TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 4 Sits And Starts - Sorensen's Matchup Analysis

I hope your Week 4 starter wasn't Ryan Tannehill or Andy Dalton-- though neither one played absolutely horribly, neither played amazingly. Thankfully, none of the top QBs of this young season was on display in Thursday night’s showcase.

But this week, everyone's fear is now starting: bye weeks. Our first victims are the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. This means that Aaron Rodgers and rookie Carson Wentz are not available. Rodgers is coming off a four-TD game against the Detroit Lions. Wentz is coming off a dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both turned in reasonable performances, and now they are forced to your bench.

So, who is left for you to start this week?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

*Remember: These columns do not include your every-week starters. For this week, players like Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Andrew Luck are not considered. This article goes deeper than that.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 4. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

 

Best Start Possible - Kirk Cousins v. CLE 

Three passing TDs along with 319 yards. Roughly 20 fantasy points. Yes, he threw two interceptions, but that was the production Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill put up against the Browns DEF last week. This week, Cleveland has to stop Cousins. While Cousins (989 passing yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs) has not started as hot as he finished last season, he still has a strong arm and numerous weapons to throw to in the likes of Jordan Reed, Pierre Garcon, Desean Jackson and Jamison Crowder. Cleveland does not have the man power, or talent, to stop or slow down that many weapons. That mixed with the team’s struggling running attack means that Cousins should throw the ball over 40 times, once again.

*In 2012, Cousins’ only start against the Browns, he threw for 329 yards, two TDs and an INT, which would have been good for roughly 23 fantasy points.

 

Quality Start - Trevor Siemian @ TB 

Who is this guy? Does he have the talent to continue to win? After throwing only one TD in the first two games of the season, he goes off for FOUR TDs against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Now, he goes up against a Tampa Bay Defense that just surrendered 190 yards and two TDs to Case Keenum and Tavon Austin. St. Louis does not have the weapons on the outside like Denver does. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders should feast on rookie DB Vernon Hargreaves and old-man Brent Grimes. Expect a great game from Siemian in his fourth career start.

 

Worst Possible Start - Ryan Fitzpatrick v. SEA 

This guy has to have the lowest confidence and self-esteem in the NFL going into Week 4. Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Fitzpatrick threw for the most interceptions in a game since Peyton Manning threw six against the San Diego Chargers in November 2007. Knowing that could shake anyone’s confidence. Looking to this week, Fitz-“Magic” has not shown much magic against the Seattle Seahawks in the past. In his two career games against the Seahawks, one with the Bills and one with the Titans, Fitz has averaged less than 200 yards passing to go with 0.5 TDs per game. This goes along with the two INTs he has thrown in each match. In both games, his team failed to produce more than 17 points.

 

Not a Good Start - Tyrod Taylor @ NE 

Taylor is currently 18th in fantasy points among QBs. Not the greatest, but with bye weeks in Week 4 for Aaron Rodgers and Carson Wents, some may consider Taylor as a fill-in. They think his running ability make him worthy of a start, kind of a poor-man’s Cam Newton. Please do not play Taylor this week. He is currently averaging roughly 175 passing yards per game and a TD. Yes, he has 112 rushing yards so far, but 49 of them came on one carry against the Cardinals. Even if the team is leading, like they did in their 33-18 win against Arizona, the team will hand the ball off to LeSean McCoy to milk the clock. If the team is forced to throw it, Taylor is without the team’s top weapon on the outside, Sammy Watkins. All signs point to a weak outing for Taylor.

Next week, we return to the best, deepest and currently, the most confusing position so far this season: running backs.

*Have a player or position question you would like me to talk about? Follow me on Twitter @JSorensen119 and let me know.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Logan Hall

Joins Texans on Two-Year Deal
Sam Burns

a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Players
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Will Listen to More Offers for Maxx Crosby
Keegan Bradley

Hard to Trust at The Players
Sam Howell

Signs a One-Year Deal With Cowboys
Patrick Queen

Steelers Could Trade Patrick Queen, Seeking a Mid-Round Pick
Osa Odighizuwa

Cowboys Could Trade Osa Odighizuwa
Lavonte David

to Play for Buccaneers or Retire
Elgton Jenkins

Signs a Two-Year Deal With Browns
Leo Chenal

Commanders Sign Leo Chenal to a Three-Year Deal
Jordan Elliott

Signs Two-Year Deal With Titans
Xander Schauffele

Rounding into Form Heading to Players Championship
Rory McIlroy

Set to Return at Players Championship to Defend Title
Jake Knapp

Set to Return at Players Championship
Viktor Hovland

Continues Strong Start to 2026 Season
Jakub Dobes

Makes 17 Saves in Victory
Rasmus Hojgaard

Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Will Need to Find Putter to Compete at Players Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafreniere's Hat Trick Leads New York to Victory
Carter Verhaeghe

Wins it for Florida on Tuesday
Cameron Heyward

Signs New Two-Year Deal with Steelers
Maxi Kleber

Ruled Out vs. Timberwolves
Grant Calcaterra

Eagles to Bring Back Grant Calcaterra
Bam Adebayo

Scores 83 Points in Historic Night
Riq Woolen

Signs With the Eagles
Kaden Elliss

Saints Sign Kaden Elliss to a Three-Year Deal
Cameron Payne

Explodes for 32 Points in Win Over Memphis
Patrick Ricard

Giants Sign Fullback Patrick Ricard
Johnny Mundt

Eagles Agree to a One-Year Deal With Johnny Mundt
LeBron James

Remains Out Tuesday vs. Minnesota
Draymond Green

Will Play Tuesday vs. Bulls
De'Anthony Melton

Scratched From Tuesday's Lineup
Merrill Kelly

Set to Make Spring Training Debut on Friday
Francisco Lindor

"100 Percent Optimistic" he Can be Ready for Opening Day
Maxx Crosby

Ravens Back Out of Trade for Maxx Crosby
Jakob Poeltl

is Unavailable on Tuesday
Skyy Moore

Packers Sign Skyy Moore to One-Year Deal
Grayson Allen

to Play on Tuesday
Jason Sanders

Signs One-Year Deal to Join Giants
Day'Ron Sharpe

is Sitting Out on Tuesday
Teddy Bridgewater

Returning to Detroit as Backup QB
Bobby Portis

is Ruled Out on Tuesday
Jacoby Brissett

Cardinals Haven't Told Jacoby Brissett he's the Starting QB
Justin Thomas

Continues Competitive Return at The Players Championship
Michael Porter Jr.

is Returning on Tuesday
Payton Pritchard

Won't Play on Tuesday
Scottie Scheffler

Looking to Win Third Players Championship in Four Years
Tyler Herro

is Ruled Out for Tuesday's Game
Tyrese Maxey

to be Evaluated in Three Weeks
Collin Morikawa

a Smash Play at This Week's Players Championship
Shane Lowry

Looking for Bounce-Back Week at TPC Sawgrass
VJ Edgecombe

Active Tuesday
Colton Parayko

Rejoins Blues Lineup
Russell Henley

Needs His Whole Game to Show Up at The Players Championship
Nahshon Wright

Jets Sign Nahshon Wright to One-Year Deal
Jonathan Kuminga

to Miss Third Straight Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Unavailable Against Penguins
Marcus Johansson

Returns From Two-Game Absence
Chris Gotterup

Hopes to Continue Impressive Season at The Players
Moses Moody

Out Against Bulls
Darren Raddysh

Sits Out Tuesday's Game
Sam Reinhart

Out Tuesday
John Gibson

Available Tuesday
Dylan Larkin

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Kyle Anderson

Good to Go on Tuesday
Will Richard

Available on Tuesday
Al Horford

Active Against Bulls
Kristaps Porzingis

Set to Suit Up Tuesday
Corbin Carroll

Set to Play in Cactus League Game on Wednesday
Kyle Stowers

to Make Grapefruit League Debut on Saturday
Hunter Greene

to be Sidelined Through July
James Reimer

Posts Shutout With Seventh Franchise
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Stretches Point Streak to 13 Games
Justin Sourdif

Amasses Three Points In Monday's Win
Connor Bedard

Sets Up Two Goals in Overtime Win
Erik Gudbranson

to Miss Three-Game Road Trip
Evander Kane

Dealing With Upper-Body Injury
Max Greyserman

Gradually Improving Each Week in Florida
Oliver Moore

Expected to Miss "Significant Time"
PGA

The Nico Echavarria Roller Coaster Heads to The Players Championship
Ludvig Aberg

a Threat to Contend at The Players Championship
Anton Forsberg

Escapes With Overtime Victory
Artemi Panarin

Collects Two Points Against Former Team
Adrian Kempe

Scores Two Goals in Victory
Igor Shesterkin

Stifles the Flyers on Monday
Harris English

Hopes to Find Any Sort of Success at TPC Sawgrass
Pierceson Coody

Looks to Get Back on Track in First Players Appearance
Daniel Berger

Presses On at The Players Championship
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo, Phillies Agree on Five-Year Extension
Corbin Carroll

Could Make Spring Debut This Week
Max Holloway

Drops Decision At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Becomes The New BMF Champion
Caio Borralho

Bounces Back
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Rob Font

Gets Dominated
Raul Rosas Jr.

Extends His Win Streak
Michael Johnson

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Drew Dober

Knocks Out Michael Johnson
Rafael Devers

Back in Cactus League Lineup on Monday
Ryan Blaney

Earns his Second Consecutive Phoenix Cup Series Win
Christopher Bell

Falls Short of Victory Despite Dominating at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Earns Hard-Fought Finish of Third at Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Quietly Gains Another Top-Five Finish at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Crashes out at Phoenix Despite Strong Run
Tarik Skubal

Could Make Another Start in World Baseball Classic
Jackson Chourio

Should Return to WBC Lineup on Monday
Byron Buxton

"Fine" After Being Hit by Pitch
Ryan Blaney

is Always A Top Favorite to Compete for the Win At Phoenix
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Phoenix?
Christopher Bell

is Likely to have Another Solid Phoenix Run
Chase Briscoe

has Plenty of Upside for DFS Lineups at Phoenix
Joey Logano

Could Dominate at Phoenix This Weekend
Chase Elliott

has Plenty of Upside for Sunday's Race at Phoenix
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Ross Chastain

Has Found Speed Again at Phoenix
Josh Berry

a Solid Sleeper at Phoenix
Brad Keselowski

Skips Qualifying After Practice Crash at Phoenix
Tyler Reddick

Spins in Practice at Phoenix
William Byron

Should Be a Contender at Phoenix
Kyle Larson

Is Always a Threat at Phoenix
NASCAR

Could Bubba Wallace Be Playable for Phoenix DFS Lineups?
Anthony Alfredo

Is A Favorable DFS Option In A Substitution Role At Phoenix
Brandon Woodruff

Making Cactus League Debut on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Leaves WBC Game After Being Hit by a Pitch on his Elbow
Jackson Chourio

"Fine" After Suffering Hand Contusion
Max Holloway

A Favorite At UFC 326
Charles Oliveira

Set For BMF Title Fight
Reinier de Ridder

Reinier De Ridder Looks To Bounce Back
Caio Borralho

Set For UFC 326 Co-Main Event
Rob Font

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Raul Rosas Jr.

Looks For His Fifth Consecutive Win
Drew Dober

Returns At UFC 326
Michael Johnson

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Rafael Devers

Could Return to Game Action Next Week
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Hopes to be Ready for Opening Day
Jackson Chourio

Won't Play in WBC on Friday
Carlos Correa

Scratched With Neck Injury
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena has Finger Fracture, to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF