NFL Week 4 Predictions: 12 Quarterbacks Set to Go off This Week

Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts hasn't looked like himself this season. 

Deep throws No. 12 normally completes are either sailing or underthrown. Poor pass protection has led to poor decision-making and erratic throws.

But fear not, Colts fans, because the Jacksonville Jaguars come to town this Sunday—a bit of well-timed fortune for a team seemingly in disarray. Luck won't have many better opportunities this season to show he's still the dominant, electric quarterback the league knows him as.

Matchups are everything in the NFL and are an important factor in deciding which quarterbacks land on this list. Formerly stout defenses such as the Chicago Bears' and Baltimore Ravens' are mere shells of their former selves, providing favorable matchups for opposing QBs on a regular basis.

Two points of criteria to consider before looking at this group of passers poised for a big Week 4:

1. Whom are they playing? As mentioned above, matchups must be taken into consideration when selecting quarterbacks who will have a successful Week 4.

2. What has each of these players done in recent weeks? While not every quarterback on this list will have positives from previous weeks (Michael Vick), it's still important to ask, "What has he done lately?" 

Note that this is not a ranked list—everyone on it deserves a spot for one or both of the above reasons. 

Let's do this. 

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

No, it isn't time for Andrew Luck fans to panic, fantasy football owners or otherwise.

Consider that the Colts play in arguably the worst division in football, the AFC South. 

Also consider that the Jaguars, this week's opponent, have given up 848 passing yards through three weeks to Cam Newton, Ryan Tannehill and Tom Brady. Jacksonville's defense has surrendered five passing touchdowns and forced only a single interception. 

In his six career games against the Jaguars, Luck has thrown for 1,702 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions with a quarterback rating of 98.6. Assuming the Indianapolis signal-caller plays Sunday, there's no reason that type of success shouldn't continue in Week 4. 

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are liking what they see from Cam Newton so far in 2015. 

Against the New Orleans Saints last week, Newton scored three combined touchdowns and threw zero picks. On the season, Newton has 685 passing yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Granted, Newton has seen some awful defenses in the first three weeks (Jacksonville, Houston Texans and New Orleans), and that trend continues in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

The Bucs have surrendered more than 300 total yards in all three games this season and gave up 227 passing yards to Ryan Mallett's Texans last week.

Although divisional games can be tricky to predict, Newton should see continued success against an inconsistent Buccaneers team on Sunday.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Jim Mone/Associated Press

Yes, Philip Rivers has committed six turnovers (four picks, two fumbles) through three games with the San Diego Chargers in 2015.

But he gets the benefit of the doubt in Week 4 against a porous Cleveland Browns secondary. 

After two disappointing road losses, expect Rivers and the Chargers to go off on the Browns at home on Sunday. Last week, Cleveland gave up 316 passing yards at home to Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders. 

While the Browns could wreak havoc on an iffy Chargers offensive line, it still wouldn't be surprising to see Rivers post at least 400 yards through the air. Head coach Mike Pettine's pass defense has only looked good against Marcus Mariota, the Tennessee Titans' rookie quarterback.

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

Aaron Josefczyk/Associated Press

Derek Carr has been all the Oakland Raiders have hoped for in wins the last two weeks, albeit against poor defenses.

The second-year passer out of Fresno State sees another favorable matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 4. 

Forget that the Bears have only allowed 586 passing yards in 2015—they've also allowed 105 points through three games, ranking the team's defense last in the NFL in terms of points allowed. 

Carr looks so far to be the best quarterback taken in the 2014 draft. Take a look at the touch he displayed on this 13-yard touchdown pass against the Browns last week.

Carr and his suddenly potent group of receivers will capitalize on a bad Bears secondary as the 24-year-old looks to build on his 102.4 season passer rating.  

Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills

Tyrod Taylor has burst onto the scene for the Buffalo Bills, leading them to a 2-1 start to 2015.

One look at the highlight reel above and you can see Taylor brings accuracy, throwing power and running ability to the table. There aren't too many things not to like about his game. 

The New York Giants defense, meanwhile, is full of things not to like, especially the fact the unit has surrendered 1,007 yards through the air.

The Bills should dominate the Giants this weekend, and that effort will be led by a strong performance from Taylor. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Let's get one thing straight—Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a downgrade from Geno Smith for the New York Jets.

He isn't a huge upgrade either, but his play this season has been serviceable. Fitzpatrick has yet to complete less than 60 percent of his passes in any of the three games played so far, and he has decent weapons at his disposal—although wide receiver Brandon Marshall should stop giving away footballs. 

Expect Fitzpatrick and Marshall to rebound in a big way this week against the reeling Miami Dolphins, who suddenly look like more of a bottom-dweller than a team that had the NFL's most lucrative free-agent haul. 

Tyrod Taylor and Blake Bortles each threw for more than 300 yards against a Dolphins defense that has only managed one measly quarterback sack in 2015. Fitzpatrick has played smart football for the most part this season and should continue to have success doing so in Week 4.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons look good this season due in large part to Matt Ryan's play so far.

Yes, Ryan has one of the NFL's best receivers in Julio Jones at his disposal and all the physical tools you could want in a starting quarterback.

But it's the underrated part of Ryan's game seen in the highlight above that makes him a difference-maker—"Matty Ice" has come to play in 2015.

The Houston Texans defense is about to be shredded this week, as the unit's only redeeming quality is its defensive line.   

The Texans defense also hasn't played an offense with the kind of firepower Atlanta has. It has seen Carolina, the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay, none of whom are exactly offensive powerhouses. 

Expect Matt Ryan to push for a 400-yard performance on Sunday. 

Michael Vick, Pittsburgh Steelers

Billy Hurst/Associated Press

I can almost feel your eyes rolling at this one.

But remember this list is mostly based on matchups, and Michael Vick has a good one in Week 4 against a terrible Baltimore Ravens defense. 

Vick has lost a step at this point in his polarizing career—there's no doubt. His performance a week ago against the St. Louis Rams was less than inspiring.

Even less inspiring is the Ravens defense, a unit the football world has known for years as a juggernaut. Not only have the Ravens given up 873 passing yards in 2015, but they're also giving up seven yards per attempt. That's ugly no matter how you slice it. 

Vick, with a short week of practice under his belt, will be hyped to prove he can still play at the NFL level. Expect him to utilize the overstock of weapons the Pittsburgh Steelers own en route to a victory Thursday night. 

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Andy Dalton has silenced his critics this season, torching the Raiders, Chargers and Ravens on the way to a 3-0 start. 

You could point to All-Pro receiver A.J. Green as the main reason for his success, but Dalton deserves more credit than that. Look at the way Dalton stands in the pocket and delivers a long touch pass in the seam to Green on this insane 80-yard touchdown catch. 

Dalton faces Kansas City this week. The Chiefs defense hasn't been bad but has also been anything but clutch in losses to the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers. 

Kansas City's defense has only allowed one 300-yard passing performance (Aaron Rodgers). Dalton will make it two this weekend in Cincy.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Seriously, Blake Bortles picked to go off in Week 4? 

Against the 2015 Indianapolis Colts defense, anything is possible. 

The unit has given up nearly 250 yards passing in all three of its games against the Bills, Jets and Titans. Bortles has a chance to keep that trend going, especially if he keeps making throws like this one against the New England Patriots last week. 

With both teams' defenses struggling early in the season, Jaguars at Colts has the potential to be an AFC South shootout. 

Brandon Weeden, Dallas Cowboys

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Normally, this writer would refrain from using Brandon Weeden and the phrase "going off" in the same sentence at all costs. 

But Weeden plays the New Orleans Saints this weekend, who are by all accounts a favorable matchup. 

Once feared across the league, Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has fielded an underwhelming defense for the second straight year. 

Actually, underwhelming might be an understatement—this Saints pass defense has given up a whopping 9.2 yards per pass attempt in 2015. Simply put, the unit stinks.  

Look for Weeden and the 'Boys to roll against New Orleans this weekend. 

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

In case you didn't already know, Aaron Rodgers is pretty good at spinning the old football. 

Video evidence can be found above. Also, enjoy the sped up voices of ESPN commentators Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden, courtesy of the video's creator.

The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, are not good. Not even a little bit. 

The 49ers defense has surrendered 853 passing yards and 8.8 yards per passing attempt in 2015, and the unit ranks second-to-last in terms of points allowed with 93. 

And with the way San Francisco's offense has been playing, Rodgers is likely to have the ball for the majority of the game.

Rodgers is playing the game at its highest level and will continue his dominant 2015 against a reeling 49ers team. 

Follow Ethan on Twitter @ebai_today for analysis and coverage of the NFL.