JD's Fantasy Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Week 2
(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images via kslsports)
Do we have an onslaught of fun games this Sunday or what? If last week wasn’t awesome enough, we get a week 2 in the NFL that is loaded with good match-ups and fantasy points for the taking. If you guessed that Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, and Jamaal Williams were going to finish as the top 3 running backs after week 1 in fantasy (PPR), then you should probably have my job. Pretty hard to believe that CMC was able to do so without scoring a TD, pretty nuts huh? He’s otherworldly.
Enough of living in the past, it’s time to look into week two, and I’m here to give you my “Must Starts,” “Sit ‘Em Down,” and “Sleepers” players for this week at each position.
In the words of the great Mills Lane from “Celebrity Deathmatch” in the 90’s, “Now let’s get it on!”
Must Starts:
QB:
Well, I hit on 1 of my 3 must starts last week at quarterback. It was week 1, come on, give a guy a break! Jalen Hurts saved me, as he finished as the QB5 on the week. Lawrence and Cousins finished back to back at 13 and 14, not bad, but not must starts.
Kyler Murray (ARI) VS MIN – This may be cheating considering he was the QB1 last week, but I don’t care, and that trend may continue throughout the season. He hosts the Vikings on Sunday, and they didn’t look like they righted their defensive struggles from last season a week ago. Kyler carved up Tennessee last week; 289 passing yards, 4 TD’s, 20 yards rushing and a TD. Imagine what he is going to do Sunday against a Vikings squad who made Joe Burrow look like a savior. START HIM every chance you get.
(Photo by USA Today Sports images via footballoutsiders)
Russell Wilson (SEA) VS TEN – A few things make Russ an easy “Must Start” this week. First, he plays against Tennessee, who got absolutely torched by Kyler Murray last week if you were too fricking lazy to read the last paragraph. Secondly, did you see his performance last week? He slid under the radar, played lights out against a strong Indianapolis defense and finished the week as the QB7. Look for Russ to keep cooking against the Titans, and I expect him to do much more damage than his 254 yard, 4 TD game from a week ago. Scary right?
Aaron Rodgers (GB) VS DET – Man, did you see Green Bay’s performance last week? Yeah, so did everyone else. “How could you pick Aaron Rodgers after last week's outing James?” It’s simple really you guys. He’s Aaron Rodgers. As much as I love watching him struggle, and fancy the conspiracy theory of him only returning to Green Bay to sabotage their season, he is going to light up Detroit. He has always had their number, and he has a track record of coming out and torching the following team after a bad performance. Even if he does look like “The Jesus” now from “The Big Lebowski” with his new look, he is going to have a massive game Monday Night.
RB:
Yeah, I know. I went 0 for 3 last week here in the backfield, so hit me why don’t ya. Robinson, Hunt, and Henry all failed me last week. So, let's try again shall we?
Nick Chubb & Kareem Hunt (CLE) VS HOU – Yeah I know, I’m doubling down. But this match-up screams a big combo game from Chubb and Hunt. Baker looked good last week against KC, and I think he is going to score multiple times early against Houston, who didn’t look good last week you guys, Jacksonville is just that bad. That being said, if they get up early and they should, Chubb and Hunt will run the ball the remainder of the game and share a huge volume of touches. It’s not a stretch to say that both are easy starts in any format this week.
Aaron Jones (GB) VS DET – Do you see the trend for Green Bay players? You should. But the big argument here is that Aaron Jones is set up for a huge game against Detroit. Jones finished last week as the RB51, yes you are reading that correctly. They didn’t really use him last week, and that is because they got their ass kicked. It is going to be a different game script this week. They’re going to run, they’re going to pass, and Jones is used in both categories. Look for Aaron Jones to get back to his normal consistent self Monday night when the Motor City Kitties come to town.
Melvin Gordon (DEN) @ JAX – Old man Gordon is making the cut here in must starts for running back. Go ahead and yell at me for not putting Javonte Williams here instead of Gordon, but guess who had the better game last week with less carries. Melvin Gordon. Gordon went off with 11 carries, ran for 101 yards and 1 touchdown. They travel to Jacksonville, who was the 3rd worst rushing defense in the league last year, and looks about as bad after one week. Now, I’m not saying Williams won’t be in there, because he will, but I still think Gordon comes out on top in stats.
WR:
Cooper Kupp (LAR) @ IND – The Rams of L.A. head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts and I couldn’t be more excited for Cooper Kupp. After a 7 reception, 108 yard, and 1 touchdown game, Kupp gets to go against a Colts defense that gave up an absolute rock solid game to both Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The Colts are a good defense, but here’s the thing, Russell Wilson was able to show the weaknesses, and with the tape, there is no question Stafford is licking his chops for his chance. Kupp should be a set and forget play for this week and if it works out, I think for the rest of the season.
Keenan Allen (LAC) VS DAL – First of all, the implied over under in this game is 54.5, a gigantic number that will end up resulting in a high scoring game. Dallas gave up 379 yards and 4 TD through the air to Tom Brady last week in the opener. Look for Herbert to be tossing the ball early and often, and who is the best pass catcher on the Chargers squad? That’s correct, Keenan Allen. He is going to get open, he will catch the ball, and he will have multiple TD’s in this game.
DeAndre Hopkins (ARI) VS MIN – The truth of the matter is my Vikings are probably going to get torched by Kyler, D-Hop, and probably Christian Kirk. But of the two main receivers I’ll take the vet as the top pass catcher on the field Sunday for the Cardinals. The Kyler/D-Hop stack is going to be a thing all year long, and this week it may end up as a gigantic roster win. The Vikings gave up 261 yards and 2 TD’s to Joe Burrow last, so that makes me think Kyler goes for at least 325 and 3. D-Hop gets at least 1 of those. Must. Start.
TE:
You know the rules here, Kelce, Waller, and Kittle are must starts. But here is another name I think you will be 100% ok with this week.
Tyler Higbee (LAR) @ IND – Higbee had 6 targets and 5 receptions last week against the Bears. He turned that into a respectable 68 yards, but couldn’t find pay dirt. This week I think it’ll be a different story on him finding the end zone. I truly think that the Rams take it to the Colts through the air, and they’ve already shown in week 1 that they want Higbee involved often. His former team mate Gerald Everett scored a TD against Indy last week, and I expect Higbee to do the same. He’s a cheap option on DFS formats with a ton of upside, start him in all formats.
Sit ‘Em Down:
QB:
Sam Darnold (CAR) VS NO – Last week Darnold showed us that he can be competent. He put up modest yet efficient numbers. 24 of 35 for 279 and 1 TD, with a passer rating of 102. Not too bad. Well, the Saints are about to come marching in, and into the backfield. They put Aaron Rodgers to shame last week, and if you think Sam Darnold is going to outperform him against the same opponent, you’re sadly wrong. I have zero confidence in him this week, he is going to be running for his life, and dumping balls off left and right to either CMC or Marshall in the slot, which most likely won’t equate to much. Sit down Sam.
Jared Goff (DET) @ GB – The only reason why Goff put up the numbers he did last week was because they were throwing the ball a lot the second half due to game script and because San Francisco lost 2 starting defensive players. Do not expect that this time. The Packers secondary is good, and don’t let last week fool you. Yeah, they got slaughtered by New Orleans, but Jameis didn’t throw for over 150 yards! Goff is in trouble, and with lackluster wide receivers, it might end up being a very very sad night for Lions fans. The guy that may have the best game for the Lions is going to be in the backfield, and his last name isn’t Swift.
Tyrod Taylor (HOU) @ CLE – Houston, we are about to have a problem. How is it possible for a team to look so friggin’ bad, and yet come out on top? Let me tell you how, play a worse team, and that team was Jacksonville. Yeah, Taylor threw for 291 and 2 TD’s, but he is headed to Cleveland this week. Their defense and Jacksonville’s aren’t even in the same universe. Do not expect Taylor to repeat his week 1 performance, and poor Brandin Cooks is going to be exhausted by week 5 if he is the only one catching balls. Steer clear from the Houston QB this week, and maybe every week from here on out.
RB:
Joe Mixon (CIN) @ CHI – Mixon walked into week 1 with a chip on his shoulder and showed the NFL that he still can be a very productive back. He went 29 for 127 and 1 TD against the Vikings, and also tallied 2 catches for 12 yards. Now, he heads to the windy city, where the defense is stronger, and the environment will be brutal. I don’t expect Mixon to completely fall off the wagon here, but there is a chance he could against a stout Bears rushing defense. Just beware the situation, he very well could go back to being inefficient this game, because it’s something us Mixon shareholders have endured all too often in fantasy football.
(Photo by Sam Greene / The Enquirer via cincinnati.com)
Josh Jacobs (LV) @ PIT – Josh Jacobs goes against two tough defenses back to back to start the 2021 season. You lucked out last week when they played Baltimore and he cashed in 2 rushing TD’s just off of 10 carries and 34 yards. This week the Raiders head to Pittsburgh, an organization that has had a stout rushing defense for years. Also, I’m not sure if you noticed but Jacobs was pretty banged up at the end of the game last week. Between re-injury probability, and a very tough defense to run against Josh Jacobs is an easy bench player for the week.
Mike Davis (ATL) @ TB – There is a sticky situation going on in Atlanta after week 1. Fantasy owners are panicking at how awful the offense looked. Matt Ryan, Mike Davis, Calvin Ridley, and Kyle Pitts all looked terrible, like really bad. The hope here is that Matt Ryan can get some kind of passing game going against Tampa, who got lit up last week against Dak. The run game however, that is going to continue to struggle. Zeke looked bad against Tampa, and I don’t expect anything better from Davis who ran the ball 15 times for 49 yards. Not to mention, Cordarelle Patterson ran the ball more efficiently. He ran the ball 7 times for 54 yards, not a good look for Davis. Pleasantly sit him on your bench this week.
WR:
Michael Pittman (IND) VS LAR – I’m on the side that Pittman is without a doubt going to be Indianapolis’ WR1 at the end of the season, and it won’t take him long to establish that role. That being said, I don’t see a great Sunday ahead this weekend. Pittman goes up against the Rams, who held Allen Robinson to 6 catches for 35 yards. Yeah, they’re most likely going to be in a negative game script, and they’ll be hucking the ball. But as long as Andy “Red Rocket” Dalton is behind center, it isn’t going to amount to much production.
D.J. Moore (CAR) VS NO – This is an obvious correlation to me not liking Sam Darnold this week either. Moore had a solid outing last week, 6 catches for 80 yards, but it was against the Jets. Here he faces a solid Saints secondary, and a pass rush that is going to make Sunday very long for Darnold. Darnold won’t have a lot of time, and that means dump offs as mentioned before. Make sure you don’t have high expectations for Moore this week.
A.J. Brown (TEN) @ SEA – We all know that Seattle is a tough place to play, it’s true, the atmosphere is reckless. I’ve been there for an away Vikings game, and boy let me tell you that it makes for a huge advantage for this Seattle team. I feel like it is going to rattle Tannehill, and if he is rattled, I’m not expecting much out of the passing game this week for them, that’s why I’m not starting Brown in any DFS match-ups. It’s obvious you have to in regular fantasy, the amount of capital you spent makes it hard to bench him. Temper expectations, and be ready for a Derrick Henry type of game script, it may be their only hope at a win.
Sleepers:
Jamaal Williams (DET) @ GB – Jamaal Williams revenge game? Nah, that’s not the narrative here. The narrative is that Jamaal Williams has always been a solid running back that has just been the backup or spell guy. Truth is, he and his former team mate Aaron Jones are extremely similar. Both run hard, can catch the ball, and can make you miss after the fact. Detroit is going to be in a negative game script early, and they’re going to pass the ball. I see a lot of receptions coming Williams’ way. I know, he is splitting time with Swift, but you know what? I think he is the better back. Yeah I said it. Last week he had 9 rushes for 54 yards and a TD, and caught 8 balls for 56 yards. Solid work. I think that continues, and will continue all year round. Start him, he is at the least a great Flex option.
Tim Patrick (DEN) @ JAX – The Jaguars suck. The end. No, it’s not that simple, well maybe. Patrick comes in and will get a lot of targets just off the sheer principle that Jerry Jeudy is out. I think between him and Noah Fant, there are going to be a lot of happy Fantasy Football Managers out there that start them. Last week Patrick had 4 catches for 39 yards and a TD. That workload is going to increase drastically. Who knows, maybe it's not instantly, but maybe it is? We will find out Sunday, but I’d be willing to bet that if you throw Patrick in a Flex position for this week, you’re not going to be disappointed.
Mac Jones (NE) @ NYJ – Ah yes, the battle of the rookie quarterbacks. It actually should be a very entertaining game to watch. The future of the NFL one might say. Last week the Mac Attack threw 29 of 39, for 281 and a TD. Yes, and a fumble. But the kid’s a rookie, mistakes like that are going to happen. But what I really think is that Mac Jones is going to come out and completely take control of this game in New York. They’re going to use Damien Harris in the run game (who was almost my sleeper pick), and that is going to open the passing lanes up for Jones. It might be ugly in instances here and there, but this kid is promising, and I’m excited to see him use those TE’s he has. Jonnu is interesting this week, and I think he is going to help Mac a lot on Sunday.
I’m looking forward to seeing what is going to happen this weekend in the NFL, I’m expecting a lot of high scoring games so there should be Fantasy Football points aplenty.
If Washington and the New York Giants can put on that kind of display on Thursday Night Football, I can only imagine what Sunday and Monday is going to bring.
Good luck this week, unless you’re a Packers fan or a Cardinals fan, then go chew on some rocks.
SKOL
- JD