Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback was solid, if unspectacular, early in the season as the team's new starting quarterback, with three straight games in the teens in fantasy scoring to start the season. After a couple of games of struggle and an injury that cost him four weeks, the quarterback returned last week with a poor performance in the team's 23-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sunday, though, Manuel and the Bills got back on track, as his big performance led the Bills to a 37-14 victory over the division rival New York Jets.
E.J. Manuel gives Bills, fantasy owners his best game as a pro
The rookie quarterback set career highs in passer rating, completion percentage and yards per attempt. We break down the fantasy implications.
Tom Szczerbowski
Manuel completed 20-of-28 passes in the game for 245 yards and two touchdowns. His passer rating (121.9), completion percentage (71.4) and yards-per-attempt average (8.75) were all career highs. Both of Manuel's touchdowns were on deep throws, connecting on a 34-yard pass to T.J. Graham in the second quarter and adding a 43-yard bomb to Marquise Goodwin in the third.
Fantasy impact: Manuel isn’t ready to be a fantasy starter in single-quarterback leagues yet, but in a two-QB league, he’d be a fine one to use. In keeper/dynasty leagues, he might be a clever stash, as there were signs in this game that Manuel could have the skills to be the Bills quarterback long-term.
