Fantasy football advice, Week 4: who to start for Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who should be in your fantasy lineups or benches for an NFC South showdown.
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Start ‘em
There isn’t a greater contrast in defenses over the course of two weeks than what the Carolina Panthers will have faced. Seeing the Atlanta Falcons’ defense after having to deal with the Vikings will be a joyous occasion for the fantasy owners of Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin, who couldn’t connect for one catch in Week 3. Newton has the highest ceiling of any quarterback for Week 4, and Benjamin can remain trusted as a WR2 after a fluky output. Greg Olsen is fantasy’s top tight end and should be treated as such once again.
Start ‘em?
It’s a full-blown committee attack in the Panthers’ backfield with Jonathan Stewart out. However, this is a matchup that has enough upside to consider Fozzy Whittaker a flex in PPR leagues, and Cameron Artis-Payne as a flex in standard formats.
Sit ‘em
Mike Tolbert, Ted Ginn and Devin Funchess don’t have the usage to garner fantasy consideration.
Atlanta Falcons
Start ‘em
Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman will madden fantasy owners due to their timeshare and undefined role. Both are adept at producing in the red zone, and both can perform in short-yardage and in the passing game, though Freeman has an edge as a receiver. That said, there is room for both of them to produce in the offense, with the receiving corps being quite thin behind Julio Jones. Freeman is a RB2 in PPR formats, and Coleman can be considered a flex option. Jones is a no-brainer WR1, regardless of matchup.
Start ‘em?
Matt Ryan has his toughest matchup of the season afoot, but it’s worth mentioning that he is fantasy football’s second-ranked quarterback over the first three weeks of the season. It’s tough to imagine him sustaining that pace with the Panthers, Seahawks, and Broncos next on the schedule, but Ryan appears much improved from his disastrous 2015. Ryan is a fringe QB1/QB2 for Week 4, but fantasy owners should look into selling high on him.
Sit ‘em
Complementary pass catchers like Jacob Tamme and Mohamed Sanu can be stashed on benches against a capable Panthers defense.
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