Yet another quarterback went down with an injury last week. This time, the Buccaneers lost QB Baker Mayfield (thumb), who is expected to miss three weeks. On the bright side, Seahawks QB Sam Darnold was able to return, throwing for 379 yards and 4 TDs in a 33-31 loss to the Commanders.
As the war of attrition sets in across the league, which signal-callers could come to the rescue in fantasy land for your lineups?
Let’s dig into the QB position and break down our NFL Week 4 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em battle between Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett and Raiders QB Kirk Cousins for your fantasy football picks this week, including PrizePicks projections for both players.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em QBs, Week 4: Jacoby Brissett or Kirk Cousins?
Who'd be the better pick out of this NFL Week 4 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em dilemma at the QB spot: Brissett or Cousins?
Why Start Jacoby Brissett?
Jacoby Brissett Week 4 PrizePicks Projections: 229.5 Pass Yards, 35 Pass Attempts, 15 Fantasy Score
- In the Cardinals’ 36-30 Week 3 loss to the 49ers, Brissett threw for 280 yards and 2 TDs while also adding a rushing score. With Arizona trailing 17-6 at the half, Brissett attempted 52 total passes in the comeback bid that fell short.
- The veteran field general has completed 70.1% of his passes through three weeks, which is an improvement on his mark of 64.9% last year.
- According to PFF, Brissett has attempted the fifth-most passes (117) in the NFL.
- Dating back to last season, the former third-round pick has recorded at least 2 TDs in 11 of his last 15 games.
- Cardinals TE Trey McBride and WR Michael Wilson have helped Brissett thrive, with the duo combining for 44 receptions, 374 yards, and 3 TDs.
Add Jacoby Brissett + Cardinals to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Why Start Kirk Cousins?
Kirk Cousins Week 4 PrizePicks Projections: 225.5 Pass Yards, 33.5 Pass Attempts, 14 Fantasy Score
- Cousins attempted 33 passes in the Raiders’ 35-27 Week 3 win over the Saints, throwing for 248 yards and 3 TDs.
- Despite Raiders TE Brock Bowers already missing two games because of injury, Cousins finished with 3 TDs in each of the first three games for Las Vegas.
- After posting an average depth of target of 7.4 yards with the Falcons last season, Cousins has an aDOT of 9.0 with the Raiders in 2026.
- It helps Cousins that he has a good pass-catching RB in Ashton Jeanty, who's hauled in 13 of 16 targets for 97 yards and 2 TDs. Even without Cousins last season, Jeanty posted 5 TDs through the air.
Add Kirk Cousins + Raiders to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Week 4 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Start Jacoby Brissett
Brissett has a great matchup against the Giants in Week 4. The big headline surrounding the franchise is that QB Jaxson Dart (knee) is out for the season, but almost as noteworthy is that edge rusher Brian Burns tore his ACL in Week 3. Last year, he posted 16.5 sacks while leading the defense.
Burns isn’t the only member of the Giants' defense that's dealing with injuries right now. CB Paulson Adebo (knee) is on IR, removing a key option from an already thin position. According to RBSDM, the Giants are 27th in the NFL in dropback EPA/play allowed.
Things might not be as easy for Cousins, who has a home matchup against the Chiefs on tap. The Chiefs are seventh in dropback EPA/play on defense and are tied for the fewest passing TDs allowed (2). K.C. also has 3 INTs while limiting foes to a 62.1% completion rate.
With Kansas City holding QBs in check, they give up only 16.7 points per game.
Even with a healthy Bowers at his side, Cousins might be fighting an uphill battle to be fantasy relevant against the Chiefs who, per RotoWire, have allowed the eighth-fewest yards per target (5.61) to the TE position in 2026.
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Make NFL Week 4 Picks on PrizePicks
Cousins has been a pleasant surprise, racking up TD passes on his way to helping the Raiders start 3-0. As good as he has been, though, a difficult Week 4 matchup against the Chiefs could bring him back to earth.
Brissett, meanwhile, has the potential to be a better fantasy option for his matchup against the Giants, who will enter with a depleted defense.
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