Week 4: Sit 'Em
This weekly column will feature players that are normally solid bets for fantasy production, but not worth starting in a particular week.
Week 3 round-up:
Carson Palmer had a quarterback rating of 53 with 195 yards, 2 interceptions and a touch down.
Jamaal Charles had just under 100 yards with 3 receptions, but Jones had 95 yards and the score.
Jerome Harrison's case of Peyton Hillis got much worse. Harrison did not play and Hillis took it to Baltimore's defense.
Brandon Jackson gained 12 yards on 7 carries with 4 receptions.
Felix Jones had 43 yards on 7 carries.
Bernard Berrian caught 2 balls for 11 yards. Drop him if you have him.
Dwayne Bowe had 2 receptions for 61 yards and a score.
Steve Smith and Jimmy Clausen connected for a huge 3 receptions and 22 yards.
Ryan Mathews ended up sitting Week 3 out.
Week 4:
This week I look forward to watching some good football and scoring some sleeper fantasy points. Bye weeks start and this means fantasy match-ups can get interesting. Weigh your options carefully and it just might pay off. Here are some guys that you might want to sit in Week 4:
Eli Manning has not looked good this season and the Chicago defense has proved stout.
Joe Flacco seemed to get with the program and connect with Boldin in Week 3, but I do not expect this to continue against Pittsburgh this week.
Jahvid Best has scored in 2 out of three games, but this week's match-up against Green Bay is not appealing.
I am going to recommend you sit Steve Smith again this week. Clausen provides the negative impact in this situation, but Smith's productivity is at stake.
Brent Celek's value has dropped with Michael Vick's charge into the starting role. Watch Celek until he starts to perform.
Sit the Miami defense vs. New England this week. Brady's passing game is strong and New England's lacking rushing attack will force Brady and his wide outs to be on their game.
Ray Rice banged up his knee in Week 3 and had to exit the game. Even if Rice is 100% this week, I do not like his match-up with Pittsburgh.
QB Joe Flacco, IND
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Flacco had a solid outing with 3 excellent connections with Boldin in Week 3, but this is unlikely to be the case this week in Pittsburgh. Baltimore and Pittsburgh will likely try to grind this game out on the ground and we will see scattered air attacks. I think Mendenhall will be solid, but Baltimore's running game with Rice banged up does not look great. After Peyton Hillis took it to Baltimore's defense on the ground in Week 3, I really like the odds of Mendenhall tearing them up this week. Flacco should have an ordinary game, but beware of the interceptions. Flacco can tend to get out of sync with his receivers and this is an issue. I foresee less than 200 yards with one score and at least one interception.
QB Eli Manning, ---
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Manning's interceptions are not appealing to any fantasy owner. Eli did gain some decent yardage in Weeks 1 and 3, but has not done enough to turn his 1-2 team in the right direction so far. I would hesitate to start Manning this week against a re-emerging Chicago defense. Chicago will give New York problems on offense as well. Hopefully you are not part of the 57% of owners that have been starting Manning. I doubt Manning will reach 200 yards and he is good for as many interceptions as he throws touchdowns.
RB Jahvid Best, ---
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The Green Bay defense can stifle the run. This week's matchup is going to be tough for Best. In Week 3 Best did not perform up to par against a solid Minnesota defense and I suspect this will be the case again this week. Do not get me wrong, I like Best, but have a feeling his performances will be dependent upon his match-ups this season. This week I project around 50 yards rushing with a few short yardage receptions for Best. I do not think he will find the end zone in Week 4.
RB Ray Rice, ---
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Ray Rice suffered what is being touted as a deep knee bruise in Week 3. Rice has yet to score a touchdown this season and his yardage has been less than stellar too. Rice faces a stout Pittsburgh defense this week. If Rice is 100% by game day (which I doubt), I would still strongly consider sitting him. I have to make this decision myself and have for the most part decided to start Peyton Hillis over Rice at this stage. I think that if Rice plays 9which he probably will), he will gain 60-70 yards and still not quite find the end zone.
WR Steve Smith, ---
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Steve Smith and Jimmy Clausen connected for a total of 3 receptions for short yardage last week. Clausen is struggling and will continue to struggle. This puts Smith's productivity in jeopardy until further notice. Smith would be a must start stud in any other circumstance, but he drew the short straw this season. Smith is likely to get targets however, he will be double teamed and when not, defenses will be sending extra pressure Clausen's direction. Look for Smith to have 3-4 catches for short yardage again this week.