1. Tom Brady (NE) – Do we really even need to write anything at this point? Start him!2. Matt Hasselbeck (SEA) – If you like quality and consistency in a fantasy QB, then you have to love Matt Hasselbeck. Since the Seahawk offense has converted to a pass heavy attack, he has been one of the league’s better fantasy options at the QB position. He matches up against division rival St. Louis in week 12, a match up that bodes very well for him. Expect another strong effort and have him in your starting line up on Sunday.
3. Derek Anderson (CLE) – He is coming off of his worst fantasy effort of the season since taking over the starting job, and it still was not bad. Anderson has a favorable match up in week 12 against a very average Texans pass defense. The tempo of this game should be one that favors Anderson’s style, and we expect a very big fantasy effort from him. He is a must start.
4. Carson Palmer (CIN) – He has thrown for a ton of yards in recent weeks, but unfortunately, he has also thrown a ton of interceptions. In his attempt to keep the high octane Bengals passing attack afloat, he may be trying too hard, forcing throws, and hence the interceptions. With the addition of Chris Henry, he has plenty of weapons in his arsenal, but his O-Line is pretty banged up, and he has little time to make decisions. Palmer should have a big game against Tennessee this week, but he must cut down on the picks.
5. Matt Schaub (HOU) – With Andre Johnson back in the fold for Houston, Schaub is a very dangerous QB. Last week against New Orleans, he threw for 293 yards, 2 TD’s, and no interceptions. Schaub is typically efficient, but if the match up is right, he can be a monster. The match up against the Browns is right. Cleveland’s secondary is horrible, and with the likelihood that this game will be a shoot out, he stands to post big numbers. Start him with confidence.
6. Drew Brees (NO) – After he appeared to have this offense on a steady pace back to the top, Brees has had mixed results in his last 2 contests. He faces Carolina this week which ranks a respectable 12th against the pass. In an earlier meeting against them, Brees completed 29 passes for 252 yards, but he also threw 2 interceptions and no TD’s. Based on the mixed results he has produced lately, it is difficult to anticipate what he will do this week. He has proven that he has what it takes to have a monster game against anyone, but he has also shown a lack of consistency. Whatever the case, he has too much potential to consider benching.
7. Marc Bulger (STL) – He is definitely a risky choice as your starting QB this week, but even though the match ups were soft, and he was sacked often, Bulger posted decent numbers. More importantly, he has not been making mistakes under pressure. He faces a Seahawk pass defense that ranks 20th in week 12. If the make shift Rams offensive line can keep him safe, Bulger should have a quality fantasy outing.
8. Eli Manning (NYG) – As expected, he had a solid week 11, throwing for 283 yards, 1 TD, and no interceptions. Manning will have an even better match up this week against the worst pass defense in the NFL. If he can continue to limit mistakes this week, he should have another great game against Minnesota.
9. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) – After posting elite fantasy numbers for several weeks, Roethlisberger was well below par in week 11 against the Jets. This week he has the Dolphins, who at first glance seem like a cup cake that he will roll over, but not so fast. While the Dolphins are a definite cupcake against the run, they have been excellent against the pass. They rank 4th in the NFL and have not allowed any QB to throw for more than 157 yards against them since week 7. They have also held opposing QB’s below 50% in completions, and have allowed only 1 TD compared to 4 interceptions in that span. Roethlisberger is more than capable, but the numbers do not lie. Keep expectations low this week, especially if Santonio Holmes on the sidelines with injury.
10. Kurt Warner (ARI) – He has looked great in the last 2 weeks, but he hasn’t exactly played the stiffest of competition (Cincinnati and Detroit). He should be able to do some damage again this week, but the 49ers pass defense ranks 9th, and they will probably not be dominated by Warner in week 12.
11. Jeff Garcia (TB) – He rarely puts up monster numbers, but he is consistently good. He has thrown 3 TD’s and no interceptions in his last 2 games, and only has 3 interceptions on the season. He should have another nice effort against the Redskins 23rd ranked pass defense.
12. David Garrard (JAC) – When healthy, he has been a rock solid fantasy QB. He won’t overwhelm you any week, but he gets the job done, and accumulates very respectable fantasy stats on a consistent basis. He has a nice match up against Buffalo’s 29th ranked pass defense.
13. Jay Cutler (DEN) – He is coming off of an impressive week 11 performance. Cutler is not the most reliable fantasy QB, but we like his chances again this week against a very shaky Bears pass defense. Cutler will also have Javon Walker back on the field, which can only add to his fantasy value.
14. Vince Young (TEN) – He had his best fantasy outing of the’07 campaign in week 11. Young is starting to show some potential as a passer, and not just as a running threat. He is still a risky option, as he lacks accuracy in his passes and makes too many mistakes under pressure when he can’t escape the pocket. He has a promising match up against the Bengals this week, but can he be consistently productive in the passing game? He hasn’t proven it yet.
15. Donovan McNabb (PHI) – UPDATE: McNabb is out with injuries. A.J. Feeley will start. On top of getting knocked out of last week’s game against Miami, McNabb was flat out horrible. If he is healthy enough to make the start this week, he could be in store for another tough game. The Patriots defense has not proven to be soft on QB’s, and while McNabb has the talent to produce a decent game, it will not come easy. It may be a good week to leave him off of your starting roster. (Check injury report: ankle and thumb)
16. Jason Campbell (WAS) – He has been outstanding in his last 2 games, but the Washington gunslinger has run hot and cold all season. He is on a hot streak, but Campbell is not a reliable starting option this week against Tampa’s 3rd ranked pass defense.
17. Phillip Rivers (SD) – He has been all over the map this season as far as his fantasy output is concerned. He had a fair week 11, but he was terrible the previous 2 weeks before that. He faces Baltimore this week, which would typically be considered a very difficult match up, but with the Ravens secondary limited to mostly second stringers; it may not be as tough as advertised. Never the less, Rivers is too unpredictable to start with any reasonable amount of confidence.
18. Kyle Boller (BAL) – Boller has the ability to make plays, but he does not have the supporting cast, and makes too many mistakes to be a very effective fantasy QB, even against San Diego’s 25th ranked pass defense.
19. Vinny Testaverde (CAR) – He could very well be a sleeper this week against a ridiculously bad Saints secondary, but he has not done enough this season to prove that he has the ability to produce a monster game against anyone. Testaverde could change our opinion this week, but we wouldn’t bet the farm on it.
20. Rex Grossman (CHI) – While he has not been flashy since returning to the starting role, Grossman has been efficient, but efficient does not account for much in fantasy football. Consider him an emergency fill in at best against Denver.
21. J.P. Losman (BUF) – Losman has done little that would make us recommend him as a starting fantasy QB. Jacksonville ranks 27th against the pass, but they play better than that ranking, and Losman is not capable of producing huge numbers against any defense.
22. Daunte Culpepper (OAK) – He looked pretty good last week, but then again, most QB’s do against the Vikings. He will face a very respectable Chiefs secondary this week, and is not recommended for use unless you are extremely desperate.
23. Brodie Croyle (KC) – He was not half bad in his first start last week for the Chiefs. While he was very efficient and mistake free, especially for a first start, Croyle posted below average fantasy production. He could be in for a rude awakening this week against a very good Raiders pass defense. Even if he plays efficiently again this week, Croyle has very little fantasy value.
24. Trent Dilfer (SF) – He is not worth dropping a back up kicker for in this offense. Do not start him against anyone.
25. Tarvaris Jackson (MIN) – They should start a petition in Minnesota to get rid of this guy. He does not belong in the NFL, and he should not be on your fantasy team. If you have gotten desperate enough to pick him up, your fantasy season is probably already over.
26. John Beck (MIA) – He may have a decent future ahead of him as a fantasy QB, but as for now, he can’t help you.
* Players that participated in Thursday games are not represented in this week’s QB rankings.
