You have come to the right place for comprehensive week 14 QB fantasy football rankings, including the latest updates on RG3, Eli Manning, and Tony Romo. This column will help you, whether you selected your QB at the onset of your drafts, or if you chose your signal caller in the middle rounds.
The five QBs that will be discussed immediately below have the most enticing matchups this week, among those who merit consideration as a starter. It is important to note that in some cases, a QB might have a matchup that is very appealing, but if he is not a legitimate QB1 option in the majority of leagues, then this column will utilize the matchups section on those who are. For instance, Brandon Weeden and Nick Foles have excellent matchups this week, but should only be considered in the deepest of leagues. Therefore, five other QBs who can be started in all leagues will be featured.
That section will be followed immediately by the top 20 rankings for this week. Both 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.
For the most comprehensive information on which QBs to target on your waiver wires, just click here: https://fantasyknuckleheads.com/week-14-waiver-wire-pickups/
5 BEST MATCHUPS
Peyton Manning @ Raiders
When we last witnessed the Silver and Black lining up against Manning, he directed the Bronco offense with extreme precision, connecting on 30 of his 38 passes for 338 yards and three TDs. That was just one of the seven contests in which he has thrown a trio of scoring passes this season, and it was one of six times that he has surpassed 300 yards. He will attain both benchmarks again during this rematch with an Oakland unit that is dead last in scoring defense. The Raiders just allowed 169 points from Weeks 9-12, which is an average of 42 per game. And even though they managed to permit far less to Cleveland last Sunday (20), they still have yielded 31.3 PPG overall. Their deficiencies in defending that pass have enabled opponents to produce 257 YPG, and they have surrendered 24 TDs. Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker both present significant matchup issues for the Raiders, and Manning will torture them with relative ease.
Eli Manning vs. Saints
Relieved owners gladly accepted Manning’s greatly improved production in Week 12, which included the first multiple TD performance since Week 5. Then in Week 13, he was able to throw for 280 yards against Washington's 31st ranked pass defense, which was his highest total since Week 7. This week, he will be supplied with yet another enticing matchup against a New Orleans defense that continues to possess a myriad of issues. Even though the Saints limited Matt Ryan to 165 yards in Week 13, they are now permitting 287 YPG, which has resulted in their dubious ranking of 30th against the pass. Only three teams have yielded more TDs than the 23 that they have surrendered to opponents, and they have only produced eight INTs. Manning should locate open targets throughout the contest, particularly if Hakeem Nicks continues his progression toward the level of productivity that made him a 1000-yard receiver in 2010-2011. That will open up opportunities for Victor Cruz, Martellus Bennett, and of course for Manning. The result should be another high quality performance, similar to Week 12.
Andrew Luck vs. Titans
Luck displayed both his physical and decision making abilities while spearheading a brilliant comeback in Detroit. His momentum should continue this week when he faces the same Tennessee team that allowed him to throw for 297 yards and a TD in Week 8. He will line up against them in Indianapolis, where he has produced nine of his 17 TD passes, and just three of his 16 INTs. Regardless of how Luck is asked to attack the Titans, he should deliver an exceptional outing statistically. Because Tennessee struggles mightily when attempting to contain both the pass and the run. They rank just 26th in pass defense, are yielding 258 YPG, and have surrendered a mammoth 24 TDs. The Titans are also 27th at stopping the run, and have allowed 10 TDs on the ground. Which bodes well for Luck’s chances of manufacturing his sixth rushing TD this season. Unsurprisingly, Tennessee is also next to last in scoring defense, permitting 30.5 points per game. Luck will excel in this matchup, while supplying significant amount of yardage and multiple TDs.
Robert Griffin III (vs. Ravens)
After throwing eight TD passes in the first nine games of the season, RG3 has generated nine more in the past three weeks. Even though he produced just one against the Giants, he did rush for 72 yards to expand his season total to 714. He should generate a multiple TD performance this week against Baltimore, as the Ravens find themselves uncharacteristically challenged this season when attempting to contain their opponents. They rank just 26th in total defense, and are yielding 372 YPG. While they have struggled against the pass (ranked 22nd), they have encountered even greater difficulty at containing opposing runners (ranked 23rd). All of which should result in RG3 encountering great success by utilizing his arsenal of skills to penetrate the Raven defense via the air and the ground. Expect him to amass exceptional numbers on Sunday, as not only should he connect on several throws for TDs, but he could easily score his seventh rushing TD of the season.
Josh Freeman vs. Eagles
Freeman is concocting the best season of his career, as he has already surpassed 3,000 yards, and needs just 448 more to establish a new career high. He has also amassed 23 TDs, which leaves him just three short of creating a new career record in that category. And throughout the process of assembling those numbers, he has been a steady producer for fantasy owners. Freeman has thrown multiple TDs passes in seven of his last eight contests, and has exceeded 240 yards nine times. His ball security has been reasonable, as only three of his eight INTs have occurred since Week 5. And the schedule is set up perfectly for him to generate excellent results this week. He will encounter a beleaguered Philadelphia pass defense that has degenerated substantially in recent weeks. The Eagles have now surrendered 23 TD passes, including a whopping 16 in their last six games. They have also yielded 609 passing yards and five TDs to Tony Romo and Cam Newton in their last two contests, and should permit Freeman to accumulate over 300 yards and three scores on Sunday.
Also Read: RB Rankings - Kicker Rankings - TE Rankings
TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Robert Griffin III (vs. Ravens)
He should deliver another outstanding performance versus a Baltimore defense that has been far more hospitable than we have grown accustomed to this season.
2. Peyton Manning (@ Raiders)
He now ranks eighth in passing yardage (3,502), and his 29 TDs place him second among all QBs. The Raiders will be virtually powerless to prohibit him from adding sizably to those numbers.
3. Drew Brees (@ Giants)
Those were certainly not his best moments in Week 13. While his career worst five INTs were uncharacteristic, his inexplicably poor decisions near halftime were disturbing. He did produce 300+ yards for the first time since Week 7, and should deliver a far better TD-INT ratio against the Giants. His challenge will be avoiding a fierce pass rush that has already amassed 30 sacks.
4. Tom Brady (vs. Texans)
This appeared to be a much more daunting matchup for Brady before Houston gave up 795 yards and six TDs to Chad Henne and Matthew Stafford in Weeks 11-12. If CB Johnathan Joseph can return, it would bolster the Texans' coverage.
5. Matt Ryan (@ Panthers)
He scorched the Panthers for 369 yards and three TDs when they met in September, and should rebound significantly from his lowest yardage output of the season in Week 13 (165).
6. Cam Newton (vs. Falcons)
Newton has passed for 538 yards and five TDs in his last two games, while also rushing for 130 yards and two additional scores. His momentum should continue this week, against the same Atlanta team that permitted him 301 total yards and three TDs in Week 4.
6. Andrew Luck (vs. Titans)
Luck could easily produce passing and rushing TDs versus a Tennessee defense that has been torched repeatedly through the air and on the ground.
7. Aaron Rodgers (vs. Lions)
Rodgers passed for 236 yards and two TDs when he faced the Lions in Week 11. Expect him to deliver even better numbers against Detroit pass defense that now ranks 18th (234 YPG) and has permitted 21 TDs.
8 Eli Manning (vs. Saints)
He should generate his third straight productive performance against a New Orleans pass defense that will be unable to contain Manning’s primary weapons.
9. Matthew Stafford (@ Packers)
His 3,742 passing yards are the most among all signal callers, as is his 312 YPG. Plus, he has generated more attempts than any other QB. Now he will face the same Packer pass defense that picked him off twice, and limited him to 266 yards in Week 10.
10. Tony Romo (@ Bengals)
He has thrown for at least 300 yards in five of his last six games. And since his four interception debacle in Week 7, Romo has only tossed two in the past five games.
11. Josh Freeman (vs. Eagles)
In his last eight games, he has tossed 18 TD passes and should add three more to his season total in this matchup. If so, he will establish a new career high in that category (26).
12. Andy Dalton (vs. Cowboys)
You will find Dalton’s name among elite company in the rankings, which has been the case for a number of weeks. He is now fifth among all QBs with 24 TD passes, and has thrown for 2,980 yards. The Dallas secondary has not performed as stringently in recent weeks, and Dalton should accumulate acceptable numbers once again.
13. Matt Schaub (@ Patriots)
While Schaub’s 35 passing attempts against Tennessee hardly compare to his average of 51.5 in Week 11-12, he will certainly air it out this week against New England. The Patriots now rank just 29th at defending the pass (280 YPG), and have yielded 22 TDs.
14. Colin Kaepernick (vs. Dolphins)
Kaepernick's prime time performance against the Bears, and his overall production since that debut, have catapulted him into low end QB1 status. He has become a late season roster addition who can assist owners in their quests for fantasy championships.
15. Brandon Weeden (vs. Chiefs)
Weeden produced a career best 364 yards and two TDs in Week 13, although that was constructed against an Oakland pass defense that has lacked the personnel and coaching acumen to stop opposing QBs in recent weeks. He should produce reasonable numbers versus a Kansas City pass defense that has permitted a league worst 25 TDs.
16. Carson Palmer (vs. Broncos)
Palmer’s arm continues to be Oakland’s primary hope for moving the ball, and he will air it out with regularity again this week. That frequent pattern has resulted in 3,532 passing yards, which places him seventh among all QBs, as does his 294 YPG average. Since the Raiders will be trailing throughout the contest, he can be counted on to generate attempts and fantasy points. However, owners should be prepared for INTs, as he has already thrown 13, and will be pressured by a Denver defense that has generated 38 sacks.
17. Chad Henne vs. Jets
After generating 615 yards and six TDs in Weeks 11-12, he threw for 208 and one score against Buffalo last Sunday. He will be difficult for him to surpass those Week 13 numbers against the Jets’ fourth ranked pass defense. But considering that Jacksonville ranks dead last in rushing offense (78.8 YPG), Henne will assuredly launch the ball repeatedly. If the dynamic Cecil Shorts is available, that will help Henne considerably.
18. Russell Wilson vs. Cardinals
He continues to quietly construct a solid rookie season. His 19 TD passes actually tie him for 11th among all QBs along with Tony Romo. And it exceeds the totals of RG3, Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning and Andrew Luck. Plus, he has rushed for 298 yards while averaging 4.5 YPC.
19. Nick Foles (@ Buccaneers)
He has managed to surpass 200 passing yards in three of the four contests in which he has participated this season. Plus, he has avoided INTs in his last two games. He will now face a Tampa Bay pass defense that has allowed more yardage than any other unit, and has permitted at least three TD passes to four of the past six QBs that it has faced.
20. Philip Rivers (@ Steelers)
While he is difficult to trust, he will amass yardage simply by connecting with Danario Alexander. Plus, Ike Taylor’s ankle injury will temporarily cost Pittsburgh their best corner for this matchup.
