Two of the NFL's best run defenses take on each other Sunday. The Detroit Lions and New York Jets have held opposing running backs in check all season; now they get to work on each other.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 4: Lions vs. Jets
Two teams with stout run defenses and little else in common face off Sunday.
Jeff Zelevansky
The game is in New York at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, and there is as always a handful of fantasy options to consider:
Lions
Start in every league: Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Calvin Johnson, Defense/special teams
Start if you're desperate: Joique Bell, Alex Henery
Bench: Golden Tate, Joseph Fauria, Eric Ebron
The last couple of weeks have been rough on Stafford’s value, bottoming out with a three-point outing in Week 3. This game should get him back on the right track; if he struggles here, we’ll have more to talk about. ... Bush’s pass-catching ability, combined with a bit of injury concern around Bell, means he’s a fine starter even against the stout New York run defense. ... Yes, I’m keeping an eye on Johnson’s injury concerns, but if he’s on the field, you know you’re starting him, even if they amputate his injured ankle. ... The Lions’ defense has been a stout unit so far, and considering the middling offense on the other side, should be started in all leagues.
I have no issue starting Bell, even with the opponent, but I also have no issue with benching him. He's a mid-level flex play. ... Henery should get a lot of kicking opportunities, but it's his first game in Detroit after they cut Nate Freese; dude was unemployed a week ago.
If Johnson ends up inactive, sure, Tate becomes interesting, but he hasn't done enough otherwise. ... And doing even less are the Lions' tight ends, Fauria, Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew, who at this point doesn't even deserve his own entry in the preliminary list.
Jets
Start in every league: Nick Folk
Start if you're desperate: Chris Ivory, Chris Johnson
Bench: Geno Smith, Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, Jace Amaro, Defense/special teams
By hook or by crook, even when the Jets struggle to get points, Folk ends up getting his kicking points.
It seems, at this point, that Ivory has surpassed Johnson in the Jets’ backfield. Against the Lions, neither is a great start, but if you’re choosing between the two, choose Ivory.
Smith has potential, with his running ability, but there is bound to be a better option out there for you. ... If Decker were healthy, he'd rank much higher, but it's pretty clear he's not totally sound. ... Considering Decker's struggles, Kerley's stock is rising, but he's still below normal flex consideration. ... Amaro and Jeff Cumberland sit very low on the tight-end board. ... The Jets' defense is very strong against the run, but lacks against the pass, keeping its overall value in check.
