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

Harry Hall

Looks to Continue Strong Season Opening Form in Phoenix
Adbert Alzolay

Expected to be Full-Go at Spring Training
Troy Melton

to Compete for Rotation Spot in 2026
Reese Olson

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
PGA

Chris Gotterup Hoping to Turn The Tides of Phoenix Open History
Tony Finau

Is Tony Finau Ready to Ride Momentum into TPC Scottsdale?
Sam Burns

Looks to Get Back to Usual Putting Form in Phoenix
Domantas Sabonis

Raptors Continue to Discuss Trade for Domantas Sabonis
Manny Machado

Remains a Consistent Force at the Hot Corner
Cal Raleigh

Can Cal Raleigh Duplicate his Monster Season?
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Looks to Bounce Back after Tough Finish
Ken Waldichuk

Designated for Assignment Again
Jeimer Candelario

Signs Minor-League Deal With Angels
Nick Schmaltz

Leads Mammoth to Victory Monday
Roman Josi

Has Four Assists in Huge Comeback Win
Quinn Hughes

Records Hat Trick of Assists
Filip Chytil

Misses Third Period Monday
Daemon Hunt

Injured In Monday's Win
Zach Benson

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Sam Bennett

Exits Early Monday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Uncertain for Tuesday
Chet Holmgren

Questionable With Back Issue Tuesday
Norman Powell

in Danger of Missing Third Consecutive Game
Tyler Herro

Misses 11th Straight Game
Michael Porter Jr.

Available Against Lakers
Jalen Green

Iffy for Tuesday Night
Devin Booker

Won't Play Tuesday
Deni Avdija

Doubtful Tuesday
Hagen Smith

to Compete for Early Promotion to Triple-A?
Parker Messick

a Name to Watch in Spring Training
Yohandy Morales

in the Mix for Starting First Base Role
Harry Ford

to Compete for Starting Job?
Moisés Ballesteros

Moises Ballesteros Will See Time as a Catcher in Camp
Kevin Alcántara

Kevin Alcantara to Compete for Spot on Opening Day Roster
Kyle Tucker

Offers Outstanding Consistency at the Plate
Max Fried

Brings Continued Stability to Yankees' Rotation
Will Smith

Remains a Top Catcher in Elite Dodgers Lineup
Taylor Ward

Bat Should Play in Baltimore
Robbie Ray

Looking to Build Off Healthy Season
Andrés Muñoz

Andres Munoz a Top-Five Fantasy Closer After Another Dominant Season
Ronald Acuña Jr.

The Reward is Worth the Risk With Ronald Acuna Jr.
Joel Embiid

Officially Active on Monday
Onyeka Okongwu

Not Ready to Return on Tuesday Evening
Kevin Durant

Rockets Hoping Kevin Durant Can Return After Missing One Game
Kristaps Porzingis

Might Return on Tuesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Considered Questionable for Tuesday
P.J. Washington

Sidelined for Tuesday
Julius Randle

Available Against Grizzlies
Anthony Edwards

Cleared for Action Versus Memphis
Alexandre Sarr

Active for Tuesday
Josh Giddey

Out Again on Tuesday Evening
Brad Marchand

Anton Lundell Remain Out Monday
Morgan Rielly

Out Through Olympic Break
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Resting Versus Indiana
Stephen Curry

Ruled Out for Tuesday's Matchup With Sixers
Jonathan Drouin

Available Against Capitals
Logan Thompson

Expected to Return Thursday
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
Matt Roy

Rejoins Capitals Lineup Monday
Devon Toews

Back for Avalanche Monday
Martin Necas

Remains Out Monday
Jake Neighbours

Available Monday
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
Morgan Geekie

Extends Point Streak to Seven Games With Big Performance
Nikita Kucherov

Tallies Four Points in Stadium Series Win
Chris Kreider

Pots Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Makes History With Another Win
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sets Up Two Goals Sunday
Mikey Anderson

Hurt Versus Hurricanes
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF