You have come to the right place for comprehensive week seven QB rankings, including the latest analysis of Aaron Rodgers 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. It will also be beneficial if you own Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers or Michael Vick, since they will all be unavailable due to their bye weeks (as are Ryan Tannehill and the Chiefs’ QBs).
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 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 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.
With that, here are the five most enticing matchups, which are followed immediately by the top 20 rankings for this week.
5 BEST MATCHUPS
Drew Brees vs. Buccaneers
The Saints’ overall shortcomings have not negatively impacted Brees’ numbers, as he was leading the league in passing yards (1,720) and TDs (14) entering his bye. He is well on his way to his seventh consecutive 4,000-yard season, and a meeting with Tampa Bay’s issue laden defense will propel him closer to that number. The Bucs were dead last against the pass and yielding 345 YPG even when they had their best cover corner (Aqib Talib) in the lineup. But now that Talib is unavailable due to a four game suspension, the Bucs are even less equipped to contain the large collection of weapons that New Orleans possesses. Prior to limiting the eminently flawed Brady Quinn to 181 yards last Sunday, Tampa Bay had surrendered at least 283 yards to all four QBs that they faced, including 510 to Eli Manning in week two. Expect Brees to surpass 400 yards, and generate four TDs.
Eli Manning vs. Redskins
Eli only manufactured a season low 193 yards and a TD in San Francisco. However, his 28 attempts were also the fewest this season, because the Giants’ rushing attack was effective against the normally stout 49er run defense. Therefore, fantasy owners should not be concerned moving forward. In his previous four contests, he had amassed 1,366 yards and nine TDs. And his 1,772 yards this season are the third highest among all QBs. Prior to losing both games against Washington last year, Manning had led the Giants to seven consecutive wins against their division rival, and he should spearhead another victory on Sunday. In the process, he should also deliver excellent numbers against a pass defense that is dead last in yardage allowed (328 YPG), and is tied for the most TDs surrendered (15). In week six, Christian Ponder became the most recent QB to accumulate significant yardage against them (352), and Manning should assemble a similar total.
Tony Romo vs. Panthers
He has certainly disappointed his owners on multiple occasions this season. In fact, only one QB has thrown more INTs even though Romo has only played in five games (due to his bye). However, he has a genuine opportunity to deliver excellent numbers against a Carolina pass defense that has already allowed yardage totals of 369 to Matt Ryan, 325 to Drew Brees, and 288 to Eli Manning. While the Panthers have also been victimized by opposing rushers, this is a good week for the Cowboys to focus on employing their aerial attack, since DeMarco Murray is unavailable, and Felix Jones is an adequate, but not exceptional replacement. The Panthers are permitting an average of 250 YPG in the air, and Romo should not only attain that level, but is very likely to surpass it. He should generate his third 300-yard game of the year, and his first three TD performance since the season opener.
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Bengals
Despite Pittsburgh’s disappointing overall record, the team’s fifth ranked passing attack has been very effective. The Steelers are averaging 286 YPG, with Roethlisberger steadily accumulating impressive numbers in the process. He has already amassed 10 TDs, and his 1,487 yards overall include two games in excess of 350. He should accumulate another mammoth yardage total this week versus a Cincinnati pass defense that is surrendering 228 YPG. In the past two weeks alone, the Bengals have allowed rookies Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden to throw for 223 and 231 yards respectively. While those are not astronomical yardage totals, they certainly are indicators that the more polished Roethlisberger can shred Cincy’s secondary for a much more sizable number. Particularly since Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace are far more talented than the wideouts from Miami and Cleveland that the Bengals failed to neutralize.
Andrew Luck vs. Browns
It is best not to become overly focused on the numbers that Luck delivered last week in New York, as he will be provided with an excellent chance to rebound significantly this week. Not only will he benefit from a favorable matchup, but he has a proven track record of high quality production when playing at home. Luck has produced six TDs with just two INTs during three contests in Indianapolis, as opposed to managing just one TD, while tossing five INTs and losing two fumbles in two road games. Luck now returns to Indy with a chance to dissect Cleveland’s 30th ranked pass defense, which has now surrendered 1,522 yards and 13 TDs in the past five games. And despite Joe Haden’s return from a four game suspension, the unit was torched again in week six by Andy Dalton, who generated 381 yards and a trio of scores. Luck should exceed 300 yards, as he did in the Colts last two home games.
TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Drew Brees (vs. Buccaneers)
He threw for 641 yards against Tampa Bay last season, and should deliver at least 300 with three TDs against the Bucs this Sunday.
2. Ben Roethlisberger (vs. Bengals)
Cincinnati has failed to contain QB/WR combinations with far less ability than what they will now face with Roethlisberger and his arsenal of weapons.
3. Eli Manning (vs. Redskins)
He is averaging 295 YPG, and his 11 TDs places him seventh among all QBs. He should have no trouble expanding those numbers against the league's worst pass defense.
4. Aaron Rodgers (vs. Rams)
Rodgers owners should be much happier now after his stellar performance against the Texans. The Rams have been effective against the pass (ranked sixth), but so was Houston before they faced Rodgers.
5. Tom Brady (vs. Jets)
Even at age 35 he remains matchup proof. In Seattle, he generated 395 yards against was what the NFL’s fifth best pass defense. He should supply owners with another excellent performance, despite having to face the Jets’ stingy pass defenders.
6. Andrew Luck (vs. Browns)
Joe Haden’s presence upgrades Cleveland’s secondary, but did not prohibit them from being gashed for 383 yards and a trio of scores by Andy Dalton last Sunday. Expect Luck to easily exceed 300 yards for the fourth time in six games.
7. Tony Romo (vs. Panthers)
Romo should rebound significantly from his recent struggles because the Carolina defense possesses more shortcomings than the Dallas offense.
8. Matt Schaub (vs. Ravens)
Baltimore CB Lardarius Webb was playing at a high level, but a torn ACL has prematurely ended his season. Mix in the loss of Ray Lewis, and an already shaky Ravens pass defense that was ranked just 23rd overall (260 YPG) is suddenly extremely burnable.
9. Robert Griffin III (vs. Giants)
RG3 scorched the previously formidable Minnesota defense for 320 total yards, and three TDs, including a 76-yard scoring burst on the ground. He should remain very productive through the air this week, although the Giants’ front four could limit his ability to accumulate rushing yards.
10. Jay Cutler (vs. Lions)
Detroit now ranks 24th in scoring defense and is permitting 27.4 PPG. As a result, Cutler should have enormous success locating Brandon Marshall, and assembling excellent numbers in the process.
11. Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. Titans)
Fitz has now failed to pass for 180 yards in three of his six games, and has surpassed 208 yards just once. But he could deliver a highly productive day versus a Tennessee that allows opponents to generate 34 points per game.
12. Josh Freeman (vs. Saints)
Even an offense that often has great difficulty moving the ball will produce yardage and points against the 26th ranked New Orleans pass defense (283 YPG).
13. Christian Ponder (vs. Cardinals)
He remains a legitimate low end QB1 who has already thrown for 1,434 yards. Plus, his eight TDs tie him for 10th overall. He should deliver another solid performance despite Arizona’s resepctable pass defense (ranked ninth).
14. Cam Newton (vs. Cowboys)
Newton will continue to supply mostly disappointment for fantasy owners against a Dallas pass defense that permits just 182 YPG.
15. Joe Flacco (vs. Texans)
Flacco has averaged 346 yards while throwing for six TDs at home, but just 209.5 yards and one TD on the road. Which is compelling evidence that you should temper your expectations for him versus what should now be a very focused seventh ranked pass defense in Houston.
16. Andy Dalton (vs. Steelers)
After throwing for an average of 323 yards in weeks two and three, Dalton had averaged just 239 heading into last week’s matchup versus Cleveland. While he rebounded nicely against the Browns, he has still tossed at least one INT in every game this season. His yardage total will underwhelm this week, and his streak of INTs will continue.
17. Matthew Stafford (vs. Bears)
Stafford’s first monster statistical game of the year will have to wait at least another week, as Chicago CBs Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman have yet to allow a TD this season.
18. Carson Palmer (vs. Jaguars)
While his errant throw that resulted in a pick six will be his most memorable toss against Atlanta, CP3 did manufacture 353 yards versus the Falcons. That was the second time that he has surpassed 350 yards this season, and he is now averaging 282 YPG. Palmer should approach 300 yards against Jacksonville’s 24th ranked pass defense (261 YPG).
19. Brandon Weeden (vs. Colts)
He should perform adequately versus a Colt pass defense that allows exactly 200 YPG. And if Josh Gordon can continue his development as a deep threat, it will help Weeden produce his fourth game with 290+ yards.
20. Sam Bradford (vs. Packers)
He should connect on throws to Chris Givens and Brandon Gibson with sufficient regularity against a Green Bay pass defense that allows 230 YPG.
