Last week, our best looking defensive matchup was Case Keenum against the Jaguars. Rather than take advantage, Keenum struggled and threw for just 169 yards and an interception. Does that mean the Jags defense is suddenly not the highly promising matchup it once was? Hardly. The Jags came into the game having allowed 24+ standard fantasy points to the likes of Carson Palmer, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Colin Kapernick in three straight weeks. They have allowed more quarterback fantasy points than any other team except the Cowboys.
Unfortunately, we’ll sometimes have a Case Keenum-esque effort but, ultimately, Keenum is the first quarterback the Jags have kept to single digits this season and, more often than not, a favorable defensive matchup will live up to its billing.
This week, our most favorable matchups feature some fringe quarterbacks. Brandon Weeden faces the Jags and Matt McGloin faces the Cowboys. Both have seen their ups and downs but neither makes for an appealing starter, though either could do in a pinch if you want to save some daily fantasy money.
Josh McCown, on the other hand, looks great facing a woeful Vikings defense. McCown has had a 90+ passer rating in every game he’s played, at least one touchdown in each, and just threw his first interception of the season on Sunday against the Rams. I would start him over the majority of quarterbacks this week and he’s available on most waiver wires.
Otherwise, Andy Dalton, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Cam Newton, Alex Smith, Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford, Robert Griffin, Ryan Tannehill, and Matt Ryan all have highly favorable matchups this week. EJ Manuel and Matt Flynn do as well but are merely cheap daily fantasy or 2-QB league options.
On the unfavorable side, feel free to roll with Peyton Manning and Drew Brees in any matchup. I’m inclined to say the same of Philip Rivers who just ran through the Chiefs defense but Cincy has limited opposing quarterbacks to an average of 11.17 fantasy points per game over their last four so he’ll likely be limited as well.
Definitely stay away from Mike Glennon, Kellen Clemens, Geno Smith, Christian Ponder, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco, Tom Brady, and Colin Kaepernick all have unfriendly matchups as well.
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 13 Opponents |
|
1 |
11.31 | Panthers | Mike Glennon |
|
2 |
12.21 | Seahawks | Drew Brees |
|
3 |
13.05 | Saints | Russell Wilson |
|
4 |
13.37 | Titans | Andrew Luck |
|
5 |
14.2 | 49ers | Kellen Clemens |
|
6 |
14.22 | Dolphins | Geno Smith |
|
7 |
14.81 | Chiefs | Peyton Manning |
|
8 |
15.23 | Bengals | Philip Rivers |
|
9 |
15.83 | Steelers | Joe Flacco |
|
10 |
16.05 | Texans | Tom Brady |
|
11 |
16.07 | Bears | Christian Ponder |
|
12 |
16.29 | Rams | Colin Kaepernick |
|
13 |
17.04 | Colts | Ryan Fitzpatrick |
|
14 |
17.06 | Browns | Chad Henne |
|
15 |
17.06 | Cardinals | Nick Foles |
|
16 |
17.2 | Bills | Matt Ryan |
|
17 |
17.24 | Ravens | Ben Roethlisberger |
|
18 |
17.26 | Patriots | Case Keenum |
|
19 |
17.3 | Giants | Robert Griffin III |
|
20 |
18.62 | Jets | Ryan Tannehill |
|
21 |
18.88 | Packers | Matthew Stafford |
|
22 |
19.07 | Raiders | Tony Romo |
|
23 |
19.08 | Lions | Matt Flynn |
|
24 |
19.81 | Broncos | Alex Smith |
|
25 |
19.83 | Falcons | EJ Manuel |
|
26 |
19.96 | Buccaneers | Cam Newton |
|
27 |
20.06 | Eagles | Carson Palmer |
|
28 |
20.24 | Redskins | Eli Manning |
|
29 |
20.37 | Chargers | Andy Dalton |
|
30 |
21.28 | Vikings | Josh McCown |
|
31 |
21.4 | Jaguars | Brandon Weeden |
|
32 |
23.38 | Cowboys | Matt McGloin |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
