NFL Predictions: 5 Early Favorites at QB to Lead the League in Fantasy Scoring

After five weeks of NFL action, we take a look at which quarterbacks have become the early-season favorites to be the top NFL fantasy points scoring quarterback. 

The NFL has some fantastic quarterbacks all scoring great fantasy points, some of them young guns and some more senior figures.

Looking at the start these guys have made, their fantasy owners would be stupid to let them go, and you should be doing all you can to get hold of them.

5. Cam Newton

Cam Newton has made an incredible start to his rookie year in the NFL.

Already high up in the top five for quarterback fantasy points despite the Panthers only registering one win so far this season.

Sitting fourth in the rankings for yardage with 1,610 yards from his first five NFL starts has helped a lot, and so have the seven touchdown passes he has made, but that isn't why he's a favourite to lead fantasy scoring.

Already this season Newton had rushed for 130 yards, second only to Michael Vick for a QB, but more impressively, those 130 yards have led to five touchdowns.

Expect Newton to continue putting up solid yardage and picking up rushing touchdowns throughout the year as he sets out to top the quarterback fantasy scoring charts in his rookie year.

4. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford is going to be a superstar.  The Lions quarterback returns to action this season after missing out on almost all of last year due to shoulder problems that eventually required surgery.

He went into the season dividing opinion among fantasy players, some with high expectations and others wondering if he would be able to reach his potential after such an injury setback. 

Rookie Titus Young and tight end Brandon Pettigrew have taken significant yardage along with number one receiver Calvin Johnson, giving Stafford plenty of options.

Even though his stats and fantasy points so far are a little behind Cam Newton, it's the depths of options he has when throwing that will see him finish the season above Newton.

With 1,436 yards already on the board and 13 touchdown throws, Stafford has proved to be a very valuable asset to his fantasy owners.

3. Drew Brees

Drew Brees is a major contender for the top fantasy points quarterback this year, but over the course of the year he'll just fall short.

With a 400-plus yard passing season opener against the Packers with the nation watching, Brees highlighted just why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Already showing off an impressive 1,769 passing yards and 12 touchdowns from just five games, the Saints are looking strong offensively and Brees will be inside the top three fantasy scorers as far as quarterbacks are concerned.

2. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is arguably the most famous quarterback in the league.  Once again, in his 12th season as a pro, Brady will have been one of the first picks in almost every fantasy draft.

Having made a blistering start to the season Brady has paid back his fantasy owners showing he was deserving of that early pick.

With Wes Welker as a target, things will be a lot easier for Brady as the receiver sets the fantasy charts alive himself.  

Rob Gronkowski at tight end also helps out Brady a lot, and he will use the pair to increase his yardage and touchdowns all season. 

With some fantastic passing yardage (1,874) and 14 touchdowns, both league-leading, Brady is certainly a contender for top fantasy scorer and will be a great pick for anyone who owns him.

His consistent receivers may see him place above Drew Brees, but he has also been a little wayward at times, and has already surpassed his 2010 total for interceptions, which will cost him the top spot in the fantasy rankings.

1. Aaron Rodgers

As the reigning Super Bowl MVP, Aaron Rodgers had a lot of fantasy expectations on him for this season.

So far he has lived up to it, making his strongest ever start to an NFL season, leading the Packers to five straight wins in the first five weeks. 

With an incredible passer rating of 122.9 after five games, along with 14 thrown touchdowns and two rushing, Rodgers has cemented himself as strong favourite for the NFL fantasy points leading quarterback in 2011.

With receivers Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson, and tight end Jermichael Finley, the Packers have some great options for Rodgers, and he has the ability and experience to take full advantage of them once again in 2011.

His ability to pick out a pass and also run in the occasional score himself has seen him pull away as top fantasy quarterback already, and that gap can only get bigger.