Week Four is the start of the dreaded Bye Weeks and makes setting your lineup a little more challenging and difficult.

Bye Week teams include: Lions, Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, Giants and Seahawks. Make sure players from these teams are not active on your game day rosters!

Let’s get to our Week Four Beasts and Busts

FALCONS (2-1) @ PANTHERS (2-1)

Prior to the start of the season, who would have predicted that this game would be for a share of the NFC South Division lead? The Falcons crushed the Chiefs while the Panthers fumbled away their game to the Vikings in Week Three.

The Falcons must be feeling good about the start of their season. They regrouped after a tough Week Two loss, had a better ball control game plan and they routed the Chiefs. We said the Falcons would run all day and they did. They had 36 rushing plays to 18 passing plays. They will need to continue this style of attack to have success week in and week out. There is no way they can expect rookie QB Ryan to win games on his own. He isn’t seasoned enough and he doesn’t have the receiving weapons. A Falcons win would be the 100th in their franchise history.

Beasts

The Panthers rank 19th in Rush D which is impressive considering they have faced LT2, Forte and AP through three weeks. All of them have been held to under 100 RYDS. That being said, we see the Falcons continuing to lean on RB Turner and expect him to be the first to break the 100 RYD barrier versus the Panthers.

Busts

Expect pedestrian numbers out of all other Falcons.

The Panthers faced a desperate Vikings team and came away with a road loss. The Vikings stuffed the rushing attack and forced the Panthers to throw 29 times. QB Delhomme and WR Smith hooked up four times for 70 yards but didn’t look like they were on the same page yet following Smiths return from his two game suspension.

Beasts

Look for Smith and Delhomme to thrive at home and put up respectable numbers in the passing game. We also expect the Panthers rushing attack to get back on track in this one. Between RB Stewart and Williams we see Stewart as the more productive back. The Falcons rank 23rd in run D and have allowed four rushing TD through three weeks.

Busts

With WR Smith back in the fold you can expect pedestrian numbers, at best, from the rest of the Panthers receiving core.

Stats Sleeper

Expect the Panthers to roll strong side coverage towards WR White and bring an extra defender into the box to try to stop RB Turner. This could open up some room for WR Jenkins who is trying to hold off WR Robinson for the WR2 spot though Robinson is listed as doubtful this weekend. RB Norwood has become an attractive flex position option.

BROWNS (0-3) @ BENGALS (0-3)

The Browns had 169 total net yards in losing to the Ravens while the Bengals put up a spirited effort but lost to the G-Men in OT in Week 3.

This game “features” more Fantasy busts between the two teams than you can find in the rest of the league combined….or so it seems. The list is long and prominent. QB’s Palmer and Anderson, RB’s Perry and Lewis, WR’s Johnson and Edwards and TE’s Utech and Winslow have all been colossal BUSTS! The loser of this game is on the fast track to the #1 pick in April.

Being as they have both been so bad, let’s just lump them together in our Beasts and Busts.

Beasts

With sunny, warm weather fore casted and neither team possessing much of a defense with both teams desperate for a win, expect the stars from both teams to break out and shine. This should be a shootout in the Buckeye state and it will be one of the more entertaining games this weekend. We recommend starting all your skill players in this game.

Busts

NONE

Stats Sleeper

WR Stallworth is expected back in this game and, with all the talk about how bad both teams are, he will be flying under the radar. Stallworth should line up across from second year DB David Jones and this is a mismatch. Check the pre-game active list to be sure that Stallworth is in the Browns lineup.

TEXANS (0-2) @ JAGUARS (1-2)

Houston got pounded by Tennessee while Jacksonville ran over the Colts in Week Three.

Jacksonville needed a huge game against divisional foe Indianapolis to keep from going 0-3. They use a good mix of thunder and lightning and rushed for 236 yards. Who doesn’t run on the Colts? QB Garrard tossed another INT in Week Three, but was only asked to pass a total of 22 times. He completed 16 of them for 167 yards. RB Taylor and Jones-Drew had 26 and 19 rushing attempts respectively. Jones-Drew also caught five balls while Taylor caught two. Expect a whole lot more of the same this weekend when they face the Texans. No Jacksonville wide receiver warrants any consideration at this point. TE Lewis can’t be counted on as your starting TE.

Beasts

RB Taylor RB Jones-Drew. If you have them both, start them both!

Busts

Jacksonville had 48 rushing attempts in Week Three against the Colts. Look for that offensive game plan to continue for the rest of the season. All other Jacksonville players are not to be counted on. We said they had to get to “chopping wood” and they have.

Houston had to travel to Tennessee and were soundly beaten by the Titans. They certainly haven’t had much home cooking lately as they are on the road for the third time in three games in Week Four. They come up against a charged up Jaguars team much the same as they did when they faced the Titans last weekend. QB Schaub has been horrible in two starts completing just 42 passes for 390 yards, 1 TD and has thrown five INT. That is having an adverse effect on the players around him and has most fantasy owners calling for QB Rosenfels to start. Rookie RB Slaton has been the lone bright light for the Texans through two games. Slaton had 116 yards on 18 carries with 1 TD and caught 4 balls for 8 yards in his first NFL start. The WR corps in Houston has been affected the most by the poor play of QB Schaub. WR Johnson usually fires out of the gate at the start of the season. This year he has 12 catches for 141 yards and zero TD in two games. If your league allows trading, try to get Johnson now as his numbers will rise once Rosenfel’s is under center. TE Daniels stock continues to rise despite the poor play of Schaub.

Beasts

You can’t sit WR Johnson, so get him in and hope for the best. Hopefully Rosenfels will be in at QB by halftime. You also have to start RB Slaton as he had a huge game against a tough Titans defense. TE Daniels is a low-end #1 starting TE.

Busts

It gets a little easier for Schaub this week as the Jacksonville pass defense is ranked 17th in the league. That being said, we don’t expect Schaub to be under center to start the second half.

Stats Sleeper: Texans WR Kevin Walter is the latest player to be slowed by a toe injury. If he can’t go on Sunday a nice waiver wire pickup may be WR Andre’ Davis.

BRONCOS (3-0) @ CHIEFS (0-3)

The Broncos went down the wire against the Saints to remain undefeated while the Chiefs were thoroughly embarrassed by the Falcons to remain winless through Week 3.

We are not going to spend very much time here. This is a mismatch with the only saving grace being that it’s an inter divisional game and it’s being played at Arrowhead Stadium.

Beasts

If the Chiefs can somehow keep it close then Chiefs RB Johnson has a chance to do some damage. You need to start WR Bowe and TE Gonzalez as their numbers will rise now that Huard is back under center and because the Broncos pass D is dismal at best.

Start ALL your Broncos!

Busts

We see Huard having a serviceable but not great day and suggest looking elsewhere for your starting QB if possible.

Stats Sleepers

Week One STUD WR Royal could re-emerge this week if, and when, things get out of hand. This should also be RB Young’s best game of the season to date.

49ERS (2-1) @ SAINTS (1-2)

The Niners blew out the hapless Lions while the Saints came up short versus the Broncos in Week Three.

The 49ers are feeling really good about themselves after back to back wins and look to keep it rolling on the road against the Saints. QB O’Sullivan continues to produce and has almost become a must-start. RB Gore has 73 touches through 3 games. No wonder they are giving him Wednesdays off. The WR and TE situation is still a work in progress is SF.

The Saints were down 21 – 3 and lost 34 -32 in a game that we said would be a shoot out and was. Look for another one this weekend. QB Brees continues to be lights out for the Saints, even with the revolving door at WR. RB Bush now has 68 touches in a role that has expanded with the loss of TE BUST Shockey. It looks like WR’s Henderson and Moore get the starts this weekend with Meachem as the WR3. All three will get looks and your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to figure out which one will be the most productive out of the three. If you have a choice go with Moore but each of them should contribute to some level. Campbell and Miller will share the TE role. Neither are worth a start but if you are forced, start Miller.

Beasts

Both QB’s and both RB’ are must-starts in this game.

Busts

WR Henderson gets another start but we don’t see why. You definitely take your chances when starting him. Check the availability of SF WR Johnson. See below.

Stats Sleeper

SF WR Johnson is still being bothered by a lingering hamstring problem and has missed practice time this week. WR Josh Morgan is recovered from a “staph infection” and should be a nice WR3 if Johnson can’t go.

CARDINALS (2-1) @ JETS (1-2)

The Cardinals lost on the road to the Skins while the Jets were grounded (pounded) by the Chargers in Week Three.

The Cardinals head back to the east coast while the Jets are home and licking their wounds. The Cards traded jabs with the Skins in a game that both teams played at a mirror image of each other. Their stat lines were virtually identical except for the two turnovers by the Cards. Back to back trips to the east coast is not good for Arizona.

Everyone on the planet saw what happened to the Jets on MNF. Do you honestly think Favre isn’t questioning his return to the NFL? How about to the Jets?

Beasts

The Cardinal starters are putting up great numbers and you should continue to start them all. With Favre slinging the ball around the Jets WR corps are putting up huge numbers as well so keep them all (Favre included) active. WR Stuckey has more TD’s at 3 than Coles and Crotchery combined at 2 but he is third in PYDS. Another guessing game for Fantasy owners to play!

Bust

RB Jones is a risk once the Jets fall behind.

Stats Sleeper

Not really a sleeper but if you’ve been reserving RB James this is the game to start him. In his last two versus the Jets, Edge has 262 RYD and 5 TD. When he rushes for at least 120 yards and a TD his teams are 18-0. Wow!

PACKERS (2-1) @ BUCCANEERS (2-1)

The Packers were slapped in the mouth, at home, by the Cowboys while the Bucs won their second straight by beating the Bears at Soldier Field in Week 3.

The Packers were definitely brought back to earth in a game where the final score was not reflective of how bad they got beat. It may not be back to square one for them but they definitely know what kind of work they have ahead of themselves. It will be interesting to see what kind of moxie they have as they go on the road for the Battle Of The Bays. QB Rodgers has a mediocre start in Week 3 with most of his scoring coming in garbage time. RB Grant has said is finally 100% healthy but that remains to be seen as the time he spent holding out still lingers. WR Jennings is leading the Pack and the NL with 373 PYD and is third in receptions with 19. WR Driver appears to have lost a step. He is still active in the Packers game plan but is losing touches WR Nelson who has taken the WR3 spot from James Jones. The TE position is still not producing in GB.

The Bucs continue to make advances offensively with Griese under center but we certainly don’t see another 67 pass attempt day out him any time soon. The Bears made Lightning and Thunder look very average last week. We expect some bounce back out of both Graham and Dunn but nothing overwhelming. The Bucs receiving corp is crowded with a group of nobody’s as Galloway recovers from his foot injury. TE Stevens had a nice return from his two-game suspension and appears to have stolen the starting role from an ineffective Smith.

Beasts

This could turn into a shoot out and that would bode well for both QB’s.
WR Jennings is a must-start.

Busts

Temper your expectations for all the RB’s in this game. We would look elsewhere for a WR2 rather than start anyone here.

Stats Sleeper

The Packers are using a three receiver set in almost 66% of their formations. WR Nelson will start at WR3 this week and is as tough as nails going over the middle. Consider him as your WR3 or use him with your flex position.

VIKINGS (1-2) @ TITANS (3-0)

The Vikings and Titans both used a stifling D and good mix on offense to beat the Panthers and Texans respectively in Week 3.

The Vikings, preseason playoff darlings to some, finally got into the win column behind a solid though not spectacular effort by first time starter QB Frerotte. It would have been even better had WR Berrian caught the ball that deflected off his hands and went for an INT. RB AP is clearly not 100% and it shows. The move to Frerotte at QB should benefit Berrian the most but someone has to step up to pull some coverage away from him. So far, no one has done so and there doesn’t seem to be any immediate help coming. Despite his drops, Shiancoe continues to be the Vikings primary pass catching TE and he will get better with Frerotte at QB as well.

The Titans are 3-0 and full marks for each of their wins. We knew their defense was going to be good but who knew they would be this good? Offensively they are doing just enough to win and everyone is contributing in one way or another. Collins is playing serviceable at QB. RB’s White and Johnson continue to keep the defenses off balance and splitting carries is helping both of them stay fresh late into games. WR McCareins stepped up in the absence of WR Gage last week but Gage is expected back for Week 4. That makes both of them just ordinary from a Fantasy perspective. The Titans are trying to go 4-0 for the first time in franchise history.

Beasts

With two tough defenses slugging it out no one stands out as a beast from this game. Expect reasonable 8 to 12 points days out of the “stars” and even less out of the role players.

Bust

Until he starts getting into the end zone, AP is one of the biggest busts of the year. At some point we are going to say that we told you so. The Titans have the third ranked pass defense in the league, so this is not a good spot to start QB Frerotte.

Stats Sleeper

The Vikings D is susceptible to the pass but do have a push up front so look for TE Scaife to act as a safety valve for QB Collins.

CHARGERS (1-2) @ RAIDERS (1-2)

The Chargers destroyed the Jets while the Raiders let one get away on the road in Buffalo in Week Three. This is another game that we don’t need to spend much time on.

The Raiders put up a valiant effort in Week 3 on a west to east run but fell short after a huge Q4 comeback by the Bills. Was it the Bills coming back or the Raiders running out of gas? Probably a little of both but it won’t matter this week as the Bolts will score early and often. QB Russell had another marginal game as he continues to mature. RB’s Bush and McFadden, who is dealing with turf toe, split carries with 14 each. The Raiders WR corp is still in shambles and, with Russell completing just 9 passes TE Miller didn’t have a catch in Week 3. Surprising Coach Kiffin still has his job but that should change by Tuesday.

The Chargers were awesome in all facets of the game on MNF and are finally healthy across the board. Rivers is playing lights out. LT2 is starting to play like the King Of Fantasy Football and he has a stud backup in Sproles. WR’s Chambers and Jackson are playing at a very high level. TE Gates has been very solid and the defense is in for another huge game.

Beasts

All Chargers.

Busts

All Raiders.

Stats Sleeper

What you see is what you get and it won’t be pretty for Raider Nation.

BILLS (3-0) @ RAMS (0-3)

The Bills showed the heart of a Champion by coming back to beat the Raiders while the Rams continue to be the worst team in the NFL and got blown out in Seattle.

The Raiders do have some semblance of a D but one still has to wonder if the Week 3 game should have been as close as it was. QB Edwards showed great poise leading the Bills to 17 Q4 points on three scoring drives that encompassed 30 plays. RB Lynch continues to drive the offense while the Bills WR & TE’s continue to be just average.

The Rams are a mess and have made a switch at QB as veteran Green will get the start. It won’t matter though because the Rams still have one of the worst O-Lines in the League. RB Jackson had 28 touches an expect that number to continue to rise as he seems to have shaken off the affects of his hold out. He is trying and working hard but has nothing in the way of a supporting cast.

Beasts

Lynch could be the top rusher in the NFL in Week Four. Expect another decent day out of QB Edwards but keep in mind that he lost the speedy WR Parrish (4-6 weeks) to a thumb injury. This should help WR Evans get a couple more looks and catches. TE Royal continues to be active but is still a TE2 in most fantasy leagues.

Busts

Start RB Jackson but reserve all other Rams as the Bills will make a statement in this game. The goose eggs will remain the respective win/loss columns for both teams.

Stats Sleeper

The loss of WR Parrish could open the door for WR Jenkins to move into the slot. There has been talk about WR Hardy stepping up but he is not a slot receiver and Jenkins is.

REDSKINS (2-1) @ COWBOYS (3-0)

The Redskins got a late INT to set up a game winning TD and won at home against the Cardinals while the Cowboys embarrassed the Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 3.

After a dismal performance to open the season against the G-Men the Skins have won two straight. They have done it behind solid starts by QB Campbell who appears to be catching on to Coach Zorn’s style of the West Coast Offence. RB Portis continues to be one of the most under rated RB’s in the NFL. WR Moss leads an average WR corp and the Skins are finally starting to use TE Cooley like they should.

The Cowboys are showing why they are a team loaded with Pro Ball starters. They are doing it on both sides of the ball and have yet to be challenged in any of their three games while defeating some of the highest rated teams in the League.

Beasts

All the Cowboys will continue to post huge numbers. QB Romo is very comfortable under center and is making plays in and out of the pocket. RB Barber III is the best running back in the game today. Look for a bounce back game out T.O. after his 2 C 17 PYD day in Week 3. TE Witten is a Super Stud. Start them all!

Busts

The Redskins will come back down to earth when they make their last ever trip to Texas Stadium. TE Cooley should have a big day as a safety valve for Campbell and RB Portis will have an average day. We are hesitant to recommend any other Washington player.

Stats Sleeper

Last week it was WR Austin coming back from injury and shining. One of our preseason Sleeper favorites, WR Sam Hurd, comes back this weekend after rehabbing a high ankle sprain and you need to watch this guy.

EAGLES (2-1) @ BEARS (1-2)

The Eagles rode 9 sacks by their D to a bounce back win over the Steelers while the Bears let a 10 point Q4 lead slip away and fell in OT to the Bucs.

After a big opening week win over the Colts, the Bears have dropped back to back games including their home opener last week. QB Orton has been very average through 3 weeks but finally passed for over 150 yards and got his first 2 TDs but he also threw his first 2 INT’s. Rookie RB Forte has been a stud so far. WR Lloyd has become Ortons favorite target but came out of the Week 3 game with a hip injury. The Bear’s TE combo of Clark and Olsen has struggled to get on track. That being said, because of how bad the Rams, Raiders, Chiefs, Browns, Bengals and Lions are, the Bears are one of the worst teams that no one is talking about.

The Eagles got a much needed win in Week 3 but paid a heavy price. QB McNabb (chest), RB Westbrook (ankle) and TE L.J. Smith (back) were all injured in the game. None of them have practiced all week and, while they are veterans who don’t need the practice, this has to be concern for Fantasy Owners. Of the three, the only one that we expect to play is McNabb. The Eagles have been very secretive about the exact severity of Westbrook’s ankle injury. Expect RB Buckhalter and TE Celek to start at their respective positions. WR Baskett (8 C 85 PYD) was the flavor of the week for the Eagles at WR as Week 2 goat Jackson had a pedestrian 4 C 40 PYD effort in Week 3. This is a sketchy group at best and should not be trusted.

Beasts

With the injures to the Eagles and because the Bears are so bad, we can’t recommend any player in this game as a Week 4 Beast.

Busts

This will be a battle of the D’s and you should expect pedestrian numbers out of everyone involved in this game.

Stats Sleeper

He won’t contribute much this weekend but WR Curtis is practicing for the first time this season. If he is still out on the waiver wire you should grab him and stash him on your bench as he should start in Week 5 or Week 6 for sure.

RAVENS (2-0) @ STEELERS (2-1)

The Ravens are a surprising 2-0 after thumping the Browns while the Steelers offensive line buckled under the pressure and were the main cause of the Steelers first loss in Week 3.

The Ravens has been home and cooled for three weeks but now go out on the road to face their division rivals. So far so good for the Ravens but remember they are 2-0 against the Bengals and Browns who are 0-6 combined. QB Flacco is trying to become just the second rookie QB to start 3-0 in the modern era (QB Greg Cook Bengals 1969). Through two games he has been serviceable for the Ravens but very ordinary on the Fantasy front. The backfield is still very crowded in Baltimore with McGahee, McCain and Rice all vying for touches. Last week McCain (66 RYD 2 TD) was the most productive. He is a beast and is definitely the RB of the future (and maybe the present) for the Ravens. McGahee is dealing with an eye injury but should start. The WR and TE corp in Baltimore is STILL dismal at best.

The Steelers lost QB Big Ben and RB Parker in the Eagles game. Big Ben has practiced all week and will start. Parker is out for at least two weeks with a knee strain. Don’t expect him back until Week 7 when the Steelers return from their bye. In Parker’s absence rookie RB Mendenhall will get the starting gig against one of the stoutest defenses in the league. WR’s Ward and Holmes both had pedestrian outings against the Eagles and it doesn’t get any easier with the Ravens coming to town. TE Miller continues to be a low-end #1 TE and should always be active.

Beasts

This one is not going to be an offensive gem by any means. The Steelers have scored 16 points in their last two games and the Ravens have been feasting on bottom feeders. No one can be recommended as a Beast in this game.

Busts

Don’t expect much out of RB Mendenhall in his first NFL start against the Ravens D.

Stats Sleeper

Do we really deserve this game on MNF four weeks into the season? If you ever wanted to give up a MNF game to spend time with your significant other, this is the week to do it. This game will be a cure for insomnia!

We hope this helps when you are setting your Week Four rosters.

May your Fantasy Football Weekend be point prosperous and injury free!

Enjoy The Games Everybody!

StatsGuru