Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 1 Quarterback Picks

Week 1 features some interesting matchups for the top fantasy quarterbacks. Two of the top 5 QB's will be going head to head in the Thursday night kickoff game featuring the Saints and the Packers. Although I anticipate a great game, I doubt either Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees will have a huge statistical night since each team has a solid defense. At least, there are better values this week.

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For Week 1:

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1. Michael Vick

The only knock against Vick as a fantasy quarterback is that he is prone to injury. However, if you are playing in a one week league, this is not an issue. Vick should be as healthy this week as he will be all year. Also, Andy Reid and the Eagles will pile on the score to show off their new "Dream Team." The Rams are young and getting better, but their defense will not be able to contain Vick.

2. Tom Brady

Miami looks to be a bad team that is getting worse, and Belichick and Brady would love to exploit them on Monday Night Football. Chad Ochocinco may not still have the same burst he once did, but the tight ends Gronkowski and Hernandez will be incorporated more into the Patriots offense this year. Brady will spread the ball around and could easily end up with four or five touchdowns.

3. Aaron Rodgers

Although I do not love the matchup against the Saints on Thursday, he was still the top fantasy quarterback last year and will get his numbers. Rodgers has a great group of receivers led by Greg Jennings, and adding Jermichael Finley who missed almost all of last year will be a great new option. Also the inexperience of Ryan Grant should lead to Green Bay throwing a lot of passes.

4. Phillip Rivers

The Chargers have started slowly the last several years, but it was not for a lack of production from Phillip Rivers. Minnesota has a solid defense, but they will struggle while they integrate Donovan McNabb into the offense. Rivers and Vincent Jackson looked very sharp in the preseason and it looks like the Chargers pass happy offense will really explode this season.

5. Matt Schaub

The Texans catch a huge break going by getting to play the Colts without Peyton Manning for the first time since 1997. How does this affect Schaub? If Kerry Collins is unable to sustain drives, the Texans could possess the ball for the majority of the game Sunday. I expect Arian Foster to establish a solid running game, which will open up the play action bombs downfield to Andre Johnson and over the middle to Owen Daniels.

Sleeper: Kyle Orton

Orton is a solid QB who has the ability to put up really big numbers. He started 2010 with five straight games over 295 yards. He gets less credit because he is constantly thrown into Jay Cutler or Tim Tebow drama. But he is a great value playing against the hapless Raiders, whose pass defense should be much worse with the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha.

Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 1 Quarterback Picks

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Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 2 Quarterback Picks

1. Michael Vick

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Sunday Night Football will be a track meet as Vick returns to Atlanta with the Eagles. Philadelphia is still trying to prove they are a "Dream Team," and Vick will want to show off in his return to Atlanta. The Falcons on the other hand will be fighting to not go down 0-2, after being the number one seed last year. Both teams will put up a lot points, which will be good for fantasy teams.

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2. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers was incredible in the Thursday night opener, and he should be able to put up similar numbers against a bad Carolina defense. Also, while Ryan Grant is working his way back into the offense, the Packers will continue to pass much more than run.

3. Tom Brady

Brady set all kinds of records putting up 511 yards against Miami on Monday night. He will come back to Earth against a solid San Diego defense, but he is still the best QB in the league. He will put up strong numbers, especially as the Patriots struggle to find a consistent running back.

4. Matt Schaub

Kerry Collins got a lot of the blame for the Texans drumming of the Colts, but Indianapolis was unable to stop the Texans in the first half. Schaub did not have a huge fantasy day, but his touchdowns should increase this week. The Dolphins pass defense was atrocious against the Patriots, and Schaub will exploit Miami's defense for a big day in week 2.

5. Tony Romo

Despite falling apart the final 3 possessions in New York, Romo had a really good fantasy week. The Jets have an elite defense, which Romo, Dez Bryant, and Jason Witten were able to move the ball against for three quarters. San Francisco struggled to stop one of the worst offenses in the league lead by Tarvaris Jackson. Romo will have a big day in a bounce back game for the Cowboys.

Sleeper: Matt Stafford

The Lions beat down Tampa Bay, which has a pretty good defense. Stafford to Calvin Johnson is a great matchup that will put up huge numbers if they can both stay healthy this year. This week the Lions return home against a Kansas City defense that gave up 41 points to the Bills last week. Stafford and Johnson are a greater scoring threat than anyone on the Bills, and although KC should play better, Detroit has the ability to hang 30 or 40 points on them.

Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 2 Quarterback Picks

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Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 3 Quarterback Picks

Passing yards are at on all time high, especially through only 2 weeks, making fantasy quarterbacks more important than they've ever been. Whether its Tom Brady going over 500 yards on Monday Night Football, or Cam Newton putting up over 400 yards in his first two games in the NFL, quarterbacks have never put up more fantasy points. Make sure you get a top quarterback if you want to compete in week 3.

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Week 3

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1. Tom Brady

Brady is on pace to set every passing record in the NFL after his first two weeks. It is unlikely he will keep up this pace, but the Bills gave up 35 points to the Raiders, and will have no success slowing down the Pats. Brady is the early favorite for MVP, and definitely the best fantasy QB in the league.

2. Phillip Rivers

Rivers has not been great out of the gate, but he has been solid, and should pick up the pace against KC who has given up 89 points in their first two games. Rivers and the Chargers will thrash the Chiefs, in a solid bounce back game after returning home from New England.

3. Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben had an awful first week against an inspired Baltimore defense, but he got on track against a bad Seahawks defense, which will carry over against the Colts on Sunday Night. The Colts defense made Colt McCoy look unstoppable after he couldn't move the ball against the Bengals in week 1. Roethlisberger to Wallace will put up even bigger numbers than the Browns in a route.

4. Drew Brees

The Texans defense looks the best it has ever looked, but the Saints just put up 30 on a strong Bears defense at home in week 2. Drew Brees is unstoppable in the Superdome. It will be up to Matt Schaub and the Texans offense to make this a game because Brees will light up the scoreboard.

5. Aaron Rodgers

The Packers have a tough matchup this week at Chicago. The Bears are tough and will play inspired against their division rival. However, that is the only reason Rodgers is down to five on this list because he continues to put up big numbers every week no matter the opponent.

Sleeper: Ryan Fitzpatrick

The Bills offense has been great through two weeks against a terrible and mediocre team. New England will be a much tougher test, but the Patriots offense is not the strength of their team. Fitzpatrick should put up big numbers as the Bills try to keep up with Tom Brady and the Pats in a shootout.

Weekly Fantasy Football - Week 3 Quarterback Picks

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