NFL Predictions Week 3: Predicting the Top 5 QB Performances

When setting your fantasy football lineups for Week 3 of the NFL season, consider these quarterbacks as the best plays for this weekend:

5. Cam Newton, Panthers

After back-to-back 400-yard performances, it's time to jump on Newton's bandwagon. While he hasn't been delivering wins, Newton has been the most exciting rookie quarterback we've seen since Michael Vick. And he's done it against a wide spectrum of defenses already in two weeks.

The Cardinals are among the worst, and the Packers are near the top. Still, the results have been nearly identical—save a few turnovers. Against Jacksonville this weekend, expect to see Newton continue to put up numbers. 

4. Drew Brees, Saints

Brees has been a bit of a slow starter in recent seasons, but that's not the case in 2011. He looks as sharp as ever, throwing for nearly 700 yards and six touchdowns. Now, Brees gets a Texans' defense that, while having looked good in the first two weeks, is still finding its way under Wade Phillips.

I'd expect Brees to take advantage. They are better then they were in 2010, but I doubt the Texans' secondary is ready to take on a passing surgeon like Brees. He'll have another big day in Week 3.  

3. Matthew Stafford, Lions

For a guy who struggled to stay on the field in his first two seasons, Stafford is finally showing the NFL world why the Lions took him No. 1 overall in 2009. He's the real deal, and he's looked like it through two weeks.

In leading a suddenly-explosive Lions' offense, Stafford has seven touchdowns and almost 600 yards passing. Against the Vikings' secondary, he should have another big performance. 

2. Philip Rivers

The Kansas City Chiefs will be playing for pride this weekend in San Diego, but pride doesn't help you much against an elite quarterback like Rivers. Without Eric Berry at the back end of the secondary, Rivers could have a field day finding physical targets in Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson.

Chiefs corners Brandon Flowers and Chris Carr have struggled in the early going too. Over 300 yards and a couple scores almost seem a given for Rivers on Sunday. 

1. Tom Brady

What more needs to be said about this guy? He's a future Hall of Famer, but Brady has never played as well as he has to start this season. And we're talking about a player who has posted a 50-touchdown season and another with a 36-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Why would the run end against the Bills?

Sure, Buffalo is 2-0, but Matt Cassel and Jason Campbell don't compare to Brady in the slightest. The Pats quarterback will have another monster stat line by the time the whistle blows on New England's third straight win.