The NFL kicks off Week 4 with the Philadelphia Eagles at the Green Bay Packers on on Thursday Night Football. The Eagles have had a disappointing start at 1-2, while the Packers are off to a 3-0 start on the back of strong defense, particularly in their secondary. Green Bay has held opponents to the second fewest points per game and has the fifth best pass defense by passing yards allowed.
The Eagles, who have been banged up at wide receiver, are getting healthier this week. Alshon Jeffery (calf) has been removed from the injury report after missing last week’s game and is expected to play. Dallas Goedert (calf) has also been removed from the injury report after being limited in last week’s game. While the Eagles get good news in Jeffery returning, DeSean Jackson (abdomen) will remain out.
History tends to favor the home team on Thursday night due to the short week combined with travel, and the Packers are 4-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook in a game that has been given a total points of 49.
Start/sit decisions should primarily be viewed within the context of an individual fantasy roster, but with that said, here is a look at some players that fantasy owners can consider starting or sitting in their season long fantasy football leagues for Thursday Night Football—aside from obvious starts such as Zach Ertz and Davante Adams.
Sit: RB Aaron Jones
While a two touchdown outing last week on three carries inside the 10-yard line served as a strong deodorant, there were red flags with Jones’ playing time as he deals with a shoulder injury. Jones was out-touched and out-snapped by Jamaal Williams, playing on just 39% of the Packers’ offensive snaps, down from 60% in Weeks 1 and 2, and rushing for just 19 yards on 10 carries after getting 23 carries the week before. Head coach Matt LeFleur has also hinted at keeping touches fairly even between Jones and Williams, which sounds problematic for Jones’ fantasy value. Philadelphia has showcased a strong run defense, holding opponents to under three yards per carry while strongly limiting fantasy production to opposing RBs.
Start: QB Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers, a top three pick at QB by ADP, should be an obvious start candidate but is off to a poor fantasy start, ranking outside the top 20 QBs in average fantasy points per game through three weeks. Rodgers is set for a much softer matchup this week against a poor Eagles secondary that ranks as the fourth worst pass defense by passing yards allowed and has allowed a healthy amount of fantasy points to opposing QBs.
Sit: WR Nelson Agholor
Agholor has seen strong target volume the last two weeks with the Eagles banged up at WR, getting 11 and 12 targets over his last two games, respectively. However, Alshon Jeffery is returning to the starting lineup, which makes Agholor a candidate for a drop in volume, and the Eagles’ passing game has a difficult matchup against a strong Packers pass defense. Agholor has also been dealing with drop issues.
Start: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Scantling has played on a heavy 88% of the Packers’ offensive plays the last two weeks after playing on 67% in Week 1 and posted his best fantasy performance of the season last week, catching six of 10 targets for 99 yards and a TD. Scantling, who leads Green Bay’s receivers in average air yards per target, has a good matchup against a poor Eagles pass defense where he can threaten down the field.
Sit: WR Alshon Jeffery
It’s not clear if Jeffery will be limited in his return from a calf injury, but even with a normal snap count, he draws an unappealing matchup against a very tough Packers pass defense, and Jeffery could see heavy coverage from stud CB Jaire Alexander. The fact that Jeffery may not be 100 percent makes the matchup more unappealing.
Start: RB Miles Sanders
The Eagles’ backfield has been splitting snaps between Sanders, Darren Sproles and Jordan Howard, but the rookie Sanders has been the most productive of the three and is coming off his best game of his career, combining for 126 total yards. Sanders is a tick ahead of Howard in red zone carries and carries inside the 10-yard line, and while Green Bay’s pass defense has been outstanding, their run defense has been prone to allowing elevated fantasy points to RBs.
Sit: QB Carson Wentz
As mentioned above, Wentz is getting more weapons back this week, but the matchup against the Packers’ pass defense and pass rush is a tough one. In addition to having one of the best pass defenses in the league, the Packers have also showcased a strong pass rush, ranking third best in sacks. Green Bay is holding opposing QBs to the second lowest QB rating and second fewest fantasy points per game.