QB rankings and streaming advice for Week 3 of the 2018 fantasy football season.

The second week of the NFL season will be remembered as the time Ryan Fitzpatrick celebrated his second consecutive 400+ passing yard performance by turning into Conor McGregor, and prompting a response by Troy Aikman.

At the ripe age of 35, Fitzpatrick has proven that you’re never too old to reach your peak NFL potential. Fitzpatrick’s 72.3 fantasy points are the most through two team games by any player in the last 15 seasons. Is it enough to secure Fitzpatrick the starting position after Jameis Winston returns from suspension next week? We will soon find out.

Fitzpatrick’s sensational performances on and off the field overshadowed another rising star, Patrick Mahomes, whose six touchdowns against the Steelers tied Len Dawson for the Chiefs’ single-game record. His 10 total touchdown passes thus far are the most ever by a single player through the first two games of a regular season. And for one more stat, Mahomes and Fitzpatrick have combined to throw for 1,401 yards, 18 TDs and 1 INT in those two weeks.

Any. Given. Sunday.

My week was not as exciting as Mahomes’ or Fitzpatrick’s, largely because I failed to pick Fitzmagic once again. Luckily for the Broncos though, Case Keenum was able to bounce back from his frustrating first half performance to lead a game-winning drive and take the Broncos 2-0. You could reach and call Foles tripling last week’s fantasy points a bounceback, but now it’s Carson Wentz’s turn for his bounceback performance.

This week, we saw five quarterbacks with over 30 fantasy points. In Weeks 1 through 16 last season, there were 17 total 30+ fantasy performances. Given that one of those in Week 2 was a backup quarterback, streaming is more relevant than ever before.

Week 2 Quarterback Rankings

TwoQB Pick of the Week – Blake Bortles vs Titans

Projected: 15
Ownership: 15.5%
GSLP: 20.8

I’ve never been much of a Bortles believer, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that Bortles had his fifth career game with four-plus touchdown passes. All other QBs in Jaguars history have combined for four such games. We can attribute some of this success to his offensive line, which didn’t give up a single sack or even hit on Bortles last week. Though I don’t expect Bortles to put up the same numbers he has to start the season, he does have an ideal matchup to give him 2QB appeal.

The Titans are a fairly mediocre defense, allowing Deshaun Watson to pass for over 300 yards and two touchdowns last week. Given that Bortles costs just $6,700 on FanDuel and has ranked as QB13, QB9 and QB4 for each of the last three years, he is capable of maintaining similar performances to the one he produced last week in the win against New England. The concern would be the return of Leonard Fournette, as Bortles is now 4-0 in games without him. Until we’ve seen what will become of them both on the field, however, Bortles has proven he can produce favorable 2QB numbers.

Favorite Streamer – Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Steelers

Projected: 19.7
Ownership: 31.7%
GSLP: 24.8

Alright, I’m in. Is it too late to jump on? Ryan Fitzpatrick is first on the rankings for a reason, though still owned in just 31.7 percent of ESPN leagues (we need more 2QB leagues). Fitzpatrick currently leads the league with 819 passing yards, eight touchdowns and one interception across just two weeks – and against New Orleans and Philadelphia. Now, the Fitzmagic will eventually dry out – whether by Winston taking back his post or Fitzpatrick turning back into a pumpkin – but it doesn’t look like that will happen this week against the Steelers.

After all, Mahomes scored those six touchdowns and had over 300 passing yards last week against this Steelers defense. Expect Fitzpatrick to work his Fitzmagic, riding this high with QB1 numbers into Week 3.

“Bounceback Candidate” – Carson Wentz vs Colts

Projected: 19.1
Ownership: 96.1%
FanDuel: $7,400*

Carson Wentz is finally ready to return under center for the Eagles after recovering from a 2017 ACL surgery that sidelined him in Week 14, through the post-season and eventual Super Bowl win. Considering the favorable matchup against the Colts in his return to the Linc, fantasy managers should be eager to finally take Wentz off their bench.

Frankly, I’m a bit less than sold on Wentz this week. I’d like to give him a “show me” week before I’m fully on board, especially at his current FanDuel price point. There are enough streaming options between Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill and Case Keenum to hold off for one week in certain circumstances.

Regardless, I do think he’s set to bounce back (eventually) and reinvigorate the Eagles offense after a rather lackluster start to the season. Expect Wentz to spread the ball out, but keep things safe. I don’t anticipate the coaches will allow Wentz to be as active on the ground as he once was, but that doesn’t mean he can’t find success down the field.