NFL Fantasy Football 2025: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – Week 4

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Start ‘em, Sit ‘em – where each week we explore some of my best picks for who should be starting in fantasy managers’ lineups, and who should be sitting the week out.

Week 3 was unfortunately an injury-riddled week. Cardinals RB James Conner will undergo surgery on his ankle putting him out indefinitely, Bears TE Colston Loveland exited early with a hip injury, Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb is dealing with a high ankle sprain, Chargers RB Najee Harris tore his achilles, Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. dislocated his shoulder, Bucs WR Mike Evans tweaked his hamstring, and Commanders WR Terry McLaurin left early with a quad injury.

Let’s see what we can scrum up in the last week with no byes.

Ian’s Record: 11-13

Start ’em

Jordan Love (QB, Packers) at Cowboys

Nothing could get going for the Packers’ offense last Sunday, as they lost a yawner on a game-winning field goal in Cleveland. However, this is still the Green Bay team that took it to the Commanders and the Lions in the first two weeks – and I fully expect them and Love to get back in their groove in this delicious matchup.

Dallas has allowed SEVEN passing touchdowns and 68 points in the last two weeks. That grants them dead last in the league in terms of fantasy points to opposing QBs so far. If you ask me, this is a perfect game script for either a shootout or a flat out rout – both in heavy favor of Love.

J.K. Dobbins (RB, Broncos) vs Bengals

It’s looking like Dobbins is surely the RB1 in Denver, as his splits with rookie R.J. Harvey have gone 11-2 (week 3), 14-5 (week 2), and 16-6 (week 1).  Oh, and he’s scored on the ground in every game he’s played so far.

Even though they managed to get Trey Hendrickson back on the defensive line, Cincy’s run defense has been subpar – surrendering the second most points to RBs in the first three weeks. With the steady volume and touchdown streak, I like Dobbins to keep it going this week.

Tre Tucker (WR, Raiders) vs Bears

This one might be risky, but his stat line from last week is way too impressive to ignore. Tucker made his speed and pass-catching ability known to potentially kickstart a breakout campaign alongside his disgruntled fellow wide receiver.

It’s public knowledge that Jakobi Meyers wants out – which could work well in Tucker’s favor if Meyers decides to take his foot off the gas in hopes of getting traded. Look for Tucker to continue to roll against a Chicago secondary that has surprisingly been one of the league’s worst to start off the year.

T.J. Hockenson (TE, Vikings) at Steelers

Don’t give up on Hockenson yet – J.J. McCarthy finally found him during their bashing of Cincy last week, and he’s got an even more favorable matchup in Pittsburgh this week.

The Steelers are currently allowing 12.4 yards per catch to opposing TEs and have given up three touchdowns in three weeks to the position. He should find the endzone again with the Vikings heating up.

Sit ’em

Drake Maye (QB, Patriots) vs Panthers

This is a game I think the Pats should win after a frustrating loss to Pittsburgh, but I can equally see Maye struggling against what has been a very good secondary thus far.

Carolina is tied for third in the league with four interceptions in three weeks. With the practice reports saying TreVeyon Henderson is taking RB1 reps, I’m seeing a breakout game on the ground and a cool-off game for Maye.

David Montgomery (RB, Lions) vs Browns

I contemplated including Gibbs in this too, but that would be too crazy.

Here are the stat lines for RBs that have faced the Browns so far this year:

Chase Brown: 21 att, 43 yds, TD

Derrick Henry: 11 att, 23 yds

Josh Jacobs: 16 att, 30 yds

Please don’t go chasing Montgomery’s monster game into this week. There’s no way he gets the volume opposite Gibbs to make him relevant against the league’s best run defense.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Cardinals) vs Seahawks

MHJ is in trouble.

A very costly drop last week might’ve cost Arizona their undefeated record, and he just hasn’t been able to stay consistent through all the anticipation following him for this year.

I find it hard to believe he finds his stride this week, as Seattle’s secondary remains one of the best in the league. They’ve only allowed one receiving touchdown in three weeks, and MHJ will most likely be getting either the Riq Woolen or Josh Jobe treatment. Pass.

Juwan Johnson (TE, Saints) at Bills

Johnson has been a pleasant fantasy surprise so far, but all three of his games so far have been against teams that are average to subpar at covering TEs. That is not the case this week.

Most simply put, I don’t see the Saints scoring a lot of points in Buffalo. But if you want more to convince you, the Bills are surrendering the least amount of targets AND receptions to opposing TEs so far and have allowed the second least amount of fantasy points. Johnson will keep it up, but not this week.

BYES: NONE