Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

If you want your lineup question featured in next week’s article, just tweet me (@colbyrconway) with your question! Be sure to include your scoring format (PPR, 0.5 PR, standard) as well.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 4:

QUARTERBACKS

Carson Palmer (vs. LA) or Blake Bortles (vs. IND)

The Case for Palmer: Palmer threw four interceptions last week and he would have received more scrutiny if New York Jets gunslinger Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t complete six passes to Kansas City defenders. It was a brutal game for Palmer, but he should be able to bounce back in this one. The Rams have been league average this season in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, but last season, they had no answer for Palmer. In two contests last season, Palmer averaged 354 yards through the air against the St. Louis defense. He combined for three touchdowns in those two games, compared to just one interception. He’s a low-end QB1 this week.

The Case for Bortles: Bortles struggled last week against an average Baltimore secondary, throwing three interceptions to just two passing touchdowns. He also managed a meager 194 yards after topping 300 in his first two contests. He now gets a matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, a defense that has actually fared alright against opposing quarterbacks. They’ve allowed just three passing touchdowns in as many games this season, so Bortles might have his work cut out for him. However, looking back at last season, Bortles averaged 274 yards and two touchdowns per contest against his division foe. Bortles should be considered a low-end QB1 in Week 4.

The Verdict: Bortles. This is a close one, but I’m going to go with Bortles because Arizona could blow out the Rams, which would take away from Palmer’s stat line.

RUNNING BACKS

Jordan Howard (vs. DET) or Matt Jones (vs. CLE)

The Case for Howard: It’s a shame that Jeremy Langford got injured, but it’s time for Howard to shine. If all goes well, this isn’t going to be an injury-replacement stint for Howard. This is an opportunity for him to take the job and run with it. He averaged five yards per carry last week and he’s going to be the bell cow back this week against Detroit. The Lions are one of three teams that haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season, but Howard will be the guy to break that trend. Sure, Detroit hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown this season, but they are allowing a league-high 5.1 yards per carry. He’s a solid RB2 this week.

The Case for Jones: Washington throws the ball a ton, which hurts Matt Jones, because Chris Thompson gets the majority of the work in the passing attack. However, if Washington can put up points, Jones should see an uptick in carries, because the Redskins will be playing with a lead. If they fall behind, which I don’t anticipate that happening against Cleveland, Jones will be hard-pressed with opportunities. He could push for 20 carries in this one, which should put him in low-end RB2 range.

The Verdict: Howard. It’s going to be a big week for this guy.

Christine Michael (@NYJ) or Charles Sims (vs. DEN)

The Case for Michael: Michael was excellent in last week’s matchup against San Francisco, running for 106 yards and two scores on 20 carries. This week, he faces a Jets defense that boasts a third-best 3.3 yards per carry mark through three contests. However, if Russell Wilson is limited in any way, expect Michael to see even more carries this week. Even if it’s a stiff matchup, I would consider 18-20 carries as his floor in this one. You can safely slot Michael in as a RB2 this week.

The Case for Sims: Yes, Sims is facing Denver, but in this instance, don’t ride off Sims quite yet. Denver is allowing the twelfth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs so far this season, including a 4.7 yards per carry mark that ranks among the ten highest in the NFL. Even if Tampa Bay were to fall behind, Sims is the team’s best catching back, so regardless of score and game flow, Sims is going to be on the field. He caught six passes last week and that is a number he could match again this week, given Denver’s exceptional corners. Despite facing Denver, Sims is still an RB2.

The Verdict: Michael. Keep in mind that this one is going to be closer than what you think.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Sterling Shepard (@MIN) or Jamison Crowder (vs. CLE)

The Case for Shepard: Shepard scored his second touchdown of the season last week to go along with five receptions for 73 yards. This is a very tough matchup, because whether you want to believe it or not, this Minnesota defense is one of the best in all of football. Through three games, they are the top defense in fantasy and have forced at least three turnovers in each game. They held Carolina to 10 points and Green Bay to 14, a true testament to just how good this unit is. It’s going to be tough-sledding for the New York offense, Shepard included. He’s still worthy of flex consideration, but expectations need to be tempered.

The Case for Crowder: Believe it or not, it’s Jamison Crowder who is tied with tight end Jordan Reed for the team-high in targets. Quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn’t particularly focused on anyone quite yet, seeing as Reed, Crowder, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon all have over 20 targets. Crowder has a plus-matchup against a Cleveland Browns defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to wide receivers. Crowder also won’t have to worry about Cleveland corner Joe Haden, because he either won’t play, or will cover Jackson or Garcon. Crowder has yet to see less than seven targets in a game, which makes him a quality flex play.

The Verdict: Crowder. His matchup is better than Shepard’s.

Amari Cooper (@BAL) or Jeremy Maclin (@PIT)

The Case for Cooper: Cooper has seen his receptions and yardage drop in each game this season, but there is some optimism in this upcoming contest with the Baltimore Ravens. He will likely be covered by Jimmy Smith in this one, and Smith has been struggling of late. That clearly bodes well for Oakland’s top wide receiver. Cooper has the most targets on his team and quarterback Derek Carr is likely going to feed Cooper in this one. Last season against Baltimore, Cooper caught seven passes on 11 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown. This could be the game for Cooper that fantasy owners everywhere have been desperately awaiting. He’s a WR2 this week.

The Case for Maclin: Other than a touchdown reception in the first week of the season, Maclin has been pretty underwhelming thus far. However, a matchup against a soft Pittsburgh secondary could be his launching point for the rest of the 2016 season. Pittsburgh will likely put up some points, which will force Kansas City to have to try to keep up. If they want to do that, quarterback Alex Smith is going to have to get things going through the air. Tight end Travis Kelce has played well this season, but now it’s time for Maclin to be the game changer that he is.

The Verdict: Cooper. He’s due for a monster game.

TIGHT ENDS

Hunter Henry (vs. NO) or Zach Miller (vs. DET)

The Case for Henry: Henry had a promising outing last week, catching five passes for 72 yards in lieu of Antonio Gates, but it’s going to defined by his late fumble that ultimately gave Indy the win. Gates still isn’t practicing and it seems unlikely that he will suit for the contest with the New Orleans Saints. Well, that news would be great for Henry’s fantasy value and his owners. The Saints have done pretty well against opposing tight ends this season, but they have yet to feature a passing attack who is notorious for trying to get the ball to its tight end.

The Case for Miller: It was tight end Zach Miller who led the Bears with eight receptions and two touchdowns last week against the Cowboys. Brian Hoyer looked to him often in this contest and that should happen against a Detroit Lions defense that has struggled with tight ends this season. The Lions have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends this season and Miller should be the next tight end to rack up some points. Detroit has already allowed five touchdowns to tight ends on just 19 receptions! Miller is a low-end TE1 this week.

The Verdict: Miller. I’m all about Miller this weekend.