Why the Dallas Cowboys need a win in Week 4: They need to stay ahead of the field in the NFC East. They need to show they can win without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. They need to bounce back from coughing away a Week 3 lead. Why the New Orleans Saints need a win in Week 4: They don’t have any. They’re 0-3. They’re really bad.
Fantasy football advice, Week 4: Who to start/sit for Cowboys vs. Saints on Sunday night
The Cowboys need a win to show they can do something without their stars. The Saints need a win just because they don’t have one.
The two teams will play one another Sunday night in a game that looks crucial for both squads.
Outside of Bryant and Romo, the Cowboys should have their full complement of fantasy contributors ready to go Sunday. Tight end Jason Witten is still on the injury report with his ankle issues, but he appears fine to play. The Saints have more worries, but quarterback Drew Brees (shoulder) is expected to return after missing Week 3 and wide receiver Brandin Cooks should play through his ankle injury.
Sunday’s game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
COWBOYS
Start ‘em: It was a monster Week 3 for Joseph Randle with 27 fantasy points. He’s now averaging 14.3 per game. He’s a starter. ... Jason Witten has proven to be nigh-on uninjurable. He’s starting every week.
Start ‘em?: The emergence of Randle renders Darren McFadden a low-end flex at best. Lance Dunbar, meanwhile, is basically a receiver who qualifies at running back, and he is worth a flex look, particularly in PPR leagues. ... The increased struggles of the Dallas offense have a trickle-down effect on Dan Bailey, who is no longer a no-brainer starting kicker. ... The Cowboys’ defense looked good in Week 2, then imploded in Week 3, but the Saints’ offense isn’t as good as Atlanta’s.
Sit ‘em: Without Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden couldn’t get much of anything going in Week 3. Stay away. ... Terrance Williams was supposed to shine without Dez Bryant, and instead he had zero fantasy points in Week 3. Nope.
SAINTS
Start ‘em: Three weeks into the season, Mark Ingram has 35 fantasy points. That’s not top-of-the-position value, but it’s certainly value.
Start ‘em?: If you have Drew Brees, you likely don’t have a choice but to use him in Week 4 assuming he is in fact active, but it’s certainly not an exciting play. Look elsewhere if you can until you see how he does through the injury.
Sit ‘em: If you’re using one non-Ingram running back from the Saints, it’s Khiry Robinson over C.J. Spiller, but the presence of both renders each hard to trust. ... The fortunes of Brandin Cooks, Marques Colston and Brandon Coleman have taken bad turns of late. None would be an awful flex play, but you probably have better options. ... The Saints’ tight-end tandem of Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill has a combined five fantasy points all season. ... Zach Hocker kicked for 14 fantasy points in Week 1 and has a total of four since. ... The Saints’ defense is just bad.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Joseph Randle, Jason Witten, Mark Ingram
Start if you’re desperate: Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, Dan Bailey, Dallas defense, Drew Brees
Bench: Brandon Weeden, Terrance Williams, Khiry Robinson, C.J. Spiller, Brandin Cooks, Marques Colston, Brandon Coleman, Benjamin Watson, Josh Hill, Zach Hocker, New Orleans defense
