If you streamed any of the quarterbacks who were recommended as QB2 streamers in your 2-QB league last week there’s a good chance you’re on your way to the finals of your 2-QB league, as each one of the quarterbacks discussed as possible QB2 streamers finished the week in the QB1 tier.
Nick Foles, who isn’t really a QB2 candidate any longer, finished as the highest scoring fantasy quarterback for Week 15. The second highest scoring quarterback was Alex Smith, who happened to be another QB2 streamer in this column last week.
The other two quarterbacks talked about as potential QB2 streamers were Ryan Tannehill (QB6), and Kirk Cousins (QB8).
The average standard fantasy points scored by the four QB2s was 27.5.
When you’re in the finals of a 2-QB fantasy football league the likelihood that you’re choosing between two QB2s might be low, but there’s still a chance you’ve been streaming your QB2s all season long.
The waiver wire of your 2-QB league is probably bare at this stage of this season, but you never know who might be lurking around the waiver wire waiting to be snatched up. Make sure you at least give your 2-QB league’s waiver wire a look-see.
Matt Schaub is one such name, as he has been given a late season start versus the Denver Broncos in Week 16. If you were a Josh McCown QB2 streamer, in need of a QB2, Schaub might be the lifeline you need.
Below are three names to consider starting as your QB2 this week, and don’t forget to check out my full quarterback rankings just to see where I have each quarterback ranked for the week. Good luck!
Week 16 QB2 Streaming Circle of Trust
Nick Foles
It’s been said for a while now, but bears repeating: Nick Foles is a fantasy QB1. Start him with confidence this week.
Alex Smith
I actually think Smith has graduated to the QB1 tier myself, but not everybody feels the Smith love as much as I have this season.
Even though I was looking at drafting Smith in all of my 2-QB leagues this year, he’s far exceeded my expectations, and is currently QB8 on the season in standard scoring leagues.
This week Smith faces the Indianapolis Colts, a defense that has given up combined 17 passing/rushing touchdowns in their past eight games, and that includes a zero touchdown day by Case Keenum last week.
Smith has put up four QB1 performances in his past five games, and if it wasn’t for a game flow situation in Week 14, it could have been five straight.
If you’ve been starting Alex Smith as your QB2 all season long, you’ve really been starting him as an unheralded QB1, and it’s a tier he could find himself in once again this week.
Kirk Cousins
Could the matchup get any better for Kirk Cousins one week after making his 2013 starting debut versus a depleted Atlanta Falcons defense?
Why, yes, it can.
Name of the game: Dallas Cowboys.
Objective of the game: allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
When Kirk Cousins was named the starting quarterback of the Washington Redskins for the remainder of the season many pointed to how easy his schedule was, and that he was being set up to succeed.
A 381-passing yard, three passing touchdown day was Step 1 of The Kirk Cousins Plan.
Step 2 is a date with the Dallas Cowboys, and their passing “defense”, which has allowed the most passing yards per game, and that has given up the second most passing touchdowns on the year.
The Cowboys are on a mini two game streak where they have allowed four passing touchdowns in back-to-back games, and it’s happened a total of five times this year.
Cousins has a shot at putting up a second consecutive QB1 fantasy day, and if you are lucky enough to roster him, you might want to start him again this week, even over some of the highly touted “brand name” quarterbacks.
Mike Glennon
When you think of QB2s on a starting fantasy football 2-QB league this week, Mike Glennon might not be the first name that pops up in your head.
He might not even be the second, or 22nd.
If you haven’t followed Glennon’s 2013 fantasy campaign closely since the #FreeMikeGlennon movement occurred, you might be surprised to find out he has thrown for two touchdowns in seven of his starts 11 starts season, with four such games taking place in his last five.
Glennon has also scored 15 or more standard fantasy points six times this year, and narrowly missed out on a seventh such game last week.
If you look at the fantasy numbers put up by opposing quarterbacks against the St. Louis Rams recently, Glennon’s Week 16 opponents, you’ll see some positive signs as to why starting Glennon this week isn’t the worst idea, and trust me, I’ve had some bad ideas in my lifetime.
In their past five games, the Rams have allowed an average of 328.4 passing yards, with a low of 269 yards to Carson Palmer in Week 14, and a high of 393 yards to Drew Brees last week.
If you read Rich Hribar’s Week 16 FanDuel Roster Building piece, he noted how the Rams are allowing under 70 yards rushing per game during the same five game span, which could force the Buccaneers to throw more than pass.
It’s an against the grain QB2 option, but one that could become a sneaky move, if it works out in your favor. And if it doesn’t, you can always blame me in the comments section.
Other QB2s with plus match-ups this week to consider: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andy Dalton, and Jason Campbell.
Good luck this week as you attempt to win your 2-QB league!
*Stats used in this article from FantasyData.com, and Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
