Lineup calls: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
When we began this season, we called the top of the quarterback board “the magnificent seven.”
There appeared to be a line of demarcation between the top quarterbacks on the board and everybody else. The line has been erased during the season’s first eight weeks of action, and the names have been jumbled.
"It’s why they play the games." Right?
Let’s get to work with this week’s edition of “Lineup Calls.” It’s a mighty intriguing and difficult slate to navigate.
Top 10 Quarterbacks
(other than Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Eli Manning or Philip Rivers)
Michael Vick vs. Indianapolis
Vick returns to action following an extended absence and vowed to be “smarter” when on the move. I’m not placing a lot of stock in that quote. You want Vick on the move. You want him moving in the pocket and tucking the ball.
He’s a strong play this week against the Indianapolis defense. Vick’s speed neutralizes the Colts’ strength, and his elusiveness allows DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin (maybe Jason Avant?) to work downfield against the inexperienced secondary. Indianapolis ranks seventh in pass defense (203.3 yards allowed per game) and did well to shut down Matt Schaub in Week 8. Vick will be a step faster, and the presence of LeSean McCoy as a check-down, swing-out option opens the field.
Ben Roethlisberger at Cincinnati
Roethlisberger posted two tremendous efforts in his return from suspension (559 yards with five touchdowns and two turnovers). He was then shut down in a difficult matchup against the Saints in New Orleans (195 passing yards with an interception).
The Bengals have failed to surmount much of a pass rush this season (six sacks) and rank 20th (221.3 yards per game) in pass defense (1.3 touchdowns).
Jay Cutler at Buffalo (Toronto)
Cutler didn’t get the early holiday gift of Randy Moss, but he does come out of the bye with a tremendous matchup against the heretofore sieve-like Buffalo defense (30.1 points allowed per game).
The Bills have been unable to stop the run, and well, the Bears don’t commit to the run game. As such, the stats are somewhat deceiving. Buffalo ranks sixth in pass defense (195.6 yards per game), but the deplorable effort against the run has resulted in 15 passing touchdowns.
Joe Flacco vs. Miami
Flacco posted strong back-to-back fantasy efforts ahead of the Ravens’ Week 8 bye (535 yards with five touchdowns and one turnover). The Ravens had a week to get healthy and work on integrating the secondary receivers more completely into the set (Donte’ Stallworth may return as well).
Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay
Ryan was shut out by the Steelers in Week 1. He’s thrown 12 touchdowns in his past six starts (four multi-touchdown efforts) while averaging 243.7 passing yards per game.
Ryan’s record at home is well-documented, and this offense is set to start the second half following a Week 8 bye in this divisional battle. The Buccaneers allow 210.4 yards and two touchdowns per game.
Josh Freeman at Atlanta
Freeman isn’t world-beating, but he’s efficient. Of course, I’d like to see him not absorb a potentially crushing sack in a big situation. That’s a larger football issue for another time. Freeman has averaged 247 passing yards, 21 rushing yards and a touchdown in the past four weeks. More importantly, the sophomore quarterback has turned the ball over just once.
The Falcons rank 27th against the pass and allow 260.3 passing yards and 1.57 passing touchdowns per game. Atlanta averages 2.14 sacks per game, so Freeman’s elusiveness will come into play. His rapport with Mike Williams has me mighty intrigued for this NFC South showdown.
Brett Favre vs. Arizona
Favre might be getting held together by bandages at this point, but he’s in a solid spot this weekend against the lower-tier Arizona pass defense. Randy Moss is off to Tennessee, but Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe and the rest of the offense move forward. Arizona ranks 21st against the pass, ceding 231 yards and 1.57 touchdowns per game. The sizable bye week or other matchups may force you down the road with No. 4 again. Favre did play well against the Patriots before leaving with his busted chin.
Matthew Stafford vs. New York Jets
Stafford returned to action in Week 8 and produced a phenomenal effort against the Redskins. He passed for 212 passing yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Stafford faces a far more difficult test this weekend against a healthy and motivated New York defense. The Jets have generated 12 turnovers and 15 sacks this season, but have ceded 218.6 passing yards and 1.43 passing touchdowns per game. It’s not a fantastic spot, but he does deploy a deep receiving corps.
Chad Henne at Baltimore
Henne posted his lowest yardage total since Week 2 against the Bengals in a comeback win. He was also shut out for the second time this season. Henne is averaging 238.2 passing yards per game, but has unfortunately thrown at least one interception in five consecutive games.
The Ravens are seeking to rebound from a horrid defensive effort in Week 7. Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Bills threw four touchdowns in the 37-34 shootout. The Ravens have allowed only eight passing touchdowns this season.
Matt Cassel at Oakland
Cassel failed to deliver a huge game in a highly advantageous spot against the Bills in Week 8. However, he did throw a touchdown pass (Dwayne Bowe) and did not commit a turnover for the fourth straight game. Cassel isn’t going to light up the yardage category (he averaged 170.9 yards per game), but he’s been efficient and should be able to piggyback the efforts of the potent Kansas City running game. The possibility of Nnamdi Asomugha missing this game certainly helps his prospects.
Quarterback Sleepers
Colt McCoy vs. New England
McCoy acquitted himself nicely in Week 6 against the Steelers. He completed 23-of-33 attempts for 281 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. McCoy then guided the Saints to an improbable win over the Saints ahead of the Browns’ Week 8 bye. He’s a longshot play this week against the 31st-ranked New England pass defense (282.4 yards and 1.86 touchdowns per game). The bye week allowed McCoy’s receivers to get healthy, and Peyton Hillis remains a strong check-down option.
Mark Sanchez at Detroit
Sanchez has thrown one touchdown pass in the past three weeks, a disappointing regression in production following a three-week run of brilliance earlier this season. He’s on the radar this week against the Lions, provided that the New York offensive line can solve the Suh-Vanden Bosch juggernaut up front (23 sacks). Detroit has surrendered 11 passing touchdowns this season.
Jason Campbell vs. Kansas City
Campbell and the Raiders are enjoying an offensive renaissance, having scored a staggering total of 92 points in the pass two weeks. Campbell has been efficient in these contests, amassing 510 passing yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Most importantly, Campbell has involved deep threat Darrius Heyward-Bey in the offense. Running back Darren McFadden has been unstoppable in the ground game. His success affords Campbell opportunities to work downfield with Heyward-Bey and tight end Zach Miller. Kansas City ranks 23rd against the pass (236.3 yards per game).
Quarterback Flops
Carson Palmer vs. Pittsburgh
Palmer has been posting great fantasy games in defeat for several weeks. He’s been aided by a number of dropped balls in the defensive secondary (that’s why they’re not receivers) and the occasional trick play (Terrell Owens’ second touchdown against the Dolphins).
This week’s matchup against the Steelers represents a far more difficult task. Pittsburgh has generated 20 sacks while surrendering six passing touchdowns (two to Drew Brees in Week 8). Injuries on the line at both ends may afford Palmer additional shots downfield, but you can bet that the Steelers bring the heat on the heretofore erratic former Heisman Trophy winner. Palmer averaged 180.5 passing yards with one touchdown in two starts against the Steelers last season.
Matt Schaub vs. San Diego
Schaub struggled to elude the speedy Indianapolis front in Week 8 and never looked comfortable at all. Overall, he’s produced two 300-yard games this season and three multi-touchdown efforts. Schaub’s inconsistency and lack of a secondary receiving option (save running back Arian Foster) makes him a difficult start this weekend against the top-ranked San Diego pass defense. Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter have essentially disappeared and the growth we anticipated from Jacoby Jones has been stunted. The game is in Houston, so there is some hope against a San Diego team that has been confusing on the road. Schaub’s a starter, but hold on tight.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Chicago (Toronto)
Fitzpatrick rebounded from a slow start to post his third consecutive 200-yard performance against the Chiefs (223 yards). Unfortunately, his multi-touchdown streak ended at three games.
He faces a stiff test this week against the Chicago pass defense that returns from the bye. Say what you will about the Bears’ offensive woes. The Bears rank third in total defense (16.3 points per game) and have surrendered just four passing touchdowns this season.
