You have come to the right place for comprehensive week 15 QB fantasy football rankings, including the latest updates on RG3, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Congratulations to those of you who have qualified for the fantasy postseason. You have been rewarded for the months of research and dedication that you have placed into managing your fantasy teams. But that process has not quite ended, and this column will help you determine which QBs to start for this week’s critical matchups.
The five signal callers that will be discussed immediately below have the most enticing matchups this week, among those who merit consideration as a starter.
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 more comprehensive information to help you win your crucial matchups this week, also read: https://fantasyknuckleheads.com/week-15-waiver-wire-pickups/
Josh Freeman @ Saints
After throwing five TDs and four INTs in September, Freeman assembled a prolific five game stretch in which he amassed 16 TD passes while being picked off just twice. Unfortunately for his owners, the production has dwindled in the past three weeks, including his 189-yard, two TD performance last Sunday against Philadelphia. But he should recapture some of his statistical magic from midseason, when he lines up against a New Orleans unit that has dwelled near the bottom of the rankings in pass defense throughout the year. Their 285 YPG has resulted in their dubious ranking of 30th. Plus, no team has yielded more TDs than the 27 that they have permitted to their opponents. Even though the Saints limited Matt Ryan to 165 yards in Week 13, they allowed Eli Manning to produce a season high four TD passes last Sunday.Freeman amassed a season best 420 yards and three TDs when he faced the Saints in Week 7, and he generated those numbers by throwing a season high 42 passes. That is certainly the most effective way to attack New Orleans, and Freeman will be allowed to launch the ball with regularity again this week. His final numbers will closely resemble the totals that he attained in their previous matchup.
Andy Dalton @ Eagles
While he only generated one scoring pass against Dallas in Week 14, both Dalton and his owners deserved a better fate. His apparent scoring pass to promising rookie Marvin Jones was wiped out by a penalty. Then two plays later, indispensable weapon A. J. Green dropped a sure TD. Despite those misfortunes, Dalton remains tied for fourth among all QBs with 25 TDs for the season, which has been accomplished by throwing multiple scoring passes in seven different contests. This week’s Thursday night matchup with Philadelphia supplies Dalton with a tremendous opportunity to produce three TDs for the first time since Week 12, as the Eagles have already surrendered 25 scoring passes. That includes a whopping 18 in their last seven games, and 11 in their previous four contests. Dalton also has an excellent chance to surpass 300 yards for the first times since Week 6. Expect him to connect repeatedly with Green, who is due to rebound significantly after collecting just three receptions in two of the past three contests, and failing to score since Week 11. Owners can lock Dalton into their starting lineups, and reap the benefits of his performance.
Drew Brees vs. Buccaneers
While Brees has amassed 695 yards in his last two games, they certainly do not reside among his best performances. Brees failed to rebound sizably from his five INT outing in Week 13 by tossing two more against the Giants last Sunday. He has now thrown nine in the past three games, and 16 for the year. Yet, even though that already surpasses his total for the entire 2011 season, Brees is hardly a fantasy liability. He still leads all QBs with 32 TD passes for the season, and also paces all signal callers with 4,028 yards. Plus, he should deliver excellent results in Sunday’s rematch with division rival Tampa Bay. Brees amassed 377 yards while tying his season high of four TDs when he faced the Bucs in October. Expect him to encounter great success once again this week, as Tampa Bay continues to allow more passing yards than any other team (312). That includes the 381 that they surrendered to Nick Foles in Week 14. Brees should supply a similar total, while delivering the type of performance that owners crave during this extremely critical time of the fantasy season.
Peyton Manning @ Ravens
Manning’s numbers exhibit the high degree of precision and reliability that he has performed with throughout the season. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in seven different games, and a minimum of 240 yards every time that he has lined up this year. Manning has also accumulated at least two TD passes 10 times, and has amassed three scoring throws in seven different contests. On Sunday he should deliver another exceptional performance when he faces a Baltimore defense that hardly resembles the formidable unit that Manning has become accustomed to in their previous matchups. The Ravens rank just 23rd against the pass, and are yielding 247 YPG. In the past two weeks alone, they have surrendered 276 yards to Charlie Batch, and allowed both a game saving TD and 2 point conversion to Kirk Cousins. Manning resides in a much loftier tier than either of those signal callers, and will be able to move the ball consistently against the Ravens. The result will be another 300-yard performance, with three scoring passes.
Colin Kaepernick @ Patriots
Since Kaepernick seized the starting role in Week 11, he has averaged 217 yards through the air, while amassing a moderate three TDs. While those are not massive numbers, his passing statistics alone do not provide a true picture of his value. First, he has avoided costly INTs by tossing just one in 129 attempts. Plus, his fantasy value expands considerably as a result of prowess as a rusher. He has accrued 174 yards in the past four contests, including 137 in the last two weeks. Kaepernick has also run for scores in two of the past three games, and has improved his season total to four. He has a opportunity to deliver a season high in passing yardage against New England. Despite an impressive Monday Night performance, the Patriots still rank 29th against the pass, permit 276 YPG, and have yielded 22 TD passes. The Week 11 addition of Aqib Talib has improved the Patriots’ secondary, but he can be beaten. New England has successfully harassed opposing signal callers by generating 26 sacks, but Kaepernick possesses the mobility to protect himself from their pass rush. He should approach 300 total yards and generate two scores for owners who utilize him in their crucial fantasy matchups.
TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Peyton Manning (@ Ravens)
He now ranks fifth in passing yardage (3,812), and his 30 TDs place him second among all QBs. He will continue his mastery over a vulnerable Baltimore defense this week.
2. Tom Brady (vs. 49ers)
Another outstanding season continues for Brady, who has accumulated 3,833 yards, while surpassing 300 in seven different contests. Plus, his 29 TD passes place him third among all QBs. But the 49ers will provide a challenge, as they allow the fewest points in the league (14.3), and rank second in pass defense.
3. Cam Newton (@ Chargers)
Newton has passed for 825 yards and seven TDs in his last three games, while also rushing for 246 yards and three additional scores. His unique ability to accrue yardage and fantasy points via the air and ground will continue in San Diego.
4. Drew Brees (vs. Buccaneers)
He should deliver the type of production that owners have become accustomed to versus a Tampa Bay pass defense that has allowed more yardage than any other unit, and has permitted multiple TD passes to five of the past seven opposing QBs.
5. Josh Freeman (@ Saints)
Freeman has now accumulated 25 TDs, which ties his career high. It should not take long to establish a new one this week.
6. Matthew Stafford (@ Cardinals)
He is second among all QBs in passing yards (4,006), and also launches more throws than any other signal caller (579). He should produce at least two scoring passes for the fourth time in the last six contests.
7. Aaron Rodgers (@ Bears)
Rodgers amassed 219 yards and just one TD against Chicago in Week 2. But that was a healthier Bear defense. Expect more yardage and several scores this Sunday.
8. Andy Dalton (@ Eagles)
Dalton continues to reside among the league leaders in several critical categories, and should deliver excellent numbers against a Philadelphia secondary that has regressed sizably as the season has progressed.
9. Eli Manning (@ Falcons)
He threw 10 TDs in the Giants’ initial five contests, then just two more until Week 12. But he has resurrected his season his early season success by producing eight in his last three contests.
10. Matt Ryan (vs. Giants)
Ryan has not performed as well in recent weeks. But from a fantasy perspective, his final results are still assisting owners. He rebounded statistically from a season low 165 yards in Week 13 to amass 342 against the Panthers last Sunday. Temper your expectations against a Giant pass defense that allows big plays, but has also generated 31 sacks and 20 INTs.
11. Robert Griffin III (@ Browns)
This ranking is predicated on RG3 starting, and providing better production than you will receive from the majority of options that are available on your waiver wire. His ability to be a multi-faceted threat will be somewhat diminished, and the Browns' pass defense has improved sizably in comparison to the first half of the season. Therefore, expect reasonable numbers, but not what you might normally receive from RG3. Continue to monitor his situation as game time approaches.
12. Colin Kaepernick (@ Patriots)
He has averaged 219.5 YPG while throwing one TD and one INT in two starts on the road. But he should exceed those averages in this matchup, and produce a desirable amount of total yards.
13. Russell Wilson (@ Bills)
After throwing multiple TDs just once in Seattle’s initial five contests, he has now accomplished that in six of the last eight games. In the process, he now has 20 TD passes for the season, which ties him for 12th among all QBs.
14. Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Cowboys)
He was in danger of delivering a horrific performance before connecting on three second half TD passes, and eventually collecting 285 yards. He should deliver reasonable production against a Dallas pass defense that has not been as stingy in recent weeks.
15. Matt Schaub (vs. Colts)
Despite falling short in his Monday Night duel with Brady, Schaub has now thrown for 3,294 yards and 21 TDs. He will expand upon those numbers when he meets an Indianapolis pass defense that ranks 20th, and has allowed a 100-yard receiver in six consecutive games.
16. Andrew Luck (@ Texans)
This is just the first of what will be many matchups between the gifted rookie and his division rivals in Houston. The Texans have allowed 1,401 yards and 11 TDs in their last four games, after yielding 296 yards and four scores to Brady on Monday Night.
17. Tony Romo (vs. Steelers)
He was ranked much higher before the news of Dez Bryant's finger was announced. Without Bryant at 100%, it will be far more difficult for him to take advantage of a Steeler secondary that sorely misses Ike Taylor.
18. Brandon Weeden (vs. Redskins)
Not only did Weeden possess the good fortune to have the Raiders and Chiefs on his schedule during Weeks 13-14, but another excellent opportunity looms in the form of Washington’s 31st ranked pass defense. The Redskins are tied for last with 27 TDs allowed, and Weeden should deliver respectable numbers for the third consecutive game.
19. Philip Rivers (vs. Panthers)
Rivers barely merits inclusion primarily due to the presence of Alexander, who is his most targeted weapon since Week 10. He was responsible for 88 of Rivers’ 200 yards against the Steelers, and also two of his three TDs.
20. Carson Palmer (vs. Chiefs)
This could be the first time in many weeks that he isn't forced to throw repeatedly as the Raiders attempt to reduce a deficit on the scoreboard. Still, Oakland's best option is to air it out against a KC secondary that has allowed 25 TDs. There is risk in utilizing him, as he has now thrown 14 INTs. It is also conceivable that Terrelle Pryor will pilfer some snaps.
