DFS: Week 8 Quarterback Value Rankings
Here are theScore's quarterback value rankings for Week 8 (Thursday night and Sunday morning games excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andy Dalton (CIN) | at PIT | Low |
| 2 | Philip Rivers (SD) | at BAL | Low |
| 3 | Drew Brees (NO) | vs. NYG | Low |
Dalton gets the edge over Rivers by virtue of having a slightly lower salary, but both quarterbacks are primed for big games. The Bengals should rack up points against a porous Pittsburgh secondary, while Rivers and the Chargers will face little resistance as they take on the Ravens in Baltimore. Brees has a favorable matchup at home against the mediocre Giants.
Next 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Eli Manning (NYG) | at NO | Low |
| 5 | Russell Wilson (SEA) | at DAL | Low |
| 6 | Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) | at CHI | Low |
Manning has been a mostly frustrating DFS option to date, but gets a solid matchup in Week 8 against a Saints defense that played well in the first half of its win against the Indianapolis Colts, but struggled after the break. Wilson's dual-threat abilities make him a matchup nightmare for the Cowboys, while Bridgewater should build off a solid Week 7 showing as he faces Chicago.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Peyton Manning (DEN) | vs. GB | Medium |
| 8 | Matt Ryan (ATL) | vs. TB | Medium |
| 9 | Carson Palmer (ARI) | at CLE | Medium |
| 10 | Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | vs. CIN | Medium |
| 11 | Aaron Rodgers (GB) | at DEN | Medium |
| 12 | Cam Newton (CAR) | vs. IND | Medium |
| 13 | Jay Cutler (CHI) | vs. MIN | Medium |
| 14 | Jameis Winston (TB) | at ATL | Medium |
| 15 | Joe Flacco (BAL) | vs. SD | Medium |
If Manning can't manufacture much at home coming off a bye, it might be time to bid him adieu in DFS for good. Rodgers' higher salary and a matchup with the Broncos' airtight defense makes him a riskier pick this week, while rookie Winston is in position to return solid value despite facing a challenging road encounter.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Andrew Luck (IND) | at CAR | High |
| 17 | Nick Foles (STL) | vs. SF | High |
| 18 | Derek Carr (OAK) | vs. NYJ | High |
| 19 | Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | at OAK | High |
| 20 | Josh McCown (CLE) | vs. ARI | High |
| 21 | Brian Hoyer (HOU) | vs. TEN | High |
| 22 | Zach Mettenberger (TEN) | at HOU | High |
| 23 | Matt Cassel (DAL) | vs. SEA | High |
| 24 | Colin Kaepernick (SF) | at STL | High |
Luck is a major risk this week, facing the daunting Panthers' pass defense in Carolina. McCown may not play this week due to an arm injury; if Johnny Manziel starts instead, bump him down a spot or two. And what does it say about the state of the San Francisco offense that Kaepernick is one of the cheapest options in DFS - and still isn't a recommended play?