With the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans each about to start their third different quarterback of the year we will reach the point where we will see over 50 different starting signal callers this season trot out to start a game at least once this season.
Johnny Manziel made it 49 last week, and Ryan Lindley and Thaddeus-Case-Keenum-Lewis will make it 51.
Part of the allure/frustration with 2-QB leagues is that the position is of the utmost importance. Unlike 1-QB leagues where you can pick up a Ryan Tannehill or Alex Smith from the waiver wire any given week, you’re not afforded such a luxury in 2-QB leagues.
2-QBers get excited when a potential starting quarterback is sitting on the waiver wires, but the options are not always of the plug-and-play variety. Yes, Ryan Lindley may be on your waiver wire, but do you really trust starting him? In Championship Week, nonetheless. Probably not.
This is why it’s important to do your best to manage your 2-QB roster in-season, and try to spot trends early enough where you can use them to you advantage. Be it drafting backup quarterbacks you think might start or rostering them a week or three in advance of their actual ascension to the starting quarterback throne.
Below you’ll find my quarterback rankings for the week, followed by my stock watch report, and a quick waiver wire take. Good luck if you’ve made it to the championship round of your 2-QB league!
Week 16 2-QB Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings:
1. Aaron Rodgers @ TB
2. Drew Brees vs. ATL
3. Andrew Luck @ DAL
4. Tony Romo vs. IND
5. Matthew Stafford @ CHI
6. Tom Brady @ NYJ
7. Alex Smith @ PIT
8. Matt Ryan @ NO
9. Mark Sanchez @ WAS
10. Peyton Manning @ CIN
11. Russell Wilson @ ARI
12. Robert Griffin III vs. PHI
13. Andy Dalton vs. DEN
14. Ben Roethlisberger vs. KC
15. Josh McCown vs. GB
16. Ryan Tannehill vs. MIN
17. Philip Rivers @ SF
18. Eli Manning @ STL
19. Cam Newton vs. CLE
20. Jay Cutler vs. DET ***
21. Joe Flacco @ HOU
22. Colin Kaepernick vs. SD
23. Johnny Manziel @ CAR
24. Teddy Bridgewater @ MIA
25. Kyle Orton @ BUF
26. Shaun Hill vs. NYG
27. Geno Smith vs. NE
28. Blake Bortles vs. TEN
29. Case Keenum vs. BAL
30. Derek Carr vs. BUF
31. Charlie Whitehurst @ JAC
32. Ryan Lindley vs. SEA
33. Kirk Cousins vs. PHI
34. Derek Anderson vs. CLE
35. Michael Vick vs. NE
36. EJ Manuel @ OAK
37. Chad Henne vs. TEN
38. Brian Hoyer @ CAR
39. Thaddeus Lewis vs. BAL
40. Logan Thomas vs. SEA
***Update*** With news of the Jay Cutler benching, I’m inserting Jimmy Clausen into the rankings at QB28. I’ve moved Cutler down to QB33.*** See waiver wire section for more Clausen analysis.
Week 16 Quarterbacks on the Rise
Alex Smith
It was a relatively low scoring week for the fantasy quarterback position in Week 15. Only five fantasy signal callers scored 20+ fantasy points, with Drew Brees and his 27.20 fantasy points leading the pack.
Alex Smith came in as the QB3 last week, scoring 21.58 fantasy points. A 70-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to Knile Davis had a lot to do with Smith’s fantasy output, but points are points, and we’ll take them any way we can.
This week the Chiefs face the Steelers, and Smith has a good shot at being a 2-QB championship hero. The Steelers have allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns on the year (28), and give up an average of 263 passing yards/game.
Smith was drafted as QB19 on average in 2-QB drafts this year, and has a chance to help owners who drafted him late win a championship.
Robert Griffin III
Left for dead by most 2-QB owners and his coach, Robert Griffin III is back under center for the Washington “football” team. RG3 had to relieve Colt McCoy last week, and wound up finishing the week as the eighth-highest fantasy scoring quarterback.
RG3 played some of his best football of the season, completing 66.7 percent of his passes, and running for a season-high 46 yards. With a Week 16 matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles on the horizon, there’s a good chance RG3 can end his 2014 season on a high note.
Week 16 Quarterbacks on the Slide
Mark Sanchez
In Week 13, Mark Sanchez had his best fantasy performance of the season, scoring 21.48 fantasy points versus the Dallas Cowboys. And in Week 15 he had his worst fantasy performance of the season, putting up only 6.08 fantasy points versus the very same Dallas Cowboys.
It was a low point for The Sanchize, and he even had some clamouring for the return of Nick Foles. Going up against a Washington defense that has given up the second-most passing touchdowns (31), and second-most fantasy points/game to opposing quarterbacks gives Sanchez and his 2-QB owners a chance to rebound in Week 16.
Aaron Rodgers
This is usually not a spot where you see the likes of Aaron Rodgers, but it goes to show you that any quarterback on any given Sunday can have a bad game.
Rodgers did just that when in a week where Charlie Whitehurst and Blake Bortles each scored more fantasy points than Rodgers. His 6.08 fantasy points were the fewest he has scored in a complete game in his career.
Week 16 2-QB Waiver Wire Future Planning
With the fantasy football season winding down, and most leagues in championship mode I figured an abbreviated waiver wire section would be best, rather than an entire article.
Below are a few names to consider snagging off the waiver wire in your 2-QB league if you’re in a need of help. I’ve ranked them by how I would prioritize their additions to your 2-QB squad.
1. Robert Griffin III
RG3 plays an Eagles defense in Week 16 that has given up the third most fantasy points to the quarterback position this season. Nine of 14 quarterbacks to face the Eagles this year have scored 20 or more fantasy points, with Andrew Luck close to making it 10.
2. Kirk Cousins
You never really know what Jay Gruden will do with his quarterback. All indications are that RG3 is starting vs. Philly this week, but would it surprise you to see Kirk Cousins under center?
3. Jimmy Clausen
The Chicago Bears have decided to bench Jay Cutler and roll with Jimmy Clausen at quarterback this week vs. the Detroit Lions. It’s going to be a tough go of things for Clausen against a Lions defense that is allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points/game to opposing quarterbacks. However, the Lions have given up 14+ fantasy points to five straight quarterbacks, and that includes Drew Stanton and Josh McCown.
If Clausen fails to do anything this week we might see David Fales under center in Week 17, if coach Marc Trestman believes he’s seen enough of Jay Cutler this year.
4. Case Keenum
Case Keenum took the fantasy world by storm last season, making him a fan favorite of many, including our own XN Sports fantasy wunderkind Rich Hribar.
The Texans lost Ryan Fitzpatrick for the season, and recently signed Keenum from the Rams’ practice squad. Keenum didn’t make Houston’s final roster cuts this offseason, but his familiarity with the roster and playbook could see him start against the Ravens this week.
5. Charlie Whitehurst
The Titans just can’t catch a break at the quarterback position. First they lost Zach Mettenberger for the season, and then the quarterback he replaced who replaced him, Jake Locker, also suffered a season-ending injury. That leaves “Positive DGAFer” Charlie Whitehurst left to pick up the pieces.
6. Thaddeus Lewis
Thaddeus Lewis had a couple of surprising and memorable fantasy performances during his stint as the starting quarterback in Buffalo last season. There’s a chance he might start for the Texans this week.
7. Ryan Lindley
Prior to his Week 15 cameo relief appearance, Ryan Lindley hadn’t thrown a pass since Week 16 of the 2012 season. Facing the Seahawks this week, Lindley shouldn’t be on your fantasy radar. Remember, he once attempted 52 passes in a game, but scored only 4.58 fantasy points.
*Stats used in this article from ESPN, FantasyData, and Yahoo!
