It’s week 4, people! Time to set up those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at a week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine kickers and defenses that may or may not meet expectations based on their weekly opponent… like the Seahawks’ defense in Week 3!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I where we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K&D/STs

1. Brandon Aubrey at Giants (Thursday)
2. Harrison Butker at Chargers
3. Ka’imi Fairbairn vs Jaguars
4. Evan McPherson at the Panthers
5. Matt Prater vs Commanders
6. Justin Tucker vs. Bills
7. Younghoe Koo vs Saints
8. Chris Boswell at Colts
9. Cairo Santos vs Rams
10. Blake Grupe at Falcons

Complete the Week 4 Kicker Rankings

beginning of the week

Evan McPherson at the Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): McPherson has scored a total of 24 fantasy points in his last two games, and this week’s matchup against the Panthers is a positive. Their defense has allowed kickers to average more than 10 fantasy points per game, so McPherson should put up another good stat line this weekend.

Start them

Blake Grupe at the Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Grupe had two straight stinkers and scored a combined 14 fantasy points. The good news is that he has a great matchup next against a Falcons defense that has given up the most fantasy points to visiting kickers since the start of last season. In a high-scoring competition, Grupe should come out on top.

Chris Boswell at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Boswell’s scoring output has declined for three straight weeks, but I want him to bounce back against the Colts. Since last year, visiting kickers have averaged 10 fantasy points while playing at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additionally, seven kickers have scored at least eight points against them during that time.

Kickers with good matchups

Seat of the week

Matt Gay vs. Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Gay’s fantasy production hasn’t made managers particularly happy, as he scored a total of six points in his first two games. He’s unlikely to do much better this week, as the Colts host a Steelers defense that has given up the fewest fantasy points to the Kickers this season. Leave Gay on the bench (or on the waiver wire).

Set them

Greg Zuerlein vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Zuerlein remained quiet on the stat sheets, scoring a total of 12 fantasy points in three games. I would also keep him on the bench this week, as he will face a Broncos defense that has given up just 6.7 fantasy points per game to the Kickers this season and seven points per game to the home Kickers since 2023 has.

Brayden Narveson vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, CBS): You may not know it, but Narveson has been one of the best kickers in fantasy football this season. The relatively unknown player has scored a total of 34 points and has reached double figures every week. Still, I’m leaving him out against an up-and-coming Vikings defense that’s allowing the second-fewest points to kickers in 2024.

Kickers with bad matchups

1. Jets defense against Broncos
2. 49ers defense against Patriots
3. Steelers defense against Colts
4. Cowboys defense at Giants (Thursday)
5. Dolphins defense vs. Titans (Mon.)
6. Texans defense against Jaguars
7. Browns defense at Raiders
8. Titans defense at Dolphins (Mon.)
9. Raiders defense against Browns
10. Chiefs defense at Chargers

Complete the Week 4 Defense Rankings

beginning of the week

Jets defense vs. Broncos (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets defense put up strong stats against the Patriots and should do it for the second straight time against rookie Bo Nix and the Broncos. Their offense has averaged just 17.3 points and 292.7 yards per game and committed six turnovers. The overall score is also a very low 38.5, so don’t expect many points.

Start them

49ers defense vs. Patriots (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): San Francisco’s defense hasn’t been great from a fantasy perspective after three weeks, but a home game against the Patriots makes them a solid option in Week 4. Their offense is averaging just 13 points and 246.3 yards per game and their offensive line has allowed 11 sacks of Jacoby Brissett so far.

Steelers defense at Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Steelers have a top-five fantasy defense after three weeks, and a matchup against high-volume Anthony Richardson and the Colts makes them an even better option. Their offense ranks second in most giveaways, so TJ Watt and his team should be successful in this AFC battle at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Defenses with good matchups

Seat of the week

Ravens defense vs. Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Ravens’ defense wasn’t great in terms of fantasy points, averaging just 5.3 points per game. That trend should continue Sunday night when Baltimore hosts Josh Allen and the Bills. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, as we saw against the Jaguars on Monday night, so the Ravens sit D.

Set them

Seahawks defense at Lions (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+): The Seahawks scored a solid 13 fantasy points last week, but that was due to a great home game against the Dolphins’ backup quarterbacks. Things won’t go nearly as well against the Lions, who have amassed more than 400 yards of total offense at Ford Field this season.

Chargers defense vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): The Chargers’ defense has performed well this season, ranking in the top 10 in fantasy points after three weeks. Still, I would be wary of this unit if Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs come to town. Their offense is averaging 25 points per game and has allowed just four sacks in the first three games.

Defenses with bad matchups