Before we get started, I'll admit replacing Matt Schaub with a Week 11 waiver-wire candidate is similar to benching Arian Foster in favor of Chris Ogbonnaya, but desperate times call for acquisitions of Andy Dalton.

Monday, we learned the Texans' Schaub is out for the season because of a Lisfranc injury, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has "a couple" broken ribs and Chiefs QB Matt Cassel will need hand surgery and might miss the remainder of the season.

Cassel's injury is minor at quarterback, but it isn't welcome news if you own Dwayne Bowe.

Vick is questionable for this week's game against the Giants, and if you don't have a decent backup, you could stash Vince Young on your bench and make the switch if needed prior to Philly's Sunday night game at New York.

We don't need to tell you the Schaub situation is much more serious, and we don't need to inform you of the importance of drafting two quarterbacks for times such as this.

If, however, your backup is of the Colt McCoy variety, or if you were planning on picking up a fill-in QB for Schaub this week (when Houston is on a bye), here are five names to consider (all are available in more than 74 percent of the leagues on ESPN.com):

1. Carson Palmer, Raiders (owned in 25.7 percent of the ESPN leagues): What, you expected Matthew Stafford to be available? I'm not a fan of Palmer, who has thrown seven interceptions in three games since the Raiders overpaid the Bengals to lure him out of retirement, but he has racked up 631 yards and five TDs (with four picks) in his last two games. Last Thursday at San Diego, he actually looked pretty competent (299 yards, two TDs, one interception).

Of the five players on this list, the Raiders' schedule is the most favorable for a QB. In the next six weeks, Palmer will face the Vikings (No. 30 against the pass), Bears (No. 29), Dolphins (No. 25), Packers (No. 31), Lions (No. 4) and Chiefs (No. 16).

2. Andy Dalton, Bengals (24.7 percent): The rookie has thrown for 1,866 yards and 14 TDs with a passer rating of 82.6. In his last three games, Dalton has seven TDs and four picks, and he's thrown for at least two scores in four of his last five contests. Don't get too excited, though, since Cincy's schedule is about to get much more difficult.

Dalton will face four of the NFL's top six pass defenses in the next four weeks (all rankings are prior to Monday night) -- the Ravens (No. 6), Browns (No. 1), Steelers (No. 3) and Texans (No. 2). If you can make it to Week 15 with him, the slate gets much more favorable, as the Bengals will match up with the Rams (No. 12 vs. the pass) and Cardinals (No. 24) in Weeks 15 and 16.

3. Alex Smith, 49ers (15.1 percent): He has been surprisingly effective (1,709 yards, 11 TDs, three interceptions, 95.8 rating) for the 8-1 49ers, but he's also more "game manager" than fantasy stud. Smith has one TD in four consecutive games, and has accounted for two or more scores in only three of nine contests. In the next six weeks, the 49ers will play the Cardinals (No. 24 vs. the pass), Ravens (No. 6), Rams (No. 12), Cardinals again, Steelers (No. 3) and Seahawks (No. 19).


4. Matt Leinart, Texans (0.0 percent): Be among the first to acquire Matt Leinart! Hurry! Time is running out!

Leinart hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2009, and he has six more interceptions (20) than TD passes in his disappointing career. Yes, he has more weapons at his disposal than the first three players on this list, assuming Andre Johnson returns after Houston's bye to play in Week 12. But, to be blunt, we don't trust him, and you probably shouldn't, either.

Houston's schedule from Weeks 12 to 16 is as follows: at Jacksonville (No. 5 vs. the pass), home against Atlanta (No. 23), at Cincinnati (No. 10), Carolina (No. 14) at home and at Indy (No. 21).

5. Christian Ponder, Vikings (10.2 percent): Let's just say we were a little more excited about Ponder -- well, at least excited enough to consider him over Leinart -- before he threw for 190 yards, no TDs and one interception Monday night against Green Bay's generous pass defense. Prior to Monday, the rookie threw for 455 yards, three TDs and two picks in his first two starts.

The schedule in Weeks 11 through 13 is favorable -- Oakland (No. 22 vs. the pass) at home, at Atlanta (No. 23) and Denver (No. 20) at home -- but not enough to justify starting Christian Ponder in the final three weeks of the fantasy regular season.

If that's the predicament you find yourself in, good luck. And remember, crazier things have happened (see Ogbonnaya rushing for 90 yards last week).

We'll be back Tuesday night with Week 11 waiver-wire picks. Until then, you can follow me on Twitter.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's Tebow time.

Either my quarterbacks in the News-Herald fantasy league have been atrocious or I'm a little too excited to acquire a quarterback whose accuracy has been panned by the experts and is more of a bull in the backfield than a precision passer.

OK, it's the former, thanks to my mistaken belief that I could wait on a QB in the draft and start Josh Freeman.

Because of that, I'll be among the many this week who will put a bid on Tim Tebow, who was named the Broncos' starting quarterback on Tuesday.

So what should we expect? We have that and more in this week's waiver-wire picks.

As always, we select players who are available in a majority of the leagues on ESPN.com. This week's group can be had in more than 90 percent of the ESPN formats.

1. Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos (owned in 2.7 percent of the ESPN leagues): He completed only 4 of 10 passes for 79 yards in relief of Kyle Orton on Sunday, and ESPN's Todd McShay will tell you he'll never be a productive NFL quarterback.

From a fantasy perspective, however, here's what we know: Tebow played extensively in Denver's last three games in 2010. In those contests, he threw for 651 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed 31 times for 199 yards and three TDs (one score in each game).

If you play in a league in which 100 rushing yards is worth 10 points, 100 passing yards is worth four, all touchdowns are six and interceptions are minus-2, Tebow averaged about 27 points per game.

In two quarters last week, he threw for a score and rushed for 38 yards and a TD.

The Broncos are off this week, so you will have to be more patient than normal, but the numbers say this: Whether it's pretty or not, Tebow will produce.

2. Jackie Battle, RB, Chiefs (owned in 0.8 percent of the ESPN leagues): We discussed Battle on Sunday night in this space. Like Tebow, his team is on a bye this week. Unlike Tebow, he will be sharing the load with Thomas Jones and maybe Dexter McCluster. At best, Battle should be considered a flex play in a 10- or 12-team league.

3. Alex Smith, QB, 49ers (owned in 9.2 percent of the ESPN leagues): Either Jim Harbaugh is a genius or Smith is finally getting it. Maybe both. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft had been considered a bust until Harbaugh came aboard, and Smith has thrown for 965 yards, seven touchdowns and one pick in the 49ers' 4-1 start. He has a passer rating of 104.1, and has 461 yards, five TDs and no interceptions in his last two games.

His matchup this week (the 49ers play at Detroit) isn't favorable. The Lions have one more interception (seven) than TD passes allowed (six) this season, but if you are desperate for a QB, Smith is an upper-end No. 2 passer and could be a spot starter in fantasy.

4. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks (owned in 0.8 percent of the ESPN formats): The undrafted rookie has been Seattle's most productive receiver (20 catches for 330 yards and two TDs). In his last two games, Baldwin has 13 receptions for 220 yards and one TD. With Mike Williams out because of a concussion Sunday, Baldwin excelled. When healthy, Williams (eight catches for 79 yards and one TD in four games) shouldn't be much of a threat to Baldwin's production. Seattle is off this week, but Baldwin could be a decent No. 3 or 4 fantasy receiver from Week 7 on.

5. Donald Brown, RB, Colts (owned in 1.0 percent of the ESPN leagues): To be blunt, Brown only has value if Joseph Addai sits because of an injured hamstring. Addai had an MRI on Monday, and the Colts have yet to reveal the results. If Addai is out this week at Cincinnati, Brown likely would share carries with rookie Delone Carter. The latter is a rookie who has received much more work than Brown, a 2009 first-round pick who has been a disappointment. But Carter is averaging only 3.0 yards on 41 carries this season, and Brown had eight attempts for 38 yards last week. Neither Carter nor Brown will solve any backfield problems you might have, but Brown could at least be a decent one-week fill-in if Addai is too injured to play.

6. Benjamin Watson, TE, Browns (owned in 9.0 percent of the ESPN leagues): The Browns have said they want to get Evan Moore more involved, but Watson continues to be the Browns' best tight end. He has 11 receptions for 112 yards and a TD in his last two games, and last season he set career highs in catches (68) and yards (763). He's best a bye-week fill-in or an upper-level backup, but Watson can be a spot starter at tight end in deep leagues.

Past waiver-wire picks who remain undervalued: Victor Cruz, WR, Giants (owned in 38.3 percent of the ESPN leagues); Jabar Gaffney, WR, Redskins (6.4 percent); Jason Campbell, QB, Raiders (34.7 percent); Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals (38.5 percent).

Two of the top eight quarterbacks -- Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub -- are on a bye this week, and Michael Vick (rib injury), David Garrard (concussion) and Vince Young (knee) are out or likely to be out.

Garrard and Young are emergency options anyway, but you might consider this week exactly that if you're 2-4 or 1-5 and have Manning on a bye, with the prospect of him returning to an offense that must do without Dallas Clark and Austin Collie.

As we did with a column for the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends for Friday's print and online editions, we'll break down the top quarterbacks who are available in more than half of the leagues on ESPN.com. This will be blog style instead, but it won't be any less memorable.

1. Matthew Stafford, Lions (owned in 23 percent of the ESPN leagues): You'll have to wait a week, since Detroit is off Sunday, but it should be worthwhile. Stafford will return from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him since the opener to face the Redskins (No. 31 vs. the pass) in Week 8. The Jets (No. 22 vs. the pass) and Bills (11 touchdown passes allowed, the third-most in the league) follow. Then there's this: In Stafford's absence, Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton combined to throw for 1,542 yards and 10 touchdowns in 5 1/2 games.

2. Matt Cassel, Chiefs (24.7 percent): Granted he's had one or zero touchdown passes in three of his five games, but he's thrown for three scores in two of his last three. Even better: Kansas City's next three games are against the Jaguars (No. 28 vs. the pass, a league-high 14 TD passes allowed), Bills (11 TD passes allowed) and Raiders (12 TD passes allowed, the third-most in the league).

3. Alex Smith, 49ers (16.4 percent): In his first four games, the embattled top overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft had three TD passes and seven interceptions. In Smith's last two contests, he has five TDs and two picks. The 49ers' schedule is also favorable, beginning with a road game at Carolina and a home date vs. Denver (No. 26 vs. the pass) the next two weeks. Following a Week 9 bye, the 49ers will play host to the Rams (No. 20 vs. the pass) and Buccaneers (No. 16), followed by a game at Arizona (No. 26).

4. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (14.4 percent): This is where it gets much more dicey. Freeman has a respectable passer rating (83.4) and has thrown only three picks in five games, but he has just 1,043 yards and six TDs. The schedule, however, is favorable -- a home game Sunday against the Rams (No. 26) and a Week 8 date at Arizona (No. 26).

5. Sam Bradford, Rams (29.7 percent): He's thrown one TD pass or fewer in four of six games, and his passer rating is 69.3. Translation: About what you would expect for a rookie. His growing pains should ease Sunday at Tampa Bay and in Week 8 at home against Carolina.

6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks (19.5 percent): How the mighty have fallen. Hasselbeck has three touchdowns and five interceptions in his last four games. The only positives for Hasselbeck from a fantasy perspective are the next two games on the schedule -- Sunday against the visiting Cardinals (No. 26) and next week at the Raiders (12 TD passes allowed).

We'll breeze through this quicker than normal, thanks to some unforeseen problems (see tank, hot water), so let's get to this week's key injuries:

-- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is listed as questionable with right shoulder and finger injuries, but I wouldn't worry about Brian Hoyer getting the start in a game New England can't afford to lose.

-- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan likely will be a game-time decision because of a toe ailment, but I wouldn't start him even if he was healthy against the Saints, who have almost twice as many interceptions (23) as TD passes allowed (12).

-- Falcons running back Michael Turner is listed as questionable with a sprained anke and will be a game-time decision, but don't plan on him being active against the Saints.

-- Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is probable, and the Rams' Steven Jackson is questionable after missing practice all week with a back injury, but he's had the same routine the last two weeks and not missed a game.

-- The Eagles' Brian Westbrook is out again, and the Bucs' Cadillac Williams is questionable with a back injury. He's not a good play against the Jets.

-- Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson will return from a concussion.

-- Jaguars receiver Mike Sims-Walker is doubtful with a calf injury. Mike Thomas will start in his place and should be considered a low-level No. 3 receiver against the Dolphins, who rank 24th vs. the pass.

-- Vikings receiver Percy Harvin is questionable after missing practice Thursday and Friday because of migraine headaches, but I would expect him to be active Sunday against the Bengals.

Five to start

This week’s look at part-time starters and fantasy backups who should benefit from a favorable matchup:

San Francisco QB Alex Smith (vs. the Cardinals, No. 27 vs. the pass), Ravens QB Joe Flacco (vs. the Lions, No. 32 vs. the pass), Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (vs. the Bills, No. 32 vs. the run), Bills running back Fred Jackson (at the Chiefs, No. 27 vs. the run) and Dolphins receiver Davone Bess (at the Jaguars, No. 23 vs. the pass) round out this week's list.

More matchups I like:

David Garrard, QB, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins; Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins, vs. Jaguars; Ryan Grant, RB, Packers, at Bears; Quinton Ganther, RB, Redskins, at Raiders; Terrell Owens, WR, Bills, at Chiefs; Kenny Britt, WR, Titans, vs. Rams; Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers, vs. Cardinals; Devery Henderson, WR, Saints, at Falcons

Three to sit

If you have a decent backup, these starters should take a seat for a week:

Bengals QB Carson Palmer (at the Vikings, No. 21 vs. the pass), Lions running back Kevin Smith (at the Ravens (No. 6 vs. the run) and Bucs running back Cadillac Williams (vs. the Jets, No. 17 vs. the run) comprise this week's selections.

More matchups I don’t like:

Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells, RBs, Cardinals, at 49ers; LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers, at Cowboys; Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers, vs. Jets

Last week

The start list had three hits in Jonathan Stewart (120 yards rushing, one TD, one reception), Matt Forte (91 yards rushing, one TD, one catch) and Kyle Orton (180 yards passing, two TDs, one interception). Pierre Thomas (18 yards rushing, eight catches for 64 yards) was decent in point-per-reception leagues, and Jason Avant (three receptions for 36 yards) stunk in all formats.

On the sit list, benching Cardinals running backs Tim Hightower (50 yards rushing, one catch, one fumble) and Beanie Wells (28 yards rushing) was the right call, but sitting Tony Romo (392 yards passing, three TDs, no picks) certainly was not.

Playlist

QUARTERBACKS
1. Drew Brees, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29 vs. the pass)
2. Tom Brady, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
3. Kurt Warner, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 30)
4. Peyton Manning, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
5. Aaron Rodgers, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 20)
7. Matt Schaub, Texans, vs. Seahawks (No. 25)
8. Tony Romo, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 8)
9. Alex Smith, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 27)
10. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
11. Brett Favre, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
12. Joe Flacco, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 32)
13. David Garrard, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 24)
14. Carson Palmer, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 21)
15. Kyle Orton, Broncos, at Colts (No. 19)
16. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
17. Jay Cutler, Bears, vs. Packers (No. 3)
18. Jason Campbell, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 18)
19. Chad Henne, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 23)
20. Matt Cassel, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 4)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Chris Johnson, Titans, vs. Rams (No. 28 vs. the run)
2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 14)
3. Ray Rice, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 19)
4. Thomas Jones, Jets, at Buccaneers (No. 31)
5. Adrian Peterson, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 2)
6. Ricky Williams, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 11)
7. Joseph Addai, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 16)
8. Steven Jackson, Rams, at Titans (No. 8)
9. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 32)
10. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers, at Patriots (No. 15)
11. Frank Gore, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 12)
12. Cedric Benson, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 3)
13. Ryan Grant, Packers, at Bears (No. 25)
14. Fred Jackson, Bills, at Chiefs (No. 27)
15. Brandon Jacobs, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 7)
16. Pierre Thomas, Saints, at Falcons (No. 23)
17. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos, at Colts (No. 18)
18. Laurence Maroney, Patriots, at Panthers (No. 26)
19. Marion Barber, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 21)
20. LeSean McCoy, Eagles, at Giants (No. 10)
21. Matt Forte, Bears, vs. Packers (No. 3)
22. Julius Jones, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 22)
23. Quinton Ganther, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 30)
24. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 9)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 27 vs. the pass)
2. Andre Johnson, Texans, vs. Seahawks (No. 25)
3. Marques Colston, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29)
4. Wes Welker, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
5. Reggie Wayne, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
6. Randy Moss, Patriots, vs. Panthers (No. 6)
7. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals, at 49ers (No. 27)
8. Roddy White, Falcons, vs. Saints (No. 22)
9. Vincent Jackson, Chargers, at Cowboys (No. 20)
10. Brandon Marshall, Broncos, at Colts (No. 19)
11. Derrick Mason, Ravens, vs. Lions (No. 32)
12. Calvin Johnson, Lions, at Ravens (No. 15)
13. Donald Driver, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
14. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals, at Vikings (No. 21)
15. Steve Smith, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 10)
16. Steve Smith, Panthers, at Patriots (No. 13)
17. DeSean Jackson, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
18. Miles Austin, Cowboys, vs. Chargers (No. 8)
19. Greg Jennings, Packers, at Bears (No. 9)
20. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
21. x-Percy Harvin, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
22. Terrell Owens, Bills, at Chiefs (No. 28)
23. Nate Burleson, Seahawks, at Texans (No. 14)
24. Sidney Rice, Vikings, vs. Bengals (No. 12)
25. Michael Crabtree, 49ers, vs. Cardinals (No. 30)
26. Devery Henderson, Saints, at Falcons (No. 29)
27. Davone Bess, Dolphins, at Jaguars (No. 23)
28. Pierre Garcon, Colts, vs. Broncos (No. 2)
29. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles, at Giants (No. 7)
30. Mario Manningham, Giants, vs. Eagles (No. 10)
31. Donnie Avery, Rams, at Titans (No. 31)
32. Kenny Britt, Titans, vs. Rams (No. 16)
33. Chris Chambers, Chiefs, vs. Bills (No. 4)
34. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets, at Buccaneers (No. 11)
35. Santana Moss, Redskins, at Raiders (No. 18)
36. Mike Thomas, Jaguars, vs. Dolphins (No. 24)
x-Make sure Harvin is active.

MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: Which teams have the best matchups the next three weeks, and which have the worst? Kevin Kleps has the answers here.