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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?

Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! 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.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jarrett Stidham

to Start AFC Championship Game
Zach Charbonnet

Questionable to Return Against 49ers
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Hiring Kevin Stefanski as Head Coach
Jalen Williams

Ruled Out for Remainder of Meeting with Miami
Naz Reid

Won't Return on Saturday Night
Bo Nix

Suffers Broken Bone in Ankle, Done for Playoffs
Jalen Suggs

Out on Sunday Against Grizzlies
Santi Aldama

Questionable for Sunday's Matchup
Ja Morant

Listed as Probable for Sunday
Tari Eason

Listed as Questionable for Sunday
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Ruled Out for Sunday
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Won't Play Saturday
Paul Reed

Available Saturday
Stephon Castle

is Available on Saturday
Ausar Thompson

Good to Go Against Pacers
Cade Cunningham

Cleared for Saturday's Action
Ziaire Williams

Still Out Sunday
Drake Powell

Won't Play Against Bulls
Green Bay Packers

Packers Sign Head Coach Matt LaFleur to Multi-Year Extension
Josh Giddey

Holds Doubtful Tag for Sunday's Game
Michael Porter Jr.

to Be Rested Sunday
Patrick Williams

Tagged as Questionable for Sunday
Ricky Pearsall

Active for Divisional Round
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Officially Active for Saturday's Divisional Round Game vs. 49ers
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Cleared to Play on Saturday
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Misses Fourth Consecutive Game
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Remains Out Saturday
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Available Saturday
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Misses Second Straight Game
William Nylander

Out Against Jets
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Won't Return on Saturday, Ruled Out with a Concussion
Tom Wilson

Could Be an Option Saturday
Leo Carlsson

Out for 3-5 Weeks After Thigh Procedure
Leon Draisaitl

Takes Leave of Absence
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John Harbaugh, Giants Finalize Five-Year Deal
Aaron Rodgers

Not Expected to Return to Steelers in 2026
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Kevin Stefanski the Favorite for Falcons Head-Coaching Job
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Placed on Injured Reserve
Ross Colton

Good to Go Friday
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Returns Against Red Wings
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Out Friday
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Joel Armia

Returns From Five-Game Absence
Chris Kreider

a Game-Time Call Friday
Troy Terry

Cutter Gauthier Available Friday
Leo Carlsson

Sits Out Second Consecutive Game
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Darian Mensah Entering Transfer Portal
Sam Darnold

Seahawks "Optimistic" That Sam Darnold Will Play on Saturday
Nico Collins

Officially Ruled Out for Divisional Round
Rome Odunze

Questionable for Divisional Round
J.T. Realmuto

Signs Three-Year Deal to Return to Phillies
Bo Bichette

Agrees to Three-Year Contract With Mets
CFB

Weber State Signs former Ohio State, Cal Quarterback Devin Brown
Bo Bichette

Phillies the "Overwhelming" Favorite to Sign Bo Bichette
Mark Scheifele

Leads Jets to Victory Thursday
Tage Thompson

Records Season-High Five Points Thursday
Jack Eichel

Notches Four Points Thursday
Ilya Sorokin

Shuts Out Oilers With 35 Saves
Josh Lowe

Angels Acquire Josh Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Kyle Tucker

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Questionable to Play on Saturday Night
Sam Darnold

Questionable With Oblique Injury, Expected to Play
Clayton Kershaw

to Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Patrick Mahomes

Says Rehab Going "Great," Goal is 2026 Week 1 Return
Nico Collins

a "Long Shot" to Play in Divisional Round
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Auburn, Ohio State the Lead Suitors for Kyle Parker
CFB

Oregon QB Transfer Bryson Beaver Linked to Georgia, Kentucky
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Jake Merklinger Commits to UConn
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John Harbaugh Finalizing Deal With Giants
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Giants Making "Massive Push" to Hire John Harbaugh on Wednesday
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Ranger Suarez Agrees to Five-Year Deal With Red Sox
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Dante Moore Not Entering 2026 NFL Draft, Will Return to Oregon
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Mike Tomlin Doesn't Plan to Coach in 2026
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FBS Coaches Unanimously Vote to Expand Redshirt Eligibility to Nine Games
CFB

Ohio State Transfer Mylan Graham Signs with Notre Dame
CFB

Caden Durham Withdraws from Transfer Portal, Will Stay at LSU
Jordan Spieth

Perhaps the Most Intriguing Player at Sony Open
Aaron Rai

Looking For Putting Confidence at Waialae Country Club
Collin Morikawa

Isn't The Safe Play He Used to Be Ahead of Sony Open
Kurt Kitayama

Needs His Putting to Turn Around For Success at Year's First Event
Ryan Weathers

Yankees Add Rotation Depth, Acquire Ryan Weathers in Four-Player Deal
CFB

Georgia Tech the Favorite to Land Justice Haynes?
Nolan Arenado

Cardinals Trade Nolan Arenado to Diamondbacks
Tom Kim

Desperately Needs a Solid Week at Sony Open
Billy Horschel

Hoping For a Fast Start to New Season at Sony Open
Corey Conners

Looks to Have a Return to Form in 2026
PGA

Chris Gotterup a Decent Play at Sony Open
Gary Woodland

Could Prosper at the Sony Open
Keith Mitchell

Unlikely to Contend at Sony Open
Robert MacIntyre

Looking for a Good Performance at the Sony Open
Michael Kim

Hopes to Start Sony Open Better This Week
Tom Hoge

Tries to Erase Poor 2025 Second Half in Hawaii
Brian Harman

Seeks Fresh Start in Hawaii
Eric Cole

Looks to Last Year for Success at Sony Open
Daniel Berger

Starts Off 2026 at Sony Open
Kyle Tucker

Mets Meet With Kyle Tucker
Brooks Koepka

Officially Returning To PGA Tour
CFB

Georgia Lands Kentucky Transfer Dante Dowdell
CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Sign with LSU

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