If your team is competing for a fantasy championship, then you are to be congratulated for your diligence, which has helped your roster reach the threshold of accomplishing every owner’s ultimate goal. The many months of research and planning that you have invested, has enabled you to assemble and manage a roster that has navigated through virtually an entire season, and is tremendously close to winning it all. But even as you allow yourself to feel a certain degree of fulfillment, one more week of preparation awaits you. This column will assist you in determining who you should entrust as your starter at the quarterback position. The Week 15 rankings will be followed by in-depth analysis of the best and worst matchups. Good luck to everyone this week. And remember to enjoy the experience.
Top 25 Rankings
1. Carson Palmer at Eagles
Palmer has now produced multiple touchdowns in 10 of his 13 contests this season, after amassing two in Week 13 against the Vikings. He also surpassed 300 yards for the ninth time by accumulating 310 through the air versus an injury decimated Minnesota defense that was forced to perform without four of its starters. Palmer has now amassed 4,003 yards for the season, which is the NFL’s second highest total behind Tom Brady. Plus, his 31 touchdowns are also second only to Brady. With 10 days to prepare, Bruce Arians will have Palmer and the high octane Cardinal offense primed to proceed at full throttle this week. It is doubtful that the Eagle defense will match their intensity of effort that they exhibited at times during their Week 14 matchup, and they do not have the personnel to contain Arizona’s receivers. Palmer will deliver high quality production once again.
Week 16 Schedule vs. Packers
2. Tom Brady vs. Titans
Brady has remained productive despite the well documented challenge of performing amid the combined absence of Dion Lewis, Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski to varying degrees since Week 9. He was reunited with his most critical weapon when Gronk returned to the field in Week 14. But despite that positive development, Brady was held to his lowest yardage total of the season while contending with a Houston pass defense that entered the matchup ranked third overall. The Texans held Brady to just 226 yards, although he did manufacture two touchdowns. He has now assembled at least two scores in 12 of his 13 games this season, and leads the NFL with 33 touchdowns for the season. This week, he returns home to face a Tennessee pass defense that has yielded the third most touchdowns (28), after allowing 16 in their last six contests.
Week 16 Schedule: at Jets
3. Russell Wilson vs. Browns
Despite the loss of Thomas Rawls in Week 14, Wilson continued his recent statistical explosion against the undermanned Ravens. He has now generated 1,171 yards through the air in his last four games (292 YPG), and has produced an amazing 16 touchdowns. This after averaging just 235 YPG, and manufacturing only 10 scores in his first nine games. Rawls had been highly proficient since his emergence as a starter (5.6 YPC), which opened up the field for Wilson and the Seahawk passing attack. That creates a level of uncertainty whether his absence will hinder Wilson’s ability to remain highly productive. However, the Seattle signal caller is still a top five QB1 this week, versus a Cleveland pass defense that has surrendered 26 touchdowns.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. Rams
4. Cam Newton at Giants
Newton has been an exceptional fantasy quarterback throughout the season. Much of his success can be attributed to his big play prowess, along with his capabilities as a duel threat. Plus, after throwing for 17 touchdowns in his last seven games, he has now forged his way among the league leaders in passing. That includes the three scores that he amassed in Week 14, before his third quarter exit due to Carolina’s commanding lead the thoroughly overmatched Falcons. He has now generated 28 touchdowns for the season, which ties him for fourth among all quarterbacks. He also leads all signal callers in rushing yards (480), and touchdowns (seven). Fantasy points should remain in abundance for Newton owners this week, as New York’s 32nd ranked pass defense has surrendered more yards than any other team (308 YPG).
Week 16 Schedule: at Falcons
5. Blake Bortles vs. Falcons
Bortles has launched the ball with great frequency throughout most of the season (501 attempts), and has been doing so amid a seamless collection of favorable matchups. All of which has helped him accrue numbers that reside among the league leaders in yardage and touchdowns, while benefitting his owners greatly. In Week 14, he amassed 250 yards and three touchdowns against the Colts through the air, while adding an additional score on the ground. He has now produced multiple touchdowns in 10 games, and his season total of 30 is now third behind Brady and Palmer. Bortles is also sixth overall with 3,524 yards, and will be presented with another excellent opportunity this week versus the same Atlanta defense that was overwhelmed by Newton and the Panthers in Week 14.
Week 16 Schedule: at Saints
6. Aaron Rodgers at Raiders
Rodgers produced 218 yards and two scores against the Cowboys in Week 14, which underscored the season long trends that exist with his yardage and touchdown totals. He has now produced 3,175 yards, which is just the 13th highest total among all quarterbacks. He has thrown for 300 yards in just three games this season, after accomplishing it eight times in 2014. However, he continues to provide a sizable number of touchdowns for his owners. As he has now generated multiple scores in nine different contests, including the two scores that he produced against Dallas. That improved his overall total to 28, which ties him for fourth among all signal callers. This week, he will line up against an Oakland pass defense that has allowed 21 touchdowns this season. However, the Raiders did keep Brock Osweiler out of the end zone in Week 14.
Week 16 Schedule: at Cardinals
7. Drew Brees vs. Lions
New Orleans’ rushing attack was ranked a lowly 25th with Mark Ingram in the lineup. Which led to doubt concerning the Saints’ ability to generate a ground game that will keep their remaining opponents from focusing almost solely on Brees and the passing attack. But in Week 14, Tim Hightower accumulated a respectable 85 yards against Tampa Bay, while Brees burned the Buccaneers for 312 yards, and two touchdowns. It was the first 300-yard performance for Brees since Week 9, and his seventh of the season. It was also the seventh time that he has produced multiple touchdowns. He will be performing inside the Superdome this week, where he has built an impressive 17:5 TD/INT ratio during his six home games. He will be facing a Detroit pass defense that had yielded multiple touchdowns to five of six quarterbacks from Weeks 7-13, prior to facing the Rams’ inept passing attack last Sunday.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. Jaguars
8. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Broncos
Roethlisberger’s season-long 15:10 TD/INT ratio would be considerably more favorable if not for his two matchups with division rival Cincinnati. Despite connecting on 30 passes, he failed to record a touchdown for just the second time all season when he faced the Bengals in Week 14, while also tossing an interception. Combining that with his 1:3 TD/INT ratio versus Cincinnati in Week 8, certainly has hurt his overall numbers. Unfortunately for owners, this week’s matchup with Denver is also destined to produce less than desirable results. The laundry list of impressive accomplishments that have been achieved by the Broncos’ pass defense will be dealt with later in this column. Even with Roethlisberger’s potent collection of weapons, this week’s ceiling will likely be 250 yards and a score.
Week 16 Schedule: at Ravens
9. Ryan Fitzpatrick at Cowboys
Fitzpatrick has shaved his beard, but his output and value continue to grow as the season nears its conclusion. He has now generated multiple touchdowns in 10 contests, including five of his last six, after gashing Tennessee for three scores in Week 14. He also produced 263 yards against the Titans, which was the fourth time in the last six games that he has exceeded 260. His productivity will not fade during the fantasy postseason, provided that Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker remain in the Jets lineup. Fitzpatrick’s two essential weapons have combined to garner 20 of Fitzpatrick's 25 touchdown passes, and his connections with both receivers will keep Fitzpatrick completely trustworthy this week against Dallas.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. Patriots
10. Tyrod Taylor at Redskins
After generating six touchdowns through the air in Weeks 12-13 against the formidable defenses of Kansas City and Houston, Taylor was limited to one in Week 14 by a Philadelphia unit that had been burned for 18 scores through the air in their previous five games. He also threw just his fifth interception of the year, and his first since Week 4. However, he still managed to deliver acceptable production overall, by accumulating 321 total yards. That includes the 53 that he assembled on the ground, which was his second largest rushing total of the season. Taylor's duel threat abilities help him maintain his recently acquired QB1 status this week, when he faces Washington. The Redskins have surrendered 24 touchdowns, including seven since Week 11.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. Cowboys
11. Derek Carr vs. Packers
Derek Carr rebounded from an extremely slow start in Week 14, to produce two second half touchdowns against the Broncos’ top ranked pass defense. As a result, he has now generated multiple scores in 10 games, including seven of his last eight. The two touchdowns in Denver also expanded his season total to 28, which ties him with Rodgers, Newton, and Eli Manning for fourth among all signal callers. Carr remains within the QB1 landscape this week, when the Raiders face Green Bay's 11th ranked pass defense. Only four teams have allowed fewer touchdowns through the air than the Packers, who are also seventh with 35 sacks. However, Carr should approach 250 yards and produce two additional touchdowns.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. Chargers
12. Matthew Stafford at Saints
In his first five games of the season, Stafford’s TD/INT ratio was an unattractive 6:8, and he was averaging 241 YPG. Which propelled his slide from a borderline QB1 into fantasy irrelevance. But he now continues to earn consideration as a starter, after assembling a significantly improved 18:5 ratio in his last eight contests. During which his YPG average has also risen to 276. In Week 14, Stafford and the Lion offense were collectively out of sync. Yet he still manufactured 245 yards and another pair of touchdowns, which was the eighth time that he has amassed multiple touchdowns this season. His exceptional matchup also keeps Stafford within this week's top 12. As he should dissect a New Orleans unit that has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Week 16 Schedule: vs. 49ers
- Eli Manning vs. Panthers
- Kirk Cousins vs. Bills
- Jay Cutler at Vikings
- Philip Rivers vs. Dolphins
- T. J. Yates at Colts
- Marcus Mariota at Patriots
- Brock Osweiler at Steelers
- Alex Smith at Ravens
- A. J. McCarron at 49ers
- Matt Ryan at Jaguars
- Jameis Winston at Rams
- Ryan Tannehill at Chargers
- Sam Bradford vs. Cardinals
Best Matchups
Matthew Stafford at Saints
The New Orleans pass defense restricted the production of Jameis Winston in Week 14, by limiting him to 182 yards and one touchdown. But this unit has been torched repeatedly throughout the season, and Stafford owners should be ecstatic that he will have the opportunity to face their 31st ranked unit this week. The Saints have yielded touchdowns at a rate that is unmatched this season, and the 36 that they have surrendered are seven more than any other team. They are also allowing 287 YPG, have permitted 10 quarterbacks to generate multiple touchdowns, and have relinquished 300 yards in eight different games. It is hardly surprising that they are also allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Saints have been shredded essentially without fail, and Stafford should join the conga line of signal callers that have found the end zone when facing them.
Carson Palmer at Eagles
Palmer owners could not possibly ask for a better situation than to have him line up against Philadelphia this week. The Eagles’ are currently 31st in touchdowns allowed, having surrendered an unsightly 29. Opposing quarterbacks have sliced through their pass defense for 19 touchdowns in their last six contests, including a whopping five each to Winston and Stafford in Weeks 11-12. They also yielded over 300 yards to Stafford and Brady in Weeks 12-13, and over 300 total yards to Taylor in Week 14. This unit appears to be playing with greater intensity in the past two games. But the effort of a defensive unit should not be in question when assessing their viability, and the Eagles have certainly left themselves open to speculation regarding that topic in the aftermath of several recent performances. Palmer and his arsenal or weapons will be too much for Philly to handle.
Russell Wilson vs. Browns
The aforementioned statistical outburst that Wilson transpired just in time for him to spearhead the sizzling Seattle attack against a trio of burnable opponents through Weeks 14-16. Wilson began that sequence with the aforementioned five touchdowns last Sunday, and his momentum should continue this week. The Browns have yielded the sixth most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and have surrendered the third most touchdowns through the air this season. That dubious number has been assembled in great part from their inability to stop five of the last six quarterbacks that they have faced to generate multiple touchdowns. Cleveland has also collected just eight interceptions, with just three of those being garnered since Week 8. This unit will have no answer for Wilson, Doug Baldwin or Tyler Lockett, and Wilson owners will reap the benefits.
Worst Matchups
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Broncos
Roethlisberger has already overcome injuries to his knee and ankle, completed a concussion protocol, and navigated through opposing defenses primarily with great success. Now, he must contend with the most formidable unit that he has encountered this season. Denver has led the league in pass defense throughout the year, and is currently allowing just 188 YPG. They still have not permitted a quarterback to attain 300 yards, have only surrendered multiple touchdowns to four signal callers, and have yielded a grand total of 13 scores through the air all season. The Broncos also lead the NFL with 44 sacks, and have collected 11 interceptions. It will be extremely difficult to sit Roethlisberger, and the fact that Derek Carr managed two touchdowns against this unit in Week 14 could lead to optimism. But the Steeler signal caller will fall well short of his 332 YPG average.
Eli Manning vs. Panthers
Despite Manning's four touchdown performance in Week 14, there is a significant issue this week for his owners. And it comes in the form of a Carolina defense that has provided a problematic matchup for opponents throughout the season. Manning’s challenge is compounded by the fact that he does not have a receiving weapon that creates sleepless nights for opposing defensive coordinators and corners beyond Odell Beckham Jr. And considering that OBJ could be shadowed by Josh Norman unless he lines up in the slot, this is a nightmarish matchup for Manning. Carolina ranks fifth in pass defense, has allowed just two quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards, and have yielded 250 yards just four times. 10 of the signal callers that they have faced also failed to generate more than one score. The Panthers also lead the league with 21 interceptions, and are third with 40 sacks. Manning should not be the quarterback that you are relying on this week.
Marcus Mariota at Patriots
Some owners have recently utilized Mariota as either a streamer, or even their regular QB1. Particularly after he amassed six touchdowns in Weeks 12-13. However, the talented rookie will be confronted with a grueling undertaking this week versus New England. Bill Belichick will create some schematic sorcery, and devise a game plan for the Patriots’ seventh ranked pass defense, that will present an unmanageable hurdle for Mariota. The Patriots are allowing 231 YPG, and have only permitted four signal callers to reach 300 yards, including none since Week 10. New England just generated six sacks against the Texans in Week 14, which elevated their season total to 42. That is the NFL’s second highest number, and the Patriots will improve upon it by unleashing unwavering pressure on Mariota. There are better options available for owners this week.
