Fantasy Football Week 11 Rankings: Quarterbacks

Finally, we are done with the bye weeks and ready to head down the home stretch into the fantasy playoffs. Of course, there are a couple of teams that wish they still had a bye week because of dire quarterback situations.

The Miami Dolphins decided to start Chad Pennington last week...except he hurt his shoulder and is out for the rest of the season. Chad Henne came in and later hurt his knee, and his status for Thursday’s game with the Chicago Bears is in jeopardy.

Enter third-string Tyler Thigpen. He is not the only third-string quarterback who could play this week, though, as the Carolina Panthers could turn to rookie Tony Pike. Pike, a sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati, could start because Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion during last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. Denver

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers continues to chug along despite the lack of a top-flight receiver. The good news is that tight end Antonio Gates may play this week, which would be a huge boost to Rivers. Of course, even if Gates doesn’t return, Rivers will still have a big day.

In his last four games against Denver, Rivers has thrown seven touchdowns and just one interception. The Broncos are giving up an average of around 16 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and they rank 30th in the league in points allowed per game. This is a defense that Rivers can, and will, exploit.

Point Projection: 22 points

2. Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. New York Giants

There is no stopping Vick right now. Everyone imagined he would put together a solid performance against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, however, Vick more than exceeded expectations.

His 333 passing yards, 80 rushing yards and six total touchdown led to 49 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues and helped fantasy football owners across America pull out miracle wins in Week 10. In fact, his 49 fantasy points are the highest ever recorded in a standard scoring format at the quarterback position.

This would appear to be a tough matchup for the Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Vick. However, given the level he is playing at, and how poorly the Giants played in last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, perhaps the New York defense has been exposed.

If there’s one thing Vick excels at it’s taking advantage of whatever opportunity the defense presents him, which should make it a good day for the southpaw.

Point Projection: 22 points

3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) @ New England

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t have a touchdown in last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Holy crap, what should we do? Panic!? No, quite the opposite. The last time Manning was held scoreless was in a Week 6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and in his next game he eclipsed 300 passing yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Also consider that the New England Patriots are giving up almost 17 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and the meeting of these two AFC rivals will be won by Manning. Well, at least from a statistical standpoint it will be.

Point Projection: 20 points


To see where you fantasy quarterback ranks this week go here...Week 11 QB Rankings.