CURTIS HENRY
Special to The Leader
If you’re one of 40 million Americans, such as myself, playing fantasy football, you’ve enjoyed a great start to the 2014 season. Week four is the beginning of a long and rough stretch for a lot of fantasy owners. Bye weeks are beginning for the NFL, and a lot of rosters this week will be tested for that reason. The Cardinals, Seahawks, Broncos, Bengals, Browns and Rams are all on bye weeks this week, potentially leaving glaring holes in your lineup. No need to worry — there are plenty of gems to be picked up if you play your cards right. If you’re looking down the line of your roster and need a plug-in for this week, here are guys to go for (or stray away from) for this week.
Starts of the Week:
Quarterbacks:
QB Philip Rivers, SD; Inviting matchup with Jacksonville this weekend. Everyone saw what Andrew Luck did to them Sunday, right?
QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT; Great matchups the next two weeks. First the Steelers play host to a Buccaneers squad that gave up 56 to Atlanta, then Big Ben gets a shot at Jacksonville. Great bye week plug in as he’s still available in some leagues.
Running Backs:
RB DeMarco Murray, DAL; Only running back in the NFL to rush for 100 yards in each of his first three games. Start him and expect big things against a weak Saints run defense.
RB Rashad Jennings, NYG; He had 176 yards and a touchdown against Houston. I think this guy is legit, and he gets a much softer defense with Washington this week.
Wide Receivers:
WR Keenan Allen, SD; See Rivers, Philip. It’s about time Allen gets his glory for San Diego.
WR Cecil Shorts III, JAC; Bortles might turn out to be competent. It’s yet to be seen, but there’s a good chance he gets a touchdown in garbage time against San Diego. He did last week against Indy, so give him the nod.
Tight Ends:
TE Owen Daniels, BAL; Pitta is out indefinitely, so Daniels is the next man up. If you’re someone who has Julius Thomas on a bye, grab him.
TE Zach Ertz, PHI; He’s becoming one of Foles’ favorite targets. San Francisco’s defense isn’t the same without Bowman and Aldon Smith. It just isn’t. Look for Philly’s offense to have a good day through the air, with Ertz being a candidate for a breakout performance.
D/ST:
D/ST San Diego Chargers; Available in a ton of leagues and they’re playing the Jaguars. If you have Seattle or Cincinnati’s Defenses on a bye this week, they’re a great pickup. Bortles is starting for Jacksonville, but he still has no offensive line.
D/ST Miami Dolphins; Another solid filler, as they face Oakland’s incompetent offense.
Sits of the Week:
Quarterbacks:
QB Alex Smith, KC; I’m not sure you planned on starting him, but he has an uninviting matchup with the Patriots this week. Look elsewhere for your Peyton Manning plug-in.
QB Eli Manning, NYG; He managed to avoid throwing any picks against Houston, but don’t be convinced. He still has plenty of Manning-face left in him.
Running Backs:
RB Trent Richardson, IND; If there’s a Colts running back that you want on your team, it’s Ahmad Bradshaw at this point. Sorry, T-Rich.
RB Doug Martin, TB; Ask yourself this question, “What have you done for me lately, Doug Martin?” Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This offense hasn’t looked good in the slightest. It isn’t 2012 for Martin anymore and people need to realize that. Even if he plays, he should be on your bench until he proves himself.
Wide Receivers:
WR Eric Decker, NYJ; Inconsistent quarterback play and an offense dependent on the run are just two reasons why he should be on your bench this week.
WR Vincent Jackson, TB; I have lost all faith in Tampa’s offense. Feel free to join me. Simply another case of “What have you done for me lately?”
Tight Ends:
TE Jason Witten, DAL; As the Dallas offense switches to a more run oriented play style, Witten’s value is crumbling. He still hasn’t scored this season, and I don’t see that changing Sunday.
TE Detroit Lions Tight Ends; Ebron, Pettigrew and Fauria are all competing against each other for snaps and are competing with Megatron, Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Golden Tate for targets. There are too many wild factors in Detroit’s offense, so until one tight end emerges, they shouldn’t be considered.
D/ST:
D/ST San Francisco 49ers; Tough matchup this week with the Eagles. With all of their missing pieces, I can’t find it in me to trust them.
D/ST Jacksonville Jaguars; Sometimes it’s just fun to state the obvious.