Fantasy Football Counterpoint: Why You Should Start Josh McCown over Eli Manning

This week my co-worker, Jeff Krisko, suggested that you start Eli Manning in a non-Super Bowl fantasy game. In our week ten quarterback sit or start counterpoint, I have to question to resolve of any man who has faith in Eli Manning. Even when Eli Manning was good at quarterback, he was never good at quarterback. That is why this week, you should start Josh McCown.

I understand the logic Jeff is employing when it comes to Eli Manning. He isn’t really betting on Eli Manning. He is betting against the San Francisco 49ers. Frankly, that looks like a winning bet from where I am sitting most weeks, since the 49ers have given up the 3^rd most fantasy points to quarterbacks in standard scoring leagues.

The idea of using a streaming option to cover your bye week is a good one on Jeff’s part. The only flaw with this plan is the very flawed Eli Manning. Since the loss of Brandon Marshall and Odell Beckham, Jr., Eli has been awful. He has only thrown for over 200 yards once in that time span. He also only has thrown for 4 touchdowns over his past three weeks. These are not acceptable numbers for a quarterback.

That is why I just can’t get behind Eli. I understand the logic behind using a matchup based streaming option to cover up your bye week. The only problem with that plan is Eli Manning. There is no bigger problem than starting Eli Manning on your fantasy roster. This week, you should start Josh McCown.

Josh McCown has been a low end QB1 all season, yet he is still available in almost 50% of fantasy football leagues. He has multiple touchdowns in four of his last five games. And this week, he is playing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has given up the 10^th most fantasy points to quarterbacks in standard scoring leagues. There is a lot more to like about him as a substitute quarterback.

I’m just not sure this is the week to bet on Eli Manning. It is unlikely that the 49ers go the entire 2017 NFL season without getting a single win. They are not the Cleveland Browns. This feels like the type of week where Eli goes full Eli, puts up five interceptions and single-handedly causes the Giants to get blown out by a terrible San Francisco 49ers team. That is why this week, if you need an emergency quarterback, you should start Josh McCown.