Below you will find part two of our Week 4 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis. Vladimir De Wet breaks down each game, and the key players involved, to help you prepare your lineups to win this week.

Be sure to also check out part one of this week's matchups analysis, diving into the early slate of games. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down each of the NFL matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well.

 

Chiefs @ Bengals - Sunday @ 1:00 EST

Players we love:

Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals - Through three weeks the most consistent player on the Bengals offense is Andy Dalton. The veteran quarterback (yes, Andy is a veteran at this point) has eight touchdowns versus one interception while completing over 66% of his passes. ProFootballFocus has him ranked as the 6th best QB so far this year, while he's put up the 3rd most fantasy points among all QBs. Andy Dalton has been flying off the waiver wire because guys like Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger are hurt. If Dalton can keep up the consistent play with all of those skilled players around him he might end up being a top five fantasy QB by the end of the year.

Players we hate:

Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs - Charles is a fantasy stud that has to be started every week. Through three weeks Charles leads the league in snaps among running backs. His high volume of touches alone make him impossible to sit, but so far this season PFF has him graded negatively. Charles is going against a top Bengals defensive line that is giving up less than four yards per carry and 77 rushing yards per game. Expect the Bengals to focus on stopping Charles and letting Alex Smith try and beat them. Hate is a strong word but after three productive weeks, but Charles may be due for a letdown performance.

Key Players: 

Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs - After being sacked a career high 45 times last seaon, Smith has already been sacked a league leading 13 times this season. Smith was never really in serious QB2 consideration, but his inconsistent play may see him become an actual QB2 in real life. The Chiefs have the 25th ranked pass offense and their going against a strong Begals defensive line and the 6th best scoring team in the league. Expect Smith to have his third straight rough week, and without garbage time points he may end up doing nothing at all.

Jeremy Maclin,WR, Chiefs - Maclin finally ended a streak of 21 games without a Chiefs WR scoring a touchdown against the Packers last Monday night. This capped off a break out game for Maclin in a Chiefs uniform with a line of 8/141/1. The Chiefs have been targeting him in an attempt to get more big plays down field, but just haven't been able to connect because of pressure and Smith's indecisiveness. Against a Bengals secondary that has given up the 12th most passing yards this season, Maclin remains a WR2 with low upside because of an inconsistent line and signal caller.

A.J. Green, WR, Bengals - The Chiefs have given up the 4th most passing yards this season, and their secondary continues to be decimated with injuries. Green went off against the Ravens for the most fantasy points last week and is completely healthy going into Sunday. He should have another monster day.

 

Browns @ Chargers - Sunday @ 4:05 EST

Players we love:

Travis Benjamin, WR, Browns - After three weeks of good production, Travis Benjamin is no longer flying underneath anyone's radar. Last week he saw double digit targets for the first time but only managed to catch four balls for 45 yards. Defenses will be keying in on Benjamin for the rest of the season, but he should still be able to put up WR3 type numbers. The main reason is that the Browns simply do not have anyone else producing at any type of competent level, yet they're still in games with their good defense.

Players we hate:

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns - Both Crowell and Duke Johnson have played poorly behind the Browns offensive line. The two backs have combined for only one rushing touchdown through three games, and around 85 rushing yards per game. The Browns line has not done well so far in terms of run blocking, and the team's quarterback situation is a week to week mess. It seems that Johnson will take over the lead back role after being targeted seven times last week out of the back field. Johnson's versatility and the overall poor play of the team leaves Crowell as a non-existent fantasy entity.

Key Players:

LaDarius Green, TE, Chargers - Green is still recovering from concussion symptoms but should be okay to play on Sunday. With Antonio Gates coming back next week, this might be the last week Green is worthy of a roster spot.

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers - Allen has been on a blistering pace to start the season and is just outside of the top 10 of fantasy WRs. He is currently 5th in the league in receiving yards per game, and leads the Chargers in both targets and receptions by double digits. Allen will be receiving the Joe Haden treatment this weekend, so there is always the chance he gets taken out of the game. This week should prove whether or not he's really a true WR1 because Rivers will be throwing his way consistently.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers - The Browns have given up the most rushing yards on the ground so far this year. Gordon has gotten a consistent 14+ carries on the ground through three games. I expect Gordon to have his breakout game this weekend and finally score a rushing touchdown.

 

Packers @ 49ers - Sunday @ 4:25 EST

Players we love:

Richard Rodgers, TE, Packers - Through three games Richard Rodgers hasn't been too impressive taking over for the injured Andrew Quarless. With Jermichael Finley no longer in town, and Quarless hurt, Rodgers is seeing the majority of TE snaps for Green Bay with 137 so far. Rodgers understands the offense and does enough to have his quarterback trust him. Anybody that plays with Aaron Rodgers might be a viable fantasy option - so while "love" is too strong for Richard Rodgers, he is a viable TE option if your starter or backup is hurt or just playing poorly.

Players we hate:

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers - Kaepernick had the single worse football game of any QB so far this season against the Cardinals last week. He threw more touchdowns to the other team, and just simply looked overmatched and overwhelmed. Kaepernick has played well on some of the biggest NFL stages, but without Jim Harbaugh whispering in his ear and Frank Gore running the ball, Kaep just doesn't look good. When Kaep was coming out of Nevada and going through the draft process, many analysts wondered if he was just a product of the spread system and not someone that would be able to hold up to NFL pressure. After three weeks, this season many of those same questions are beginning to creep back up about Kaepernick. Avoid him.

Key Players:

Eddie Lacy, RB, Packers - Lacy practiced in full after hurting his ankle last week and should be ready for Sunday, but the 49ers are giving up less than a 100 yards per game on the ground. So far this season, that is all the team has been able to do well as they are 5th in terms of passing yards surrendered per game. Also, James Starks is leading the team with 39 carries to Lacy's 32 carries so far through three games. Despite all of this, Lacy is finally fully healthy and ready to go and should see lots of the ball. Everything is saying he won't have a great game, and that the Packers will throw all over the place with Rodgers. I still see Lacy having his biggest game of the season and reminding everyone why he's finished his first two seasons as a top 10 fantasy back.

Reggie Bush, RB, 49ers - Bush practiced in full after dealing with a calf injury the first three weeks, should return on Sunday after only playing two snaps so far this season. The Packers give up lots of yards on the ground but expect Carlos Hyde to get the majority of touches. Bush should see his fair share of action, but the 31 year old has been injured so much and just doesn't have that same burst to score anytime he touches the ball. He should still help an offense that looks awful though.

DaVante Adams, WR, Packers - DaVante missed practice with an ankle injury and does not look good for Sunday. Even if Adams does play it is clear he is third on the pecking order behind Randall Cobb and James Jones. If he is cleared to play though, he is a must start because of the poor 49ers secondary.

 

Rams @ Cardinals - Sunday @ 4:25 EST

Players we love:

Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals - Some fantasy owners might begin shying away from Chris Johnson because of the news that Andre Ellington is getting healthy and should return soon. Johnson has been fantastic for the Cardinals through three weeks with 219 yards rushing and two scores. Johnson has gotten 40 more carries than the next back (David Johnson) and all signs point to him still getting 15-20 touches with Ellington back. Despite going against a stout front seven in the Rams, Johnson should still see his fair share of touches in one of the leagues most explosive offenses.

Players we hate:

Todd Gurley, RB, Rams - The Rams offensive line has been mediocre with the run game, and Benny Cunningham and Tre Mason have both shown their talents despite this. The Rams won't be in a full three-running-back-rotation, but Gurley is expected to be used sparingly between Mason and Cunningham until he is fully caught up to the speed of the game. While Gurley may be a very talented back, between his injury and running mates his fantasy value just isn't there yet.

Key Players:

Kenny Britt, WR, Rams - Britt has been a practice holdout with a shoulder injury, and should be a gametime decision. Britt has revived his career in St. Louis after a good season last year, and an okay start this year. He leads the team in targets, and is tied for the lead in receptions with 11. Britt is having a decent comeback but he's still at best a WR4.

John Brown, WR, Cardinals - Brown also has a shoulder injury, but participated in practice on a limited basis and should be good to go on Sunday. Brown is third on the team in targets and has been good but barely noticed on the fantasy radar. The Cardinals have the leagues 5th most total yards and are scoring the most points per game (42). Brown probalby won't see more balls come his way without someone getting injured, because the team just doesn't need him to do more. Also leaves him to be a WR4 at best like Britt.

 

Vikings @ Broncos - Sunday @ 4:25 EST

Players we love:
No one. Despite lots of solid offensive players both of these team are currently being lead by their defenses. Most of the regular names should do what you expect them to do.

Players we hate:

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Vikings -After an exciting Week One, Teddy has started coming back down to Earth. Every week the Vikings offense has increased in rushing attempts, and the result has been two straight wins. The team can rely on running the ball with Adrian Peterson and their defense to win games. As a result, Teddy's fantasy value on a week-to-week basis is up in the air, along with the fact that he is still learning the game. While he hasn't played bad necessarily, the team just doesn't need him to put up numbers for them to win.

Key Players:

Charles Johnson, WR, Vikings - Johnson missed practice after sustaining a rib injury. With a focus on the run game, even if Johnson is healthy he isn't a viable starting or bench option.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings - The Bronces defense looks to be the best in the league and are backing that up by giving up the fewest total yards and 6th fewest rushing yards per game. Peterson has looked like his old self the last two games with over 20 carries and 120 yards in each. Something is going to have to give on Sunday, and I think it will be the Broncos defense. AP may not get past the 100 yard mark, but he should put up solid RB1 numbers with a score or two.

Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos - Manning definitely has a pasta noodle for an arm, and a neck being held together by nothing but staples and crazy glue. This has been the case for Manning the last few years, but he has still been able to put up monster stat lines on a week-to-week basis. Last week he finally broke out this season after a few changes to an offense that just wasn't able to run the ball. The Vikings have given up the 15th most passing yards this season, and rank as just a middle of the pack secondary. Manning should continue to make people eat their noodle arm comments as he puts up numbers against the Vikings.

 

Cowboys @ Saints - Sunday @ 8:30 EST

Players we love:

Joseph Randle, RB, Cowboys - Through three games this season Randle has carried the ball 48 times, while Darren McFadden has only carried the ball 22 times. Basically, Randle is getting double the carries while also being featured more in the redzone. Running behind the second best run blocking line in the league, and going against a Saints run defense that has given up 126 rushing yards per game, should see Randle have a good day.

Players we hate:

Brandin Cooks, WR, Saints - Cooks has been a part of 87% of the Saints offensive plays this season, yet just hasn't been able to find his way. Although he leads the team in targets by six, he's still tied with Mark Ingram for the team lead in receptions with 16. Cooks is seen as an explosive playmaker with over the top speed, yet the team just hasn't been able to find him down the field.

Key players:

Drew Brees, QB, Saints - Brees injured his throwing shoulder and missed a loss to the Panthers. Brees' shoulder may be a week-to-week concern as the season goes on. The season is on the line for the Saints and everyone is doubt Brees. Brees is the ultimate comeback kid, and I will not bury him or assume he's done unless I actually see a retirement press conference.

Brandon Weeden, QB, Cowboys - Weeden has been insanely accurate and efficient completeing 88% of his passes through a game and a half. The Cowboys look content to hand the ball mainly to Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden though, and try and hide Weeden through short passes and play action. The Saints are giving up the 10th most passing yards, but are even worse against the run giving up the 7th most. A heavy dose of run and a conservative gameplan should see Weeden put up mediocre or bad numbers, despite his high completion percentage.

Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys - For the last two weeks I have been on the Williams bandwagon. After being right once (4/84/1) and wrong once (2/0/0), I'm doubling down and sticking with him. The Cowboys will be looking to get the ball to Williams even more with Jason Witten being injured. While Witten will be playing the only hope for an explosive passing game against a poor Saints secondary will be Williams.

 

Lions @ Seahawks - Monday @ 8:30 EST

Players we love:

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions - Abdullah so far has one more carry than Joique Bell this season, but he has 60 more yards. Every stat and piece of video shows Abdullah to be explosive and shifty out of the backfield. Bell has an ankle injury which held him out of practice during the week, which can only mean more touches and snaps for Abdullah. The Seahawks run defense just hasn't been the same so far this year giving up a little over a 100 yards rushing per contest.

Players we hate:

Eric Ebron, TE, Lions - Ebron has had five or more targets in each game this season. He's also managed to catch at least four balls in each game, which has helped him be a top ten TE through three weeks. This week he's going to be covered by Kam Chancellor, Earl Watson, and Bobby Wagner. Also, Matthew Stafford got hurt two weeks ago and has been one of the lowest rated quarterbacks in the league so far this season. Ebron looks ready to have a good season but don't expect much from him this week.

Key Players:

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Lynch is a gametime decision on Monday night and may be worth sitting even if he is active. If he's out, owners should be starting Thomas Rawls.

 

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