Fantasy Football: Week 4 quarterback rankings

Sept. 28 (UPI) — Back-to-back AFC Offensive Player of the Week Tom Brady once again tops our Week 4 fantasy football quarterback rankings.

But there is a traffic jam behind him of capable passers with solid matchups.

The Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees, Green Bay Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan shouldn’t surprise you in the top five, but don’t be afraid to switch it up after that if your lineup needs a jolt.

If your primary passer doesn’t have a great matchup, check out our add/drop article for Week 4.

Here are my Top 20 options at the position this week.

TOP 20 WEEK 4 RANKINGS BELOW

TOP SHELF

Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson is my No. 2 quarterback for Week 4. Wilson has a great matchup against the Indianapolis Colts in Seattle. The Colts have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game and second-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks this season and Wilson is coming off of his best game of the season in Week 3. Wilson hasn’t thrown a regular season interception since Week 15 of last year and seems to be getting in rhythm with Chris Carson and his receivers. I seem him dominating the Colts in this matchup.

Kirk Cousins is also coming off of his best game of the season for the Washington Redskins, after ripping up the Oakland Raiders for 365 passing yards and three touchdowns. Despite their reputation as a great secondary, the Kansas City Chiefs are still recovering from the season-ending injury to safety Eric Berry. The Chiefs have allowed the second-most passing attempts and seventh-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks through three weeks. Look for a ton of attempts from Cousins in this one, especially with a banged-up backfield. Cousins also has the benefit of playing on Monday Night Football, giving you that last hope at putting up points to close out a victory. The Week 3 NFC Offensive Player of the Week is my No. 8 quarterback for Week 4.

SNEAKY PLAYS

After consecutive games of throwing for multiple scores, Trevor Siemian went touchdown-less in Week 3 when his Denver Broncos lost to the Buffalo Bills. Look for Denver to get back on track in Week 4 against the Oakland Raiders. Oakland is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game and third-most touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks. I like Siemian’s chances enough to put him in my top 10 for Week 4.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota hasn’t gotten off to the red-hot start that some fantasy football team owners had hoped for, but much of that was matchup based. This week he gets the Houston Texans, a team allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game and third-most touchdown passes to opposing quarterbacks. Mariota is a QB1 in 12 team leagues this week and is ranked No. 11 for me in Week 4. The Texans have allowed six touchdown passes and have no interceptions so far this season.

LONGSHOTS

Houston Texans rookie Deshaun Watson once again makes my list this season as a QB1 streaming option if you are in a jam. Watson is going up against the Titans, a team allowing the third-most fantasy points per game, second-most touchdown passes and fifth-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks. Watson is one of those quarterbacks who can provide value with his arm and with his legs. If he gets you one passing score, he could also manage to get you one on the ground and find his way into the top 15 quarterback standings when all is said and done. This week he is ranked No. 16 for me and is a QB2 with high upside. His rushing ability makes him a lottery ticket pickup.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning appears to have his favorite weapon looking like his old self in Odell Beckham Jr. Last week, Manning had his best showing of the season, throwing for 366 yards, three scores and two interceptions. I think the 0-3 Giants get their first win of the season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manning is a huge reason why. The Buccaneers are allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. After all, the Buccaneers allowed 301 passing yards and a score to Mike Glennon in Week 2 and 369 passing yards and three scores to Case Keenum in Week 3. Eli is a QB1 for me, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the top 12 after this weekend.