Fantasy Football Week 4 Defense and Kicker Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Recommendations | Fantasy

It’s Week 4, people! Time to set these fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I'll examine kickers and defenses who could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent … like the Seahawks defense in Week 3!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, make sure you subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and me as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All Positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & D/STs

1. Brandon Aubrey at Giants (Thurs.)
2. Harrison Butker at Chargers
3. Ka’imi Fairbairn vs. Jaguars
4. Evan McPherson at Panthers
5. Matt Prater vs. Commanders
6. Justin Tucker vs. Bills
7. Younghoe Koo vs. Saints
8. Chris Boswell at Colts
9. Cairo Santos vs. Rams
10. Blake Grupe at Falcons

Complete Week 4 kicker rankings

Start of the Week

Evan McPherson at Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): McPherson has scored a mixed 24 fantasy factors in his final two video games, and this week’s matchup in opposition to the Panthers is a positive one. Their protection has allowed a median of greater than 10 fantasy factors per recreation to kickers, so McPherson ought to submit one other good stat line this weekend.

Start ‘Em

Blake Grupe at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Grupe has had two straight stinkers, scoring a combined 14 fantasy points. The good news is that he has a great matchup next against a Falcons defense that’s allowed essentially the most fantasy factors to visiting kickers for the reason that begin of final season. In what could possibly be a high-scoring contest, Grupe ought to produce.

Chris Boswell at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Boswell has seen his level manufacturing decline in three straight weeks, however I like him to rebound in opposition to the Colts. Dating again to final yr, visiting kickers have averaged 10 fantasy factors when enjoying at Lucas Oil Stadium. Furthermore, seven kickers have scored not less than eight factors in opposition to them in that point.

Kickers With Good Matchups

Sit of the Week

Matt Gay vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Gay’s fantasy manufacturing hasn’t made managers very joyful, as he’s scored a mixed six factors in his first two video games. He’s unlikely to be significantly better this week, because the Colts host a Steelers protection that’s given up the fewest fantasy factors to kickers this season.  Leave Gay on the bench (or the waiver wire).

Sit ‘Em

Greg Zuerlein vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Zuerlein has been quiet in the stat sheets, scoring a combined 12 fantasy points through three games. I’d hold him on the bench this week too, as he’ll face a Broncos protection that’s surrendered simply 6.7 fantasy factors per recreation to kickers this season and seven factors per recreation to house kickers since 2023.

Brayden Narveson vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS): You won't realize it, however Narveson has been the most effective kickers in fantasy soccer this season. The relative unknown has put up a mixed 34 factors and hit double digits each week. Still, I’m fading him in opposition to an upstart Vikings protection that’s allowed the second-fewest factors to kickers in 2024.

Kickers With Bad Matchups

1. Jets protection vs. Broncos
2. 49ers protection vs. Patriots
3. Steelers protection vs. Colts
4. Cowboys protection at Giants (Thurs.)
5. Dolphins protection vs. Titans (Mon.)
6. Texans protection vs. Jaguars
7. Browns protection at Raiders
8. Titans protection at Dolphins (Mon.)
9. Raiders protection vs. Browns
10. Chiefs protection at Chargers

Complete Week 4 protection rankings

Start of the Week

Jets protection vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets protection is coming off a robust stat line in opposition to the Patriots, and it ought to make it two in a row in opposition to rookie Bo Nix and the Broncos. Their offense has averaged simply 17.3 factors and 292.7 yards per recreation, and has dedicated six turnovers. The complete can be a really low 38.5, so don’t count on many factors.

Start ‘Em

49ers defense vs. Patriots (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): San Francisco’s protection hasn’t been nice in fantasy phrases after three weeks, however a house matchup in opposition to the Patriots makes it a stable choice in Week 4. Their offense is averaging a mere 13 factors and 246.3 yards per recreation, and their offensive line has allowed 11 sacks of Jacoby Brissett thus far.

Steelers protection at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Steelers have a top-five fantasy protection after three weeks, and a matchup in opposition to the turnover-prone Anthony Richardson and the Colts makes it a good higher choice. Their offense is tied for the second-most giveaways, so T.J. Watt and crew ought to discover success on this AFC battle at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Defenses With Good Matchups

Sit of the Week

Ravens protection vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Ravens protection hasn’t been nice by way of fantasy factors, averaging simply 5.3 factors per recreation. That development ought to proceed on Sunday night time when Baltimore hosts Josh Allen and the Bills. Their offense is clicking on all cylinders, as we noticed on Monday night time in opposition to the Jaguars, so sit the Ravens D.

Sit ‘Em

Seahawks defense at Lions (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Seahawks scored a solid 13 fantasy points last week, but that was because of a great home matchup against the Dolphins' backup quarterbacks. Things won’t be almost nearly as good in opposition to the Lions, who've averaged greater than 400 yards of complete offense at Ford Field this season.

Chargers protection vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chargers protection has accomplished effectively this season, rating within the high 10 in fantasy factors after three weeks. Still, I’d watch out for this unit with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs coming to city. Their offense is averaging 25 factors per recreation and has allowed simply 4 sacks of their first three contests.

Defenses With Bad Matchups