Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Quarterbacks
1. Jalen Hurts vs. Commanders
2. Patrick Mahomes at Jets
3. Josh Allen vs. Dolphins
4. Justin Herbert vs. Raiders
5. Anthony Richardson vs. Rams
6. Lamar Jackson at Browns
7. Tua Tagovailoa at Bills
8. Kirk Cousins at Panthers
9. Daniel Jones vs. Seahawks (Mon.)
10. Trevor Lawrence vs. Falcons
Complete Week 4 defense rankings
Week 4 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Week 4 Start ’Em: Quarterbacks
Start of the Week
Stan Szeto/USA TODAY Sports
Brock Purdy vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Purdy has averaged just over 17 points per game so far this season, and I think that will be his floor against Arizona. Their defense has allowed an average of more than 20 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season, and Purdy beat them for nearly 20 points in their last meeting. He should be considered a top-12 option this week.
Start ’Em
Daniel Jones vs. Seahawks (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Jones has been up and down in the stat sheets, scoring fewer than five points five times and over 30 points once. I like him to produce a good total this week, as the G-Men face Seattle at MetLife Stadium. The Seattle defense has surrendered more than 20 points per game to quarterbacks, including 23.5 points to Andy Dalton just last weekend.
Kirk Cousins at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Cousins is one of the three highest scoring quarterbacks in fantasy football after three weeks, averaging a robust 23.6 points per game. The Panthers have allowed just 10.4 points per game to signal-callers this season, but they’ve faced Derek Carr, Desmond Ridder and Geno Smith. Look for Cousins to finish with another attractive stat line.
Justin Fields vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fields has been awful for fantasy managers this season, averaging just more than 13 points per game. That being said, I’d still roll the dice with him against a Broncos defense that just gave up 70 points to the Dolphins. Denver has also allowed more than 20 fantasy points to both Sam Howell and Tua Tagovailoa in their last two contests.
Russell Wilson at Bears (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Wilson’s numbers haven’t been bad this season, as he’s scored six touchdowns in his first three games. I’d start him against the Bears, who are a hot mess on both sides of the ball. Their defense has given up more than 21 fantasy points a game to opposing quarterbacks so far this season, so Wilson is in a good spot to produce in a battle of winless teams.
More Starts
Jordan Love vs. Lions (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime)
Trevor Lawrence vs. Falcons (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
Jimmy Garoppolo at Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
C.J. Stroud vs. Steelers ($5,600)
Jimmy Garoppolo at Chargers ($5,300)
Andy Dalton vs. Vikings ($5,100)
Week 4 Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks
Sit of the Week
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Deshaun Watson vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Watson has alternated good and bad stat lines so far this season, and this week’s game against the Ravens might be a stinker. Since the start of last season, just three enemy signal-callers have scored more than 17.3 points against their defense, including Watson who was held to 12.6 points last season. Consider Watson a risk-reward option at best.
Sit ’Em
Dak Prescott vs. Patriots (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Prescott has had a bad start to the season, failing to score more than 15 fantasy points in two of his first three games. I’d be wary of the Cowboys quarterback this week, as he’ll face a tough test against Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Their defense has allowed an average of fewer than 11 fantasy points per contest to opposing field generals so far this season.
Matthew Stafford at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Stafford hasn’t been awful in terms of his passing yards, throwing for more than 300 in two of his first three games. Still, he’s averaging around 14 points and the Colts have been formidable vs. pocket passers this season. In fact, their defense has allowed just 14.4 points per game to opposing signal-callers on passes. Stafford is just a mid-tier No. 2 option.
Sam Howell at Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Howell is coming off a major stinker, as he scored 0.60 points in a blowout loss to the Bills. Next up is a road game versus the Eagles, who have been mostly tough on quarterbacks at home. Over their last 11 games in Philadelphia, the Eagles have allowed just two quarterbacks to score more than 13.1 points (and one came in Week 18 last season).
Mac Jones at Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Jones has had two straight duds, putting up an average of just more than 13 points per game. I’d keep him on the sidelines against the Cowboys, who have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. What’s more, the position has averaged a meager 5.6 points on passes. Jones, who isn’t very mobile, could have a tough week.
