Week 2: Keys to the Game

Week 2 Overview

Injuries

Kenny Golladay - Out

George Kittle - Out

AJ Brown - Out

Chris Godwin - Doubtful (concussion)

Devante Parker - Questionable Game day decision

Courtland Sutton - Questionable

Going to try and highlight key players to look out for week 2. This is different from last week, and I am still trying to find the best format to do these. Reminder .5 PPR scoring is what I am going with and rankings are based on Fantasypros.com Consensus Rankings.

Hit the Gas - Expect this player to do better than projected

Pump the Brakes - Be cautious

EJECT - Sit this one out bud

Hit the Gas

QBs: Aaron Rodgers QB7 vs Detroit, Cam Newton QB11 vs Seattle, Tom Brady QB10 vs Carolina, Matt Ryan QB8 vs Dallas, Matt Stafford QB14 vs Green Bay

I think Green Bay and Detroit ends up as a relatively high scoring game (line is at 47.5), Cam Newton has his first primetime game of the year in Seattle. This defense got shredded by the Falcons last week. McDaniels showed creativity against Miami, look for them to want to prove this thing they got going in New England is legit. The Carolina Panthers defense will take alotve lumps this year, look for Brady and Arians to try and quell some of the noise they received this week. Matt Ryan with a completely loaded arsenal is dangerous, especially indoors.

RBs: Saquon Barkley RB6 vs Chi, Todd Gurley RB16 vs Dal, Ronald Jones RB21 vs Car, Nyheim Hines RB26 vs Min, Benny Snell RB34 vs Den, D’Andre Swift RB41 vs Green Bay,

Not that you needed any assurances, but after a terrible week last week look for Saquon to get back to form. Todd Gurley will look to run over the Cowboys playing their first game of many without LVE. Ronald Jones didnt have a great day last week but he ran hard. Carolinas defense is is already lacking Kawann Short up the middle. This is a get right game for Bruce Arians offense. Nyheim the new Ekeler. Phillip Rivers loves his dynamic RBs in the redzone. Benny Snell showed alot more juice than James Connor last week. I like him to surpass his running mate sooner rather than later. D'Andre Swift had just about the worst moment for a rookie player last week, dropping a game winner. But the good thing about the 1st RB taken in the draft this year was he was in there for Goal Line work and is the primary pass catcher on a team that will likely be down vs Rodgers and company.

WRs: Calvin Ridley WR7 vs Dal, Mike Evans WR12 vs Car, Hollywood Brown WR18 vs Hou, Michael Gallup WR21 vs Atl, Ceedee Lamb WR32 vs Atl, Parris Campbell WR35 vs Min, Anthony Miller WR36 vs NYG, Sterling Shepard vs Chi

Fully expect a track meet to get going at AT&T Stadium. Both of these teams have issues in the secondary, Ridley, Gallup, and Lamb all have a shot to win you a week. Mike Evans played alot more last week than I expected. Hamstrings tend to linger but it looks like he is good to go. Expect him to shred Carolina. Marquise Brown should benefit playing against Houston. Greg Roman will have some fun. Parris Campbell had 9 targets last week. Him and TY are in more of a 1A 1B situation this year. Breakout coming. Anthony Miller continues his hot streak from last season and I dont see that slowing down vs a terrible Giants secondary. Sterling should benefit underneath in the quick passing game.

TEs: Dallas Goedart TE8 vs LAR, Evan Engram TE10 vs Chi, Jonnu Smith TE12 vs Jax, Noah Fant TE13 vs Pit, Logan Thomas Te18 vs Ari, Jordan Akins TE27 vs Bal, Jordan Reed TE34 vs NYJ

Dallas looks to continue his beast start from last game. With Philly slowly getting healthier, I expect Ertz and Dallas to play a significant portion of the game together. Wentz got enough love for two TE1s. Engram is in a get right game, TJ Hockenson had a great game last week vs Chicago, I think Engram does the same. Jonnu and Noah will both see an uptick in targets with top WRs Courtland Sutton and AJ Brown out respectively, they both have flex appeal if you have other top options at TE. Logan Thomas might be this years Darren Waller, a TE has been in the league for a few years but finally takes that next step. Watch his matchup agains rookie Isaiah Simmons who struggled in coverage last week. For deep leagues Jordan Akins and Jordan Reed are trending up. Jordan will look to replace George Kittle in a beat up 9ers offense. Jordan Akins will provide a reliable target up the middle.

Pump the Brakes

QBs: Kyler Murray QB5 vs Was, Russell Wilson QB6 vs NE

Now both of them had monster week ones, and realistically you are not benching them. I think both will produce, just dont anticipate the monster ceiling in your QB1 this week.

RBs: Josh Jacobs RB8 vs NO, Miles Sanders RB19 vs LAR, Raheem Mostert RB17 vs NYJ

Jacobs is in a tough matchup. New Orleans defense is probably a top 5 unit. On the plus side Josh is being used in the passing game early and often. Miles Sanders makes his season debut, after missing week one with a hammy injury. The Rams can be run on but with all soft tissue injuries be cautious, its possible he plays less. Mostert may be seceding work to Jerrick Mckinnon in the redzone, but in a week where half the pass catchers are out he may be leaned on more than usual.

WRs/TEs: Tyreek Hill WR4 vs Den, Terry McLaurin WR13 vs Ari, Zach Ertz TE3

Tyreek has been hit or miss vs Chris Harris. Be real you are not benching him but just be aware if he starts slow theres a reason. McLaurin faces a very underrated Cardinals defense. Hes the number one target and should get his, but this defense has some young players who are developing rapidly.

EJECT:

QBs: Deshaun Watson QB9 vs Bal, Drew Brees QB12 vs LV

Its not likely you want to use a bench spot for a replacement for Deshaun, so this might be a week where you just have to eat a mediocre performance. Although I will probably look wrong, because Watson is Watson. Drew Brees, will play without AllWorld WR Michael Thomas. I expect this to be a Kamara/Murray game more than anything.

RBs: Chris Carson RB15 vs NE, David Johnson RB18 vs Bal, Mark Ingram RB23

In a game where Seattle had an early lead for virtually the whole game against Atlanta, Chris Carson ran the ball 6 times. Now ATL was playing against the run which allowed Russell to destroy them in the passing game (to which Carson got all of his points), I expect this game to be closer and I think Carlos Hyde is a real problem to Carsons. David Johnson will have his work cut out for him vs Baltimore. He should still turn decent numbers as he will be used in the passing game, but be warned.

WRs/TEs: DJ Moore WR11 vs TB, DK Metcalf WR20 vs NE Mike Gesicki TE14 vs Buf

Carlton Davis is maybe the best young corner in the NFL. If he shadows DJ expect Teddy to look for Curtis/Robby vs Vernon Hargreaves and company. Bill Belichick usually likes to put DPOY Lockdown Gilmore on bigger WRs and have him travel across the field. DK drew the short straw this week. Miami has its work cut out for them vs Buffalo, especially at TE. While Mike Gesicki will likely see an uptick in targets with Devante Parker likely out, Buffalo has the safeties to run with him.