After a huge win in Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings have gone in the tank, losing back-to-back games with 16 points total in that time. The Atlanta Falcons, meanwhile, have won two big home games, losing their one road game on the season.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 4: Falcons vs. Vikings
The Falcons need to show they can do it on the road. The Vikings need to show they can do it at all.
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The Falcons get another road test Sunday, traveling to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in a 4:25 p.m. ET game. There will be several fantasy names to keep an eye on in the game:
Falcons
Start in every league: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White, Matt Bryant
Start if you're desperate: Steven Jackson, Defense/special teams
Bench: Devin Hester, Harry Douglas, Levine Toilolo
In his two home games this season, Ryan has put up a total of 53 fantasy points; in his road game, he had nine. Yes, his road game was in Cincinnati and against a good defense, but you don’t like him as much on the road as you do at home. He’s a must-start, but not the superstar he looked like a week ago. ... Jones put up incredible numbers in Week 3, and as long as he can stay healthy, he’s one of the top few receivers in the league. ... White appears to be healthy after his Week 3 injury, making him a fine WR2. ... Bryant will have plenty of kicking opportunities.
You’d have to be fairly desperate to use Jackson, but with six teams on a bye, he’s a reasonable flex play. ... The Falcons’ defense was terrible in Weeks 1 and 2, but did great in Week 3; if the Vikings’ new quarterback struggles, they could produce some numbers.
Hester and Douglas both had some numbers in Week 3, but with White back on the field, they’re relegated to afterthought status. ... Toilolo has done virtually nothing since his big Week 1.
Vikings
Start in every league: ...
Start if you're desperate: Cordarrelle Patterson, Blair Walsh
Bench: Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Asiata, Jerick McKinnon, Greg Jennings, Rhett Ellison, Defense/special teams
The departure of Adrian Peterson has really hamstrung Minnesota's offense. Patterson is clearly the team's best weapon, but at this point he's a low-end flex. ... Walsh still managed 10 fantasy poitns last week as kicker. In a home game, he could still get his numbers.
I love Bridgewater long-term, but in his first start, he's a watch-and-monitor type. ... Asiata just isn't very good, and McKinnon doesn't get enough touches yet. ... Jennings is hard to trust; there's some upside, but I have him in the early 30s among receivers. ... Ellison will fill the tight-end shoes of Kyle Rudolph, but not even Rudolph was doing much. ... The Vikings' defense isn't very good.
