Start’em Sit’em Week 4

Gridiron Experts Start’em Sit’em Week 4

Most sites recycle imaginary fantasy numbers with yards and touchdowns and quick blurbs on how great Drew Brees or Adrian Peterson is going to do, but you already know that. We here at Gridiron Experts are not about to insult your fantasy football intelligence by posting the obvious numbers, instead we go out on a limb and try spotting great fantasy match-ups that many people might be overlooking. Star players will always perform, but key players can thrive in one week situations through either an offensive game plan or an excellent match-up. Our goal is to zone in on these perfect match-ups and offer advice that might make your life a little easier. It always comes down to you making the last minute call with your line-up, but hopefully we can help.

Start’em

Jay Cutler vs. the Lions

Detroit is all smiles for one week after an upset win over the Skins, but the Bears are gaining momentum and should be able to pick apart the relaxed Lions at home. Neither team is playing great football, but since the opener Cutler has been doing his best to regain control. It’s almost amazing how fast Cutler’s turn around has happened; we see a big day for number 6.

Cedric Benson vs. the Browns

The Browns run defense is terrible, and the Bengals are playing good all around football. Expect a couple turnovers from a much improved Bengals defensive unit to give Benson and company excellent field position. Remember, Derek Anderson is starting and he will be pressing in this game to showcase his skills as a starter. Benson is a safe start this week.

Addai or Donald Brown vs. the Seahawks

In a bind at RB? Why not start one of the combo Colts for a week? I know Peyton Manning is on fire, but the secondary for the Seahawks isn’t half bad, it’s the run defense that has the holes. Seattle is allowing an average of 5.6 yards per carry on the ground. Expect this game to feature a little more of the running attack as the Hawks will be backing off in fear of being burned deep.

Darren McFadden vs. the Texans

Forget the fumbles, the Texans are suffering against the run this season and McFadden is due. The Texans are allowing on average 205 yards per game against the run, and if Oakland has any sort of strategy it will be to Run DMC.

Brandon Marshall vs. the Cowboys

Marshall is growing up and is buying into the Broncos winning ways (I’m surprised too). Expect big numbers from many players in this game on both sides of the ball. Denver hasn’t been challenged by a tough opponent yet, and the media has said that this will be the ultimate test. Dallas is playing flat uninspired football; the Broncos will try to pounce on it. Good Fantasy Starter.

Glenn Coffee vs. the Rams

Up until now Coffee’s numbers as a back up haven’t been that great, but when opportunity knocks you have to suit up. Gore is out and the Rams stink against the run, Coffee is getting his big break. A late round sleeper that is about to pay off.

Sit’em

Ryan Grant vs. the Vikings

Monday night football will be a battle of the quarterbacks. The Vikings defense is allowing an average of only 92 yards per game on the ground and are one of only two teams that haven’t given up a rushing touchdown yet. Don’t do it, bad match up.

Marques Colston vs. the Jets

It’s hard enough trying to guess when to start Colston, as Brees loves to connect with everyone on the team, but this week makes things even harder. If the Jets can shut down top receivers week after week then Brees will spread it around even more. The Jets can’t stop one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the game (wait what about Tom Brady), you can only slow him down. The Saints have a surprisingly good running game that will chew up some yards this weekend. But as far as a top receiver goes I expect to see Brees just hitting the open man, and it won’t be Colston.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs. the Colts

It’s not going to be pretty for whoever is starting at QB for the Seahawks. Yes, the Colts lost one of their top pass rushers (Dwight Freeney) for a couple weeks, but it won’t matter. The crowd noise along with an excellent secondary will throw the Seahawks for a loop. Housh is struggling with his new team and we’re predicting it will continue for one more game.

Steven Jackson vs the 49er’s

We had mentioned that the Vikings are one of only two teams that haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown…well, the 49er’s are the other one. In fact, San Francisco’s rushing defense is one of the leagues best. The Rams are on the road, and while we know it’s hard to sit a top fantasy RB like Jackson, you’ve got to look at other options.

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