Week 4 Rankings: Quarterbacks

Pittsburgh and Indianapolis kick off the bye weeks. Remember, we may have regular referees back this week so while the game gets better, the ball may not move as much without the constant defensive holds and pass interference calls. Just keep that in mind when you're wondering why this week seemed different with these new refs (well, besides the feeling of being on the brink of a full-fledged mutiny). Ladies and gentlemen, the 30 starting quarterbacks:

Rank	Quarterback	Opp.	Comments
1	Aaron Rodgers	NO	Saints giving up the second most fantasy points to QBs and  they're coming off an emotional week.
2	Tom Brady	@BUF	Bills give up the eighth most to QBs after playing the likes of Mark Sanchez, Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden.
3	Robert Griffin III	@TB	Tampa gives up over 360 passing yards per game and just lost DE Adrian Clayborn for the season.
4	Drew Brees	@GB	They'll have to throw a ton and despite the losses it's still Drew Brees. Don't forget these numbers.
5	Matt Ryan	CAR	He's making my pre-season MVP prediction look damn good and he's the number 2 fantasy QB this season.
6	Peyton Manning	OAK	Oakland has zero picks this year and allowed Roethlisberger to throw for 384 yards and 4 TDs.
7	Matthew Stafford	MIN	If he's healthy, he's a must-start. Vikings defense allows a solid 19 fantasy points per week to QBs.
8	Philip Rivers	@KC	Chiefs are the worst fantasy team against the QB. He'll have Antonio Gates healthy and should tear it up.
9	Joe Flacco	CLE	Flacco's emerged as a viable fantasy option and still no Joe Haden for Cleveland. A home run this week.
10	Cam Newton	@ATL	I'm down on him because he turns it over and the Falcons force turnovers. Not a great combo for Newton owners.
11	Josh Freeman	WSH	I'm really high on Freeman this week. He's actually been great this year and will light it up against the 'Skins.
12	Eli Manning	@PHI	Most are higher on him than I am but the Eagles do have a good defense and Eli has struggled before in Philly.
13	Alex Smith	@NYJ	No Revis for the Jets and no Pratik in their crowd of believers. Alex Smith has a career game this weekend.
14	Michael Vick	NYG	14 even seems too high. They turn it over too much and Vick's going to get eaten alive by that Giants pass rush.
15	Matt Schaub	TEN	Showed last week that he could be a playable fantasy QB despite the run-heavy scheme and the Titans D stinks.
16	Tony Romo	CHI	Probably Romo's worst matchup of the year. Bears opportunistic so Romo will have to be perfect to succeed.
17	Carson Palmer	@DEN	Broncos have allowed 200+ passing yards  and at least 2 TDs in all three games this season with only 2 picks.
18	Christian Ponder	@DET	Had his coming out party last week against the Niners. Lions just allowed similarly-styled Locker to beat them.
19	Ryan Fitzpatrick	NE	With RBs hurt might have to throw but only eclipsed 200 yards once this year. Hope for multiple TDs instead.
20	Jay Cutler	@DAL	Don't start him. He's not terrible and certainly not droppable, but the Cowboys corners are too good.
21	Andy Dalton	@JAC	Nothing against Dalton here, I just think the Bengals run all over the Jags and he won't need to throw much.
22	Kevin Kolb	MIA	Love the guy but he just doesn't do enough to warrant a spot on your fantasy team. He'll play well, though.
23	Mark Sanchez	SF	Threw a pick against the Bills and two to the Dolphins. Just imagine what the Niners will do to the poor guy.
24	Russell Wilson	@STL	This will be Marshawn Lynch's show, but he did play well in Monday night's *loss* to Green Bay.
25	Matt Cassel	SD	San Diego is sneakily good against the pass and after Charles having the week he had, there's no need to pass.
26	Blaine Gabbert	CIN	I don't trust him (I don't even know if I want to say "yet") and Jones-Drew will have his way with this defense.
27	Sam Bradford	SEA	Seattle effectively shut down the Packers offense. This is no Packers offense. Don't be silly.
28	Ryan Tannehill	@ARI	Cards showed that they are a defensive force to watch out for and Tanny hasn't shown me enough to trust him.
29	Jake Locker	@HOU	Texans have feasted on young QBs this year. Titans O-line still terrible. Locker is in for a rough weekend.
30	Brandon Weeden	@BAL	Baltimore just gets it done, especially in prime time. No Massaquoi. Your team can't be this desperate.