Week 16 Quarterback Rankings

Congratulations if you've made it to the championship in your fantasy league. Chances are you either had an amazing supporting cast on your roster, or you are an expert navigator around the minefield that has been the quarterback position over the past couple weeks.

Even the "elite" quarterbacks - like Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Andrew Luck - that are rarely untrustworthy have put up sub-par numbers during the fantasy playoffs that have cost many their chance to make it this far in the finals.

But if you made it this far, there is no way you can bench them, right?

I have most of them ranked very high this week due to great matchups, but there are a few top-10 quarterbacks that I would strongly consider benching this week. Russell Wilson, Jay Cutler, and Phillip Rivers all have very tough matchups this week and I wouldn't be surprised if either put up single-digit fantasy points this week.

For deeper leagues or two-QB leagues, there will be many options that the casual football fan has never heard of. Some fantasy teams could win a championship with Thaddeus Lewis in their starting lineup.

The Texans are still technically in the playoff hunt and face a Ravens team that has just placed their fourth cornerback on IR. We won't find out until later in the week if Lewis or Case Keenum will get the start, but either would be a nice desperation play if you're hunting for a starter on the waiver wire.

And for those - like me - that put their trust in Johnny Football last week, I can only offer my condolences as the cruel world of fantasy football will probably have him rush for over 100 yards and a touchdown this week against the Panthers just to further annoy everyone that was eliminated from his 0 point performance.

The Bengals came up with the perfect way to keep him flustered from watching game film of his worst games in college. They saw how LSU and Missouri shut him down by containing him in the pocket and forcing pressure up the middle. The Panthers defense has been improving over the last few weeks and they have the pieces to mirror that defensive gameplan to shut him down again.

I want to wish everyone Merry Christmas and the best of luck to those still in the hunt for their championship this weekend and even to those that are simply playing for pride in the consolation bracket......unless you happen to be one of my opponents to which I wish the worst of luck on all things involving your fantasy roster this weekend....but still a Merry Christmas to you and yours!