It’s Week 4, folks! It’s time to set the fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups of any given week for fantasy football leagues. I’m not going to go into elite wide receivers like CeeDee Lamb or Justin Jefferson because you already know you have to start them! Instead, I’m going to examine other wideouts that could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent… like Jayden Reed in Week 3!
To make your final lineup decision, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I as we analyze all things fantasy football five days a week!
1. CeeDee Lamb at Giants (Thursday)
2. Ja’Marr Chase at the Panthers
3. Justin Jefferson at the Packers
4. Rashee Rice at Chargers
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Seahawks (Monday)
6. Nico Collins vs Jaguars
7. Malik Nabers vs Cowboys (Thursday)
8. Chris Godwin vs Eagles
9. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Commanders
10. Mike Evans vs Eagles
Complete Week 4 Wide Receiver Rankings (Coming Soon!)
Start of the week
Chris Godwin vs. Eagles (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Godwin has started the season in hot fashion, averaging 21.4 fantasy points on 25 total targets and 21 catches. He should be in the starting lineup this week as well, as the veteran faces an Eagles defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to slot receivers this season. Additionally, no defense in the NFL has given up more points to inside receivers since the start of last season.
Start it
DJ Moore vs. Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Moore, who was listed as a starter last week, scored 15.2 fantasy points against the Colts. I’d keep him active this week as well, as the veteran has a plus matchup against the Rams. Their defense just allowed three touchdowns and 40+ fantasy points to Jauan Jennings. Overall, they have allowed the most PPR points on the perimeter. With or without Keenan Allen, Moore should be in fantasy lineups.
George Pickens at Colts (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Pickens has been pretty “mediocre” so far this season, averaging just 9.7 fantasy points in his first three games. I would still believe in him this week, though, as Pickens has a plus matchup against the Colts. Their defense has already allowed three wideouts to beat them by 17+ points, including rookie Rome Odunze, who beat them by 23.4 points last week. Pickens is a good flex option.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba at Lions (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): Smith-Njigba has been limited to single-digit scoring in two of his first three games, but he’s a good option in a plus matchup in Detroit. Their defense has allowed the third-most fantasy points to slot players, including key plays for Cooper Kupp and Chris Godwin. Smith-Njigba, who has run 77.7% of his routes inside, should thrive in what could be a true shootout.
Khalil Shakir at Ravens (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Shakir has emerged as Josh Allen’s best option on offense, averaging 14.3 fantasy points through the first three weeks. He’ll be a good flex option this week, facing a Ravens defense that has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Additionally, five wideouts, including Jalen Tolbert and KaVonte Turpin, have scored at least 13.2 points against them.
WRs with good matchups
Sit of the week
Jaylen Waddle vs. Titans (Mon. 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): This has nothing to do with Waddle, and everything to do with the absence of Tua Tagovailoa (concussion). Skylar Thompson was terrible last week before injuring himself, leaving the Dolphins with migrant Tim Boyle at quarterback. At this point, it’s impossible to trust any of Miami’s receivers, and that includes Tyreek Hill and Waddle. The Titans have been tough with the perimeter receivers, too.
sit down
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Steelers (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittman Jr. has averaged just 6.6 fantasy points through his first three games, thanks in large part to the performance of Anthony Richardson. He ranks last in the NFL in Completion Percentage Over Expectation and is completing a horrific 49.3% of his passes this season. That diminishes Pittman’s value. Facing a tough Steelers defense this week won’t help either.
Diontae Johnson vs. Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET, Fox): Johnson finally woke up last week with help from Andy Dalton, catching eight passes for 122 yards, one touchdown and 26.2 points. I wouldn’t chase the points, though, as the Bengals defense has allowed the ninth-fewest points to wideouts this season. Additionally, Johnson hasn’t scored more than 12.5 points in three of his last four games against Cincinnati.
Courtland Sutton at Jets (1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Sutton is coming off his best stat line of the year, scoring 13.8 fantasy points in a win over the Buccaneers. However, he was limited to just 11.4 points in his previous two games. A matchup against CB Sauce Gardner and the Jets makes him a tough sell this week. No defense in the league has given up fewer fantasy points to opposing wide receivers since the start of last season.
DeAndre Hopkins at the Dolphins (Mon. 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): Hopkins woke up last week to score a touchdown and 19.3 fantasy points in a loss to the Packers. Of course, he had been limited to a total of 3.7 points in his first two games, so this performance doesn’t suddenly make him a must-starter. In fact, I wouldn’t go for the points in a matchup with the Dolphins that started with a total of 37 points. He’s still better off on the bench.
