Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Top 25 Quarterbacks

The bye weeks begin this week, meaning fantasy benches are about to become of utmost importance. 

Is your starting QB out this week?  Lucky for you, the pass-happy offenses continue to post impressive numbers, giving plenty of options for the coming week. 

Who’s the best?  Let’s take a look.

1. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – at Atlanta
2. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – at Carolina
3. Tom Brady – New England Patriots – vs. New York Jets
4. Michael Vick – Philadelphia Eagles – at Buffalo
5. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions – vs. Chicago
6. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – vs. Green Bay
7. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers – at Denver
8. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers – vs. New Orleans
9. Eli Manning – New York Giants – vs. Seattle
10. Kevin Kolb – Arizona Cardinals – at Minnesota
11. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buffalo Bills – vs. Philadelphia
12. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at San Francisco
13. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans – vs. Oakland
14. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears – at Detroit
15. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Tennessee
16. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs – at Indianapolis
17. Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos – vs. San Diego
18. Mark Sanchez – New York Jets – at New England
19. Jason Campbell – Oakland Raiders – at Houston
20. Matt Hasselbeck – Tennessee Titans – at Pittsburgh
21. Donovan McNabb – Minnesota Vikings – vs. Arizona
22. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – at Jacksonville
23. Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers – vs. Tampa Bay
24. Blaine Gabbert – Jacksonville Jaguars – vs. Cincinnati
25. Curtis Painter – Indianapolis Colts – vs. Kansas City

Aaron Rodgers

If Tarvaris Jackson can throw for more than 300 yards against the Falcons defense, can you imagine what Aaron Rodgers and company are going to be able to do? 

It could be some scary numbers for the coming week, and that’s saying a lot considering what Rodgers has already accomplished (1,325 yards, 12 TDs, 1 INT).

Matt Ryan

Speaking of Atlanta—can Matt Ryan and company keep pace with the high-powered Packers offense? 

You had better believe that they are going to try (which is one of the reasons Green Bay’s pass defense is ranked so poorly this season).  With Julio Jones, Roddy White and company, it should be a big week for the Falcons.

Drew Brees

Carolina’s pass defense has been good this season, but let’s remember that they did allow 308 yards to Aaron Rodgers in Week 2. 

The past two weeks, they took on the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears (who were led by Matt Forte, who rushed for 205 yards).  In other words, the numbers are a bit skewed. 

Does anyone really believe they can silence Drew Brees and company?

Tom Brady

It really doesn’t matter who Tom Brady is facing—he is just scary right now. 

Sure, they didn’t throw the ball quite as much in Week 4, so all he did was throw for 226 yards and two TDs.  I know, it was a “poor” week. 

Last time he faced the Jets, he burned them for 326 yards, four TDs and no interceptions in Week 13 of 2010.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Philadelphia Eagles have looked good in terms of yardage against the pass this season, allowing just 217.8 yards per game.  However, that doesn’t tell the entire story. 

Amazingly, despite their vaunted secondary, they have allowed 10 TDs while snagging just two interceptions.  While Ryan Fitzpatrick may not be an ideal option, he should remain a usable one in all formats.

Eli Manning

Eli Manning has really started to get things rolling. 

Over the past two weeks, he’s thrown for 575 yards, six TDs and no interceptions.  Yes, the Seahawks have allowed just three passing TDs on the year, but that’s been more based on luck than anything. 

With the way he and Hakeem Nicks are locked in, look for Manning to continue his strong showing.

Mark Sanchez

After the performance against the Ravens, does anyone believe the Jets offensive line can hold up and protect Mark Sanchez? 

Even against a weaker passing defense, it’s impossible to trust Sanchez in one-quarterback formats after the pathetic performance they had.

Matt Cassell

Matt Cassell is coming off his best game of the season, throwing for 260 yards and a touchdown.  Drawing a Colts defense who is in the middle of the pack this season, he should be a solid play for those in two-quarterback formats.

Matt Schaub

The injury to Andre Johnson, as well as the re-emergence of Arian Foster, drops Matt Schaub down these rankings. 

He’s a risky proposition in one-quarterback formats, though you would have to expect him to still be able to produce against a Raiders defense that has allowed eight passing TDs on the season.

Ben Roethlisberger

Will Ben Roethlisberger be able to play in Week 5?  He’s a major risk at this point, but if he plays, he’ll be a viable option in two-quarterback formats.

Make sure to check out the rest of Rotoprofessor’s Week 5 information:

• Top 40 Running Backs
• Waiver Worthy