Week 4 at New York Jets
After replacing starter Jeff Driskel last week in the loss to the Bucs, Brett Rypien completed eight of nine passes for 53 yards. While his only non-completion was intercepted Rypien was the better QB, even though he was playing when Denver was far behind. The former Boise State Bronco will get his first NFL start on Thursday night against an average Jets defense. While Driskel may see some time as well, neither QB makes for a good fantasy option.
Week 3 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Taking over for an injured Drew Lock in the first quarter last week at Pittsburgh, Jeff Driskel nearly led his team back to a road victory. Even though he was sacked six times and completed only 53% of his passes, he threw for over 250 yards and two TDs. Getting his first home action on Sunday, the former Louisiana Tech QB will be without top WR Courtland Sutton. Even though the Bucs have allowed nearly 530 passing yards through the first two weeks Driskel should only be started if you’re out of other options.
Week 13 vs. Chicago Bears
In the loss at Washington last Sunday, Jeff Driskel threw for 207 yards with a TD but was also intercepted three times. He continues to be an effective weapon with his legs, rushing for 63 yards on nine attempts. However, he's dealing with a sore hamstring on a short week. In his three starts, Driskel is averaging 228 yards through the air with four touchdowns and four picks. In an attempted comeback effort at Chicago a few weeks ago he threw for a season-most 269 yards and a score but remains a QB2 option on Thanksgiving, assuming he's healthy enough to play.
Week 12 at Washington Redskins
In the loss to the Cowboys last week, Jeff Driskel did what he could to help his team, throwing for 209 yards and two TDs – both to Marvin Jones – and running for 51 yards and a score. In his two starts, Driskel has completed 58% of his passes and has brought some life into the Lions ground game with 88 total rushing yards. The Redskins have been average at stopping the pass this season but just surrendered nearly 300 yards and four TD tosses to Sam Darnold. Still, Driskel makes for a QB2 option.
Week 11 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Filling in for the injured Matthew Stafford last Sunday at Chicago, Jeff Driskel put the ball in the air 46 times. He finished with 269 passing yards, including a 47-yard TD toss to Kenny Golladay, and led the Lions with 37 yards on the ground. He even caught his own six-yard pass after a deflection. There's a chance Stafford may return this week, but he’s dealing with broken bones in his back and may be held out again. If Driskel is the Detroit signal-caller versus the Cowboys, he’ll be facing the No. 6 pass defense, making him a QB2 option at home.
Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Jeff Driskel only had 19 pass attempts that produced 133 yards and two touchdown passes. Cincinnati probably prefers it that way as he has not been effective as a replacement for Andy Dalton. He also has not been any type of factor in fantasy.
Driskel will face the Steelers who are seventh in aFPA to quarterbacks. We don't expect anything to be different this week in Pittsburgh so keep Driskel on the bench. He is a non-factor in Week 17.
Week 16 at Cleveland Browns
Jeff Driskel had his third start of the season and it was his worst. He only completed 42 percent of his passes for 130 yards. It has been a struggle for the Bengals backup and it hasn't helped that AJ Green is out for the season. He will get the last two starts of the season, but the future for him could be in question.
Driskel will face the Browns who are 13th in aFPA to quarterbacks. He threw for 155 yards in relief of Andy Dalton in the first meeting with the Browns. But the way Driskel has been playing and with the Tyler Boyd also out this week, he comes into Week 16 as one of the lowest-rated quarterbacks.
Week 15 vs. Oakland Raiders
Jeff Driskel has shown one thing in his three starts. There are other quarterbacks in the NFL that are a lot worse. He only threw for 170 yards, but he didn't turn the ball over and did throw for a touchdown.
We don't expect much more than what we have seen from Driskel even though he faces the Raiders who are 26th in aFPA to quarterbacks. It's a good matchup for Driskel, but not enough to move him up the fantasy rankings. Keep him on the bench.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Jeff Driskel will get his second career start this Sunday. His first start last week came because of the season-ending injury to starting QB Andy Dalton. It wasn't a bad outing although Driskel was under pressure a lot during the day (was sacked four times). He threw 236 yards and a touchdown with only one interception.
Driskel has a tough matchup for Week 14 against the Chargers who are second in aFPA to quarterbacks. That alone pushes Driskel to the bottom of the fantasy quarterback rankings this week. Couple that with his best receiver, AJ Green now out for the season and you should keep him on the bench against the Chargers.
Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos
Who is Jeff Driskel? That's what most casual football fans will ask when you say the name of QB Andy Dalton's backup and the starter this week with Dalton out for the season. Driskel got his most extensive NFL playing time in relief of Dalton last week throwing for 155 yards and throwing for a touchdown and running for another. His play actually was better than a handful of regular starters from the league last week.
Driskel will have his first career start against the Broncos who are seventh in aFPA to quarterbacks. He will get a boost with the return of star receiver A.J. Green who is expected to play. But that won't be enough to consider playing him in Week 13. Keep Driskel on the bench against Denver.
