It seems the Falcons may have gotten the running game going again against the Niners. That’s good news for owners of Michael Turner.

I like Jay Cutler all year with the Bears. The Bears D should be just bad enough to keep him throwing a lot of passes.

Is anyone really worth owning in St. Louis outside of Steven Jackson? Maybe the kicker Josh Brown. Maybe.

I’d get Michael Crabtree now if you have an open waiver spot. He might not do much in the Niners offense, but he’s worth a flyer.

Seattle’s offense came back alive with Matt Hasselbeck’s return. It should stay that way if he stays healthy.

The Lions keep improving, but they need their key players to stay healthy. Without Calvin Johnson, that offense isn’t scaring anyone.

The Vikings should put up some points against the Ravens. That defense isn’t what it used to be.

The Packers should rebound nicely on offense this weekend against Detroit.

Tampa Bay is an offensive wasteland. I’m not sure Kellen Winslow is even worth starting unless he can build off of last week.

I like the Giants D to prevail against the Saints, but Drew Brees will still score some points.

Carolina’s offense still scares me fantasy wise. They might be inconsistent all year.

Arizona’s top receivers should be automatic starts every week. Don’t question any matchup.

Miles Austin should stay effective once Roy Williams returns. He’s explosive.

Get Jeremy Maclin now if you can.

Brandon Jacobs should eventually bounce back. There’s room for two effective backs in the Giants’ offense.

Rashard Mendenhall finally showed some signs of life in Pittsburgh. I have a hunch that he may not be giving back the job to Willie Parker anytime soon.

San Diego’s defensive struggles should help their offensive numbers. The Chargers play better when they’re throwing the ball and spreading the field.

Derek Anderson has the job in Cleveland. Grab him on waivers if you’re desperate. Really desperate.

It seems running back Bernard Scott might start to see an increased role in Cincinnati’s offense. Grab him if you need running back depth.

Is Brandon Marshall back? That catch-and-run yesterday looked like it.

Tennessee’s defense continues to struggle. Don’t be afraid of that unit anymore for fantasy purposes.

Jacksonville’s Mike Sims-Walker might be available in a few leagues. Grab him for receiver depth.

Oakland still stinks. There’s not much to like (or hope for) anywhere on that team.

As I expected, I thought Miami’s offense would get a little energy from having Chad Henne at quarterback. He’s got a better arm so the passing game could improve a bit.

Wes Welker is back for the Patriots. He should be an automatic start every week if he’s healthy.

The Ravens’ offense performed well against the Patriots. Especially Joe Flacco, who is becoming a consistent fantasy performer.

Peyton Manning has topped 300 yards for four straight games. He might do even better once Anthony Gonzalez returns.

The Chiefs came to life late. Tight end Sean Ryan had a decent day and might be available on the waiver wire.

There’s not much to like about the Bills’ offense. It’s going to get worse when the weather deteriorates.

Mark Sanchez fell back to Earth. He’s not worth starting outside of bye weeks.

Steve Slaton is alive in Houston. He’s a much better player in PPR leagues than others. He might be worth trading if you need help in other areas.

It’s Friday, and we are one day away from another Fantasy CPR Live on The Fantasy Sports Channel. This Week we are joined by Ben Standig of FFToolbox. Ben and I will break down this week’s action with a fantasy perspective.

Also on the agenda will be the running back situation in week four. A lot of solid running backs will not see action this week, and we will keep you updated on the current state at running back, including guys who are duds, studs turned into duds, and the hot names on the waiver wire.

Get your questions, concerns and opinions in by calling (347)426-3793 or visit us in the Fantasy Sports Channel chat room.  Start your fantasy football weekend right with Fantasy CPR Live from 12-1 PM ET on The Fantasy Sports Channel.

This is make or break. Championship or Toilet Bowl. For some Fantasy Football owners, this is their first chance to rebound from a horrible start. For others, this is the week where the downfall begins. Week four of the Fantasy and NFL season is the start of bye weeks, big time injuries, waiver wire masters, draft day blunders and most importantly the calming of the storm. Most owners are going to start relaxing at this point. Those who are 3-0, Owners who seem to never catch a break, Fantasy Football fanatics with 30 teams will forget to check 15 of them.

Week Four is here, and you cannot afford a bye work. Now is the time to capitalize on the mistakes of weeks past. Now is the time to take it to another level. Set your lineups, scour the waiver wire and keep your eyes on the injury report all the way up to Sunday morning. Until then, here is some news, notes and waiver wire pickups to watch heading into week four.

News and Notes:

Eric Mangini and the Cleveland Browns have been anything but exciting to start the 2009 season. Brady Quinn hasn’t performed fantasy and football wise. Then again, neither has Derek Anderson. The former backup was inserted at halftime against the Baltimore Ravens and threw three interceptions.

According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, Derek Anderson has now been named the starter. This just adds to the nastiness that is the Cleveland Browns. From a fantasy perspective, Anderson is now running the worst offense in the league. And it is not like that defense is any better.  They rank 29th in the league.  For this week I stay away from Anderson, but this is the time of the year where a change in the lineup could mean a change in success or lack thereof.  Keep an eye on Derek.

Speaking of quarterbacks who need to be removed from the fantasy universe, Jake Delholmme is still the starter in Carolina… For now. To begin the year, I thought that Jake the snake would be a solid backup option for fantasy owners. Now, I wouldn’t touch that thang with a ten foot pull. Delhomme has tossed seven picks and has been caused to fumble twice already this season. Beyond the turnovers, he hasn’t even been valuable. he has averaged 200 yards passing per game with just two touchdowns. Coach John Fox says his job is secure, so at this point you can shutdown any fantasy value at the signal caller position when it comes to North Carolina.

The running back position in week four is an utter mess. Kevin Smith is a game time decision for Detroit according to head coach Jim Schwartz. Frank Gore and Felix Jone are out. LaDainian Tomlinson is walking without a limp, but is still a game time decision. Knowshon Moreno is going to still split carries as he weens into the offense and Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells  is still trying to learn the offense as we roll into week four. Throw onto the mix that Matt Forte can’t run the ball effectively, Derek Ward’s status is uncertain, Marion Barber has a sore quad, and Dick Jauron is going to split carries between his top two running backs. Sick of hearing about injured backs? Throw Willie Parker and Jamal Lewis into the mix. Both didn’t practice on Wednesday. Later we will break down some waiver wire pickups at the position, but without a doubt, this is the most ravaged position in week four.

At the wide receiver position, Wes Welker did practice today, but we have been down that road the last few weeks. He will be questionable and a game time decision yet again. Thanks to the Bill Belichik injury system, Fantasy owners will be yelling, cussing and curious all the way up to game time. Dwayne Bowe could practice later this week and improvement in the hamstring is possible, but I don’t see him going against the Giants.  Even if he does the Giants defense is going to make it nearly impossible for the Chiefs offense to have a good day. Donnie Avery in St. Louis is healthy, and is a good play with Kyle Boller under center. Meanwhile Antonio Bryant made his debut last week for the Bucs, but with Josh Johnson starting, the offense will be run first, including at the quarterback position.  One play that I really like this week is Braylon Edwards with Derek Anderson taking over the reigns. Anderson is comfortable with the deep ball, and Edwards will be the receiver to benefit from it.

Waiver Wire Pickups:

There is no doubt that with bye weeks here for Atlanta, Carolina, Arizona and Philadelphia, that the running back position this week is going to be key. Three of these four teams own a top tier running back, and that is a void you are going to want to fill. Fortunately this week is the week to do that.

With Frank Gore on the sidelines, Former Alabama running back Glen Coffee will be that brute force in the middle of that offense. He isn’t as shifty or fast as Gore, but he is bigger and I believe he will have some success on game day. Coffee impressed in the preseason, but filling in during week three he was not so hot. Keep in mind though that his next opponent is the St. Louis Rams and in week three against the Vikings, he carried the ball 25 times. I’ll take my chances with this kid having a big game on Sunday.

Another running back this week to watch is on the other side of the bay in Raiders pounder Michael Bush who will be going against that god awful rush defense of the Houston Texans. Bush might only see ten touches, but with a defense on the other side that is giving up 250 rushing yards, I’ll take the 10 carries.  Now that the Lions have a win under the belt, and everything is normal in Detroit, Kevin Smith could be out a significant amount of plays, so Maurice Morris is a solid add this bye week.

Even though Detroit has a W in the win column, doesn’t mean that jokes against them are not allowed! With the Bears taking on the Kitties this week, you have to love the Bears Receiving Corps. Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox are both solid options with many top notch receivers on bye. Jay Cutler is finally connecting with his weapons and we saw what Santana “Show up against the Lions” Moss did against that secondary.

Other solid adds at the receiver include Pierre Garcon, Steve Smith, and Mike Sims-Walker, and Andre Caldwell.  Garcon continues to do his groove thing with Peyton Manning, Caldwell has fourteen catches already this year and is quickly becoming the secondary target in Bengal Country, Mike Sims-Walker has 187 yards receiving in the past two weeks, with a struggling Titans secondary this weekend, and a beat up Seattle secondary in week five. Steve Smith, he is just amazing. For some reason he is only owned in 70% of leagues. Against the Chiefs, he is an instant much start for week four.

When it comes to signal callers, Fantasy owners will be missing McNabb, Matt Ryan, Kurt Warner and the cussing, arrests, murders and fantasy losses Jake Delhomme has caused so far this year. One solid option this week you would think could be Derek Anderson. Against Cincinnati he might be a good play, considering they are nineteen in pass defense. My favorites though this week are Kerry Collins, Josh Johnson and David Garrard. Collins will face one of the worst defenses in the NFL,  Johnson has a Vick like capability to rush and throw. Against that Redskins defense that allowed Kevin Smith more than 100 yards in his limited touches is vulnerable to the big run play from the signal caller.

Synopsis:

This is the first week of the real challenge in all fantasy leagues. Do you have enough guts to start Josh Johnson or Johnny Knox? Are you going to spill the Glenn Coffee on your opponent and burn him like a fat cop’s leg at the local Dunkin’ Doughnuts? It’s time to wake up and realize that some of the stars can’t come out to play. So what if Mike Sims-Walker isn’t the next Jimmy Smith. Maybe Isaac Bruce and Bobby Wade have a few more solid games left in the tank. Don’t be afraid to go with your gut, and what the fantasy gods are telling you. Unless they keep whispering to play Michael Crabtree against the St. Louis Rams. Then you are in some big trouble my friend.

(For more fantasy insight on this week’s action make sure you catch Fantasy CPR Live on the Fantasy Sports Channel Saturday at 12 PM ET as Ben Standig of FFToolbox will join us to talk fantasy action. All weekend long the guys on the FSC will  keep you on your toes before week four.)

Willie Parker and the Steeler running game may have found some life even though the team lost.

Andre Caldwell might be worth a waiver-wire look for Cincy. Chris Henry seems to be struggling with an injury.

Perhaps Braylon Edwards can resurrect things with Derek Anderson, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

The Ravens keep producing plenty of points. Keep an eye on receiver Kelley Washington.

The Patriots need Wes Welker back to energize their offense. And Tom Brady seems to be struggling on deep balls.

Oakland made a mistake when it got rid of Jeff Garcia. I think the offense would be better with his presence.

The Chiefs could have a waiver wire receiver worth picking up, since they could be behind a lot late in games. I’m just not sure who it is.

Kevin Walter is a legitimate fantasy starter now that he returned for Houston.

The Bills need to get the ball to T.O. He will enliven the offense or destroy it if he doesn’t get his touches.

Mark Sanchez will have an off day at some point. Won’t he?

Miami actually might be better with Chad Henne under center. Expect more mistakes, but he might throw deeper passes that can stretch the field.

I like Pierre Garcon as a receiver pickup until Anthony Gozalez returns for Indianapolis.

Don’t give up on the Titans or their offense just yet. Playing Pittsburgh and the Jets on the road would hurt any offense.

I don’t expect Denver’s mojo to continue. Trade Correll Buckhalter if you have him and stay away if you don’t. Playing Cleveland and Oakland would inflate anyone’s stats.

The ESPN tag team takes a look at closers.

Jason Grey takes a look at Rockies third baseman Ian Stewart.

Michael Salfino takes a look at players who have been blessed or cursed by luck this season.

It seems that the St. Louis offense could be in trouble. Although, Laurent Robinson might be worth a waiver wire flyer in a PPR league. Just don’t expect many touchdowns.

Green Bay’s offensive line has some problems. It’s going to hurt the Packers fantasy production in some form.

It looks as if Mario Manningham is emerging as a go-to receiver for the Giants. Grab him if you can.

Another year, another Marion Barber injury. Hopefully, you were wise enough to handcuff him with Felix Jones.

Cadillac Williams had another solid week for Tampa Bay, but did it with receptions this past week. He’s probably worth a waiver wire request as well.

The Bears are still trying to find their No. 1 receiver. It was Johnny Knox”ville” last week.

The Vikings keep rolling thanks to Adrian Peterson. Defenses should force Favre to beat them. Put 11 in the box if need be.

Frank Gore is off to a huge start. At some point, Shaun Hill will have to perform though for the 49ers to keep rolling.

The Redskins were dreadful in the red zone last week. And Clinton Portis is off to a slow start.

Kevin Kolb kept the Eagles offense in motion, but he’s no Donovan McNabb. Expect him back for Week 4.

I’m beginning to wonder if Drew Brees will be held without a TD at all this year. He’s paying dividends to  all those who went against fantasy logic and drafted a quarterback early on.

Another solid game for Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons offense is for real.

The Panthers offense isn’t dead yet. But I wouldn’t be all that optimistic either.

Expect the Seahawks to run a lot with Seneca Wallace playing in place of Matt Hasselbeck.