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Fortunately, you can wave farewell to the concept of bye weeks, as they are now firmly in the rear view mirror. All 32 teams will be in action each week from this point forward, and anyone who owns Tom Brady, RG3, Matthew Stafford, Tony Romo and Matt Schaub should remember that they will be performing on Thanksgiving Day.
Romo is one of the five QBs that will have the most enticing matchups this week, among those who merit consideration as a starter. It does not necessarily mean that they are the top five signal callers from a ranking standpoint, although that might actually be the case in certain weeks. That section will be followed immediately by the top 20 rankings for this week. Both sections will provide you with additional insight into each QB’s next encounter. Including facts and statistics to guide you toward the best decision regarding whether or not they should be in your starting lineup.
To see which QBs should be targeted on your waiver wire, along with players at the other positions, just click here: https://fantasyknuckleheads.com/week-12-waiver-wire-pickups/
5 BEST MATCHUPS
Peyton Manning @ Chiefs
Manning’s recent body of work is just the latest addition to an impressive sequence of achievements. He is sculpting another outstanding season, and with 2,975 yards in 10 games, should eventually produce 4,000+ for the 13th time. His 24 TDs are the NFL’s third highest, and he has thrown just seven INTs with his 372 attempts. Now he sets his sights on a Kansas City pass defense that is ninth overall, although the statistics render that ranking very deceptive. The Chiefs have been highly susceptible to yielding big plays, having surrendered a total of 20 TDs for the season, including 10 in their last five contests. They have also allowed at least two TD passes in eight of their 10 games. While the play of CB Brandon Flowers has improved in recent weeks, there are too many other areas of weakness that Manning can exploit with regularity. He should surpass 300 yards for the seventh time this season, while also amassing three TDs.
Matt Ryan @ Buccaneers
Ball security had not been an issue for Ryan this year, as he entered Week 11 with seven INTs for the season. However, he threw five more against Arizona, which was the first time that he had exceeded three in one game. But that was not the only uncharacteristic result, as Ryan also failed to produce a TD for just the second time this year. Still, some perspective is required. He leads the NFL in passing yardage (3,072), and his 307 YPG average also ties him for first. He also surpassed 300 yards for the fifth time in the past seven contests, and has a great opportunity to accomplish that again this week. Ryan will line up against a Tampa Bay team that is doing some things very well, but still has extreme difficulty defending the pass. The Buccaneers rank dead last in that category, allowing 313 YPG. They have also yielded 17 TD passes, and their shortcomings in the secondary will enable Ryan to rebound significantly in this contest.
Aaron Rodgers @ Giants
When these teams last met, the Giants sacked Rodgers four times, while also forcing a fumble and interception. However, he did connect on 26 passes for 246 yards and two TDs. That of course was in Green Bay during the postseason, and now the rematch will occur in New York. While the Packers continue to battle injuries, Rodgers has remained extremely productive. And his recent accomplishments are impressive. 17 of his 27 TD passes have been assembled in the last five games. Plus, he has completed at least 70% of his passes in two of his last four contests. Now, he must continue his accuracy and quick decision making when he lines up against the Giants. While they rank 25th against the pass, they certainly excel in several areas. New York’s defensive front remains formidable, as they have generated 25 sacks. They will also enter the contest with the NFL’s second highest number of INTs (17). Rodgers will need to be wary of the pass rush, and avoid turnovers. But his track record suggests that he will deliver a highly productive performance.
Tony Romo vs. Redskins
The promise of August and September for many fantasy owners who drafted Romo has been replaced by disappointment and an increasing level of anger at various times of the season. Many have attempted to trade him, and others have even jettisoned him to the waiver wire. But he just amassed 313 yards against Cleveland, which was the third time that he has exceeded 300 yards in the past four games. He also avoided throwing an INT for the third straight contest, and has finally evened his TD/ INT ratio for the season at 13. He succeeded in taking advantage of his favorable matchup against the Browns, and is in position to repeat that achievement this week. Romo will be facing the 29th ranked pass defense of Washington, that is permitting 289 YPG. The Redskins have also surrendered 20 TDs via the air, and Romo will expand that number. Expect two more TD passes, as Romo will also approach 300 yards.
Philip Rivers vs. Ravens
Rivers’ precipitous plunge from inclusion among the elite has been so sizable that he even appeared on some waiver wires this month. His recent propensity to force throws that ultimately become turnovers, even compelled Norv Turner to provide a “vote of confidence” heading into Week 11. All of which makes it is understandable that owners would be hesitant to trust him. But his matchup this week is enticing, and makes him worthy of consideration if you are in a deep league, or in search of a one week option for any other reason. Not only will Rivers be performing at home, but he be lining up against the league's 23rd ranked pass defense. The Ravens were struggling to neutralize opposing aerial assaults even before a series of injuries decimated their unit. Now they are extremely vulnerable, as their 250 YPG average will attest. Baltimore has not been generous in surrendering TDs, as they have yielded only eight. But yardage is attainable against them, and Danario Alexander has suddenly emerged as the big play receiver that Rivers has desperately needed this season. That will help him produce his third 300+ yard performance of the year.
TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Peyton Manning (@ Chiefs)
He will now attempt to improve his career record against Kansas City to 7-1, and the Chiefs' burnable secondary will accommodate him in that endeavor.
2. Matt Ryan (@ Buccaneers)
Ryan should avoid duplication of his zero TD/five INT ratio in Week 11, and deliver numbers that are far more consistent with his previous efforts this season.
3. Drew Brees (vs. 49ers)
Brees now leads the league with 28 TD passes, and his 3,066 yards place him second among all QBs. That has been accomplished by amassing at least 300 yards in five contests. Plus, he has thrown for at least two TDs in eight consecutive games.
4. Aaron Rodgers (@ Giants)
Despite Green Bay’s extensive injuries, Rodgers has kept the offense rolling. 24 of his 27 TD passes have been thrown since Week 4.
5. Tom Brady (@ Jets)
In his career, Brady has thrown 32 TDs and 11 INTs against the Jets, which has helped him attain a 16-5 record against them. Expect more of the same this week.
6. Robert Griffin III (@ Cowboys)
After entering Week 11 with eight TD passes all season, he generated a career best four against a declining Eagle secondary. He also completed an incredible 93% of his throws, and even manufactured 80+ rushing yards for the first time since Week 7. It will be difficult to replicate those numbers this week against the Cowboys’ sixth ranked defense, but RG3 will still deliver reasonable production.
7. Tony Romo (vs. Redskins)
He has completed over 70% of his passes in three straight games. Now he will face an extremely hospitable pass defense, and should deliver high quality numbers.
8. Andrew Luck (vs. Bills)
Luck returns home where he has thrown eight of his 12 TDs, and just two of his 12 INTs. There he will face a Buffalo pass defense that has already allowed 19 TD passes.
9. Josh Freeman (vs. Falcons)
Freeman is just 1-5 in his career versus Atlanta, and has thrown eight TDs with 10 INTs. But he has been a much improved QB, particularly in the past six weeks.
10. Andy Dalton (vs. Raiders)
He is now tied for fifth among all QBs with 20 TD passes, after throwing two against the Chiefs last Sunday. It was his sixth game with multiple scoring passes this season, and he improved his season yardage total to 2,559 in the process. An afternoon engaging the Raiders’ 24th ranked pass defense will provide another boost to Dalton’s numbers.
11. Matt Schaub (@ Lions)
It will be virtually impossible for Schaub to duplicate his Week 11 numbers (527 yards, five TDs). But he should still deliver very good results against an injury depleted secondary.
12. Colin Kaepernick @ Saints
He looked outstanding against the normally formidable defense of Chicago, and would appear to be deserving of another start against New Orleans. If he can generate 243 yards and two TDs against the Bears, what can he accomplish versus the NFL's 31st pass defense?
13. Cam Newton (vs. Eagles)
Newton’s numbers after 10 games – 2,395 yards and nine TDs through the air, and 394 yards with four TDs on the ground – lose their luster quickly when compared to the 10 games of his rookie season. One year ago, he had already produced 2,885 yards and 12 TDs through the air, and run for 411 yards and 10 TDs.
14. Carson Palmer (@ Bengals)
Palmer revisits Cincinnati, having thrown the league’s second highest number of passes (415), including 40+ in six different contests. His 3,035 yards also place him third among all QBs. But the Bengals have already produced 30 sacks, and know that he must throw repeatedly in order for the Raiders to win. They will also be extremely aware that some of his errant throws that have led to 11 INTs.
15. Matthew Stafford (vs. Texans)
Some of Stafford’s throws were slightly off, and that made a huge difference at some critical points of Detroit’s crippling loss in Week 11. While he has already generated the NFL’s fourth highest yardage total, he must now face a normally stout Houston pass defense that will want to atone for last week’s uncharacteristic performance.
16. Eli Manning vs. Packers
He threw 10 TDs in the Giants’ initial five contests, but has only managed only two since. Owners have to hope that Manning and his teammates will be reenergized after their bye week, and recapture some of their early season success.
17. Philip Rivers (vs. Ravens)
Baltimore’s razor thin secondary can still make plays, but also surrenders them. Rivers should connect for some huge gains as a result.
18. Ryan Fitzpatrick (@ Colts)
Even though he failed to generate a TD pass against a vulnerable Miami pass defense in Week 11, he is still tied for ninth overall with 17. He should improve that number against an Indianapolis pass defense that just surrendered 331 yards to Brady.
19. Russell Wilson @ Dolphins
He has quietly accumulated 15 TD passes, which is more than Eli, Romo, Stafford, and RG3. He should produce several more versus Miami’s 27th ranked pass defense.
20. Chad Henne vs. Titans
Henne launched an unexpected aerial assault against what is normally an excellent pass defense in Week 11. Proven playmaker Cecil Shorts, emerging rookie Justin Blackmon, and Marcedes Lewis all provide Henne with sufficient weaponry to generate reasonable numbers against Tennessee. Greg has Henne as the top waiver wire quarterback this week in his Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups.
