Week 14 vs. New York Giants
My, how the Redskins have fallen in 2018, potentially going from first to the worst team in the division by the end of the season, due in large part to so many notable injuries. Washington is now on its third quarterback in Mark Sanchez, and have an implied team total of fewer than 20 points this week, bottom five in the league. New York also ranks third in aFPA to QBs. You don't need us to tell you not to start Mark Sanchez, but there you go anyway.
Fantasy Upside
Heading in to the season, Mark Sanchez is the only Broncos QB who has actually thrown a regular season NFL pass. He has 72 career regular-season starts along with six playoff starts, so he at least has experience on his side. There is potential with Sanchez, who had his best season was with the Jets in ’11 when he threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 26 TDs. Mark has some great weapons to throw to in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, and if the running game returns for the Broncos, that will take some pressure off of their QB. Whomever the Denver QB is, he will be protected by big, free-agent signee left tackle Russell Okung.
Fantasy Downside
Last season with the Eagles, Mark Sanchez threw only 91 passes in four games, tossing for 616 yards, with four scores and four INTs. Including Okung, the Broncos could have four new starters on the offensive line since winning the Super Bowl. Butt-fumbling aside, Mark has been a turnover machine during his career, averaging 17 picks in his four years with New York. Lack of ball control is something that could find him on the bench, or out of a job, with Denver. Only once has he finished a season ranked better than 18th among QBs in fantasy points.
Bottom Line
Due to his NFL experience, Mark could be the opening week starter, but his preseason struggles and turnovers have put that in serious doubt. He hasn’t been an effective passer during his career and with Coach Gary Kubiak’s emphasis on the ground game, there are few reasons for Sanchez to be on your roster. Depending on if and how long he's the signal caller, Mark should only be considered for spot starts if you’re in need of a QB replacement. Trevor Siemian will be vying for the starting nod and eventually the job will be Paxton Lynch’s, whether that is later this season or in 2017.
Week 13 at New England
Mark Sanchez threw for 199 yards and two TDs in a blowout loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving. It was Sanchez's third start and the first game he didn't throw an INT. But outside of that it, wasn't a great performance from the offense. There's also at least a chance Sam Bradford returns this week and if he's healthy enough he'll start in favor of Sanchez. Neither QB is a great option this week against the Patriots, who are 10 in allowing fantasy points to QBs.
Week 12 at Detroit
It wasn't a great performance for Mark Sanchez last week, as he threw three interceptions despite 261 yards and two TDs. Sanchez is a much better fantasy option in leagues where interceptions aren't negative points, but that said, he leaves a lot of fantasy points on the field with poor decision making.
This week, it's a nice matchup against the Lions, who are 27th in allowing fantasy points to QBs despite playing pretty well against Aaron Rodgers and Darek Carr the last two weeks. Sanchez is down our list as more of a QB2 option as a result. While the chances are pretty good Sanchez will start, it's not out of the question as of Wednesday morning that Sam Bradford could get the start. He's cleared the concussion protocol, but a lingering shoulder injury will likely keep him out. However, that's not official and it could end up a game-time call.
Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay
Mark Sanchez took over for an injured Sam Bradford last week, and as has been the case over his career, Sanchez looked both good and bad at any given point. One thing for sure, Sanchez can run the Eagles offense at a much faster pace than Bradford has this season. That was evident last week against Miami. Sanchez also has some mobility to extend plays and free up an average group of WRs, so that's an added bonus. Turnovers have always been a problem for Sanchez and that's again a worry as long as he starts. It's a nice matchup at home against the Bucs, but Sanchez is a much safer QB2 option this week.
Week 17 - Sanchez vs. NY Giants
Mark Sanchez put together a nice fantasy outing last week, throwing for 374 yards and two more TDs, but did throw a costly INT. He added 22 rushing yards but did fumble. He's now turned the ball over 13 times in eight games played this year.
The 374 yards is the most he's thrown for this season and the two TDs gave him 12 in eight games, but the turnovers continue to leave points, both real and fantasy, on the field. Reports say Sanchez will start against the Giants in Week 17. It's a nice matchup as the G-men are near the bottom of the league in allowing fantasy points to QBs. It's not out of the question Matt Barkley gets some work, especially with Sanchez entering free agency after the season. The Birds may want to get a look at Barkley. But for now, the team says Sanchez will start.
Week 16 - Sanchez vs. Washington
With the news that Nick Foles likely won't play in the regular season, the team will again turn to Mark Sanchez this week. Sanchez threw for 252 and two INTs last week. It was his first game without a TD pass since taking over in Week 9, which likely came at a bad time for fantasy owners.
Sanchez was a half-yard away from a long Jeremy Maclin TD, which ended up just short of the goal line. Sanchez has put together back-to-back clunkers the last two weeks and fallen into that "tough to trust" category as we enter Week 16. Factor in it's likely your league's finals and he's especially risky. The good news is the Redskins are just 30th in allowing fantasy points to QBs, so the matchup is a great one, even though last week's matchup was almost just as good. Sanchez still comes in ranked as a low-end QB1 this week.
It's hard for me to convince owners to trust him, but the potential is always there in this offense, especially with the amount of plays the team usually runs. But Sanchez continues to miss open receivers. Be sure to monitor the weather leading up to this Saturday evening game. Sanches is a risky QB1 with some matchup upside.
Week 15 - Sanchez vs. Dallas
Mark Sanchez threw for just 96 yards last week but did have two TD passes to at least salvage decent fantasy numbers.
This week, Sanchez gets a rematch with Dallas. It's a prime time, Sunday night game at home and the Birds have performed very well in these types of games. Sanchez didn't have huge fantasy numbers a couple weeks ago against the Cowboys, but he was efficient and didn't turn the ball over. It's an overall good matchup too as the 'Boys rank just 26th in allowing fantasy points to QBs. I expect Sanchez to bounce back this week and he comes in ranked ninth on our QB list. It's tough to trust him after last week, but in terms of fantasy numbers, he's a pretty decent option to work with.
Week 14 - Sanchez vs. Seattle
Many feel last week Mark Sanchez had his best game of the year against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. While he didn't light it up from a fantasy standpoint, he was still solid. He threw for 217 yards and a TD while adding 28 rushing yards and another TD. He didn't turn the ball over for just the second time in five games since taking over for Nick Foles.
This week, he gets the Seahawks who rank second in allowing fantasy points to QBs. It's a tough game on paper and Sanchez falls down our list to 16th. The game is a home game for the Eagles so that will help a little, as will a cross country trip for the Seahawks. I wouldn't be afraid to start Sanchez if he's been your best option as of late. It's a risky time of year being the playoffs, but I think Sanchez benefits from the Eagles offensive system. If you feel you have a strong team outside QB, Sanchez should at least provide you with some decent fantasy numbers.
Week 13 - Sanchez vs. Dallas
Mark Sanchez threw for 307 yards and a TD last week in a win over the Titans. It marked the third-straight week Sanchez passed the 300-yard mark. He did throw two more INTs bringing his total to six in three-and-a-half games. He has seven TDs in that span.
Eagles QBs continue to leave fantasy points, and real points, on the field with the turnovers, but also continue to make for pretty solid fantasy plays. This week, Sanchez takes on Dallas on Thanksgiving in what is a pretty favorable mathup as the Cowboys are 21st in allowing fantasy points to QBs. Sanchez is a again a borderline QB1 play and every week has the potential to put up a good fantasy day. This very well could be a high-scoring game and the Birds will likely need Sanchez to throw a lot.
