Article:Week 14 QB Fantasy Football Rankings

Must Starts

1. Kurt Warner vs. St. Louis Rams. Warner and his offense have had a tough go of it these past two weeks, as they were beaten by better football teams from the NFC East, but this is the week that we begin to hear the Warner MVP chants again.

Heading back to Arizona, the hapless Rams come to town and bring with it its suspect defense. Look for Warner to locate his talented trio on the outside and eclipse the 300-yard mark with at least three TDs.

2. Peyton Manning vs. Cincinnati Bengals. I’m not sure what happened on Sunday, but Manning certainly disappointed many fantasy owners with his 125 yard, two INT performance vs. the Browns. And since his defense couldn’t get off the field, he had very little time in which to work with.

This week, back at home, we like Manning and his offense to bounce back against the Bengals and for the QB to throw for at least 250 with a couple of scores.

3. Aaron Rodgers vs. Houston Texans. The lone bright spot to this Packers team of late has been Rodgers and the passing game. They’re definitely not the reason why Green Bay is sitting at 5-7.

This week, they get the Texans, and with that, ample opportunities to put up big numbers in the passing game. Look for Rodgers to locate Jennings and Driver and post another solid day through the air.

4. Drew Brees vs. Atlanta Falcons. Even in an off game by Brees (three INTs vs. Tampa Bay), he still gets his as evidenced by the nearly 300 yards and two TDs he threw yesterday.

Against Atlanta, this is a football game of desperation; if the Saints lose, they are officially done in ‘08. Look for Brees to respond with another big game at home and put up the fantasy numbers (300 yards and a few scores) that we’re all accustomed to.

Sleepers

1. Matt Cassel vs. Seattle Seahawks. Cassel came crashing back to earth hard in Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. His 169 yards and four turnovers was not the type of game fantasy owners were hoping for.

This week, his Patriots travel out to Seattle in what should be a pretty entertaining offensive game. The Seahawks have been unable to stop anyone on defense, and that trend will continue this week.

2. Marc Bulger vs. Arizona Cardinals. With RB Steven Jackson in the lineup, the Rams are a completely different team. They can compete. His presence also creates balance for the offense and allows Bulger the ability to target his receivers for some big gains. The Cards are anything but world beaters on defense so expect Bulger to do well in Arizona and for Holt and Avery to be on the receiving end of some long gains.

Other matchups we like

1. Eli Manning  vs. Philadelphia Eagles. With the absence of WR Plaxico Burress, teams are challenging Eli to beat them by putting eight and nine guys in the box. Eli has done just that. Look for DC Johnson to try this approach once again and once again, for Manning to put up solid numbers.

2. Brett Favre vs. San Francisco 49ers. The Jets are going to want to come out strong in this one after laying an egg to the Broncos on Sunday. Without having to worry about a strong 49ers’ pass rush, look for Favre to have time to locate his outside receivers and rookie TE Dustin Keller and for the end result to be strong.

3. Ben Roethlisberger vs. Dallas Cowboys. If star DE/LB DeMarcus Ware can’t go this weekend, that makes this Cowboys’ defense look entirely different. The lack of a consistent pass rush will allow Big Ben the time he needs to locate his talented group of receivers and he should be able to deposit at least two balls into the end zone.