense that will have difficulty keeping up with the high-powered Lions offense and should have plenty of opportunities to get valuable fantasy points this week. If you’re an owner that has Stafford and a combo of either Jones or Golladay, it would be wise to start both this week. – Mason
Terry McLaurin @ New York Giants
Scary Terry is the real deal. Everybody was saying to sit him last week against the Bears. I didn’t listen and I didn’t regret it. He has proven that he can do his job against both good and bad defenses. The Giants’ have a terrible secondary which should make it easier for McLaurin to get opportunities. At this point, unless your team is stacked, McLaurin can’t be riding your bench. – Gio
Sits
Jarvis Landry @ Baltimore Ravens
Landry has just been atrocious this season, he’s sixth on the Browns in yards per target. Baker Mayfield is struggling to throw the ball and now facing a very good and tough Ravens defense. Landry needs to be sat until he produces an actual game for hope for the rest of the season. – Josh
Stefon Diggs @ Chicago Bears
When you drafted Diggs, you thought you were probably getting a steal. At this point in the season, you are trying to find any other option. He’s currently ranked 72nd in points at the wide receiver position and is only averaging four targets per game. With the Vikings focusing on the rushing game, the passing attack has a lot of its power. Diggs will not fare any better this week as he faces a stingy Bears’ defense. – Mason
Josh Gordon @ Buffalo Bills
The Bills have locked down every number one wide receiver that they have faced so far. This will be their truest test so far and I believe that their secondary can keep up with Gordon. If Julian Edelman is active, he will be more of a problem for Buffalo than any other wide receiver out there. Gordon is a no-go for me this week. – Gio
Sleepers
Sterling Shepard vs Washington Redskins
In three weeks, the Redskins have given up four touchdowns and over 28 fantasy points to wideouts lined up in the slot. Well, Shepard is there 72 percent of the time. Add in the unfortunate injury to Barkley and Jones bringing new life to the Giants’ offense. Shepard should produce flex/WR2 numbers this week.
D.K. Metcalf @ Arizona Cardinal
Metcalf has had a solid season thus far. As Russell Wilson’s third option in the passing attack, he has received a lot of attention. After dropping in April’s draft, he looks like he has had the skills that generated top-ten buzz. This week he faces an Arizona defense that lacks a great corner. Metcalf will be a solid flex play this week. – Mason
Diontae Johnson vs Cincinnati Bengals
Donte Moncrief is in the doghouse right now and Johnson is getting his opportunity to shine. Last week he had three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. I expect his targets to go up as James Washington is becoming more irrelevant in this system. JuJu Smith-Schuster is the clear number one, but Johnson is a great option this week against a poor Bengals’ secondary. – Gio
Tight Ends
Starts
Darren Waller @ Indianapolis Colts
I’ll be the first to admit, you win some and lose some. Last week I whiffed on who seems to be George Kittle reincarnated in Waller, as he exploded for 134 receiving yards on 13 receptions. Fast forward to this week and a juicy matchup for him facing a Colts defense who surrendered two touchdowns to Austin Hooper last week and giving tight ends more than 16 fantasy points a game. TE1 plugin for Waller this week. – Josh
Will Dissly @ Arizona Cardinals
I listed Dissly as my sleeper for the second time this season last week and he put up a solid game and has generated a lot of buzz in the fantasy community. This week he faces the Cardinals who have been horrendous against tight ends. Through three weeks the Cardinals have given up a 20/318/4 stat line to the tight end position. Start Dissly and don’t look back. – Mason
Delanie Walker @ Atlanta Falcons
Walker seems to be Marcus Mariota’s go-to guy so far this season. The Falcons’ defense is nothing spectacular which should allow ample opportunities for Mariota to find Walker. Tennessee’s wide receivers are far too inconsistent to be viable options week-in and week-out, so Walker fills the role of a wide receiver by bringing in a high volume of catches each week. – Gio
Sits
Jason Witten @ New Orleans Saints
Saints have been tough on tight ends this season and especially in the red zone where Witten has been a key focal point for the Cowboys offense. They also might be without Amari Cooper leaving Randall Cobb and Devin Smith to play alongside Witten in the passing game. I’d stream elsewhere unless desperate. – Josh
Dawson Knox vs New England Patriots
Similar to Josh Allen, Knox faces the Patriots defense this week. He had a great game last week against the Bengals, but this week will be more difficult against the best defense in the league. There are better streaming options than Knox this week – Mason
Jared Cook vs Dallas Cowboys
Cook has just had a lack of production so far this season. Teddy Bridgewater barely has looked his way, and even when Brees was on the field, Cook still got nothing done. We’re three weeks in and he has totals of five catches for 69 yards. The Cowboys have a nice defense and Bridgewater is still the quarterback, so I expect another week of no production for Cook. – Gio
Sleepers
Vernon Davis @ New York Giants
With Jordan Reed’s career in doubt, Davis has taken over the security blanket role. With hope, the Redskins move onto Dwayne Haskins, but even with Case Keenum, the Redskins passing game is finding their way when down on the scoreboard. Giants defense hasn’t been great this season and Davis could be in line for a good game and at least a touchdown. If needing someone to stream and plugin with two tight end leagues, Davis could provide some upside. – Josh
Gerald Everett vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Everett has a great chance to finally emerge as the top tight end in the Rams offense. Last week Evan Engram shredded the Buccaneers defense while playing with Daniel Jones at quarterback. Sean McVay and the Rams offense is far better than the Giants offense so Everett could be a major priority in the Rams game plan this week. – Mason
Trey Burton vs. Minnesota Vikings
Burton’s lack of production has partially been Mitchell Trubisky’s fault. He hasn’t fed him the ball. I have a feeling that Trubisky is going to get Burton involved more so this week than he has done in the first three weeks. This is another high risk, high reward play (like most of these sleeper picks), but Burton is a great streamer this week. – Gio
On a separate note, a lot of start/sit questions we see via Twitter, Reddit, or even groups on Facebook our writers are apart of. One thing that needs to be said the same. ALWAYS START YOUR STUDS! You drafted them, so play them. The same confidence you had taking them in the early rounds. Have the same plugging them into your lineups! Good luck and go get ’em!
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