Week 4 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Sunday Matchups to Exploit and Avoid

With the chaos on the waiver wire settled, the time has come for fantasy football owners to buckle in and make the critical start ’em, sit ’em decisions for Week 4.

Matchups once again will decide most encounters. Last week, to sample both ends of the spectrum, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers torched the Detroit Lions in an obvious plus-matchup, totaling 26 points. Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers entered a miserable matchup against the Minnesota Vikings and scored 12.

This week offers similar must-play affairs and potholes to swerve around. Let’s provide an assist by comparing some of the top matchups of the week and zooming on those to exploit and avoid. 

        

Quarterback

Matchup to Exploit: Cam Newton, CAR (at ATL)

Newton won’t slump for long.

The 12 points were an obvious hiccup to see coming despite outbursts of 20 and 29 points to start the year. Expect another 20-plus showing against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend in an NFC South showdown.

Newton hit the Falcons for more than 20 points in one encounter last year. The caveat? Atlanta looks even worse against quarterbacks this year, having allowed a minimum of 24 points to every opposing quarterback faced and 10 total passing touchdowns over three games.

So, no, owners shouldn’t doubt Newton after needing to slap him on the pine a week ago.

        

Matchup to Avoid: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. KC)

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Unlike Newton, owners shouldn’t expect Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to return to form in Week 4.

Roethlisberger looked miserable at best last weekend on the road in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He totaled six points and didn’t throw a score, a stat line that might be accurate of his impending encounter against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Those Chiefs allow the second-fewest points on average to quarterbacks this year and picked off six passes in Week 3. Big Ben won’t throw six interceptions, but he’ll do plenty of handing the ball off to the returning Le’Veon Bell.

Kansas City has allowed two passing scores so far. The number might remain the same, so Big Ben is a star to avoid.

         

Running Back

Matchup to Exploit: C.J. Anderson, DEN (at TB)

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Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson looks like another perfect rebound candidate in Week 4.

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