2015 Gridiron Playoff Challenge: 5 Most Valuable QBs

By Sean Cordy

5 Most Valuable QBs Wild Card Weekend

TonyRomo — Just because the NFL regular season is over doesn’t mean you can’t get your fantasy football fix. It’s time to make your selections for the ESPN Gridiron Playoff Challenge.

Like normal fantasy football, it’s all about picking value. Like FanDuel or Draft Kings, you have a salary, making it more difficult to create a top lineup. But luckily, the market values set on certain players give you great advantage if you manage them correctly.

5. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v Tennessee Titans

5. Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v Tennessee Titans — Luck is heading into this Wild Card weekend as the highest valued quarterback at .7M. That’s why he’s only No. 5 of my most valuable QBs this week; that and the Bengals allow the fourth fewest points to QBs. But Luck is valued so high for a reason; you can depend on him for a good game, but maybe not quite his whole projected worth. He’s still a Pro Bowler and should put up at least 15 points.

4. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens v Indianapolis Colts

4. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens v Indianapolis Colts — Flacco has played his division foe Steelers twice before, and never had too much success. But he’s averaging two touchdowns against them this season and should repeat against a Steelers team I believe will struggle to control the clock without their RB Le’Veon Bell. Flacco may not have a better game than Luck, but he’s valued at a pedestrian M and is a good value play if you’re building up other positions first.

3. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers — Big Ben will be asked to take control of the game in absence of a running attack. He’s got two of the best receivers in the game right now in Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant. I’m expecting him to dial both their numbers even more than usual. Though the Ravens are a good pass defending team, they’re also a team that allowed Roethlisberger to toss six touchdowns in a game. Repeat success? Not quite, but definitely worth his .4M valuation.

2. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys v New York Giants

2. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys v New York Giants — Romo was always known for having stellar Novembers, but it was his December worth remembering this season. So we’re looking at a new situation regarding his potential to succeed. He’s one of the hottest players in league, but has never proved successful in the January. Going against a Lions defense that looked anything but good last week, Romo should be able to exploit their defense and overachieve his undervalued .3M valuation.

1. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers v Green Bay Packers

1. Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers v Green Bay Packers — For a team under .500 this season, you wouldn’t expect a team to dominate a team with four more wins than them. But no one really expected the Panthers to rout the Falcons last week in a de facto NFC South championship in Atlanta. Newton was a large part of that surprise domination, scoring both through the air and ground. The Cardinals are a great team, but with their third string QB, the Panthers and Newton will be in control.

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