by Ray Kuhn

As the season draws to a close there is still one more week left of important roster decisions.  For those of you battling to win some bragging rights this week, let’s take a look at your quarterback options.

1.  Drew Brees- New Orleans Saints – vs. Carolina
2. Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos – vs. Kansas City
3. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – @ Minnesota
4. Robert Griffin III – Washington Redskins – vs. Dallas
5. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – @ New Orleans
6. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Miami
7. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – @ Washington
8. Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Philadelphia
9. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Tampa Bay
10. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – vs. St. Louis
11. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Cleveland
12. Phillip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Oakland
13. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – @ Detroit
14. Colin Kaepernick – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Arizona
15. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – @ Indianapolis
16. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Houston
17. Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – @ New York
18. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Chicago
19. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Baltimore
20. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – @ Cincinnati
21. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – vs. New York Jets
22. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – @ Atlanta
23. Jake Locker – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
24. Carson Palmer – Oakland Raiders – @ San Diego
25. Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – @ New England

Thoughts:

• Drew Brees has had an up and down season and has thrown for a lot of empty yards as well (341 yards, 0 touchdowns, 5 interceptions against Atlanta a few weeks ago) but over the last three weeks Brees and the Saints seem to have a found a little groove offensively.  He has thrown for 1,009 yards and 8 touchdowns with 2 interceptions over his last three games and looks poised to finish the season strong.  It really looks like a different team than earlier in the season and after the way they started, finishing .500 would be a nice end to the season for the Saints, so I expect Brees to have a good statistical game once again.
• With 4,685 yards so far this season, Romo has a very good chance to eclipse 5,000 yards on the season in what is a must win game for the Cowboys’ playoff chances.  On Thanksgiving Romo threw for 441 yards against the Redskins and had 3 touchdowns to go with 2 interceptions so he shouldn’t have a problem with the Washington defense.  Even though Dez Bryant is could potentially be sidelined with injury he is performing as if he is 100% and with Demarco Murray back the Cowboys offense is humming.  Romo is one of the few quarterbacks actually playing for something this week and he is having his best statistical season (aside from his 16 interceptions) making him a top option.
• I am thinking that Russell Wilson’s repeat matchup against the Rams will go a little better than his Week 4 showing did.  The Seahawks are going to the playoffs but they are playing for seeding a chance at the division title so you shouldn’t have to worry about Wilson being rested.  The worst thing you can about Wilson as a passer is that he is an efficient game manager, but as the season has progressed the Seahawks are trusting him a lot more to make plays and he is delivering.  Add that to the success he has running the ball and you have a valuable fantasy quarterback here.
• Michael Vick is not a name you thought you would see in this space this season but thanks to Nick Foles concussion he now has another chance to audition for his new employers.  The Giants are playing to stay alive in the playoff race while the Eagles are playing for Andy Reid’s job and their pride.  Prior to his injury Vick did not look great but was also the victim of his surroundings.  He obviously has value as a running quarterback but it is unclear to see how much he will actually risk his health by running.  Vick is a wild card this week and you could argue this ranking is too high or too low, but you are taking a chance by starting Vick that much is certain.
• The Carolina Panthers are another team that very well could be playing for the job of their coach.  This season Cam Newton has really salvaged his value by using his legs to generate fantasy value.  That has not stopped but he has looked a little better passing the ball as well.  The Saints defense does not offer the most resistance and Newton had success both running and passing against them in Week 2.  Granted this is not exactly the same Saints team but their defense has not changed that much.  Newton ran 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown in addition to passing for 253 yards and a touchdown.  Prior to throwing an interception last week he went five weeks without an interception and has 11 touchdowns over his last 6 games.  Newton was highly regarded entering the season before trying the patience of his owners, but to close the season out it looks like he has restored his value.