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Who should you start at quarterback in Week 4? NFL.com’s QB Index puts Brock Purdy, Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott at the top, while NFL Fantasy’s start/sit advice makes Tyler Shough its Start of the Week and also recommends Bryce Young and Purdy. Those lists serve different purposes: the QB Index is a football ranking, while the Start ’Em, Sit ’Em column is aimed at fantasy lineup decisions. Treat them as useful perspectives, not a single scoring-format projection. Rankings and availability can change quickly; this update reflects Week 4 coverage published September 30–October 1, 2026.
Week 4 quarterback rankings: the top tier
NFL.com’s Week 4 QB Index, published September 30, ranks Purdy No. 1, Mahomes No. 2 and Prescott No. 3. NFL.com says its arrows show movement from the Week 3 QB Index; the order is not presented as a fantasy-points projection.
| Player | Week 4 NFL.com QB Index | Season totals through three games, as reported by NFL.com |
|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy | No. 1 | 789 passing yards, 9 passing TDs, 1 interception, 93 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD |
| Patrick Mahomes | No. 2 | 812 passing yards, 7 passing TDs, 2 interceptions, 41 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD |
| Dak Prescott | No. 3 | 730 passing yards, 7 passing TDs, 1 interception, 59 rushing yards and no rushing TDs |
The totals are NFL.com season-to-date statistics through three games, not Week 4 projections. They help explain why a football ranking may differ from advice focused on one fantasy matchup: passing production matters, but so can rushing contributions, scoring rules and opponent.
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Fantasy start/sit advice: where the lists differ
NFL Fantasy’s Week 4 quarterback Start ’Em, Sit ’Em is more directly about fantasy lineup decisions. It names Shough its Start of the Week, noting that he scored at least 22 fantasy points in each of his first three games and pointing to his volume and upcoming opponent. That is NFL Fantasy’s recommendation and rationale, not a guaranteed result or a universal projection across scoring formats.
#1 Best Overall
- Other starts: NFL Fantasy also calls out Bryce Young and Purdy, along with Matthew Stafford and Daniel Jones.
- Deeper options: C.J. Stroud and Geno Smith are identified as streaming options; Marcus Mariota is framed as a deeper emergency stream.
- Sit recommendation: Justin Herbert is NFL Fantasy’s Sit of the Week. Consider it advice for a close lineup decision, not a claim that he must be benched in every league.
The sources do not agree on one exact fantasy ranking. NFL.com’s index leads with Purdy, Mahomes and Prescott; NFL Fantasy elevates Shough for a specific fantasy start decision. NBC Sports’ October 1 Week 4 QB rankings provides an additional editorial cross-check: its description highlights Purdy despite receiver issues, Jordan Love in a favorable road matchup at Tampa Bay, and Shough as a player trying to establish himself in the top 12. That description is not a complete ranking list.
How to choose between quarterbacks
When two options are close, compare their likely opportunities and risk rather than relying on a rank from a different scoring system or source.
Rank #2
- Check role and recent production. Consider passing volume, efficiency, touchdowns and interceptions, and whether the quarterback has a stable share of the offense. Season-to-date numbers describe what has happened; they are not a promise of Week 4 output.
- Account for rushing. Rushing yards and touchdowns can increase a quarterback’s fantasy value and floor, depending on your league’s scoring. This can make a quarterback with fewer passing yards more attractive than a pass-only comparison suggests.
- Evaluate the opponent and game environment. Look at matchup quality and plausible game script alongside the player’s role. Pro-Football-Reference says its 2026 Week 4 QB fantasy matchups ranks use playing percentages, fantasy points and opponent fantasy points allowed; use that as one lens, not a full projection.
- Confirm availability and kickoff. Check the latest official injury report and schedule close to setting your lineup. The available NFL injury-report excerpt includes entries from September 17 and 20, so it does not establish every quarterback’s final Week 4 status. NFL.com’s Week 4 schedule can help confirm game timing; a player whose game has already started may no longer be replaceable under your league’s rules.
Match the advice to your league
Before applying any ranking, confirm whether your league is standard, half-PPR or PPR, and whether it uses superflex. PPR settings usually affect quarterbacks less than passing, rushing and touchdown scoring rules, but formats still differ. Superflex leagues also change roster demand because a second quarterback can occupy a flexible starter slot. NFL Fantasy’s recommendation and the NFL.com index should therefore be weighed against your own league settings, lineup choices and available alternatives.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFantasyPros lists consensus Week 4 quarterback projections, last updated September 29, 2026. Its listed projection figures are not reproduced here, so use the page as a separate projection cross-check rather than treating it as support for a specific numeric forecast.
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