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Week 4 Lineup Advice
Fantasy Lineup Strategy

NFL Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (2026): Matchup Analysis, Sleepers and Lineup Advice

Lock in Brock Purdy and Chuba Hubbard in favorable spots, ride the Jauan Jennings wave, and beware of tough defensive shadow matchups for Garrett Wilson and Anthony Richardson.

Marcus ReedSenior Fantasy Analyst
•September 24, 2026•10 Minute Read
NFL Week 4 Start Em Sit Em fantasy playbook board and stadium lights
Fantasy Lineup Optimization Week 4 Decisions

Week 4 Decision Principles

  • •Target Volume Trumps Hype: Rely on players receiving at least 25 percent team target shares.
  • •Respect Pass Rush Pressure: Sacks kill fantasy drives. Avoid quarterbacks facing top tier pressure rates.
  • •Backfield Splits Matter: Favor running backs earning third-down and red-zone snaps over early-down plodders.
  • •Shadow Corner Alert: Patrick Surtain II and Christian Gonzalez alter wide receiver ceilings dramatically.
Quarterbacks

Week 4 Quarterback Start Sit

Start of the Weekvs Patriots

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy demonstrated elite pocket awareness in Week 3, passing for 292 yards and three touchdowns despite missing top weapons. New England gave up 24 points to Aaron Rodgers on Thursday night and ranks in the bottom ten in pass rush win rate. Expect Purdy to distribute clean balls to Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jordan Mason at Levi's Stadium.

Sit of the Weekvs Steelers

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Richardson dual-threat ability offers fantasy upside, but his 49.3 percent completion rate and six interceptions through three games present extreme risk. T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense have surrendered only two total touchdowns all year and consistently force young quarterbacks into rushed decisions.

Running Backs

Week 4 Running Back Start Sit

Start of the Weekvs Bengals

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

With Andy Dalton opening up passing lanes, Hubbard turned 26 touches into 169 scrimmage yards and a score in Las Vegas. Cincinnati defense allows 4.6 yards per carry between the tackles and surrendered 108 yards to Brian Robinson Jr on Monday night. Hubbard handles goal-line duties and solidifies an RB2 floor.

Sit of the Weekvs Eagles

Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

White rushing efficiency has fallen to 2.1 yards per carry on the season. Rookie Bucky Irving rushed for 70 yards on nine attempts against Denver, earning praise from head coach Todd Bowles. With Irving taking early down touches, White is dependent on third down targets to stay fantasy relevant against Philadelphia.

Wide Receivers

Week 4 Wide Receiver Start Sit

Start of the Weekvs Patriots

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Do not bench Jennings after his historic 175-yard, three-touchdown explosion. Brock Purdy targeted Jennings on 40 percent of his dropbacks, and Kyle Shanahan schemes Jennings open across intermediate crossers. With Deebo Samuel sidelined, Jennings remains an auto-start WR2 in all formats.

Sit of the Weekvs Broncos

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Wilson will spend his afternoon matched against Denver All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Surtain limited DK Metcalf to 29 yards and Mike Evans to 17 yards in previous matchups. Aaron Rodgers will likely check the ball down to running backs Breece Hall and Braelon Allen rather than force throws into tight perimeter windows.

Tight Ends

Week 4 Tight End Start Sit

Start of the Weekvs Rams

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams targeted Kmet 11 times in Week 3, resulting in 10 receptions for 97 yards and a score. The Rams defense has struggled to cover intermediate tight end seam routes, allowing 180 total yards to opposing tight ends over the first three weeks.

Sit of the Weekvs Bills

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Andrews ran only six routes in Week 3 against Dallas as Baltimore leaned on heavy personnel packages for Derrick Henry. With Isaiah Likely sharing targets and Baltimore running on 68 percent of snaps, Andrews cannot be trusted until his route participation climbs back above 70 percent.

Complete Week 4 Start Sit Cheat Sheet

PlayerTeamOpponentPosCallReasoning
Brock PurdySan Francisco 49ersvs New England PatriotsQBSTARTPurdy threw three touchdowns in Week 3 without Christian McCaffrey or Deebo Samuel. New England secondary surrendered 24 points to Aaron Rodgers on Thursday night, giving Purdy a favorable home passing spot.
Anthony RichardsonIndianapolis Coltsvs Pittsburgh SteelersQBSITThe Steelers defense allows an NFL low 8.6 points per game and ranks second in quarterback pressure rate. Richardson has committed six turnovers in three games and faces a difficult test against T.J. Watt.
Chuba HubbardCarolina Panthersvs Cincinnati BengalsRBSTARTHubbard handled 26 touches for 169 total yards in Andy Dalton first start. The Bengals defensive front just surrendered 100 plus rushing yards to Washington and struggles to set the edge on outside zone runs.
Rachaad WhiteTampa Bay Buccaneersvs Philadelphia EaglesRBSITRookie Bucky Irving has outgained White on the ground in consecutive games. White managed only 17 yards on six carries in Week 3 and faces an Eagles defensive line holding opposing runners under 3.9 yards per carry.
Jauan JenningsSan Francisco 49ersvs New England PatriotsWRSTARTAfter an 11-catch, 175-yard, three-touchdown performance, Jennings remains the central focus of Kyle Shanahan passing progressions with Samuel still recovering from a calf strain.
Garrett WilsonNew York Jetsvs Denver BroncosWRSITWilson draws coverage from shadow cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who has held opposing number one wide receivers to under 35 yards per game this season. Expect New York to lean on Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.
Cole KmetChicago Bearsvs Los Angeles RamsTESTARTKmet saw 11 targets in Week 3, catching 10 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. The Rams secondary has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends through three games.
Mark AndrewsBaltimore Ravensvs Buffalo BillsTESITAndrews ran routes on only 33 percent of dropbacks in Dallas as Baltimore committed heavily to two-tight-end run blocking for Derrick Henry. Isaiah Likely continues to cut into Andrews receiving workload.
Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jauan Jennings in Week 4?

Yes. Jauan Jennings is a strong WR2 start in all formats. With Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey nursing injuries, Jennings command of first-read targets makes him an every-week fantasy option.

Is Bucky Irving or Rachaad White the better fantasy start in Week 4?

Bucky Irving has outproduced White on early downs, averaging 6.2 yards per carry compared to White at 2.1 yards per carry. White carries high risk against a stout Philadelphia front.

Should I sit Anthony Richardson against the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Yes. The Pittsburgh Steelers allow only 8.6 points per game and lead the NFL in defensive takeaways. Richardson accuracy issues make him a volatile sit this week.

Is Cole Kmet a reliable tight end starter for Week 4?

Yes. Kmet established himself as Caleb Williams primary security valve, earning 11 targets in Week 3. He faces a Los Angeles Rams defense vulnerable over the middle of the field.

Why is Garrett Wilson a risky start against Denver in Week 4?

Wilson projects to face shadow coverage from Denver top cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who has shut down Mike Evans, DK Metcalf, and George Pickens in consecutive contests.