Dominating Week 4: Your Ultimate Half-PPR Fantasy Football Rankings & Cheat Sheet!

Welcome to Week 4 of the fantasy football season, a crucial juncture where bye weeks begin and injuries continue to reshape the landscape. This week, we say goodbye to the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, meaning top-tier talents like Travis Kelce, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Patrick Mahomes are off the board.

Navigating these absences, coupled with lingering injury concerns, will be key to setting a winning lineup. Our half-PPR rankings are designed to give you the edge, highlighting must-starts, potential sleepers, and players to approach with caution.

Quarterback Command: Who Leads Your Offensive Charge?

The quarterback position remains vital, and Week 4 presents some compelling matchups.

While you'll be without Patrick Mahomes, a host of elite passers are poised for big performances. Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen headline the top tier, offering both passing prowess and rushing upside that provides a high floor. Keep an eye on C.J. Stroud, who continues to impress and could be a sneaky play against a favorable defense.

Conversely, veteran signal-callers like Geno Smith might face tougher sledding, making them less appealing options this week. Always prioritize QBs with high-volume passing games or significant rushing contributions.

Running Back Revolution: Navigating Injuries and Byes

Running backs are the backbone of many fantasy teams, but this week's bye weeks and injuries demand careful attention.

Christian McCaffrey's status is always paramount; if he's healthy, he's a locked-in RB1. Monitor the injury reports for other key backs like Rhamondre Stevenson, as their absence could elevate their backups into starting consideration. Bijan Robinson and Austin Ekeler remain workhorses with massive upside.

This is also a week to exploit matchups – look for backs facing struggling run defenses. Don't be afraid to pivot to a high-upside committee back if your usual starters are unavailable or have tough matchups.

Wide Receiver Wonders: Targeting Top Targets and Emerging Stars

The wide receiver position is stacked with talent, but consistency can be elusive.

Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tyreek Hill lead the charge among the elite, capable of game-winning plays every week. With Amon-Ra St. Brown on bye, other receivers will need to step up. Watch for receivers in pass-heavy offenses who are seeing a high target share, especially those against vulnerable secondaries.

Rookies or second-year players who are establishing themselves in their team's pecking order can be excellent value plays. Always consider a receiver's target volume and red-zone usage when making your weekly decisions.

Tight End Tactics: Finding Value in a Tricky Position

Outside of Travis Kelce (who is on bye), the tight end position can be a minefield.

Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson offer relatively high floors, but after the top few, it often becomes a weekly dart throw. This is where matchup hunting is crucial. Look for tight ends who are their team's second or third option in the passing game, especially against defenses that struggle to cover the position.

Jake Ferguson has shown flashes and could be a valuable streamer. Don't be afraid to scour the waiver wire for tight ends who have seen an uptick in targets or have a favorable opponent this week.

Kickers and DSTs: The Finishing Touches

While often overlooked, kickers and Defense/Special Teams (DSTs) can provide crucial points.

For kickers, prioritize those on high-powered offenses that consistently get into the red zone. Tyler Bass and Justin Tucker are typically safe bets. For DSTs, focus on teams facing turnover-prone quarterbacks, weak offensive lines, or low-scoring offenses. The Eagles and Cowboys typically offer high ceilings.

Always check for injury news that might weaken an opponent's offense, boosting your DST's potential.

Week 4 presents unique challenges with bye weeks and injuries, but also ample opportunities for savvy fantasy managers. By carefully analyzing matchups and leveraging these half-PPR rankings, you're well-equipped to dominate your league and secure a vital victory.