FanNation Week 4 fantasy football picks

It will take you longer to read this post than it would to set up a fantasy team for this week's FanNation challenge.  Of course, you are highly encouraged to do both and ... HEY, DON'T LEAVE YET.

OK, OK, here's where you can find our Week 4 competition -- it's free to enter and simple to sign up, plus there are games with cash prizes should that be your preference.

• NFL Week 4 Power Rankings | Fantasy football Week 4 projections

Quick refresher course on the format: You select three players (one QB, one RB, one WR/TE) and then your roster is compared against your opponents', with the team with less projected points for the week receiving a handicap point bonus ahead of game action. The scoring is rather boiler plate from there, complete with points per reception. 

My Week 4 team looks like this:

Quarterback:Tony Romo (projected points: 19)
Also considered:Drew Brees (24), Andrew Luck (19), Teddy Bridgewater (17)

Maybe the Week 4 New Orleans-Dallas matchup goes the way of last Sunday's Green Bay-Detroit contest -- a 19-7 final in what was expected to be a shootout. Don't bet on it, though.

The more likely scenario has Brees and Romo trading passes all afternoon, with Romo getting the nod here because of his cheaper (in fantasy terms) price tag and the possibility that he might be playing from behind a decent amount. The Saints allowed Matt Ryan to throw for 448 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, as he brought Atlanta back for a victory.

Luck keeps producing from a fantasy perspective, no matter the opponent or eventual outcome of the Colts' game. The Titans team we've seen the past two weeks will be hard-pressed to put up much of a fight. 

Bridgewater's a bit of an off-the-beaten-path pick. But he looked sharp in relief duty last week (150 yards passing, 27 rushing), and a more Teddy-specific gameplan will be in place this Sunday against Atlanta. Even a decent performance could make him a bargain at a 17-point projection.

Running back:Lamar Miller (projected points: 11)
Also considered:Le'Veon Bell (19), Pierre Thomas (10), Trent Richardson (8)

The Dolphins may be ripping apart at the seams, but Miller turned in a solid 100-yard showing last Sunday nonetheless. With Knowshon Moreno still sidelined, Miami will feed Miller again this week in Oakland. The Raiders, rather unexpectedly, shut down New England's run game their last time out, but it's still the No. 31-ranked unit.

Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: First bye weeks leave owners scrambling

There has been no stopping Bell so far this year, and the 0-3 Buccaneers don't appear ready to break that trend. Thomas and Khiry Robinson will split RB duties for New Orleans in that game versus Dallas, but Thomas' 12 catches thus far make him the safer play. 

Richardson hardly falls into the same category. The Colts, though, continue to stay committed to the run, with T-Rich leading the way. Tennessee has allowed an average of 168 yards on the ground over the past two weeks.

Wide receiver/tight end:Jimmy Graham (projected points: 15)
Also considered: Julio Jones (17), Keenan Allen (12), Martellus Bennett (10)

Once more to the well in the Saints-Cowboys matchup, where Graham will be pitted against a Dallas defense that struggled to contain St. Louis' tight ends last week. Graham was held to five catches and 54 yards by Minnesota, so he ought to be itching for a bounceback showing.

Jones is a welcome play any week, so long as he stays healthy. He is leading the league with 365 yards receiving and has found the end zone three times already. Allen's yet to make it across the goal line, a groin injury minimizing his effectiveness. Playing the Jaguars -- and their porous secondary -- could be the medicine he needs.

Count Bennett as the wild card based on two factors: 1) How often Jay Cutler has been looking his way (26 targets in three games); and 2) His effectiveness in the red zone (four touchdowns, including two last week). Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery could draw the Packers' attention elsewhere, freeing up some space for Bennett over the middle.