Fantasy Football Week 2: Top 5 quarterbacks to start

Week 1 of the NFL season provided fantasy football owners with some great, and some awful, fantasy performances from quarterbacks. Before you save your lineup, take a look at the top five quarterbacks you should start this week.

In last week‘s top five quarterbacks you should start in fantasy football, I listed four signal callers that were top 10 scoring fantasy QBs in ESPN PPR standard scoring leagues. Drew Brees was second, Philip Rivers was third, Aaron Rodgers was five, and Tom Brady was eight.

No one could have predicted who came in first on that list: Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz brought the Fitzmagic with him to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which he put on full display on Sunday. He led all quarterbacks with 42.3 fantasy points.

Then there were players like Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan, and Matthew Stafford that left fantasy football owners in the dust with abysmal games. Quarterback play is crucial to any fantasy success, so let’s see some of the new faces who landed on this week’s top five quarterbacks to start in your fantasy league.

5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes isn’t a rookie, but he finds himself right up there with the likes of Sam Darnold as far as hype around young starters goes. Mahomes is known for his athleticism and an absolute cannon of an arm, and he put those skills on display when the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

The gunslinger finished fourth behind Fitzpatrick, Brees, and Rivers for most fantasy points by a QB. He finished with 28.3 points, which was highlighted by his four touchdown throws.

You could not have asked for more from Mahomes. While his yardage total was a bit low, he didn’t turn the ball over.

Mahomes and the Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2. The Steelers may seem like a tough matchup, but they allowed Cleveland Browns signal caller Tyrod Taylor to rack up 23.6 fantasy points in Week 1.

Next: 4. Philip Rivers

4. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers

Philip Rivers was on the opposing side of Mahomes’ stellar game. Well, Rivers was no slouch either.

As said before, Rivers finished third in fantasy scoring for quarterbacks in Week 1. Week 2 may be very similar as the Los Angeles Chargers and Rivers are scheduled to play the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills did not play well against the Baltimore Ravens in their first game, as they surrendered 47 points to a decent offensive Ravens team. The only downside to this game is that Rivers and the Chargers may run the ball much more. Why? Because if they play like the Ravens then they will be playing with a big lead for most of the game.

However, Rivers will still get his reps even if the Chargers play with a big lead. A couple hundred yards and a few touchdowns look to be a lock for Rivers.

Next: 3. Aaron Rodgers

3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Disclaimer: Aaron Rodgers is ranked three due to his potential injury. Yes, he would be ranked higher if he was fully healthy and we knew more about his playing status.

Rodgers had Green Bay Packers fans holding their breath after he briefly exited Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Bears. He left on a cart with a very upset and distraught look on his face.

But, we all forgot he is Aaron Rodgers. He came back in and led the Pack to an improbable comeback. He finished with 24.9 fantasy points after doing little to nothing before his injury exit.

If Rodgers is healthy, then he is an absolute lock. If not, then he may struggle. The Packers counteracted any further risk of injury by calling a lot plays out of shotgun down the stretch against the Bears. However, they may not be able to get away with that again.

Next: 2. Cam Newton

2. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

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The second spot may seem high for a player who often times suffers from inconsistencies, but Cam Newton still comes in at the two spot this week. He didn’t throw up a lot of points against the Dallas Cowboys, yet he still had a solid day.

Newton’s 18.2 fantasy points were respectable. This week he and the Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons defense looked good when it came to the pass defense. That unit only allowed Philadelphia Eagles signal caller, Nick Foles, to 5.1 fantasy points.

Newton is a completely different beast, and the Panthers utilize him through the air and on the ground. The Panthers may be without Greg Olsen, but Newton will make due and have a solid day for fantasy owners.

Next: 1. Drew Brees

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

When it comes to Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints, there is some good and bad news. The bad news? The Saints gave up 48 points and lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home. The good news? Brees scored 31.6 fantasy points.

Brees is one of those guys that you never really have to worry about. The Saints love running their offense with a vertical look, meaning he will throw the ball a lot.

The pass-heavy style won’t change for Brees and company when they play the Cleveland Browns this upcoming week. The Browns are an interesting team, especially after they held the Steelers offense in check.

Don’t worry though. Brees and the Saints know they cannot afford to go 0-2, so they will try to make a statement here in Week 2.