Week 8 Rankings (2016): Top 25 Quarterbacks

by Eric Stashin (aka The Rotoprofessor)

While there are some health issues at the bottom of the rankings (Cody Kessler, Geno Smith and Brian Hoyer were all forced out in Week 7 and are out for Week 8), the bigger issue comes thanks to six teams being off on byes.  While there are obviously more than enough usable options, the list does come off as shallower than normal.  Let’s take a look:

1. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Atlanta
2. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Green Bay
3. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – at Buffalo
4. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City
5. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Seattle
6. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Washington
7. Derek Carr – Oakland Raiders – at Tampa Bay
8. Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals – at Carolina
9. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at Houston
10. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. Arizona
11. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – at New Orleans
12. Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. Oakland
13. Kirk Cousins – Washington Redskins – at Cincinnati
14. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
15. Marcus Mariota – Tennessee Titans – vs. Jacksonville
16. Blake Bortles – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Tennessee
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – at Cleveland
18. Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings – at Chicago
19. Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Philadelphia
20. Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
21. Brock Osweiler – Houston Texans – vs. Detroit
22. Trevor Siemian – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
23. Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – vs. New England
24. Carson Wentz – Philadelphia Eagles – at Dallas
25. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – vs. Minnesota

Thoughts:

• Is Aaron Rodgers “back”?  He’s now thrown for 294 yards or more in back-to-back games, including 326 with 3 TD and 0 INT against the Bears in Week 7.  This week he draws a Falcons defense that has allowed the second most passing yards this season (2,157) and has been the most prone to running backs catching the football (league high 476 yards).  With the Packers new approach, utilizing Ty Montgomery and Randall Cobb as a RB, that’s going to be something Green Bay exploits.  While you may be skeptical given Rodgers’ struggles this season, he’s the best bet for a big day.
• Russell Wilson has a juicy matchup against the Saints, but he has either 0 TD or 1 TD in five of his six games this season (5 TD total).  He also isn’t adding value with his legs, something we’ve long become accustomed to him doing, totaling 22 carries for 33 yards (over the past four games he has 13 carries for 3 yards).  He’s still a QB1 thanks to his upside, but we have to temper our expectations.
• In three starts at home this season Andrew Luck has averaged 346.0 yards per game (259.0 on the road), while throwing 7 TD against 1 INT.  As long as he avoids interceptions (the Chiefs have 10 of them), he should be in store for another big day.
• Over the past three weeks Marcus Mariota has 8 TD vs. 1 INT, while also scoring a rushing TD and posting a pair of 60+ rushing yard games.  The Jaguars aren’t an easy matchup, but he’s done enough to consider him a viable streaming option.
• Generally we shy away from quarterbacks facing the Seattle Seahawks.  However they’ve now allowed 300+ yard passing yards in back-to-back weeks and draw Drew Brees and the Saints, with the game coming in New Orleans.  We all know how well Brees generally plays at home, so he’s not a player to shy away from due to matchup concerns.
• The Raiders have allowed the most passing yards to opposing QB this season (2,160), so how can we not like Jameis Winston this week?  Obviously his questionable receiving corps does limit his value a bit, but there’s a good chance that Mike Evans has a monster day and helps guide Winston to a big day.