In my previous fantasy football article I covered five fantasy football quarterbacks who have easier early season schedules for 2015. Here are five quarterbacks who face tougher opponents throughout the first four weeks of the upcoming season.
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers, one of the NFL’s finer veteran quarterbacks makes a respectable fantasy quarterback on certain given weeks or in deeper fantasy formats. While he ranked a commendable 12th in fantasy points last year, he came in dead last in interceptions with 18.
As for drafting Rivers, who can definitely be found available in later rounds, he starts off the season with some tough competition.
Week 1 has Rivers and team hosting the Detroit Lions who ranked third best in quarterback interceptions last season. Next Rivers travels to Cincinnati to face the team who allowed the third-fewest passing touchdowns – just 18 in 2014.
In Week 3 the Chargers are on the road again and play the Minnesota Vikings who allowed an average of only 236.8 passing yards per game.
Rivers and team finally come home in Week 4 to host the Cleveland Browns. Their stingy defense allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and an average of only 234.8 passing yards per game last season.
Rivers should be considered a plug and play option for the most part when the matchup offers more upside.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger worked out to be an incredible bargain as a fantasy quarterback last season by ranking fifth overall in fantasy points compared to the later round he surely was drafted.
Since earning that status, Big Ben makes a case as a starting quarterback. However, take into account some of his tougher early-season opponents.
In the highly-anticipated NFL season opener, Roethlisberger and team face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. In a game that possibly won’t feature Tom Brady, we can be sure the Pats defense will be ramped up to stop Big Ben and company.
The Patriots allowed the 13th-fewest fantasy points to the position last year. However, they are without a couple of last season’s key playmakers. Start Roethlisberger, who will be without his expert blocking running back, Le’Veon Bell, with caution Week 1.
Next up for Big Ben is a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers also have had some personnel changes, however last year we must note that they allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
In Week 3 the Steelers travel to St. Louis who allowed a total of only 18 passing touchdowns and the 10th-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last year.
Week 4 brings a rival matchup against the Baltimore Ravens where Roethlisberger was horribly inconsistent last season. He scored zero touchdowns in one matchup and six in his second against the team last year, making him a wildcard to start in Week 4.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
If you draft Manning, you’re likely starting him every week this year. However, he faces some stiff competition heading out of the gate in 2015.
First the Broncos host the Ravens where Manning will face the defense that allowed the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns – 21 to opposing quarterbacks last year. Next up is a road game in Kansas City where Manning passed for 242 yards and 179 yards in Weeks 2 and 13, respectively in 2014.
In Week 3 Manning and company stay on the road and play the Detroit Lions. The Lions allowed opposing quarterbacks to score an average of only 14.18 fantasy points per game last year. Week 4 brings the Minnesota Vikings to Denver. The Vikings allowed an average of only 236.8 passing yards per game last season.
Keep in mind that the Broncos will run a more balanced offense this season to keep Manning fresh, so draft him accordingly.
Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Smith should only be considered as a backup or in extremely deep formats this season. However, for those contemplating on giving him a chance now that he has wideout Jeremy Maclin in town to help him out, keep in mind Smith’s tougher early season schedule.
Smith was the fourth-most sacked quarterback in 2014 and he faces the likes of Houston Texans pass rushers J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. They’ll be looking force Smith to turn the ball over tons in Week 1.
In Week 2, the Chiefs host the Broncos who allowed the ninth-fewest passing yards. This doesn’t bode well for Smith who only averaged 204 passing yards per outing last year.
For Week 3, the Chiefs hit the road and play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau field. Still fresh in our memories should be the Packers four interceptions off Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the NFC Conference Championship.
Week 4 keeps the Chiefs on the road where they face the Bengals' defense that allowed an average of only 13.96 fantasy points per week to their quarterback competition.
For the most part, Smith makes a viable fantasy option only when the most ideal circumstances exist.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rodgers is a hands-down starter every week. However, he’ll face some tougher competition early on.
Week 1 has Rodgers and team traveling to play the Chicago Bears. Where Rodgers shouldn’t be presented with much trouble, keep in mind the Bears only allowed one passing touchdown in their last two games in 2014. They also picked up some defensive enhancements in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Week 2 brings us an exciting matchup when the Seattle Seahawks travel to town. Rodgers crumbled under pressure big-time in his last two meetings with the Seahawks. In 2014, Week 1 had Rodgers passing for only 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In the Conference Championship game, Rodgers managed only 178 yards, one touchdown and two picks.
You have to start him, but Rodgers’ recent track record versus Seattle is scary.
Rodgers and team host the Chiefs in Week 3 whose defense allowed the second-fewest quarterback passing yards per game - 219 in 2014.
Week 4 takes Rodgers on the road to face the San Francisco 49ers, who last year gave up the sixth-fewest passing yards and fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
If anyone can handle some tougher defensive competition, Rodgers should be your guy.