Welcome to Fantasy Quarterback Armageddon.
Is that hyperbole? Are we exaggerating, or has this really been something unique and heretofore unforeseen? We certainly don’t remember a season quite like this one.
Let’s take a look at the QB carnage we have witnessed: Expected or projected top-tier starting fantasy QBs Aaron Rodgers and Joe Burrow, even Deshaun Watson, out for the season. Best QB sleeper candidate Kirk Cousins out.
Solid starter Trevor Lawrence was injured last week, Colts rookie Anthony Richardson was lost early in the season. Backup/deep league options Daniel Jones and Kenny Pickett got hurt. And Kyler Murray and Justin Fields missed significant time earlier with injuries.
And that is before we get into the varying levels of disappointing production from Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith down to Jimmy Garappolo and Derek Carr.
Even among the top 10 fantasy QBs, we’ve seen unimpressive or erratic production from Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert. In fact, Tua Tagovailoa helms the league’s most explosive and highest-scoring offense, and he ranks QB11.
Seriously, QB5 Sam Howell was a waiver pick most fantasy managers didn’t start trusting until well into the season, and QB3 Dak Prescott’s slow start landed him on many waiver wires in the season’s first month.
Now, good luck scouring the waivers for a usable QB. But the good news is, with all the widespread damage at the position, you aren’t the only one scrambling.
We’re going to assume Jordan Love, Jared Goff and Russell Wilson are unavailable, but it is worth checking. Next up is Geno Smith. Problem with Smith is, he has been terribly erratic — scoring in single digits twice in his past five games.
Yeah, he did light it up last week against a good Dallas defense, but the week before he scored a paltry 7.3 against the 49ers, who he faces again Sunday, this time on the road, assuming he isn’t sidelined by a groin problem. Next!
Matthew Stafford seems to have turned it around the past few games, but he goes outdoors again this week, which rarely treat him well, and he is facing a stout Ravens defense, which has put the clamps on offenses better than the Rams’. The search continues.
Joshua Dobbs gets to throw to Justin Jefferson in a real game for the first time. But it is a little known secret, Dobbs’ recent fantasy production is propped up significantly by rushing touchdowns — three in four games. It scares us that one he didn’t have a rushing TD, he also didn’t top five fantasy points. Who else?
Gardner Minshew, Will Levis, Jameis Winston, Zach Wilson Re-redux? No thanks, hard no, pass, and never again.
Give us Jake Browning. It could turn out last week’s huge game was an anomaly, but even then his worst is likely no worse than the previous options. And he has a higher ceiling.
Of all the fantasy asteroids hurtling toward your team this week, Browning is the QB we think will help your roster avoid extinction.
Betting on the NFL?
Big weeks
Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB, Chiefs, vs. Bills (FanDuel $5,500/DraftKings $4.200)
With Isiah Pacheco out with a shoulder issue, CEH is expected to slide into lead role. Approach with caution, however. As good as his upside is, Jerick McKinnon could steal into the workload.
Garrett Wilson WR, Jets, vs. Texans (FD $6,700/DK $5,500)
We try not to put too much into locker-room bluster about any particular player, but there is reason to believe QB Zach Wilson is looser, as teammates suggest, since he knows he has nothing to lose. So expecting him to wing it, which should mean plenty of Garrett targets.
Brandin Cooks WR, Cowboys, vs. Eagles (FD $6,300/DK $5,000)
He has averaged 18.3 in PPR the past four weeks. Sunday he faces the worst defense against opposing fantasy WRs — giving up more than 30 percent more each week than the league average.
Robert Woods WR, Texans, at Jets (FD $5,400/DK $4,200)
With no Tank Dell, and Nico Collins and Noah Brown likely dealing with a lot of coverage from Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, expecting Woods to be productive out of the slot.
Small weaks
Derrick Henry RB, Titans, at Dolphins (FD $8,200/DK $6,900)
Imagine it is going to be hard for the Titans to keep up with the Dolphins. And if they fall behind, Henry’s usage falls by the wayside. Tyjae Spears is a decent cheap DFS option for same reason.
Rachaad White RB, Buccaneers, at Falcons (FD $7,400/DK $6,800)
White was just OK against a poor Panthers run D last week. Now he get gets the stingiest unit in the league, giving up nearly 23 percent fewer in PPR to RBs per game than the league average.
D’Andre Swift RB, Eagles, at Cowboys (FD $7,000/DK $6,300)
Has seen a decline in touches since the Week 10 bye, has three single-digit games in the past four, and faces a stiff Cowboys D that limited him to 9.4 in PPR in Week 9.
Cooper Kupp WR, Rams, at Ravens (FD $7,100/DK $7,400)
Scored a TD last week to avoid his six straight monumental dud. On the road, in the rain against a tough Baltimore team this week does not bode well.
Daily Duel
Drew Loftis and Jarad Wilk submit dueling rosters into a DFS contest:
Site: FanDuel
Slate: Sun. main (11 games)
Type: $4.44 tourney
Top prize: $30K
Pot: $150K
Drew’s Crew
QB: Justin Fields — Chi (vs. Det) $7,900
RB: David Montgomery — Det (at Chi) $7,600
RB: Zack Moss — Ind (at Cin) $6,800
WR: DJ Moore — Chi (vs. Det) $7,700
WR: Robert Woods — Hou (at NYJ) $5,400
WR: Gabe Davis — Buf (at KC) $6,800
TE: Isaiah Likely — Bal (vs. LAR) $5,200
Flex: Garrett Wilson — NYJ (vs. Hou) $6,700
DEF: Bengals — Cin (vs. Ind) $3,700
Wilk’s Warriors
QB: Justin Fields — Chi (vs. Det) $7,900
RB: Joe Mixon — Cin (vs. Ind) $7,200
RB: Devin Singletary — Hou (at NYJ) $5,800
WR: Mike Evans — TB (at Atl) $8,500
WR: Deebo Samuel — SF (vs. Sea) $7,500
WR: Elijah Moore — Cle (vs. Jac) $6,200
TE: Isaiah Likely — Bal (vs. LAR) $5,200
Flex: DJ Moore — Chi (vs. Det) $7,700
DEF: Browns — Cle (vs. Jac) $3,800
For late changes to Daily Duel rosters, follow @NYPost_Loftis on X
Season risked: $118.44
Season’s winnings: Drew $88, Jarad $9
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