by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)
Things should get easier, but we once again have to maneuver around six teams on bye weeks and a few extremely difficult matchups. The potential return of Ben Roethlisberger would certainly help, but it’s hardly enough. Let’s take a look at how things stack up for the coming week, as we try to sort it all out:
- Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at Tampa Bay
- Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Indianapolis
- Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – at Green Bay
- Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at San Francisco
- Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Tennessee
- Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Atlanta
- Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – at Los Angeles
- Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – at Cleveland
- Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Baltimore
- Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – at San Diego
- Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – vs. Buffalo
- Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Philadelphia
- Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at Minnesota
- Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – vs. Denver
- Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – vs. New York Jets
- Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Detroit
- Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – at Miami
- Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Jacksonville
- Josh McCown – Cleveland Browns – vs. Dallas
- Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Pittsburgh
- Trevor Siemian – Denver Broncos – at Oakland
- Case Keenum – Los Angeles Rams – vs. Carolina
- Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Kansas City
- Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – at New York Giants
- Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – at Seattle
Thoughts:
- Sure Aaron Rodgers “only” threw for 246 yards in Week 8, but he added 60 yards on the ground and threw 4 TD. He’s clearly going to continue airing the ball out, considering the status of the running game, has 7 TD passes over the past two weeks and draws a Colts defense that has allowed 14 TD vs. just 2 INT. It’s hard not to like him once again this week.
- Obviously part of the damage against Tennessee in Week 8 came during garbage time, but that doesn’t change the fact that they have now allowed at least 337 passing yards in back-to-back weeks. Over the past six weeks Philip Rivers has thrown for at least 320 yards four times and the only time he was under 267 was against the difficult Denver defense. In other words he’s a good bet to put up big numbers once again.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep losing running backs, with Jacquizz Rodgers going down in Week 8. Assuming he can’t play, that is going to force the team to lean even harder on Jameis Winston, who threw for 281 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT against the Falcons in Week 1. Atlanta has continued to be hospitable to opposing QB all season long (2,403 yards, 19 TD), so it’s easy to envision another strong day for Winston in Week 9.
- There have been reports that Ben Roethlisberger will return this week, so as of now we are going to include him on the rankings. That said, we’ll have to monitor the news closely and see how things play out. Landry Jones would come in significantly lower on these rankings, so be prepared to find an alternative option.
- Sure Philadelphia has been a good defense this season, but they just allowed Dak Prescott to get them for 287 yards and 2 TD. Coming off the bye week and hopefully figuring things out, Eli Manning should be considered a high level QB2.
- In most weeks Matthew Stafford and Derek Carr would be above average options. This week, though, their draws are among the toughest in the league. That’s going to drop them to QB2 options, but with the bye weeks and other questionable situations they are still viable.
- The Jets just allowed Josh McCown to throw for 341 yards. Sure Ryan Tannehill has his question marks, but it’s impossible not to like him as a high-end QB2 for this week.
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Hello Professor, 12 team standard, I have been streaming eli and bradford but flaco, Kaepernick and cutler are on waivers. For ros, Would you drop bradford for one of the qb’s on waivers? Thank you
The usual…Blake or Tyrod?
Patriots – I could see dropping him for Flacco (or Cutler). I wouldn’t trust Kaepernick, but those three are pretty interchangeable.
KYsta – I hate them both this week, but I hate Bortles just slightly less
I hate them both every week 🙁
Professor, Kapernick, Fitzpatrick and Keenum are free agents…would you start any of them over Blake?
Yea, I’d go Fitzpatrick at this point
Hi,
I have Russel Wilson but he has been so bad I have been playing Andy Dalton. With Dalton on a bye I can grab Tannehill or McCown or just take my chances on Wilson??? Thoughts??
I’d take my chances on Wilson
Rivers or Winston?
Who will have the bigger points total?
Ryan Tannehill or Nick Foles?
I have Brady on BYE and need another QB. Would you go with Flacco over Siemian? Or should I look elsewhere in perhaps Bradford or McCown?
James – I’m leaning Rivers, but it’s really a coinflip. Good problem to have.
Jason – Tannehill for me
JZ – Of those I’d go Bradford, but don’t love it
Hello,
I know it’s a good problem to have, but would I be crazy to start Rivers over Brees?
My thinking is both the Saints and Niners D are terrible against the run and both teams would be wise to run the ball. That means the clock would be killed and limits Brees’s opportunity. I know Brees will be good for 250 yards and 2 TD’s. On the flipside, the Charger vs. Tenn game has the making of a shootout. Rivers has been money at home. I just need someone to tell me it wouldn’t be crazy to start Rivers over Brees.
What do you think?
Thanks for your help!
It’s really a coin flip between the two, so it’s not crazy at all. Both are great plays, so if you are more comfortable with Rivers go for it!
Similar question — Rivers over Rodgers?
I’m going Rodgers at this point. They are going to have to go pass heavy, while Rivers’ receiving corps is really banged up
Thank you!!! 🙂
I have aaron rodgers and drew brees somehow on my team, which one should i start?
Both are Top 5 options, but I’m going Rodgers
Ok, here’s my situation…
Someone dumped Carr, and I may drop Wilson for him when he comes off waivers. Problem is that I also have Big Ben and if he can’t go for some reason, I’d be stuck playing Carr against DEN this week.
Worth it to nab Carr ROS over Wilson while possibly gambling on QB this week?
As always, thanks!!
That’s tough, as I think Wilson should be on the rise while Carr could take a step back. At the end of the day, Roethlisberger would likely be your starter most weeks, so I’d look at it from a Week 9 and that’s Wilson
I’m in a bit of a pickle, big ben is my go to quarterback and my only other option is sam Bradford or picking up Nick foles, Collin kappernick, tannehill, or Kessler in his place. Would you start one of these guys or take yours chances with big ben.
Luckily we’ll know Roethlisberger’s status early in the day. If he’s playing I’m going with him. If he’s out, Tannehill
Carr or mariota???
This week only, Mariota
Eli or Nick Foles? Not much of a choice.
Eli
Wilson, tannehil, or foles?
Wilson has been costing me.
Still has the highet upside of the group though. Gotta roll Wilson, who is getting healthy
I’ve got T. Montgomery/Davante Adams and B. Cooks and Enunywa
Professor, which to bench?
lastly,Prof., Mariota or Brees to start? expecting a shootout with SD and Tenn and a huge rushing attach with NO vs SF.
Enunwa is the sit
As for the QB, I’m rolling Brees (though I do like Mariota)
thanks!