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Some quarterbacks are coming into Week 14 with ideal matchups while others seem likely to underperform. We’ve identified two passers who are ideal starters in fantasy football and two who could bust ahead of the action. Let’s go over some of the top starting options and fades.
Quarterback Starts
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles seem to have finally made the switch to their young, mobile QB talent, Jalen Hurts. Though Philadelphia came up short against Arizona last week, Hurts topped all QBs in fantasy point production with 40.82 DKFP. And while he can get it done on the ground (63 yards and a touchdown), he primarily saw success in the air with 338 passing yards and three TDs. Hurts has a positive matchup against Dallas in Week 16, an opponent that has allowed QBs to throw for the second-most touchdowns in the league.
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Detroit Lions
The Buccaneers find themselves in a playoff-clinching situation in Week 16 as they head to Detroit to take on the lowly Lions. Consider the following: a clutch opportunity against a porous defense in a dome. Which quarterback would you bet on to take advantage of that? Let’s add on the fact that Ronald Jones is unlikely to return to the field this week, and now it’s really shaping up to be a mouth-watering scenario for Tom Brady. The Lions are letting opposing QBs rack up the fifth-most DKFP per game in the league this season.
Quarterback Sits
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings provide a tantalizing opportunity for the Saints offense in Week 16, as they’ve allowed 27.7 points per game (eighth-most in the league). In his second week back from injury, Drew Brees will look to get fully back into the swing of things as the Saints make their playoff push. While he threw three touchdowns in his return game against the Chiefs, all of those scores came in the second half while the Saints were trailing. Assuming New Orleans handles Minnesota and controls the game, we may see a Taysom Hill mixed in at QB a bit more as Sean Payton prepares for a playoff run in which he’ll want his veteran thrower completely healthy.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Ryan recorded his second performance this season with 30+ DKFP in the Falcons’ 31-27 loss to the Buccaneers. The Falcons once again blew a huge second-half lead to Tom Brady, but at least Ryan fantasy managers benefitted? This week, the Falcons have the pleasure of facing the defending champions who are fresh off of a statement win against the Saints. It’s safe to assume that the Chiefs control the lead in this one, which breeds the idea that Matt Ryan will be forced to throw a lot. That game script plays right into the Chiefs’ hands, as they are tied with the Patriots and Dolphins for the second-most interceptions in the league. There’s a strong chance that Ryan adds to his 11-interception season total this week.