Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: Predicting the Week's Top 3 Quarterbacks

If you take a look at the list of the highest-scoring quarterbacks in terms of fantasy points in Week 1, all the usual suspects are right up at the top.

Well, except for names like Cam Newton, Chad Henne and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Their names look a little odd next to the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees, don't they?

Yup, and that's the beauty of it. You just never know who might top the fantasy charts from week to week. All you can do is hope that it's your guy.

Well, I'm afraid I can't make any promises. I can, however, give you my predictions for which three quarterbacks will end up atop the charts by week's end. Maybe one of them is your guy.

3. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

I hear that a public mandate has been issued in Detroit that requires all citizens to cross their fingers until further notice. The hope, apparently, is that this will help Matthew Stafford stay healthy.

OK fine, I made that up. But you get the gist. The question with Stafford has always been how good he might be if he could just stay healthy, and he reminded us once again on Sunday that he could be very good.

Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stafford passed for 305 yards and three touchdowns (also one pick). Two of those touchdowns and 265 of those yards came in the first half. The word "studly" comes to mind.

On Sunday, Stafford and the Lions will play their first game on the turf of Ford Field, which is a good thing. So is the fact that Stafford will be matched up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who just let the aforementioned Mr. Fitzpatrick torch them for four touchdowns.

Something tells me Stafford is in for a big day.

Prediction: 340 yards passing, three touchdowns, one interception.

2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

When we talk about a given athlete putting on a clinic, we tend to exaggerate.

But a clinic is exactly what Aaron Rodgers put on against the New Orleans Saints last Thursday. He completed 27 of his 35 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. For that, he earned a QB rating of 132.1, currently the second-highest figure in the league (behind, you guessed it, Ryan Fitzpatrick).

And now Rodgers gets to face the Carolina Panthers, who allowed Kevin Kolb to pass for 309 yards and two touchdowns.

The advantage goes to Rodgers. Shoot, he would have the advantage even if he was going up against a 100-foot brick wall. Which the Panthers are not, by the way.

Prediction: 330 yards passing, three touchdowns, 20 rushing yards.

1. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

It would be a stretch to say that Rivers was a disappointment out of the gate against the Minnesota Vikings, but I do think he was slightly less Rivers-y than we're used to. He did have 335 yards and two touchdowns, but the two interceptions he threw stick out like a sore thumb.

But no worries, Rivers owners. He and the Chargers now get to face the New England Patriots, who were last seen giving up 416 yards and two touchdowns to Chad Henne.

Heck, if Henne can do that to the Pats defense, just imagine what a guy like Rivers might be able to do. My guess is that he'll be as Rivers-y as ever.

Prediction: 420 yards passing, three touchdowns, one interception.