Fantasy Football Week 4 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

Week 4 marks the start of the bye weeks, forcing owners to dig a little bit deeper for their options.  This week, among those missing are Tony Romo and Brett Favre, so let’s see who steps up and takes their spots.

1. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers - vs. Detroit
2. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts - at Jacksonville
3. Phillip Rivers - San Diego Chargers - vs. Arizona
4. Michael Vick - Philadelphia Eagles - vs. Washington
5. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints - vs. Carolina
6. Kyle Orton - Denver Broncos - at Tennessee
7. Tom Brady - New England Patriots - at Miami
8. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears - at New York Giants
9. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans - at Oakland
10. Eli Manning - New York Giants - vs. Chicago
11. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons - vs. San Francisco
12. Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals - at Cleveland
13. Donovan McNabb - Washington Redskins - at Philadelphia
14. Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle Seahawks - at St. Louis
15. Mark Sanchez - New York Jets - at Buffalo
16. Chad Henne - Miami Dolphins - vs. New England
17. Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens - at Pittsburgh
18. Bruce Gradkowski - Oakland Raiders - vs. Houston
19. Sam Bradford - St. Louis Rams - vs. Seattle
20. Alex Smith - San Francisco 49ers - at Atlanta
21. Derek Anderson - Arizona Cardinals - at San Diego
22. Vince Young - Tennessee Titans - vs. Denver
23. David Garrard - Jacksonville Jaguars - vs. Indianapolis
24. Jimmy Clausen - Carolina Panthers - at New Orleans
25. Shaun Hill - Detroit Lions - at Green Bay

Thoughts:

• Michael Vick was always known more for his legs then his arm, but in the past two weeks he’s looked great throwing the ball.  Against the Lions and Jaguars he’s thrown for 575 yards and five TD.  With the Redskins on the schedule this week, who have allowed 372.5 passing yards per game thus far (they “improved” this week by only allowing just 235 yards to Sam Bradford in Week 3), things certainly appear in his favor for another big week.

• After watching Eli Manning go for 386 yards against the Titans (though not finding the end zone), you have to like the chances of Kyle Orton having another strong game.  After going for 476 yards in Week 3, he already has 1,078 yards on the year.  With Knowshon Moreno potentially missing again, it should be another pass-heavy week.

• Speaking of Manning, the Bears passing defense showed that it can get beaten through the air last week, when Tony Romo shredded it for 374 yards.  Expect the Giants to study that tape, as well as what the Green Bay Packers do to them tonight.  With their receivers, he should be able to produce.

• The Raiders passing defense has looked good this season, but they’ve faced Vince Young, Sam Bradford and Derek Anderson thus far.  That’s hardly a who’s who of NFL quarterbacks.  With Matt Schaub this week, we’ll finally find out just what they are made of.  Schaub should remain a strong play in all formats.

• Joe Flacco finally woke up, throwing for 262 yards and three TDs against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.  Of course, that’s just in time for him to square off with one of the best defenses in the league, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Week 4.  He’s a tough play in one-quarterback formats, despite his strong performance.

• How will Donovan McNabb perform in his first chance against his former team?  You certainly have to think that he’s going to go out there with something to prove.  He should be considered a high-end QB2 this week.

• Sam Bradford has been impressive over the first few weeks, though he has been prone to interceptions (5 INTs, with at least one per game).  Despite a favorable matchup, that holds him back slightly.

• Sooner or later Derek Anderson and the Cardinals passing attack has to get things in gear…  Right?

• Charlie Batch played well (12-17, 186 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT), but the number of attempts certainly limited him.  Against a tough Ravens defense, that will likely continue into Week 4, which is why he fell short of the list.

What are your thoughts on these rankings?  Who’s too high?  Who’s too low?

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 4 Rankings:

• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers
• Top 15 Defenses (coming soon)
•   Waiver Worthy For Week 4
• Sunday Sleepers (coming soon)
•  Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

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