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?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

*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

Christopher Bell

Sits Third in Points After Quiet Third-Place Finish
Chase Briscoe

Passes Denny Hamlin at the Start, but Hamlin Gets Him in the End
Joey Logano

Falling Out of Playoff Picture Despite Other Contenders' Crashes
Ryan Blaney

Stage 1 Crash Puts Ryan Blaney in Severe Playoff Trouble
Denny Hamlin

Wins at Las Vegas and Will Compete for the 2025 Cup Series Title
Kyle Larson

Dominates at Las Vegas but Ends Up Second
Chase Elliott

Struggles to Gain A Solid Finish at Las Vegas After Pit-Road Penalty
William Byron

Strong Run Ends In A Wreck at Las Vegas
Stephon Castle

Set to Suit Up for Monday's Preseason Matchup With Indiana
Garrett Wilson

Expected to Miss "a Couple of Weeks" With Hyperextended Knee
Dalton Kincaid

Ruled Out for Monday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Set to Make Preseason Debut on Tuesday
Josh Norris

Could Miss Eight Weeks
Toumani Camara

Misses Practice on Monday
Zack MacEwen

Out for "Extended Period of Time"
Sean Durzi

to Miss Four Weeks
Jason Dickinson

a Game-Time Decision Monday
Coby White

Expected to Miss Remainder of Preseason
Lucas Raymond

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Brady Tkachuk

Suffers Injury in Monday's Loss
Lane Hutson

Canadiens Sign Lane Hutson to Eight-Year Extension
Tre Mann

Considered Questionable for Wednesday's Preseason Contest
CFB

Sam Leavitt Viewed as Day-to-Day with Undisclosed Injury
Anthony Santander

Scratched From Game 2 of ALCS With Back Tightness
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Brock Bowers

Could Sit for the "Long Haul"
CeeDee Lamb

has a Chance to Play in Week 7
Dalton Knecht

Impresses Offensively, Must Improve Defense to Earn Key Role
Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks Sign Alex Antetokounmpo to Two-Way Deal
San Diego Padres

Mike Shildt Retires as a Manager
Tennessee Titans

Titans Fire Head Coach Brian Callahan
Mateusz Gamrot

Suffers Second-Round Submission Loss
Charles Oliveira

Gets Back In The Win Column
Montel Jackson

Drops Decision
Deiveson Figueiredo

Gets Split-Decision Victory
Vicente Luque

Outclassed
Vicente Luque

Joel Alvarez Outclasses Vicente Luque
Jhonata Diniz

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mario Pinto

Remains Undefeated
CFB

Matt Rhule Denying Interest in Penn State Head Coaching Job
CFB

Le'Veon Moss Not Believed to Have Suffered Season-Ending Injury
Ricardo Ramos

Suffers First-Round Submission Loss
Chris Godwin

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Bucky Irving

Not Expected to Return in Week 7
Puka Nacua

Rams Think Puka Nacua has Avoided a Long-Term Injury
Kaan Ofli

Scores Comeback Win
CFB

Bill Belichick Says he's Committed to North Carolina
Moses Moody

Shut Down for Rest of Preseason
Kel'el Ware

Responding Well to Erik Spoelstra's Challenge
Derrick White

Stuffs the Stat Sheet Against Cavaliers
Austin Reaves

Displays Smooth Scoring Abilities Against Warriors
Brandin Podziemski

Drops 23 Points Against Lakers
Puka Nacua

Likely to Miss Time Due to Sprained Ankle
Rashee Rice

Eligible to Play Sunday Against the Raiders
Emeka Egbuka

Expected to Miss "Some Time"
Tiger Woods

Undergoes Back Surgery
James van Riemsdyk

Available for Red Wings Debut Monday
Kris Letang

Considered Day-to-Day
Carson Soucy

Lands on Injured Reserve
Tyler Kleven

Ready for Season Debut Monday
Evgenii Dadonov

Moves to Long-Term Injured Reserve
Drake Batherson

Aims to Return Wednesday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Exits Win Early
CFB

UAB Fires Head Coach Trent Dilfer After 2.5 Seasons In Birmingham
CFB

Penn State Fires Head Coach James Franklin After 10.5 Seasons
CFB

Penn State QB Drew Allar Will Miss The Rest Of 2025 Season With Ankle Injury
Marquise Brown

Scores Twice in SNF Victory
Patrick Mahomes

Explodes for Four Touchdowns on SNF
Tetairoa McMillan

Scores his First Two Touchdowns in Win Over Dallas
Ja'Marr Chase

Posts Double-Digit Catches in First Game With New Quarterback
Kendrick Bourne

Records 142 Receiving Yards for Second Straight Week
Kimani Vidal

Dominates Backfield Touches, has Huge Game in Week 6
Ladd McConkey

Explodes for 100 Yards and Touchdown in Win
Jonathan Taylor

Has Another Enormous Showing Against Arizona
Josh Jacobs

Scores Two Touchdowns in Victory Over Cincinnati
Brandon Woodruff

Will Not be on NLCS Roster
Keegan Murray

to Undergo Surgery
Max Scherzer

Added to ALCS Roster
Bryan Woo

Makes ALCS Roster
Bo Bichette

Won't Make ALCS Roster
Sacramento Kings

Russell Westbrook, Kings Have "Strong Mutual Interest"
Christopher Bell

the Favorite to Win at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

on the Pole at Las Vegas
Joey Logano

Can Joey Logano Get Lucky in Las Vegas Again?
William Byron

has the Fastest Car in Practice at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

Speed of Ty Gibbs a Good Sign for Toyota at Las Vegas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Should Contend at Las Vegas
Ross Chastain

Scrapes Wall in Practice But Qualifies 15th at Las Vegas
Chris Buescher

Looking for Improvement at Las Vegas
Austin Cindric

It Has Been Hit or Miss for Austin Cindric at Las Vegas
Steven Lorentz

Exits With Injury Saturday
Carson Soucy

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Versus Penguins
Erik Gudbranson

Sustains Upper-Body Injury Saturday
Sean Durzi

Hurt Against Predators
Jaccob Slavin

Suffers Injury Saturday
Kris Letang

Under Evaluation for Undisclosed Injury
Josh Norris

Will Miss "a Significant Amount of Time"
Chase Elliott

Should Run Well at Las Vegas
Kyle Larson

Conservatism May Keep him from Replicating Previous Las Vegas Drive
Josh Berry

After Josh Berry's Las Vegas Win, Ryan Blaney Should be a Top Contender
Chase Briscoe

has Definitely Improved on Intermediate Tracks
Gleyber Torres

Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
Bryan Woo

Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
CFB

CJ Baxter to Miss Saturday's Game Against No. 6 Oklahoma
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Significant Time
Cody Bellinger

Plans to Opt Out of Contract
MLB

Munetaka Murakami Will be Posted This Winter
Nathan Eovaldi

has Hernia Surgery, Should be Ready for Spring Training
Mateusz Gamrot

Set For UFC Rio Main Event
Charles Oliveira

Returns At UFC Rio
Montel Jackson

Set For UFC Rio Co-Main Event
Deiveson Figueiredo

Returns At UFC Rio
Joel Álvarez

Joel Alvarez Set for his Welterweight Debut
Vicente Luque

A Huge Underdog
Deandre Ayton

Still Waiting to Build Chemistry With Lakers Stars
Mario Pinto

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Jhonata Diniz

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Kaan Ofli

Looks To Secure His First Octagon Win
Ricardo Ramos

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Michael Aswell

Looks For His First UFC Win
VJ Edgecombe

Will Not Play on Friday
T.J. McConnell

Expected to Miss at Least a Month
Ben Sheppard

Unlikely to Play in Next Two Preseason Games
Dylan Harper

in Line to Play in First Preseason Game
CFB

North Carolina's Caleb Hood Retiring from College Football
CFB

Jeff Sims Likely to Start Against Utah
CFB

Syracuse QB Steve Angeli Will Miss Remainder of 2025 Season With Torn Achilles
CFB

Sam Leavitt Not Expected to Play for Arizona State on Saturday
CFB

John Mateer Upgraded to Probable Ahead of Saturday's Red-River Shootout
VJ Edgecombe

Misses Practice Thursday
Jaylen Wells

To Have an Expanded Role in the Offense?
Tanner Scott

Removed From NLDS Roster After Lower-Body Procedure
CFB

Ryan Williams Will Be Available Against No. 14 Missouri On Saturday
CFB

John Mateer Officially Questionable Ahead of Saturday's Game vs. Texas
Will Smith

Catching in Game 3 of NLDS
CFB

North Carolina Discussing Buyout Option Of Coach Bill Belichick
Jackson Chourio

Back in Lineup for NLDS Game 3
Roki Sasaki

"Definitely the Primary Option" in Save Situations for Dodgers
Sahith Theegala

Still Uneven Heading to Japan
Nicolai Hojgaard

Trying to Pick Up Pieces After Last Three Efforts
Vince Whaley

Tries to Add on From Sanderson Farms Performance
Adam Scott

Struggling Some Heading to Baycurrent Classic
PGA

Chris Gotterup Expects to Contend at Baycurrent Classic
Si Woo Kim

Primed for Baycurrent Classic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP