Fantasy Football Week 9: Quarterback rankings for 2-QB leagues
By Dan Salem
Deciding who to start in Fantasy Football Week 9 is so simple. Play the quarterback who won’t throw any interceptions, ideally versus a cupcake defense. These are your QB rankings for 2-QB leagues.
Fantasy football is so simple. Last week in this space, we both highlighted how valuable Daniel Jones would be if he didn’t turn the ball over. In Week 8 against Detroit, he didn’t throw any interceptions and was the leading fantasy quarterback in the league.
We also unexpectedly welcomed Drew Brees back into the fold a week ahead of New Orleans’ bye. Brees did play, but Matt Ryan and Patrick Mahomes did not. Nevertheless, Atlanta’s and Kansas City’s quarterbacks were both worthy of starting in two-QB leagues.
In fact, Matt Schaub and Matt Moore were actually among the top 12 scorers at the position last week. And to add one more quirk to last week’s action, Brees wasn’t the only Saints quarterback to be worthy of top-24 status. Taysom Hill finished as the 18th QB (in PPR) thanks to his work as a receiver.
See, this game is so simple. So who’s the best quarterback play in Fantasy Football Week 9? We’ve got your exclusive rankings right here.
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate Fantasy Football Week 9 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Fantasy Football Week 9 – The Top 12
Aaron Rodgers (Dan’s Ranking: 1, Todd’s Ranking: 2), Deshaun Watson (Dan: 3, Todd: 1), Russell Wilson (TIE – Dan: 2, Todd: 5), Dak Prescott (TIE – Dan: 4, Todd: 3), Tom Brady (Dan: 7, Todd: 4), Matthew Stafford (Dan: 5, Todd: 7), Lamar Jackson (Dan: 8, Todd: 6), Gardner Minshew (Dan: 9, Todd: 8), Kirk Cousins (Dan: 6, Todd: 12), Josh Allen (Dan: 10, Todd: 10), Jameis Winston (Dan: 12, Todd: 9), Daniel Jones (Dan: 11, Todd: 11)
13. TIE – Carson Wentz (Dan: 13, Todd: 15)
Dan Salem: Philadelphia has impressed me the last few weeks, and now Wentz gets a sneaky juicy matchup. Chicago has been unimpressive this season. I’m looking for the Eagles’ offense to truly assert itself.
Todd Salem: From the sixth-ranked pass defense to the ninth, Wentz actually gets a let-up by facing Chicago. After the bye the following week, in comes the second-best pass defense, so Wentz will struggle to reach top-12 status for a while.
13. TIE – Sam Darnold (Dan: 15, Todd: 13)
Dan Salem: There is no sweeter medicine than playing the Dolphins. Darnold is due for a clean game and a return to his usual self. This means some great fantasy value this week.
Todd Salem: This is the culmination of my Darnold plan. Add him during Week 7, trot him out during Week 8, and rely on him for Weeks 9 through 14 when the schedule gets as easy as pie. If Darnold falters here, it’s time to rethink his usefulness the rest of the way.
15. Derek Carr (Dan: 16, Todd: 14)
Dan Salem: Carr might dominate, or the Detroit defense could assert itself. Even the middle ground is more attractive than everyone lower on this list. Carr is worth the risk.
Todd Salem: Carr has been quietly serviceable for a few weeks now. Considering the level of defenses facing some of his ranking peers coming up, Carr slides in comfortably in the top 15.
16. Jacoby Brissett (Dan: 14, Todd: 17)
Dan Salem: Time for a bounce-back game against a lackluster opponent. If the Colts are a true playoff team, which I believe they are, then Brissett will lead a dominant victory over the Steelers.
Todd Salem: Sensing a pattern? Brissett struggled against the fifth-best pass defense and now faces the 10th-best. You can quibble with the order of these QBs 15-17. None of them has a great situation in Week 9.
17. Philip Rivers (Dan: 17, Todd: 16)
Dan Salem: Something is off with Rivers this season and it doesn’t get any easier versus Green Bay. My hope is that his becomes a shoot out and Rivers gets great fantasy numbers because of it.
Todd Salem: See Wentz. Rivers goes from facing the ninth-best pass defense to the eighth.
18. Ryan Tannehill (Dan: 18, Todd: 18)
Dan Salem: There’s no denying his value thus far. I also like his chances against the Panthers, who appear unpredictable from week to week.
Todd Salem: This will be the ultimate test for Tannehill, who has gotten off to a swell start in replacing Marcus Mariota. The Carolina Panthers are secretly an elite pass defense this season. Tannehill is averaging 19.5 fantasy points in his two starts. He will be hard-pressed to reach that mark again this week.
19. TIE – Matt Moore (Dan: 20, Todd: 20)
Dan Salem: Kansas City has a ton of weapons for him and the Vikings are not perfect. Just don’t expect too much magic from Moore.
Todd Salem: Patrick Mahomes is expected to miss at least one more game, opening the door for Moore to have another nice outing. He was good against Green Bay, which surprised many. Minnesota is no pushover either.
19. TIE – Kyler Murray (Dan: 21, Todd: 19)
Dan Salem: I don’t like the matchup, but playing on Thursday opens the door for some fireworks. Murray will either boom or bust completely.
Todd Salem: Two bad weeks in a row likely won’t end with San Francisco’s top-ranked pass defense on the docket in a short week.
21. Ryan Fitzpatrick (Dan: 19, Todd: 22)
Dan Salem: This is a risky play, because the Jets enter with a huge chip on their shoulder and a lot to prove. But Fitzpatrick seems to always come through and New York’s secondary is suspect.
Todd Salem: I’m as surprised as you are that Fitzpatrick is worthy of starting, but his numbers have been okay against two straight really good defenses.
22. Baker Mayfield (Dan: 22, Todd: 21)
Dan Salem: Things just stay hard for Mayfield against the stingy Denver defense. He just happens to be better than the guys below him.
Todd Salem: Mayfield salvaged a usable week against New England. He gets a slight reprieve facing Denver.
23. Jimmy Garoppolo (Dan: 23, Todd: 23)
Dan Salem: San Francisco will keep winning with defense and their running game, especially on Thursday against Arizona. I have low expectations for Garoppolo.
Todd Salem: You can’t avoid him entirely in two-QB leagues, but he’s topped 15 fantasy points just once this season. He’s a low ceiling player that has a good matchup.
Next. NFL Week 9 Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS). dark
24. Mason Rudolph (Dan: 24, Todd: 24)
Dan Salem: The Colts defense has shown weakness, so perhaps Rudolph capitalizes. Either way, someone has to be last on this list.
Todd Salem: My final spot comes down to Rudolph or Mitch Trubisky. As odd as it may sound, Rudolph has the higher floor, which is what I’m banking on this week. I can’t take any more single-digit scoring weeks out of my quarterback.