Exploiting quarterback matchups sometimes means sitting a guy like Tom Brady or Colin Kaepernick against a tough defense and starting someone a quarterback off the waiver wire. This week is a perfect example as Case Keenum, Carson Palmer, Nick Foles, Alex Smith, and even Geno Smith have great looking matchups.
Keenum will face a Raiders defense that has allowed 20+ fantasy points to Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, and Nick Foles while allowing 14+ point efforts to Chad Henne and Robert Griffin. Keenum has 822 yards and 7 touchdowns with no interceptions over his first three games against touch defenses like the Chiefs, Colts, and Cardinals.
Russell Wilson has a great matchup against the Vikes, who have given up 21+ points in three straight weeks. Aside from one ugly game against the Giants, they haven’t held a quarterback to fewer than 16 fantasy points this season.
Palmer faced a Jags defense that has allowed 15+ points to all but (ironically) Peyton Manning since Week 3. Matt Ryan also has a good-looking matchup against the Bucs defense that has allowed 21+ fantasy points to quarterbacks in four of their last five weeks.
Alex Smith is startable against a Broncos offense that will surely put up points and Geno Smith will face a Buffalo defense he scorched for 26.6 fantasy points in Week 3.
Nick Foles is a must-start with his hot hand and has a great matchup against a Washington D that has allowed 20+ points in five of their nine games this season and fewer than 15 just once. Mike Glennon will face a Falcons defense that has not given up fewer than 14.8 points to a quarterback and has given up 20+ in six of their nine games.
On the other hand, I’d stay away from Ryan Tannehill against an improving Chargers defense, and inexperienced Scott Tolzien who faces a Giants defense that hasn’t given up double-digit points to a quarterback since Week 6.
On the unfavorable side, I would definitely avoid Christian Ponder (as always), Jason Campbell, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Chad Henne, Andy Dalton, Terrelle Pryor, and EJ Manuel this week. Guys like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Matthew Stafford, and Cam Newton are all still must-starts despite their unfavorable matchups but I would expect tough matchups to limit Tom Brady, Colin Kapernick, and Andrew Luck.
Let’s take a look at all of this week’s quarterback matchups.
View Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 11 Opponents |
|
1 |
11.71 | Panthers | Tom Brady |
|
2 |
12.29 | Seahawks | Christian Ponder |
|
3 |
13.36 | Saints | Colin Kaepernick |
|
4 |
13.78 | Titans | Andrew Luck |
|
5 |
14.80 | Chiefs | Peyton Manning |
|
6 |
14.81 | Dolphins | Philip Rivers |
|
7 |
14.96 | 49ers | Drew Brees |
|
8 |
15.44 | Steelers | Matthew Stafford |
|
9 |
15.82 | Texans | Terrelle Pryor (Q), Matt McGloin |
|
10 |
16.06 | Rams | BYE |
|
11 |
16.09 | Bengals | Jason Campbell |
|
12 |
16.23 | Patriots | Cam Newton |
|
13 |
16.32 | Bears | Joe Flacco |
|
14 |
17.35 | Colts | Ryan Fitzpatrick |
|
15 |
17.38 | Cardinals | Chad Henne |
|
16 |
17.43 | Browns | Andy Dalton |
|
17 |
17.43 | Lions | Ben Roethlisberger |
|
18 |
17.72 | Ravens | Jay Cutler (Q), Josh McCown |
|
19 |
18.61 | Jets | EJ Manuel |
|
20 |
18.92 | Packers | Eli Manning |
|
21 |
18.94 | Giants | Scott Tolzien |
|
22 |
19.17 | Bills | Geno Smith |
|
23 |
19.9 | Falcons | Mike Glennon |
|
24 |
20.07 | Eagles | Robert Griffin III |
|
25 |
20.09 | Chargers | Ryan Tannehill |
|
26 |
20.29 | Broncos | Alex Smith |
|
27 |
20.35 | Redskins | Nick Foles |
|
28 |
20.47 | Buccaneers | Matt Ryan |
|
29 |
20.74 | Jaguars | Carson Palmer |
|
30 |
20.8 | Vikings | Russell Wilson |
|
31 |
20.85 | Raiders | Case Keenum |
|
32 |
22.48 | Cowboys | BYE |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
View Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
