A bad matchup doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for an opposing quarterback but it could certainly limit his production. This week, some of our top fantasy quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, and Philip Rivers head into difficult matchups.
Obviously, Manning is always a must-start, always. Newton will have a tough time against a Dolphins pass defense that has gotten at least one interception in all but one game this year but he has the ability to make up for it against a bad Dolphins run defense so he’s plenty startable.
Rivers faces a Chiefs defense that started out fairly tough but has given up 13+ fantasy points to Peyton Manning, Jeff Tuel, Jason Campbell, Case Keenum, Terrelle Pryor, and Ryan Fitzpatrick over their last six games so he’s plenty startable as well.
Griffin could go either way. The Niners were able to stop Newton but gave up solid games to Drew Brees, Jake Locker, Carson Palmer, and Chad Henne. His production will certainly be limited, however, so don’t expect an explosion.
Ryan Tannehill, either Raiders quarterback, Chad Henne, Josh McCown, and Kellen Clemens all have difficult matchups and should be stayed away from. Matt Ryan is a risky start but put up 20.3 fantasy points on the Saints in Week 1 so he’s startable. Jason Campbell faces a Steelers defense that started out tough but has given up 18+ fantasy points to quarterbacks in three of their last for weeks so he’s startable as well. Carson Palmer has been hot and the Colts defense has allowed 21+ points to quarterbacks in four of their last five games so he’s startable as well.
On the favorable side, Eli Manning, Case Keenum, Alex Smith, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford, Colin Kaepernick, Tom Brady, and Tony Romo are all must-starts this week. Joe Flacco should see plenty of green against the Jets as well. Scott Tolzien is a risk but if he’s going to do well against anyone it’s going to be the Vikings. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Christian Ponder both have favorable matchups but are tough to trust.
Let’s take a look at all of this week’s quarterback matchups.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 12 Opponents |
|
1 |
10.88 | Panthers | Ryan Tannehill |
|
2 |
12.3 | Seahawks | BYE |
|
3 |
12.81 | Titans | Terrelle Pryor (Q), Matt McGloin |
|
4 |
12.88 | Saints | Matt Ryan |
|
5 |
14.08 | Dolphins | Cam Newton |
|
6 |
14.1 | 49ers | Robert Griffin III |
|
7 |
14.8 | Chiefs | Philip Rivers |
|
8 |
14.94 | Steelers | Jason Campbell |
|
9 |
15.66 | Texans | Chad Henne |
|
10 |
15.66 | Bengals | BYE |
|
11 |
16.23 | Patriots | Peyton Manning |
|
12 |
16.29 | Rams | Josh McCown |
|
13 |
16.69 | Bears | Kellen Clemens |
|
14 |
17.21 | Colts | Carson Palmer |
|
15 |
17.43 | Browns | Ben Roethlisberger |
|
16 |
17.6 | Cardinals | Andrew Luck |
|
17 |
17.66 | Lions | Mike Glennon |
|
18 |
17.76 | Ravens | Geno Smith |
|
19 |
17.92 | Giants | Tony Romo |
|
20 |
18.37 | Bills | BYE |
|
21 |
18.61 | Jets | Joe Flacco |
|
22 |
19.37 | Packers | Christian Ponder |
|
23 |
19.41 | Raiders | Ryan Fitzpatrick |
|
24 |
19.53 | Broncos | Tom Brady |
|
25 |
19.67 | Eagles | BYE |
|
26 |
19.98 | Redskins | Colin Kaepernick |
|
27 |
20.01 | Buccaneers | Matthew Stafford |
|
28 |
20.07 | Falcons | Drew Brees |
|
29 |
20.87 | Chargers | Alex Smith |
|
30 |
21.06 | Jaguars | Case Keenum |
|
31 |
21.56 | Vikings | Scott Tolzien |
|
32 |
23.38 | Cowboys | Eli Manning |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
