NFL Fantasy Football Rankings Week 4: Ben Roethlisberger and 3 Stars

The 2011 NFL season has not been kind to a number of fantasy football stars and, by extension, their beleaguered fantasy owners. These three "studs" in particular will make fantasy fanatics pay the price for their on-field putridity in Week 4.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben has taken heavy fire from opposing defenses behind the Steelers' shoddy offensive line this season. He's been intercepted four times in three games after throwing the ball away on just five occasions in 2010, which is no mystery considering Pittsburgh's line is top-10 in the league in sacks allowed.

The Texans' defense is necessarily a behemoth, but it doesn't need to be. Wade Phillips has more than enough quality pass rushers at his disposal, Mario Williams chief among them, to leave Roethlisberger flat on his back more often than not.

Heck, if the Colts could fluster Big Ben, why can't Houston? Particularly with this being a road game for the Steelers, who've played poorly away from home so far this season. 

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Matty Ice has gone eerily cold in the early going this season, something that the low temperatures and hostile crowd in Seattle won't help with. The Seahawks also happen to be third in the NFL in pass defense, making Sunday's game that much more ominous for Ryan, who's made a career out of playing infinitely better indoors than out.

What's more, CenturyLink Field (formerly Qwest Field) is among the toughest environments in the NFL in which to play for any quarterback, even one as composed as Ryan. In short, don't expect Ryan's numbers to heat up just yet, if at all.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

What's wrong with CJ2K?

Ahmard Hall, to be exact. The Titans' fullback is in the midst of serving a four-game suspension, of which Sunday's game at Cleveland will be the finale. 

Without Hall, Johnson has managed just 98 yards on 46 carries this season. The Browns' run defense may be among the worst in the league thus far, but Johnson and company are just that bad without Hall around to clear the way.

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