Fantasy Football Week 6 rankings: Top 10 Quarterbacks
By Leo Howell
Week 6 is almost here, and it’s time to start setting lineups and making sure you’re ready to win your fantasy matchup.
Every week, FanSided will bring you rankings compiled by our duo of fantasy experts. This week, the list was derived from averaging rankings from myself and Zachary Thompson.
Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks and how they rank for Week 6.
1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
The only potential problem for Manning this week against the Jaguars is that he might not get that many chances to throw. If the game goes as expected, Manning and the Broncos will be out to a big lead and he’ll be handing the ball off, or wearing a headset and holding a clipboard on the sideline.
But with the Denver defense looking as poor as it did in Week 5, even the seemingly “hopeless” Jaguars are going to post some points this week. That will keep the game competitive, and keep Manning throwing.
2. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will travel out to San Diego for Monday Night Football, and it’s a dream matchup for the second-year QB for Indy. There are no obvious names in the defensive backfield who can stop Luck’s talented receivers, and the Chargers are simply not forcing turnovers so far this year.
As long as this doesn’t turn into a blowout for the Colts, and it shouldn’t, Luck is as good as it gets for those of us who don’t have Peyton Manning on our rosters.
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees and the Saints travel to Foxboro to take on the Patriots, and that’s not exactly a promising situation for fantasy owners.
But he is still Drew Brees, and he does have Jimmy Graham at tight end. That alone is enough to keep him in the top 10. And with not that many other great matchups out there, this is a clear case of “sticking with your studs.” If you drafted Brees, you’re using him. It’s as easy as that.
4. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
As long as Carrie Underwood’s presence as the theme song performer for Sunday Night Football doesn’t distract him, Romo should be a great play against Washington this week. There is an absurd lack of talent at defensive back for the Redskins, and despite all the narratives about his “lack of clutch” Romo is having a great year.
He has a good matchup in what should be a good game, so definitely use Romo with confidence this week.
5. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers and the Packers will take on the Ravens this weekend, which is hardly the best of matchups for a quarterback with questions on his offensive line.
But Rodgers has been quietly consistent this season, and will continue to be the same star quarterback you drafted him to be. He’s going to struggle to keep up with Peyton Manning, but he’s still one of the best at his position week after week.
6. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
No player caused more disagreement in the rankings than Newton, who I have as the third best quarterback this weekend, and Zachary has ranked tenth.
I believe that Newton’s matchup with Minnesota is going to be so conducive to scoring that he’s going to have one of his “Good Cam” days, and everyone will spend a week wondering why he doesn’t do that every week. If you ask me, expect Superman this week. If you ask Zach, just expect regular, old Cam.
7. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
It’s a Thursday night game, which tend to lead to interesting statistics from quarterbacks. But the Giants are just so poor on defense that Cutler can trip and fall into 300 yards and 3 scores.
Trust Cutler this week thanks to the matchup, but don’t hang your hat on him every single week. He’s definitely a matchup play at this point.
8. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Gronk may be back, but that doesn’t mean Tom Brady is suddenly going to resume his usual level of play. Brady is a fine play on any given week, but the Saints are a tougher matchup than you’d expect.
There are better options this week, that’s for sure. But ultimately, he’s still Tom Brady. And with Rob Gronkowski back in the fold, he has a reliable target to get the football to in the red zone.
9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers has been impressive this season, as the new coaching staff has clearly revived his seemingly dying career. He gets to take on the Colts on Monday Night Football this week, which should be a favorable enough matchup.
Zach disagrees with me on this one, so take that for what it’s worth. But I think Rivers is a lock for a 300-yard performance with a couple of touchdowns. The matchup is just too good to avoid.
10. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
Remember this guy? It’s been hard to trust RGIII so far this season, but if there was ever a week to start him with confidence, it’s Week 6 against the Cowboys.
Dallas allowed Peyton Manning to throw the ball with ease in Week 5, and Griffin will have a similar opportunity on Sunday Night.
Honorable Mention: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks and Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers