Fantasy football strategy, rankings, and podcasts

This week Dave and I were joined by staff write Mike Mocerino for a good discussion of all of the injuries, waiver pickups and some trade options before diving into talk of what's to come in week 3. Make sure you check out Mike's Week 2 Injury Roundup if you haven't already - there were a ton this week! We also enjoyed some Oktillion from Ale Asylum and Key Lime Contact High from 4 Hands Brewing Co. - both excellent specimens.

Listen to the Fantasy Football Podcast, 9/20/16: Week 3 Preview

Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes to get notifications whenever we release a new episode. We also broadcast the shows live at http://www.mixlr.com/drinkfive on Tuesday nights at 8:30pm CT. Feel free to browse over and join in the discussion in the chat room!

Each week we'll give you some recommended starters that you need to get in your lineup for one reason or another. Usually, it's because of a good matchup, sometimes it's a player that's trending up, and once in a while it's going to be the secret to your fantasy victory!

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan @ OAK: The Atlanta quarterback was not highly touted heading into this season. Week 1 was a strong showing for him with 334 yards and 2 touchdowns. More importantly, he protected the football, something he has struggled with in the past. I like Matt Ryan in week 2 against the Oakland Raiders. Drew Brees just torched the Oakland secondary in week 1. Mohamed Sanu gives Ryan a good second option after Julio Jones. Running Backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman will keep the Raiders defense honest too.

Joe Flacco @ CLE: The Ravens win the Cleveland Lottery in week 2. Joe Flacco returned to the field after tearing his ACL last season, and while his knee looks fine his fantasy score left something to be desired. The highlight was his connection with Mike Wallace on a 66 yard touchdown pass. Cleveland did a piss poor job last week of introducing rookie Carson Wentz to the NFL. Wentz threw for 278 and 2 TD’s in his first ever game; I expect Flacco to have his way with the Cleveland defense this Sunday.

Running Backs

Lamar Miller vs. KC: As expected, Lamar Miller was used heavily in week 1 for the Texans. In fact, he was one of only two top 25 running backs to rush for over 100 yards in week 1. Miller saw 28 carries and 4 receptions in week 1. Houston will not move away from that in a week 2 match-up with the Chiefs. Kansas City gave up 146 total rushing yards between Danny Woodhead and Melvin Gordon in week 1.

Spencer Ware @ HOU: Jamaal Charles is still a question mark for week 2 and it’s safe to say the Chiefs have no reason to rush him back. Spencer Ware split time with Charcandrick West in week 1, but Ware was clearly the more utilized back. His 18 touches for 199 total yards makes him a must start this week and every week until Charles returns.

Wide Receiver

Tajae Sharpe @ DET: Marcus Mariota is clearly feeling it with Tajae Sharpe. Sharpe led the team in targets with 11 while bringing in 7 receptions for 76 yards. Tennessee has a favorable match-up in week 2 against a Lions pass defense that looked awful in week 1. Sharpe’s strong route running will offer him plenty of opportunity against this secondary.

Tight End

Dwayne Allen @ DEN: Jack Doyle and Dwayne Allen were both strong options for Andrew Luck in week 1. They finished 1 and 2 amongst tight ends in scoring for week 1. Dwayne Allen saw 2 more targets and 18 more yards, while Jack Doyle’s big boost came with his 2 touchdown performance. I like Allen in week 2 because he is clearly the TE1 on the Colts and a favorite red zone target for Andrew Luck.

Each week we'll give you some recommended starters that you need to get in your lineup for one reason or another. Usually, it's because of a good matchup, sometimes it's a player that's trending up, and once in a while it's going to be the secret to your fantasy victory!

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan @ NO: Included on the list last week, here's a guy who is currently the fantasy points leader at QB in standard leagues and yet is still not owned by 30% of [Yahoo] leagues. If you happen to be in a league where that is the case, I suggest you remedy that quickly! His matchup in week 3 against the Saints (giving up 672 passing yards so far over 2 games) looks pretty advantageous. The Falcons defense is more than suspect, and they'll always keep their opponent in the game - forcing Ryan to keep chucking it.

Ryan Fitzpatrick @ KC: Fitzpatrick is still out of the top 10 (currently #13 in overall fantasy points at the QB position in standard scoring leagues), but he's spreading the football around this year with new additions to the offense like Enunwa and Forte. The Jets know that this could be their last chance to make a playoff run for quite some time and they will be fighting to the bitter end of every matchup this year. Fitzpatrick could end up a good short-term start or may even become your QB1 as long as guys like Bortles and Cousins are underperforming. Owned in 41% of Yahoo leagues currently. (Keep your eye on Marshall's health, though, Fitz's ceiling comes down if Marshall is not on the field).

Running Backs

Isaiah Crowell @MIA: Crowell exploded last week with 133 yards and a touchdown. Granted, most of that was from a specific play, but his performance so far this year has been raising more than a few eyebrows out there, and he'll be going up against a Dolphins rushing defense that is giving up the 2nd most yards per game. A must start until he proves otherwise!

Mark Ingram vs. ATL: Ingram has just not had the opportunities on offense yet this season - with only 21 carries over 2 games, the Saints need to commit a little more to the running game. That has been mentioned in recent press conferences, etc and an excellent matchup against the Falcons on Monday could be the catalyst for a top-10 fantasy performance for Ingram.

Wide Receiver

Mike Wallace @JAX: Wallace finally has a QB with some arm strength that is willing to send a few far downfield - that's all he needs to be a productive fantasy receiver. He's actually propelled himself to be the #6 fantasy WR in standard scoring leagues (as of Monday evening). Going up against the Jaguars shouldn't prove a much more difficult situation for Wallace to rack up his customary 3 or 4 receptions. Cross your fingers for the touchdown that makes him a commodity from week-to-week.

Tight End

Kyle Rudolph @ CAR: I would not normally recommend fantasy plays against a stout Panthers defense, but Kyle Rudolph has proved so far this season to be one of the highest targeted Vikings' pass-catchers (8 targets in both week 1 and week 2) and is currently situated as the #10 TE thus far in the season. With an upgrade to QB in Sam Bradford, I think we'll see more of Rudolph - especially as a red zone threat. 

Week 6 will kick off with a west coast matchup between the Broncos and Chargers. Philip Rivers is going to have a rough day against Denver’s third-ranked pass defense. Flip offenses and Trevor Siemian is expected to return against a San Diego defense giving up almost 300 pass yards per game this season. Thursday night football can be weird and frustrating with a short week of preparation. So we are all here to help you make those roster moves that could save your week. Here are this weeks recommended starts amongst the trending and borderline players. Feel free to reach out with specific start sit advice!

Quarterbacks:

Brian Hoyer vs. Jac: It’s no secret that Jay Cutler’s career in Chicago is coming to a close. The Bears continue to be vague with their quarterback decisions and why shouldn’t they be. Brian Hoyer is playing well enough to keep the job and now reports from CBS Sports’ Brian La Canfora state that Cutler has “fallen out of favor” with Bears coaches. All rumors and guesses aside, Brian Hoyer looks to start at least one more week. The Jaguars matchup doesn’t lend itself to anything especially positive or negative. Brian Hoyer’s 300+ pass yards and 2 touchdown average per game over that last 3 weeks is a trend to ride in week 6.

Dak Prescott @ GB: Sure, he has yet to throw for over 300 yards, but he also had yet to throw an interception. Dak Prescott has led the Cowboys to a 4-1 start but will face his toughest test in week 6. Ezekiel Elliot is also going to face a tough test against the top rated Green Bay run defense and Dak will be called upon to do more than he has all season. I like that this one could turn into a shootout and that is always a good thing for fantasy owners. I even have a bold prediction that Dak will outscore Philip Rivers and Andrew Luck in week 6.

Wide Receivers

Cole Beasley @ GB: I made a bold claim just above that includes Dak Prescott beating out some pretty big names in fantasy heading into a matchup against Green Bay. That only happens if his supporting cast helps. Cole Beasley has been a reliable target for Dak in Dez Bryant’s absence. Reports, for now, seem to lean towards Dez missing the week 6 match up and if that is the case I think you roll with Cole in a favorable matchup. Again, this game is setting up to be won through the air for Dallas.

Willie Snead vs. CAR: A divisional matchup with the Saints coming off a bye week and Carolina reeling from a disappointing loss to Tampa Bay. One way or the other Willie Snead should be back to 100% after a toe injury. The Saints spread the ball around more than frat boys passing the discount vodka, but Willie was one of Drew Brees’ early favorites. Look for that to be renewed in a game setting up to be big for the Saints.

Running Backs

Frank Gore @ HOU: I don’t know what the coaching staff in Indianapolis is doing, as they seem to completely change schemes every week. That being said, Frank Gore put up a solid performance last week. The only thing holding him back from a better fantasy day was his lack of involvement in the passing game; something he saw a lot more of the previous week in London. The matchup with Houston should force the Colts to utilize Gore more in week 6. I also fully expect him to be moderately involved in the passing game, at least more than we saw in week 5.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry vs DEN: There is plenty to be wary about with Hunter Henry in week 6. The matchup, Thursday Night Football and the return of Antonio Gates are some pretty scary factors for Henry owners heading into week 6. Honestly, I like him for all the same reasons. First of all, the matchup with the Denver defense means Philip Rivers and the Chargers will have to utilize mismatches to move the ball through the air. While Antonio Gates will eat away at some of those targets and yards, he is also the perfect decoy in two tight end sets. I mean which one do you cover!? The kid has put up some big numbers and that wasn’t affected by Gates’ return. He just found more room to run on fewer targets.