“Start, Sit & Seth” is the original column of In-Between Media, bridging feel-good lifestyle advice with redraft fantasy football analysis. Consistently following Seth Woolcock’s journey as a young creator, this series is now in its sixth season. Join him in this edition as he dives into the legacy & impact of Taylor Swift + his Week 4 start/sit decisions.
The Kansas City Chiefs are amid the next potential dynasty run in the NFL. The Red and Yellow boast a two-time NFL and Super Bowl MVP quarterback who’s only 28 years old, a hall-of-fame coach and perhaps the greatest tight end to ever play the game.
However, neither Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, nor Travis Kelce were the biggest stars at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24.
No, that would be 12-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
Fresh off her groundbreaking Eras Tour – could it really be her? And is she actually here to watch Kelce? The answers were evident, and the internet exploded.
I get that when the biggest pop star does anything, there will be headlines. But this took on a whole other level. And how could it not with the way they drove off in the sunset in a drop-top, reminiscent of a scene out of a movie?
It’s fun and just a feel-good story. So much so that 24.3 million viewers tuned into the Bears vs. Chiefs game, making it the most-watched matchup of the week.
Although some of those viewers were probably loyal Swifties and maybe first-time viewers of the NFL – make no mistake – many fans of Swift have been watching football the whole damn time.
Miss Americana & the Unlikely Swifties
Kevin Murray, 45, is a licensed and board-certified chiropractic physician and the creator of Fantasy Football Unlimited. However, as detailed in a 2021 column, Kevin is perhaps best known for his being named the 2017 Fantasy Football Commissioner of the Year by ESPN and Pizza Hut for his work as the commissioner of The Murray Fantasy Football League.
It was over some drinks while lakefront at Jose’s Landing to conclude this year’s edition of The Fantasy Football Expo where I first learned that Kevin – like myself and other members of the In-Between Media (IBT) team – is a fan of Taylor Swift.
This was notable to me since I hadn’t ever had a conversation with another dude in the fantasy football industry who also openly enjoyed jamming to some TSwift.
Frankly, I don’t know if I had ever had a conversation with another dude in general about it. Not that I was embarrassed or hiding it, but it wasn’t something I was openly advertising.
A New Soundtrack? We Could Dance to That Birthday Beat
For Kevin, he had been aware of her from the beginning – specifically after Kanye West’s stunt at the 2009 MTV VMAs. But being a fan of all music, he didn’t pay it much attention at first.
That was until 2014, when Taylor’s “1989” album came out on his daughter’s second birthday.
“I’d play music to her, right?” Kevin said in a Sept. 26 interview. “All the fun kids’ stuff and I’d introduce certain music that I thought was fun. So that [‘1989’] burst onto the scene and all those great songs. I’d hear them here and there, and I’d play some of them to her. It just kind of became a thing that some of the first songs she learned were Taylor Swift songs.”
Like a lot of the best dads, Kevin incorporated music throughout his daughter’s life from the beginning. As she grew, so did the discography.
“Every birthday, she had a playlist,” Kevin said. “Going to school, we’d have a playlist and update it every year. It always had a lot of Taylor Swift songs.”
Though it was an interest that began between him and his daughter, eventually, Kevin also began to enjoy the music himself.
“At the office, we have music going on. There’d be songs, and I’d be like, ‘Dang, this is a good song,’ and inside a joke, I’d be like, ‘I bet this a Taylor Swift song.’ Turns out, I’d hear these new songs, they’d be catchy, and, of course, it’d be Taylor Swift. It just kinda grew from there.”
She’ll Always Be Timeless
As life continued to change for the Murray family over the next nine years after “1989,” so did things for Taylor. Her life, shared very publicly through her music, shifted completely from that of a small-town Pennsylvania country singer to an international pop star. But even though she’s been in the spotlight since she was a teenager, she seems to have always handled things the right way while also never losing the one thing that makes her music so special: her storytelling. It’s the type of talent that, as a writer, I have no choice but to admire. One song takes you back in time hundreds of years, and the next, you’re in a specific, defying moment in her life.
“The reason why I think her music is so great is because, to me, it’s the widest variety of music someone’s ever done,” Kevin said. “From country to pop to her folky stuff; there’s just such a wide range that she’s done that it’s just respecting the talent. So that’s been fun to share with my daughter.”
That range and talent were put on full display on Taylor’s Eras Tour this summer, and the Murray Family was, no doubt, ready to rock and roll for it when the show stopped in Seattle.
“It was the spectacle of all spectacles,” Kevin said. “I’ve been to the Super Bowl – granted, my Seahawks lost – but my whole life, I’ve been obsessed with football and the NFL. The pinnacle of everything is the Super Bowl, and that was an amazing event. But the Eras Tour topped that. The coolest thing was just how much love and connectivity there was. If the whole world was made up of that energy in that environment, it’d be a much better place.”
Own What You Love
Whatever happens with Taylor and Travis – whether this story has a happy ending or just another song about it – I’m here for it. Seeing two people who are as true to themselves and their craft as they are come together deserves applause.
It’s extended an olive branch for me to share my appreciation for the best musician of our generation. And hearing Kevin’s story has made me a lot more comfortable being unapologetic about the things I really fuck with.
“I just don’t have a lot of shame when it comes to my personality and whatnot,” Kevin said. “I think it’s funny to say because you know you’ll get a reaction. So I’m always talking to my friends about it, just having fun with it. Just knowing they’re going to bust my balls.”
So whether you too are a “Swiftie” and fantasy football junkie like Kevin and I or have other guilty pleasures, just own them. It’s way more fun when you do.
Alright, and here we go.
The following Week 4 start/sit selections are based on stats, trends and film research, reflecting value in Points Per Reception (PPR) Redraft Leagues.
Quarterback I’d Start in Week 4:
Daniel Jones (New York Giants): Look, it’s been all meat and no bun for Daniel Jones‘ fantasy managers this season. He didn’t top 4.5 fantasy points in Week 1 or Week 3, but he dropped a 30-burger against the Cardinals in Week 3.
What the Cowboys and 49ers have that the Cardinals and this week’s opponent, Seattle, don’t is a pass rush. The former Duke Blue Devil has been running for life this season, and not for yards, but to avoid sacks. He shouldn’t have to worry about this week, as the Seahawks rank in the bottom nine in sacks with just five through two weeks. In addition, both starting left tackle Andrew Thomas and left guard Ben Bredeson should return this week to help strengthen the Giants line.
Standout Seattle CB Riq Woolen might return this week, but the Seahawks have still allowed the second-most completions and yards to opposing QBs this season. In his season debut in Seattle, Andy Dalton threw for 361 yards and two TDs against this team last week. Therefore, Jones should have high-end QB1 upside in this matchup.
Quarterback I’d Sit in Week 4:
Dak Prescott (Dallas): I don’t know who needs to hear it, but it’s time to drop Dak Prescott. The Cowboys’ triggerman is QB19 on the season after a pedestrian performance in Arizona last week. In his first negative game script of the season, Prescott threw for just 249 yards, along with one TD and an interception.
If that was all he could do in a plus-matchup against the Cardinals, the prospects aren’t great for improvement against the Patriots. Bill Belichick’s defense has allowed an average of just 192 passing yards per game and two passing TDs on the season, good for the fourth-least amount of fantasy points to QBs. With a matchup looming against the 49ers next week and a bye in Week 7, it’s time to cut bait with Prescott.
Running Back I’d Start in Week 4:
Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh): We didn’t quite hit our double-digit PPR threshold with him last week, but we’re going back to the well with Jaylen Warren. The former Undrafted Free Agent (UDFA) saw a season-high eight carries last week against the Raiders and is fifth among RBs in targets (16) this season.
Despite being slightly out-touched (41-33) by Najee Harris, Warren has totaled more yards (156-141) and has looked like the more explosive player. Will this be the changing-of-the-guard game? Probably not considering Mike Tomlin’s stubbornness.
However, it is an ideal matchup against the Texans. Houston was the best matchup for opposing running backs last season, and the streak continues this year. They’ve allowed the fourth-most PPR points to the position, courtesy of five rushing scores. Give Warren a look during your Week 4 start/sit decisions.
Running Back I’d Sit in Week 4:
Brian Robinson (Washington): I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it appears that Brian Robinson‘s fantasy production is directly tied to Wahsington’s game script. He averaged 20 touches in the first two weeks of the season in games Washington won. But last week, in a game the Commanders were blown out 37-3 by the Buffalo Bills, that number was cut in half.
It could be another smackdown as the Commanders head to the City of Brotherly Love this weekend. The Eagles are once again 3-0 and have averaged 28 points per game. Washington will again be playing catchup with a young QB and middle-of-the-road defense. You should have better Week 4 start/sit considerations than Robinson facing the team that’s limited RBs to the fifth-least PPR points this season.
Receiver I’d Start in Week 4:
Tutu Atwell (Los Angeles Rams): While Puka Nacua has garnered all the headlines with his record-breaking performances early this season, third-year WR Tutu Atwell has also been doing damage. Atwell currently ranks 15th in the NFL in receiving yards with 276. Three straight performances of 15+ PPR points have propelled him to WR14 on the young season.
Averaging 8.7 targets per game, Atwell should be in your Week 4 start/sit considerations, facing a Colts defense that’s allowing the seventh-most PPR points to opposing receivers. With Anthony Richardson back for the Colts, he should set the pace and force the Rams to keep up. With the Rams averaging just 84 rushing yards per game (seventh-least), Matthew Stafford and the boys will again be relied on here in Indianapolis.
Receiver I’d Sit in Week 4:
Kendrick Bourne (New England): After a big Week 1, Kendrick Bourne has regressed to the average receiver he’s been for most of his career. What kept him a viable option was the average 10 targets he saw through two weeks. However, that number dropped to just five last week. Though he tied TE Hunter Henry for the lead in targets, his snap share has massively regressed as DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster continue to get healthy. Bourne’s 91% snap share from Week 1 dropped to 56% last week, third among WRs to Parker’s 76% and Smith-Schuster’s 74%.
Starting a part-time player for the Patriots has disaster written all over it. That’s especially true this week in what could be a slogfest against Dallas, a team still allowing the second-least PPR points to opposing WRs.
If you have a feel-good story that you would like to share for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming edition of “Start, Sit & Seth,” please reach out.
And for more fantasy football and uplifting content, especially start/sit advice, you can find me on Twitter @Between_SethFF.
*Photo Credit: Denny Medley – USA TODAY Sports*