Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants

Manning, in my opinion, is the leading fantasy player to avoid in Week 4. With a total of eight interceptions in three games, 11 sacks, seven of which occurred last week as he faced Carolina, and suffered an excruciatingly embarrassing loss of 38-0, Manning needs to be on all benches in Week 4. Manning and his crew will be hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, and if you watched what the Chiefs did to limit Michael Vick last week with six sacks, it would appear Manning will be spending even more time on the ground that upright this week. Manning will not be productive until it looks like he is even on the same playing field as his main receivers Victor Cruz or Hakeem Nicks which won’t happen in Kansas City this week.

Projected Statistics: 18/33, 250 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions

Jay Cutler, Quarterback, Chicago Bears

While I do not find Cutler nearly as scary as Manning, he could potentially struggle Week 4 against an improved Lions defense. Up to this point, Cutler has succumb to three interceptions and three sacks, and averages two touchdowns per game. The Bears game at the home of the Lions will be close and with an unlikely chance the Bears will ever secure a huge lead, Cutler will have to connect more with Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett than he did last week against the Steelers. More passing from Cutler will increase his chances of turnovers and interceptions. The Lions held Robert Griffin III to just one passing touchdown last week and 12.74 fantasy points. If Cutler, who currently ranks 19th in quarterbacks, is your option at a fantasy quarterback this week, I would advise starting him with caution because this matchup will challenge him.

Projected Statistics: 22/34, 225 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions

Roddy White, Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons

What a disappointing year 2013 has been so far for White. We all know White is suffering from a high ankle sprain, but from a fantasy football standpoint, people who own him would rather he just be benched if he’s not feeling 100%. Fantasy owners have had it up to their eyebrows watching White as the Falcon’s “decoy” out on the field while barely any fantasy points are scored. White, who will hopefully return to that elite WR1 we all know and love ranks a lowly 100th against his fellow wide receivers with only 56 receiving yards and seven receptions. If White is active at home this weekend against New England, the matchup is definitely not in his favor. Fantasy owners have surely gotten wise by now to sit White, so that should be status quo in Week 4.

Projected Statistics: Two receptions, 21 yards, zero touchdowns

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals

Fitzgerald started off Week 1 of 2013 with a fantastic game, while scoring two receiving touchdowns. For Fitzgerald owners, their “Fitz” was back from his lowly 2012 season. We are now going into Week 4 and the buzz surrounding Fitzgerald has calmed down. He has since been dealing with an injured hamstring, which he has managed to play through, but his targets from his new quarterback, Carson Palmer have decreased right along with his fantasy scores. Week 4 poses a difficult matchup as Fitzgerald, who will likely play even if he is limited, will face the Buccaneers Defense with Darrelle Revis. The Buccaneers will apply pressure all over Palmer, which limits Fitgerald’s fantasy potential. If you can find a player with a better matchup this week, you might fare better with Fizgerald on your bench for Week 4.

Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 52 yards, zero touchdowns

Santonio Holmes, Wide Receiver, New York Jets

Holmes, who was extremely productive last week against the Bills will not find those wide open gaps this time as he plays in Tennessee in Week 4. The Tennessee Titans’ defense has surprising been really efficient thus far, so Holmes, Geno Smith and Stephen Hill will come back to fantasy reality this week. Look for Smith’s passing yards to be restricted far more than last week, meaning less targets to Holmes. The Titans limited Philip Rivers to 184 yards last week, and wide receiver Eddie Royal only had 34 yards and was scoreless. Holmes has decent potential as a fantasy football wide receiver this year, but will be more of a matchup based guy to play. Lowered expectations should be in mind if you decide to play Holmes in Week 4.

Projected Statistics: Four receptions, 52 yards, zero touchdowns

Stevan Ridley, Running Back, New England Patriots

Ridley will face the Falcons in Atlanta, and I see this game evolving into a high scoring affair in which Tom Brady will be passing the ball more than handing the ball off to his running backs. When the Patriots incorporate the run, they seem to be determined not to tire Ridley too much by adding in a fair dose of LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden to share the carries. At this point, especially in Atlanta in Week 4, I do not see Ridley having a breakout game. Fantasy owners who drafted him as their RB2 continue to be let down every week. Ridley currently is ranked 48th for running backs and only has 10.80 fantasy points over three weeks. Unless you are desperate, leave Ridley on your bench this week.

Projected Statistics: 10 attempts, 32 yards, three receptions, 18 yards, zero touchdowns

C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Buffalo Bills

Even though the Bills play at home and it appears Spiller’s quad injury was minor last week, Week 4 is not the time to see if he suddenly comes back to fantasy relevancy. The Bills face the Ravens this week who have been particularly stingy in defending running backs. Oh, and for those of you who drafted Spiller, likely in the first round, and fellow running back, Fred Jackson in say round 10, the Jackson owners are winning. Spiller owners have been duped while Jackson is getting the majority of the carries and fantasy points so far. I wouldn’t take a chance in Week 4 starting the currently 40th ranked Spiller, who probably won’t be 100% against the Ravens.

Projected Statistics: 14 attempts, 44 yards, one reception, 10 yards, and zero touchdowns

Ryan Mathews, Running Back, San Diego Chargers

I have come to the conclusion that the sub-par 2012 version of Mathews is back. He impressed us all in Week 1 with a touchdown and better than normal fantasy points, getting his owners excited again. Since then, his performance has declined rather than improved, and is bringing in numbers just like last year averaging only about six fantasy points over the last two weeks. Week 1 may be Mathew’s sole touchdown of the season if the Chargers keep bringing in Ronnie Brown for the third downs to steal the touchdown carries. This week Mathews is at home and plays the Dallas Cowboys who are fairly adept at shutting down running backs. In Week 4 I would sit Mathews if you have better options unless five or six fantasy points with no touchdowns won’t hurt your team.

Projected Statistics: 15 attempts, 42 yards, two receptions, 14 yards and zero touchdowns

Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Minnesota Vikings

Rudolph gets to play the Pittsburgh Steelers this week and while their defense is not top notch, it has not allowed a touchdown by a tight end yet this season. Since Rudolph isn’t targeted that many times per game, standardly, the only way to get fantasy points from him is if he scores. Rudolph currently ranks 18th in top ends with only one touchdown, and 10 targets over three weeks. It’s hard to sit him without many elite tight end options, but if you can avoid playing him in Week 4, I would recommend another guy with a softer matchup.

Projected Statistics: Three Receptions, 44 Yards and Zero Touchdowns

Coby Fleener, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts

After fellow tight end, Dwayne Allen wound up on injured reserve, and Vick Ballard left with a season ending injury, Fleener’s fantasy value looked as if it would be on the rise as he would see more work going forward. This just doesn’t seem to the case for Fleener, especially with the addition of running back Trent Richardson. With fresh, new running back talent added, the Colts will most definitely look to incorporate more of a run game. So far this season, Fleener only has had one big game and one touchdown. He ranks 22nd among tight ends and is too risky to use as your starting tight end. Week 4 against Jacksonville won’t be as tough as last week against the 49ers, so if you play him, expect lackluster fantasy points at best.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 46 yards and zero touchdowns