Fantasy Football Week 8 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

A few teams have some huge question marks hanging over their quarterbacks for the coming week.  Those situations certainly cause concern for people in two-quarterback formats.  That doesn’t mean that those in one-quarterback formats have it on easy street, as some under-the-radar options are pushing to become usable.

Let’s take a look at how things currently stand (remember, these rankings will be updated later in the week if necessary):

1. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Houston
2. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Jacksonville
3. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – vs. Tennessee
4. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at New York Jets
5. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. Minnesota
6. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – vs. Pittsburgh
7. Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals – vs. Miami
8. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – at New Orleans
9. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – at Indianapolis
10. Brett Favre – Minnesota Vikings – at New England
11. Donovan McNabb – Washington Redskins – at Detroit
12. Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos – at San Francisco
13. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – at Kansas City
14. Matt Moore – Carolina Panthers – at St. Louis
15. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Washington
16. Mark Sanchez – New York Jets – vs. Green Bay
17. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – vs. Buffalo
18. Jason Campbell – Oakland Raiders – vs. Seattle
19. Chad Henne – Miami Dolphins – at Cincinnati
20. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at Arizona
21. Kerry Collins – Tennessee Titans – at San Diego
22. Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks – at Oakland
23. Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams – vs. Carolina
24. Todd Bauman – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Dallas
25. Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Denver

Thoughts:

• In his first matchup with the Texans, Peyton Manning threw for 433 yards and 3 touchdowns.  While the losses of Austin Collie and Dallas Clark may change things, there’s little doubt that Manning is going to try and feast on the worst passing defense in the league.  That said, Manning should be the top option this week.
• Jacksonville has allowed a league worst 16 touchdowns, while picking up only four interceptions.  Does anyone think that the Cowboys are going to put the ball in Tony Romo’s hands, and let him throw it early and often?
• What happened to the Patriots passing game in Week 7?  Facing off against the best passing defense in the league didn’t help, as Tom Brady went just 19-32 for 159 yards and 1 touchdown.  The Vikings are just marginally worse, so it could be another long day for Brady & Company.
• After Arian Foster ripped the Indianapolis Colts defense to shreds in Week 1, is there any doubt that the Texans are going to try and ride him once again?  The Colts have continued to struggle stopping the run, so consider Matt Schaub a low-end starting quarterback, at best, for the coming week.
• Matthew Stafford returns to action with an enviable matchup against the Redskins.  If he had not missed so much time, he’d probably be ranked significantly higher, but consider him a high-end QB2 all the same.
• Carson Palmer put on a show in Week 7, throwing for 412 yards and three touchdowns.  The Dolphins, meanwhile, allowed Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 302 yards and two scores.  With the Bengals passing game hitting it’s stride, it’s hard not to like the matchup this week.
• Will the Raiders start Jason Campbell or Bruce Gradkowski?  It all depends on if Gradkowski is healthy, but for now we’re leaving Campbell on the rankings.  This is one situation that we’ll readdress later in the week as we get more news.
• Max Hall went 4-16 for 36 yards and an interception before being replaced by Derek Anderson, who went 8-17 for 96 yards.  Who knows, but the terrible quarterback play has certainly been hurting the value of Larry Fitzgerald and the other receivers.  Time will tell, but neither is a good option this week.
• With Alex Smith going out with an injury, it appears like David Carr may get the start this week against the Broncos.  He may not be a great option, but Smith owners in two-quarterback leagues would be well served to grab him just in case.  He certainly didn’t overwhelm, however, going 5-13 with an interception.  For now, we’ll leave Smith on the rankings, but the news later this week will help determine who belongs and who doesn’t.
• Kerry Collins vs. Vince Young?  After leading the Titans to a victory over the Eagles, going 17-31 with 276 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions (the bulk of which went to Kenny Britt), I’m going to leave Collins on the rankings for now.  That easily could change by week’s end, however.
• Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe have finally found their stride.  Over the past two games they’ve connected for 189 yards and four touchdowns.  Cassel certainly appears to be a solid option as a back up quarterback against the Bills for the upcoming week.
• Will David Garrard be ready to play in Week 8?  For now, we’re leaving Todd Bauman on the rankings.
• If Brett Favre had been playing better, he would be ranked higher in the rankings.  Unfortunately he’s hurting and the Vikings have been protecting him in recent weeks.  The news over the week may allow us to move him up, but regardless he’s a potential QB1 this week.

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

Make sure to check out our Week 8 Rankings:

• Waiver Worthy
• Top 40 Running Backs (coming soon)
• Top 60 Wide Receivers (coming soon)
• Top 15 Tight Ends (coming soon)
• Top 15 Kickers (coming soon)
• Top 15 Defenses (coming soon)
• Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em (coming soon)
• Sunday Sleepers (coming soon)

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