Pass Rush vs QB Matchups to Watch - Week 2

September 14, 2019

Gage Bridgford identifies quarterbacks to watch in Week 2 based on the opposing pass rush defense. These QBs could be players to fade and avoid or to start and stream in fantasy football leagues.

Week 1 saw a lot of offenses struggle to start the season due to a lack of work together in the preseason. Defenses took advantage, and they were teeing off on quarterbacks. In Week 2, there are some matchups where quarterbacks are definitely going to get knocked around at least 10 times in the game.

On the flip side, a few of the upper-echelon fantasy quarterbacks have good matchups with a good offensive line charged with keeping them clean. These guys have the chance to put up a lot of points for you and their real-life teams.

In Week 2, there are far more bad matchups than good matchups to look at. Defensive lines are just getting really good, while offensive lines are beat up, outmatched or all of the talents are in the wrong place.

Look Away Before It Gets Ugly

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs New England Patriots

Someone give Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick a hug. After the team took an absolute beatdown at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, they now have a matchup with the New England Patriots who systematically dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers for four quarters. In Week 1, among the Dolphins' five starting offensive linemen, rookie guard Michael Deiter was the only one to grade within the top 20 at their position. In terms of tackle play, starter Julien Davenport broke his leg, and Jesse Davis was 54th among tackles.

For the Patriots, they feature pass rushers like Jamie Collins and Deatrich Wise Jr as their starters. Backup tackle Ja'Marcus Webb will have his hands full all game, and the Patriots look like they're already in midseason form. You're likely only looking at Fitzpatrick in two-QB leagues, but he should just be avoided until further notice.

Jared Goff vs New Orleans Saints

During Week 1, the New Orleans Saints sacked Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson a league-high six times. In Week 2, the target is Jared Goff, who's offensive line had a rough showing in Week 1 as they gave up six quarterback hits in addition to one sack. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was a top-10 player at his position last week. Guard Austin Blythe was the next-highest at his position with a finish of 38th among guards. In addition to a struggling offensive line, Goff is not the most mobile of quarterbacks.

The Saints spread the sack love in Week 1. Only defensive end Trey Hendrickson registered more than one, as six different players got in on the action, and the team registered 11 quarterback hits on the night. The Texans don't have an outstanding line, but the Saints still got through them like a warm knife through butter. Goff was sacked just once last week, and that number is likely to go up in Week 2.

Matthew Stafford vs Los Angeles Chargers

In Week 1, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford passed for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns. His offensive line wasn't giving him any help with three sacks and 11 quarterback hits allowed. Tackles Taylor Decker and Ricky Wagner were major weaknesses, as they both finished outside the top-40 at their position. In Week 2, their matchups get significantly harder. They'll be contending with EDGE rushers Melvin Ingram III and Joey Bosa, and Bosa was the third-best EDGE rusher in the NFL last week.

On the outside, the Chargers' corners are a major upgrade over what the Arizona Cardinals were trotting out. Stafford will be forced to hold the ball longer which will give the pass-rusher more time to get home. The Lions' interior line play wasn't bad in Week 1, so Stafford will be able to step up in the pocket. However, they were 12th in time-to-throw last week which is a number that should be decreasing, as the Chargers had Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett at the second-quickest mark of the week.

Dishonorable Mention: Aaron Rodgers vs Minnesota Vikings

That's More Like It

Dak Prescott vs Washington Redskins

In Week 1, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was getting the ball out quick, as he had the eighth-fastest time to throw against the New York Giants. In Week 2, the Washington Redskins are a more aggressive group, but they are hardly a terrifying team. Prescott was hit just twice last week with no sacks. His right tackle, La'el Collins was the top-graded tackle in Week 1. The rest of the offensive line, mainly left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and guard Zack Martin, have been among the best in the NFL over the last four seasons.

For Washington, they weren't able to harass Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz very often. They registered just one sack and four quarterback hits. Dallas has the running game to keep Washington at bay which gives Dak more time to throw. Dak's mobility also makes him tough to get a hold of when he gets out of the pocket. In Week 2, Dak should have another good matchup.

Josh Allen vs New York Giants

In Week 1, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was sacked once and hit nine times. As mentioned previously, the Giants weren't getting a ton of pressure on Prescott. The Bills offensive line isn't the wall of bodies that Dallas has, but they're a solid group. Center Mitch Morse was the seventh overall player at his position last week, and they had multiple players in the top 30 at their position. Allen's ability to run gives him the ability to escape when the pressure gets to him.

One of the Giants two quarterback hits came courtesy of linebacker Tae Davis. Their front group, who is supposed to generate pressure wasn't able to get there. Allen is more mobile than Dak, and he generates a lot of points with his legs. Between a docile Giants pass rush and a lot of big-play ability, Allen has good upside in Week 2.

Patrick Mahomes vs Oakland Raiders

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was kept clean despite suffering an ankle injury in Week 1 against a Jacksonville Jaguars Defense that features defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue. In Week 2, he gets to play the Oakland Raiders, who, while better than last year's group that totaled just 13 sacks, are still far from a murderer's row of rushers. Mahomes was fifth in time-to-throw last week, and his offensive line was third in adjusted sack rate last week. His quick release allows him to avoid most rushers.

If you look at Oakland's rushers, they featured the best EDGE rusher in the NFL from Week 1 in Benson Mayowa. However, he played just 23 snaps last week which gives him a limited sample size. He graded out with a 91.6 last week, but, for his seven-year career, his best grade for a season was a 73.4 last year. It's possible he took a step, but it's likely not that large of one. The rest of the line features some run stuffers, but there is no pass rusher that compliments him, as Mayowa, Arden Key and Clelin Ferrell were the only ones with quarterback hits in Week 1.

More Week 2 Lineup Prep