You know how this goes. I give you a list, mostly the obvious, of quarterbacks that you should start this week. There will be a mix of the usual suspects as well as some matchup related additions. As you see below, Ryan Fitzpatrick is an intriguing candidate for tomorrow night's game against the Miami Dolphins. Outside of that, you should probably already have your lineup set when it comes to this position.
If not, don't fret. I have you covered like a snuggie.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills
This enigmatic quarterback could most likely be picked up off the waiver wire in your fantasy league if you are in a bind this week. Eli Manning is the only true QB1 option on a bye in Week 11, so most of you will be able to just go with your primary guy. If not, think long and hard about Fitzpatrick for Thursday night.
Fitzpatrick ranks eighth in the NFL with 17 touchdown passes and is actually 16th in fantasy points this season at that position. Isn't that a bit surprising? He goes up against a Miami Dolphins pass defense that ranks 28th and has given up an average of 278 yards per game. Expect QB1 production from Fitzpatrick on Thursday.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
As the No. 1 overall fantasy performer in 2012, Rodgers is a must start every week he suits up. This is even more glaring in Week 11 after Green Bay had a bye that allowed the likes of Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb to get completely healthy. While the Packers are going up against a Detroit Lions pass defense that ranks ninth in yards, expect him to have a huge outing. Detroit might not be giving up a lot of yards, but it has yielded 14 touchdowns compared to five interceptions and a 94.2 quarterback rating thus far in 2012.
For his part, Rodgers has put up 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions in his last six outings, averaging over 26 fantasy points per game during that span.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Most of my readers know exactly where I stand on Newton at this point. He is far too inconsistent, struggles with decision makings and is turnover prone at this stage in his early career. Three indicators that he just isn't a solid fantasy option. However, Carolina is going up against the 32nd ranked pass defense when it takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. I expect big numbers from Newton.
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Mr. November in the flesh. Romo now has a 22-4 record in his career this month and has thrown 54 touchdowns in the 26 games. Crazy stats right there. While Romo has been nowhere near a QB1 option (ranked 18th), he has put together three relatively solid performances in a row. Nearly 1,000 yards and four touchdowns in his last three games. Dallas goes up against the 22nd ranked pass defense in the NFL when it hosts the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Just plain idiocy is the term that best describes what Brees has done recently. He has put up 21 touchdowns and over 2,100 yards in his last seven games. This performance has pushed Brees to the No. 2 overall ranking among fantasy quarterbacks in 2012. New Orleans now goes up against an Oakland Raiders defense that has yielded 17 passing touchdowns and intercepted just six passes in nine games. They are allowed a quarterback rating of 98.1 and rank 24th in the NFL in yards against. Brees is an obvious start this Sunday.
Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders
No one can blame Palmer for the Raiders' disgusting performances of the last two weeks. In fact, he is playing his best football in a good five seasons right now. Not only has Palmer performed like a QB1 option throughout the duration of the season, he has picked it up a great deal. The former No. 1 overall pick has thrown for over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns in his last four starts. He is fourh among quarterbacks in fantasy points during that span. While New Orleans has picked it up a tad on the defensive side of the ball, it is still historically bad against both the run and the pass. Expect Palmer to put up over 300 yards and multiple scores this week.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
I wrote an article focusing on just how much Manning has defied the odds thus far this season with the Denver Broncos. It is really amazing what he has been able to do after missing the entire 2011 season with a neck injury. His ability to come back from this is something for the ages. Fantasy owners couldn't be more excited either. Check out my article for a fully detailed explanation why Manning is a must start in Week 12 and every week after that.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Interestingly enough, Stafford has been one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in 2012 after dominating the fantasy football landscape last season. He has put up under 15 points four times, but has also been able to accumulate a minimum of 20 fantasy points another four times. All said, Stafford is the seventh ranked fantasy quarterback this season. The Green Bay Packers rank 20th in the NFL against the pass and have struggled in that category recently. They have given up an average of 300 passing yards over the course of the last six games. Expect Stafford to throw for at least that amount and a couple touchdowns.
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
RGIII is continuing his fantasy football reign as a rookie. He still ranks No. 3 in the NFL in fantasy points through 10 weeks and has to be considered a must start every single time he suits up. The Baylor product is so valuable due to the production he provides on the ground. He has accumulated 540 yards and six touchdowns running the ball. Equally as important, RGIII has thrown just three interceptions through nine games. You won't get many negative plays from him. Washington goes up against a Philadelphia Eagles pass defense that ranks 12th, but those numbers are a bit skewed. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown 14 touchdowns compared to seven interceptions against them.
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Just to give you an idea how hot Freeman has been recently, he is the No. 1 fantasy quarterback over the course of the last four weeks. Yes, that list includes the likes of Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers (bye in Week 10). Freeman has thrown 10 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions while accumulating an average of 22 fantasy points during that span. Tampa takes on a Carolina pass defense that has yielded an average of just 231 yards this season. With that in mind, you can still expect Freeman to put up solid QB1 numbers.