Week 3 Rankings: Quarterbacks

Here's Week 3 for QBs. I'm higher on Ryan, Roethlisberger and Alex Smith (as much as it pains me) more than most people would be, but given the matchups and performance thus far, I'm pretty confident about them. Also really low on Vick this week. That Cardinals defense is super-sneaky good and if Maclin's out, Peterson will shut down Jackson. They'll have to run or rely completely on Celek. I think they run.

Rank	Quarterback	Opp.	Comments
1	Drew Brees	KC	He's putting up numbers no matter the outcome, he's a safe bet. Colston injury a non-factor, Sproles and Graham top targets.
2	Aaron Rodgers	@SEA	Come on, you're not sitting him and he's still safer than Newton. Jennings will be back, too many weapons for Seahawks D.
3	Cam Newton	NYG	Underachieving front 7, beat up secondary for NY should be a field day for Newton. If Giants hang 30, Panthers have to match.
4	Matthew Stafford	@TEN	Don't count him out just yet. After two tough games to start out the season, Stafford bounces back against a porous Titans D.
5	Robert Griffin III	CIN	The top QB through the first two weeks gets to face a defense who looked completely lost against Cleveland. RGIII owners, enjoy.
6	Matt Ryan	@SD	All in on Matty Ice this year. Chargers D is giving up the 15th most to QBs, and that's after playing Palmer and Locker.
7	Tom Brady	@BAL	The loss of Aaron Hernandez hurts, but he's still the commander of a very prolific and loaded offense.
8	Ben Roethlisberger	@OAK	Raiders defense can't get to the QB and even made Tannehill look completely polished last week. I'm high on Ben, but it'll pay off.
9	Eli Manning	@CAR	The biggest grab-bag surprise from week-to-week. Expect the high yardage total to continue, but the TD:INT ratio may hurt.
10	Tony Romo	TB	Bucs give up a ton to QBs and not much to RBs. Adds up to a good week for Romo and a lot of targets for Witten.
11	Alex Smith	@MIN	I'm really high on him this week. I think the Vikes do a good job containing the run, Smith will pick apart the secondary.
12	Philip Rivers	ATL	Rivers shined last week without having Antonio Gates. Falcons D is intimidating after shutting down Peyton, but still beatable.
13	Peyton Manning	HOU	Coming off of a bad week against ATL,now going against a better defense, but it's still Peyton. Two bad weeks in a row? Not likely.
14	Michael Vick	@ARI	Vick has turned it over a LOT. If Maclin's out, Peterson will shut down DeSean Jackson. They'll have to run to win. No options.
15	Joe Flacco	NE	Even though they've leaned on Flacco a lot, they won't be able to ignore Rice against this Pats defense. Limited opportunity.
16	Jay Cutler	STL	Cutler will bounce back and will pick apart this defense. However, if it doesn't stay close, might be a short night for him.
17	Andrew Luck	JAC	Would be a great play, but Jags dead last against the run. Big day for Donald Brown, Luck won't have to do much.
18	Andy Dalton	@WSH	Dalton is scary. He loves to sling it but they'll have to run against a depleted Redskins front. Secondary is sneaky good.
19	Josh Freeman	@DAL	Freeman's playing very well this season and this Cowboys defense is hit-or-miss. If you start him, better hope they miss.
20	Matt Schaub	@DEN	Run-first team by far at this point, plus Broncos pass rush is a nightmare. Don't expect Schaub to have to do much.
21	Matt Cassel	@NO	Saints giving up a ton to opposing QBs, and if the offense clicks, Cassel will have to pass while Saints hang 40+.
22	Mark Sanchez	@MIA	Fins defense hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in quite some time, so if the Jets succeed, Sanchez will have a good game.
23	Sam Bradford	@CHI	They'll have to throw and he's coming off a hot start last week. Wouldn't be the worst play, but probably have better options.
24	Ryan Fitzpatrick	@CLE	Hasn't played all that well this year and CJ Spiller has the hot hand (foot). Low end QB2 at this point and nothing more.
25	Brandon Weeden	BUF	Bills D gave up big days to Mark Sanchez and Matt Cassel, and he's coming off a good week but there has to be a better option.
26	Jake Locker	DET	This is a beatable secondary, but the O-line is awful and the Lions pass rush will eat him alive. Steer clear.
27	Kevin Kolb	PHI	He's done wonders for me as a fan and I'm starting to love the guy, but this is still a tough Philly D. Don't get carried away.
28	Christian Ponder	SF	Don't. Just don't. Don't do it.