Fantasy Football Sit/Start Advice, Week 4: Bears vs. Cowboys
Chicago takes a trip to Dallas for a Monday night matchup. We break down the fantasy implications.
Jay Cutler and Tony Romo have already endured criticism from the media, which is to be expected from these two quarterbacks. However, they'll both have a chance to quiet the negativity surrounding them with a win on the national stage.
As this is the last game of Week 4, you’re probably looking at some last minute lineup changes to hopefully give you the edge in your matchup this week. Let’s take a look a who should start between these two squads, and who should take a seat on your bench.
Bears:
Jay Cutler, quarterback - Cutler has not been helpful to fantasy owners the past two weeks. He now has three touchdowns and six interceptions on the season, and given the fact he’ll be facing the top ranked pass defense this week, he’s not looking like a viable option for your lineup. You should have looked elsewhere for help.
Matt Forte and Michael Bush, running back - It looks like Forte will be able to play on Monday night, but there's no telling how effective he'll be coming off of his ankle injury. Bush has also been dealing with a shoulder injury, though he's probable heading into the Cowboys matchup. As it's looking like these two backs will split the workload, you can't feel too confident with either right now. Bush will still get the goal line carries, so at least he has a better chance of finding the end zone for your team.
Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, wide receiver - If you're going to start a Bears receiver, obviously it's going to be Marshall. Jeffery is not doing enough at this point to warrant a start, unless your league is extremely deep. Marshall impressed everyone with a huge performance in Week 1, but until Cutler finds his rhythm in the passing game and gets better protection from his line, Chicago won't produce huge numbers through the air. Marshall is worth a start each week. Just know he's going to be up and down with Cutler.
Kellen Davis, tight end - No Bears tight end should be considered for any fantasy league. That is all.
Bears defense/special teams - Chicago still brings a talented defensive squad to the table. The Bears rank seventh overall against the pass and fourth against opposing ground games. Given the offensive struggles from the Cowboys lately, this looks like another easy start for your lineup.
Cowboys:
Tony Romo, quarterback - Romo has just four touchdowns in three weeks so far. He didn't produce a single score last week against the Buccaneers, and the Bears possess a much tougher secondary. Romo doesn't look like much of a fantasy option in Week 4. However, if you're done to choosing between him and Cutler, roll with Romo.
DeMarco Murray, running back - After a huge performance in Week 1, Murray has been quiet the past two weeks against two of the better run defenses in the league. The Bears are no slouch against the ground game either, but given the fact that Murray is the workhorse for the Cowboys, it's hard to sit him any week. Dallas will find a way to utilize him no matter what.
Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, wide receiver - Austin continues to show up as the No. 1 target for Romo in 2012. He leads the team in targets, receiving yards and is tied for first in receptions and receiving touchdowns. Bryant is far behind in targets, but he hasn't found the end zone in five games now dating back to last season. He'll break that drought eventually, though Austin is still the man to start among the Cowboys receivers. The Bears are tough against the pass as well, so don't expect ridiculous numbers all around tonight.
Jason Witten, tight end - He’s been an upper-tier fantasy tight end for years, but this season Witten looks like an afterthought in the Cowboys passing game. He caught just two passes for a whopping total of eight yards last week against the Buccaneers. It’s hard to bench him after he’s been so reliable in the past, but you can’t really justify starting him with the way things are going right now.
Cowboys defense/special teams - Dallas, as mentioned above, leads the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed per game. Given Cutler’s recent struggles, the Cowboys should fare well in their Week 4 matchup. While the run defense has been lackluster so far, Forte not being 100 percent will help their chances. Continue to start this D/ST with confidence.
