Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

Week 1 is officially behind us, and fantasy owners need to recover and move on.  Did your team disappoint you?  Do you have holes you didn’t expect?  Football is a short season and, while you don’t want to put too much stock into one game, we need to quickly adjust our thinking. 

With that in mind, let’s start to take a look at our Week 2 rankings:

1. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Chicago
2. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Arizona
3. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Carolina
4. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Denver
5. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. New Orleans
6. Robert Griffin III – Washington Redskins – at St. Louis
7. Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Tampa Bay
8. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – at San Francisco
9. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – at Seattle
10. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – at Green Bay
11. Peyton Manning – Denver Broncos – at Atlanta
12. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – at Philadelphia
13. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Tennessee
14. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – at Jacksonville
15. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Cleveland
16. Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Baltimore
17. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. New York Jets
18. Christian Ponder – Minnesota Vikings – at Indianapolis
19. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – vs. Kansas City
20. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Minnesota
21. Carson Palmer – Oakland Raiders – at Miami
22. Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Detroit
23. Mark Sanchez – New York Jets – at Pittsburgh
24. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – at Buffalo
25. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at New York Giants

Thoughts

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III made quite an impact in his NFL debut, throwing for 320 yards and two TDs (as well as rushing the ball 10 times for 42 yards).  Imagine how things would’ve gone if Pierre Garcon had not gotten hurt.

This week he takes on a Rams defense that was torched for 346 yards (though did manage three INTs) in Week 1.  At this point, it is hard to find a reason to have Griffin on your bench, isn’t it?  Forget your bench, it is hard to not consider him one of the top quarterbacks for the coming week.

Matthew Stafford

While Matthew Stafford led the NFL in Week 1 in passing yards (with 355 yards), he also tossed three INTs.  I wouldn’t expect that to continue, so don’t lose any sleep.  He draws a tough defense in the 49ers, but they are significantly better against the run than the pass. 

No matter what the defense, Stafford should produce solid numbers, at a minimum.  Continue to consider him one of the elite quarterbacks in the league.

Eli Manning

Eli Manning and the Giants offense struggled in Week 1.  Do we really expect that to continue against the Buccaneers?  With another 10 days to get on track, as well as Hakeem Nicks to get healthy, I certainly wouldn’t be shying away from Manning this week.

Joe Flacco

The Philadelphia Eagles allowed just 111 passing yards, no TDs and managed four INTs in Week 1.  Then again, those numbers came against Brandon Weeden and the weak Browns offense.  Does anyone really expect them to shut down Joe Flacco and the Ravens?  Don’t shy away from Flacco this week, that’s for sure.

Christian Ponder

While Christian Ponder failed to throw for a touchdown in Week 1, he did throw for 270 yards and didn’t toss an interception.  Drawing a Colts’ defense that was torched by Jay Cutler and company for 314 yards and two TDs, he should continue to post good numbers and crack the end zone.  As a high-end QB2, I would definitely consider him.

Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck

Is Jake Locker going to be healthy enough to play?  Time will tell, but until we know that it is impossible to keep him on the rankings.  If he plays, he’s a viable QB2, but if it’s Matt Hasselbeck I’d have my reservations.

Mark Sanchez and Alex Smith

Sure, Mark Sanchez and Alex Smith looked good in Week 1.  However, does anyone really trust them?  Until they prove they can do it week after week, given their history, they remain nothing more than low-end QB2.

Tony Romo

Tony Romo looked great in Week 1—now imagine what could be possible if Jason Witten and Miles Austin were actually healthy.  He has the potential to be an elite QB this season and, while I wouldn’t move him above Eli Manning or Matthew Stafford yet, another week like this one and he will be.

Make sure to check out these other great articles from Rotoprofessor:

• Top 25 Tight Ends 
• Week 2 Waiver Worthy