Saints quarterback Drew Brees gutted out a shoulder injury in Week 4 against the Cowboys and had quite a night. He won the game in overtime with his 400th career touchdown pass, an 80-yarder to C.J. Spiller, and finished with 359 yards and two touchdowns.
Those stats are great, and Brees owners should feel calm and confident going forward. Right?
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Not so fast. Brees was very reliant on the short passing game, and didn’t look very eager to throw the ball deep. Even the game-winning touchdown was a short pass to Spiller, that the running back turned into a long score. Brees did well with what Dallas gave him, and worked around his limitations. That does not mean you can count on 300-plus with multiple scores.
This week, Brees is on the road against the Eagles. Philadelphia is 1-3, but that’s largely because their offense has sputtered. The defense is ranked fifth in the NFL; second against the run, and 10th vs. the pass. They have registered five interceptions, and six sacks through four games.
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If Brees can’t scare the Eagles deep – and he can’t right now – then you might want to go another route this week. Roll with quarterbacks like these three under-owned players, and you’ll feel smarter.
Alex Smith, Chiefs (39% Owned)
Sound crazy? The Chiefs are 1-3, but all three losses have come vs. undefeated opponents. This week the Chiefs are home at Arrowhead, where they’re notoriously difficult to beat. They will be up against the second-worst defense in the NFL, the Bears, who rank 29th vs. the pass.
Smith actually has real weapons now in WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Travis Kelce, as well as RB Jamaal Charles. He’s going to go off.
Blake Bortles, Jaguars (23% Owned)
In real life, this is not a discussion. But fantasy is different. Quarterbacks can post big numbers without playing well, which is what Bortles owners should expect when the Jaguars play the Buccaneers, in what will likely be a sloppy game with a good amount of scoring.
Bortles has good talent at the skill positions to work with, so anything less than two touchdowns would be surprising.
Kirk Cousins, Redskins (9% Owned)
Don’t believe the hype that is the Falcons defense. Head coach Dan Quinn has certainly improved them, but transformations do not happen overnight. Atlanta’s been fortunate to be 4-0, and their defensive ratings portend a crash to reality.
Cousins is not some electric player, but he’s playing behind a good offensive line that will give him time. When NFL quarterbacks get time, numbers follow.
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