Starts
Start of the Week –
Justin Herbert vs Las Vegas Raiders
Despite them losing last second last week, Herbert put up a solid 21 points for fantasy purposes. He now faces a Raiders defense that is 25th against quarterbacks despite Baker Mayfield’s poor performance last week. They give up an average of 20 points to quarterbacks. You can count on Herbert yet again for this week.
Ben Roethlisberger vs Dallas Cowboys
Say what you want, but the Steelers are 7-0. Big Ben struggled in the first half against the Ravens last week, but was able to ground and pound his way through “backyard style” football to beat the Ravens. With two touchdowns to his name, he should do quite well against the Cowboys whose defense has been crucified lately.
Matt Ryan vs Denver Broncos
Ryan didn’t do anything great last week against Carolina as he didn’t throw a touchdown, tossed a pick, but ran in for a score as well. Even with Calvin Ridley’s status in question, I am going with my gut to trust Ryan here as the Broncos are 24th against opposing quarterbacks and got torched last weekend by rookie Justin Herbert.
Matthew Stafford vs Minnesota Vikings
This is a warning that he is in the COVID protocol so if he does not go, Derek Carr would go in this spot. Now then, Stafford did all he could last weekend, but in the end, the Colts were simply too much. He does have a better matchup this weekend though against a divisional opponent in the Minnesota Vikings. Their defense has been absolutely terrible against quarterbacks this season, finishing 28th against opposing signal callers so far. Stafford is enticing of a play as can be this week despite not having Golladay for the matchup.
Cam Newton vs New York Jets
Has he been bad this season? Yes. However, he has a big shot to improve himself when he goes up against arguably the worst defense in the NFL; the New York Jets. It will be a statement game to make with Newton’s job essentially on the line. He should pull through against a defense that gives up over 20 points a game to quarterbacks.
Sleepers;
Derek Carr vs Los Angeles Chargers
Drew Lock vs Atlanta Falcons
Nick Foles vs Tennessee Titans
Sits
Sit of the Week –
Philip Rivers vs Baltimore Ravens
Rivers has come out of hiding for the last two weeks of the season scoring over 20 points in contests against the Bengals and Lions. However, now he faces a new challenge in the Baltimore Ravens. They are angry after losing their second game of the season, and they will likely want to take it out on Rivers.
Drew Brees vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There really is no need for all the Drew Brees hatred as he hasn’t scored less than double digit points all season. However, his numbers have dipped from last season, and without Michael Thomas for most of it, I can see why. He will be going up against the Bucs defense who held him to 14 points in their last encounter. It’s hard to do, but I’d leave Brees aside for this one.
Ryan Tannehill vs Chicago Bears
Tannehill surprisingly fell short last weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals. He now has a greater challenge on display for this upcoming weekend against the Chicago Bears. They did decently well in containing Drew Brees last weekend, and I feel they should do just as well containing Ryan Tannehill. The Bears are 5th against quarterbacks allowing only an average of 15 points to them per game.
Teddy Bridgewater vs Kansas City Chiefs
Bridgewater had a lot of troubles to deal with last Thursday night against the Falcons. He shouldn’t have, but he did. Whats worse is that he got his head nearly taken off. He was rattled, and in the end it cost him a victory against Atlanta. I expect Kansas City’s defense to be just as aggressive. Their defense is 6th against quarterbacks and allow an average of just 15 points per game to the position.
Kirk Cousins vs Detroit Lions
The Vikings won last weekend, and despite them winning Cousins did not perform that well under center. Why would he need to be now that Dalvin Cook is back. Cook is the main part of why that offense succeeds because Cousins relies on him as a security blanket. I don’t think Cousins does well here as he has only had two games this season with 20 or more points.
Busts;
Daniel Jones vs Washington Football Team
Tua Tagovailoa vs Arizona Cardinals
Jake Luton vs Houston Texans
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