Week Four Start/Sit: Solving the Bye Week Blues

This week there will be several fantasy faces missing due to the first bye week of the season, and several teams sporting new quarterbacks due to injuries or flat-out failure to perform. Quarterback shake-ups were felt in Miami, St. Louis and Tampa Bay in week 3. The Buccaneers have opted to bench Byron Leftwich and go with their 3rd string QB, Josh Johnson this week. Meanwhile the Dolphins lost QB Chad Pennington to a season-ending injury, and seem prepared to go with Chad Henne, though they did sign Tyler Thigpen from Kansas City. Finally, the winless Rams lost Marc Bulger to an injury that may keep him out this week as well. Kyle Boller played well in his stead, and he will probably play this week, too. Unless you're desperate because of a bye week blunder, none of these guys should be on your fantasy squads anyway.

The Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are all playing golf this week, or filming Chunky soup commercials. That means the following fantasy studs are on the bench:

QBs - Kurt Warner, Matt Ryan and Donovan McNabb

RBs - DeAngelo Williams, Brian Westbrook, Michael Turner, Tim Hightower and Jonathon Stewart

WRs - Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, DeSean Jackson, Roddy White, and Steve Smith

TEs - Tony Gonzalez and Brent Celek

And of course, the Eagles #1 fantasy defense.

--Plug and Play Buys for Week 4 --

--Quarterbacks--

About a month ago I wrote an entire article on potential bye week fill-ins based on which defenses allowed the most points to QBs in 2008. Several of those teams are the same through the first three weeks of 2009, though there have been some surprises, like Tennessee at number two. One QB I was highly recommending for the bye week  was Joe Flacco, however, he's had such a great start, he's no longer a fill-in, but a starter. Looking at who is left, these are the five guys that are in line for solid fantasy match-ups who could be available in some leagues, or could be on the bench on some rosters.

Shaun Hill, SF - Hill faces a St. Louis defense allowing the 4th most fantasy points to QBs, and they've only played Seattle, Washington and Green Bay. Hill makes a great bye week buy.

Carson Palmer, CIN - Statistically Cleveland, as bad as they've been, have been pretty solid against quarterbacks so far. However, Palmer throws a lot, and RB Cedric Benson will help the Bengals open up the pass game since the Browns can't stop the run.

Jason Campbell, WAS - I know the Redskins offense has been putrid, but perhaps not as woeful as the Bucs defense. And you might be surprised to know, Campbell is just outside of the top 10 in fantasy points, and ahead of guys like Tom Brady, Eli Manning and Matt Ryan. I like him this week against Tampa.

David Garrard, JAX - The Houston Texans blew up the Titans, then the Jaguars blew up the Texans. This week the Jags face the Titans. Garrard is always a consistent and solid player, but this week, with the Titans shutting down the Jags run game, he'll be throwing more.

Brett Favre, MIN - Outside of last week's last minute game winner, Favre hasn't done much to scream fantasy prowess this season, but this week he faces his old team, who have allowed the 6th most points to quarterbacks.

--Running Backs--

Running backs are often the hardest bye week players to replace because any RB with a fantasy pulse is usually on someone's roster already. Here are five potential plays to cover the bye week blues.

Glen Coffee, SF - Frank Gore is out for a couple of weeks, so get yourself some Coffee and enjoy some nice production against the Rams.

Tashard Choice, DAL - Marion Barber might be back this week, but now Felix Jones is hurt, meaning Choice is a strong play for at least the next two games.

Maurice Morris, DET - My least favorite but probably available if you're looking. Kevin Smith might miss at least one week, and that means Morris is the Lions' running game in week 4 if Smith is in fact out.

Donald Brown, IND - In 10 - 12 team leagues, Brown should still be floating in the waiver waters. He's primed for a solid game against the Seattle Seahawks this week.

--Wide Receivers--

Not only are we out some big receiver names in week 4, but one of the year's surprise pick-ups, Laurent Robinson, is lost for the season. Pickings are getting slim. Here are a handful of week 4 plays.

Antwaan Randle El, WAS - Back to how bad the Bucs are again (worst against WRs). Campbell has to throw it to someone, and beyond Santana Moss, Randle El has been his top target, though Malcolm Kelly is a nice sleeper as well.

Michael Walker-Sims, JAX - Or is it Sims-Walker? How does a guy get two last names, anyway? The Titans are second worst against the pass, which is why they are second worst at surrendering points to WRs and QBs. Walker has looked solid the last two weeks.

Johnny Knox, CHI - Or Earl Bennett, take your pick. The Lions are terrible against the pass, and Cutler likes both these guys. One or both are likely available on waivers this week.

Josh Morgan, SF - Both Morgan and Avery (below) were supposed to be hot sleepers this year and both have simply been asleep so far. But both face each other this week with defenses prone to surrendering WR fantasy points, so it's worth the shot they wake up this week.

Donnie Avery, STL - See Morgan above, and factor in that Avery is now the only legit WR threat for the Rams with Laurent Robinson gone.

--Tight Ends--

Tight ends are having a nice start to 2009, playing above and beyond typical fantasy norms for the position. Here are three week 4 TE plays, I also write a full TE start sit.

Vernon Davis, SF - Davis finally broke out last week, and has an even more favorable match-up this week. He's a solid week 4 start.

Anthony Fasano, MIA - The team that has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends is the Buffalo Bills who have surrendered 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. That's more than 80 yards and a TD per game. Having Chad Pennington out hurts, but whether Tyler Thigpen or Chad Henne start, they will need a reliable set of hands to catch the ball, and that's Fasano.

Jermichael Finley, GBP - This kid was the big sleeper buzz in the preseason, then real games came and he's been invisible. This week's Monday night game against the Vikings could change that. The Vikes have given up the third most yards (222) and are tied for second most TDs (3) to tight ends. If Finley doesn't do something this week, he never will.

--Week Four Start and Sit--

Generally, I always recommend starting your top picks, regardless of match-ups, barring injury, of course. It is obvious that you'll always play guys like Randy Moss, Adrian Peterson and Drew Brees. I try to save this list for guys who are not always obvious starts.

Here is my complete Week 4 ~ Start and Sit Team Defense and IDP

Written by Rustyn Rose