2010 Fantasy Football Week 4 Rankings: Quarterbacks

It is a sad week around the Bruno Boys offices. We’re sad because it’s Week 4 of the NFL season and that means it’s time for the bye weeks to start. That’s four fewer teams and two fewer games this week, and this continues all the way through Week 11.

OK, so we’re not that sad about it, after all the NFL regular season is underway and nobody can complain about that. Bye weeks make it that much more important to know which players to insert into your starting lineup and which ones to avoid.

This week’s quarterback rankings will take a look at some interesting matchups, perhaps none more intriguing than Washington Redskins’ quarterback Donovan McNabb heading back to his old stomping grounds in Philadelphia to play the Eagles.

Will fans boo or cheer him? Or do they even care now that Michael Vick is playing so well? We’ll have to wait until Sunday to see how that plays out. For now, here’s our Week 4 quarterback rankings for your consideration.

1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) @ Jacksonville

Manning’s early season performance has been overshadowed by the many interesting story lines involving quarterbacks around the league—the re-emergence of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, the improved play of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, and the rapid rise of New York Jets' quarterback Mark Sanchez from a Week 1 disaster to the so-called “Sanchise.”

If you’re one of Manning’s fantasy owners, then you’re aware that he has thrown three touchdown passes in each of the first three games of the 2010 season and no interceptions. Manning has a great matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, and it doesn’t matter that he’s playing on the road.

The Jaguars reworked part of their defense in the offseason, however it hasn’t done much good. The hapless Jags rank No. 29 or worse in passing yards allowed, total yards allowed, and points allowed.  Big day for Peyton and company, guaranteed.
Point Projection: 24 points

2. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) vs. Detroit

Rodgers completed 34-of-45 passes for 316 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Green Bay Packers 20-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. He also ran for 20 yards and another score. The five-year veteran faces the winless Detroit Lions in Week 4, a team that he torched for five touchdowns last season.

The Lions have the makings of a decent team, yet their roster is still among the weakest in the NFL. The defense ranks No. 26 or lower in every major defensive category. Detroit played the Minnesota Vikings tough in Week 3, at least for the first half of the game. 

Don’t expect this to be the case against Rodgers and the Packers’ formidable offense. Look for another great game from Rodgers this week.
Point Projection: 21 points

3. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. Arizona

Though he’s 1-for-2 in leading his team to victory in early season play, Rivers’ overall stats are good from a fantasy football perspective, and frankly, that’s what we care about around these parts.

Playing without wide receiver Vincent Jackson clearly hasn’t affected Rivers too much. He and tight end Antonio Gates are as in synch as ever, and Rivers is developing his rapport with wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee.

While having Rivers as your fantasy quarterback is never a bad thing, he plays a defense-challenged Arizona Cardinals that allows an average of 231.3 passing yards and 25.7 points per game. Rivers makes a better than usual starter in Week 4.

If he’s on your roster, be sure he’s in your lineup.
Point Projection: 21 points

To see where your quarterback ranks in Week 3 click here...Week 4 QB Rankings