The fantasy football Week 4 schedule is here and some start or sit options for the Redskins and Giants on Thursday include DeSean Jackson, Alfred Morris, Niles Paul, Larry Donnell, Rueben Randle, Kirk Cousins, Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, Andre Williams and Roy Helu, as some of those names could have a major impact in the matchup between NFC East teams and could give owners the early edge they need to win.
Thursday games are tough for fantasy owners since they have to decide early who to play and who to sit and sometimes the performance isn't worth it. If Alfred Morris or Eli Manning has a bad game, fantasy owners then have to start from a hole heading into the weekend, but obviously the reverse is also true and therein lies the strategy part of things.
DeSean Jackson is the main player to watch, as he is coming in with a shoulder injury. All signs point to him being active and as long as he is, he is a START option for fantasy owners. The Giants have some strong options coming in and this comes after the team finally clicked on offense last weekend against the Texans. The Giants did not look good in the preseason or in their first two games of the season, but the Ben McAdoo offense looked consistent and in rhythm last week.
The Redskins have been solid against the pass this season so far, but last weekend the Eagles they were torched and now Eli Manning and the receivers could be poised for a big day. Rueben Randle and Victor Cruz are the best WR options, while Larry Donnell may be the best receiver option overall for the Giants. Donnell has been a pleasant surprise for the team and Cruz comes in after having his best game of the season and scoring a TD as well. Rashad Jennings is a strong start option and this comes after he had a career high 176 yards last week and the Giants should continue rushing.
Alfred Morris come in a bit banged up, but if he starts, fantasy owners should do the same since he has a solid track record in Thursday night matchups. Morris has rushed for over 250 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday games and while he is coming off of a so-so performance, he is a start option as long as he is playing. Morris practiced without limitations all week and that could cut into Roy Helu and his touches and despite playing well last week, Helu should be a sit option.
Niles Paul and Donnell are the top sleeper start options for this game and both have played well at the TE position. Paul has come in strong for Jordan Reed, while Donnell has stepped up as the starting TE and has been very solid for Eli Manning. Donnell comes in after catching six balls for 45 yards in the game on Sunday and he also had a TD in the season opener that was impressive. Paul is a strong start option, as he has 18 catches for 253 yards in three games and there is a chance that he could continue starting even when Reed returns.
Gut options:
--Start: Eli Manning, Kirk Cousins, Niles Paul, Larry Donnell, Jennings, Cruz, Jackson only if healthy
--Sit: Roy Helu, Logan Paulsen, Pierre Garcon gut feeling, Andre Williams, Rueben Randle