We’ve made it to December, the homestretch. And hopefully, you’ve had success with whichever quarterback strategy you chose this season because it hasn’t been easy in 2021. It’s been a weird year at quarterback. No quarterback has been truly dominant, which is why the NFL MVP race is still wide open.
Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have all struggled. Youngsters like Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow have shown flashes of brilliance mixed with not-so-brilliant moments. Unfortunately, no rookies have emerged as viable fantasy starters. And even mainstays like Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, and Matthew Stafford have had bumpy stretches. All of this makes sorting out the position harder than in years past. But that won’t stop us in this week’s QB1 primer.
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Week 12 Recap
Mid-Range Passers with QB1 Upside
Russell Wilson: QB9 in Week 12
Well, Wilson was technically a QB1 last week. And we’ll take it. But if you watched that Monday night game, you know it wasn’t as pretty as the box score indicates. If not for a busted coverage at the end of the game that led to a touchdown, Wilson doesn’t even sniff QB1 territory.
Cam Newton: QB30 in Week 12
Yeah, about Newton’s whole comeback thing… it’s not happening. Newton can’t throw, and his rushing ability isn’t what it used to be. Don’t bank on Newton again.
Kirk Cousins: QB13 in Week 12
Cousins just missed the mark of a QB1 finish. He also couldn’t quite get the job done in rallying Minnesota last week. Cousins is still a strong starting option.
Carson Wentz: QB5 in Week 12
Wentz put up a really strong day against the Buccaneers. He’s still somewhat matchup dependent, but he’s certainly worth weekly starting consideration.
Streaming Options
Tyrod Taylor: QB14 in Week 12
Taylor was decent and didn’t miss QB1 territory by much. But he didn’t have as much impact running as anticipated.
Taylor Heinicke: QB22 in Week 12
Heinicke tries, and that’s about it. He’s not a viable starter aside from desperate 2QB leagues.
Andy Dalton: QB12 in Week 12
Andy Dalton, QB1 baby! That’s more a testament to how horrible Detroit’s defense is than anything else.
Trevor Lawrence: QB10 in Week 12 and Matt Ryan: QB 24 in Week 12
Good for anyone who took the shot on Lawrence last week. Meanwhile, Ryan might be dead to us in the future.
Week 13 Mid-Range Passers with QB1 Upside
Kirk Cousins (QB – MIN): ECR QB10
Cousins is vastly underrated this week. We just saw what Dalton did against the Lions. So why can’t Cousins top that with far better weapons?
Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI): ECR QB7
Hurts has a favorable matchup against a terrible Jets defense. However, Hurts might be limited on Sunday by an ankle injury suffered last week against the Giants. If Hurts is healthy, he’s a slam dunk here. But if he’s at all limited, this offense could struggle.
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): ECR QB9
This has to be a get-right spot for Stafford and the Rams, right? One would hope so. Los Angeles’ offense has cratered as of late. In addition, there are concerns regarding Stafford’s health. If he doesn’t put up a big day against the Jaguars, then something really might be wrong.
Week 13 Streaming Options
Matt Ryan (QB – ATL): ECR QB22
Putting Ryan here again makes me ill. But he threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns last time he played Tampa. The problem was he threw three interceptions. I know this is asking a lot, but he could put up a strong day if Ryan can take care of the ball.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB – PIT): ECR QB23
You know it’s an ugly week for streamers when I include Roethlisberger, who has failed us every time we’ve mentioned him. This season, the Ravens’ secondary is a shell of itself and has given up 18 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. If you’re desperate, Big Ben is an option.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF): ECR QB18
If you’re looking to get some production from your quarterback, then Jimmy G is your guy. He’s a decent bet for anywhere from 200-250 yards and at least one touchdown. But I think Garoppolo has more upside than usual against a Seahawks defense that’s been inflated by some matchups with bad quarterbacks. The absence of Deebo Samuel hurts, but that could prompt San Francisco to throw more too.
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