Week 4 Running Backs| Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Frank Gore | at NO | - |
| 2 | Marion Barber | vs. WAS | - |
| 3 | Marshawn Lynch | at STL | - |
| 4 | Reggie Bush | vs. SF | - |
| 5 | LaDainian Tomlinson | at OAK | Probable(toe) |
| 6 | Adrian Peterson | at TEN | Questionable, but should start |
| 7 | Brian Westbrook | at CHI | Ranked as if he'll start, probably won't |
| 8 | Clinton Portis | at DAL | Probable(neck) |
| 9 | Ryan Grant | at TB | - |
| 10 | Maurice Jones-Drew | vs. HOU | |
| 11 | Matt Forte | vs. PHI | tough matchup |
| 12 | Steven Jackson | vs. BUF | Probable(groin) |
| 13 | Michael Turner | at CAR | - |
| 14 | Chris Perry | vs. CLE | - |
| 15 | Thomas Jones | vs. ARZ | - |
| 16 | Larry Johnson | vs. DEN | - |
| 17 | Jonathan Stewart | vs. ATL | Probable(foot) |
| 18 | Steve Slaton | at JAC | - |
| 19 | Jamal Lewis | at CIN | - |
| 20 | Selvin Young | at KC | - |
| 21 | Fred Taylor | vs. HOU | Probable(hand) |
| 22 | Earnest Graham | vs. GB | - |
| 23 | Chris Johnson | vs. MIN | - |
| 24 | Correll Buckhalter | at CHI | Ranked as if he'll start |
| 25 | Edgerrin James | at NYJ | - |
| 26 | Willis McGahee | at PIT | Probable(eye) |
| 27 | Darren McFadden | vs. SD | Toe remains a problem |
| 28 | DeAngelo Williams | vs. ATL | - |
| 29 | Rashard Mendenhall | vs. BAL | Is Rashard ready? |
| 30 | LenDale White | vs. MIN | |
| 31 | Michael Bush | vs. SD | - |
| 32 | Felix Jones | vs. WAS | Probable(calf) |
| 33 | LeRon McClain | at PIT | Probable(ankle) |
| 34 | Fred Jackson | at STL | - |
| 35 | Pierre Thomas | vs. SF | - |
| 36 | Darren Sproles | at OAK | - |
| 37 | Andre Hall | at KC | - |
| 38 | Warrick Dunn | vs. GB | - |
| 39 | Chester Taylor | at TEN | Questionable(foot) |
| 40 | Tim Hightower | at NYJ | - |
| 41 | Michael Pittman | at KC | - |
| 42 | Jerious Norwood | at CAR | - |
| 43 | Chris Taylor | at JAC | - |
| 44 | Brandon Jackson | at TB | - |
| 45 | Ray Rice | at PIT | - |
| 46 | Jamaal Charles | vs. DEN | - |
| 47 | Lorenzo Booker | at CHI | - |
| 48 | Leon Washington | vs. ARZ | - |
| 49 | Mewelde Moore | vs. BAL | - |
| 50 | Ladell Betts | at DAL | - |
| 51 | Kenny Watson | vs. CLE | Questionable(hamstring) |
| 52 | Kevin Jones | vs. PHI | - |
| 53 | Jerome Harrison | at CIN | - |
RB Notes: LaDainian Tomlinson may be far from 100%, but there's no reason to bench him against Oakland if he's in the starting lineup.
Darren Sproles could have a nice clean-up game if the Chargers get off to a fast start. … Expect the Jaguars to run like crazy on Houston after finding great success against Indianapolis. …
Season Pass' workload report points out that
Steven Jackson is getting the highest percentage of offensive touches of any back in the league. So much for easing into the season after his holdout. That's helping to maintain his value.
Matt Forte and
Frank Gore are second on that list.
We're not ranking
Brian Westbrook, but he'll be added to the list on the Friday evening update if he's listed as questionable.
Correll Buckhalter is a competent replacement, but the Bears run defense is one of the very best, so he's not a great RB2 as a starter. … This is the week
Chris Perry's high workload translates into big yardage. …The Broncos should run more in this game if they can get ahead of Kansas City early. That makes it a fine week to gamble on
Selvin Young. …
Steve Slaton is suddenly a rock solid RB2 playing in a runner-friendly scheme. … Expect more of the same out of the Oakland backfield with
Darren McFadden still not 100%. Split carries against a tough defense limits his value. …
Willis McGahee had the majority of carries for the Ravens last week before hurting his eye. Watch his status for this week.
Remind me how poor my rankings are in the Rotoworld forumsWeek 4 Wide Receivers | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Brandon Marshall | at KC | - |
| 2 | Terrell Owens | vs. WAS | - |
| 3 | Larry Fitzgerald | at NYJ | - |
| 4 | Andre Johnson | at JAC | - |
| 5 | Steve Smith | vs. ATL | - |
| 6 | Anquan Boldin | at NYJ | Probable(hamstring) |
| 7 | Greg Jennings | at TB | - |
| 8 | Jerricho Cotchery | vs. ARZ | - |
| 9 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | vs. CLE | - |
| 10 | Lee Evans | at STL | - |
| 11 | Santana Moss | at DAL | - |
| 12 | Braylon Edwards | at CIN | Probable(shoulder) |
| 13 | Chad Ocho Cinco | vs. CLE | - |
| 14 | Dwayne Bowe | vs. DEN | - |
| 15 | Santonio Holmes | vs. BAL | |
| 16 | Donald Driver | at TB | - |
| 17 | Torry Holt | vs. BUF | - |
| 18 | DeSean Jackson | at CHI | - |
| 19 | Hines Ward | vs. BAL | Probable(-) |
| 20 | Chris Chambers | at OAK | - |
| 21 | Laveranues Coles | vs. ARZ | Questionable(thigh) |
| 22 | Eddie Royal | at KC | - |
| 23 | Roddy White | at CAR | - |
| 24 | Antonio Bryant | vs. GB | Still No. 1 receiver |
| 25 | Isaac Bruce | at NO | - |
| 26 | Vincent Jackson | at OAK | - |
| 27 | Bernard Berrian | at TEN | Probable(foot) |
| 28 | Patrick Crayton | vs. WAS | - |
| 29 | Matt Jones | vs. HOU | - |
| 30 | Bryant Johnson | at NO | Not 100%, game-time decision |
| 31 | Justin Gage | vs. MIN | - |
| 32 | Lance Moore | vs. SF | - |
| 33 | Antwaan Randle El | at DAL | - |
| 34 | Brandon Lloyd | vs. PHI | Questionable(hip) |
| 35 | Hank Baskett | at CHI | - |
| 36 | Ike Hilliard | vs. GB | - |
| 37 | Josh Reed | at STL | - |
| 38 | Jerry Porter | vs. HOU | Probable(hamstring) |
| 39 | D.J. Hackett | vs. ATL | - |
| 40 | David Patten | vs. SF | Questionable(groin) |
| 41 | Muhsin Muhammad | vs. ATL | - |
| 42 | Robert Meachem | vs. SF | - |
| 43 | Sidney Rice | at TEN | Questionable(knee) |
| 44 | Arnaz Battle | at NO | - |
| 45 | Kevin Walter | at JAC | Probable(toe) |
| 46 | Derrick Mason | at PIT | - |
| 47 | Justin McCareins | vs. MIN | Probable(groin) |
| 48 | Ronald Curry | vs. SD | - |
| 49 | Michael Clayton | vs. GB | - |
| 50 | Chansi Stuckey | vs. ARZ | - |
| 51 | Mark Clayton | at PIT | - |
| 52 | Josh Morgan | at NO | - |
WR Notes: Lance Moore is an excellent pickup for WR3-hungry teams during this week with six teams on a bye. If David Patten is out, I'd expect him to lead the Saints in targets. … JaMarcus Russell's play has rendered Raiders wideouts unplayable. … Dwayne Bowe leads the NFL in targets. With Damon Huard returning this week, he should parlay that into WR2 stats. The Chiefs are always trailing and Huard has few options to throw to. Tony Gonzalez is fifth on the list. Other surprises include Antonio Bryant and Santana Moss tied for the fifth most targeted wideouts. They are playing at high volume positions in West Coast offenses, which will keep their numbers afloat. Bryant, however, has an ugly 45% catch rate. Roy Williams, D.J. Hackett, Chris Chambers (35%!), and Braylon Edwards (32%) are some inefficient wideouts doing even worse than Bryant.
With six teams off, some shaky options get WR3 grades this week. After the top-30, it's guesswork. And it's amazing that Matt Jones and Brandon Lloyd have been among the more consistent targets as WR3 options. Jones finally gets a good matchup this week and Jerry Porter's status is uncertain. … Donte' Stallworth will be added if he makes it through a successful week of practice. … Chris Chambers is a risky play. He has four touchdowns on only six receptions. … If Kevin Curtis returns, downgrade DeSean Jackson and Hank Baskett slightly. … The 49ers should do well against the Saints, but they spread the targets around so well, it's difficult to guess who will step up.
These rankings were updated Friday evening.The Browns offense leads the NFL in one category: excuses. Their schedule has inarguably been brutal.
Derek Anderson and
Braylon Edwards missed time together in the preseason because of injuries. The offensive line is banged up, and the reserve receivers caught a bad case of Steptoe with Donte Stallworth out of the lineup. The excuses end this week.
The Bengals offer Anderson a last chance to salvage his career in Cleveland or the
Brady Quinn era begins, probably for good. But I'm not confident the Browns offense will take full advantage. The tough schedule isn't causing
Braylon Edwards to drop passes and short-arm others in weak displays of effort. It isn't forcing Anderson to overthrow open targets. While the matchups have been difficult, this was
supposed to be a high-octane offense that could compete with anyone. Instead, they have dinked and dunked to terrible effect.
Derek Anderson has a grotesque 4.4 yards-per-attempt average. That's in the Thigpen zone.
The big plays have vanished from Cleveland's offense. The word is out on Anderson, who can wing it deep, but struggles with the underneath stuff. So defenses are selling out to take away the vertical threat; Anderson hasn't completed a single pass this season that traveled more than 20 yards in the air. Risk-taking Anderson owners can use him this week, but he's ranked outside of our top-12 quarterbacks because there is a chance he's replaced at halftime.
Braylon Edwards and
Kellen Winslow should bounce back this season, but changing quarterbacks to a first-time starter won't save their value.
Jamal Lewis, who doesn't catch many passes and relies on the passing game loosening defenses up, is a shaky RB2. If you are looking for buy-low candidates in the battle of Ohio, I'd take the Bengals.
Week 4 Quarterbacks| Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Tony Romo | vs. WAS | - |
| 2 | Donovan McNabb | at CHI | Fully expected to start |
| 3 | Jay Cutler | at KC | - |
| 4 | Drew Brees | vs. SF | - |
| 5 | Philip Rivers | at OAK | - |
| 6 | J.T. O'Sullivan | at NO | - |
| 7 | Kurt Warner | at NYJ | - |
| 8 | Carson Palmer | vs. CLE | Questionable(elbow) |
| 9 | Aaron Rodgers | at TB | - |
| 10 | Trent Edwards | at STL | - |
| 11 | Brett Favre | vs. ARZ | Fully expected to start |
| 12 | David Garrard | vs. HOU | - |
| 13 | Jake Delhomme | vs. ATL | - |
| 14 | Matt Schaub | at JAC | Needs a good game |
| 15 | Derek Anderson | at CIN | |
| 16 | Brian Griese | vs. GB | - |
| 17 | Ben Roethlisberger | vs. BAL | Ravens D is on fire |
| 18 | Jason Campbell | at DAL | - |
| 19 | Kerry Collins | vs. MIN | - |
| 20 | Gus Frerotte | at TEN | - |
| 21 | Trent Green | vs. BUF | - |
| 22 | Kyle Orton | vs. PHI | - |
| 23 | Damon Huard | vs. DEN | - |
| 24 | Matt Ryan | at CAR | - |
| 25 | JaMarcus Russell | vs. SD | - |
| 26 | Joe Flacco | at PIT | - |
For the stat projections behind these rankings and custom weekly cheats, check out Football Season PassQB Notes: We experimented last week with a
game-by-game breakdowns in lieu of notes under the rankings. The reaction was very positive, although many long-time readers wanted the notes here as well. Because of some scheduling issues, I'm handling the Daily Dose tomorrow and will put game previews there, with my notes from watching games during the week. Some abbreviated rankings notes are below.
J.T. O'Sullivan is a solid QB1 against a weak New Orleans defense. His 9.4 YPA indicates that his fantasy numbers have room to improve. …
Drew Brees may be without his top three receivers if
David Patten is out, but Sean Payton always finds a way. Don't bench him. … The Bucs and Bears are usually great against the pass, but that hasn't been the case this season. Don't downgrade McNabb or
Aaron Rodgers based on their matchups. I also wouldn't downgrade McNabb based on his injury. … There's no reason to think
Trent Green will do any better than
Marc Bulger at the helm of the Rams offense. …
Trent Edwards' yardage has been consistent. This week, he should get the scores. …
Brian Griese's high pass attempts are helping to cover up the fact he's not playing very well. That will eventually catch up to him. … Let's be patient with
Matt Schaub and
David Garrard for one more week before burying them.
Week 4 Running Backs| Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Frank Gore | at NO | - |
| 2 | Marion Barber | vs. WAS | - |
| 3 | Marshawn Lynch | at STL | - |
| 4 | Reggie Bush | vs. SF | - |
| 5 | LaDainian Tomlinson | at OAK | Probable(toe) |
| 6 | Adrian Peterson | at TEN | Questionable, but should start |
| 7 | Brian Westbrook | at CHI | Ranked as if he'll start, probably won't |
| 8 | Clinton Portis | at DAL | Probable(neck) |
| 9 | Ryan Grant | at TB | - |
| 10 | Maurice Jones-Drew | vs. HOU | |
| 11 | Matt Forte | vs. PHI | tough matchup |
| 12 | Steven Jackson | vs. BUF | Probable(groin) |
| 13 | Michael Turner | at CAR | - |
| 14 | Chris Perry | vs. CLE | - |
| 15 | Thomas Jones | vs. ARZ | - |
| 16 | Larry Johnson | vs. DEN | - |
| 17 | Jonathan Stewart | vs. ATL | Probable(foot) |
| 18 | Steve Slaton | at JAC | - |
| 19 | Jamal Lewis | at CIN | - |
| 20 | Selvin Young | at KC | - |
| 21 | Fred Taylor | vs. HOU | Probable(hand) |
| 22 | Earnest Graham | vs. GB | - |
| 23 | Chris Johnson | vs. MIN | - |
| 24 | Correll Buckhalter | at CHI | Ranked as if he'll start |
| 25 | Edgerrin James | at NYJ | - |
| 26 | Willis McGahee | at PIT | Probable(eye) |
| 27 | Darren McFadden | vs. SD | Toe remains a problem |
| 28 | DeAngelo Williams | vs. ATL | - |
| 29 | Rashard Mendenhall | vs. BAL | Is Rashard ready? |
| 30 | LenDale White | vs. MIN | |
| 31 | Michael Bush | vs. SD | - |
| 32 | Felix Jones | vs. WAS | Probable(calf) |
| 33 | LeRon McClain | at PIT | Probable(ankle) |
| 34 | Fred Jackson | at STL | - |
| 35 | Pierre Thomas | vs. SF | - |
| 36 | Darren Sproles | at OAK | - |
| 37 | Andre Hall | at KC | - |
| 38 | Warrick Dunn | vs. GB | - |
| 39 | Chester Taylor | at TEN | Questionable(foot) |
| 40 | Tim Hightower | at NYJ | - |
| 41 | Michael Pittman | at KC | - |
| 42 | Jerious Norwood | at CAR | - |
| 43 | Chris Taylor | at JAC | - |
| 44 | Brandon Jackson | at TB | - |
| 45 | Ray Rice | at PIT | - |
| 46 | Jamaal Charles | vs. DEN | - |
| 47 | Lorenzo Booker | at CHI | - |
| 48 | Leon Washington | vs. ARZ | - |
| 49 | Mewelde Moore | vs. BAL | - |
| 50 | Ladell Betts | at DAL | - |
| 51 | Kenny Watson | vs. CLE | Questionable(hamstring) |
| 52 | Kevin Jones | vs. PHI | - |
| 53 | Jerome Harrison | at CIN | - |
RB Notes: LaDainian Tomlinson may be far from 100%, but there's no reason to bench him against Oakland if he's in the starting lineup.
Darren Sproles could have a nice clean-up game if the Chargers get off to a fast start. … Expect the Jaguars to run like crazy on Houston after finding great success against Indianapolis. …
Season Pass' workload report points out that
Steven Jackson is getting the highest percentage of offensive touches of any back in the league. So much for easing into the season after his holdout. That's helping to maintain his value.
Matt Forte and
Frank Gore are second on that list.
We're not ranking
Brian Westbrook, but he'll be added to the list on the Friday evening update if he's listed as questionable.
Correll Buckhalter is a competent replacement, but the Bears run defense is one of the very best, so he's not a great RB2 as a starter. … This is the week
Chris Perry's high workload translates into big yardage. …The Broncos should run more in this game if they can get ahead of Kansas City early. That makes it a fine week to gamble on
Selvin Young. …
Steve Slaton is suddenly a rock solid RB2 playing in a runner-friendly scheme. … Expect more of the same out of the Oakland backfield with
Darren McFadden still not 100%. Split carries against a tough defense limits his value. …
Willis McGahee had the majority of carries for the Ravens last week before hurting his eye. Watch his status for this week.
Remind me how poor my rankings are in the Rotoworld forumsWeek 4 Wide Receivers | Rank | Player Name | Opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Brandon Marshall | at KC | - |
| 2 | Terrell Owens | vs. WAS | - |
| 3 | Larry Fitzgerald | at NYJ | - |
| 4 | Andre Johnson | at JAC | - |
| 5 | Steve Smith | vs. ATL | - |
| 6 | Anquan Boldin | at NYJ | Probable(hamstring) |
| 7 | Greg Jennings | at TB | - |
| 8 | Jerricho Cotchery | vs. ARZ | - |
| 9 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | vs. CLE | - |
| 10 | Lee Evans | at STL | - |
| 11 | Santana Moss | at DAL | - |
| 12 | Braylon Edwards | at CIN | Probable(shoulder) |
| 13 | Chad Ocho Cinco | vs. CLE | - |
| 14 | Dwayne Bowe | vs. DEN | - |
| 15 | Santonio Holmes | vs. BAL | |
| 16 | Donald Driver | at TB | - |
| 17 | Torry Holt | vs. BUF | - |
| 18 | DeSean Jackson | at CHI | - |
| 19 | Hines Ward | vs. BAL | Probable(-) |
| 20 | Chris Chambers | at OAK | - |
| 21 | Laveranues Coles | vs. ARZ | Questionable(thigh) |
| 22 | Eddie Royal | at KC | - |
| 23 | Roddy White | at CAR | - |
| 24 | Antonio Bryant | vs. GB | Still No. 1 receiver |
| 25 | Isaac Bruce | at NO | - |
| 26 | Vincent Jackson | at OAK | - |
| 27 | Bernard Berrian | at TEN | Probable(foot) |
| 28 | Patrick Crayton | vs. WAS | - |
| 29 | Matt Jones | vs. HOU | - |
| 30 | Bryant Johnson | at NO | Not 100%, game-time decision |
| 31 | Justin Gage | vs. MIN | - |
| 32 | Lance Moore | vs. SF | - |
| 33 | Antwaan Randle El | at DAL | - |
| 34 | Brandon Lloyd | vs. PHI | Questionable(hip) |
| 35 | Hank Baskett | at CHI | - |
| 36 | Ike Hilliard | vs. GB | - |
| 37 | Josh Reed | at STL | - |
| 38 | Jerry Porter | vs. HOU | Probable(hamstring) |
| 39 | D.J. Hackett | vs. ATL | - |
| 40 | David Patten | vs. SF | Questionable(groin) |
| 41 | Muhsin Muhammad | vs. ATL | - |
| 42 | Robert Meachem | vs. SF | - |
| 43 | Sidney Rice | at TEN | Questionable(knee) |
| 44 | Arnaz Battle | at NO | - |
| 45 | Kevin Walter | at JAC | Probable(toe) |
| 46 | Derrick Mason | at PIT | - |
| 47 | Justin McCareins | vs. MIN | Probable(groin) |
| 48 | Ronald Curry | vs. SD | - |
| 49 | Michael Clayton | vs. GB | - |
| 50 | Chansi Stuckey | vs. ARZ | - |
| 51 | Mark Clayton | at PIT | - |
| 52 | Josh Morgan | at NO | - |
WR Notes: Lance Moore is an excellent pickup for WR3-hungry teams during this week with six teams on a bye. If David Patten is out, I'd expect him to lead the Saints in targets. … JaMarcus Russell's play has rendered Raiders wideouts unplayable. … Dwayne Bowe leads the NFL in targets. With Damon Huard returning this week, he should parlay that into WR2 stats. The Chiefs are always trailing and Huard has few options to throw to. Tony Gonzalez is fifth on the list. Other surprises include Antonio Bryant and Santana Moss tied for the fifth most targeted wideouts. They are playing at high volume positions in West Coast offenses, which will keep their numbers afloat. Bryant, however, has an ugly 45% catch rate. Roy Williams, D.J. Hackett, Chris Chambers (35%!), and Braylon Edwards (32%) are some inefficient wideouts doing even worse than Bryant.
With six teams off, some shaky options get WR3 grades this week. After the top-30, it's guesswork. And it's amazing that Matt Jones and Brandon Lloyd have been among the more consistent targets as WR3 options. Jones finally gets a good matchup this week and Jerry Porter's status is uncertain. … Donte' Stallworth will be added if he makes it through a successful week of practice. … Chris Chambers is a risky play. He has four touchdowns on only six receptions. … If Kevin Curtis returns, downgrade DeSean Jackson and Hank Baskett slightly. … The 49ers should do well against the Saints, but they spread the targets around so well, it's difficult to guess who will step up.
Week 4 Tight Ends
TE Notes: Give
Vernon Davis at least another week in your lineup. They are trying to find him down the field a few times a game, but have struggled to connect. … I talked early about the depth at tight end this season, but there have been a few disappointments thus far. Only the top-seven ranked players this week are safe to put up stats. …
Greg Olsen remains a big part of the Bears offense, so don't bail on him completely. …
Jerramy Stevens could be the latest one-game wonder at tight end, but he's worth grabbing if you need TE2 help to see if he sticks. There is talent there, but he's splitting the position with a few other players. …
L.J. Smith's status is up in the air. …
Billy Miller has averaged 36 yards in the last five games he's played, including 41 last week. You could do worse.
Week 4 Team DefenseWeek 4 Kickers