Quarterback Analysis: NFL Wild Card Round

Cash Game Plays

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Unlike the running back piece I did, I actually feel safe deploying these names, starting with Russell Wilson. He was a different animal over the second half of the season, throwing three or more touchdowns in six of seven games. There was a game against the Vikings mixed in there, where he threw for 274 yards, and three passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota ranks as the 11th best pass defense, per Football Outsiders. Wilson is not in the best matchup this week, but he has been the most stable of the eight quarterbacks. Wilson's ability to tack on rushing yards, generates an extra couple of fantasy points for his floor. He has 553 rushing yards on the season, averaging 6.4 rushing attempts per game. Seattle has the third highest team total, just a shade under Washington, and Pittsburgh. They also are tied with the Steelers' with the most points per game among the teams on the slate. With Pittsburgh in a tougher matchup, I will lean with the more versatile QB, Wilson. He gives you the floor you want in cash games, but also has a ceiling to place you high in GPP's.

Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

With a slate that features Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger, you probably are wondering why Kirk Cousins is here, right? Well, Captain Kirk has been dominant down the stretch, and well Green Bay's defense has been subpar of late. Cousins posted severe home-away splits this season, averaging about seven more fantasy points per game at home, than on the road. Cousins had 11 touchdowns in the final three games of the season, including a meaningless game against Dallas, where he threw the ball just 15 times. Green Bay ranks 6th against the pass this season, per FO. This is not going to fend me off Cousins, and it hasn't with Vegas either. They have the second highest team total on the slate, behind Pittsburgh. Cousins finished the season with the 5th highest passer rating (101.6), and the highest completion percentage. (69.8) He has a great connection with Jordan Reed, and DeSean Jackson has inserted some life into the deep passing game. He is your value cash game option this week.

GPP Plays

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

The offensive line has been awful, Davante Adams can't catch a ball, and the running game has been inconsistent leading to a predictable offense at times. It is still Aaron Rodgers, and he is still capable of dropping four touchdowns, and 300 yards on a defense. We have seen it season, although not as much as years in the past. Washington is a subpar defense, ranking 18th in defending the pass, per FO. Washington ranks 25th in passing yards allowed per game, and have allowed 22.7 points per game this season. A Packers' stack is very cheap as well, with James Jones being an almost must play this week at his price, and Randall Cobb's underachieving season leading to a cheaper price tag. I believe Aaron Rodgers and company will be an under-owned team this weekend. Big Ben is likely going to be the GPP target everyone is after, so a Rodgers swerve is definitely worth a look.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Speaking of Big Ben, he has the toughest matchup of any QB this weekend, making him a tournament play only. With DeAngelo Williams likely on the shelf, I can see the Steelers airing it out this weekend, or at least trying to. The volume should be unmatched by most QB's in the wild card round, which could carry him to a high ceiling. He leads the league in passing yards per game, and we know he pairs up well with those Pittsburgh wideouts. Cincinnati has allowed 248 passing yards per game, which ranks 20th in the league, but they do not allow touchdowns. They have allowed an average of 16.3 points per game this season, and Pittsburgh has seen that number both times they played Cincy. Two of Antonio Brown's worst games this season came against Cincinnati, which means Big Ben struggled as well. Pittsburgh was held to just 10 points in there first matchup, while the second was taken over by the defense, and running game. He threw just one touchdown between the two games. Cincinnati has the 10th ranked pass defense, per FO, and have limited opposing WR1, ranking in the top half.

A.J. McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' running game has not been a strong point this season for them, and if this game somehow turns into a shootout, A.J. McCarron is more than capable of putting up a fight. In the Pittsburgh game where he came in for Andy Dalton, McCarron threw for 280 yards, and two scores. He also did throw two interceptions, but hasn't thrown a pick in three games since the. He has a 66% completion percentage, and although he did not wow against Denver in the box score, he impressed me. A.J. threw for 200 yards, and a score. McCarron has the best matchup on the board this week, with the Steelers ranking 15th in defending the pass. Sure it looks average, but rank 30th in passing yards allowed per game, and rank 19th in passing touchdowns allowed. They have allowed a 90.9 passer rating, also ranking 19th in the league. A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert make great targets as well to pair up with McCarron.