Sleepers at Quarterback
C.J. Stroud, Houston (vs Arizona)
Stroud was QB11 over the five weeks leading up to his concussion in Week 9. He has played better than his fantasy bottom line in his two games since returning, and it's reasonable to think that he could be back in the QB1 ranks this week against an Arizona defense that gave up six touchdowns to the Rams last week. The Texans' defense tends to keep games low-scoring, but Jacoby Brissett will still come out firing and could encourage Stroud to do the same.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota (at Dallas)
McCarthy looked as calm and confident as he has all season last week against Washington. The Commanders' defense isn't the toughest to solve, but Dallas's pass defense has also been very generous this season. The Cowboys haven't shut any opposing quarterback down this season - even Geno Smith threw for 238 yards and a score - and McCarthy has a very talented group of passcatchers in addition to a generally smart play designer and caller. McCarthy could be uneven and still put up great fantasy numbers if Dak Prescott can turn this into a track meet.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans (vs Carolina)
Shough has already faced the Panthers this season when the Saints won 17-7 with the rookie throwing for 282 yards and two scores, completing 19 of 27 pass attempts along the way. He was a good fantasy play in sloppy conditions last week because of two long touchdown runs that harnessed his 4.63 speed. The 2025 second-round pick is actually a relatively safe play with a top 12 finish in three of his last four games.
Marcus Mariota, Washington (at NY Giants)
Jayden Daniels has been ruled out, so Mariota will start against a Giants defense that seems like it is running out of gas. Mariota threw the ball 50 times against the Broncos two weeks ago, and his fantasy outlook was improved by the return of Terry McLaurin, although Zach Ertz caught 10 balls in that game, and he was lost for the season last week. When two games going nowhere in large part because of their defenses meet late in the season, fantasy points can come easier than usual...