Citing my recent countdown of the 32 presumed starting quarterbacks, here are the most ideal fantasy backups (those ranked 17-32) to start during a star QB's bye week:
Week 4 — Bye: Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton
1. Ryan Tannehill @ New Orleans
2. Carson Palmer @ Tampa Bay
3. Alex Smith vs. N.Y. Giants
Week 5 — Bye: Robert Griffin III, Ben Roethlisberger, Josh Freeman
1. Jay Cutler vs. New Orleans
2. Joe Flacco @ Miami
3. Ryan Tannehill vs. Baltimore
Week 6 — Bye: Matt Ryan
1. Philip Rivers vs. Indianapolis
2. Brandon Weeden vs. Detroit
3. Christian Ponder vs. Carolina
Week 7 — Bye: Drew Brees
1. Ryan Tannehill vs. Buffalo
2. Michael Vick vs. Dallas
3. Brandon Weeden @ Green Bay
Week 8 — Bye: Andrew Luck, Joe Flacco, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub
1. Carson Palmer vs. Atlanta
2. Christian Ponder vs. Green Bay
3. E.J. Manuel @ New Orleans
1. Matt Schaub vs. Indianapolis
2. Alex Smith @ Buffalo
3. Philip Rivers @ Washington
Week 10 — Bye: Tom Brady
1. Christian Ponder vs. Washington
2. Jay Cutler vs. Detroit
3. Ryan Tannehill @ Tampa Bay
Week 11 — Bye: Tony Romo
1. Jake Locker vs. Indianapolis
2. Matt Flynn @ Houston
3. E.J. Manuel vs. N.Y. Jets
Week 12 — Bye: Russell Wilson, Andy Dalton
1. Carson Palmer vs. Indianapolis
2. Ryan Tannehill vs. Carolina
3. Sam Bradford vs. Chicago
Back by popular demand, here are some of the greatest fist-pumping NFL moments of the 1970s and 80s:
The late, great Pat Summerall voices a fantastic introduction to a Cowboys-Redskins clash in December. At the time, both Washington and Dallas claimed 12-2 records and were fighting for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
Detroit's Billy Sims caps the greatest rookie RB debut in modern NFL history (217 total yards, three TDs)
Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann recklessly hurdles a car after a Terry Bradshaw miss on a 'Go' route.
The eventual champion Steelers get the ultimate pre-instant-replay gift against the Browns in overtime.
One of NBC's most underrated classics — a winner-take-all showdown between the Colts and Patriots. (This epic is precisely why the NFL Network should expand to a second network. Games like this define the league's heritage.)
The iconic Howard Cosell performs his Monday Night Footballhalftime highlights for Raiders-Broncos.
Without hyperbole, this clip stands as the most exciting film of a player putting on shoulder pads in NFL history.
And, last but not least ...
Here it is ... the greatest two-play sequence in NFL history.Bar none!
It also helps that legendary NBC announcer Charlie Jones (perhaps my favorite of all time) was on the call that day.
