1. Peyton Manning (IND) – While Manning has been good over the last few weeks, he has not played up to his normal standards without Marvin Harrison in the line up. He should gradually start playing like the Peyton of old, and this week against the Chargers 24th ranked pass defense will be a good place to start. If you have him; you have to ask yourself this question; who would I start over him in week 10? Unless you are completely clueless (which is not possible if you are on this website), the answer is no one.2. Drew Brees (NO) – It took him a while, but it appears that Brees has brought the Saints high powered passing attack back from the dead. Frankenbrees, as he should be called, has been on a tear of late, putting up numbers that would almost make Tom Brady envious. This week’s match up against the Rams should turn into a battle through the air, so expect more of the same in week 10.
3. Brett Favre (GB) – After 17 seasons in the NFL, Favre has proven that he can still get it done. At the age of 38, he is having one of his best seasons ever in a long and storied career. He is also recognized as a top flight fantasy QB, and he should again prove why when he takes the field against the Vikings and their 31st ranked pass defense in week 10. In a week 4 meeting with Minnesota, Favre completed 32 passes for 344 yards, 2 TD’s, and 0 interceptions. He is a must start.
4. Tony Romo (DAL) – Romo flat out embarrassed the Giants defense in week 1, throwing for 345 yards and 4 TD’s. While the Giants defense has improved dramatically since that time, they are still no match for Romo, and the Cowboys high powered attack. A week 1 repeat is probably unlikely, but certainly not out of the question.
5. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) – He has been torching opposing defenses as of late, throwing 11 TD’s in his last 3 games. Roethlisberger should have little trouble continuing his masterful play against a Browns pass defense that ranks as the worst in the NFL. He should have a monster game.
6. Carson Palmer (CIN) – You know it’s going to be a good week for QB’s when Carson Palmer ranks all the way down at 6, and if Tom Brady were playing, he would be at 7. Typically, a match up against the Ravens would be scary thought for Palmer and fantasy owners alike, but with the Baltimore secondary depleted by injury and illness, Palmer should have little to worry about. If Ben Roethlisberger could destroy the Ravens the way he did, Palmer is more than capable of doing the same.
7. Eli Manning (NYG) – He has typically been hit or miss throughout the season. Fortunately, his biggest hit came in an earlier meeting against this week’s opponent, where Manning threw for over 300 yards and 4 TD’s. This time around, Manning will face the Cowboys at home, and he has historically played well against them, even in seasons past. He should have a solid game.
8. Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) – While he has not been spectacular, Hasselbeck has been a consistent and solid fantasy QB throughout the season. He should continue that tradition in week 10 against the Niners. Do not expect a huge game, but he is definitely worthy of a start.
9. Marc Bulger (STL) – Bulger has by far had the worst season of his career to this point, disappointing Rams fans and fantasy owners alike. In his defense, the Rams offense has been dismantled by injuries throughout the season, a plague that has not escaped the gunslinger himself. As the Rams offense continues to reassemble piece by piece, you should see this offense slowly come back to life. They are actually already showing signs of a resurgence. While Bulger is risky in week 10, and likely to throw a couple of picks, he should otherwise be able to put up big numbers against a shaky Saints secondary. The potential is there for plenty of yards, TD’s, and yes, interceptions, but he may be worth the gamble.
10. Derek Anderson (CLE) – While Anderson has been stellar throughout the season, he faces the biggest test of his young career when he faces the Steelers top ranked defense in week 10. While this game will prove to be a huge challenge, Anderson has been tested by great defenses already this season, and proven to be up to the challenge. This will not be one of his better outings, but unless you have the luxury of a better option this week, he is your man.
11. Donovan McNabb (PHI) – McNabb has had a season of ups and downs, with more downs than ups, but the thought of benching him in favor of rookie Kevin Kolb seems ridiculous to us. He may not be the McNabb of old, but he is more than capable of leading this team than a rookie. For now, McNabb is still the starter, and while you should not expect anything huge fantasy wise this week, he should have a quality outing. Washington’s pass defense comes in ranked 19th, and McNabb threw for 240 yards against them in an earlier meeting.
12. Kurt Warner (ARI) – Only one word can describe Warner’s week 9 performance against the Bucs, ugly. He should bounce back nicely this week against the Lions 30th ranked pass defense, but keep your expectations on the moderate side.
13. Jon Kitna (DET) – After a 3 week drought without a TD pass, Kitna was able to find pay dirt twice against the Broncos last week. It is clear that this offense is intent on the transition from a pass happy to a run happy, and that should be evident once again in week 10. Kitna will face an Arizona pass defense that ranks an impressive 7th in the NFL, so while a big game is possible, it is unlikely.
14. Jay Cutler (DEN) – Before being knocked out of last week’s beat down at the hands of the Lions, Cutler was off to a 3 of 4 start for 20 yards. He should be back to near full strength this week, and can not shoulder any of the blame for last week’s let down. He faces a mediocre Kansas City pass defense that ranks 19th, so he should put up decent numbers in week 10. (Check injury report: ankle)
15. Phillip Rivers (SD) – First of all, our apologies to those of you who drafted him. Rivers continues to be a total mystery to the fantasy world. Week after week, he does the unexpected, no matter what the match up or odds of probability. He is without question the most difficult fantasy QB to analyze. The best we can do with Rivers is to suggest the opposite of what is expected. Since he is playing the Colts 3rd ranked pass defense in week 10, he will probably have great game, but you never know with him. Best of luck, you will need it.
16. J.P. Losman (BUF) – Losman had a decent week 9, and will be the starter again this week at Miami. In 3 career games vs. the Dolphins, Losman has thrown for 507 yards, 7 TD’s, and only 1 interception. Despite the fact that the Miami pass defense comes in ranked a misleading, yet impressive 6th, Losman could be in store for a nice game. That is if history repeats itself, which it has a tendency to do.
17. Brian Griese (CHI) – He is far from the best QB option out there this week, and he faces a tough Raiders secondary in week 10. The good news is that he has had 2 weeks to prepare, and as a student of the game, that should help a lot. Griese is still better suited for the bench this week, if you have that luxury.
18. Joey Harrington (ATL) – He had a monster game in an earlier meeting with this week’s opponent throwing for 361 yards 2 TD’s and 0 interceptions. While the match up is once again appealing, the offensive line has since been depleted by injury, and this offense is not firing on all cylinders. This may be the week he gets back on track, but by the look of things, odds are against it. He might make for a nice bye week fill in.
19. Damon Huard (KC) – Huard has been far from impressive in his ability to run a very boring Chiefs offense, but considering what he has to work with, and run of the mill play calling, he has done an admirable job. He faces a tough Denver secondary this week, but could have fair numbers, as the Broncos defense seems to be taking a nose dive as of late.
20. Steve McNair (BAL) – He was nothing short of terrible last week against Pittsburgh, and while this week’s match up against Cincinnati appears promising, McNair is better left on the bench. He should rebound to some extent, but he should not be considered for your starting line up unless you are in desperate need of a starting QB for week 10.
21. Vinny Testaverde (CAR) – He will almost certainly be under center this week when the Panthers take the field against Atlanta. While Testaverde only has 1 start under his belt this season, he has proven to be of some value to needy fantasy owners. He could have a decent outing against a very average Atlanta secondary, but until he can prove to be consistent, he is better suited for fill in duty.
22. Jason Campbell (WAS) – He has seen his fantasy production dwindle down to near nothing as of late. While he is looking at a decent match up against the Eagles 21st ranked pass defense, he will enter the game with no real option at WR due to injuries. He is nothing more than an emergency option this week.
23. Vince Young (TEN) – While Young offers some fantasy value with his running ability, he is still little more than a bye week fill in for week 10. He knows how to win games on the football field, but Stevie Wonder has a better shot of hitting an open receiver. Unless Young can start scoring on the ground on a consistent basis, he is not worth the trouble.
24. Cleo Lemon (MIA) – All things considered, Lemon has done a good job of leading the Miami offense. Unfortunately, that does not translate into the fantasy world. He has a great match up against the Bills 29th ranked pass defense, but he just does not have the weapons at his disposal to take full advantage of it. He may be considered for deep leagues as a decent bye week replacement.
25a. Josh McCown (OAK) – He returned to the starting line up last week with a not so warm welcome, and not just by the fans. McCown served up 3 picks and completed less than 50% of his passes. He should have a better go of it this week against the Bears 22nd ranked pass defense, but he is really not worth much consideration.
25b. David Garrard (JAC) – While it is probably 50-50 that he will play this week, he is probably not a good option. Garrard relies heavily on his mobility, and with the Titans fierce pass rush coming at him, that does not bode well. There is also a risk of re injuring the ankle. He has been a surprisingly solid fantasy QB this season, but he is not worth the hassle in week 10. (Check injury report: ankle)
* Other potential QB options for week 10 include: Alex Smith (SF), Brooks Bollinger (MIN), Tarvaris Jackson (MIN) - CHECK INJURY REPORT, Quinn Gray (JAC), David Carr (CAR), and Kyle Boller (BAL)
