Play Action - Week 4

Welcome to your weekly installment of Game-by-Game breakdowns of the slate of NFL games, for fantasy purposes.

Week 4 marks the beginning of Bye Week season, so you need to stay alert of those, in addition to any injury news.

Week 4 Byes: Jacksonville, New Orleans, Tennessee, Washington

The breakdowns include Team Receiving and Receiving totals (both Offensive and Defensive) based on Yards Per Game (YPG), with their NFL rank in parenthesis.
Click on the Game Links for a weather forecast.
1:00pm EST Games

Packers @ Vikings
Packer Offense - Receiving: 287 (5), Rushing: 57 (32)
Viking Defense - Receiving: 266 (23), Rushing: 67.3 (3)

Viking Offense - Receiving: 177.3 (28), Rushing: 128.3 (10)
Packer Defense - Receiving: 244.7 (15), Rushing: 90 (10)

Start: Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Packer Defense
Consider: Greg Jennings (check), James Jones, Adrian Peterson
Bench: Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, DeShawn Wynn, Donald Lee, Bubba Franks, Kelly Holcomb, Chester Taylor, Troy Williamson, Viking Defense

The Pack will remain among the NFL's pass-happiest teams. Even if Vernand Morency starts, you should take a wait-and-see approach. Chances are Favre hooks up with Driver for his record-setting TD pass. Franks has had a curious amount of targets, but it's still difficult to have faith in his as a fantasy starter. Jennings will likely start, if he doesn't, James Jones enjoys a very nice spike in his value. Taylor's likely return, as starting RB will affect Peterson's output negatively. All Day likely takes over as the feature back soon, but not right now, you shouldn't start Taylor unless you're in crisis. You should have absolutely no interest in the rest of the Viking offense, they will continue to struggle.

Ravens @ Browns
Raven Offense - Receiving: 229.3 (16), Rushing: 118 (14)
Brown Defense - Receiving 262.7 (21), Rushing: 176.3 (31)

Brown Offense - Receiving: 264.7 (11), Rushing: 120 (12)
Raven Defense - Receiving: 255 (19), Rushing: 61.7 (1)

Start: Willis McGahee, Todd Heap, Raven Defense, Braylon Edwards
Consider: Derrick Mason, Kellen Winslow (check)
Bench: Steve McNair, Mark Clayton, Derek Anderson, Jamal Lewis, Joe Jurevicius

The Ravens are rock solid against the run, and questionable against the pass. Jerricho Cotchery and Anquan Boldin have put up excellent numbers the past 2 weeks against them, is this Braylon Edwards' week? Don't get too carried away, this is the Browns we're talking about. Bench Jamal Lewis, he's not going anywhere this week. Winslow is on "Consider" due to his separated shoulder, check Sunday morning to see if he's active, he claims he will be. McGahee should finally get his first rushing TD and find holes to run through. The Raven passing game remains shaky, continue to wait-and-see with Clayton.

Bears @ Lions - Dome
Bear Offense - Receiving: 166.7 (29), Rushing: 87.3 (26)
Lion Defense - Receiving: 295.3 (32), Rushing: 129.3 (23)

Lion Offense - Receiving: 376 (1), Rushing: 67.7 (29)
Bear Defense - Receiving: 255.3 (20), Rushing: 92.7 (12)

Start: Jon Kitna, Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson (check), Shaun McDonald, Cedric Benson, Bernard Berrian
Consider: Brian Griese, Desmond Clark
Bench: Mike Furrey, Tatum Bell, Kevin Jones, Muhsin Muhammad, Greg Olsen, Bear Defense

The Bear defense is absolutely shredded with injuries, they will struggle mightily to slow down the explosive Lions passing game. Look for Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson (make sure he's active) to exploit the depleted secondary. McDonald continues to defy odds and makes a nice start here, bump him even higher if Johnson does not start. Kevin Jones won't be on the field long enough to make much of an impact. If you're in a pinch, Griese should make a nice start here against a feeble secondary, he'll look for Berrian often. If Benson can't steamroll the Lions, it's time for some very serious concerns. Don't be shocked if the Lions put 28+ points on the board.

Rams @ Cowboys
Ram Offense - Receiving: 217 (20), Rushing: 91 (21)
Cowboy Defense - Receiving: 267 (26), Rushing: 86.7 (8)

Cowboy Offense - Receiving: 286.7 (6), 146.3 (5)
Ram Defense - Receiving: 159.3 (2), Rushing: 152.3 (28)

Start: Marc Bulger, Torry Holt, Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, Cowboy Defense
Consider: Brian Leonard, Jason Witten
Bench: Steven Jackson (injured), Isaac Bruce, Julius Jones, Patrick Crayton

Chances are that you won't see Bulger and his 2 broken ribs on the "Start" list again for quite some time if he can't improve his game against a fairly weak Cowboy pass defense. Brian Leonard would be a questionable start against a tough rush defense, but the RB ranks were ravaged in Week 3 and perhaps you're desperate. The Rams have been solid against the pass, but haven't faced the likes of Romo and company yet. The Rams are a mess, the offense has sputtered and they are on the brink of full-blown collapse with S-Jax likely out for a month. Look for the Boys to take the Rams behind the woodshed.

Raiders @ Dolphins
Raider Offense - Receiving: 204 (23), Rushing: 159.3 (3)
Dolphin Defense - Receiving: 177.3 (3), Rushing: 166 (29)

Dolphin Offense - Receiving: 274.7 (7), Rushing: 79.7 (27)
Raider Defense - Receiving: 268.7 (27), Rushing: 125.7 (22)

Start: Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, Dolphin Defense, LaMont Jordan
Consider: Trent Green, Ronald Curry, Raider Defense
Bench: Marty Booker, Daunte Culpepper, Jerry Porter

It's time to stop ignoring Trent Green as a viable QB2. Remember in the preseason when people were hyping the vaunted Raider pass defense? Yeahhhh, not so much. Look for Ronnie Brown to piece together consecutive nice days, and perhaps Chambers finally gets a TD. The Raider offense continues to depend fairly exclusively upon LaMont Jordan, as the Phins can't stop the run. Culpepper does not deserve starter consideration at this point, this is not 2002.

Jets @ Bills
Jet Offense - Receiving: 195.3 (26), Rushing: 90 (23)
Bill Defense - Receiving: 285.7 (30), Rushing: 177.3 (32)

Bill Offense - Receiving: 117.3 (32), Rushing: 108 (18)
Jet Defense - Receiving: 266.3 (25), Rushing: 121.3 (20)

Start: Chad Pennington, Thomas Jones, Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, Jets Defense, Marshawn Lynch
Consider: Lee Evans
Bench: Trent Edwards

The Bills are absolutely abysmal. Offensively, Defensively, doesn't matter...they're awful. Trent Edwards couldn't possibly be any worse than Losman at this point. Evans deserves consideration only because he's facing the 25th ranked pass defense. Unleash all of your Jets. Yes, that even includes Chad Pennington and the Jet Defense.

Texans @ Falcons - Dome
Texan Offense - Receiving: 229.3 (16), Rushing: 89.3 (25)
Falcon Defense - Receiving: 200 (9), Rushing: 142.3 (25)

Falcon Offense - Receiving: 253.3 (12), Rushing: 89.7 (24)
Texan Defense - Receiving: 252.3 (18) , Rushing: 76.7 (6)

Start: Owen Daniels, Texans Defense, Alge Crumpler
Consider: Ron Dayne, Roddy White, Falcons Defense
Bench: Matt Schaub, Ahman Green (injured), Andre Johnson (injured), Andre Davis, Joey Harrington, Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood

Texans' WRs keep dropping like flies, making Schaub a bench player. Owen Daniels should again see an increase in his looks, perhaps even in the end zone. Ron Dayne is a viable option this week, again considering the massive amount of injuries to star RBs last week and Ahman Green likely to be inactive. It will be tough sledding for the Atlanta RBs against a good Houston rush defense. Roddy White is emerging as a decent, although inconsistent, WR3. Don't expect a lot of offense or scoring in this game.

4:00pm EST Games

Seahawks @ 49ers
Seahawk Offense - Receiving: 250.3 (13), Rushing: 108.3 (17)
49er Defense - Receiving: 210 (11), Rushing: 142.3 (25)

49er Offense - Receiving: 153.7 (30), Rushing: 90.7 (22)
Seahawk Defense - Receiving: 283.7 (29), Rushing: 102 (16)

Start: Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Deion Branch, Seahawk Defense, Frank Gore
Consider: Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, Darrell Jackson
Bench: Alex Smith, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis (injured)

Defenders will likely be targeting Alexander's fractured wrist for the rest of the season, will he hold up? He should put together a nice game against a weak rush defense here. Hasselbeck should continue to find Branch. The 49ers offense is still anemic, although you must start Frank Gore every week. Gore will be even more active in the red zone with Vernon Davis out for at least 2 weeks.


Buccaneers @ Panthers
Buc Offense - Receiving: 201.3 (24), Rushing: 119.7 (13)
Panther Defense - Receiving: 251.7 (17), Rushing: 95.3 (13)

Panther Offense - Receiving: 227.3 (18), Rushing: 142.3 (6)
Buc Defense - Receiving: 199.3 (8), Rushing: 124.7 (21)

Start: DeShaun Foster, Steve Smith
Consider: Joey Galloway, Bucs Defense, Jeff King, Panther Defense
Bench: Jeff Garcia, Carnell Williams, Earnest Graham, David Carr, Jake Delhomme (injured), DeAngelo Williams

The Tampa Bay RB situation is a mess. Caddy needs to hold onto the ball if he wants to hold onto his job. He remains the feature back, for now. David Carr likely downgrades the entire Panther offense, but people had no faith in Delhomme to start the season either. Jeff King has put up decent numbers for a waiver wire TE. Foster is firmly entrenched as the feature back, until his inevitable injury anyway.

Steelers @ Cardinals - Dome
Steeler Offense - Receiving: 187.7 (27), Rushing: 198.3 (1)
Cardinal Defense - Receiving: 229.3 (12), Rushing: 101.7 (15)

Cardinal Offense - Receiving: 237.3 (14), Rushing: 118(14)
Steeler Defense - Receiving: 193.7 (7), Rushing: 79.7 (7)

Start: Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, Steeler Defense, Larry Fitzgerald
Consider: Ben Roethlisberger, Edgerrin James
Bench: Hines Ward (injured), Matt Leinart, Anquan Boldin (injured), Bryant Johnson

Santonio Holmes should be in your lineup for this week due to the absence of Hines Ward. Fast Willie should have another nice week and is likely to find the end zone. Heath Miller is being targeted more and makes a nice start. The Steeler Defense is stingy, so if you have a more exciting option than Edge, you should give them the nod. Leinart continues to look awfully shaky and had better pick up his play if he doesn't want Kurt Warner taking over. Boldin's status looks doubtful, but check on him before setting your lineup.

Broncos @ Colts - Dome
Bronco Offense - Receiving: 265 (9), Rushing: 133 (8)
Colt Defense - Receiving: 204 (10), Rushing: 95.7 (14)

Colt Offense - Receiving: 291 (4), Rushing: 112.3 (16)
Bronco Defense - Receiving: 108 (1), Rushing: 166 (29)

Start: Travis Henry, Javon Walker (check), Brandon Marshall, Peyton Manning, Joseph Addai, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne
Consider: Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Dallas Clark
Bench: Selvin Young, Brandon Stokley, Anthony Gonzalez, Both Defenses

You'll likely see a whole lot of Travis Henry as the Broncos try to play ball control. Check on Javon Walker before game time, Coach Shanahan could very well just be screwing with us again, though. Manning and the Colt WRs are in for a very tough test against the awesome Bronco pass defense. That said, you simply cannot leave them on your bench. Addai should cash in a nice game against the questionable Bronco rush defense.

Chiefs @ Chargers
Chief Offense - Receiving: 201.3 (24), Rushing: 64 (31)
Charger Defense - Receiving: 264.3 (22), Rushing: 88.7 (9)

Charger Offense - Receiving: 230.7 (15), Rushing: 67.3 (30)
Chief Defense - Receiving: 183.3 (6), Rushing: 113 (18)

Start: Tony Gonzalez, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Charger Defense
Consider: Larry Johnson (check), Dwayne Bowe, Vincent Jackson
Bench: Damon Huard, Philip Rivers

A game featuring 2 of the Top 3 consensus overall picks...LT vs. LJ. Sure looks nice on paper, but check out the #30 vs. the #31 ranked rushing offenses, only the Packers are worse. Disappointment abound. That said, this is the game that Tomlinson starts to erupt. I can't say the same for Johnson (check his status on game day), I believe that he continues to struggle mightily behind his feeble O-Line. Bench Rivers, because he seems shaken right now. Start the Charger D, because the Chiefs aren't going to do much scoring. Gonzo is the most likely target for a Chief TD.

Sunday Night Football

Eagles @ Giants
Eagle Offense - Receiving: 268.3 (8), Rushing: 130 (9)
Giant Defense - Receiving: 273.7 (28), Rushing: 102.3 (17)

Giant Offense - Receiving: 265 (9), Rushing: 104.7 (19)
Eagle Defense - Receiving: 287 (31), Rushing: 71.7 (4)

Start: Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook (check), Kevin Curtis, Eli Manning, Plaxico Burress (check), Jeremy Shockey
Consider: Correll Buckhalter, Derrick Ward
Bench: Reggie Brown, Jason Avant, Eagle Defense, Brandon Jacobs (injured), Amani Toomer

D-Mac continues his tour of weak pass defenses. He should have another good week as he resumes his rebound. You already missed Curtis' biggest game of the season, but McNabb will be looking for him often again this week. Westbrook is questionable, if he doesn't go, Buckhalter makes a nice alternative. Since this is a late game, you may be better off with Westbrook on your bench and starting someone guaranteed to play, although if Westbrook does go, he's primed for a big game. Who knew the Eagle pass defense was actually worse than the Giants'? Eli should have a very nice day. Plax is playing on a bum wheel, likely for the rest of the season. Brandon Jacobs is unlikely to play, so Ward is a decent option if your RBs are injured or on a bye.

Patriots @ Bengals
Patriot Offense - Receiving: 295.7 (3), Rushing: 151.7 (4)
Bengal Defense - Receiving: 266 (23), Rushing: 145 (27)

Bengal Offense - Receiving: 312.3 (2), Rushing: 92 (20)
Patriot Defense - Receiving: 160.7 (3), Rushing: 74 (5)

Start: Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney (check), Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Ben Watson, Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Consider: Patriot Defense
Bench: Donte Stallworth, Rudi Johnson (injured), Kenny Watson

There's no shortage of offensive firepower in this game. The Bengals defense is also pretty bad, so Brady, Moss, Maroney and friends should all continue to impress. The Patriot Defense should be considered due to the chances of turnovers. Carson Palmer should be slinging it to attempt to keep up, which is also good for Chad Johnson and Housh. This is not, however, a good matchup against a solid defense, for a backup like Watson. Maroney has been missing practice, so keep an eye on his status.

Enjoy your Week 4 football viewing. It will be a historic week, with Favre breaking the all-time Passing Touchdowns record.
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