Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 4: 49ers - Eagles

I love having fantasy players in games like what we have on paper for Sunday. Two struggling defenses and two quality offenses are a recipe for high scores. There are a few guys who I think should ride the pine in your fantasy lineups this week, but it's a plus match-up for everyone except the defenses.

Must Starts

Colin Kaepernick

Outside of his week 2 performance, this looks like the Kaepernick owners were hoping for in 2013. He was clean last week and his attempts have steadily increased. Kaep is must start material on a heavy bye week. On paper, this is a game where Kaepernick should shine, especially if Vernon Davis is available.

Michael Crabtree

If you drafted Crabtree he has put plenty of smiles on your face the past two weeks. He gets another favorable match-up against a soft Philadelphia secondary. It's hard to imagine a scenario where Crabs doesn't play a significant role in the 49er attack. Philly has given up the second most points to receivers and the 49ers aren't far behind. Keep rolling with Crabs.

Nick Foles

The Eagles QB has one of the hottest hands in the game right now. The only thing you don't like about his match-up is that he is on the road. The 49er defense has been mighty kind to opposing quarterbacks so far and Philly's up-tempo attack might give the Niners fits all day.

Jeremy Maclin

If Philadelphia's offensive line was healthier I'd be higher on Maclin this week, but I still think he has potential to finish in the top 7-10 at his position. He has no less than 10 targets in any game and a TD each week. If the Eagles can't get their run game going he is going to have plenty of opportunities to make us 49er fans scream at the television on Sunday. Maclin is actually one of my FanDuel picks for this week. You can read more about that here.

Quality Starts

Frank Gore

Gore fans, I feel your pain. Last week was a nightmare wrapped in fever dream. Fear not, he could/should be a much bigger factor this week. An angry Gore is the best Gore for fantasy owners. If Mychal Kendricks' calf keeps him out then the Eagles are really going to struggle to stop the run...should the 49ers consider that an option this week.

Anquan Boldin

He caught all 6 of his targets last week, but the yardage wasn't there. If Vernon doesn't play you like his chances more, but "Q" is a WR3 with upside given the match-up.

Vernon Davis

If he is close to 100% then you love his chances to demolish a defense that has given up points to speedsters and they are down one of their best linebackers. Monitor his progress and if he goes he is one of the better tight end plays this week.

LeSean McCoy

McCoy drafters have to be wondering when the old Shady will return. The top pick in many drafts hasn't cleared 80 yards rushing in his first 3 games. Even more frustrating is that Darren Sproles has a significant role in this offense. It's not a pretty match-up for McCoy, but he'll get his touches.

Darren Sproles

Sproles cooled off last week after starting the year with a bang. He might find it hard to get back on track this week against San Francisco's linebackers patrolling the perimeter. Sproles creeps down to a low end RB2 high FLEX in points per reception leagues.

Avoid

Riley Cooper

Almost 50% of fantasy players are still hanging with Mr. Cooper. This number is way too high. The Eagles have boasted one of the best offenses in the league and Cooper has yet to go over the 50 yard receiving mark. The emergence of Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles has left him as the odd man out. It's a favorable scenario, but he might be as low as the fifth receiving option at this point.

Zach Ertz

"Zertz" had a slow week 3 and the concern is that Foles will focus on attacking the San Francisco corner backs rather than their linebackers. Ertz will have better chances down the line, but Patrick Wills and company have done a good job at limiting tight ends this year. Zach is still a good play in deeper PPR leagues given the lack of depth at the position.

Sleepers

Stevie Johnson

Vernon Davis' loss was Johnson's gain against the Cardinals. However, it's difficult to be confident about his chances if Davis returns this week. He should still see a few targets, but we could be seeing a lot more of the run. If your league starts 4 wide receivers: 1. Johnson is a good dice roll 2. Why so many damn receivers?

Jordan Matthews

If you have been targeting slot receivers against the 49ers over the last few weeks you have not been disappointed. Matthews is your slot receiver of note this week and he just dropped 2 TDs on Washington. Maybe the extra attention will hurt Matthew's chances, but if you are fishing for a WR3/4 with upside you could do much worse.

Good luck out there fantasy friends. Go Niners!

Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is hosting a $250,000 Fantasy Football Contest for Week 2's NFL games. It's only $10 to join and first place wins $25,000. Starts Sunday, September 14th at 1pm ET. Here's the link.