Last week a number of quarterback went down to injury, with Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner both suffering mild concussions. Because of these injuries, Top Fantasy Football felt it would be most prudent to wait until Wednesday night for the latest roster status updates to give you the best start-sit advice for your fantasy quarterbacks this week.
There are other positions where injuries are going to play a role, though. Ahmad Bradshaw is out for the Giants, so with Brandon Jacobs still coming back from his own health issues it might be time for Eli Manning to have a big week. Tony Romo has a stiff back, but the bigger concern is that Jason Witten is listed as a game-time decision.
With so many injuries effecting NFL rosters, knowing who's healthy this week will be critical to getting a win for your fantasy playoff positioning. Let's rank the quarterbacks for Week 12.
1. Brett Favre, MIN vs. CHI - his entire roster appears to be healthy, and the Bears are playing miserable defense. Though Adrian Peterson has historically torched the Bears, Chicago might get desperate and start chucking themselves. IF this game turns into a shootout, Favre could be huge.
2. Aaron Rodgers, GB @ DET* - in case you missed it, Brady Quinn threw for over 300 yards and had three first quarter touchdown passes against the Lions last week. Nothing against Quinn, but he's a couple years, a head coach and an offense from being Rodgers. This game is on Thursday, and it's likely the Packers will be the thankful roster.
3. Carson Palmer, CIN vs. CLE - with an injured Cedric Benson questionable with a bad hip, and coming off a stunning loss to Oakland, the Bengals have the perfect opponent to bounce back against: the Browns. Smart money says Palmer has an enormous day.
Of the top three quarterbacks this week, I would be shocked if each of the three didn't throw for well over 300 yards and had at least two touchdowns each. All three teams are playing awful defenses that have given up big plays all year. If you have one of these three, feel pretty good heading into Thanksgiving.
4. Philip Rivers, SD vs. KC - the Chargers are starting to put a strangle-hold on the AFC West, and this will be another game where Rivers could excel. He has lost a few touchdowns to a suddenly rejuvenated LaDanian Tomlinson the past couple weeks, and the Chiefs' defense played well against the Patiots. Rivers should still have a solid week.
5. Matt Schaub, HOU vs. IND - the Colts' secondary continues to be banged up, and Schaub had a good game agaist them just a few weeks ago. The Texans will want to make a statement on Sunday and knock Indianapolis from the ranks of the unbeaten, and they'll likely have to do it through the air.
6. Joe Flacco, BAL vs. PIT - this is a big week for the 5-5 Ravens, and the Steelers will undoubtedly focus on stopping Ray Rice. That means it will come down to Flacco making plays through the air against a Pittsburgh defense still missing their rock, Troy Polamalu. Flacco could have a big day in a crucial game.
7. Tom Brady, NE @ NO*
8. Drew Brees, NO vs. NE* - Monday night's matchup between the undefeated Saints and Patriots could turn into a legendary shootout. Because both defense have played well lately, these two signal callers fall a ways in the rankings, but they could easily both top 300 yards. Because New Orleans has a stronger running game, I would give the edge on paper to Brady.
9. Peyton Manning, IND @ HOU - it might qualify as herecy, but I think Manning doesn't have as big of a day this week in Houston. Their last meeting was only a 20-17 Indianapolis win, and Houston's pass rush did a good job of harassing Manning. Indianapolis might win the game, but I think Schaub has the better stats.
10. Donovan McNabb, PHI vs. WAS - McNabb didn't have an incredible game against the Bears, but he got a lot of help from LeSean McCoy. This might be the week that the Eagles' lack of depth in the backfield catches up with them, and the Eagles need to win a division game against a bad Redskins team. It might be on McNabb to win it for Philly this week.
The balance of the top ten rounds out with seven more quarterbacks that should get you 240-300 yards and a couple touchdowns each. There are some prime matchups this week for the top tier quarterbacks, and some quality fantasy points could be had in many of this week's games.
In the second group of ten, there are some quarterbacks with question marks. Either their health, their opponent, or the players around them.
11. David Garrard, JAX @ SF
12. Kurt Warner, ARI @ TEN - check back Sunday for an injury update, but he expects to start.
13. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT @ BAL - like Warner, he left last week's game. He does, however, expect to play Sunday.
14. Matt Hasselback, SEA @ STL
15. Matt Ryan, ATL vs. TAM
16. Tony Romo, DAL vs. OAK - check Thursday for the status of Romo's back and Witten's availability.
17. Eli Manning, NYG @ DEN* - no Bradshaw and a limited Jacobs could mean Manning goes big.
The next three quarterbacks could take advantage of bad defenses, but have too many issues around them to be a lock for a huge day.
18. Chad Henne, MIA vs. BUF
19. Vince Young, TEN vs. ARI
20. Jason Campbell, WAS vs. PHI
All I'll say here is, if you're ranked lower than Jason Campbell as a fantasy quarterback, you should be on waivers. But you might be desperate, or be dealing with an injury, so we'll finish the rankings anyway.
21. Trent Edwards, BUF vs, MIA
22. Jay Cutler, CHI @ MIN
23. Jake Delhomme, CAR @ NYJ
24. Daunte Culpepper, DET vs GB* - Matthew Stafford not expected to play Thursday.
25. Marc Bulger, STL vs SEA
26. Matt Cassel, KC @ SD
27. Mark Sanchez, NYJ vs. CAR
28. Alex Smith, SF vs. JAX
29. Brady Quinn, CLE @ CIN
30. Josh Freeman, TB @ ATL
31. Bruce Gradkowski, OAK @ DAL*
32. Kyle Orton, DEN vs. NYG* - check back Thursday to make sure his ankle's good to go
