There are basically no favorable quarterback matchups this week for quarterbacks. Most of the elite guys are facing very tough defenses, which made for a tough week of rankings. However, most of them should burst through and put up at least similar production to what owners are used to this season. 

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (MIN)

After touting Manning so highly last week and saying how difficult it’d be to knock him out of the top spot, Rodgers goes off once again. He now hasn’t scored under 24 points in a game since Week 5 and has nine touchdowns in his past two games. He’s the best quarterback in the league when healthy, and Rodgers is clicking now more than ever before. The last time Rodgers faced the Vikings, he threw three touchdowns in a blowout and was eventually relieved by Matt Flynn, making him the unquestionable top quarterback this week.

Projected Statistics: 330 yards, five touchdowns

2. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (MIA)

Sorry, Peyton. Between Rodgers’ hot streak and Miami’s tough defense, I had to bump Manning down one spot. Miami has allowed the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, per our fantasy against rankings (paid subscription required), but Manning is also only one of two quarterbacks with a 100 percent consistency rating, according to our advanced metrics. There’s just no reason to doubt Manning all that much this week.

Projected Statistics: 320 yards, four touchdowns

3. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (JAX)

Even on an “off” day, Luck scored 19 points against the New England Patriots.  He should do even better than that against the Jaguars, who aren’t necessarily allowing a ton of points to quarterbacks, but their defense has been generally bad. Luck hasn’t scored less than 18 points in a game and put up 35 points earlier in the year when he played Jacksonville. He’ll be in the top five again this week, easily.

Projected Statistics: 290 yards, four touchdowns

4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (BAL)

Brees has lost two consecutive home games now. He won’t make it three against the Ravens on Monday night. Brees has 10 touchdowns in his past five games, and is a significantly better quarterback at home in the Superdome than he is on the road. He’s also facing a Baltimore secondary that is without its best corner for the remainder of the season, and even had to cut Chykie Brown, one of their top four corners entering the season, because he was so bad. Brees and Jimmy Graham will feast on the Ravens’ secondary.

Projected Statistics: 320 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions

5. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (NYG)

Not only is Romo coming off a bye week, so are his weapons, mainly Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray. New York has allowed the 12th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and Romo just threw three touchdowns against the Giants four weeks ago. Bryant returned to Bryant-like form against the Jaguars last week in London, and Romo’s back seems to be fine (for now).

Projected Statistics: 330 yards, three touchdowns

6. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (TB)

Looking past his dreadful performance two games ago against the Packers, Cutler has been a pretty effective fantasy quarterback. Besides his two total dud games of seven and eight points, Cutler has scored over 20 points in five games, and has been throwing enough touchdowns to offset the turnovers. Up against a Bucs defense that is allowing over 18 fantasy points per game to opponents, Cutler will have no problem putting up points this week.

Projected Statistics: 330 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions

7. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers (WSH)

Fantasy-wise Kaepernick has been pretty disappointing this season. He’s hasn’t scored over 13 points since Week 6, but should land above 15 this week against an awful Washington secondary that just allowed a rookie wide receiver to have 200 receiving yards. The Redskins have allowed the second most points to opposing quarterbacks this season, 20 per game to be exact, and have only forced three interceptions. Even if Kaepernick doesn’t put up amazing numbers, he’ll be solid enough to finish in the top 10.

Projected Statistics: 260 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, seven carries, 60 rushing yards

8. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (DET)

Brady has been on absolute fire lately, but his ranking gets a downgrade this week for facing the Lions. They’re allowing just over 11 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and Detroit’s front seven have been wreaking havoc in every game this year. However, Brady comes in scoring over 30 points twice in his past six games, and over 20 in five games during that stretch. They’ll balance out, and Brady will have a solid game this week.

Projected Statistics: 290 yards, three touchdowns

9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (STL)

It’s actually pretty tough for me to place Rivers inside the top 10 this week. The Rams just got done holding Peyton Manning and the Broncos to seven points, but prior to that game, they were allowing over 17 points per game to opposing signal callers. Prior to his past two dud games, Rivers, he had scored 19 or more points in three of his previous four games. Rivers should break out of his funk against a Rams secondary that really isn’t all that good.

Projected Statistics: 350 yards, two touchdowns

10. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (ARI)

Wilson’s fantasy value at this point really relies on his ability to run the ball. His receivers are some of the worst in the league without Percy Harvin, but Seattle’s game plan has allowed him to get the ball out in open space. Although he hasn’t gone over 200 passing yards since Week 7, Wilson has at least 30 rushing yards in each of his past five games. Against the Cardinals, it’ll be tough to do anything through the air, but he’ll get his bonus points on the ground.

Projected Statistics: 200 yards, two touchdowns, eight carries, 55 rushing yards