Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: QBs Whose Stocks Will Continue to Rise

You don't want to bank your fantasy season on a quarterback before you know what he's capable of.

That is why, even after good performances in their Week 1 campaigns, quarterbacks like Alex Smith are still rated below the likes of Michael Vick and Carson Palmer.

Even a quarterback who looks great in the first couple of weeks of the season could end up peaking early and struggling down the stretch. That's why the Week 2 performances will be so significant: If some of the QBs who were ultra-impressive in their season openers follow up with more heroics, you'll have a better idea of whether or not they can lead your fantasy team to victory this year. 

Here's a look at some of the quarterbacks who will keep rolling through Week 2. For a full list of fantasy rankings, click here. 

Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins) at St. Louis Rams

The rookie was the big surprise to emerge from Week 1. While all the attention was focused on Andrew Luck's debut with the Colts, RG3 quietly compiled the most impressive stat line of any rookie quarterback: 320 yards, two touchdowns, zero picks and a 139.9 passer rating.

What was even more impressive was the fact that he did it against the Saints. New Orleans has had its fair share of problems this offseason, but it's no slouch of an opponent, especially on the road.

The fact that Griffin was able to do that to a team like the Saints leaves little doubt that he can be equally successful against St. Louis—which allowed 429 total yards to the Lions last Sunday—in Week 2. Right now, Griffin is ranked sixth among quarterbacks, according to NFL.com's fantasy gurus. Expect him to live up to it in Week 2.

Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos) vs. Atlanta Falcons

Now that we've seen what he did to the vaunted Steel Curtain, it's hard to believe that anyone doubted Peyton Manning entering the 2012 season. He may have missed 2011, and he may be wearing a different uniform, but he's still the same old Manning who can shred any defense he comes into contact with.

In his season debut, Manning—ranked seventh by NFL.com—threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, leading Denver to a home win over the Steelers. Given the way the Falcons played in their own season opener, taking them down isn't going to be easy, but if Manning can have so much success against the Steelers' defense, he can probably compete with anybody. Unless, of course, the Steelers are much worse than we thought they were. 

And Atlanta did allow 376 total yards to the Chiefs in Week 1, so there's that.

Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Detroit Lions

Given the way everything went down last weekend, it's a little ridiculous that Smith, at No. 19, is ranked below the likes of Michael Vick (No. 14) and Andrew Luck (No. 12). But that will all soon change, especially if Smith continues to thrive in this revamped 49ers offense.

Last year, the 49ers finished with the 26th-ranked attack in the NFL. This season, that will not be the case. That much is obvious anytime you can show up Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau.

On Sunday, Smith finished with 211 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 125.6 passer rating. By comparison, Rodgers' was 93.3. It's only one game, obviously, but just because Smith was futile throughout his first five seasons in the NFL doesn't mean the same is going to be true in 2012. He could be even better in 2012 than he was during his career year in 2011, now that the wide receiving corps has been upgraded.

It all starts against the Lions' defense—which could barely contain the mighty Rams in Week 1—on Sunday.