With Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Jason Campbell, and Trent Edwards all getting it done this past Sunday, it appears we are watching the next great generation of quarterbacks; however, while these young single callers continue to grow into their own, the current generation of greats is not quite ready to ride off into the sunset. Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, Donovan McNabb, and Kurt Warner all put up 12 or more fantasy points, showing they still have something left in the tank. Thus, leaving us football fans in a wondrous place, a crossroads of sorts in which we get to see the past, present, and future all at once. So, who tops this mix of quarterback talent in week 3? You may be surprised, or if you've watched the first two weeks of football, you may not be. Nevertheless, here are the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 3 Quarterback Rankings!
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1. Jay Cutler (Denver Broncos) vs. New Orleans
In week 1, Cutler torched the Oakland Raiders for 300 yards and 2 TDs. In week 2, with his favorite target in Brandon Marshall back on the field after serving a one game suspension, he was even better, going for 350 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. In just two weeks of football, Cutler has 50 fantasy points, a number he will surely add to in week 3 as the Broncos get set to face the New Orleans Saints, a defense that has given up 256 passing yards per game on the year.
Point Projection: 24 points
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2. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) @ Denver
Brees didn't have a great first week without stud Marques Colston, who is out because of injury. Finishing with just 8 fantasy points in standard scoring leagues, Brees had 216 passing yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. However, look for Brees to rebound in week 3 as the Broncos are also having trouble stopping the pass, giving up an average of 266.5 yards and 5 total passing TDs on the year. Expect this one to be a QB shootout similar to the one Cutler had with Philip Rivers in week 2.
Point Projection: 23 points
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3. Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) @ Green Bay
He changes tires and wins huge Monday Night Football games! What more can you ask for? Romo has two 300+ passing yard days in 2 games, and his 4 TDs on the year aren't half bad either. He shined in primetime on Monday, look for him to do it again on Sunday Night.
Point Projection: 22 points
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4. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts) vs. Jacksonville
Perhaps we underestimate the importance of preseason. For 6 quarters to start the season, Peyton Manning looked more out of sync than Ashlee Simpson on Saturday Night Live, most likely a result of his failure to take a pre-season snap due to off-season surgery. However, much to his fantasy owners glee, Manning shook the rust off and put up Manning like numbers in the second half of the Colts match-up with the Vikings, finishing the day with 311 yards passing, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. Manning should continue with those Manning like numbers in week 3, as he faces a Jags team he has burned for 3,473 yards and 25 TDs in 13 meetings.
Point Projection: 22 points
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5. Eli Manning (New York Giants) vs. Cincinnati
The gap between Eli and Peyton has closed dramatically starting with the playoff run Eli orchestrated last season. In fact, Eli is even getting his own lines in Peyton's commercials. Eli should keep the pressure on his older brother this week as the New York Giants take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Don't be fooled by the Bengals being ranked 3rd in the league against the pass, this is a defense that struggles against the pass. Their ranking is a result of two early season match-ups with teams that love the run, the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans.
Point Projection: 18 points
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6. Kurt Warner (Arizona Cardinals) @ Washington
During the second half of last season, Kurt Warner led all NFL QBs in touchdown passes. That's right folks, even with Tom Brady setting the single season touchdown record, Warner threw more in the second half. It appears that the veteran QB is beginning 2008, where he left off in 2007. In two games this year, Warner has already thrown a total of 4 TDs. He'll find it more difficult to get the ball in the endzone this week as the Redskins' have given up just one passing TD on the year, but with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin on the receiving end of his passes, we're not concerned.
Point Projection: 18 points
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7. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) vs. New York Jets
Get ready folks because like Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers is making his move to be one of the great QBs in the NFL. This season, Rivers has already thrown for 594 yards, 6 TDs, with only 1 INT. With LT2 nursing a sore toe, Norv Turner has no problem turning the game over to his young arm, and that should be the case this Monday as the Chargers will take on the Jets. Look for Rivers to shine in prime time.
Point Projection: 18 points
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8. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Philadelphia
Banged up and all, Big Ben was still able to post solid numbers in the wind and rain soaked Sunday Night game that was the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, posting 11 fantasy points. In his one previous battle for Pennsylvania, Big Ben finished with a 109.3 QB rating, throwing for 183 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. After watching the Eagles-Cowboys game this past Monday, we expect Big Ben to post even better numbers against a secondary that showed many weaknesses.
Point Projection: 16 points
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9. Brett Favre (New York Jets) @ San Diego
The future Hall of Famer had a tough go of it against the New England Patriots in week 2, slinging it for just 181 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. While Favre has been solid for the Jets, he hasn't been the Favre fantasy owners know so well from last season; however, that should change in week 3. The Jets get the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night, and we all know Favre rises to the occassion in prime time. This week shouldn't be any different, especially when you consider the Chargers have already given up 5 passing TDs on the year.
Point Projection: 16 points
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10. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles) vs. Pittsburgh
Boy, do McNabb's owners have to be fuming at rookier wide out DeSean Jackson? While McNabb's 280 yard 1 TD effort last Monday was by no means shabby, his owners lost out on one more TD, when the rookie DeSean Jackson decided to discard the ball prior to crossing the goal-line. He better not do so in week 3, because McNabb will need all the points he can get in a tough match-up with the Steelers, who are giving up just 157 passing yards a game.
Point Projection: 16 points
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11. JT O'Sullivan (San Francisco 49ers) vs. Detroit
A 49ers' quarterback in the top 15 of the rankings? We can't even remember the last time this happened, but that's what happens when you bring Mike Martz into town. Granted, JT O'Sullivan may not be the next Kurt Warner, but he did throw for 321 yards and 1 TD in week 2, and a week 3 match-up against the Detroit Lions means another week of big numbers.
Point Projection: 16 points
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12. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) vs. Dallas
Ok, we're going to try and talk about Aaron Rodgers without mentioning Brett Favre. Crap! We blew it already! But, in all seriousness, Rodgers appears to be a legit NFL starter, and if he keeps playing the way he has been, he'll make for a legit every week fantasy start. After all, the man has 20+ fantasy points in each of his first two starts. Week 3 will be a true test for Rodgers as the Cowboys pass D is a tad stronger than that of the Vikings and Lions.
Point Projection: 16 points
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13. Jon Kitna (Detroit Lions) @ San Francisco
Sure, Mike Martz may have left town, but that doesn't mean Kitna's arm is still not getting a workout. Despite the Lions' desire to maintain a balanced attack, Kitna has been forced to throw early and often as the Lions are constantly playing catch-up. For fantasy owners, it's great news, especially since he's throwing to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams.
Point Projection: 15 points
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14. Trent Edwards (Buffalo Bills) vs Oakland
The Raiders looked impressive against the pass in week 2, holding the Chiefs to 173 yards through the air. Though watching Tyler Thigpen play QB for the Chiefs, we completely understand what NFL owners are talking about when discussing the lack of talent at the QB position. Edwards is no Thigpen. In fact, while not yet at his level, he's closer to Jay Cutler, who shredded the Oakland pass D in week one. Edwards should be successful against Oakland, posting his 3rd straight week of double digit fantasy points.
Point Projection: 14 points
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15. Derek Anderson (Cleveland Browns) @ Baltimore
The 2008 version of Derek Anderson has played no where near the level of the 2007 version. In two games this season, Anderson has just 280 yards and 1 TD. He's also thrown 2 INTs and lost two fumbles. Those owners who took Anderson as their first quarterback are by no means happy. And, they'll once again be disappointed in week 3 because that QB who threw for 328 yards and 5 TDs in his first start last season won't be showing up again.
Point Projection: 12 points
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16. Jason Campbell (Washington Redskins) vs. Arizona
Get used to the ups and downs if you own Campbell. They just come with the territory when you one a young QB on your fantasy roster. One week they'll struggle, the next, they'll look like a Pro Bowl Candidate. So, what's it going to be this week for Campbell? Actually, somewhere in the middle as Campbell should finish the day in the realm of 225 passing yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.
Point Projection: 12 points
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17. Jake Delhomme (Carolina Panthers) @ Minnesota
In the first two weeks of the seaon, Jake Delhomme has shown that his arm's fine following Tommy John surgery. From here on out, he's simply trying to prove he's a worthy fantasy start. He should be able to make a strong case this week as he not only gets to face a Vikings D that is miserable against the pass (allowing 237 passing yards per game), but he also gets his favorite target, Steve Smith, who was serving a two game suspension for fighting with teammate Ken Lucas, back.
Point Projection: 12 points
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18. Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) @ Tennessee
If Schaub simply makes it through this game healthy, it's a victory for the quarterback, who went down with injury in both of the Texans' match-ups with the Titans in 2007. Schaub had a decent but not spectacular week one against the Steelers, earning many of his 12 fantasy points in garbage time. Until the Texans can get their running game going, Schaub isn't going to be able to put up the numbers many projected heading into the season even with all the weapons he has to work with. Just a heads up, they won't get the running game going against the Titans tough D.
Point Projection: 10 points
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19. Matt Cassel (New England Patriots) vs. Miami
He's not Tom Brady, but he's still able to get the New England Patriots a victory. He'll make it two in a row this week against the Miami Dolphins, but much like the win he secured against the Jets, he won't be putting up huge fantasy numbers. They'll be better as the Dolphins are ranked 30th against the pass, but they still won't be Brady-esque.
Point Projection: 10 points
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20. Matt Hasselbeck (Seattle Seahawks) vs. St. Louis
The sad thing is that this may be one of the lower rankings a quarterback receives this season when facing the St. Louis Rams. But, with Logan Payne also going down this past week, the Seahawks may soon need to start auditioning fans for the wide receiver position. Add the lack of depth at wide receiver to the bulging disc in Hasselbeck's back, and it's no surprise that Hasselbeck has yet to top the 200 yard mark this season. However, if you're going to use him any week, this is the week to use him.
Point Projection: 10 points
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21. Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) @ New York Giants
It's official! Carson Palmer is no longer an every week start. 12 TDs and 14 INTs in your last 11 games will do that. So, will a total of 3 fantasy points in the first two weeks. And, so will finishing behind Chad Henne in a week. Yes, things have gotten ugly for the Bengals, and with the pressure Palmer will feel from the Giants front line, they'll be just as ugly in week 3.
Point Projection: 10 points
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22. Kerry Collins (Tennessee Titans) vs. Houston
Collins led the Titans to a week 2 victory, earning 9 fantasy points along the way. He, also, earned another start as Titans' head coach Jeff Fisher has said Collins will be under center "until he struggles or something else happens." Collins' fantasy value is limited somewhat by the Titans committment to the running game, but you could do a lot worst.
Point Projection: 9 points
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23. David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) @ Indianapolis
In his last game against the Colts, Garrard finished with 257 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. The difference between that start and the one approaching this week, Garrard actually had an offensive line in front of him. Until the Jags patchwork line begins pushing defenders back, Garrard is going to struggle.
Point Projection: 9 points
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24. Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins) @ New England
Pennington has seen the New England Patriots often in his career, playing in 9 games against them as a New York Jet. In those 9 games, he's averaged 1 TD and 1 INT per outing. There's no reason to think more is in store as he gets set to face them for the first time as a Dolphin.
Point Projection: 8 points
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25. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) vs. Kansas City
The rookie's encore didn't go quite as well as his opener as Ryan finished week 2 with only 158 yards, 2 INTs, and a lost fumble. With the way the Raiders mandhandled the Chiefs with their running game in week 2, you can bet the Falcons use a heavy dosage of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood in this one.
Point Projection: 8 points
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26. Brian Griese (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Chicago
Much like Kerry Collins, Griese played well enough to garner another start for the Bucs, but that doesn't mean he played well enough to be a starting quarterback in any fantasy league. Griese managed just 8 fantasy points against the Falcons, he should find things even tougher against a rejuvenated Bears defense.
Point Projection: 8 points
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27. Marc Bulger (St. Louis Rams) @ Seattle
Last season, Bulger threw 4 INTs and 0 TDs against the Seahawks. With the Rams offensive struggles continuing, we advise you stay away from Bulger in week 3. He may not have porblems completing passes, but they'll be going to the guys in the Seahawks uniforms.
Point Projection: 8 points
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28. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens) vs. Cleveland
The Ravens rushed the ball 46 times in Flacco's rookie debut. With a match-up against a team in the Cleveland that is giving up 142 rushing yards a game, you can bet a lot of rushes are in store for week 3 as well.
Point Projection: 7 points
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29. Gus Frerotte (Minnesota Vikings) vs. Carolina
It's never a good thing for your fantasy QB when his coach states that the team is evaluating the quarterback position. Jackson just doesn't look comfortable as a passer and Brad Childress has decided to go with veteran Gus Frerotte in Week 3. Whether it's Jackson or Frerotte, look elsewhere!
Point Projection: 7 points
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30. Kyle Orton (Chicago Bears) vs. Tampa Bay
Game management doesn't equal fantasy points, and that's Orton's role with the Bears. In two games, he has yet to throw for more than 150 yards and has not connected for a TD.
Point Projection: 6 points
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31. JaMarcus Russell (Oakland Raiders) @ Buffalo
Completing just 6 passes in a game is a quick way to drop to the bottom of our QB rankings. The Bills defense has been solid against the pass, giving up just 156 yards a game. Russell isn't going to be able to get anything going.
Point Projection: 5 points
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32. Tyler Thigpen (Kansas City Chiefs) @ Atlanta
When your offense scores just 8 points against the Oakland Raiders, you know things are bad.
Point Projection: 4 points
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WEEK 3 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Also, make sure the check out the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em Report (click to view)
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Current Waiver Wire Articles (click to view)
Waiver Wire - Week 2 (Sunday Edition)
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