Don't Start These 8 Players in Week 4

New York Jets Running Backs

This one is pretty simple math as well, but "It Makes Me Ill" to think about running against the Detroit Lions' front seven. Seriously, being tackled by Ndamukong Suh is something I never want to experience. That's the mental imagery that Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson have to face leading up to Sunday's tilt. Detroit currently ranks as our second-best defensive unit in Adjusted Defensive Rushing NEP, and they figure to keep up a stout barricade against the Jets. The way to attack Detroit is to throw into their lackluster secondary, so I expect the Jets' gameplan to also avoid the run as much as possible and go out wide.

Ivory has been a legitimate top-ten player both by fantasy scoring and by Total NEP, but with a passing emphasis this week he may see less field time. He has caught all five of his targets this year, and ranks 11th among running backs in Target NEP, but with such a small sample size thus far it's hard to tell if this is an improved skill or not. The more likely bet is that Chris Johnson, who has been ineffective as a runner (outside the top 40 in Rushing NEP) but has a good reputation as a receiver, will see some pass-catching opportunities come his way. Yet, with a Target NEP of -8.72, his team has lost value every time the ball has gone in the air his way.

I expect the Jets to play by reputation and not by the numbers, so Johnson should see the most work, negating Ivory's value. Johnson should struggle on his own and against the Lions, and neither of these two should be in your Week 4 lineups.