Week 9 vs Tampa Bay
Russell Wilson only threw 20 passes last week so his numbers were modest although he still managed two touchdown passes. He now has 17 touchdowns and one interception on the season. Seattle's running game is very strong and sometimes the passing game takes a backseat.
Wilson will face the Buccaneers who are 31st in aFPA to quarterbacks. It's a great matchup for a quarterback who is an MVP candidate.
Start Wilson in all leagues and formats for Week 9. He is the No. 1 rated fantasy quarterback and should put up big numbers against Tampa.
Week 8 at Atlanta
Russell Wilson has been deemed an MVP candidate this season and deservedly so. However, it's puzzling what happened last week as he struggled against an average Baltimore defense. He only completed 48% of his passes and was held to one touchdown pass after throwing six in his previous two games.
But there is a remedy for the off-performance from last week and they're the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta is ranked dead last in aFPA to quarterbacks. Expect a big bounce-back game from Wilson.
Start him in all leagues and formats as the top quarterback for Week 8. Wilson will have a big game in Atlanta.
Week 7 vs Baltimore
Russell Wilson has played well enough to be in the MVP conversation. His fantasy stats have been great as he is completing 72.5% of his passes and averaging 286 passing yards per game. He has thrown 14 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. He also has added three rushing touchdowns to his resume.
Wilson will face the Ravens who are ranked 18th in aFPA to quarterbacks. We expect another big game from Wilson against a very average Baltimore defense. He is playing the best football of his career and fantasy owners are being rewarded.
Start Wilson as the No. 1 fantasy quarterback for Week 7. Another big game is coming for the Seattle offense.
Week 6 at Cleveland
It was a great fantasy outing for Russell Wilson. He threw four touchdown passes against the Rams while completing 74% of his passes and compiling 267 passing yards. Wilson now has 12 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in 2019.
The Seahawks take on the Browns who are 21st in aFPA to quarterbacks. Wilson continues to play his best football and with this matchup, we expect another big game for the veteran signal-caller.
Start Wilson in all leagues and formats as a solid QB1 for Week 6. He should put up good numbers against Cleveland.
Week 5 vs Los Angeles Rams
Russell Wilson turned back into a game manager last Sunday. While he completed 78% of his passes, his fantasy stats suffered throwing for only 240 yards and one touchdown. He didn't turn the ball over although he did fumble twice. Wilson was also sacked four times.
The Seahawks face division rival Los Angeles who is coming off a game that saw the defense give up 55 points to Tampa Bay at home. The Rams are ranked 11th in aFPA to quarterbacks. Last season, Wilson threw for six touchdowns and zero picks in the two games against Los Angeles but only averaged 187 passing yards in those games.
After watching the Rams defense fall apart last week and the success Wilson had last season against them, we like Wilson on the short week at home. Start him in all leagues and formats as a top 5 fantasy quarterback for Week 5.
Week 4 at Arizona
Russell Wilson had his best game of the season throwing for 406 yards, throwing two touchdown passes and running for two more. Basically, a fantasy dream game for the veteran quarterback. We chalk this up to playing the Saints, but you have to love him throwing 50 passes which won't be the norm.
We could get a repeat performance as Wilson faces the Cardinals who are 31st in aFPA to quarterbacks. The schedule is favorable for the Seahawks offense and Wilson will benefit again this week.
Start Wilson in all leagues and formats as a top fantasy quarterback for Week 4. He should have another big day against Arizona.
Week 3 vs New Orleans
Russell Wilson is coming off a huge outing last Sunday where he completed 83% of his passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He did lose a fumble, but that was the only negative of the game. Wilson looked like the quarterback that was very successful throwing the ball last season.
The Seahawks are back home and welcome the Saints who are 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks. They will be without Drew Brees so expect New Orleans to struggle offensively which will mean more opportunities for Wilson and the Seattle offense.
Start Wilson in all leagues and format as a solid QB1 for Week 3. Wilson should put up similar numbers from last week's win.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh
It was an efficient opener for Russell Wilson who only threw 20 passes for 190 yards. He did throw two touchdowns and did not turn the ball over. But those numbers were a far cry from what they have been in recent seasons.
Things won't get easier as they have to travel to Pittsburgh is ranked 12th in aFPA to quarterbacks after one week and considering that QB last week was Tom Brady, the Steelers pass defense should be decent this season.
Wilson only rates a QB2 for Week 2. Keep him on the bench. The Seahawks want to run first which explains the low pass attempts. That could be the trend this season which hurts Wilson's fantasy stock.
Week 1 vs Cincinnati
Although Russell Wilson's passing yards have been down the last two years compared to where he was in 2016, he set personal bests with completion percentage, touchdown passes and interceptions. Wilson has become a complete and efficient quarterback. He will have to deal with a slight shakeup with his receiving corps, but should be able to adjust without a drop off in numbers.
Wilson faces a Bengals defense that was 24th in aFPA to quarterbacks last year. He should be in a good spot at home to put up numbers that will place him in the top 10 for this week.
Start him as a solid QB1 for Week 1 and expect around 250 passing yards and a couple of touchdown passes. Cincinnati's pass defense is not expected to be much better in 2019.
Fantasy Upside
Russell Wilson has been one of the best fantasy quarterbacks over the past several seasons and the numbers back that up 100%. He threw for 3,448 yards and a career-high 35 touchdowns last season. He also started all 16 games and has not missed one in his seven-year career. Wilson also matched his career low with 7 picks and he has never had a losing season in Seattle. The veteran is about as good as it gets for reliability and consistency at the position.
Fantasy Downside
The Seahawks run the ball more than any other team in the NFL which is why Wilson’s passing numbers, except for touchdown passes, aren’t among the league leaders. He has actually cut back on his rushing attempts with a career-low last season. One of his strengths in fantasy was his running ability but that isn’t as much as a factor anymore.
2019 Bottom Line
A safe bet at quarterback is selecting Wilson. His ability to stay on the field and his overall passing numbers place him solidly as a QB1. We expect the numbers to fluctuate this season as his passing yardage will go up and his touchdown passes fall slightly. But he is definitely in the top 10 of fantasy quarterbacks and well worth a selection as early as the seventh round.
