Byes: New Orleans (Drew Brees), Kansas City (Alex Smith)
Forty-two quarterbacks have started at least one game during the 2014 NFL regular season.
Drew Stanton, Kyle Orton, Derek Anderson, Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater, Christian Ponder, Austin Davis, Mike Glennon, Charlie Whitehurst, and Kirk Cousins all started the season on the bench (minus Anderson who had to sub in for Cam Newton Week 1).
2-QBers know how important is to stay on top of NFL quarterback depth charts because they never know when they might need an emergency fill-in at quarterback, or have to replace an injured or ineffective starting quarterback for an indefinite period of time.
All the work you put into researching fantasy football during the offseason doesn’t matter as much once the season starts.
Your preseason Carson Palmer shares all of a sudden become in-season Drew Stanton (and quite possibly Logan Thomas) shares. That’s what life is like in the world of 2-QB fantasy football leagues. If you’re not on top of the quarterback landscape on a regular basis you might miss out on the Austin Davises or Mike Glennons of the 2-QB fantasy football world.
Below are my Week 6 quarterback rankings for 2-QB fantasy football leagues, followed by my weekly Stock Watch report.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings for 2-QB Leagues:
1. Peyton Manning @ NYJ
2. Aaron Rodgers @ MIA
3. Russell Wilson vs. DAL
4. Jay Cutler @ ATL
5. Eli Manning @ PHI
6. Matt Ryan vs. CHI
7. Andrew Luck @ HOU
8. Philip Rivers @ OAK
9. Austin Davis vs. SF
10. Nick Foles vs. NYG
11. Joe Flacco @ TB
12. Brian Hoyer vs. PIT
13. Ben Roethlisberger @ CLE
14. Colin Kaepernick @ STL
15. Kirk Cousins @ ARI
16. Cam Newton @ CIN
17. Matthew Stafford @ MIN
18. Tom Brady @ BUF
19. Andy Dalton vs. CAR
20. Tony Romo @ SEA
21. Mike Glennon vs. BAL
22. Ryan Tannehill vs. GB
23. Blake Bortles @ TEN
24. Teddy Bridgewater vs. DET
25. Logan Thomas vs. WAS
26. Kyle Orton vs. NE
27. Charlie Whitehurst vs. JAC
28. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. IND
29. Geno Smith vs. DEN
30. Derek Carr vs. SD
31. Zach Mettenberger vs. JAC
32. Michael Vick vs. DEN
33. EJ Manuel vs. NE
Week 6 Quarterbacks on the Rise in 2-QB Leagues
Austin Davis
Austin Davis started the first half of Week 5’s matchup vs. Philadelphia completing 52.6 percent of his passes for 123 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. The Rams also found themselves down 20-7 at the half. The lead eventually grew to 34-7, and most had written it off as an Eagles blowout.
However, Davis had other things in mind, as he led the team on three straight scoring drives. The Rams would lose 34-28, but Davis’ second half numbers were impressive: 63.3 completion percentage, 252 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Davis would finish the game with 29 completions on 49 attempts for 375 yards and three touchdowns stat line. He also added 30 yards rushing, and finished the week as the third-highest scoring fantasy quarterback, behind only Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning.
There has been talk of Davis’ upcoming schedule most likely putting an end to his short-term fantasy relevance, with matchups vs. San Fran (twice), Seattle, Denver, and San Diego on the horizon between Week 5 to Week 12.
Now could be a good time to pounce on that fear of the Davis owner in your 2-QB league in a trade offer. The odds might be even more in your favor if Davis is only a QB3 bench stash on the other owner’s roster.
Kyle Orton
In one start as a Buffalo Bill, Kyle Orton showed he was an effective game manager. Something EJ Manuel hadn’t done much of during his time as the starter in Buffalo. Orton led the Bills in an upset victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 5, and did so by completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 308 yards, while throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Orton finished the week as QB20 in fantasy scoring, and showed he could be thrust into the role of QB2 streamer in plus matchups. The Lions up to that point had not allowed any quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards against them, and they allow the fewest fantasy points/game to opposing quarterbacks.
Orton has favorable matchups vs. MIN, NYJ (twice), and Kansas City from Week 7 to Week 12.
Week 6 Quarterbacks on the Slide in 2-QB Leagues:
Geno Smith
Those that were chanting for Michael Vick’s name to replace starting quarterback Geno Smith got their wish during the team’s 31-0 loss to the San Diego Chargers in Week 5.
After starting the game 4-of-12 for 27 yards and 1 interception, Geno was benched and replaced by Vick.
It was much of the same for the Jets’ offense that was missing top wide receiver Eric Decker, as Vick finished the game 8-of-19 for 47 yards, and added 14 yards on the ground. Following the game, Vick admitted he hadn’t prepared for game:
“Maybe I didn’t prepare or I wasn’t prepared, but I’ll tell you what, it won’t happen again.”
Whether Vick gets another shot remains to be seen. Jets head coach Rex Ryan has already come out saying Geno will start at quarterback in Week 6 vs. Denver. It’s hard to trust either Ryan or Geno at this point, but you have to hold steady and hope that a returning and healthy Decker can help Smith out the rest of the season.
Drew Stanton
A Week 5 concussion and a Carson Palmer return on horizon looks to squash Drew Stanton’s fantasy value. It was a bumpy ride with the backup signal caller, who had his ups and downs. In his two full games replacing Palmer, Stanton put up fantasy performances of 6.48 points (Week 2) and 19.36 fantasy points (Week 3).
With Palmer’s return imminent, and Logan Thomas in line to start this week if Stanton’s concussion keeps him out, we may have seen the last of Stanton as a relevant starting fantasy quarterback in 2-QB leagues. Palmer’s nerve issue might be bothersome all season long though, so we might see Stanton again.
*Stats used courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference, ESPN, and FantasyData
