Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 15 QBs Heading into Week 3

With Week 2 almost completely in the books, it's time to look ahead to Week 3.

As we've seen thus far, the NFL is more of a quarterback-dominated, pass-heavy league than it's ever been.

Especially in fantasy football.

Taking the previous weeks into consideration, I've compiled a list of the top 15 fantasy quarterbacks heading into Week 3.

Most of these guys are front-line starters, but if you're weak at the position, a mid-level guy could light your path to fantasy victory.

Take a look and see if your gunslinger topped my charts.

15: Ryan Fitzpatrick

"Fitz-Magic" has become the household name for Buffalo quarterback and former Harvard grad, Ryan Fitzpatrick.

So far this season, Fitz has piled up the sixth highest passer rating in the NFL and is tied for the lead in touchdowns with seven. He doesn't rack up elite-level yardage, but he is a good protector of the football thanks to his offensive line.

The Bills take on the seemingly unstoppable New England Patriots next Sunday, and I like the challenge for Fitzpatrick. The Patriots' pass defense is second-to-last in the NFL after two weeks, giving up an average of 386 yards per game through the air.

Fitzpatrick should be a must start for you this week and throughout the season.

14: Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco has the tools to be a top 10 quarterback in fantasy football. He also has the ability to play like he did against the Titans, which is why I've dropped him in my rankings.

Flacco matches up against the Rams in Week 3, which right now, is a touch game to predict.

The Rams were hit hard with the injury bug in Week 1 and we've yet to see how the defense will perform as they don't play until tonight.

I'm going to give Flacco the benefit of the doubt, just because I know how the Ravens' week in practice is going to go after their embarrassing loss to Tennessee.

Flacco has always been a fine performer indoors, having only thrown one dome interception in his career. He's a must start.

13: Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler was tossed around like a rag doll yesterday against the Saints. He looked extremely frustrated with his offensive line, and for good reason.

Cutler is a tough sell in fantasy football as a top quarterback. He has the arm strength and physical tools to be one, but with his lack of protection he is force into high school-caliber mistakes.

I'm a believer in Cutler, always have been, and I'm constantly reassured by Matt Forte's assistance in the passing game.

Cutler should be started in two quarterback leagues, even though he's facing the Packers.

We all remember how his last game against the "cheese heads" ended, so let's not hope for deja vu.

12: Matt Ryan

I'm a huge fan of Matt Ryan as a quarterback in the NFL, just not a huge fan of him as a fantasy player.

Ryan is on here because his ability to manage games usually allows him to sneak a touchdown or two.

I like the match-up against the Buccaneers.

The Bucs have an above-average pass defense, highlighted by good play makers on the outside. However, Matt Ryan and the Falcons have Roddy White and Julio Jones to counter them.

In his last three starts against the Bucs, Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown in every game and the Falcons are 3-0.

11: Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez has really been throwing the ball well the first two weeks of the season. Tossing four touchdowns and completing almost 64 percent of his passes really has fans believing in Sanchez and the Jets.

In Week 3, he'll be facing the Oakland Raiders.

This past week, the Raiders got lit up by the Bills, whose offense exploited the Raiders' secondary late in the game.

I expect the Jets to do their homework, coming out with a game plan that suits Mark Sanchez's abilities to take advantage of Oakland's unproven cornerbacks.

I am looking forward to seeing Santonio Holmes and Mark Sanchez near the top of the statistical boards in Week 3, and that's why he's so high in my rankings.

10: Josh Freeman

Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman looked like the comeback kid this past week against the Vikings, throwing for 243 yards and a touchdown.

This week, he faces the Atlanta Falcons at home. The Falcons' pass defense thus far is giving up 302 yards per game through the air, good for sixth worst in the league.

They are also giving up almost 9.1 yards per attempt through the air and letting quarterbacks complete almost 70 percent of their passes.

All of which helps Freeman's chances for a nice day against the Falcons.

9: Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub bounced back nicely against Miami after a sub-par performance against the lowly Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.

Next up, the Texans get the stout New Orleans defense, which just tore apart the Bears' offense.

I don't necessarily like Schaub as much this week as a I may other weeks, just because of potential match-up issues, but you can't deny a guy who's leading the league in completion percentage.

Schaub is a must-start, but who isn't when you're throwing to Andre Johnson?

8: Tony Romo

Tony Romo came back from injury and put on a legendary performance against the 49ers that most analysts are saying saved Dallas' season.

However, that injury, is what concerns me. That, and he's Tony Romo, so the inevitable collapse is never far away.

Romo is averaging 344 yards per contest through two weeks, and he's only thrown one interception to four touchdowns.

I have him at eight because I believe he'll play on Monday night against the Redskins. Otherwise, he wouldn't have returned to yesterday's contest in San Francisco.

Keep an eye on him though throughout the week.

7: Michael Vick

There's not much to say about Michael Vick other than he hasn't really lived up to his pre-season hype in fantasy football.

Now with this concussion, he's falling even further down my rankings.

But if he's a go for the game against the Giants in Week 3, then he's a must-start. If not, he'll fall even further than he already has, maybe even out of the top 10.

6: Matthew Stafford

No quarterback has impressed me more than Matthew Stafford so far this season. No, not even Tom Brady because I expect big numbers from him.

"Money Matt" has tossed a league-high seven touchdowns and is averaging 300 yards per game for the high octane Lions offense.

This week, he's squaring off against a Minnesota defense that doesn't seem to have any fight in their back four. The Vikings are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete passes at nearly a 70 percent rate. So far this season, Stafford is completing 66 percent of his passes.

I'm guaranteeing 300+ yards and at least two touchdowns from Stafford this weekend in another Lions blowout.

Start this man. It's time to start recognizing his potential when healthy.

5: Drew Brees

Drew Brees is putting up video game numbers yet again for his owners this season. He's thrown for six touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first two games against good pass defenses.

This week however, Brees draws a tougher assignment, a Houston defense that's only given up 325 yards through the air in two games this season.

I'm a firm believer that Drew Brees has the ability to dissect any defense no matter how good it is, so there's no question he should be your number one starter this week.

It's just his match-up against Houston's defense that has me putting him at number five behind other options in these rankings.

4: Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger had arguably his worst game of his professional career in Week 1, then came out and looked flawless in Week 2.

Week 2 Ben, and maybe better, is what we're going to see in Week 3 and beyond.

I have him above Drew Brees, because the Steelers' offense is rolling and will be playing the now-lowly Colts.

The Colts are awful, especially after making Colt McCoy look like a Pro Bowl quarterback this past week.

I wasn't worried about Roethlisberger after Week 1, and I'm definitely not worried about him now.

3: Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers doesn't look like he's skipped a beat since last year, much to the delight of his fantasy owners.

In two games, Rodgers has tossed 5 touchdowns, thrown for 620 yards and hasn't turned the ball over once. His quarterback rating of 126.4 is good for second in the league behind Tom Brady.

This week, Rodgers and the Packers take on division rival Chicago on the road in the very hostile environment of Soldier Field.

The Bears' defense looked pretty good against the Saints in Week 2, except for the long 79-yard touchdown, so if their secondary can keep Green Bay's receivers in check this will be a favorable match-up.

Either way, fantasy-wise, Rodgers is going to get his stats. No need to worry there.

2: Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is ranked ahead of players like Rodgers and Brees for one reason: he's playing the Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the worst defenses I've seen in my life and it's only Week 3 of the season.

Rivers is already throwing for 357 yards per game as it is, so against the Chiefs the output could be infinite.

I expect Brady-like numbers against the Chiefs for Rivers in Week 3.

1: Tom Brady

Tom Brady is on pace to set every single passing record in the NFL after his performances in the past two weeks. He's the best fantasy player and probably the best player in all of football.

This week, he goes up against the Bills, who are easily the biggest surprise in the NFL's early stages. But while the Bills have looked good, they are simply no match for Brady and the Patriots.

I expect 300+ yards passing (I'm being modest) and at least two touchdowns from Brady this Sunday.

No questions here.