Give a quarterback a favorable matchup and watch Josh McCown put up 348 yards and four touchdowns on the Cowboys. Defensive matchups aren’t the only thing that matters but they can certainly turn a fringe player into a QB1. This week, my top target is Kirk Cousins, who will start for the Redskins against a Falcons defense that has allowed at least one passing touchdown in every single game this year and at least two passing touchdowns in 10 of 13.
The Falcons held Matt Flynn to 14.12 fantasy points on Sunday, the lowest fantasy point total they have allowed this year. Prior to the Green Bay game, they had allowed an average of 19.3 fantasy points per week over their previous five games. There is no reason Cousins can’t be a QB1 against a team that has allowed 20+ fantasy points to the likes of Geno Smith and Sam Bradford this season.
Matt Flynn is expected to start for the Packers and has a very favorable matchup against the Cowboys. Flynn isn’t particularly good and, prior to Monday’s beatdown by Josh McCown, the ‘Boys had held Matt McGloin to 9.1 fantasy points and Eli Manning to 14.96. Flynn isn’t likely to struggle but I wouldn’t even look at him this week unless you’re really desperate in a 2QB league.
On the flipside, EJ Manuel could be worth a look against the Jaguars. The Jags have allowed at least two passing touchdowns in four of their last five games and 350+ yards in three of their last four. Those games were against the likes of Case Keenum and Matt Schaub, Brandon Weeden, Carson Palmer, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. You certainly don’t need to be an elite quarterback to get the best of Jacksonville.
If Matt Cassel starts, he could be worth a look as well. Although Matthew Stafford couldn’t do anything against the Eagles in the snow, they had allowed 20 points to Carson Palmer, 24 points to Robert Griffin, 15.1 points to Scott Tolzien, and 19 points to Terrelle Pryor in their previous four games.
Nick Foles, Philip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton, Tony Romo, and Drew Brees are all must-starts as usual. Colin Kapernick, Alex Smith, Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, and Ryan Tannehill have favorable matchups as well.
On the flipside, Geno Smith, Eli Manning, Mike Glennon, and Kellen Clemens are all unstartable this week. Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, and Jay Cutler are all risky.
Let’s take a look at all of this week’s fantasy football quarterback matchups.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
Highly Unfavorable, Unfavorable, Neutral, Slightly Favorable, Favorable
|
Rank |
AVG |
Defense |
Week 15 Opponents |
|
1 |
11.38 | Panthers | Geno Smith |
|
2 |
11.84 | Seahawks | Eli Manning |
|
3 |
13.24 | Titans | Carson Palmer |
|
4 |
13.52 | 49ers | Mike Glennon |
|
5 |
13.67 | Dolphins | Tom Brady |
|
6 |
14.36 | Saints | Kellen Clemens |
|
7 |
15.08 | Bengals | Ben Roethlisberger |
|
8 |
15.61 | Bears | Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden |
|
9 |
15.62 | Steelers | Andy Dalton |
|
10 |
16.02 | Texans | Andrew Luck |
|
11 |
16.4 | Ravens | Matthew Stafford |
|
12 |
16.63 | Rams | Drew Brees |
|
13 |
16.81 | Browns | Jay Cutler (Q), Josh McCown |
|
14 |
16.84 | Patriots | Ryan Tannehill |
|
15 |
17.11 | Bills | Chad Henne |
|
16 |
17.33 | Lions | Joe Flacco |
|
17 |
17.41 | Cardinals | Ryan Fitzpatrick |
|
18 |
17.45 | Colts | Case Keenum |
|
19 |
17.47 | Chiefs | Matt McGloin |
|
20 |
17.54 | Giants | Russell Wilson |
|
21 |
18.61 | Packers | Tony Romo |
|
22 |
18.66 | Jets | Cam Newton |
|
23 |
18.92 | Raiders | Alex Smith |
|
24 |
19.63 | Falcons | Kirk Cousins |
|
25 |
19.8 | Chargers | Peyton Manning |
|
26 |
19.85 | Redskins | Matt Ryan |
|
27 |
20.06 | Eagles | Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder |
|
28 |
20.27 | Jaguars | EJ Manuel |
|
29 |
20.44 | Broncos | Philip Rivers |
|
30 |
20.8 | Buccaneers | Colin Kaepernick |
|
31 |
21.49 | Cowboys | Matt Flynn, Aaron Rodgers (Q) |
|
32 |
21.88 | Vikings | Nick Foles |
*Values based on Yahoo standard scoring.
Browse Matchups by Position: QB – RB – WR – TE
