Top Five Best Quarterbacks from Fantasy Football Week 3

Ben Roethlisberger (7) was the highest scoring quarterback in standard scoring leagues, but who else is in the top 5? Who made it and who’s absent may surprise you… picture by: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

What a wild and wacky NFL week three! Last night’s Monday Night Football mess was just the capstone on a surprising and topsy-turvy week. In the realm of fantasy football quarterbacks, the “Big 3” QB’s were out of the top five once again as Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers all continued to struggle. You should obviously still hold onto those players and expect them to bounce back, but check out who the top five QB’s were this last week.

1. Ben Roethlisberger-Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben came up large on Sunday against the beleaguered Raiders secondary. He finished with four touchdowns, 384 yards, and a nice 36-49 completion rate. The Raiders stormed back and won the game, but Roethlisberger fantasy owners were still pretty pleased with the effort.

After a hot start to the year, Ben’s teams will have to look elsewhere as Pittsburgh gets its bye week out of the way early in week 4. Don’t drop him, but find another option for this week. After this week, Ben’s a #1 QB the rest of the way.

2. Matt Schaub-Houston Texans

September 23, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) throws the ball during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

Schaub matched Ben’s four touchdowns while throwing for 290 yards and one interception as the Texans went into Mile High and came out 31-25 winners. Schaub hadn’t put up numbers like this at all in his first two games but showed he’s over last year’s injury and can light it up when the situation demands it.

Schaub had X-rays on his shoulder and lost a chunk of his ear (no, really), but he’s fully expected to be back under center as the Texans host the Titans as they try to move to 4-0. The only real knock on Schaub is that the Texans are such a run-first offense that his numbers fluctuate from week to week. With Houston’s defense and run game, it’s hard to consider Schaub elite but he’s a solid #1 option and when he needs to can deliver big numbers.

3. Joe Flacco-Baltimore Ravens

Flacco was a bit inconsistent at time but finished with 382 yards passing and three touchdowns against New England on Sunday Night. He struggled out of the game and threw an ugly interception, but finished up the game nicely.

He and the Ravens will host Cleveland in a quick turnaround Thursday night, but without Joe Haden (suspension) Flacco should still be able to put up points. I don’t think Thursday will be especially close and we may see more Ray Rice than Flacco, but consider him a low-end QB 1 this week.

4. Andy Dalton-Cincinnati Bengals

Dalton was horrible in week one against the Ravens as the Bengals were demolished in the Monday Night Football opener. Since then though, the Red Rifle has had back-to-back 300 yard, three touchdown games against the Browns and Redskins.

Sunday he finished with 328 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals win to move to 2-1. This week he’ll lead the Bengals into Jacksonville to face the Jags in another nice matchup for him, A.J. Green, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

5. Christian Ponder-Minnesota Vikings

Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) leaps for a 23 yard touchdown run against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Nobody saw Ponder’s huge game coming as he face a 49er defense that had shut down the likes of Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. Ponder though lit up San Francisco as he threw for 198 yards and a pair of scores while adding a touchdown rushing and 33 yards on the ground.

Ponder and Minnesota head to Detroit who got lit up by Jake Locker last week and appeared very beatable through the air. The fact that the game will be indoors on the fast track of Ford Field makes Ponder an even more attractive sleeper pick in what could quickly become a shootout in the NFC North.

Honorable Mention: Jake Locker-Tennessee Titans, Robert Griffin III-Washington Redskins, Andrew Luck-Indianapolis Colts