Fantasy football managers are entering a crucial stretch where every lineup choice matters. This week’s matchups feature a few surprising options who have quietly turned into reliable producers.
While recent performances may have flown under the radar, the numbers behind them tell a different story. If you’re searching for late-season stability or a spark at quarterback, these names deserve a closer look.
Joe Flacco, Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
Joe Flacco is just over the 50% threshold for this article, but at 52%, he was a must-mention. The veteran quarterback has been a revelation since being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, and is the QB1 in FPPG (fantasy points per game – 25.5) since joining the team.
On just a few days’ notice, Flacco put in a QB15 performance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Since then, Flacco has been a top-seven fantasy quarterback in all of his active weeks and hasn’t thrown fewer than two touchdowns in any game for the Bengals.
This week, he faces a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed 269.4 passing yards per game, the most in the NFL. If available, Flacco should be prioritized over both of the other quarterbacks on this list and could realistically remain in your starting lineup until Joe Burrow returns.
Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (vs. SF)
Unlike Flacco, this is Jacoby Brissett’s first inclusion in one of these articles this year, but it probably shouldn’t be. The veteran has excelled since stepping in for Kyler Murray in Week 6, so much so that Murray has been quietly dropped as the team’s starter.
Brissett has been a top-12 fantasy quarterback in all four of his starts for Arizona, despite playing some impressive defenses in Green Bay and the Seattle Seahawks. Brissett has attempted at least 31 passes in all four starts, even when Arizona has played with a lead, and like Flacco, has thrown at least two touchdowns every time.
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Now firmly entrenched as the team’s starter for the foreseeable future, Brissett could become a weekly fantasy option, and even a must-start if he continues his great form. The veteran hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 6 and is the QB8 in FPPG (21.4) since being handed the starting job.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CIN)
Aaron Rodgers has underwhelmed recently, as has the Pittsburgh Steelers offense as a whole. However, three of Rodgers’ top four fantasy weeks have come in three of the four games in which the team has conceded over 30 points.
While Arthur Smith’s tight-end-heavy approach has limited Pittsburgh’s big-play threat at times, Rodgers has been able to open things up when needed. He’ll almost certainly need to do that against Flacco and the Bengals this weekend.
No team has scored more points over its last four games than Cincinnati (131). Interestingly, though, only one team has allowed more points in its last four games than Cincinnati (144).
Flacco and Rodgers ranked sixth and seventh among quarterbacks in fantasy when the Steelers met the Bengals in Week 7. In their two games since, the Bengals have averaged 40 points on offense, yet somehow managed to lose both.
