Fantasy Football Playoffs: QBs Who Will Thrive Down The Stretch

With the fantasy football playoffs approaching in just a couple weeks, it's time to take a look at some quarterbacks who will post big numbers down the stretch this year.

Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers are obvious choices to lead the way, but there are some less obvious quarterbacks who will also put up some strong numbers in Weeks 13-to-17 this year.

Something that will benefit fantasy owners this year is the fact that no team is running away with any division. That means starters likely won't be able to take a break in Week 17, making it easier for fantasy owners to set their lineups.

Let's take a look at the 10 quarterbacks that will post the most fantasy points for the rest of this season.

10. Sam Bradford

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

DENVER - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams makes a pass during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rams defeated the Broncos 36-33. (Photo b

Sam Bradford sneaks into the top 10 quarterbacks the rest of the way due to his solid play all year long.

Last week against Denver, Bradford had a 300-plus yard, three touchdown game with no interceptions. That's an impressive stat line for a rookie.

Down the stretch, he'll play against the 49ers and Seahawks, as well as the Cardinals and Chiefs.

He has one tough game, against the Saints, that you should avoid, but in the other games, he's a good starter.

9. Matt Cassel

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks downfield as Thomas Jones #20 blocks against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Chiefs defeated the Seahawks 42-24. (Photo

Matt Cassel had one of the best games of his career in a 42-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last week.

He's building momentum at the right time for a push through the fantasy playoffs.

His connection with Dwayne Bowe is playing a large part in his success. Look for that to continue down the stretch as the Chiefs push for a playoff spot.

8. Ben Roethlisberger

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers readies to throw against the Buffalo Bills on November 28, 2010 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers are fighting for their division title and likely a first-round bye in the AFC.

In the last two weeks of the regular season, the Steelers play the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.

They also have a game left against the Bengals, so look for Roethlisberger to be a top-10 fantasy quarterback for the rest of 2010.

7. Matt Schaub

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans throws passess during pre-game warm ups before playing the Tennessee Titans at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans have a tough two-game stretch starting Thursday night against the Eagles.

Then they play the always tough Baltimore Ravens defense.

But Schaub's last three games are against the Titans, Broncos and Jaguars.

He should thrive in those three games.

6. Aaron Rodgers

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rushes upfield away from Corey Peters #91 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Aaron Rodgers has been on a roll lately.

Look for that to continue for at least three more weeks. In their next three games, the Packers have a home game against the 49ers and travel to play Detroit and New England.

Rodgers should post big numbers in those games, carrying you to your league's championship.

But don't expect Rodgers to win you the championship, as his last two games come against the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears.

5. Michael Vick

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles turns to avoid a rush by Henry Melton #69 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Michael Vick should have a huge game on Thursday night against the Houston Texans, but after that, his production might be spotty.

The Bears gave him a hard time on Sunday, perhaps forming a blueprint on how to stop him.

The Giants started that blueprint and they get one more crack at Vick down the stretch.

Plus the Eagles must play the Cowboys twice, and who knows how well Jason Garrett's team will play?

4. Tom Brady

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a Detroit Lions turnover during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon

The Patriots have a tough three-game stretch coming up in which they host the Jets and Packers and go on the road to play the Bears.

But after that, it's smooth sailing for Tom Brady and his crew.

In Weeks 16 and 17, when many fantasy leagues have their championship games, Brady's opponents will be the Bills and Dolphins.

I like his chances to put up a ton of points in those weeks.

3. Kyle Orton

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos in action against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Chargers defeated the broncos, 35-14. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Ima

Kyle Orton has a Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans.

The Texans defense is so bad that it's quite possible Orton will be able to single-handedly win your fantasy football championship game.

His other matchups are pretty favorable too, with games at Arizona and Oakland still left on the schedule.

2. Philip Rivers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after a touchdown during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The San Diego Chargers have a pretty easy schedule down the stretch.

They play the Raiders this week, followed by the Chiefs and 49ers. All three of those games are in San Diego.

Then they go on the road to Cincinnati and Denver to end the season.

It's possible that the Chargers could go 5-0 in that stretch. Anything less than 4-1 would be a disappointment to Chargers fans.

Meanwhile, Rivers has a shot of breaking Dan Marino's single-season pass-yardage record.

I like his chances against the Chargers' competition.

1. Peyton Manning

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots on November 21, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Colts 31-2

Peyton Manning is coming off one of the worst games of his career, but that doesn't mean he'll play that poorly the rest of the season.

In fact, he'll probably have one of the best five-game stretches of his career starting this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Colts are in the middle of a playoff chase, something they haven't been involved in this late in the season for a couple years now.

With Indy's season on the line, I expect Manning to overcome the injuries at the wide receiver and running back position and find a way to win ballgames.

Indy's schedule is also favorable, with two games against the struggling Tennessee Titans, a game at Oakland and a game at home against division-leading Jacksonville in addition to the Cowboy game.