Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 4: Back Matthew Stafford, Luther Burden?

And just like that, we’ve got three weeks of football behind us. At this point, you probably have a good feel about your fantasy football team. It could be time to panic and chase trades, while other managers can almost taste that fantasy football championship. 

However, the fantasy football season is still in the early going, and that means making the right decisions in your fantasy football lineup can turn your season around or keep the hot streak alive in Week 4.

Let’s look at NFL Week 4’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em edition. Below, we’ll look at who should start or be on the bench this week, including player projections via PrizePicks.

Make NFL picks for Week 4 on PrizePicks! 

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 4

We’ll cover the good and bad for each major position group for full-PPR leagues, including quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.

Here’s who you should start and who should warm the bench for Week 4’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks

Entering the 2026 season, Rams QB Matthew Stafford and Packers QB Jordan Love were labeled two of the league’s best signal-callers. However, one player should be firmly on your fantasy football bench for Week 4’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford: Start ‘Em

Game: Rams vs. Eagles – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 249.5 Pass Yards

Through three games, Matthew Stafford is QB11. Father Time hasn’t caught the 38-year-old QB, as he logged 28.0 fantasy points in Week 2 (QB6), followed by 22.9 (QB9) on Sunday Night Football vs. the Broncos. 

Stafford threw 2 INTs in Denver, but his 390 passing yards and 2 passing TDs in the 30-26 loss still yielded a successful fantasy outing. Most of Sunday’s performance was carried by a ridiculous volume of 55 passing attempts. Considering Stafford’s age, that workload should decline.

However, his 10.5 air yards per passing attempt (second-highest) provides comfort, per RBSDM. Further, Stafford sports 9.9 yards for his average depth of target (aDOT), which is the fifth-highest mark among QBs with at least 40 dropbacks, via Pro Football Focus.

The Rams are regularly pushing the ball downfield, and the offense’s 0.3 rushing TDs per game (23rd) suggest most scores could come through the air. In fact, Stafford boasts 6 passing TDs over three games (2.0 per game).

On Monday Night Football, the Eagles were just shredded for 27 points and 375 yards by the Bears. QB Case Keenum hadn’t appeared in a game since 2023 and tallied 247 passing yards, 7.3 yards per passing attempt, and a 56.4% success rate (seventh in Week 3).

Philadelphia has now allowed 0.165 EPA per dropback (23rd) and a 45.6% dropback success rate (15th), while opposing QBs are tallying 20.7 fantasy points per game (sixth-most), per Pro Football Reference. The Eagles have a 48% pass rush win rate (22nd), via ESPN, and Stafford holds an 83.8% adjusted completion percentage when kept clean in the pocket (11th). 

Add Matthew Stafford to your PrizePicks lineup.

Packers QB Jordan Love: Sit ‘Em

Game: Packers vs. Buccaneers – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 232.5 Pass Yards, 1.5 Pass TDs (Demon), 35.5 Pass Attempts

The advanced metrics alone do enough talking for Jordan Love, who has 0.024 adjusted EPA per play (26th), a 38.7% dropback success rate (33rd), and a -10.1 completion percentage over expectation (36th). 

Across three contests, Love has 17.9 FPPG (QB17). In Thursday Night Football’s embarrassing 35-14 home loss vs. the Falcons, Green Bay was in a clear negative game script, leading to 53 passing attempts and 19.5 fantasy points (QB16) for Love. In Week 4, the Packers are 3.5-point favorites on the road vs. the Buccaneers, per PrizePicks, suggesting that passing volume should decrease.

Furthermore, Green Bay is fielding one of the league’s worst offensive lines — featuring a 16% pass block win rate (32nd) and 73% run block win rate (19th). In the 2025 season, the Chargers’ 54% pass block win rate was the worst mark in the league; the Packers’ 16% mark is truly on pace to be historically bad.

Among QBs with at least 20 dropbacks, Love’s 2.45-second average time to throw is the third-lowest mark in the league. Love’s been under pressure on 44.4% of his dropbacks (fourth-highest). When under pressure, he’s performed poorly with a 9.7% turnover-worthy play rate (sixth-highest) and a 45.2% adjusted completion percentage (second-lowest).

Until Green Bay solves its pass protection woes, if it ever does, stay away from Love in fantasy football.

Make Jordan Love picks on PrizePicks now!

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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Running Backs

According to FantasyPros, Chargers RB Omarion Hampton had an RB10 average draft position (ADP) for PPR leagues, while Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten was RB24. But through three weeks of football, the roles have reversed for fantasy production, leading to a Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em face-off.

Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten: Start ‘Em

Game: Jaguars vs. Bengals – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 53.5 Rush Yards, 11.5 Receiving Yards, 1.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

In the Jaguars’ dominant 35-6 win vs. the Patriots, Bhayshul Tuten had his best game of the season with 15 rushing attempts, 73 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 17 receiving yards, and 17.0 fantasy points (RB11). 

That performance followed Week 2’s 14.2 fantasy points (RB13) with 65 rushing yards and 1 TD. However, Tuten firmly remains in a split backfield, featuring a 48.6% snap share compared to RB Chris Rodriguez’s 29.7%, per PlayerProfiler. 

Entering 2026, Rodriguez was expected to dominate red zone touches, while Tuten took the bulk of work outside short-yardage situations. So far, Rodriguez has taken 41.7% of the Jags’ red zone carries, behind Tuten’s 50.0%. Even better, Tuten has run 66.7% of Jacksonville’s rushing attempts within the 5-yard line. 

The Jaguars are an offense you want exposure to in fantasy football, posting 27.3 PPG (10th) and a 50.9% success rate (fourth). Furthermore, PrizePicks gives Week 4’s Jaguars vs. Bengals a healthy 51.5 over/under.

Cincinnati comes off its worst defensive performance of the season, yielding 411 yards, 7.0 yards per play, and 6.0 yards per rushing attempt in a 30-27 loss vs. the Steelers. Pittsburgh consistently attacked the Bengals’ vulnerable linebacker corps in the passing game, and RB Jaylen Warren posted 4 targets, 3 catches, and 49 receiving yards.

Tuten has 5 targets in 2026, while Rodriguez has yet to be featured in the passing game. The Jags’ RB1 also boasts 11.4 yards after catch (YAC) per reception, which could be an issue for a Bengals defense carrying a 51.0 PFF tackling grade (23rd).

Predict More or Less for Bhayshul Tuten’s rush yards projection on PrizePicks! 

Chargers RB Omarion Hampton: Sit ‘Em

Game: Chargers vs. Seahawks – Sunday, October 4, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 50.5 Rush Yards, 5.5 Receiving Yards 1.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Omarion Hampton was listed as a potential breakout fantasy football piece for most of the offseason, and it came with good reason considering his 21.8 FPPG from Week 3 to Week 5 in 2025. After the Chargers moved on from RB Najee Harris, it seemed this was Hampton’s backfield.

Considering his RB10 ADP, Hampton is giving fantasy managers nightmares with 10.5 FPPG (RB23) following three games. 

His 61.1% snap share is the 15th-highest mark among RBs, compared to Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell carrying a 27.4% snap share. Hampton is dominating work on the ground, proven by 50 carries surpassing Mitchell’s 17. 

Hampton’s 16.7 rushing attempts and 64.3 rushing yards per game have decent fantasy potential, but his efficiency is lacking with 3.9 yards per carry and -0.32 total EPA — the seventh-worst mark among RBs with at least 15 carries, per SumerSports.

This entire Chargers offense is a mess with 14.7 PPG (29th), a 40.8% success rate (24th), and -0.177 EPA per play (31st). Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert’s 40.7% success rate (29th) isn’t helping Hampton’s chances of finding the end zone, and that only gets worse with Herbert’s 4 INTs, 3 fumbles, and 6.0% turnover-worthy play rate (fourth-worst).

Hampton faces a Seahawks team giving up only 16.7 PPG (third), 3.8 yards per play (first), and 3.3 yards per rushing attempt (third) in Week 4. Further, Seattle forces 1.3 takeaways per game (11th) and has a 7.07% sack rate (12th), likely leading to more issues for Herbert. 

Make Omarion Hampton picks on PrizePicks now!

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Wide Receivers

Following his best game of the young season, Bears WR Luther Burden III could be headed toward a start in Week 4. Steelers WR DK Metcalf is on the losing end of this week’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em debate for wide receivers, as he still underperformed in a 30-point outburst from the Steelers in Week 3.

Bears WR Luther Burden III: Start ‘Em

Game: Jets vs. Bears – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Who would have thought Luther Burden’s best game yet would come with Bears QB Case Keenum under center? Keenum hadn’t played since 2023, yet he racked up 247 passing yards with a 56.4% success rate (seventh in Week 3) in Chicago’s 27-7 primetime win over the Eagles.

Burden took full advantage of Keenum’s strong efficiency, turning 11 targets into 7 catches for 61 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, and 19.8 fantasy points (WR13). While he produced only 6.2 fantasy points in Week 2 (WR63), Burden also had a promising 7 targets vs. the Vikings, and that was in a game with ugly weather and low air yards. 

According to PlayerProfiler, Burden now has a 21.4% target share and a 20.0% red zone target share. Plus, he carries a healthy 10.3 aDOT, and his 2 red zone targets sit 14th among WRs.

Following Keenum’s strong Week 3 performance, he’s likely to remain the starter vs. the Jets in Week 4. New York has allowed a 47.0% dropback success rate (20th) and 0.069 dropback EPA (17th). 

Pick More or Less for Luther Burden’s receiving yard projection on PrizePicks. 

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Steelers WR DK Metcalf: Sit ‘Em

Game: Steelers vs. Browns – Thursday, October 1, 8:15 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 41.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon), 9.5 Fantasy Score

After 11.5 PPG with a 36.3% success rate (29th) over the first two games, the Steelers erupted for 30 points, 411 yards, and 7.0 yards per play vs. the Bengals in Week 3. Pittsburgh featured 0.191 EPA per play (seventh) and a 51.3% dropback success rate (12th) in the 30-27 win, yet DK Metcalf was still uninspiring.

Metcalf had a season-high 12.1 fantasy points (WR35), but that was carried by 1 receiving TD. He tallied only 5 targets, 3 receptions, and 31 receiving yards.

Following 10 and 9 targets in the first two games of 2026, Metcalf’s season-low 5 targets were a part of the Steelers’ most efficient game through the air this season. That draws clear concern, especially when Metcalf has 0.19 total EPA and 0.78 yards per route run — which both sit outside the top 50.

Among receivers with at least 15 targets, Metcalf’s 21.4% drop rate is the highest mark in the NFL. His 29 yards after catch (YAC) is also the ninth-lowest total in the split. 

Metcalf simply carries awful efficiency, and the Browns are giving up a 43.3% dropback success rate (eighth) and 0.007 dropback EPA (13th).

Add DK Metcalf to your PrizePicks lineup for Week 4.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends

Despite a breakout Week 3 performance, could Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq be headed for a disappointing result? Meanwhile, Packers TE Tucker Kraft has a solid matchup for Week 4. Let’s break down the stats for the tight ends in Week 4’s Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em.

Packers TE Tucker Kraft: Start ‘Em

Game: Packers vs. Buccaneers – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 36.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions, 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)

Tucker Kraft has posted only 6.5 FPPG (TE27), and he produced 4 receptions for 26 receiving yards and 6.6 fantasy points (TE29) in Week 3. So why in the world should he be a starting candidate in Week 4?

The Buccaneers have allowed 12.9 FPPG to tight ends (11th-most), paired with 26.3 PPG (23rd) and 7.0 yards per passing attempt (17th). We mentioned QB Jordan Love’s struggles with the Packers’ protection, but Tampa Bay has a 6.00% sack rate (21st). 

Perhaps Love can get a little more time in the pocket, though the Bucs’ 52% pass rush win rate (15th) still points to trouble. Kraft should become a security blanket with poor pass protection, supported by a 6.7 aDOT — which is the lowest total among Packers with at least 10 targets.

Despite a low fantasy point total in Week 3, Kraft had a season-high 8 targets in the 35-14 loss vs. the Falcons. Week 1’s 6 targets, 3 catches, 65 receiving yards, and 9.5 fantasy points (TE18) weren't too shabby either. If this kind of volume continues, a successful day could be ahead with the Bucs allowing significant yardage to tight ends.

Make Tucker Kraft picks on PrizePicks now!

Jets TE Kenyon Sadiq: Sit ‘Em

Game: Jets vs. Bears – Sunday, October 4, 1:00 p.m. ET

Rookie TE Kenyon Sadiq was terrific in Week 3 — there’s no other way to slice it. He recorded 8 targets, 7 catches, 105 receiving yards, 1 TD, and 23.5 fantasy points (TE4).

With three games under his belt, Sadiq’s 2.42 yards per route run is the sixth-most total among TEs with at least 25 routes run. His 4.20 yards per route run and 45 YAC headlined his breakout performance vs. the Lions. Considering his efficiency, he’s a clear target for Week 4’s waiver wire.

However, a couple of targets were out in Week 3, including Jets WR Adonai Mitchell (finger) and TE Mason Taylor (thumb). Mitchell had 12 targets in Week 2, and Taylor’s absence contributed to Sadiq’s season-high 57.6% snap rate on Sunday.

Mitchell was a limited participant at two practices leading up to Week 3 and was officially listed as questionable. That means a return is likely sooner rather than later, and New York’s WR2 could dig into Sadiq’s 8 targets vs. the Lions.

Furthermore, Detroit has allowed 28.5 FPPG to tight ends, which is the most by 9.4 points. The Bears are on the other side of the spectrum by giving up 6.3 FPPG vs. TEs (sixth-fewest).

As usual, rookies are known to be inconsistent, especially early in the season. Until Sadiq showcases another game with a high workload, it could be wise to stash the rookie on your bench.

Add Kenyon Sadiq to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 4.

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Turn Your Fantasy Football Takes to NFL Picks on PrizePicks

Following strong Week 3 outings, Matthew Stafford, Bhayshul Tuten, and Luther Burden III all stand out as potential starts in fantasy football. Focusing on head-to-head matchups, Tucker Kraft could surprise with a better performance than Kenyon Sadiq in Week 4.

You can turn your fantasy football knowledge into picks on PrizePicks! Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on NFL game winners, spreads, and over/unders — now available in 36 states. 

As we head into the NFL season, stay locked in Playbook for weekly NFL start/sit advice, waiver wire analysis, and game picks.