We’re entering the third week of the NFL regular season, and this is an important one for all fantasy football teams. Why? Because in Week 4 the bye weeks begin, meaning that Week 3 is the last time until Week 11 that a full schedule of games will be played. It is also important because in head-to-head leagues you now begin to see the strong fantasy football teams emerge and the weaker ones fall back in the pack.
As for quarterbacks, it’s equally important. New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a disastrous performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, however, he responded with a three-touchdown game in a win over the New England Patriots last week. Which Sanchez are we going to see this week? Now is the time to find out in our Fantasy Football Week 3 Quarterback Rankings.
1. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) @ Seattle
It shouldn’t be much of a challenge this week for San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers when he faces the Seattle Seahawks. Not only do the Seahawks rank 26th in the league against the pass but they gave up over 300 yards and two touchdowns last week to Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton. Rivers has also played quite well thus far, accumulating 632 passing yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He is coming off a big win over the Jacksonville Jaguars where he had 334 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Who says he needs receiver Vincent Jackson to be successful? Rivers and the Chargers appear to be clicking on all cylinders in 2010.
2. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) @ Denver
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has six touchdowns and no interceptions through the first two weeks of the season. This week he and the Colts are playing at the Denver Broncos, who rank in the lower half of the league in points allowed and will likely be without All-Pro defensive back Champ Bailey. Further than that, Manning absolutely owns the Broncos. In the last three meetings between the two teams, Manning has a combined 10 touchdowns with just three interceptions, leading Indianapolis to wins in all three games. When the teams met last year Manning threw for 220 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. Expect him to approach four touchdowns while significantly cutting down on his interception totals this time around.
Point Projection: 21 points
3. Tom Brady (New England Patriots) vs. Buffalo
The defense was supposed to be a strength for the Buffalo Bills this season but so far that hasn’t been the case. After two games the Bills are 17th against the pass and 22nd in the league in points allowed. At the same time, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is looking like his old self with five touchdowns and just two picks in the first two games. Plus, the Patriots are at home this week and in the last three home games against Buffalo, Brady has thrown eight touchdowns with just two interceptions. He would be projected for more points in Week 3 if we didn’t think an early lead would cause the Patriots to run the ball more than Brady would like to.
Point Projection: 20 points
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