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Week 3 Quarterback Rankings & Matchups Analysis

Below you will find our Week 3 quarterback rankings, to help determine your QB starts/sits for this week, brought to you by Bill Dubiel (@Roto_Dubs), Nick Mariano (@NMariano53) and Ben Ruppert (@Ben_Ruppert_21).

Lead columnist Bill Dubiel also highlights some QB rankings and matchups analysis for Week 3, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 3.

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 3. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Week 3 Quarterbacks - Rankings & Matchups Analysis

Drew Brees will be the top QB play in fantasy this week. At home against a Falcons defense that he did well against last season, throwing for over 300 yards with a TD in each outing. With how poorly they’ve defended the pass so far this season, Brees is very likely to have a dominant week. Matt Ryan also has a ton of potential. He was statistically even if not better than Brees was in both games last season, and had a better TD:INT ratio on the road compared to at home last season (Home: 12:11 Road: 9:5). Ryan is ranked a little too low in these rankings, these two will put on a passing frenzy.

The 2015 MVP faces the top rated fantasy defense, as Cam Newton takes on the Minnesota Vikings. Newton has already showed us this season he can take on any level of defense and find success, with his solid showing in Week 1 against the Broncos. He should be safely deployed this week.

Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers meet in what is expected to be one of the highest scoring games of the week. Both of these QBs are missing some weapons, with Rivers losing Danny Woodhead, Keenan Allen, and potentially Antonio Gates this week. Luck recently loss Donte Moncrief. Outside of the top CBs on each team, these defenses don’t have much to offer. Even without their primary weapons, both QBs will have a shot at a great game.

On the road against a Buffalo defense looking to rebound, Carson Palmer may have a more difficult game ahead than many imagine. Contrary to what was seen last week against the Jets, the Bills possess an above average secondary, let by CBs Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby. The duo was one of the high rated pairs in the league coming into the season, and could lead to a couple INTs for Palmer.

Russell Wilson enters a tough matchup this week with the 49ers. Interdivisional games are always tougher grinds than normal games, evidenced by his showing last week against the LA Rams. Wilson is hobbled by a high ankle sprain, limiting his famous ability to scramble and turn broken plays into huge gains. With the Seattle offense not clicking as a whole, at #12 he is still rated too highly in our rankings.

The Oakland Raiders have had the worst passing defense to open the season, allowing an average of 404 yards per game. Granted that was against Brees and Ryan, but this is coming off a year where the Raiders were the seventh worst team in football at defending the pass. Marcus Mariota is in store for a top-10 QB performance this week.

The Baltimore Ravens on the other hand, were in the top-10 in defending the pass last season, and have been the stingiest against the pass this season at only 168.5 yards per game allowed. They will go on the road to face Bake Bortles and the Jaguars in Week 3. Bortles has thrown for 649 yards through two weeks, but only a 1:1 TD:INT ratio. With a difficult matchup and his inability to get anything going, it could be a troubling week once again for the third year QB.

Difficult one. Through the first two weeks of the season, the Bucs have done a nice job of limiting opposing RBs. They held Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman to 2.2 YPC in Week 1, and Chris and David Johnson to 3.5 YPC in Week 2. Gurley has only averaged 2.7 so far this season, as teams continue to stack the box with the lack of QB play on the Rams. Gurley will see another tough outing in Week 3, meaning owners will have to wait another week for his breakout game.

 

Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterback

Rank Player Name Pos
1 Drew Brees QB
2 Cam Newton QB
3 Aaron Rodgers QB
4 Eli Manning QB
5 Carson Palmer QB
6 Andrew Luck QB
7 Matthew Stafford QB
8 Ben Roethlisberger QB
9 Derek Carr QB
10 Matt Ryan QB
11 Blake Bortles QB
12 Russell Wilson QB
13 Philip Rivers QB
14 Joe Flacco QB
15 Kirk Cousins QB
16 Jameis Winston QB
17 Marcus Mariota QB
18 Andy Dalton QB
19 Dak Prescott QB
20 Ryan Fitzpatrick QB
21 Carson Wentz QB
22 Ryan Tannehill QB
23 Alex Smith QB
24 Brock Osweiler QB
25 Tyrod Taylor QB
26 Sam Bradford QB
27 Blaine Gabbert QB
28 Jimmy Garoppolo QB
29 Jay Cutler QB
30 Josh McCown QB
31 Robert Griffin QB
32 Mark Sanchez QB
33 Tom Brady QB
34 Colin Kaepernick QB
35 Tony Romo QB
36 Paxton Lynch QB
37 Jared Goff QB
38 Geno Smith QB

 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Troy Terry

Adds Three Points in Return to Lineup
Leo Carlsson

Picks Up Trio of Points on Sunday
Dejounte Murray

Battling Illness Ahead of Monday
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Could Miss Another Game Monday
Noah Clowney

Sidelined Monday Versus Trail Blazers
Michael Porter Jr.

to Miss Third Straight Game
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez is Day-to-Day with Shoulder Inflammation
Alexandre Sarr

Out Monday Against Golden State
Jeremy Sochan

Returns to Action Sunday
Ömer Yurtseven

Omer Yurtseven Set to Debut Sunday for Golden State
Quinten Post

Cleared to Play Sunday Against New York
Malik Monk

to Miss Third Straight Game Sunday
Devin Carter

Sidelined Sunday Versus Utah
Brendan Gallagher

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Sunday
Russell Westbrook

Won't Play Sunday Versus Jazz
Josh Hart

Cleared to Play Sunday Against Golden State
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Starting Against Kraken
Quinn Ewers

Set to Back Up New Quarterback
Ty Emberson

Remains Out Sunday
Chris Brooks

the Preferred Handcuff in Green Bay?
Bobby Brink

Questionable Sunday
Kendre Miller

Continues to Fall Out of Favor in New Orleans
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Unavailable Against Wild
Brashard Smith

Ascension Put on Pause?
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

a Game-Time Call Sunday
Corbin Carroll

to Resume Playing Defense This Week
John Carlson

Set for Ducks Debut
Francisco Lindor

Non-Committal About Status for Opening Day
Nathan Eovaldi

Named Rangers' Opening Day Starter
Hayden Birdsong

Diagnosed with Grade 2 Forearm Strain and UCL Sprain
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Davante Adams

Rams Explored Trading Davante Adams
Dallas Goedert

Eagles Bring Back Dallas Goedert on a One-Year Deal
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Facing Increased Competition in New York
Kyle Monangai

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Jayden Daniels

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Zay Flowers

an Early Free Agency Winner
Joe Burrow

Can a Healthy Joe Burrow Challenge for QB1?
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Is Amon-Ra St. Brown the Safest Pick in Fantasy?
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Dynasty Value Continues to Tumble
Andrei Iosivas

Overshadowed by Two Stud Receivers in Cincy
Jaylen Wright

a Handcuff Option With Upside Going into Year 3
Tyjae Spears

Figures to be in Backup Pass-Catching Role Again in 2026
Tyler Shough

Looking to Build on Encouraging Close to 2025
Karl-Anthony Towns

Rejoins Knicks Lineup Sunday
Marcelo Mayer

Scratched With Left-Knee Soreness
Zach Neto

Tests Come Back Negative, Dealing With Sprained Hand
Ausar Thompson

Returns to Action Sunday
NFL

Emmett Johnson Could Develop into a Three-Down Workhorse in the NFL
Isaiah Hartenstein

Cleared to Return Sunday
NFL

Does Jordyn Tyson Carry Future WR1 Upside?
Anthony Edwards

Available Sunday
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption, Wins Pole at Las Vegas
Denny Hamlin

Should Contend for Another Vegas Win
Chase Briscoe

Qualifies 18th Despite Toyota Dominating at Las Vegas
Chase Elliott

May Fly Under the Radar at Las Vegas
De'Anthony Melton

Held Out Sunday Versus New York
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Ross Chastian Has Been As Solid As They Come at Las Vegas
Ty Gibbs

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Won't Play Sunday Versus Knicks
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a Solid DFS Pick at Las Vegas
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Sidelined Sunday Versus Pacers
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to Sit Sunday for Rest
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is Making Spring Debut on Sunday
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Kyle Larson

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Could Compete for a Top-Five Finish at Las Vegas
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Joey Logano

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NASCAR

Bubba Wallace is A Risky DFS Option Who Could Pay Off at Las Vegas
Josh Berry

Has Plenty of Upside for Las Vegas DFS Lineups
Ryan Preece

Scores his First Las Vegas Top-10 Starting Spot in Qualifying
Justin Allgaier

Will Fill In for an Injured Alex Bowman at Las Vegas
Nico Hischier

has Four-Point Performance on Saturday
Seiya Suzuki

Leaves WBC Game on Saturday With Right-Knee Discomfort
Macklin Celebrini

Continues to Dominate With Three Points
Anze Kopitar

Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer for Kings
Linus Ullmark

Posts Shutout Against Ducks
Zach Neto

is Removed After Suffering Hand Injury
TB

Nicholas Paul Rejoins Lightning Lineup
Cole Caufield

Cleared to Play Saturday
Joe Ryan

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
Zack Wheeler

Throws First Live BP Session on Saturday
Merrill Kelly

Expected to Open Season on the Injured List
Kevin Gausman

Named Toronto's Opening Day Starter
Kyle Stowers

Back in Grapefruit League Lineup
Francisco Lindor

Takes Full Batting Practice on Friday
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Still TBD for Opening Day
Trevor Rogers

to Start on Opening Day for Orioles
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In Dire Need Of Victory
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A Favorite At UFC Vegas 114
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Oumar Sy

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Ion Cutelaba

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Blake Snell

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Zack Wheeler

to Face Hitters in Live Batting Practice on Saturday
Gerrit Cole

Could Pitch in a Spring Game Next Week
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Adam Scott

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Rickie Fowler

on Quite the Run Heading to TPC Sawgrass
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Needs to Forget What Happened Sunday at Bay Hill
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an Enigma Heading to The Players Championship
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Bounces Back at Arnold Palmer Invitational
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Continues His Florida Swing With Some Momentum
Nicolai Hojgaard

in Strong Form Ahead of The Players
Robert MacIntyre

a Volatile Option at The Players
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a High-Risk, High-Reward Option at The Players
Keegan Bradley

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Looking for Bounce-Back at Players Championship
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Continues Improving Heading to Players Championship
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