Fantasy Football Week 3 Predictions: 10 Quarterbacks Ready To Explode

I have been fortunate to have Tom Brady on one of my fantasy teams and Aaron Rodgers on the other. It is an unwritten rule within fantasy football to draft running backs in the first round; however, this season I went against the grain. Well, over the course of the first two weeks of the 2011 season, it has paid off. 

That said, the very large majority of those who engage in fantasy football do draft running backs first and wait until Round 2, 3 or later to pick up a quarterback. Consequently, they are hedging their bets on that quarterback succeeding and their running back not being injured.

I don't think I am going out on a ledge in assuming that many of you who drafted Arian Foster in the first round were disappointed by him missing Week 1 due to injury. Additionally, some of you probably selected Frank Gore in that round. Well, that hasn't turned out too great. 

Instead of getting into a debate on the validity of taking a quarterback in the first round, I am going to give you 10 players at that position who I believe are ready to explode. 

Some of these quarterbacks had already exploded to an extent, but matchups and other variables may lead me to believe that this "explosion" will continue into Week 3. Others have yet to set fantasy football on fire through two weeks. 

So, let's get started. 

10. Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins

Stats: 59.7 completion percentage, 596 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions (16.5 average fantasy points)

Opponent: Dallas Cowboys, allowing 223.5 passing yards per game (16th in NFL)

This is more of an indication of what Grossman has done over the course of the first two weeks than it is in my confidence in him moving forward this season. I hope that makes sense, but let me explain. 

Washington has faced two pretty bad pass defenses in their first two games: the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals. That said, they will be facing a unit that has its own issues this week, the Dallas Cowboys. 

Despite playing against a conservative offense in the San Francisco 49ers last week, Dallas struggled to cover receivers on the outside; their corner play leaves a lot to be desired. This is something that Grossman has taken advantage of over the Redskins' first two games. 

He is averaging nearly 300 yards passing and two touchdowns per game—pretty solid fantasy numbers, if you ask me. Normally, I would reserve acquiring Grossman until my starting quarterback had a bye, but it might make sense to take a chance on him this week against Dallas if your starter has been struggling. 

9. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

Stats: 63.2 completion percentage, 517 yards, four touchdowns, three interceptions (15.0 average fantasy points)

Opponent: Oakland Raiders, allowing 268 passing yards per game (22nd in NFL)

Surprisingly, the New York Jets are averaging only three yards per rush through their first two games. This is a team that has relied a lot on the running game over the last couple of seasons. Both Shonn Greene and LaDanian Tomlinson are averaging less than three yards and have combined for only 99 total rushing yards in two games.

The Jets are also facing what seems to be a poor pass defense in the Oakland Raiders this week. They gave up three second-half touchdown passes to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills last week. In fact, the Bills scored touchdowns on all five of their second-half possessions on Sunday. 

Mark Sanchez has been able to use Dustin Keller a great deal on offense over the first two weeks. The former Purdue tight end has 11 receptions and is averaging just below 15 yards per receptions. Oakland had a tough time covering Scott Chandler last week, so expect the Jets to attempt to exploit this. 

I do understand that Oakland has not been great in rush defense either, but the Jets seem to be confident in their passing game with Sanchez and will probably look to exploit that against Oakland. 

Depending on matchups and whether you have another quarterback ahead of Sanchez on your team, I would seriously considering starting the Jets signal-caller. 

8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Stats: 62.0 completion percentage, 578 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions (10.0 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Indianapolis Colts, allowing 207 passing yards per game (10th in NFL)

Mike Wallace and Ben Roethlisberger are looking extremely comfortable with one another. They have combined for 16 connections for over 200 yards and a score in the first two weeks. It has also been well-noted that the Colts are struggling a great deal in the secondary.

Don't look at the above statistics as an indication that these struggles are not real. Houston didn't need to pass the ball in the second half against Indianapolis in the opener because they had a 34-0 lead. The Cleveland Browns were also attempting to run the clock out toward the end of the game on Sunday.

One issue that may cause Roethlisberger not to have a huge fantasy week is the possibility of an early blowout against the anemic Indianapolis Colts. Still, this would indicate that Pittsburgh scored a lot of points and Roethlisberger accounted for a couple of the scores.

7. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2010 Stats: 67.6 completion percentage, 502 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions (13.0 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Atlanta Falcons, allowing 301.2 passing yards per game (27th in NFL)

Despite the fact that Josh Freeman struggled through the first six quarters of the 2011 season, he still has to be considered a fantasy stud at the quarterback position. After the likes of Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers, I would say that Freeman is among the second tier of fantasy stars at this position.

Josh Freeman has yet to fully connect with Mike Williams throughout the Buccaneers' first two games. The second-year wide receiver has only accounted for five receptions up to this point. You have to expect that to change a great deal moving forward. The two were great last season and should be in sync moving forward this season.

In fact, it should probably happen as early as this week against the Atlanta Falcons. 

You have to take into account the fact that Tampa Bay will be taking on a struggling Atlanta Falcons secondary that has surrendered over 600 passing yards and four touchdown passes in two games.  

I fully expect Freeman to take advantage of this, pick apart the Falcons secondary and target budding stars like Williams, Kellen Winslow and Preston Parker. 

6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Stats: 65.3 completion percentage, 599 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions (23.5 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Minnesota Vikings, allowing 280 passing yards per game (24th in NFL)

It does seem like the entire football nation is on the verge of having a man-crush on Matthew Stafford, and for good reason.

The former No. 1 overall pick seems to be fully healthy and is taking his game to the next level. Following an impressive preseason, for what that is worth, Stafford has continued this great play during the opening weeks of the regular season.

Through two games, Stafford is averaging nearly 300 yards and three-and-a-half touchdown passes per game. Those two statistics alone would give him an average of 26 fantasy points per week—and you are not even taking into account other variables. 

Detroit will be going up against a Minnesota Vikings defense that is yielding 280 passing yards per game and was in the bottom third in that category last season. Detroit should be able to expose the Vikings' secondary issues with Nate Burleson, who is their leading receiver, and star wideout, Calvin Johnson.

Additionally, the former Georgia quarterback has solid safety-valve options in Jahvid Best and Brandon Pettigrew. 

This is going to cause a ton of matchup problems for Minnesota, which will likely lead to another 300-yard passing game from Stafford. 

5. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Stats: 62.7 completion percentage, 854 yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions, two rushing touchdowns (27.5 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Jacksonville Jaguars, allowing 215.5 passing yards per game (14th in NFL)

After obliterating rookie passing records in his first two NFL games, Cam Newton is starting to look more legit every second. Despite throwing three interceptions against Green Bay on Sunday, Newton maintained his poise and nearly brought the Panthers from behind against the defending Super Bowl champions. 

Not only is Newton averaging over 425 passing yards per game, but he is also currently the Carolina Panthers' leading rusher. Can you say one-man offense? This is nearly 500 total yards per game over the first two weeks. Not taking into account large passing plays, Newton is averaging over 30 fantasy points per week. 

Considering that Newton went undrafted by nearly half the teams in ESPN's fantasy football league at the season's start, this is incredibly surprising. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars are stiffening up a little bit on the back side of their defense. They are in the first half in the NFL in pass defense.

However, it does appear that Newton's success against a lackluster Arizona Cardinals secondary wasn't a mirage. He put up 432 yards against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Until he proves otherwise, there is no reason to question Newton's fantasy value. 

4. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Stats: 70.5 completion percentage, 713 yards, four touchdowns, four interceptions (17.5 average fantasy points)

Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs, allowing 261.5 passing yards per game (21st in NFL)

I questioned whether or not to have Philip Rivers this high on the list, but then I looked at who the San Diego Chargers were playing this week—the Kansas City Chiefs. It is an unwritten rule not to put most of your stock in the opposing team, but sometimes you have to fully take that into account. 

This is one of those times. 

The Chiefs have given up eight touchdown passes in their first two games, looking completely lost in pass defense. Well, you can expect the San Diego Chargers to exploit that this weekend. 

As I predicted, Vincent Jackson went off last week against the New England Patriots. He finished the game with 10 receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns. If you heeded my advice in regards to Jackson, he may have won your matchup alone with those numbers.

Additionally, Rivers has put the ball up nearly 90 times over the first two games; it appears the Chargers are willing to live and die in the passing game this season.

With all the indicators listed above, there is absolutely no reason to question having Rivers this high on the list. 

3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Stats: 71.6 completion percentage, 940 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception (31.0 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Buffalo Bills, allowing 214 passing yards per game (13th in NFL)

The only reason Tom Brady isn't No. 1 on this list is due to the fact that he has already broken out in a big way this season. How else would you define compiling for nearly 1,000 passing yards in your first two games? 

New Englad has four players with more than 10 receptions through their first two games. In fact, Deion Branch and Wes Welker have combined for 30 receptions.

The video game stats don't end there. Tom Brady is averaging nearly 15 yards per completion and has been intercepted just once in nearly 90 passing attempts thus far this season. The Patriots are also coming away with six, not three, when scoring: They have 10 touchdowns and just one field goal this season.

There is, however, one issue that New England may have for the next few games. Aaron Hernandez, one of their two great tight ends, is expected to miss the next couple of weeks with an injury. Considering that New England runs a lot of two tight end sets, that could hurt them.

That said, there really is no reason to question Brady's ability to astonish even the most skeptical football fan. He will have another huge game against Buffalo this weekend. 

2. Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

Stats: 67.1 completion percentage, 621 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions (16.5 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: Denver Broncos, 204.5 passing yards allowed per game (ninth in NFL)

This is more of a hunch than anything else. Denver's secondary seemed to regress a little bit against Cincinnati last week, while Matt Hasselbeck had a good fantasy game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday (16 points).  

At this point, I don't think Denver can expect to shutdown Tennessee's passing game with their current crop of corners. Kenny Britt, who I previously criticized, is proving me wrong. He has 14 receptions for 271 yards and three scores in two games this season. It seems that Hasselbeck, who has performed great thus far, has found a nice little target in Britt.

Nate Washington has also become a nice target for the veteran signal-caller while the Titans wait for Chris Johnson to get his legs. You can expect more of C.J. this week against a poor Denver rush defense, but Hasselbeck appears to have regained his old form—at least, so far. 

1. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Stats: 71.7 completions percentage, 450 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions (12.5 average fantasy points) 

Opponent: New Orleans Saints, allowing 241.0 passing yards per game (18th in NFL)

Matt Schaub has yet to fully hit his stride this season. While the Texans have won their first two games with relative ease, the running game has done most of the damage for them. The Texans are averaging 157.5 rushing yards per game thus far in 2011.

Although I don't expect Schaub to exceed his 574 passing attempts (35.9 per game) from last season, I do expect him to put the ball up more than he did in his first two games this season (27.5 average).

Owen Daniels has only caught four passes in his first two games and Jacoby Jones has been somewhat of a non-factor. You can expect both of them to step it up moving forward, taking pressure off Andre Johnson, the best receiver in the NFL.

This week the Texans will be taking on a struggling New Orleans secondary. Although they did improve last week against Chicago, you have to be worried about the corner play. They have struggled a great deal against physical receivers and Andre Johnson fits that mold to a tee.

Another factor that caused me to put Schaub No. 1 on this list is the fact that New Orleans has been extremely solid against the run. They are giving up barely 80 yards per game rushing.

I am not indicating that Houston will be New Orleans this week. What I am indicating is that Schaub will have an extremely good fantasy week against the Saints.