Week 2: Game Recap
This weekend’s set of games resembled the Red Wedding from GoT. Injuries galore. I wish each player a speedy recovery, and I hope your fantasy lineup has the depth to rebound. Hope y’all are having a great week!
Browns vs. Bengals, 35-30
A.J. Green has drawn 21 targets over the first two weeks of the season. His target share will pay dividends eventually. The same can be said about Joe Mixon and his touch count.
A short-handed Bengals’ defense is far from a true litmus test, but Baker Mayfield’s rapport with OBJ was a sight for sore eyes.
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt need to be started every week, as both look like killers during positive game scripts.
He might not garner much fantasy consideration yet, but Joe Burrow is the real deal who I’d have no problem streaming in the right matchup.
Bears vs. Giants, 17-13
Saquon Barkley suffered a torn ACL. A massive donkey-kick to the groin.
Interestingly, the Bears’ gave Tarik Cohen a handsome extension, then proceeded to give him just 6 touches. Just 15 in total over the first two weeks.
We know Mitchell Trubisky will never blow us away with efficiency, but Allen Robinson’s 44% catch rate needs to be improved if the Bears intend to win any high scoring games.
Hey, Anthony Miller! WYA?
With Golden Tate, Sterling Shephard, Evan Engram, and Darius Slayton on the field it’s tough to predict fantasy production week to week.
Rams vs. Eagles, 37-19
Cam Akers is banged up with a rib injury, but Sean McVay’s backfield is still as confusing as ever. Malcolm Brown split touches with Darrell Henderson Jr., and the latter was far more effective.
Sean McVay’s offense appears to be firing on all cylinders thus far, with Tyler Higbee being the primary beneficiary in Week 2.
Philly is a mess. The only Eagle I have confidence in starting at this point is Miles Sanders.
Dalles Goedert drew more targets than Zach Ertz again. Gulp.
Cardinals vs. Washington, 30-15
Kyler Murray would be an early MVP front-runner if not for Russell Wilson and Josh Allen. His weapons on the outside paired with his ability to run the ball make him an elite option at the position.
DeAndre Hopkins just set a record for most catches ever recorded for a player joining a new team through the first two games. You can start him with the utmost confidence each and every week.
Terry McLaurin looked really really good against Patrick Peterson. He’s a lock WR2 with a WR1 target share.
Antonio Gibson looks to be the main guy in the Washington backfield. He’s not exactly exciting, but volume can go a long way even in a bad offense.
Ravens vs Texans, 33-16
Will Fuller ‘Will Fullered’ us. After a thrilling Week 1 performance, he’s already gone out and tweaked a hamstring. An ailment he’s no stranger to.
With Fuller dinged up and the Texans playing from behind, Deshaun Watson relied heavily on Jordan Atkins, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb.
The Baltimore backfield is weird. Gus Edwards recorded 10 carries in a close out role, Mark Ingram had 9 carries and 1 TD, while J.K. Dobbins touched the ball just three times.
Chiefs vs. Chargers, 23-20
We all need to tip our cap to Justin Herbert who found out he was starting 10 seconds prior to kickoff. Anthony Lynn has already called Tyrod Taylor his starter, but Herbert’s immediate rapport with Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry should not go unnoticed.
Joshua Kelley needs to be rostered in all leagues. The LAC backfield is a near 50/50 split, which is bunk news for Austin Ekeler owners. Still, Ekeler recorded 20 touches of his own.
Clyde Edwrads-Helaire quietly recorded 16 touches for 70 yards. That sort of volume in the Chiefs’ offense is going to lead to some massive fantasy performances.
Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are so annoyingly good at what they do.
Seahawks vs Patriots, 35-30
Cam Newton accounted nearly the entirety of New England's offensive yardage on Sunday night,as the former MVP further credentialed himself as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
Julian Edelman recorded 8 catches for a career high 179 yards. While we can’t expect that out of Jules every week, it just goes to show that this guy is and always has been an underappreciated fantasy receiver.
D.K. Metcalf is a rising star in the NFL whose upside warrants consistent WR2 consideration. Did you see him put in work against Stephon Gilmore on SNF?
Chris Carson’s workload returned to normal after an efficient yet diminished role in Week 1. For as long as he stays healthy and maintains control of the football, he’s a top twelve fantasy tailback.
Cowboys vs. Falcons, 40-39
Congrats to you if you sniped Calvin Ridley in the 3rd or 4th round of this year’s draft. That selection will pay huge dividends all year long.
Todd Gurley had a relatively quiet afternoon, but owners need to recognize his promising volume. If Gurley can consistently manage 20+ touch games, then brighter days are ahead.
Matt Ryan is another grossly disrespected fantasy QB who may not offer the same intrigue as a guy like Kyler Murray or Deshaun Watson, but Ryan’s accuracy and supporting cast make him a lock starter each and every week.
The Cowboys aren’t always going to be playing from behind, so we need to take Amari Cooper’s, CeeDee Lamb’s, Dalton Schultz’s, and Michael Gallup’s performance with a grain of salt. I still don’t know how to predict which of those four will produce week to week.
49ers vs. Jets, 31-13
The Jets are miserable. Until Le’Veon Bell is back on the field, Jamison Crowder is the only Jet you should be starting. Maybe Frank Gore in a pinch.
This game was an absolute bloodbath. From a fantasy perspective, with the injuries to Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, Jerrick ‘Jet’ McKinnon becomes a must-add in all formats. He won’t be a reliable long term play, but he’ll provide immediate value for the next 1-2 weeks at a minimum.
Steelers vs. Broncos, 26-21
James Conner’s big day was a huge breath of fresh air for fantasy owners. Looks like the hometown kid has reaffirmed his bellcow status in Pittsburgh. Phew!
Dionte Johnson has overcome a few lowlights to become the clear #2 for Big Ben.
Cortland Sutton’s torn ACL is a huge blow to fantasy owners and the Denver Broncos alike. In his absence, Noah Fant and Jerry Jeudy should benefit from an increased target share.
For as long as Philip Lindsay is out with turf toe, Melvin Gordon is a high RB2 just based purely off volume.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers, 31-17
After a day full of season-ending injuries, suddenly CMC’s high ankle sprain feels like a blessing. With the star tailback out 4-6 weeks, veteran Mike Davis figures to carry the torch.
D.J. Moore is a stud, that’s no secret. But Robby Anderson is distancing himself as the clear #2 in Carolina with 18 targets over the first two weeks. That sort of volume paired with his playmaking ability makes the former Jet an awesome WR3.
It’s time for you to drop Rob Gronkowski.
With Chris Godwin in concussion protocol, Mike Evans rebounded after a miserable Week 1 with 7 snags for 104 yards and 1 TD. We have yet to really see how those two will coexist under the Brady era.
Ronald Jones II was looking great, annnnnd then he fumbled. Leonard Fournette stepped up and looked impressive. Maybe RoJo gets another shot, but Fournette’s stock is certainly on the rise.
Titans vs. Jaguars, 33-30
James Robinson is officially THE guy in the Jaguars’ backfield. He may be more gamescript-dependent than most fantasy running backs, but he offers FLEX value at a minimum.
The Jaguars defense may be bad, but the offense hasn’t been anything to scoff at. DJ Chark still tops the depth chart, but Keelan Cole needs to be rostered.
Without A.J. Brown, you should be comfortable starting Jonnu Smith in your TE spot.
Packers vs. Lions, 42-21
Davante Adams gave owners a scare with an apparent hamstring issue, but it sounds like Matt LaFleur’s decision to sideline his star receiver was made in an abundance of caution. Expect him to suit up in Week 3.
With Saquon done for the season and CMC sidelined for a month, Aaron Jones has a legitimate shot to finish as a top three fantasy back once again.
With Kenny Golladay still out, it’s tough to project T.J. Hockenson’s and Marvin Jones’ production thus far.
The Detroit backfield was a three-way split on Sunday. Ugh.
Bills vs. Dolphins, 31-28
Josh Allen might just be your Fantasy Football MVP thus far. The guy is balling up north.
If Buffalo continues this unforeseen aerial attack, then Stefon Diggs and John Brown were massively undervalued during fantasy drafts. Diggs recorded a 37.1% target share on Sunday. That’s big time.
Jordan Howard shouldn’t be inserted into your starting lineup. He’s managed back to back games with a TD, but he looks like nothing more than Miami’s short yardage guy.
Colts vs. Vikings, 28-11
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings have looked terrible thus far. Dalvin Cook has been TD-reliant thus far, as the Vikings have been playing catch up through both games.
The Jonathan Taylor train is just getting going. All aboard!
That Nyheim Hines hype may have been a bit premature. 0 carries, just 1 catch for 4 yards.
Raiders vs. Saints, 34-24
Alvin Kamara is looking very much like the bounceback candidate we all hoped he might be. We can expect this type of usage for as long as Michael Thomas is sidelined.
Tre’Quan Smith appeared to be the primary beneficiary of Thomas’s absence. His 5 receptions for 86 yards led all saints receivers.
Someone needs to put out an APB for Emmanuel Sanders.
Darren Waller showcased why he’s an elite fantasy tight end. His 12 receptions for 103 yards and a TD make it hard to argue.
Josh Jacob has 52 carries through two games on top of 7 catches. His volume is that of a top five fantasy running back.
