RADIO
Dave's quarterback start 'em, sit 'em picks for fantasy football Week 4 lineups (2025). Read his expert QB start/sit advice for Justin Herbert, Michael Penix Jr., Baker Mayfield, others.
We had a pretty decent showing in this column last week. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye were a few of our recommended starts. Williams threw for 298 passing yards, four touchdowns, and finished Week 3 as the overall QB1. Maye had a few turnovers but threw two passing touchdowns, ran for 45 rushing yards, and finished as the overall QB7. We also listed Geno Smith as a start, and he delivered with a 289-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Washington Commanders. Jake Browning was one of our bust calls, and he completely fell on his face in a 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
As we move deeper into the season, each start/sit decision becomes more important. If you’re off to a 0-3 start, you should certainly approach this week with a heightened sense of urgency. If you’re sitting 3-0 or 2-1, that’s great, but don’t get too comfortable. Things can change fast in fantasy football, and a few bad weeks could bring you closer to the pack. Whichever category you fall into, we’ll continue grinding away here to bring you the best quarterback start ‘em and sit ‘em picks to help set your team up for success.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and download the RotoBaller app for all your fantasy football needs. Let’s dive into our Week 4 start ’em and sit ‘em quarterback picks.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Week 4 Starts - Potential Fantasy Football Booms
Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders
Penix is coming off an awful performance against the Carolina Panthers last week. He completed 18 of 36 passes, threw for just 172 yards, and tossed two interceptions.
It was a disastrous outing and resulted in an embarrassing 30-0 loss. Penix will get the chance to bounce back this week as Atlanta takes on the Washington Commanders. Washington has given up back-to-back big performances to Jordan Love and Geno Smith each of the last two weeks. The Commanders also rank dead last in PFF’s pass coverage grade. Penix should have plenty of opportunities to carve up Washington’s secondary.
This is a good spot to put Penix back in starting lineups in superflex and two-quarterback leagues. Gamers can start him as a solid QB2.
Justin Herbert - QB, Los Angeles Chargers at New York Giants
Herbert has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the young season. Through three games, Herbert has thrown six touchdown passes against one interception and leads the NFL in passing yards.
HERBERT BREAKS THE SACK AND FINDS Keenan Allen FOR THE TD ⚡️
DENvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/f95wNegDdP
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
The Chargers have thrown the ball more than expected, and that’s meant good things for Herbert’s fantasy value. He now gets a fantastic matchup in Week 4. The Chargers take on the New York Giants this week. New York currently ranks 24th in defensive passing DVOA and has allowed the fifth most passing yards in the league. The Giants also rank 22nd in PFF pass coverage grade.
The Chargers should be able to move the football at will against New York’s defense, and Herbert could have a monster performance. Expect Los Angeles to continue its pass-happy ways this weekend and ride Herbert’s arm to an early lead.
This is a great spot for Herbert to continue his hot start, and he is live to throw multiple touchdown passes. Gamers can start him as a solid QB1 play.
Geno Smith - QB, Las Vegas Raiders vs. Chicago Bears
Smith is coming off his best game of the season against the Washington Commanders in Week 3. He threw for 289 passing yards, three touchdowns, and finished the week as the overall QB4.
Tucker for the TD‼️#LVvsWAS | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/GDMXSAZjm5
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 21, 2025
Las Vegas has a date with the Chicago Bears in Week 4, and it’s a great opportunity for Smith to keep the momentum rolling. Chicago has allowed the fourth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and ranks 22nd in defensive passing DVOA.
The Raiders' passing defense has not been much better, and this game has one of the highest-projected totals on this weekend's card. We might see a lot of points scored in this game, and that would provide plenty of chances for Smith to light up fantasy scoreboards, too.
Gamers can fire up Smith as a solid streaming option in single-quarterback leagues and a strong QB2 play in superflex formats. He is live to post his second straight top-12 finish.
Jordan Love - QB, Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Love and the Packers offense posted a complete dud of a performance in Week 3 against a good Cleveland Browns defense. The passing game really struggled to gain any traction. Some of that was likely due to tight end Tucker Kraft battling through an end-of-week knee injury, as well as the loss of wide receiver Jayden Reed.
As bad as that was, Green Bay has a perfect get-right game in Week 4. The Packers face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football this week. Dallas’ defense has really struggled without star pass rusher Micah Parsons. The Cowboys only rank 24th in PFF pass rush grade and have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this year.
Don't let last week's dud deter you from starting Love. This is a smash spot to play him. Expect a huge bounce-back performance from Love and the entire Packers' offense.
Week 4 Sits - Potential Fantasy Football Busts
Baker Mayfield - QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Philadelphia Eagles
Mayfield is currently the overall QB9 through three games and is coming off a QB8 performance in Week 3. He has a tough matchup in Week 4, though, as Tampa Bay squares off against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks so far in 2025. Mayfield will also be without his top wide receiver in this game, as Mike Evans is expected to miss time after suffering yet another hamstring injury. Second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan is still on injured reserve nursing a neck injury. Chris Godwin is now expected to suit up for this game, but could have his playing time limited.
Mayfield will still have standout rookie Emeka Egbuka at his disposal, but the Buccaneers could really be shorthanded at receiver in this game. That could mean the passing game struggles against Philadelphia’s defense.
It just feels like a lot is working against the Buccaneers' QB1 in this game. Gamers should consider pivoting off Mayfield for other options.
Aaron Rodgers - QB, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Following his four-touchdown performance in Week 1, Rodgers has finished as the overall QB24 in back-to-back weeks. Pittsburgh now takes on the Minnesota Vikings in the first international game of the season, and this does not look like a great spot for Rodgers to get back on track.
Minnesota’s defense has all the momentum in the world after completely dismantling the Cincinnati Bengals' offense in Week 3. The Vikings currently rank second in defensive passing DVOA, 10th in PFF pass coverage grade, and have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this year.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is also known for his aggressive, blitz-heavy approach. Pittsburgh’s offensive line has not played well so far in 2025. Minnesota’s defense could really get after Rodgers and completely shut down the Steelers' passing game in the process.
Consider other streaming candidates in single quarterback leagues, and look at other QB2 options in superflex leagues, too.
Dak Prescott - QB, Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Prescott was a popular bounce-back candidate heading into the season. Many analysts (myself included) also felt like he was a good late-round quarterback selection in fantasy drafts.
Outside of his 361-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 2, Prescott has failed to be a significant difference-maker for fantasy gamers. In between his QB5 finish in Week 2, Prescott has finishes of QB29 and QB17 in Weeks 1 and 3.
The Dallas offense has struggled to consistently score points through three games, and things don’t get any easier for this unit in Week 4. Dallas hosts the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football. Green Bay’s defense has been very good so far this season.
The Packers currently rank first in total defensive DVOA and defensive passing DVOA. Green Bay has also allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and the seventh fewest passing yards per game to opposing offenses.
Prescott will also be missing star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in this game due to a high-ankle sprain. His presence will certainly be missed. Dallas will also be without starting guard Tyler Booker. That could be a major issue against a Packers defensive front that currently ranks third in PFF’s pass rush grade.
Expect the Cowboys' offense to struggle against arguably the best defense in the league. Pivot off Prescott and look for other quarterback options to start this week.
Jake Browning - QB, Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos
Wow. Browning’s first start filling in for Joe Burrow last week was an absolute disaster. He only threw for 140 passing yards, tossed two interceptions, and finished Week 3 as the overall QB29.
Jake Browning is picked off by Isaiah Rodgers for a @Vikings Pick-6!
CINvsMIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/4N3OaMpxdA
— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025
Browning was under duress all game from the Minnesota Vikings' relentless defense. Things don’t get any better this week as Cincinnati is set to battle the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Denver’s defense has had some issues in pass coverage, but its pass rush has been strong. The Broncos currently rank seventh in PFF’s pass rush grade and are tied for the league lead in sacks.
That could be highly problematic for Browning, as Cincinnati’s offensive line has been one of the worst in the league in terms of pass protection. If the Bengals' offensive line can give Browning time to throw, he might be able to take advantage of Denver’s secondary. However, it could be another uphill battle for Browning, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase if the offensive line folds under pressure again.
Better days are coming for the Bengals offense, but don’t count on a Week 4 bounce back. Leave Browning on the bench and only start him as a desperation QB2 play in superflex leagues.
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