Read options to replace Wentz
Trubisky, Garoppolo among 5 candidates who might be available
At least Carson Wentz scored the second- most points among quarterbacks in Week 14 before being lost for the season with a knee injury. That’s how you make an exit.
But now Wentz owners don’t have the luxury of setting and forgetting their quarterback spot. They might have to fill in the blank week- to- week, and with the playoffs upon us, time is short, and the urgency is high.
Keep in mind, you’re not trying to replace the No. 2- scoring quarterback overall for an entire season. Just a few weeks. And you have a mountain of information at your disposal to make your selection.
Here are quarterbacks available in more than 75 percent of ESPN leagues before waiver claims Tuesday night who could save your season.
Blake Bortles ( 80 percent available): He has scored at least 16 points in seven of his last eight games, using ESPN standard scoring. In his last two games, Bortles has thrown for 309 and 268 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions in each. The former was against the Colts, but the latter was against the Seahawks, the toughest opponent Bortles had left. The Jaguars’ next two games are against the Texans and 49ers, who have allowed the fourth- and second- most points to quarterbacks.
Joe Flacco ( 93 percent): He had reached double- digit scoring in only two of his previous nine games ( and one was negative) before his recent run, but beggars can’t be choosers. Flacco has thrown for 269 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last two games, and his next two are against the Browns and Colts. They rank fifth and 10th in points allowed to quarterbacks. The Ravens face the beat- up Bengals in Week 17.
Nick Foles ( 99 percent): You could do worse than Wentz’s replacement, who takes over the No. 3 offense in the league. Might we see the 2013 Foles, who threw for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in 13 games? He has the supporting cast and schedule to be successful. The Eagles face the Giants, Raiders and Cowboys, who are in the top 11 in points allowed to quarterbacks.
Jimmy Garoppolo ( 76 percent): He looks like he has been the 49ers’ quarterback all season, completing 66 percent of his passes for 627 yards in two games. Garoppolo’s best matchup left is the Titans this week. They’ve allowed multiple touchdown passes six times, including three games with four. He finishes with the Jaguars and Rams.
Mitch Trubisky ( 96 percent): If you’re desperate or in a deep league or both, he had the seventh- most points at the position last week, and he faces everyone’s favorite punching bag, the Browns, inWeek 16. They’re tied for the most touchdown passes allowed. Jimmy G this week, Mitchy the Kid next week ... sounds like a winner, huh?