FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Four Starters

Week # 4 of the 2000 NFL season is here, and there have been a lot of surprises as well as disappointments thus far. There have been numerous injuries as well as some important players coming off of injuries. Let’s look at some of the best fantasy players this week, and what they should be able to do for your football team.

QUARTERBACKS

1. Kurt Warner- The number one quarterback this season so far in fantasy football is St. Louis Rams quarterback, Kurt Warner. Even though he has thrown six interceptions, he has also thrown six TDs and has over 1200 yards passing. The touchdowns should continue for Warner this week as he faces the Atlanta Falcons. Look for Warner to throw at least two more TDs and have over 300 yards passing.

2. Peyton Manning- Coming off a bye week last week, Manning and the Colts play a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars this Monday night. This should be a difficult game for the Colts, but Manning and Co. should do pretty well. Look for Manning to throw many deep balls to Marvin Harrison and a lot of screen passes to Edgerrin James. In all, Manning should be close to 275 yards passing and two scores.

3. Rich Gannon- Rich Gannon and the Raiders should be in for a field day against the Cleveland Browns this week. Gannon has had a pretty good season so far and this week should be no different. Look for Gannon to throw two TDs and have over 250 yards passing.

4. Tony Banks- This week, Banks and the Ravens go up against a weak Cincinnati defense. Banks should air the football out often this week to the wide receivers. Look for Banks to throw at least two TDs and have over 250 yards passing.

5. Mark Brunell- Mark Brunell and the Jags finally get their franchise RB back this Monday night. Finally, Fred Taylor will make his 2000 NFL debut. This bodes well for all the Jaguars players, as the Jags will actually have a running game. Look for Brunell to have a good game, possibly throwing one to two scores and having 225 passing yards.

Sleeper of the Week

Shaun King- This weekend is the much-anticipated game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Jets. There has been a war of words this week between Keyshawn Johnson and his former team, the New York Jets. Both teams are 3-0 going into this game and King and the Bucs will look to go 4-0. Look for Keyshawn and the Bucs to get the best of the Jets, as King should have a decent game. Look for King to throw two TDs and have around 225 yards passing.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Marshall Faulk- Last week, Faulk had his best game of the season by far. He had over 100 total yards and three TDs. This week should be no different, as Faulk should have another good game against Atlanta. Look for Faulk to easily surpass the 100-yard rushing mark and have at least one TD.

2. Edgerrin James- James and the Colts are coming off a bye week to play the Jaguars on Monday night. Look for James to have another good game this week. This game should be a shoot-out and James should score often. Look for 2 scores and at least 125 total yards.

3. Fred Taylor- This is what Fred Taylor owners have been waiting for. Taylor will be making his first start of the 2000 NFL season. Taylor might be a little rusty, but he should do just fine. This is just what the Jaguars offense needed, a running game. Look for Taylor to top the 100-yard mark and have at least one TD.

4. Emmitt Smith- Last week, Emmitt finally got back on track. Even though Emmitt didn’t get 100 yards rushing, he finally hit the end zone. This week, Emmitt will play against a weak 49ers defensive team. Look for Emmitt to have another good game, going over 100 yards rushing and one TD.

5. Eddie George- This week, Eddie George and the Titans play the Steelers in Pittsburgh. This should be an easy game for George and the Titans. Look for George to surpass the 100-yard rushing mark with one score.

Other Quality Starters

James Stewart- Will Stewart ever have a good game this season? So far this season, Stewart hasn’t really produced like everyone thought he would. But, either has the rest of the Lions offense. Stewart should get back on track this week against Chicago. Look for Stewart to get close to 100 yards and possibly one TD.

Sleeper of the Week

Ricky Williams- This weekend, Ricky Williams will face the team that skipped over him and picked Donovan McNabb in the 1999 NFL draft. Look for Williams to get revenge this game, as everything points to Williams having a solid game. The Eagles defense is banged up and the offense can’t score. Look for Williams to get over 100 yards rushing and one score.

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Marvin Harrison- This Monday night, the game between the Jags and Colts looks like it is going to be a shoot-out. What better receiver to have on your team for a shoot-out than Marvin Harrison. Look for Harrison to get well over 100 yards receiving and at least one score.

2. Jimmy Smith- The other wide receiver in the Monday night shoot-out looks to be Jimmy Smith. With the presence of Fred Taylor back, the Jags receivers should have a much easier time getting open. If Taylor doesn’t steal the majority of the Jags scores, look for Smith to have a very good game. Smith should have over 100 yards receiving and at least one TD.

3. Isaac Bruce- Isaac Bruce finally had his breakout game last week. Bruce had one long score and well over 100 yards receiving. That shouldn’t change much this week as the Rams play the Falcons this weekend. Look for Bruce to score again and have over 100 yards receiving.

4. Tim Brown- This week, Brown and the Raiders host the Cleveland Browns. This should be a great week for Brown and all the Raiders offensive players. Look for Brown to put up big numbers this weekend, possibly having two scores and over 100 yards receiving.

5. Marcus Robinson- What is hurting Robinson’s totals this year so far is the lack of a running game in Chicago. Curtis Enis was moved to fullback, with James Allen taking over at running back. Also, the number two receiver for Chicago is lost for the season due to injury. Robinson and the Bears should get back on track this week, as Robinson should score once and have close to 100 yards receiving.

Other Quality Starters

Joe Horn- This weekend, Horn and the Saints play host to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles defense is banged up because of various injuries, so Horn should be able to make some big plays. Look for Horn to come close to the 100-yard receiving mark and one score.

Sleeper of the Week

Wayne Chrebet- This is the game that has been marked on the calendar since the beginning of training camp. Wayne Chrebet and the Jets visit Tampa Bay to play the Buccaneers. This past week, Keyshawn Johnson has been ripping Chrebet and the Jets coach, Al Groh. Look for Chrebet to get a lot of looks this week, as he should top the 100-yard mark and one score.

TIGHT ENDS

1. Frank Wycheck- With the loss of wide receiver Kevin Dyson, due to a season ending injury, Wycheck should be one of the players that will benefit from this. He is already the Titans number one throwing option on the team. This should continue this week as well, as the Titans visit Pittsburgh to play the Steelers. Look for Wycheck to have a big game, catching one TD and having around 60 yards receiving.

2. Stephen Alexander- This week, Alexander and the Washington Redskins play a tough road game at Giants Stadium. The 1-2 Redskins will be going up against a very strong Giants team that is 3-0. The Washington passing attack has looked awful this season and a change could be made in this game. If Brad Johnson does not play well, look for Jeff George to possibly come into this game. Whichever quarterback is in the game, Alexander should still have a decent game. He has been the only bright spot of the Redskins receivers. Look for Alexander to get involved early and often in this game. Alexander should finish up with 50+ yards receiving and one score.

3. Shannon Sharpe- This weekend, Sharpe and the Ravens play a home game against the woeful Cincinnati Bengals. This should be a good game for Sharpe and the Ravens, as the Bengals defense is one of the league’s worst. Sharpe should get a lot of balls thrown his way and could end up with 50 yards receiving and one TD.

4. Ricky Dudley- Another good match-up this week is Dudley going against the Cleveland Browns. Dudley should see a lot of passes thrown his way and should be able to put one in for a score. Look for Dudley to also get around 40 yards receiving.

5. Tony Gonzalez- Will this be the week Tony Gonzalez finally finds the end zone? Gonzalez has been double-teamed all year, and it has to be getting frustrating for him and the Chiefs. This weekend, the Chiefs go to Denver to play the Broncos. Maybe this will be the week that he finally scores. Look for the Chiefs to try to get Gonzalez involved in the offense this week. He should finish the game with around 40 yards receiving and possibly one score.

Sleeper of the Week

Jackie Harris- In the past couple of games, Harris as seen many passes come his way. In three games, Harris has already scored twice. This weekend, Harris and the Cowboys play host to the San Francisco 49ers. Look for another good showing by Harris, as he should score again and have around 40 yards receiving.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS

1. Baltimore- The Ravens are playing the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend. This game is over before it’s even started.

2. Tennessee- Another good defense to start this week is the Titans against the Steelers. This should be an ugly game as well. Look for “The Freak” to take control of this game.

3. Tampa Bay- The much-awaited game of the weekend is Tampa playing host to the NY Jets. Look for the Bucs defense to put a lot of pressure on Testerverde and the Jets. This should end up a low scoring game.

4. Seattle- The Seahawks will face Ryan Leaf and the Chargers this week. This could also be a very defensive game. Leaf and the Chargers will have a whole lot of trouble putting points on the board this week.

5. St. Louis- Is the Rams defense ever going to show up this year? If it weren’t for their high-powered offense they would probably be 0-3. This week the Rams play against the Atlanta Falcons. Sooner or later, something is going to have to give. This week, it’ll be the Atlanta offense.

Sleeper of the Week

New Orleans- The Saints defense is a very solid group who should be in for a decent game this week. Their opponent this week is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles defense is banged up and the offense can not put points on the board. Look for a good game from this defense.