For the last time this season, owners will have to deal with a good number of fantasy relevant quarterbacks on bye in one week. For Week 10, owners will be without Andrew Luck, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Robert Griffin III, for owners who started to roll with him again in Week 9.
This week’s quarterback rankings will give those owners an idea of who they could potentially use a replacement this week, or who they should start if they have two quarterbacks who are ready to go in Week 10.
1. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (OAK)
Despite getting blown out by the New England Patriots on Sunday, Manning still threw for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Every week, Manning seems to find a way, even with Wes Welker having a down year. The turnovers likely won’t be there again this week, either, against a Raiders defense that only has three interceptions. Manning will continue to sit at the top spot this week.
Projected Statistics: 350 yards, four touchdowns
2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (CHI)
I was tempted to give the No. 1 spot to Rodgers against a terrible Chicago pass defense, but Manning still took it for his consistency. Still, Rodgers will have an easy go of it against the Bears, who are allowing the sixth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (even with a bye in Week 9), per our fantasy against rankings (paid subscription required). Rodgers has at least 24 points in each of his past three games, and put up 28 points when he played Chicago in Week 4. It’s a no-brainer this week.
Projected Statistics: 400 yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions
3. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (SF)
The Saints are indoors once again this week, which is great news for Brees. This season, Brees’ quarterback rating is 10 points higher at home than it is on the road, per ESPN, and has a 71.8 completion percentage in New Orleans versus 68.3 percent on the road. The 49ers have been good against quarterbacks this season, but Brees just scored 24 points against Green Bay in his last home game, which makes me optimistic for this matchup.
Projected Statistics: 330 yards, three touchdowns
4. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (TB)
This is the highest I’ve had Ryan all season, and for good reason. He’s facing the Buccaneers, who are allowing the fifth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (they were allowing the most heading into Week 9), and just gave up 300 yards to Brian Hoyer. Imagine what Ryan, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Devin Hester will be able to do.
Projected Statistics: 310 yards, three touchdowns
5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (JAX)
Obviously, this is assuming he starts against the Jaguars in London, but he is taking the flight with the team over the England, so owners should be fairly optimistic. He’s facing the Jaguars, who have allowed the 11th most passing touchdowns, and who have the second worst scoring defense in the league. Dez Bryant won’t be having any two-catch games with Romo under center, either, so if he plays, owners can expect a big day out of Romo.
Projected Statistics: 410 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (NYJ)
This is so much more about the opponent than anything. The Jets are downright awful, and will likely be at the bottom of my power rankings this week. New York just allowed 15 fantasy points to Alex Smith and gave up 25 to Kyle Orton in Week 8. Antonio Brown is going to have a field day, and Big Ben will be delivering him the ball all game.
Projected Statistics: 280 yards, three touchdowns
7. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (GB)
Besides a terrible outing in Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins, Cutler has been a top 10 fantasy quarterback this season, even with all of his turnover problems. Cutler has 21 or more points in four games this season, and has thrown multiple touchdowns in all but two of his games. When the Bears and Packers faced off earlier this season, Cutler threw two touchdowns and two interceptions. The interceptions could very well happen again given his propensity for turning the ball over, but so could the touchdowns, especially with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall coming off of a bye week.
Projected Statistics: 410 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions
8. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (STL)

People aren’t giving Palmer enough credit for what he’s doing with the Cardinals this season. He’s undefeated as a starter this year, and since he’s returned to the lineup after having some problems with his nerves, Palmer has thrown nine touchdowns to just two interceptions. Larry Fitzgerald has gotten more involved in the offense, and Andre Ellington is able to pick up some yards after the catch in the passing game for Palmer. This outing will likely be his third 20-point game against the second worst scoring defense.
Projected Statistics: 240 yards, three touchdowns, one interception
9. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (NO)
Like Brees, Kaepernick will benefit from playing indoors. However, Kaepernick slides down from his usual ranking. His past two games have been very disappointing from a fantasy perspective, scoring just 23 combined points against the Rams and Broncos. Granted, those are two tough defenses to play against, but it is concerning that Kaepernick has had five games this season with just one passing touchdowns. Still, in a tough week of byes, Kaepernick will do enough to keep up his fantasy value against a Saints defense that’s allowing the 12th most points to opposing quarterbacks.
Projected Statistics: 250 yards, two touchdowns
10. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (PHI)
Like Kaepernick, Newton has been disappointing in his past few outings. The only reason Newton’s Week 9 wasn’t a total bust was because he scored a rushing touchdown against the Saints. Still, he rushed for over 40 yards in three out of his past four games, and he would have had another passing touchdown Thursday night had Kelvin Benjamin not dropped a potential touchdown pass that hit him right in the hands. Newton’s poor performances have been flukey, and while he won’t set the world on fire, he’ll find a way to finish in the top 10 again.
Projected Statistics: 250 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, six carries, 45 rushing yards
Other Quarterbacks Ranked | Player | Opponent | Proj. Stats |
| 11. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks | NYG | 210 yards, two TDs, three carries, 20 rush yards |
| 12. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions | MIA | 270 yards, two TDs, one INT |
| 13. Mark Sanchez, Philadelphia Eagles | CAR | 330 yards, two TDs, three INTs |
| 14. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens | TEN | 290 yards, two TDs, one INT |
| 15. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals | CLE | 210 yards, two TDs, two carries, 15 rush yards |
| 16. Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | ATL | 290 yards, one TD |
| 17. Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns | CIN | 270 yards, two TDs, one INT |
| 18. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins | DET | 230 yards, one TD |
| 19. Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs | BUF | 190 yards, two TDs |
| 20. Kyle Orton, Buffalo Bills | KAN | 190 yards, two TDs, one INT |