Week 14 Quarterback Fantasy Player Rankings

This is it. The postseason for fantasy football has arrived and now is when your expertise as a decision-maker will be key. You’ve gotten into the playoffs and need a killer line-up if you wish to advance and win it all. This time around, mistakes cannot be made and you must give yourself the best chance of winning because your season, and in some cases, your money is on the line.

Heading into Week 14, here is a list of the fantasy quarterbacks in order of who should be your starting QB. Good luck to those of you who have made it into the postseason. May you choose wisely considering quarterbacks can either make or break a game for you?

1. Aaron Rodgers- vs. Oakland Raiders
Aaron Rodgers is having the best season of his career this year. He has passed for thirty-seven touchdowns, thrown only five interceptions and is closing in on the 4,000-yard mark for the season. In every game, Rodgers has passed at least two touchdown passes and thrives in pressure situations. This week, it should be no different considering Rodgers is going up against a Raiders team whose struggles over the last few weeks have them hanging on for dear life in the playoff hunt, not to mention a defense that has allotted too many passing touchdowns. No one has moves like Rodgers.

2. Tom Brady- vs. Washington Redskins
There is no question that Tom Brady should be near the top of the list. He’s versatile, accurate, and dangerous. With thirty touchdowns, closing in on the 4,000-yard mark for the season, Brady goes up against a Washington squad who has failed to perform this year. Brady has always been a sure start because he rarely has a bad game, but this week; look for Brady to put up some big numbers especially to his main man Rob Gronkowski.

3. Drew Brees- vs. Tennessee Titans
Over the past couple of weeks the New Orleans Saints have exploded and it’s in large part due to the arm of Drew Brees. This guy has been a passing monster, racking up thirty touchdowns and chasing the all time single season passing record held by the great Dan Marino. This year, Brees has a legitimate shot of eclipsing it. Look for nothing to change this week as Drew takes on a tough, yet sometimes, sloppy Titans defense. Folks who start this wonder boy won’t be disappointed.

4. Cam Newton- vs. Atlanta Falcons
What a year this young rookie has been having. Cam Newton has been a unique addition to the Carolina Panthers, certainly giving the city and the franchise their hope back. Newton, being an aerial and rushing threat, has done something no other QB has done by breaking the record for most single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. Newton is poised and in a good position to secure the rookie of the year award. This week, I see Newton leading an aggressive attack against the Atlanta Falcons.

5. Matthew Stafford- vs. Minnesota Vikings
This kid is finally healthy and having a career season. Despite a few hiccups this year, Stafford has done an outstanding job bringing the Lions back from the dead. It varies from week to week, but going up against a demoralized Vikings squad this week, Stafford could have a field day. His passing numbers are strong this season, his patience in the pocket is good, and his team is on the verge of making the playoffs. Look for Stafford to be balanced and levelheaded this weekend.

6. Eli Manning- vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Giants have suffered four losses in a row, the most recent to the Green Bay Packers, in a game where the Giants played like champions. Enough is enough as Eli and the Giants are hungry for a win to keep their season alive. Manning had a huge game the previous week and will most likely carry that momentum into this weekend. The bitter rivalry with Dallas will be taken to a whole new level considering first place in the NFC East is on the line. A lot rides on this game and Manning will be the standout amongst the crowd.

7. Philip Rivers- vs. Buffalo Bills
This has for the most part been a forgettable season for Phillip Rivers, but last week’s Monday night game saw a rejuvenated San Diego squad, but more importantly a star quarterback’s game-play resurface. Rivers was nearly perfect last week, tossing three touchdowns, throwing for 294 yards and earning a 146.6 passer rating. Rivers may have found his groove, albeit a little late in the season, but now with a game coming up against the struggling Bills, Rivers should be able create big plays and give his team a win, not to mention your fantasy squad one as well.

8. Tony Romo- vs. New York Giants
Tony Romo has put the Dallas Cowboys in a good position to win the NFC East, but has had an up and down, game to game season this year. He usually puts up pretty decent stats, passing yards almost always in the mid-200’s with a touchdown or two. This week, Romo’s true nature will be revealed against the New York Giants. Romo is good when he wants to be and this week, if he wants any hope of securing the division and a playoff spot, he’ll play his heart out.

9. Ben Roethlisberger- vs. Cleveland Browns
There’s a new “Iron Man,” or should I say “Man of Steel” in town and Big Ben is his name. Hopefully fantasy owners with Roethlisberger opted to start him against the Browns because this guy won’t quit. Getting knocked out in the second quarter of the game with what appeared to be a twisted ankle, Roethlisberger trotted back onto the field in the third quarter to finish the game, broken thumb and all. What a way to show dedication to your team. Thumbs up for Big Ben, well, until his heals at least. Hopefully, fantasy owners started the “Man of Steel.”

10. Matt Ryan- vs. Carolina Panthers
This hasn’t been the season the Atlanta Falcons initially chalked up, but they’re still in the hunt for the playoffs and Matt Ryan has been their guy since he first arrived in Atlanta. A tough loss last week in Houston will have the Falcons aching for a win this week, plus Matt Ryan goes up against a Carolina defense that hasn’t helped Cam Newton and his offense win games. They’ve let too many teams back into contests they should have won and Atlanta could be next on the list. Ryan will have a good day; start him if you don’t already have another quarterback option in the top ten.

11. Michael Vick- vs. Miami Dolphins
Michael Vick returns after missing three weeks of action. He may be a little rusty, but give him time to return to Vick form.

12. Tim Tebow- vs. Chicago Bears
The Tebow Train rolls again, as he continues to improve week by week. We’ll see if the magic will carry over to a game against the Bears this weekend.

13. Carson Palmer- vs. Green Bay Packers
Palmer will have his hands full this weekend, but the veteran is used to these types of games. He’ll do just fine.

14. Matt Moore- vs. Eagles
Matt Moore has helped revive a dead in the water Miami Dolphins sloppy start this year. His numbers are usually pretty solid and against the Eagles, he’ll be able to hold his own.

15. Ryan Fitzpatrick- vs. San Diego Chargers
Fitzpatrick started out the year on fire, but has fizzled out as of lately. He’s still performing well and will do adequately this weekend against San Diego.

16. Joe Flacco- vs. Indianapolis Colts
Joe Flacco has his good games and his bad games, but most of the credit is due to the Ravens run game. Flacco will have a good day passing against the worst team in the league.

17. Mark Sanchez- vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Despite a fair number of struggles this season and lowly passing yards, Sanchez has helped the Jets win. Look for another win by the Jets this weekend with Rex Ryan’s golden boy leading the charge.

18. Alex Smith- vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Niners are awesome this year and Alex Smith has found his groove again, but it may not be enough to be championship caliber.

19. Matt Hasselbeck- vs. New Orleans Saints
A tough game against the Saints may result in poor play from Matt Hasselbeck, but he’s smart, reliable, and will give his team a fighting chance to win.

20. Rex Grossman- vs. New England Patriots
Not the year Grossman and the Skins envisioned considering Rex started out so strong. It may be a long shot to win against New England, but he’s the better choice than John Beck.

21. Josh Freeman- vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Freeman and the Buccaneers could have had a better year considering last year’s season, but sometimes things don’t happen the way you plan them. Freeman will be okay against a disorganized Jags defense.

22. Andy Dalton- vs. Houston Texans
Dalton goes up against a tough Texans defense this weekend. He’s been good, but is he good to pass against a top five-ranked D?

23. Christian Ponder- vs. Detroit Lions
Christian Ponder has been a good answer to the Vikings woes, but he’s still young and learning the system and might not have what it takes this weekend against Detroit.

24. Tavaris Jackson- vs. St. Louis Rams
Jackson has performed well in a majority of games this season and with a game on Monday night against the Rams, he should put his team in a good position to get the W.

25. Dan Orlovsky- vs. Baltimore Ravens
Orlovsky has already proved he’s better than Curtis Painter by almost forging a comeback against New England last week, but is that likely in the cards this weekend against the Ravens? May want to think about that one.

26. Colt McCoy- vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Colt McCoy has been a decent quarterback for the Browns, but after Thursday night’s performance, McCoy may not be the QB the Browns hoped he’d be. You’ll be hoping you didn’t start him.

27. Kevin Kolb- vs. San Francisco 49ers
With John Skelton racking up a majority of the Cardinals wins, Kolb hasn’t been the Kurt Warner replacement Arizona was hoping for, then again, Warner will be hard to replace.

28. Sam Bradford- vs. Seattle Seahawks
This has been a very forgettable season for Bradford and the Rams. Exploring other candidates might not be a very bad idea, but then again Monday Night Football is always chalk full of surprises.

29. T.J. Yates- vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Yates has been better than expected as a third string quarterback, but to play against a tough Bengals D might be a lot to handle in just his second start.

30. Caleb Hanie- vs. Denver Broncos
Hanie has been less than stellar in his two starts with the Chicago Bears, especially last week’s debacle against the Chiefs. If anyone else available, I’d start them instead.