You have come to the right place for comprehensive Week Four QB Rankings, including the latest analysis of Aaron Rogers, Joe Flacco and Matt Schaub. This column will help you, whether you selected your QB in the first round of your drafts, or you chose your signal caller in the middle rounds. It will also be beneficial if you own Ben Roethlisberger or Andrew Luck, who are unavailable due to their bye week.
The five QBs that will be discussed immediately below have the most enticing matchups this week, among those who merit consideration as a starter. It does not necessarily mean that they are the top five signal callers from a ranking standpoint, although that might actually be the case in certain weeks.
That will be followed immediately by the top 20 rankings for this week. Both sections will provide you with additional insight into each QB’s next encounter. Including facts and statistics to guide you toward the best decision regarding whether or not they should be in your starting lineup.
5 BEST MATCHUPS
Joe Flacco vs. Browns
Flacco’s mammoth numbers against the Patriots in week three were just the latest example of the tremendous numbers that he has assembled after three games. He has now amassed 913 yards, which is the NFL’s second highest total. He is averaging over 300 YPG (304.3), and his six TDs tie him for fifth best in that category. And he will generate another stellar performance this Sunday, when he matches up again the still Haden-less Browns. Cleveland’s 27th ranked pass defenders have allowed 269 YPG, and they've yielded eight TD passes, which ties them for next to last in that category. In the two games that Haden has been limited to spectator status, they have surrendered six of those TDs to Andy Dalton and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Haden will be unable to perform again this week, and Flacco will certainly take advantage of it. He should generate at least three more scores, and is an exceptional starting option.
Matt Ryan vs. Panthers
Atlanta’s ultra efficient offense remains virtually unstoppable after three games, and Ryan has been magnificent in spearheading it. He is tied for the NFL lead with eight TDs, and has also generated 793 yards. Plus, even though he has made 107 attempts, Ryan has thrown only one INT. He also had no trouble dissecting defenses that had been considered respectable in the past two weeks, as neither the Broncos or Chargers could neutralize him. This week, he will line up against a Carolina unit that just permitted Eli Manning to complete 27 passes for 288 yards and a score in week three. That included the 138 yards that were amassed by Ramses Barden in his first career start. The Panthers are currently yielding 244 YPG, and Ryan should have no problem lighting them up with an assortment of connections to Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez. Don’t be surprised if four of those are for TDs.
Peyton Manning vs. Raiders
As predicted in this column last week, Ben Roethlisberger shredded Oakland’s chronically overmatched secondary by connecting on 36 passes for 384 yards and four TDs in week three, after entering the contest averaging 260 YPG. Oakland’s CBs had already struggled sizably to cover mediocre WRs in their first two games. Then in week three, they failed to contain the best wideouts that they have faced - Roethlisberger’s teammates Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace - as that duo combined for 210 yards a pair of scores. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker should match those numbers, and could even surpass them at home against a 26th ranked pass defense that is yielding 265 YPG. The pressure on Manning should be minimal, as Oakland has managed just three sacks. Plus, interceptions should not be a concern, as the Raiders have yet to generate any this season. Manning will have great success without being required to complete deep throws.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Saints
After dealing with the sturdy defenses of San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle so far this season, the 25th ranked Saints will be a welcome sight for Rodgers and his receivers. New Orleans has allowed 787 yards (266 YPG), while being unable to contain RG3, Cam Newton and Matt Cassel. Rodgers will now pose the largest potential threat that the struggling unit has faced. And even though the Chiefs inflicted massive damage on the ground in week three, the Packers preference for the pass will not hurt them at all against the Saints. This will be Rodgers' most productive game of the year, as he takes out his frustration from Monday's unfathomable finish on the woeful Saint defense.
Matt Schaub vs. Titans
If you are focused on playing matchups, or are in a two QB league, Schaub provides you with an excellent option this week. He is coming off of a 290-yard, four TD performance against Denver. And he has now collected 751 yards for the season, with a very respectable five TDs passes, and just one INT. He will now have the opportunity to carve up a 30th ranked Tennessee pass defense that has surrendered 938 yards (313 YPG). Only one team has yielded more TDs than the Titans, who have permitted eight. They are also allowing 8.2 yards per attempt, and have generated just one INT. The last time that Schaub faced his divisional rivals, he completed over 78% of his passes for 296 yards and two TDs. That equated to a 147 rating for that game. He should throw for around 300 yards once again, and connect for two more scores.
TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Aaron Rodgers (vs. Saints)
After watching Rodgers square off against three stingy defenses, Rodgers' owners should be thrilled to see the very hospitable New Orleans unit next on the schedule. Rodgers should have little trouble reaching 300 yards, and producing four scores against the beleaguered group.
2. Matt Ryan (vs. Panthers)
Ryan and his offense will continue to roll. He threw five TDs and no INTs against the Panthers last season when Atlanta’s offense was still emphasizing the run. Look for even better results this week.
3. Tom Brady (vs. Bills)
The Patriots offense performed much more effectively in week three, and Brady should generate more high quality production against a Buffalo unit that allows 248 YPG.
4. Peyton Manning (vs. Raiders)
Not only will Manning perform better this week, but he will feast upon the league’s worst CBs.
5. Drew Brees (vs. Packers)
Brees threw for 419 yards and three scores when he faced Green Bay in the 2011 season opener. While duplicating that yardage total will be difficult, he will produce excellent numbers.
6. Matt Schaub (vs. Titans)
The Titans are surrendering massive amounts of yardage each week, and show no signs that improvement is coming anytime soon. So yeah... you might just want to get Schaub into your lineup.
7. Joe Flacco (vs. Browns)
He is working on a short week, and needs to put an emotional contest behind him. But as mentioned previously, the Haden-less Browns present the right elixir.
8. Tony Romo (vs. Bears)
Romo will have difficulty generating huge numbers against Chicago’s sixth ranked pass defenders, who allow only 203 YPG.
9. Robert Griffin III (vs. Buccaneers)
RG3 leads all QBs with 209 rushing yards (69.7 YPG), which places him 16th overall in that category. He has also thrown for 747 yards, and should add an additional 250 against the NFL’s worst pass defense (353 YPG).
10. Andy Dalton (vs. Jaguars)
He has now absorbed 12 sacks which is the most among all QBs. But he also has produced 867 yards and six TDs. Start him, and expect another productive day.
11. Matthew Stafford (vs. Vikings)
Stafford will throw early and often against a Minnesota unit that has improved against the pass, yet still has inadequacies.
12. Christian Ponder (vs. Lions)
He should build upon his 198-yard, two TD performance in week three by experiencing continued success against a Lion pass defense that was just torched for 378 yards by Jake Locker.
13. Cam Newton (vs. Falcons)
The Giants had the speed and athleticism in their front seven to thoroughly neutralize Newton in week three. Now he faces a eigth ranked Falcon unit that held picked him off five times in 2011, while limiting him three passing TDs, and 83 rushing yards.
14. Eli Manning (vs. Eagles)
Eli is the only QB that has exceeded 1,000 passing yards, and is averaging 8.6 yards with each attempt. But maintaining his recent level of success against Philly’s third ranked pass defenders will be a formidable task. If Hakeem Nicks is unable to play, Manning will rely on Martellus Bennett and Victor Cruz even more, along with a combination of Ramses Barden and Dominik Hixon.
15. Carson Palmer (vs. Broncos)
He was brilliant in leading the Raiders on three fourth quarter drives and a comeback win. Palmer is now seventh in yardage for the season (879) and should deliver respectable numbers in Denver.
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Patriots)
New England’s 24th ranked pass defense is allowing 262 YPG, and just permitted Joe Flacco to light them up for 382 yards and three TDs.
17. Philip Rivers (vs. Chiefs)
Rivers has thrown just four TDs along with three INTs. Now he must face a 12th ranked Kansas City pass defense that has steadily improved.
18. Jay Cutler (vs. Cowboys)
It could be a frustrating day for Cutler and any owners who start him against a second ranked pass defense that allows just 137 YPG.
19. Michael Vick (vs. Giants)
Vick has an opportunity to exploit the Giants' shaky secondary, but New York’s front seven should generate enough pressure to limit his production.
20. Josh Freeman (vs. Redskins)
He has not performed well, and stating it that way is being kind. Therefore, seeing him ranked should provide a good idea how porous the Washington pass defense has been. They rank a lowly 31st in yardage (337 YPG), and have allowed the most TDs in the league (10).
