Here are the fantasy football quarterback rankings for the divisional round of the 2013 NFL playoffs.
1. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Andy Dalton was kept in check against the Texans in wildcard weekend, but Brady is a different animal. Though Tom Brady and company won’t be as deadly as the 42-14 blowout in Week 14 where Tom Terrific tossed four touchdowns with 296 yards, he’s definitely capable of putting together a monster game, especially with Rob Gronkowski back in his arsenal.
2. Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers)
Rodgers is performing at a level as high as any QB has ever played in NFL history. He is the career leader in passer rating in both the regular season and the postseason. The San Francisco 49ers are a tall order, but with his full assortment of weapons, Aaron Rodgers is as deadly as they come.
Photo Credit: 49ers
3. Peyton Manning (Denver Broncos)
Peyton Manning did have a couple of slow games in Week 14 and 15, but he bounced back with three TDs and over 300 yards through the air in the final two games of the regular season. One of those slow games happened in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens.
However, the Broncos were aided by a defensive score and a strong ground game as the team jumped out to a decisive early lead en route to a 34-17 victory. Expect the Ravens to put up more of a fight this time around, which will mean a heavier dose of Manning.
4. Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks)
The last rookie QB standing after Andrew Luck and RGIII exited stage right, Russell Wilson has averaged 54.8 yards per game on the ground against the past six opponents, including last week against the Washington Redskins when he had 67 rushing yards. In addition, Wilson has thrown just two interceptions while tossing 17 TDs in his past nine games.
5. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
Like Manning, Matty Ice had a small dip in production prior to a strong finish (disregarding Week 17 when the Falcons were coasting). Though the Seahawks are on fire right now, the team did seem vulnerable early in last week’s wild-card win over Washington.
6. Matt Schaub (Houston Texans)
Matt Schaub is inconsistent, but he has a favorable matchup against New England’s secondary and showed some positive signs despite the way he handled things in the red zone last Saturday.
Houston will have to play ball control and run the ball very effectively this Sunday. However, look for the Patriots to put up points, which will mean Schaub will have to go to the air early and often. He can do some damage against that secondary.
7. Joe Flacco (Baltimore Ravens)
Joe Flacco is the Rodney Dangerfield of NFL QBs. He gets no respect. All he does is win at least one playoff game every year. However, I don’t love him as a quarterback option against a tough team in Denver.
8. Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers)
Green Bay had a little difficulty dealing with the running ability of Vikings QB Joe Webb last weekend until he proved that he couldn’t pass the ball. Colin Kaepernick has the ability to make plays on his feet, but unlike Webb, he can actually beat you with his arm as well. The stage could be a little intimating for Kaepernick, nevertheless.
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