Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings: Quarterbacks (Wild-Card Round)

Just because the regular season in the NFL is over, it doesn't mean you can't play fantasy football. With that in mind, we bring to you the Wild Card Round Quarterback Rankings for you fantasy football diehards out there that partake in fantasy playoff leagues.

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1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) @ San Diego

Manning has more experience than any other quarterbacks in the postseason, and, outside of Philip Rivers, he is currently playing at the highest level. Despite playing just one series in Week 17, Manning finished 7 of 7 for 95 passing yards and a touchdown.

Those 95 passing yards led to Manning putting together his ninth straight 4,000-yard passing season and should transfer over to his matchup in San Diego. The Chargers rank 31st against the pass, have allowed 25 passing TD's and opposing QB's complete 25.7 passes per game against them. Expect Manning to pick apart this defense in more ways than one.

Point Projection: 22 points

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2. Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) vs. Atlanta

After letting down his owners in the fantasy football playoffs (26 fantasy points from Weeks 14-16), Warner got healthy in the season finale, as the veteran passed for 263 yards and four touchdowns.

This is exactly the confidence that Warner needed as the Cardinals head into their matchup with the 21st rated Falcons pass defense. Plus, with wide receiver Anquan Boldin expected to return, Warner will have all his weapons to produce. Expect him to be his typical self in this game, going for around 275-300 passing yards, two or three touchdowns, and a turnover or two. Start him with confidence!

Point Projection: 19 points

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3. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. Indianapolis

Rivers led all NFL quarterbacks with 34 touchdown passes to just 11 interceptions on the season and there might not be a QB hotter than him right now. Over the past month, Rivers has 11 touchdown passes and 83 fantasy points which is a large part as to why the Chargers won their last four games and backdoored themselves into the playoffs.

Despite the Colts allowing an NFL record six passing touchdowns on the season, we expect Rivers' to keep his pace in this football game. After all, Rivers did throw for 288 yards and two TDs in a Week 12 loss to Indianapolis.

Point Projection: 18 points

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4. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Minnesota

After getting benched in Week 12 after a dismal showing against the Baltimore Ravens, McNabb played like a man possessed the rest of the way and led the Eagles to the playoffs.

Despite having second rate wide receivers, the signal caller has taken the team on his shoulders and thrown nine touchdown passes over the last five games and things shouldn't be any different in this matchup.

The Vikings pass defense has allowed just 15 passing TD's on the season, but McNabb has a solid track record against Minnesota, as he torched them for 333 passing yards in a 2007 meeting.

Point Projection: 17 points

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5. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) @ Arizona

Ryan should win the honors of being the NFL's best rookie, as the quarterback finished with 3.440 passing yards and 17 total touchdowns in just his first season. Despite struggling down the stretch (20 fantasy points since Week 15), Ryan should be able to produce solid statistics against a Cardinals defense that allowed a league high 36 passing TD's in just 16 games.

Ryan is at his best when he targets Roddy White often, and you can expect the rookie to lean on his superstar wide receiver with the season on the line.

Point Projection: 16 points

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6. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) @ Miami

Unlike most rookie quarterbacks, Flacco was cool, calm and collect all season long, as he finished with 159 fantasy points and 16 total touchdowns. Plus, you beat the Dolphins and their 25th ranked pass defense through the air so we should see a healthy amount of Flacco in this football game.

Earlier this year he was able to muster 13 fantasy points against Miami and that shouldn't be a problem this week. Expect Flacco to throw between 25-30 times and hover around 225 passing yards to go along with a TD.

Point Projection: 13 points

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7. Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins) vs. Baltimore

Pennington's 195 fantasy points was good for 10th overall at the quarterback position and it was his decision making that led Miami to the AFC East title. However, the Dolphins have their work cut out for them against the Ravens and their 2nd rated pass defense, which leads the NFL with 26 interceptions.

On the flip side, Pennington did have 295 passing yards and a touchdown in Week Seven against Baltimore, so there is opportunity, though we would be shocked if he reached those totals again.

Point Projection: 12 points

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8. Tarvaris Jackson (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Philadelphia

After regaining his job in Week 15, Jackson played inspired and put together three straight double-digit scoring weeks. He has seven touchdown passes over the last three games and has used his legs to gain fantasy points on the ground.

However, his matchup against the an Eagles defense that ranks third in the NFL against the pass is less than intriguing, as Philadelphia has allowed just one passing touchdown since Week 14.

Point Projection: 10 points

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WILD CARD ROUND BYE WEEK QUARTERBACKS

Eli Manning (New York Giants) - BYE

Manning is a fantasy option that won't win you many games, but he isn't going to lose you many. He finished the season with 11 more touchdown passes than interceptions and threw at least one TD pass in all but three games.
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Jake Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) - BYE

Delhomme finished the 2008 season with 15 touchdown passes to just 12 interceptions, but his struggles down the stretch make him a risky play during the playoffs. Reason being, Delhomme threw more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six) over the final eight games.

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Kerry Collins (Tennessee Titans) - BYE

Collins is a solid NFL quarterback but shouldn't be used in a fantasy playoff challenge. With the Titans using a run first approach, the veteran averaged just 167 passing yards per game and could only muster 12 passing touchdowns in 15 games.

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Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) - BYE 

Big Ben suffered a concussion during the Steelers shutout victory of the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. With the Steelers gaining a first-round bye in the AFC it will give him time to recover for their second round battle.

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