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.
We hit gold with our primary recommendation for Week 2 as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (25.26 fantasy points on Yahoo!) put in the sixth-best fantasy performance at the position, and the best performance from a QB with a roster status below 70%, in the heartbreaking loss to the Cardinals. Cousins came out firing, throwing a touchdown pass on three of the Vikings’ first four possessions, feeding star receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson alongside emerging second-year breakout KJ Osborn. Former Vikings signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater (21.22 fantasy points) also had a productive day. Teddy has been notably more aggressive with his throwing downfield, and that can only be a good thing for fantasy production. Despite losing Jerry Jeudy to injury, Courtland Sutton is primed for a huge season after registering nine catches for 159 yards. It could have been much more but Teddy underthrew him downfield for a potential walk-in score.
Our other two recommendations failed miserably, with Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (10.34 fantasy points) failing to rekindle his Week 1 heroics in a lackluster display against the Panthers, and Zach Wilson (6.30 fantasy points) falling foul of a terrible offensive gameplan against a dangerous Patriots defense. Expectations should be tempered for these two QBs in the next few weeks until we see more.
| QB | Matchup | % Rostered (Yahoo!) | Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins, Vikings | MIN at ARI | 66% | 25.26 |
| Jameis Winston, Saints | NO at CAR | 44% | 10.34 |
| Zach Wilson, Jets | NYJ vs NE | 17% | 6.30 |
| Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos | DEN at JAX | 11% | 21.22 |
Now, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 3. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins, Vikings | MIN vs. SEA | 66% | 20.20 |
| Derek Carr, Raiders | LV vs. MIA | 27% | 18.77 |
| Daniel Jones, Giants | NYG vs. ATL | 20% | 20.49 |
| Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos | DEN vs. NYJ | 17% | 19.87 |
“Game Winning Drive To Lose #3”
Kirk Cousins, Vikings vs. Seahawks
It’s been a rough couple of defeats for the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings after being in a strong position to win in each of their opening two games. Kirk Cousins has been stellar from a fantasy perspective – over the two games he has thrown for 595 yards, five passing touchdowns with no turnovers. He is currently QB10 in terms of fantasy output. The rebuilt offensive line in Minnesota is also taking shape and the signs of improvement were there for all to see on Sunday. Cousins and star running back Dalvin Cook both benefitted offensively. We spoke about the emergence of KJ Osborn last week and he didn’t disappoint, catching Cousins’ first throw of the day for a big 64-yard score.
Cousins faces a Seahawks team that shipped 33 points in the overtime loss to the Titans and looks weak from front to back. He should have plenty of opportunities to hit his favorite receivers Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson at will. Let’s just hope this time his team backs him up when it counts.
https://gfycat.com/illustriouspossiblechamois
“Carr-Renaissance”
Derek Carr, Raiders vs. Dolphins
You couldn’t blame us for being a little cautious with Derek Carr after his heroics on Monday Night Football against the Ravens in Week 1. However, after another wonderful display to lead the Raiders to their second win of the season against a stout Steelers defense, he deserves to be our second favorite streaming option at quarterback this week. Carr finished as QB6 in Week 2, going 28-of-37 for 382 yards and two scores. He seems to have an elevated belief in himself and the trust in his receivers is finally starting to develop. The sight of Carr hitting 2020 first-round selection Henry Ruggs in stride for a momentous 61-yard touchdown to catapult the Raiders to victory in the second half felt like a new age was upon us in Las Vegas.
Carr gets another impressive defense in the Dolphins this week, and after suffering an ankle injury that came back clean in Week 2 there are some doubts about his health. Jon Gruden says he will be out there for Week 3, and that is good enough for me to throw my chips in.
👌👌👌
SIXTY-ONE YARDS FOR THE @__RUGGS TUDDY!#LVvsPIT is live on CBS 📺 pic.twitter.com/XIWOHhbffY
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) September 19, 2021
“Run, Daniel! Run!”
Daniel Jones, Giants vs. Falcons
Daniel Jones is for real – over the first two games of the season, the third-year quarterback is showing signs of progression at the position after throwing for 516 yards and two touchdowns, adding 122 yards and two scores on the ground. It could have been even better if the officials didn’t incorrectly nullify a 58-yard touchdown run in the game against Washington. With work still to be done to connect with free-agent acquisition Kenny Golladay, Jones could become a serious fantasy asset this year beyond Superflex leagues. Saquon Barkley is far from the running back who warrants a top pick in fantasy drafts right now and Jones is the legitimate running threat for the Giants. We have to think of him as a dual-threat quarterback for the time being.
Jones has the Falcons this week, who arguably roll out the worst defense in football right now. Jones could be in for a bumper day through the air and on the ground.
Danny drops a DIME.@Daniel_Jones10 | @Young_Slay2 | #TogetherBlue
📺: #NYGvsWAS on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/VR50LZIQwH pic.twitter.com/lgTTO2W7gr— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2021
“Teddy In The Jet Stream”
Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos vs. Jets
A more aggressive Teddy Bridgewater can only be a good thing for the NFL and the Denver Broncos. Starved of a genuine threat at the position since Peyton Manning left, Teddy offers this talented Broncos offense a consistent good-level of quarterback play. That cannot be underestimated. One of the biggest question marks over the Broncos this year was whether elite wide receiver Courtland Sutton could quickly return to the form we saw before his devastating ACL injury. We got the answer last weekend as the two lit up the Jacksonville defense.
Up next for the Broncos are the 0-2 Jets with rookie Zach Wilson in the midst of serious NFL growing pains. It is one of the best matchups for any quarterback in Week 3. Robert Saleh has had zero effect on this hapless Jets team so far, and I don’t see that changing against a resurgent Broncos on both sides of the ball.
Go long, @SuttonCourtland!
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/MMvIHYhPp2
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 19, 2021
Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions at @benjaminhaller1.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire