Fantasy Football: Top 10 QBs of Week 13

The year of the quarterback continues in Week 13 as there are several games that could turn into aerial showdowns. The Colts will be traveling to New England, Green Bay will face the Giants in New York and the New Orleans Saints will host the Detroit Lions.

With those matchups being key, let's look at the top 10 QBs of Week 13.

Sleepers: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mark Sanchez

10. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford and the Lions will travel to New Orleans in the Sunday night game in Week 13. Stafford has thrown nine interceptions the last three weeks to go with seven touchdowns. However, the Saints pass defense is in the bottom third of the league.

As the Lions have been a second half team this year and the Saints often jump out to early leads, Stafford will have plenty of opportunities to air it out in the dome.

9. Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger is playing with a broken thumb, but he looked capable in a solid performance against the Chiefs on Sunday. I suspect that Big Ben will be more comfortable throwing with the thumb and his production will take an uptick as the Steelers host the Bengals this week.

Roethlisberger threw for 245 yards and a touchdown against Cincinnati in Week 10.

8. Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has been a steady fantasy QB since being named the starter in Denver. With the way he runs and his knack for the big play, the points are usually there.

Although Minnesota has the ninth ranked defense against the run (the more important stat when predicting Tebow's performance), Tebow will likely get his customary 70 yards rushing. If he can connect with his favorite target, Eric Decker, against their 29th ranked pass defense, it will be another quality fantasy week for Tebow.

For more on Tim Tebow, see my article "Is Tim Tebow More Valuable to the Denver Broncos or Your Fantasy Team?"

7. Carson Palmer

Palmer leads the Raiders into Miami to face the Dolphins 26th ranked pass defense. Palmer threw for 301 yards against the Bears in Week 12 but failed to throw for a touchdown. 

Palmer showed good chemistry with fullback and pass catching threat Marcel Reece last week. If Palmer's other favorite target Denarius Moore returns for Week 13, Palmer should have a big day.   

6. Drew Brees

Drew Brees is coming off a stellar Monday night performance against the Giants and will look to continue the aerial assault against the Lions.

The Lions have the sixth best defense against the pass and will have extra rest as their last game was on Thanksgiving. However, it won't matter.

Brees spreads the ball as well as any QB around. If it's not Jimmy Graham again in Week 13, it will be someone else and Brees will have another multiple TD performance.

5. Eli Manning

In Week 13, Manning and the Giants will host the Packers in what could be one of the highest scoring games of the season.

The Packers have the 31st ranked pass defense in the NFL and the Giants have the fourth best passing attack.

Manning will likely add another stellar individual performance to perhaps his best NFL season yet. If the shaky New York receivers can avoid drops, Manning should have no trouble getting consecutive 300-yard performances.

4. Tom Brady

Tom Brady and the Pats host the winless Colts in Week 13. The best case scenario for Tom Brady owners is for Dan Orlovsky to have a field day against the Pats bottom-ranked pass defense. Otherwise, this one could get out of hand early and Brady may not be throwing many passes in the second half.

Still, expect at least two TDs from Brady.

3. Cam Newton

Tampa Bay may have the worst defense in the NFL and Cam Newton will be sure to take full advantage on Sunday. For a man who can both run and pass, a day against the 28th pass defense and 30th rush defense is a dream matchup.

I'd say 20 fantasy points would be the minimum put up by Cam this weekend.

2. Tony Romo

Tony Romo had a a two TD, two INT game on Thanksgiving after a three-game stretch of mistake free play. He will get back on track this Sunday against a less-than-stellar Cardinals defense.

I'm predicting Romo's best fantasy game of the season coming off the 10-days' rest.

1. Aaron Rodgers

The Giants are fresh off giving up 49 to the Saints and Drew Brees on Monday night. Things don't get any easier as they host the Pack and Aaron Rodgers after a short week.

Rodgers is having one of the best seasons by a a QB ever, and he should continue his MVP campaign against the 20th ranked pass defense. Rodgers has already established a career high for TD passes in a season (currently at 33) and has shown no signs of slowing down.