Here is a review of your options to start at QB that you may be able to find available in your leagues. For this article, I am looking at options that are rostered in less than 50% of either ESPN and Yahoo leagues**. I’ll be looking for games with high implied point totals, ideally for a team that is supposed to win, but also looking at past trends to see if there are any matchup specific notes worth taking into consideration. As the season progresses, we’ll compare our points per game (combining the stats of our ‘Weekly QB of Record) to that of other QBs to see where you could stack up by just punting the position on draft day!
** Ownership and odds gathered 9/21/2021
Ben Roethlisberger did not take advantage of what should have been a nice matchup. He was even bailed out by Najee Harris taking a reception into the endzone, so the day could have been even worse. I'm likely off Roethlisberger until he shows he can still push the ball downfield to take advantage of his strong WR corps.
2021 Points Per Game: 17.92 (QB19)
Stream of the Week (Weekly QB of record):
Sam Darnold @ JAX (ESPN 8.2%; Yahoo 15%; Sleeper 25.7%)
-7.5 // 43.5 (Implied totals: W 25.5 – 18)
Darnold gets the Texans who have allowed 259 yards passing and 2 TDs per game through the first 2 weeks of the season. Darnold also has the luxury of Christian McCaffrey who is a threat to score via the passing game rather than just on the ground. While the Texans do have 4 interceptions, 3 of them came against Trevor Lawrence in his first NFL start. I’m going to trust Darnold to get it done and prioritizing him this week if I need a QB as his upcoming schedule is VERY fantasy friendly.
Alternative Options:
Kirk Cousins vs SEA (ESPN 30.6%; Yahoo 66%, Sleeper 54.8%)
+1.5 // 55.5 (Implied totals: L 27 – 28.5)
Cousins sits at QB9 in points per game after 2 weeks. He also gets a SEA team that has given up 271.5 yards passing per game. However, the Seahawks have only given up 2 passing TDs. There is risk that despite Cousins’ strong start, this is a Dalvin Cook game. I’m still fine starting him, as he’s one of the better options in a solid game environment (55.5 game total), but you’re really looking for him to hook up with Thielen or Jefferson before Cook gets chances in the redzone. If you still need a QB to rely on, Cousins may be your guy - as he's shown he can get it done and the first half of his schedule is friendly.
Teddy Bridgewater vs NYJ (ESPN 19.5%; Yahoo 18%; Sleeper 23.7%)
-10.5 // 41 (Implied totals: W 25.75 – 15.25)
Teddy is now QB12 thus far. Despite losing his best weapon in Jerry Jeudy, the journeyman has been making it work in Denver. He’s still got enough weapons in what should be a fine matchup with Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, K.J. Hamler and TE Noah Fant running downfield. The Jets have been good against QBs so far statistically, but they’ve faced Sam Darnold in his first start as a Panther and rookie Mac Jones on a Patriots team that doesn’t have a ton of passing weapons. I’m guessing Teddy can turn in a respectable performance and remain consistent to put together a nice day.
Derek Carr vs MIA (ESPN 22.1%; Yahoo 27%; Sleeper 28.8%)
-4 // 45.5 (Implied totals: W 24.75 – 20.75)
Carr has been Carr-ving them up thus far. He’s also played against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, two of the scarier defenses to face. Now he takes a step down in competition against Miami, and Josh Jacobs still may not be back for week 3? I’m more than happy to roll out Carr as he’s shown plenty thus far, averaging 416 yards and 2 TDs per game. Give the guy the credit he deserves, while the Raiders have struggled, Carr isn’t the problem.
Other Options for Deeper Leagues:
Taylor Heinicke @ BUF (ESPN 2.8%; Yahoo 4%; Sleeper 9.7%)
Daniel Jones vs ATL (ESPN 13.4%; Yahoo 20%; Sleeper 22%)