Start ’Em, Sit ’Em Kickers and Team Defenses Fantasy Football Week 4: Eagles Should Tee Off on Commanders

The Bills defense was dominant last week, but now they face the red-hot Dolphins.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses

1. 49ers defense vs. Cardinals
2. Eagles defense vs. Commanders
3. Chiefs defense at Jets
4. Cowboys defense vs. Patriots
5. Steelers defense at Texans
6. Broncos defense at Bears
7. Saints defense vs. Buccaneers
8. Bengals defense at Titans
9. Jaguars defense vs. Falcons (London)
10. Browns defense vs. Ravens

Complete Week 4 defense rankings

Week 4 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Week 4 Start ’Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox flexes after sacking Trevor Lawrence in a game.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports

Eagles defense vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Eagles defense is one of the top options in fantasy football this week, playing a home game against an NFC East rival, the Commanders. Their offense has committed eight giveaways and allowed a league-high 19 sacks, so Philadelphia should fly high this week.

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Start ’Em

Chiefs defense at Jets (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Chiefs defense has played well through three weeks and a matchup against the Jets makes it a nice option. Their offense has averaged a mere 14 points, turned the ball over five times and allowed nine sacks of their quarterbacks. Look for Kansas City to post a nice total.

More Starts

Jaguars defense vs. Falcons (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Steelers defense at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Bengals defense at Titans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Bengals defense at Titans ($3,800)
Broncos defense at Bears ($3,700)
Browns defense vs. Ravens ($2,800)

Week 4 Sit ’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Bills defense at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Buffalo’s defense is coming off a big game against the Commanders, but I’d be wary of them against Miami. Their offense put up 70 points on the Broncos last week, has committed just three giveaways and allowed a mere one sack of their quarterbacks in the first three weeks.

Sit ’Em

Patriots defense at Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Patriots defense looked good against the Jets last week, but a road game against what should be a salty Cowboys team is not nearly as attractive. Dallas is averaging nearly 29 points per game and has just one giveaway, so I’d keep New England on the sidelines.

More Sits

Dolphins defense at Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Cardinals defense at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Giants defense vs. Seahawks (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Ravens defense vs. Colts ($3,700)
Saints defense at Packers ($2,900)
Vikings defense vs. Chargers ($2,800)


Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Justin Tucker at Browns
2. Tyler Bass vs. Dolphins
3. Harrison Butker at Jets
4. Jake Elliott vs. Commanders
5. Jake Moody vs. Cardinals
6. Cameron Dicker vs. Raiders
7. Jason Myers at Giants (Mon.)
8. Brandon Aubrey vs. Patriots
9. Jason Sanders at Bills
10. Nick Folk vs. Bengals

Complete Week 4 kicker rankings

Week 4 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Jason-Myers-fantasy-kickers-week-8

Jason Myers at Giants (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Myers is coming off a huge game against the Panthers, scoring 17 fantasy points. I’d keep him active this week as well, as the Giants have allowed 44 field-goal conversions and the fourth-most points to opposing kickers in their last 20 games dating back to last season.

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Start ’Em

Nick Folk vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Folk has had a good start to the season, scoring nine or more points in two of his first three games. He’ll be a viable option off the wire this week, as Folk will go up against a Bengals team that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing kickers over the first three weeks.

More Starts

Harrison Butker at Jets (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
Jake Elliott vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Dustin Hopkins vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS)

Week 4 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Matt Prater at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Prater has been one of the best kickers in fantasy football, averaging almost 11 points in his first three games. Still, this week’s matchup in San Francisco makes him a risk. The 49ers have been tough on opposing kickers, allowing an average of just 6.7 fantasy points per game.

Sit ’Em

Greg Zuerlein vs. Chiefs (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Zuerlein returned to action last week and scored a mere six fantasy points in a loss to the Patriots. The veteran should remain on the sidelines this week too, as the Jets face a Chiefs defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest points to opposing kickers after three weeks.

More Sits

Younghoe Koo at Jaguars (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+)
Chris Boswell at Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Brett Maher at Colts (1 p.m. ET, Fox)


Published
Michael Fabiano
MICHAEL FABIANO

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.