Week 4 is basically the "reality check" of the NFL season. By now, your 3-0 start feels like a genius-level accomplishment, or your 0-3 hole has you scouring the waiver wire like a late-night scavenger. Most people panic here. They see a big name underperforming and bench them right before a breakout, or they chase a one-week wonder who’s about to vanish. Honestly, fantasy football week 4 start sit decisions are less about who a player is and more about where they are playing and who is standing across from them.
The early season "noise" is starting to settle into actual data. We know which defenses are absolute "cupcakes" and which ones are a literal nightmare for your QB1. If you're still starting guys based on where you drafted them in August, you're probably losing. Let’s get into the weeds of who actually belongs in your lineup this week and who needs to stay tucked away on the bench.
The Quarterback Quagmire: Trusting the Process
Jordan Love is a name that’s giving people fits. He’s been playing "good" real-life football for the Packers, but the fantasy points haven't exactly been screaming "league winner" yet. That changes now. Dallas is currently a "get right" spot for opposing passers, which sounds weird to say, but the numbers don't lie. They’ve been getting shredded. Through three weeks, the Cowboys' defense has surrendered massive games to everyone from Russell Wilson to Caleb Williams. Love has the fourth-highest yards per attempt in the league right now. He’s been efficient; he just hasn't had the volume. In a projected shootout at AT&T Stadium, Love is a top-12 lock.
On the flip side, what are we doing with Dak Prescott? Life without CeeDee Lamb is looking rough. With Lamb sidelined by that high ankle sprain, the Cowboys' offense looks disjointed. Now they have to face a Green Bay secondary that is currently top-three in adjusted pass defense. Dak has the talent, obviously, but behind an offensive line that PFF has ranked near the bottom of the league in pass-blocking grade, he’s going to be running for his life. Unless you're in a SuperFlex league, Dak is a sit.
✨ Don't miss: The Last Canadian Stanley Cup: Why 1993 Still Lingers Like a Bad Hangover
Then there’s the Justin Fields situation in New York. If he clears concussion protocol, you play him. It is that simple. The Dolphins have been a sieve against rushing quarterbacks, allowing over 26 fantasy points per game to the position. Fields doesn't even need to be a good passer to win you a week; he just needs ten carries and a goal-line plunge.
Running Backs: Chasing Volume vs. Efficiency
The James Conner injury in Arizona has shifted the entire landscape for the Cardinals. Enter Trey Benson. He’s the new "bell cow" by default. Last week, after Conner went down, Benson logged nearly 70% of the snaps. While the Seahawks' run defense has been stout—allowing only 3.1 yards per carry—you simply cannot bench a rookie with that much guaranteed volume. He’s a low-end RB1 purely based on the touches he’s going to see.
Quick RB Takes:
- Jordan Mason (SF): Start him. He’s coming off a massive 100-yard, two-touchdown performance against Cincinnati. Even with Christian McCaffrey’s status always looming, Mason is the engine of that offense right now.
- Nick Chubb (HOU): He’s back. The Texans are facing a Tennessee Titans team that is in a total tailspin. Tennessee’s defense is a "movable object" right now, and Chubb is looking for his first RB1 finish of 2025. This is the week.
- Chase Brown (CIN): Please, just sit him. Without Joe Burrow, this Bengals offense is stuck in the mud. Brown is averaging less than two yards per carry. That is historically bad. Until Cincinnati finds some rhythm with Jake Browning, Brown is a roster clogger.
Wide Receiver: Finding the "Target Monsters"
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has finally arrived. It took a while, didn't it? He’s currently leading the Seahawks in targets per game and yards per route run. Most importantly, he’s earned 50% of Seattle’s "first-read" targets. That is an elite number. Even in a tough matchup against the Cardinals, JSN is a "must-start." He’s the alpha in that room now.
In Tampa, the injury bug has bitten hard. Mike Evans is dealing with that recurring hamstring issue, which is always a nightmare for fantasy managers. If Evans is out or limited, Emeka Egbuka becomes a mandatory start. His target share has climbed every single week. He’s the kind of high-floor play that wins matchups while your opponent is chasing 40-yard touchdowns that never happen.
Over in Green Bay, keep an eye on Matthew Golden and Dontayvion Wicks. The Cowboys' secondary is giving up big plays at an alarming rate. Golden played like the WR1 for the Pack last week, but Wicks is the guy who only needs one deep shot to save your day. If you’re a heavy underdog this week, Wicks is the "boom" play you need in your flex.
Tight End: The Scarcity Struggle
Is it time to give up on Kyle Pitts? Honestly, maybe. He’s still more of a "name" than a producer in this Falcons offense. Drake London and Darnell Mooney are getting the looks that matter. If you have a better option, like Cade Otton or even Juwan Johnson, it might be time to make the switch.
Speaking of Otton, his splits without Mike Evans on the field are actually kind of insane. He runs a ton of routes and the Bucs are thin on pass-catchers. If you’re streaming the position, Otton is a sneaky play against an Eagles defense that has struggled to contain tight ends.
Actionable Insights for Week 4
Don't let the "name value" of your players cloud your judgment.
- Check the weather and the turf: High-scoring games in domes (like Green Bay at Dallas) are always more valuable for your fringe starters.
- Monitor the concussion protocol: If Justin Fields or Noah Fant are in your plans, have a backup ready for the Monday night game.
- Attack the "run funnels": Teams like the Vikings are making it impossible to pass but are allowing decent production on the ground. Adjust your flex plays accordingly.
Look, fantasy football is a game of probabilities. You aren't going to get every call right. But if you focus on volume and "matchup-adjusted" efficiency, you’ll be ahead of 90% of your league mates who are still starting guys because of where they went in the third round.
Next Steps for Your Lineup:
Check the final injury report for Mike Evans and CeeDee Lamb. If they are officially ruled out, move Emeka Egbuka and Jalen Tolbert up your rankings immediately. Also, verify if Trey Benson is still available in any shallow leagues; his "bell cow" role makes him a priority add before kickoff.