- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Week 4 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Advice on Fantasy Football Stars to Play or Bench
- Updated: September 29, 2016
If star power was the defining trait in fantasy football, a guy such as Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian wouldn’t have led all scorers at his position in Week 3.
Recognizable names can only take fantasy owners so far. These guys, though a rare breed, are still human and susceptible to the occasional hiccup if placed in a poor situation, whether it is a bad matchup, injuries to teammates or something else.
Replacing a star player who has to take a seat for a week isn’t fun or easy. Barring a miracle, though, the owners who do it properly usually go on to win their leagues.
Here is a look at matchup comparisons for some of the notable names this week.
Quarterback
Star to Know: Carson Palmer, ARI (vs. LA)
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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer isn’t even the most notable Carson in town this year.
Jokes aside, Palmer went full face plant last week, totaling three points while throwing four picks in a bad matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Such a line makes it easy to hesitate with the veteran, but keep in mind he gets to take on the Los Angeles Rams this week.
The Rams faced their first competent and fully healthy quarterback of the season last week in the form of Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In doing so, the defense coughed up 405 yards, three scores and 25 fantasy points.
Palmer gets to regroup at home and looks to have his third outing of 18 or more points against a familiar foe.
Star to Sit: Eli Manning, NYG (at MIN)
Fantasy owners who have to ride with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning seem in a much worse spot than Palmer owners.
Despite having weapons such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz, Manning has sputtered to 14 or fewer points over his last two games in situations where he should have scored plenty (against New Orleans and Washington).
It’s not time to drop Manning, but he needs to ride the pine against the Minnesota Vikings. If a team known for its defense isn’t enough to discourage owners, keep in mind the unit has allowed a maximum of 16 fantasy points—and that came against Aaron Rodgers. Oh, and Cam Newton mustered 12.
Running Back
Star to Know: LeGarrette Blount, NE (vs. BUF)
Even when Tom Brady’s returns for the Patriots, don’t expect LeGarrette Blount to slow down at all. pic.twitter.com/7wBBYqHSMs
— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) September 26, 2016
With Tom Brady out of the picture, the New England Patriots have belonged to LeGarrette Blount and his 95.6 percent of owners.
The number should be 100 percent with Blount starting in every league, but maybe not everyone wants to win. Blount has outings of 11, 18 and 22 points thus far with …
