Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Peyton Manning: Those are three names you almost always expect to see near the top of fantasy rankings every season.

But the reality of the NFL — and fantasy football — is to always expect the unexpected.

Of those three, only one is in the top-12 of all NFL quarterbacks by fantasy football standards at the quarter pole: Tony Romo, at No. 6.

Brady, by default, is not even close because of the week 1 season-ending injury. And Manning has struggled to regain his form after an offseason filled with surgery and rehab.

Funny that the only Manning in the top-12 is Peyton’s little brother, Eli, at No. 11.

Another big name not-so-mysteriously absent from this list: Carson Palmer. Palmer and the Bengals’ struggles have been well-documented this season, and with a lingering elbow issue he may not see this list anytime in 2008.

Using “standard” scoring (1 point per 25 yards passing, 6 points per touchdown, -2 per turnover) for a 12-team league, Denver’s Jay Cutler is the No. 1 fantasy quarterback after four weeks. Cutler posted a below average performance last weekend at Kansas City, but still was able to edge Brett Favre and Philip Rivers for the top spot.

Favre catapulted up this list thanks in huge part to an anomalous six-touchdown performance against the Cardinals in week 4. I doubt we see anything like that again from him anytime soon, but he should remain in the top-12 — barring injury — as the season progresses.

Rivers had the top spot last week until a lackluster performance against the Raiders. The re-emergence of the running game thanks to the improved health of LaDainian Tomlinson could slow down his bid for the top spot.

Not surprisingly, Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees clocks in at No. 4. I would not be shocked if he topped this list at some point during the regular season, as he has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the league thus far. The rest of the top-12:

I want to know who saw this coming in preseason: J.T. O’Sullivan (No. 10) and Trent Edwards (No. 12) are legitimate QB1s after four weeks. Hell, even Kyle Orton at No. 13 and JaMarcus Russell at No. 14 are decent options right now.

Some pleasant surprises for fantasy owners thus far include Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell, Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb. The two young guns seem confident at the helm, which could bode well for their fantasy futures. Warner continues to produce in the Cardinals’ high-powered offense, which should keep youngster Matt Leinart on the bench for a while. McNabb looks healthy and relaxed again, and has a plethora of weapons at his disposal in Philly.