Fantasy Football: Week 4 MVP Predictions

September 14, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99, right) tips the football while Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) attempts a throw during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Texans defeated the Raiders 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This is the first week of bye weeks, which will create some difficult start-sit scenarios for your team. I’m going through every matchup this week and predicting the “Fantasy MVP’s” of each game to help make your start-sit decisions a little easier for fantasy football.

If you’re sweating a start-sit decision, you can always ask me on Twitter, @bmatz08.

Week 4: September 24 – September 30

Thursday, Sept. 25
• NY Giants at Washington 8:25 p.m.
Kirk Cousins, QB, WAS:
Last week, Cousins threw for 427 yards and three TDs against the Eagles. Cousins will have another great matchup against the Giants, where he should produce comparable statistics to last week.
Projection: 350 yards, 2 TDs.

Sunday, Sept. 28
• Green Bay at Chicago 1 p.m.
Randall Cobb, WR GB:
Cobb only had three receptions for 29 yards against the Lions last week. Look for Cobb to capitalize on his targets against the Bears.
Projection: 6 receptions for 85 yards, 1 TD.

• Buffalo at Houston 1 p.m.
Texans Defense:
J.J. Watt and the Texans’ pass rush is going to give EJ Manuel fits. They are going to force Manuel to make bad decisions and throw some INTs.
Projection: More than 20 fantasy points.

Sep 21, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Bishop Sankey (20) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Tennessee 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

• Tennessee at Indianapolis 1 p.m.
Bishop Sankey, RB, TEN:
Sankey rushed 10 times for 61 yards against the Bengals last week, which is the most he has been used all season. His number of attempts should increase throughout the year, and he is facing a suspect run defense in Indianapolis.
Projection: 80 yards rushing, 1 TD; 2 receptions for 10 yards.

• Carolina at Baltimore 1 p.m.
Steve Smith, WR, BAL:
Smith has become Joe Flacco‘s favorite target and is going up against his former team in the Carolina Panthers, which is going to give Smith extra initiative to play at his best.
Projection: 5 receptions for 75 yards.

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• Are the Houston Texans’ run defense to blame?

• Detroit at New York Jets 1 p.m.
Matthew Stafford, QB, DET:
Stafford had a down week against the Packers, committing three turnovers (2 INTs, 1 Fumble). The Jets’ defense is poor against the pass, which will allow Stafford to redeem himself.
Projection: 280 yards passing, 2 TDs.

• Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh 1 p.m.
LaGarrette Blount, RB, PITT:
Tampa Bay is ranked 18th in the league against the run, and the Steelers have been mauling teams with the run game. Blount will get around 10-12 touches in this game and some work around the goal line, which will make him an impact in fantasy this week.
Projection: 60 yards rushing, 1 TD.

• Miami at Oakland 1 p.m.
Ryan Tannehill, QB, MIA:
The Dolphins aren’t 100-percent committed to Tannehill as the starter, and there were reports that they were thinking about benching him this week. Tannehill is going to raise his game this week against a horrible Oakland team to keep his job.
Projection: 250 yards passing, 3 TDs.