NFL Quarterback Rankings: Week 4

Down. But certainly not out.

It’s tough to demote a quarterback with five touchdowns, the NFL’s most 20+-yard passes and a 3-0 record. But it’s also tough to ignore Tony Romo’s Red Zone gaffes.

Against Cleveland Romo threw an interception in the end zone. Against Philadelphia he tried to make something out of nothing and wound up fumbling in his own end zone. And last week he forced another ball into -- what, quadruple coverage? -- the end zone for an interception at Green Bay.

The guy is second only to David Blaine with magical, mystical escapes. But his mistakes are becoming inexcusable. Hate to ever be on the side of Bill Parcells. But is it time for more bus driver, less kamikazee pilot?

The Cowboys are now talented enough that Romo doesn’t have to win games by himself. If he continues forcing plays in crucial situations, he’s going to wind up costing his team a game.

Romo’s slide from No. 1 this week paves the way for the ascent of San Diego’s Philip Rivers. He’s thrown 9 TDs to only 2 interceptions, has five 50+-yard completions and is two plays (a blown call at Denver and a last-play TD allowed against Carolina) from having the Chargers 3-0.

In other quarterback news, Ben Roethlisberger holds the ball too damn long, Gus Frerotte gives the Vikings a significant upgrade and running back Ronnie Brown is Miami’s best quarterback since Dan Marino.

Update: Trent Green in for Marc Bulger in St. Louis. Yikes.

Jump for the full list:

1. Philip Rivers -- Chargers

2. Tony Romo – Cowboys

3. Donovan McNabb -- Eagles

4. Jay Cutler – Broncos

5. Drew Brees – Saints

6. Kurt Warner – Cardinals

7. Eli Manning – Giants

8. Ben Roethlisberger – Steelers

9. Jason Campbell – Redskins

10. Peyton Manning – Colts

11. Jake Delhomme – Panthers

12. Brett Favre – Jets

13. Trent Edwards – Bills

14. Aaron Rodgers – Packers

15. Kerry Collins – Titans

16. Ronnie Brown – Dolphins

17. Matt Hasselbeck – Seahawks

18. Matt Ryan – Falcons

19. Brian Griese – Buccaneers

20. JT O’Sullivan – 49ers

21. Gus Frerotte -- Vikings

22. JaMarcus Russell – Raiders

23. Matt Cassel – Patriots

24. Jon Kitna – Lions

25. David Garrard – Jaguars

26. Kyle Orton – Bears

27. Carson Palmer – Bengals

28. Matt Schaub – Texans

29. Derek Anderson – Browns

30. Trent Green – Rams

31. Joe Flacco – Ravens

32. Tyler Thigpen – Chiefs -- Richie Whitt