Fantasy football, Week 4: Quarterbacks to start or sit

Week 4 of the fantasy football season is here, and we’re back with another crop of start/sit options. We have a nice set of data about each team through three weeks, and can make informed decisions on good plays and traps. With that in mind, we’ll pick quarterbacks who should exceed expectations in Week 4, along with three you should probably sit.

A lot of this recommendation hinges on the availability of Doug Baldwin, but there’s no denying that Wilson looked like his old self last week with a career day against the Titans (373 yards, four TDs). There’s also no denying the QB-friendly nature of the Colts defense, having already allowed a pair of 300-yard games and a big performance from rookie DeShone Kizer last week. If Baldwin is available, fire Wilson up with confidence.

The numbers last week against the Patriots were one thing (301 yards passing, 41 yards rushing, two TDs), but it was the poise and precision that Watson displayed on the road that was really impressive. His two touchdown passes were the stuff of savvy veterans, not a guy making his second career start. Now Watson comes home against a defense that’s allowed seven passing and two rushing touchdowns in three games.

Prescott finally emerges from a brutal three-game stretch to open the season (Giants, at Broncos, at Cardinals) to face a Rams defense that got lit up by Brian Hoyer last week. Despite the bad match ups, Prescott put up solid fantasy numbers in each. Las Vegas expects a high-scoring, up-tempo game, making Prescott an explosive dual threat.

We talk a lot about Drew Brees and the “Coors Field” effect of the Superdome. But the guy who really has dramatic home/road splits is Big Ben. It showed itself again last week in Chicago. Roethlisberger also struggles mightily against the Ravens in Baltimore. I’m treating last week’s London stink bomb as an aberration for this elite defense and will expect the Ravens to vex Ben one more time.

If ever there was a defense to get well against, it’s the Patriots, who are getting pummeled by all comers thus far. But I would (and actually did) say the same thing about facing the Saints defense at home, and look how that turned out last week. Cam simply can’t be trusted right now.

The Giants have all sorts of problems at 0-3, but one area that remains a consistent strength is the secondary, especially with Janoris Jenkins in the lineup. Winston threw three interceptions last week and with Jenkins shadowing Mike Evans, Winston’s struggles could easily continue for one more week.