Welcome to our quarterback streaming articles for 2021! Every week we will bring you our advice on which signal-callers have the potential to help your fantasy teams win. We will look at the previous weeks’ performances, the supporting cast, the matchup, and statistical insights to offer you the clearest picture of which QB to pick up from your waiver wire.
What a miserable week for quarterbacks across the NFL as only seven signal-callers made it above 20 fantasy points as postponements and COVID outs disrupted the entire league over the past week. Included in those seven were Cam Newton, Jared Goff and Tyler Huntley – if anyone was brave enough to start any of those three then a tip of my hat to you.
Taysom Hill (9.46 fantasy points) was the most-added player across all fantasy platforms after back-to-back 20+ fantasy points outings. However, a complete non-event between the Saints and the Bucs savaged his fantasy day. It could have been worse, you could have started Tom Brady. Even though the Saints eeked out the win, it was thanks to the defense, not Hill who struggled under pressure from the Bucs elite defensive line.
Jimmy Garoppolo (13.80 fantasy points) suffered from a case of Kyle Shanahan‘s ego as he led impressive touchdown drives either side of the half only for being asked to hand off the ball to rushers to take the ball in for scores on three separate occasions. Jimmy G finally got the opportunity to throw in the red zone late in the third quarter, finding Jauan Jennings for a 6-yard score to face some fantasy face. That score put the 49ers up 31-13 and his output stagnated as San Fransisco ran out the clock.
The best of our recommended bunch was Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (15.74 fantasy points), who wasted an entire first quarter with inaccuracy and poor decision-making before springing to life to hit defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and DeVante Parker for touchdowns en-route to a comeback win for the Fins. Tua looked much more comfortable taking risks down the field but Brian Flores is still insisting on establishing a run game without the personnel to do so. Let Tua air it!
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taysom Hill, Saints | NO at TB | 51% | 9.46 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers | SF vs. ATL | 30% | 13.80 |
| Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins | MIA vs. NYJ | 34% | 15.74 |
We are going to go again with the options on the board for Week 16. Remember, the caveat is that our recommended players for streaming are less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues.
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Projected Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers | SF at TEN | 41% | 19.62 |
| Taysom Hill, Saints | NO vs. MIA | 60% | 21.69 |
| Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins | MIA at NO | 47% | 18.01 |
“The Future Is Now”
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers at Titans
The San Francisco 49ers have rode their luck and made the most of a favorable strength of schedule to emerge as a frontrunner in the NFC playoff race. The quarterback play of Jimmy Garoppolo and his chemistry with big George Kittle have been the primary catalysts for San Francisco’s good run. Remember all the Trey Lance talk? Pah, the future is now with Jimmy G playing like this. Despite the 49ers heavy run-game script, the Titans will provide a more difficult opponent and force Kyle Shanahan into allowing his QB to throw the ball more in a crucial matchup.
After missing a golden opportunity to cash in against a poor Falcons defense last week, Jimmy G gets a banged-up Titans that have bleeding yards on the ground and through the air over the past month. It’s a positive situation in terms of fantasy output.
JG finds JJ at the goal line 🙌
📺 #ATLvsSF on CBS pic.twitter.com/hxKJjkxaiF
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 19, 2021
“Over The Hill…and Back Again!”
Taysom Hill, Saints vs. Dolphins
Ouch, it was a crash-back-down-to-earth week for Saints quarterback Taysom Hill against a formidable Bucs defense who took away the run game and forced Hill to try move the sticks underneath, something the Saints were not equipped to do. Lavonte David also did an excellent job marshalling Alvin Kamara with his defensive play calling, removing Hill’s safety blanket.
This crucial matchup with the Dolphins is Hill’s audition for a gig beyond this season. Win here and the upwards trajectory looks probable. Lose and the Saints may go another way…again. Both teams go in to this game on the outside looking in in terms of the playoff picture. Hill needs a big day against a Dolphins defense that allowed 24 points to the hapless Jets.
Taysom Hill with a 🎯
— PFF NO Saints (@PFF_Saints) December 20, 2021
“Will the Championship Tua Please Stand Up”
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins at Saints
Tua Tagovailoa threw for two touchdowns and brought the Dolphins back from the dead against the Jets last week, and that was without Jaylen Waddle. The star rookie receiver will return in this tough matchup against a Saints defense that was lights out against Tom Brady and the Bucs last week. You have to bank on an error or two from Tua in this game, however you are also guaranteed some terrific throws and plenty of production – he has over 16 fantasy points in five of his last seven games.
This matchup against the Saints in New Orleans is the biggest game of Tua’s brief NFL life. It could make or break his reputation with the team and the league. He’ll come out firing and fighting.
What a throw. What a catch. 🤌
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/1Lb2qT3fOm
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 19, 2021
Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions at @benjaminhaller1.
(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire) adapted by Shawn Palmer (@palmerguyboston on twitter)