The New York Giants have had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of all three of their games this season, yet are 1-2. The Buffalo Bills have won two blowouts, but had a loss against the New England Patriots. Still, they’re 2-1 and have looked strong.
Fantasy football advice, Week 4: Who to start/sit for Giants vs. Bills
One of these teams is based in New York, and it’s the team without New York in its name. Football’s weird.
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The Giants come into Sunday’s game as healthy as they’ve been all season, from a fantasy perspective, with wide receiver Victor Cruz missing yet another game. The rest of the team’s fantasy contributors should be fine for Sunday. On the Bills’ side, things aren’t so rosy. Running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver Sammy Watkins will both miss Sunday’s game. Wide receiver Percy Harvin dealt with a hip injury in practice this week, but is expected to be fine for the game.
The Giants travel to New York (no, they do) for Sunday’s game in Buffalo, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
GIANTS
Start ‘em: Matchups don’t matter. Road games don’t matter. Odell Beckham Jr. is really good, y’all. ... Josh Brown has been a stud kicker so far. The team has been much better at getting close to the end zone than getting in the end zone, giving him a lot of kicking opportunities.
Start ‘em?: The Bills’ strong defense makes Eli Manning a dicey start. The Bills have given up a lot of garbage-time passing yards, so Manning still has potential, but it’s risky. ... Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen have battled one another for touches, and neither has been productive. If you’re desperate, maybe something can come of it, but in general these guys have fallen pretty fall down the scale of usability. ... With Cruz shelved for who-knows-how-long, Rueben Randle carries flex upside, though he’s only produced in one of three games so far. ... Larry Donnell needs a touchdown to be a strong fantasy option, but that’s true of a whole host of tight ends. He’s in TE2 territory.
Sit ‘em: Despite a decent Week 3, Andre Williams generally carries little upside. ... The Giants’ defense has actually been playable in two out of three weeks, and faces a Buffalo team without two of its weapons. Still, there’s more downside than upside here.
BILLS
Start ‘em: The Giants have a bad defense, and Tyrod Taylor has been a fantasy monster so far. He’s a sure fantasy starter. ... With McCoy shelved, Karlos Williams is a must-start running back. ... The Bills has used Charles Clay more and more each week; with the team down two regular starters, he’s a must-start. ... Dan Carpenter has been a stud kicker in the team’s wins. ... The Bills’ defense is a stud unit when it doesn’t play the Patriots, which is most weeks.
Start ‘em?: The absence of Watkins makes Percy Harvin a more interesting fantasy option. He’s a flex play.
Sit ‘em: Harvin will be the biggest beneficiary of Watkins’ absence; Robert Woods remains outside starting territory.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Odell Beckham Jr., Josh Brown, Tyrod Taylor, Karlos Williams, Charles Clay, Dan Carpenter, Buffalo defense
Start if you’re desperate: Eli Manning, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, Rueben Randle, Larry Donnell, Percy Harvin
Bench: Andre Williams, New York defense, Robert Woods
