Of the four quarterbacks that have a bye this week only Tom Brady can be considered a true QB1 option. Well, unless you have completely lost your marbles and have either Mark Sanchez or Sam Bradford as your top quarterback. If so, don’t even read this article because your season is already lost.
Assuming that you have Brady, why don’t we take a gander at what quarterbacks could be viable replacements this week? I will include QB2 options as well as those types you pick up off the scrapheap.
Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns
This rookie quarterback is owned by less than 11 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues despite the fact that he has put up the 12th most fantasy points of any quarterback over the course of the last four weeks.
Prior to a poor performance in bad weather against the San Diego Chargers, Weeden had put up top five fantasy numbers recently. The rookie from Oklahoma State averaged 16.8 fantasy points against the New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.
He will be going up against a Baltimore Ravens defense that ranks 21st in the NFL and is missing its best cornerback in Lardarius Webb. Look for solid production from Weeden this week.
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Usually it doesn’t make much sense to look at just a few weeks when drawing a conclusion about who to start at quarterback. Obviously trends do play a factor, but they are definitely overrated in the grand scheme of things.
It is the hole “Moneyball” concept. Is production over the course of three weeks more relevant than a lack of production over the course of the previous season or so? Some may have to look at this when checking in on Freeman.
I will say one thing. Freeman has been more than just a mirage for the Buccaneers’ quarterback. What he has done in the last three games is nothing short of extraordinary. The former first-round pick has put up over 1,000 passing yards with nine touchdowns compared to one interception during that span. Simply amazing stuff!
Tampa Bay now goes up against an Oakland Raiders defense that has been pretty friendly to opposing quarterbacks this season. They rank 21st against the pass and are yielding a quarterback rating of 95.3.