Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

There are a few teams changing quarterbacks in Carolina (Jimmy Clausen) and Buffalo (Ryan Fitzpatrick), though neither factor into the rankings.  Let’s take a look at how our initial Top 25 rankings do unfold (these will be updated later in the week if news necessitates it):

1. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints - vs. Atlanta
2. Tom Brady - New England Patriots - vs. Buffalo
3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts - at Denver
4. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys - at Houston
5. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers - at Chicago
6. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans - vs. Dallas
7. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers - at Seattle
8. Donovan McNabb - Washington Redskins - at St. Louis
9. Brett Favre - Minnesota Vikings - vs. Detroit
10. Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens - vs. Cleveland
11. Eli Manning - New York Giants - vs. Tennessee
12. Kyle Orton - Denver Broncos - vs. Indianapolis
13. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons - at New Orleans
14. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears - vs. Green Bay
15. Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals - at Carolina
16. Kevin Kolb - Philadelphia Eagles - at Jacksonville
17. Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle Seahawks - vs. San Diego
18. Sam Bradford - St. Louis Rams - vs. Washington
19. Alex Smith - San Francisco 49ers - at Kansas City
20. David Garrard - Jacksonville Jaguars - vs. Philadelphia
21. Mark Sanchez - New York Jets - at Miami
22. Chad Henne - Miami Dolphins - vs. New York Jets
23. Vince Young - Tennessee Titans - at New York Giants
24. Derek Anderson - Arizona Cardinals - vs. Oakland
25. Jason Campbell - Oakland Raiders - at Arizona

Thoughts:

• After seeing Matt Schaub torch the Redskins for 497 yards and three TD (he was limited in Week 1 as the Texans went to more of a running attack), a lot of concerns have to be alleviated.  Couple that with the Cowboys being picked apart by Jay Cutler (21-29, 277 yards, and three TD) in Week 2, and there is a lot to like with the matchup.  Consider him among the top QB for the upcoming week.
• Yes, you can easily make excuses for Houston’s defense against the pass the first two weeks.  Indianapolis was trying to get back into the game in Week 1 and it was a shootout with Washington in Week 2 that went to overtime.  Still, in two weeks they have allowed two 400 plus passing yard performances.  You have to like the chances of a good game for Tony Romo and his receiving corps.
• It has not taken long for Donovan McNabb and the Redskins receiving corps to get on the same page, huh?  Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and company should continue producing, especially with a matchup against the Rams on the horizon.  Let’s face it, when a team gives up 231 yards in the air to the Oakland Raiders, there’s going to be the potential to have a pretty good day.
• As of right now, the word is that Kevin Kolb will start for the Eagles in Week 3.  That’s hard to imagine, given Michael Vick’s impressive performance against Detroit (284 yards and two TD passing as well as 37 yards rushing).  Keep Vick stashed at this point, but it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see him make an impact in Week 3 if Kolb struggles.
• What is going on with Brett Favre?  It’s easy to point to the receiving corps, with Sidney Rice out and Percy Harvin leaving Sunday’s game early, but that’s a little too easy.  That doesn’t explain the three interceptions in Week 2 (already four on the year).  He’s certainly usable against Detroit, but if it were a tougher matchup he’d probably fall outside the Top 12.
• I can admit that Joe Flacco was terrible in Week 2, throwing four interceptions against Cincinnati.  The tough matchups should be behind them, however.  Be willing to give him one more shot, this time against Cleveland.  The Ravens certainly have the talent to excel, so don’t write him off.
• Rookie or not, Sam Bradford appears to have a favorable matchup against the Washington Redskins in Week 3.  It’s hard to trust him, but in two-quarterback formats he’s worth rolling the dice on.
• Derek Anderson continues to struggle with his efficiency, as he is 39-72 over the first two weeks.  He’s dragging down his receivers, while also making it tough for his team to compete.  He still has the potential (whenever you have Larry Fitzgerald there’s hope), but don’t consider him a high level option.  However, against Oakland, there’s a little more hope.
• Early word is that Vince Young will start in Week 3, despite getting pulled in favor of Kerry Collins in Week 2.  It’s hard to trust him right now.
• Who is going to start for Pittsburgh in Week 3?  It appears to be either Charlie Batch or Byron Leftwich, so stay tuned for more on that situation.
• Darrelle Ravis appears to be out for Week 3 against the Dolphins.  That certainly could mean good things for Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall.  Henne becomes a potentially usable option in two-quarterback formats.

What are your thoughts on these rankings?  Who’s too high?  Who’s too low?

Make sure to check out the rest of our Week 3 Rankings:

• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 60 Wide Receivers
• Top 20 Tight Ends (coming soon)
• Top 15 Kickers (coming soon)
• Top 15 Defenses (coming soon)

THIS ARTICLE IS ALSO FEATURED ON WWW.ROTOPROFESSOR.COM/FOOTBALL