So it begins. We are mere days away from meaningful professional football, and it’s time to dig into your lineups. Whether it be DFS or seasonal, your leagues may turn on the quarterback position. Every week Josh Berger and Joshua Lake will bring you their combined QB rankings from 1-35. Going to 35 is meant to assist owners in deep leagues or streamers. The initial commentary points out certain quarterbacks, including some places where Berger and Lake disagree this week.
All that said, good luck this week! On to the Week 1 QB rankings.
Commentary on Certain Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers
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Lake has Aaron Rodgers as QB1 this week, despite the loss of Jordy Nelson. Against a weak Chicago secondary, Rodgers should post strong numbers throwing to a combination of Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, James Jones, and Richard Rodgers. Per Vegas, the Packers are favored by nearly a full touchdown in this game, always a good sign for a starting QB.
Ryan Tannehill
It is happening. Many have predicted Ryan Tannehill becomes a regular top-ten quarterback this season, and he should start the season on the right foot against a weak Washington pass defense. Lake has Tannehill as QB6 this week. Berger is a bit more cautious with Tannehill, primarily due to the high potential for Lamar Miller to steal some of Tannehill’s thunder. Berger has Tannehill as QB10 for this week.
Sam Bradford
Season-long rankings do not reflect the ability that Bradford has to take over an offense by storm. Even in St. Louis Bradford was averaging top 10 fantasy performances before tearing his ACL. And now he has Chip Kelly and an Eagles offense that is looking unstoppable. Berger and Lake both have Bradford ranked as QB8 for Week 1 against the Falcons.
Carson Palmer
Lake has Carson Palmer at QB7 this week against a New Orleans secondary that will be missing a starting safety and starting cornerback. Expect Palmer to start 2015 off with a bang.
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Cam Newton
Cam Newton still presents huge upside thanks to his rushing, but the low ranking here represents a concern over Carolina’s lack of receiving options. Like last year, Cam is starting the season with an inexperienced — and untalented — receiving group. If Devin Funchess starts strong a la Kelvin Benjamin circa 2014, Newton could move up our weekly rankings this season, but we are starting with a healthy dose of caution.
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Week 1 QB Rankings
| Quarterback | Matchup | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady (NE) | vs PIT | 1 |
| Aaron Rodgers (GB) | at CHI | 2 |
| Andrew Luck (IND) | at BUF | 3 |
| Peyton Manning (DEN) | vs BAL | 4 |
| Tony Romo (DAL) | vs NYG | 5 |
| Russell Wilson (SEA) | at STL | 6 |
| Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | at WAS | 7 |
| Sam Bradford (PHI) | at ATL | 8 |
| Carson Palmer (ARI) | vs NO | 9 |
| Drew Brees (NO) | at ARI | 10 |
| Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | at NE | 11 |
| Matt Ryan (ATL) | vs PHI | 12 |
| Eli Manning (NYG) | at DAL | 13 |
| Andy Dalton (CIN) | at OAK | 14 |
| Philip Rivers (SD) | vs DET | 15 |
| Matthew Stafford (DET) | at SD | 16 |
| Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) | at SF | 17 |
| Cam Newton (CAR) | at JAC | 18 |
| Joe Flacco (BAL) | at DEN | 19 |
| Jay Cutler (CHI) | vs GB | 20 |
| Colin Kaepernick (SF) | vs MIN | 21 |
| Jameis Winston (TB) | vs TEN | 22 |
| Marcus Mariota (TEN) | at TB | 23 |
| Alex Smith (KC) | at HOU | 24 |
| Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | vs IND | 25 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | vs CLE | 26 |
| Brian Hoyer (HOU) | vs KC | 27 |
| Blake Bortles (JAC) | vs CAR | 28 |
| Derek Carr (OAK) | vs CIN | 29 |
| Kirk Cousins (WAS) | vs MIA | 30 |
| Josh McCown (CLE) | at NYJ | 31 |
| Nick Foles (STL) | vs SEA | 32 |
| Mark Sanchez (PHI) | at ATL | 33 |
| Colt McCoy (WAS) | vs MIA | 34 |
| E.J. Manuel (BUF) | vs IND | 35 |
