As we saw in Sunday’s matchup between the Seahawks and 49ers, even the best quarterbacks aren’t matchup proof. There’s no worse feeling than having a top draft pick like Colin Kaepernick throw three interceptions after dominating the Packers just a week before. As you’ll see below, there’s several top quarterbacks facing stiff competition this week and some mediocre quarterbacks facing impossible challenges.
Jay Cutler, Michael Vick, Robert Griffin, and Philip Rivers are facing incredibly stingy defenses this week while Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, and Tom Brady don’t have optimal matchups either. Chad Henne and Christian Ponder seem unstartable in all but 2QB leagues facing the Seahawks and Browns, respectively. EJ Manuel, Geno Smith, and Josh Freeman have iffy matchups as well.
Matt Schaub faces the Ravens defense which ranks last in fantasy points against but that’s the result of that seven-touchdown game against Denver. The Ravens held Brandon Weeden to 227 yards and no touchdowns on Sunday so that number will level out. The 49ers and Redskins have deceptively high QB points allowed, they’re tough defenses that have allowed big efforts to the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Michael Vick, and Russell Wilson.
Let’s take a look at all of the most and least favorable matchups of the week based on how many fantasy points each defense has allowed to opposing quarterbacks.
You can also check out defensive matchup exploitation rankings for running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
QB |
Defense |
Week 3 Opponents |
|
1 |
5.3 | Steelers | Jay Cutler |
|
2 |
5.9 | Chiefs | Michael Vick |
|
3 |
9.6 | Lions | Robert Griffin III |
|
4 |
10.6 | Titans | Philip Rivers |
|
5 |
11.4 | Jets | EJ Manuel |
|
6 |
12.6 | Dolphins | Matt Ryan |
|
7 |
12.8 | Seahawks | Chad Henne |
|
8 |
14.2 | Browns | Christian Ponder |
|
9 |
15.5 | Panthers | Eli Manning |
|
10 |
16 | Buccaneers | Tom Brady |
|
11 |
16.1 | Bills | Geno Smith |
|
12 |
16.3 | Patriots | Josh Freeman |
|
13 |
17.3 | Jaguars | Russell Wilson |
|
14 |
17.4 | Giants | Cam Newton |
|
15 |
17.5 | Bears | Ben Roethlisberger |
|
16 |
18.1 | Rams | Tony Romo |
|
17 |
18.3 | Bengals | Aaron Rodgers |
|
18 |
20.4 | Saints | Carson Palmer |
|
19 |
20.5 | Broncos | Terrelle Pryor |
|
20 |
21 | Vikings | Brian Hoyer |
|
21 |
21.1 | Cardinals | Drew Brees |
|
22 |
21.5 | Falcons | Ryan Tannehill |
|
23 |
21.6 | Eagles | Alex Smith |
|
24 |
21.9 | Colts | Colin Kaepernick |
|
25 |
24.6 | Texans | Joe Flacco |
|
26 |
24.8 | Chargers | Jake Locker |
|
27 |
24.9 | Raiders | Peyton Manning |
|
28 |
25.5 | Redskins | Matthew Stafford |
|
29 |
25.6 | 49ers | Andrew Luck |
|
30 |
30.7 | Packers | Andy Dalton |
|
31 |
31.8 | Cowboys | Sam Bradford |
|
32 |
46.3 | Ravens | Matt Schaub |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
