RADIO
RotoBaller discusses a few quarterbacks (QBs) to consider picking up off the waiver wire, as we look towards Week 13 and the fantasy playoffs. Some of these QBs may be able to help you in standard or 2 QB leagues.
For all of you fantasy GMs out there, Week 13 is going to make or break your playoff chances. In the RotoBaller league, there are 5 teams tied for the final 2 playoff spots - it doesn't get tighter than that. Whether you're looking for QB options to stream in week 13, or just trying to keep your head above water with injuries, RotoBaller has you covered as we analyze the most underowned quarterbacks from around the league. Below, you'll find some of our favorites plays for standard and two-QB leagues as we contemplate this week's waiver wire decisions.
Week 13 Waiver Wire - Quarterbacks (QBs)
Carson Palmer - QB, Arizona Cardinals - 40% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 12: 314 yards passing, 2 TDs, 0 INT - 24.56 points
Analysis: Palmer has been very steady over the past couple of months. In fact, he's been better than steady. Here are his point totals over the past few weeks, working backward from Week 11: 28.46, 18.44, 18.78, 14.82, 21.92. That is impressive stuff, and those are QB1 numbers. It's nothing elite, but Palmer has been very consistent, and in week 13 vs. PHI, we like him for a ~20 point game once again.
Josh McCown – QB, Chicago Bears - 19% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 12: 352 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1 INT - 23.48 points
Analysis: McCown has been very good since stepping in for Cutler, and last week he put up a huge game against the usually solid STL defense. McCown unleashed an enormous air attack, completing 36 of 47 passes. In Week 13, you can expect more of the same. He gets the pitiful Vikings, and McCown should have no trouble at all picking apart their porous secondary. If he's available in your league and you have a tough matchup with your QB, strongly consider adding McCown for week 13.
E.J. Manuel – QB, Buffalo Bills - 8% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 11: 245 yards passing, 2 TDs - 22.7 points
Analysis: Manuel would rarely approach QB1 status, but this is a pure matchup play here. He is at home vs. ATL, one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Falcons give up the fifth-most points to QBs on a weekly basis. Add to that the fact that Manuel is finally fully healthy, coming off a bye week and riding a solid performance against a very tough New York Jets defense, and you have yourself a very shady under-the-radar backend QB1. If you play in a 14-16 team league, you could certainly do worse than Manuel in Week 13.
Quarterbacks to Consider in Two-QB Leagues
Ryan Fitzpatrick - QB, Tennessee Titans - 9% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 12: 320 yards passing, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 26 rushing yards - 27.40 points
Analysis: Fitzpatrick has been nothing short of nasty in two of his past three starts. Granted, those starts were vs. OAK and JAX, but still, scoring 27 points is not what we expected from Fitz and we'll gladly take it. His Week 13 matchup is @IND, which is not great, but not terrible either. He should realistically score somewhere in the 15-20 point range. If you need a decent QB2 for Week 13, Fitzpatrick is a nice choice, but though likely not the best one out there.
Mike Glennon - QB, Tampa Bay Bucs - 21% owned
Week 12: 247 yards passing, 2 TDs, 0 INT – 20.18 points
Analysis: Glennon has been very solid over the past seven weeks, scoring fewer than 17 points just once and averaging closer to 20. His 14:4 TD:INT ratio on the year is better than respectable. The issue with Glennon in Week 13 is the matchup @CAR. While he put up 17.2 pts vs. CAR in Week 8, the matchup in Bank of America stadium will undoubtedly prove more difficult for Glennon. He gets BUF, SF, @STL and @NO to close out the season-- not exactly a cakewalk. Glennon is a decent play in two-QB leagues going forward, but using him this week might be stretching it.
Brandon Weeden – QB, Cleveland Browns – 3% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 12: 30 attempts, 13 completions, 209 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT – 13.56 points
Analysis: Weeden is a play simply based on his matchup against the Jaguars. Even though the Jags are winners of two of the last three, their defense is still one of the weakest in the league. The plus for Weeden is that the Browns trust him enough to have called for 42 passing attempts in three of his starts this year, and he could see a similar opportunity this week. In a two-QB league, Weeden should be available for cheap and you can roll the dice on him. After this week, we will need to reevaluate and determine just what his value will be down the stretch.
Matt Flynn – QB, Green Bay Packers – 2% owned in Yahoo leagues
Week 12: 36 attempts, 21 completions, 218 passing yards, 1 TD, 0 INT – 17.12 points
Analysis: Two years ago, Flynn entered free agency as one of the most desirable quarterbacks in the league. Now his star has fallen greatly, but he will have a great opportunity against the Lions to prove everyone wrong. He nearly rallied the Pack from a 16-point deficit on Sunday, and he threw 36 times in less than a full half. Considering that he is playing in a dome against the Lions’ 27th-ranked passing defense which allows nearly 280 passing yards per game, this looks like a great matchup.
=============
