Fantasy Football Week 6 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

With a significant number of injuries, including Aaron Rodgers suffering from a concussion, these rankings are very much in flux.  We’ll check back later in the week and make any necessary updates, but let’s take a look at how I currently have my rankings for the upcoming week:

1. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts – at Washington
2. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – vs. Kansas City
3. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at St. Louis
4. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – vs. Miami
5. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – at Minnesota
6. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Tampa Bay
7. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – vs. Seattle
8. Brett Favre – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Dallas
9. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Baltimore
10. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Cleveland
11. Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Detroit
12. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens – at New England
13. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – at Philadelphia
14. Kevin Kolb – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Atlanta
15. Mark Sanchez – New York Jets – at Denver
16. Vince Young – Tennessee Titans – at Jacksonville
17. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – at Houston
18. Donovan McNabb – Washington Redskins – vs. Indianapolis
19. Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos – vs. New York Jets
20. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. New Orleans
21. Chad Henne – Miami Dolphins – at Green Bay
22. Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks – at Chicago
23. David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Tennessee
24. Shaun Hill – Detroit Lions – at New York Giants
25. Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – vs. San Diego

Thoughts

• With the Redskins continuing to give up nearly 300 passing yards per game (Aaron Rodgers got them for 293 in Week 5), it just seems like a perfect match for Peyton Manning to exploit.  With Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, and Dallas Clark all in the lineup, there is little not to like.
• At this point it is unknown if Rodgers will play in Week 6, having suffered a concussion in the Packers' overtime loss to the Washington Redskins.  I am going to rank him as if he were healthy, but keep in mind that this could change dramatically towards the end of the week.  Make sure to check the news and be prepared, just in case.
• Will Michael Vick play?  At this point I’m ranking Kevin Kolb, who looked good on Sunday night (21-31, 253 yards, and 1 TD), but things could change dramatically by mid-week.
• The Bears won with Todd Collins at QB, but if Jay Cutler is healthy there is no doubt that he is going to retake the reigns of the offense.  We’re ranking Cutler for now, and against Seattle, who has allowed 302 passing yards per game, he’s a great play.  If he doesn’t, Collins is only recommendable in two-quarterback formats.
• Ben Roethlisberger finally makes his much anticipated 2010 debut against the Cleveland Browns.  Watch out NFL, he could put up some big numbers.  It’s hard to call him a must start, but I certainly would consider using him in any format.
• The Chiefs get the Houston Texans this week, the team that is by far the worst at defending the pass through five weeks of the season.  Of course, the Chiefs offense is geared significantly more to the run, with both Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones.  Matt Cassel will be worth using in two-quarterback formats, but that’s about it.
• Considering that the Vikings' defensive strength is stuffing the run, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cowboys go to the air.  Coming off a game where he tossed for 406 yards, you have to like Tony Romo’s chances to produce.
• Eli Manning may have a positive matchup, but he has forced way too many balls and thrown way too many interceptions in the first five games.  After throwing two more against the Texans, he has three games with at least two INTs and eight overall for the season.  The Lions have seven picks, tied for third in the league, so there is at least some cause for concern.
• Donovan McNabb is coming off a big game, but the Texans showed early on this season that the way to attack the Colts defense is on the ground.  The Redskins running attack is not spectacular, but look for them to try and play ball control, limiting McNabb’s potential value.
• It doesn’t matter how good Kyle Orton has been this season, because when you go against the New York Jets your potential value drops.  Consider him only usable in two-quarterback formats for the upcoming week.
• Bruce Gradkowski suffered an injury in the Raiders game on Sunday, so we have to consider him questionable at this point.  If he plays, he may crack our Top 25, so time will tell.
• Will it be Shaun Hill or Matthew Stafford this week against the Giants?  It’ll be interesting, but with the way Hill has been playing you have to think they will give Stafford the extra two weeks, with the bye week coming up.

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 6 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)
• Waiver Worthy
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em
• Sunday Sleepers (coming soon)

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