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There’s lots of guys that are injured every week in the NFL, it’s really just a part of the game. We’re here to help you stay on top of what’s going on with them so you can field the best possible team going into next week.

 

Quarterbacks

 

Tony Romo (Replacement: Brandon Weeden) – Tony Romo injured his collarbone while being sacked in Sunday’s contest against the Eagles. Romo is expected to be out at least 8 weeks as he has been put on the IR/return list. He cannot return to the field any earlier than week 11, and it’s a strong possibility that he isn’t back until Thanksgiving or later. This is far too long to wait for him to return – pick up the best available QB on your waiver wire asap. No, Brandon Weeden is not a sufficient replacement on your team.

 

Drew Brees (Replacement: Luke McCown) – Brees injured his rotator cuff in the loss to the Bucs on Sunday. Initially, it seemed like he might miss several weeks. After a second opinion, it seems that he has a shot to play this week against Carolina. We will know more about this situation once the injury reports are released on Wednesday, so make sure to pay attention. This is a short-term injury, so do not drop Brees for a backup. Also, look elsewhere for a fill-in, McCown is almost certainly not the best option on your waiver wire.

 

cutler out 2 weeksCutler is expected to be out for two weeks.

 

Jay Cutler (Replacement: Jimmy Clausen) – Cutler hurt himself (hamstring) yet again while chasing down a defender who had picked him off. This seems to be something that Cutler just kind of does once per season. If we had any sort of real backup, the fans in Chicago might even be happy, however Clausen is no legit NFL starter. The year that he started, he had 3 passing TD’s in 10 games. He should have accidentally gotten to 5. Cutler will be back in a few weeks, in the meantime, just stay away from any Bears player not named Matt Forte.

 

Matt Stafford (Replacement: none) – Stafford has been banged up the last few weeks and the Lions don’t have any wins to show for it. Stafford had x-rays on his ribs which came back negative, but it’s clear that he’ll be playing with some pain in week 3. The Broncos defense has been outstanding in the first two weeks, and Stafford’s ineffectiveness combined with potential rib injury lead me to recommend you start anyone else in week 3, even in a 2 QB league.

 

Running Backs

 

Eddie Lacy (Replacement: James Starks) – Lacy had an early exit from Sunday night’s game as apparently everyone in Green Bay had an ankle injury. Lacy doesn’t play until Monday night in week 3, so he has an extra day to get ready. As of now, he’s probably going to play, but as always, wait for the injury report to come out. James Starks is one of the best backups in the league and can be inserted immediately into your lineup if Lacy does not start, so pick him up as an insurance policy, if he’s still available.


Tevin Coleman (Replacement: Devonta Freeman) – Coleman missed the entire second half of the game this past Sunday against the Giants after he was carted off with a broken rib. This is the kind of injury that has a lot to do with pain threshold and less to do with the body working mechanically correctly. Coleman has looked very good so far and has out-carried Devonta Freeman, so keep him on your roster until he’s healthy again. Freeman is an OK replacement, not as good as James Starks, but he’s much closer to the performance of Coleman than some of the previously mentioned backup QB’s are to their starters. Coleman should be back in a couple of weeks, keep your eyes on the injury report and if he’s been practicing.

 

Lamar Miller (Replacement: Damien Williams) – Miller says that he’s going to be OK after suffering an ankle injury during Sunday’s game in Washington. He’s basically day-to-day at this point, so you shouldn’t worry too much about his status for week 3. What’s more worrisome are his stats in the first two weeks – he’s only gaining just over 50 yards per game on an offense that is supposed to be improving. Damien Williams would get the start if Miller doesn’t go, but against the Buffalo defense, you might want to just find another option.

 

Denard Robinson (Replacement: T.J. Yeldon, Bernard Pierce) – Robinson has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain which could leave him out for 1-2 months – the timeline is not very certain this early in the injury. Robinson was already taking a backseat to Yeldon, who has been impressive in the early going of 2015. Yeldon is not likely to be available in any leagues - if he is, please take all of your opponent’s money mercilessly as that’s one easy fantasy league. Pierce is unlikely to be useful anywhere but in the deepest of leagues, and as a handcuff for Yeldon.

 

Wide Receivers

decker marshallThe Jets' dynamic duo.

 

Eric Decker (Replacement: Chris Owusu, Quincy Enunwa) – Decker suffered a PCL injury during Monday night’s game and wasn’t heard from for basically the entire second half (thanks Decker, couldn’t get another 1 point?). Decker has had success this season with Fitzpatrick, so if he plays, go ahead and slot him in. If he doesn’t’ play, Chris Owusu and Quincy Enunwa will probably take targets away from each other. (Note: Owusu is out for a couple weeks, but it doesn't really help Enunwa anyways) The tandem of Decker and Marshall looks to be a strong one this year, so stick with them while they play, but there’s not likely to be anyone filling their shoes if they don’t.

 

Davante Adams (Replacement: Ty Montgomery, James Jones) – Adams went down with an ankle injury briefly on Sunday night. Apparently, those injuries are contagious. Adams struggled during the game, but who wouldn’t struggle when you have Richard Sherman covering your every move. Since Adams was able to return, I expect him to be ready to play next Monday night. He’s definitely lost some of the work everyone thought he was going to get to James Jones, so keep that in mind if you want to start Adams. If Adams can’t go, Ty Montgomery did have an OK game, collecting 4 receptions on 4 targets. I like his potential if given an entire game.

 

Jerricho Cotchery (Replacement: Ted Ginn Jr.) – Cotchery suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday, an injury which typically lingers in NFL players. Cotchery may be able to tough it out and play in week 3, but seeing as he’s the only real veteran receiver they have, Carolina might be smart to let him sit a week or two. Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Olsen will be the ones to absorb Cotchery’s targets, though that number has never been too high. The receivers in Carolina are very sketchy at best – stick to starting Cam, Greg and Jon (athan Stewart).

 

Tight Ends

 

Jordan Cameron (Replacement: Jake Stoneburner) – Cameron exited his week 2 game with a groin injury, but at least had the courtesy of putting up a few fantasy points before doing so. Cameron has suffered from so-called soft tissue injuries in the past, so this could definitely put him on the sidelines a couple weeks. As always, keep an eye on injury reports and practice status before making a final decision. Backup TE Jake Stoneburner will step into Cameron’s role, and already has caught a TD and secured both targets sent his way from Ryan Tannehill. This isn’t exactly a direct replacement you can plug in, however his TD in week 1 is intriguing, so he is worth a flyer.

 

Jason Witten (Replacement: Gavin Escobar) – Witten is already banged up after two weeks into the 2015 season with two bad ankles and a sprained knee. Even veterans usually don’t see this kind of wear and tear until late November or December. Witten will play through most everything he can, and even be effective while doing so. The exception to this is when Tony Romo is not out there throwing him the ball. Witten should not play this week because the Cowboys have already lost their two most important offensive players. If they lose Witten for the season because they pushed him in week 3, that will just be icing on the injury cake that Jerry Jones is currently choking on. Gavin Escobar would normally jump into a top 10 TE role right away with Witten out, however with Weeden throwing him the ball, Escobar is worth a roster spot if you’re hurting, but I’d wait a week to see if you should be starting him.

 

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Replacement: Brandon Myers) – ASJ had an incredible week 1 and a back-to-earth week 2. I do expect him to do well in the long run with Jameis Winston, however you can chalk week 1’s performance up to a fluke (and really, garbage time points). ASJ is out for 4-6 weeks now with a strained shoulder, so drop him and look elsewhere for a TE to fill your roster. Maybe our waiver wire picks? Brandon Myers is not the answer here, so avoid him everywhere but in the deepest leagues.

Details

Week 2 was full of successes and missteps, as it always is. It was also a week that included tons of unexpected wins or losses for teams with different expectations (here's looking at you, Eagles). It's important to remember that the first few weeks of every NFL season are filled with turmoil, and should be treated as such. Don't make any rash moves by dropping under-performing players just yet, but absolutely scoop up and stash a few of our weekly waiver picks while they are still available. The trick is to get these guys while the getting is good. Good luck!

 

Quarterbacks

Tyrod Taylor, BUF – (owned in 15% of leagues) Taylor impressed in week 1 and was included in our initial waiver wire picks. Week 2 only brought more production from the rookie QB as he ended the day with 3 passing TDs and ran one in himself as well. There are downsides still, though, and Taylor did have 3 INTs in week 2. As he gains experience those mistakes should be tempered but the upside is what we're looking for here. Taylor likely won't be available in most leagues after this week.

 

Andy Dalton, CIN – (owned in 30% of leagues) Dalton is the line by which we generally measure all of the other QBs in the NFL. The 'Andy Dalton Line' determines whether a QB is above or below average. This year may change that, though, as Dalton has thrown 5 TD passes and no INTs over 2 games and the Bengals' passing offense looks to be running on all cylinders in 2015. Barring injuries to guys like Green, Kelce, Jones and Bernard, Dalton could make a case to be started on a week-to-week basis going forward.

 

Other players to consider are Blake Bortles (owned in 9%) who has developed great chemistry with Allen Robinson and Julius Thomas's impending return to the field will also add value. Derek Carr (owned in 14%) will likely be throwing passes from behind for most of the season and that generally bodes well for some garbage time touchdowns. Amari Cooper is also coming into his own on the Raiders.

 

 matt jones week 3 waiver wire

 

Running Backs

Matt Jones, WAS – (owned in 23% of leagues) Jones was drafted to be the passing down complement to Alfred Morris's early down role, but his current trajectory has him on course to eclipse Morris's touches eventually. In week 2, Jones was just a few touches shy of Morris and he continues to impress not only in 3rd down situations but also in early down use, spelling Morris. A pickup on the waiver wire now may be the only time that Jones is available for the rest of the season.

 

David Johnson, ARI – (owned in 34% of leagues) Johnson was billed as the bigger, faster version of Andre Ellington and he has certainly proved to be a valuable commodity on the Cardinals so far this season. Johnson has the highest points per touch in the NFL so far this year and the only issue is how much production Bruce Arians will allow him to have on a weekly basis. If there is any time to play him, though, it's now - when Johnson needs to prove his worth while Ellington is out.

 

Other players to consider are James Starks (owned in 11%) because Eddie Lacy exited the game in week 2 with an ankle injury and is not a lock to play in week 3. If Lacy should be inactive this week, Starks is immediately a RB2. Ronnie Hillman (owned in 36%) could take over the lead back role in Denver if C.J. Anderson continues to struggle after his week 1 injury. He's worth a pickup because whoever ends up with that job will get enough work to be an every week starter.

 

 travis benjamin week 3 waiver wire

 

Wide Receivers

Travis Benjamin, CLE – (owned in 14% of leagues) Benjamin has scored 3 TDs on only 6 receptions over the past two weeks. His stats are gaudy and he is worthy of a pickup in every league, but you must be wary with this sort of situation: not only does Benjamin seem like a boom or bust player, but the Cleveland offense is very much not locked in to any kind of rhythm. Still, even if you're not starting Benjamin you need to put in a claim for him if you are needy at wide receiver.

 

Michael Crabtree, OAK – (owned in 23% of leagues) As I mentioned earlier, Derek Carr is definitely an up and coming QB in the league and his main weapons (Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree) will enjoy a high amount of targets in most games this season. Crabtree is a talented receiver with a good pedigree who only really broke out in 2012 while playing for the 49ers. He has the opportunity in 2015 to become fantasy relevant once more, now that he is playing across from the newly drafted Amari Cooper, who should draw the coverage away.

 

Marvin Jones, CIN – Jones had more snaps than Mohamed Sanu this past week, and things look good for Jones to finally make an impact. Remember, Jones was playing out of his mind in 2013 and scored 10 TDs before being lost for the entire 2014 season due to the same kind of injury that Dez Bryant suffered in week 1. With all of the weapons that Dalton has, Jones should have the opportunity to get free downfield on a regular basis and turn that into fantasy points.

 

Other players to keep an eye on are Dorial Green-Beckham (owned in 19%) who has monster size, speed and potential, and Rishard Matthews (owned in 2%) who is becoming a favorite of Ryan Tannehill's when he can't find Landry downfield.

 


Tight Ends

Crockett Gillmore, BAL – (owned in 4% of leagues) Gillmore is a big target that didn't get much of an opportunity to produce last year, but is being leaned on big time in 2015 with Breshad Perriman sidelined until next month. Here is a guy that could solve your TE woes, at least until the Ravens get Perriman back from injury. I'm betting that Gillmore will still have a fantasy impact as a high end TE2 even afterwards, though.

 

Other players to look for are Richard Rodgers (owned in 8%). The appeal of "Rodgers to Rodgers" is just too seductive. But seriously, Rodgers impressed me with his physicality in his week 2 start against Seattle.

 

 

Kickers

Josh Brown, NYG – (owned in 25% of leagues) Brown performed well last week, and the Giants will be facing the Redskins in week 3 who have a fairly formidable rushing and passing defense so far in 2015. This translates to more field goal opportunities for a Giants team that can move the football downfield but may have trouble getting it into the end zone this week.

 

Josh Lambo, SD – (owned in 3% of leagues)

 

Defense/Special Teams

Cincinnati Bengals – (owned in 13% of leagues) The Bengals are among the top 10 defensive units in fantasy right now but are only owned by 13% of teams. This week, they play the Baltimore Ravens, who have provided a ton of fantasy points to defenses so far in 2015.

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Last week was a great start to the NFL season and my quest for the cash. Week 1, I correctly chose the Packers and the Dolphins to take care of business in my collective pools. The Packers looked solid against the Bears and the game was never really in doubt. While I wasn't impressed with the Dolphins performance against the hapless Redskins, I can breathe a sigh of relief booking the win and eliminating the Dolphins from my list of potential teams to pick in the single entry league.

 

I'm keeping it simple this week and picking the Saints to trounce the Bucs in their home opener. Not much to explain about this pick. Last week Dick LeBeau and the Titans defense held rookie QB Jameis Winston in check, and I expect similar results from Rob Ryan's Saints D. That Bucs offensive line brings back nightmares of the Lovie Smith/Mike Tice Bears O­lines that had Jay Cutler shoving J'Marcus Webb during games. Then there's the fact that the Bucs defense was soo bad it has ESPN analyst putting Marcus Mariota in the Hall of Fame after his first game! Drew Brees must be licking his chops.

 

The line on this game is Saints­10 or ­10.5 depending on your source, the largest of the week. I expect a majority of entrants in both pools to take the Saints and am willing to go down with the masses if it comes to that. I see this as a good opportunity to use an underwhelming Saints team in the single entry format league against a rebuilding Bucs team.

 

Week Single Entry Pick Unlimited Entry Pick

1

 Dolphins Packers
2 Saints Saints

jameis winston rose bowl 2

 

 

 

Details

Welcome back to the article geared to help you break the bank at FanDuel. This week I'm investing on a game in Philadelphia to provide buku fantasy points, targeting a bargain barrel WR and using those savings to splurge on some high dollar talent poised for a breakout week. Good luck this week gamblers! Donations are of course always welcome if the advice pays out.

 

QB  - Tony Romo, DAL - $8,500 at PHI:  In what should be the highest scoring game of the week I'm betting on Romo to put monster numbers. Dez Bryant may be out, but there are still enough weapons on the Dallas roster to get the job done. Expect big chunks of yards thrown to Terrance Williams and Jason Witten to collect on a couple TD tosses.

 

RB - Matt Forte, CHI - $8,900 vs. ARI:  Going a bit on the expensive side here, but with Forte's track record, he is worth every dollar. The Bears realize their offense must run through Forte, and that may be the case even more with news that Alshon Jeffery missed practice Friday with a hamstring injury. Expect high volume touches for Forte in both the running and passing game.

 

RB - Carlos Hyde, SF - $7,000 at PIT:  We witnessed the coming of Carlos Hyde last week after he put up 168 yards on 26 carries and 2 TDs on the ground adding another 2 catches for 14 yards. With the combination of  the Niners passing game being non-existent and with Reggie Bush already ruled out for week 2 Hyde will repeat on the high volume of touches.  Amazing value for the price tag this week.

 

WR - Jordan Matthews, PHI - $7,000 vs. DAL:  This is primarily a combo play to Romo/Witten with the expectation of a high scoring affair. Matthews should exceed his performance from last week where he had 10 catches on 12 targets for 102 yards and should have had a touchdown that Chip Kelly opted not to challenge

 

WR - Calvin Johnson, DET - $8,100 at MIN:  Johnson had an abysmal week 1 catching only 2 balls for 39 yards on 4 targets in a losing effort. I fully expect the Lions to force feed the ball to Johnson this week giving him plenty of opportunities to get in the end zone.

 

WR - Pierre Garcon, WAS - $5,400 vs. STL:  With DeSean Jackson sidelined for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury Garcon will slide into the #1 receiver role. This is a position he thrived in prior to the Redskins acquisition of Jackson. I'd expect double digit targets to Garcon with a few of them being in the red zone. Very cheap price for the value.

 

TE - Jason Witten, DAL - $6,000 at PHI:  Witten was already slated to see an increase in targets this season after the departure of DeMarco Murray. Now with Dez Bryant sidelined he will be leaned upon even more. Expect quality red zone and 3rd down conversion looks to Witten in a high scoring affair against Philly this week.

 

K - Josh Brown, NYG - $4,500 vs. ATL:  Partially riding the Josh Brown train after his 17 fantasy points in week 1, but also expecting a decent amount of points to go around in this matchup against the Falcons. Looks like the best kicker available for the minimum price.

 

DEF - Titans, TEN - $4,600 at CLE:  The Titans defense are coming off a strong effort in week 1 and have a great match up this week against the turnover prone Johnny Manziel and the Browns inept offense. Not to mention the great Dick LeBeau is involved in the defensive scheme.

Details

As the general manager of a fantasy team, each week you are presented with many decisions to make. The choices you make can then have dire consequences on the fate of your team for the remainder of the season. It’s important to weigh these start/sit questions very heavily against the health and recent performance of the player, the efficiency of the defense they are facing and the ability of the offense in which they play to score points on a week-to-week basis. We’ll help to make some of these decisions easier, but ultimately it’s up to you which way you decide to go! Here are our Week 2 Rankings, and feel free to use the start/sit tool here on the site as well.

 

Quarterbacks


START Peyton Manning (DEN) vs. KC – Could Peyton Manning have peaked in 2013 and he is now on the decline? Sure. But you drafted Manning to be your #1 QB and it’s silly to give up on a guy after one bad performance. Just ask those people who dropped Tom Brady after a few bad performances last year and he went on to make them regret that decision in short order.

 

sam bradford week 2 sit

 

SIT Sam Bradford (PHI) vs. DAL – Bradford had a good completion rate (69.2%) in week 1 against the Falcons, but he did throw 2 interceptions and only 1 TD against a team that was dead last in passing defense last year. Bradford still does not look completely comfortable in his new offense, and the Eagles will likely try to get DeMarco Murray going against his former team. I’m not saying that Bradford is off the radar, just that you may have a better option at QB this week.

 

Running Backs


START Darren Sproles (PHI) vs. DAL – Sproles was second in targets on the Eagles only to Jordan Matthews last week and finished the game with 126 all-purpose yards. Until Bradford has complete command over the passing offense this season, we’ll likely see Sproles’ usage stay at a high level. I’m suggesting that Sproles be considered a flex play even in standard leagues this week as the Eagles try to find a sure-footed way to beat the Cowboys.


START Giovani Bernard (CIN) vs. SD – San Diego’s passing defense is weak at best, and Andy Dalton and the Bengals will use short passes around the line of scrimmage (in conjunction with A.J. Green stretching the field, of course) to Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard to maximize their YAC (yards after catch) abilities. In a game where the Bengals may be playing catch-up, look for Bernard to be used as much or more than he was in week 1.

 

SIT Bishop Sankey (TEN) vs. CLE – Bishop Sankey and Terrance West are involved in a rotation based on the game situation, and starting Sankey due to a touchdown heavy performance in week 1 (2 TDs on 86 all-purpose yards) is not a smart move. Plus, Tennessee is more than likely to falter here, with a young offense led by a young quarterback – expect missteps in week 2.


SIT Latavius Murray (OAK) vs. BAL – Murray looks like the guy who will shoulder the majority of the running game in Oakland as long as he can remain healthy. The problem is that he is on the Oakland Raiders. Look, the Raiders may be headed in a good direction but when they go up against good NFL teams like the Baltimore Ravens we cannot expect the game to go in their direction. The truth of the matter is that Murray’s great games will come against much lesser teams until the rest of the Raiders’ offense can step up.

 

Wide Receivers


START Jeremy Maclin (KC) vs. DEN – This was a tough one for me to declare since I’m not a huge believer in Alex Smith’s ability to air out the ball, but Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos in Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season is when the Great WR Touchdown Famine will come to an end for the Chiefs. Alex Smith will throw a touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin and there will be much rejoicing. Editor's Note: After putting up less-than-great stats on Thursday, Maclin has officially landed on the 'Prove It' list going forward.

 

percy harvin week 2


START Percy Harvin (BUF) vs NE – Probably the riskiest start on the board this week, Harvin looked like he had something to prove (and he did) in Week 1 against the Colts, putting up 5 receptions for 79 yards and a TD. He also had a 9 yard rush. Buffalo is going to pull out all of the stops against the division rival Patriots and with Watkins sucking up coverage, Harvin should be moved all around the field to make plays. Underestimating Buffalo’s offense this year is a mistake.

 

SIT Davante Adams (GB) vs SEA – It was Davante Adams year to break out they said, with Nelson gone, Adams should really take a step up this year they said.. yeah, well the fact is it will take Adams and Rodgers more than a few games this year to establish real chemistry and a lot of that jazz is going to Randall Cobb and James Jones instead. Every starting receiver on the Packers has good fantasy value, but this week’s match-up against Seattle combined with James Jones triumphant return don’t bode well for Adams in week 2.


SIT Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) vs. CHI – Fitz is nearing the end of his career and he has a few big games left in him this season, but Arians doesn’t need to overextend Fitzgerald against the hapless Chicago Bears. In an offense where the ball is normally spread around anyway, Fitzgerald will likely be used mostly as a decoy, drawing defenders away from the real game plan this week. I would expect 6-8 points at most in standard leagues.

 

Tight Ends


START Heath Miller (PIT) vs. SF – Miller caught 8 passes for 84 yards last week against the Patriots and is always a red zone threat for Ben Roethlisberger, due to his 6’5” frame. Although his production has waned over the past few years, suspensions to Martavis Bryant and Le’Veon Bell have forced him back into use as a regular passing target. One of Ben’s most trusted targets of all time, Miller should be treated as a top 10 TE this week and will likely see higher than normal usage until Bryant returns.


SIT Jordan Reed (WAS) vs. STL - We know that Reed performed well in Week 1 against Miami (7 receptions for 63 yards and 1 TD), but the Rams should prove to be an even tougher opponent defensively and it doesn't help that Desean Jackson will be sidelined for at least this game, closing in the defense on Kirk Cousins and the short game. Reed may be a fill-in play in a PPR league at best, because I don't see any substantial amount of yards or any touchdowns, for that matter, coming from him in week 2. To top it all off, Reed had a quad issue all week and we hate to see injury prone players on the injury report.

Details

Welcome back to the Rookie Report! Week one was full of surprises...the Bills topped the Colts, Peyton Manning's poor finish to 2014 seemed to carry over to 2015 despite the Broncos' win, and Dez Bryant suffered a broken foot. The surprises weren't limited to the veterans, however. Marcus Mariota and Ameer Abdullah both put up epic debuts, Jameis Winston had a premeire to forget, Nelson Agholor was almost invisible, and Rashad Greene was targeted a whopping 13 times. What does it mean for week 2? Let's take a look at what to expect...


Rookies to Start:


QB Marcus Mariota, TEN (Wk. 2: @Cle.): What a first impression, right? The former Duck was on fire in week 1, piling up 4 TD passes in his first pro game. The Titans were up so comfortably he threw just 4 passes the entire second half. That won't be the case every week. Most importantly, he was decisive with the ball, he didn't turn it over, and he was throwing downfield. He was fantastic in week one and he didn't even unleash his running ability. The Browns struggled mightily to slow down the Jets' offense, and I'd expect another decent outing out of Marcus. He should be a solid QB2 this week, and is worth consideration in deep 1 QB leagues. I am starting him in a 2QB league over Joe Flacco.'


RB Ameer Abdullah, DET (Wk. 2: @Min.): Ameer wasn't as impressive as Mariota, but he made a pretty big impact in his own right, piling up 94 total yards and an impressive 24-yard TD run on his first career carry, all while out-touching Joique Bell 11-8. It was a pretty harrowing week for Bell owners. If Abdullah keeps this up, his role should stay similar as the season rolls along. Bell will still get goal line work and a healthy share of the carries, but Abdullah is a great flex option in PPR leagues, and more of a borderline proposition in standard this week against the Vikings, who struggled mightily to contain the run game on Monday night. The short week won't help them get ready for Detroit.


Borderline Rookies:

 

jameis winston week 2 rookie fantasy


QB Jameis Winston, TB (Wk. 2: @NO): I know, this sounds crazy after week 1, but this is just for 2QB leagues. If there is a defense that could give the Bucs a run for worst in the league, it resides in New Orleans. Jameis isn't as bad as he looked last week, and he'll undoubtedly be better if he has Mike Evans back on the field. I think 2 more TDs are very much in play this week, and the yardage number has a chance to go up as I expect the Saints offense to bounce back in a big way this week and keep Tampa throwing.


RB Tevin Coleman, ATL (Wk. 2: @NYG): Coleman was very involved in week one, toting the rock 20 times for 80 yards, but I think the Falcons will realize they need to get him involved in the passing game. He has big-time speed and operates well in space, and the Giants just gave up 12 catches and 131 receiving yards to the Cowboys' RBs last Sunday. Devonta Freeman will undoubtedly get a fair share of the passing down work, but if Coleman can steal a little bit of it, he could be a strong flex option against a sub-par defense. He's my favorite rookie RB this week not named Ameer Abdullah.


RB T.J. Yeldon, JAX (Wk. 2: vs. Mia.): I was very impressed by what Yeldon was able to do in the first half last week against the Panthers...I just wish he would have carried it over to the 2nd half. Despite adding Ndamukong Suh in the off-season, the Miami run D did not look impressive in week one, allowing 160 yards and a 4.7 ypc average to the Redskins' backs. Game flow may work against him, but I'd set the expectation at around 65-70 yards with the hope for a TD (less than 50/50 bet). That makes him more of a low-end flex option.


RB Duke Johnson, CLE (Wk. 2: vs. Ten.): Johnson got 7 carries a week ago shortly after being cleared from a concussion. While his 3.1 ypc weren't impressive, they were much better than the 1.7 average that Isaiah Crowell put up. I wouldn't expect Duke to overtake Crowell this week, but the Titans' D isn't nearly as imposing as the Jets', and I expect Johnson to be more involved in the passing game this week. He's an low-end PPR flex option, and I'd expect double-digit touches this week.


WR Amari Cooper, OAK (Wk. 2: vs. Bal.): The Ravens' corners are fantastic, and there's a chance that the Raiders don't have Derek Carr this week. Cooper was able to put up just a 5-47 line on 9 targets a week ago, and the Ravens have just as good a secondary as the Bengals. Amari will continue to be peppered with targets, so there is upside, but I wouldn't expect a lot more than he did last week.


WR Nelson Agholor, PHI (Wk. 2: vs. Dal.): Agholor was a big let down last week, with just 2 targets, resulting in one catch for 5 yards. The good news? He was on the field a ton, and ran the second-most routes on the team (42), behind only Jordan Matthews (47). Eventually the targets and stats will come. This week's game with the 'Boys could be a shootout, and a 5-60-1 type of line from Nelson wouldn't be crazy. I could see trying him as a flex in deeper leagues.


Rookies to Sit:


RB Melvin Gordon, SD (Wk. 2: @Cin.): The Bengals allowed a ridiculous 14 catches and 2 receiving scores to Oakland's RBs last week, and while Gordon had 3 catches in week one to Danny Woodhead's 4, the real issue for Gordon comes from last week's red zone usage. Danny Woodhead got all 8 of the Chargers' rush attempts inside the 20, cashing in 2 of them for TDs. I'd expect that to continue this week. It doesn't help that the Bengals are formidable up front against the run with th return of a healthy Geno Atkins. They allowed just 55 yards rushing on 15 carries to the Raiders' RBs on Sunday.

 

todd gurley week 2 ruled out


RB Todd Gurley, STL (Wk. 2: @Was.): I know it's exciting that Gurley may see the field week 2. He was a full participant at practice Tuesday and looks like he should be active Sunday, but pump the brakes a bit. Jeff Fisher did just hold out Brian Quick as a 'healthy scratch' as he rehabs from a shoulder injury, so they might hold off just a bit longer. If Gurley does play, he'll almost certainly be on some sort of pitch count and faces a better than you think 'Skins run defense. They were among the best in the league last year vs. the run and allowed just 53 RB rush yards to the Dolphins in week 1. The coming out party is coming, just not in week 2.


RB Karlos Williams, BUF (Wk. 2: vs. NE): The Pats looked vulnerable against the run in the opener against D'Angelo Williams, and Karlos looked great in his limited touches behind Shady McCoy in week 1, but I doubt he does as much damage this week. He was able to get some of his work with the Bills up comfortably on the Colts and able to pound the ball. I don't expect them to be up more than one score all game against New England, which should keep McCoy dominating touches. Williams would have to break another long TD run to be worth a play. He was out-touched in week 1 20-6 by Shady, and McCoy had 3 red zone carries to Williams's one.


RB Matt Jones, WAS (Wk. 2: vs. StL.): Alfred Morris, who many (myself included) were ready to write off as done in Washington, proved reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Jones did a decent job with the touches he did get, but Alf should be the clear number 1 until his performance slips. The Rams did do a nice job of limiting Marshawn Lynch last weekend as well.


WR DeVante Parker, MIA (Wk. 2: @Jax.): He was a non-factor in week one with Rishard Matthews starting and the passing game revolving around Jarvis Landry. I expect him to work his way in to the scheme eventually, but for now he's best left on the pine.


WR Rashad Greene, JAX (Wk. 2: vs. Mia.): Greene did see a ridiculous 13 targets in a surprisingly conservative Jags' passing attack in week 1, but he averaged just FOUR yards per catch on 7 grabs. I wouldn't expect that target volume to continue, but even if it does, that efficiency just isn't going to get it done. Greene was very productive at FSU over the past 2 years, so he could work his way into reasonable PPR value, but he's still 3rd in the pecking order after A-Rob and Hurns. Don't bet on a repeat this week.


WR Dorial Green-Beckham, TEN (Wk. 2: @Cle.): Pretty simple here, DGB was on the field for just 3 snaps in week one despite the team only carrying 4 WRs. You have to leave him benched for now until his playing time starts to increase. I would have no problem dropping him for now in shallower leagues. He will eventually find his way onto the field more, though, so monitor his playing time as the season progresses.


TE Maxx Williams, BAL (Wk. 2: @Oak.): The Ravens' pass attack looked to be desperately in need of more play-makers in week one with Torrey Smith gone and Breshad Perriman on the shelf, and Maxx Williams could eventually be that. I don't think it'll be this week. The Broncos' defense deserves much of the credit for shutting the Ravens down, and the Raiders won't be as stiff a test. Williams was targeted twice a week ago, and even if he doubles that this week he won't be worth a start. There are better options out there.

 

Deep League Sleepers and Cheap DFS Options:


RB David Johnson, ARI (Wk. 2: @Chi.): Johnson got just one touch in week one, and it went for a 55-yard TD. Andre Ellington will be out a couple weeks, and although Bruce Arians called Chris Johnson their lead dog, I'd expect a decent chunk of work to go to David. 10+ touches are a real possibility, and he's already showed he's explosive and gets a poor Chicago defense this week.


WR Devin Funchess, CAR (Wk. 2: vs. Hou.): The Panthers' pass attack struggled mightily against the Jaguars a week ago, and Funchess could help that situation improve sooner rather than later. His role will increase dramatically soon. Part of his limited role week one could have had to do with his limited preseason reps due to injury. He's the type of playmaker the Panthers could have desperately used Sunday, and he should be the best bet for a Carolina WR to score a TD this week.


WR Tyler Lockett, SEA (Wk. 2: @GB): For leagues that count return yards, Lockett is a must own. He's one of the few return men who will also have a role in the offense. He should quickly ascend the pedestrian WR depth chart and become a weekly PPR WR3 option. For now he's still under the radar, but I'm not sure how long that will last. The Packers' defense was solid in coverage versus the Bears' banged up WR group, but with the focus likely on Marshawn Lynch and Jimmy Graham, Lockett will have a chance to make plays.


WR Phillip Dorsett, IND (Wk. 2: vs. NYJ): This projection only holds up if Hilton is out this week. Donte Moncrief would move into a starting spot opposite Andre Johnson (who underwhelmed in week one), and Dorsett would man the slot in 3-WR sets. The Jets' slot corner Buster Skrine might move outside if Antonio Cromartie is out, which could open up the middle of the field for Dorsett big time. Keep an eye on the Jets' cornerback plans for the week. Dorsett is the type of player who could break one for a TD at any time, and it would certainly help if he gets a burnable corner to face off with in the slot. He's likely not worth a start in most leagues, but he could be a sneaky DFS play.


That's all I've got for this week. Hopefully it helps you a bit with your tough rookie lineup decisions this week. As always, good luck, trust your gut, and have fun. It's just a game.

Details

On the podcast this week, we touched on some major and minor injuries throughout the league which I've included below. We also branched out the discussion to news, waiver wire picks, overachievers and much more. Give the show a listen to really dig into the meat and potatoes this week!

 

(Listen to the Fantasy Football Podcast, 9/15/15: Week 2 Preview) 

 

Quarterbacks


Derek Carr (OAK): What looked like a bruised hand may have been something more, but we weren’t certain. An MRI on Monday didn’t reveal any lasting damage – just a bruised thumb on Carr’s right throwing hand. They were exploring the signing of Christian Ponder, among other veteran QBs.. thankfully we should see Carr back in the saddle in week 2, or week 3 at the latest (in which case backup Matt McGloin would fill in against the Ravens). Editor's Note: Looks like Carr will in fact start in week 2 barring setbacks.

 

mccown injured week 2 fantasy nfl


Josh McCown (CLE): A concussion sustained on a dive into the end zone has sidelined McCown for the time being, leaving Manziel the heir apparent. It remains to be seen whether or not McCown will be able to suit up for week 2’s game but believe me, the Browns would really like for that to be the case after Manziel’s performance on Sunday.

 

Running Backs


Andre Ellington (ARI): Grade 1 PCL sprain. Not as bad as it could have been, Ellington will likely miss all of September and most of October recovering from this injury. It does afford new Cardinals running backs Chris Johnson and David Johnson an opportunity to show their worth to the team. Expect David Johnson to continue to impress but have his carries limited, as Arians would prefer not to let a rookie shoulder the load. We already know what Chris Johnson can do..


C.J. Anderson (DEN): Anderson’s injury is being shrouded in a little bit of mystery here and that is rather concerning for fantasy owners. He was expected to produce top-10 numbers this season and so any bad news here will likely result in some butt-hurt team managers. Whispers of this injury being more than just something day-to-day have catapulted Ronnie Hillman’s stock on the waiver wire and I would be surprised if he doesn’t end up being a top pickup this week.

 

Wide Receivers


Dez Bryant (DAL): Suffering from a “Jones” fracture (the same injury that kept Marvin Jones and the NBA’s Kevin Durant out for a season), Bryant was a huge part of the Cowboys offense and now they may have to face being without him for at least 6-8 weeks, if not the rest of 2015. What should you do as a Bryant owner? Well, after a little light weeping, try to scoop up one of the top receivers available on the wire this week. From the Cowboys’ perspective, Terrance Williams, Gavin Escobar and Cole Beasley all benefit – this injury will also likely bring Jason Witten back up to TE1 status for the remainder of the Bryant’s recovery.

 

ty hilton injury week 2 nfl fantasy


T.Y.Hilton (IND): It looks like a particularly badly bruised knee – that kind of injury could sideline a player for a few days or a few weeks depending on how it heals. Should Hilton not play in week 2, reports say that Donte Moncrief will be the guy who fills his shoes and is immediately start-able on your roster as a WR2/3.


DeSean Jackson (WAS): Alas poor Washington, it was not to be. Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed will try to lap up Jackson’s missed production so consider starting either while Jackson recovers from the this hamstring issue (he should be back sometime in October). Andre Roberts is an intriguing option here as well, but we’re shying away from the Redskins offense in general.

 

Tight Ends


Delanie Walker (TEN): Walker has a splint on his right hand – certainly not a good sign for a pass-catching TE that excels in PPR leagues. Looks like he has successfully avoided a major injury, though, so he may end up being on the field in week 2. If not, Anthony Fasano will fill in but he should be avoided even as a spot starter – there are better options available. Kendall Wright gets the biggest boost from this injury, should Walker be forced to sit out the game.

Details

We've all got one week under our belts, and probably whatever you cooked on the grill on Sunday. Football is back, which means cold beers, grilled burgers and getting up early to cook something all day long. Well, it might mean that, but right here, it really means waiver wires, who do I start, and of course, our (soon to be) world famous rankings.

 

Look for Peyton Manning to bounce back this week against a Chiefs defense that gave up two scoring drives to (new starter) Ryan Mallett in relief. Matt Stafford has basically fallen off of everyone's fantasy radar - he was drafted low and isn't starting material in most leagues. Maybe the time of Stafford to Johnson has passed - Calvin's numbers certainly were disappointing in week 1. Last week Danny Woodhead had 20 touches - if he has half that number this week, he should still start in your standard league flex spots. Doug Martin, meanwhile, is not the kind of back that can go out and make his own success. He'll be at the mercy of a struggling Jameis Winston for the time being.

 

Mike Wallace was Teddy Bridgewater's favorite target, connecting with him six times. Look for this connection to net you a TD in week 2 against the Lions. Davante Adams has taken a bit of a hit after the realization that, of course, James Jones will fit right in with his old team and will cut into Adams's workload a decent amount. Heath Miller is the clear beneficiary in the Steelers offense that's lacking two big weapons. He should have at least one more week with an increased workload.

 

Good luck this week, make sure to check before the games start for last minute injuries.

 

 
2015 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros

Details
Oh what a day, upsets, interceptions and last minute comebacks is what WK 1 had in store for us people. From the Charger's making a 30 point run to beat Seattle to Dallas putting on their big white hats and saving the day. I just love me some football.


​TNF: 9/10/2015: New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:
OK, this is getting a little crazy and it's just not interesting anymore. So now that the Steelers got pimp slapped on national TV, game #1 of 265 of the 2015-2016 NFL Season, what they do?  They cry foul. I mean I love Mike Tomlin but man up and take your loss, you guys played, but not well enough to win this one. The Patriots were pretty much getting to Big Ben at will and well Brady, hell, it's Brady, what you expect?  I'm no Brady fan, but I didn't care for Reggie Miller either but he would shut a team down. Did you guys really think they were going to lose. Let's go over the facts. 1. They unveiled their 4th Championship Banner, two former players carried out the Pats 4 Super Bowl Trophies. 2. Brady's suspension was overturned. Face it, no matter who stepped out on the field with them on this Sunday, they were not winning.  Brady threw 4 TDs and 3 of them was to the Gronk.  Tomlin accused the Patriots of giving him crappy earphones and that they may have been listening to his plays. I read today that the matter has been closed, thank goodness. Do you think the rain and maybe some thunder had something to do with it Mike? I'm just saying, thunder, lightning & rain tend to interfere with electronics sometimes.  T. Brady threw for 288yds & 4 TDs, not missing a beat. D. Lewis had 15 carries for 69yds and J. Edelman, who was getting under the Steelers skin, had 11 receptions for 97yds, plenty of trash talking on the field. B. Roethlisberger threw for 351yds, 1 TD & 1 int. D. Williams had 21 carries for 127yds, nice job man, though in vain. A. Brown had 9 receptions for 133yds & 1 TD. You too Brown, nice job. note: all is right with the universe, the banned interns involved in  "deflategate" have all been cleared to return to Gillette stadium. There is some justice in the world I guess. Oh, I forgot, the score was 28-21

MNF: 9/14/2015: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco: 49'ers:
Yeah, the stage was set for this game. Adrian Peterson back for the Vikings and Kap supposedly did some great improvements during the off-season. Well, the hype for AP didn't go over well, shoot, for Minnesota period. AP was held to 10 carries for 31yds, the kicker missed his 1st two FG attempts & Teddy ate grass for much of the game.  That's it, that's all. The one thing I remember about this game is the hit that Kap took on one play when he decided to go for the gold. Man, he was hit so hard, my filling fell out my tooth. He played it off pretty good but you can see his world was rocked. Man!! Reggie Bush left the game with about 6.5 minutes left in the 1st Qtr, left calf injury or could he see where this was heading? The man who set the tone for the win for the 49'ers was RB Carlos Hyde. When the dust cleared he had 26 carries for 168yds and 2 TDs, talk about putting in a full day's work. He said he wanted to out play Peterson and I do believe he did just that by maybe uhhhh, 135yds, lol. I do know he shouldn't focus too much on AP, there are other RBs out there that you have to come across, enjoy, but don't celebrate too hard. All in all, they shut them down for 3 whole Qtrs then allowed only 1 FG in the 4th, don't take much to lose when you playing like that. My Bears are looking better everyday!! C. Kapernick threw for 165yds, C. Hyde had 26 carries for 168yds & 2 TDs and V. Davis had 3 receptions for 47yds. T. Bridgewater threw for 231yds & 1 int, A. Peterson had 10 carries for 31yds & M. Wallace had 6 receptions for 63yds.

MNF: 9/14/2015: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons started the season off with a win over the Eagles, 26-24 and on prime time. I did check out some of this game but I couldn't get into it. Julio Jones got a fat new contract and had 2 TDs to show his appreciation. Going into the half the Falcons were up 17-0. I think they left their mojo in the locker room starting in the 3rd, they were shut down 14-0, they didn't get nothing. They were losing the game 24-23 with about 7 mins left in the 4th Qtr, then Matt Bryant earned his check with 47yd FG to win it, 26-24.  The Eagles wings were clipped.  DeMarco Murray was pretty much a non-factor this game. He led the NFL last year with Dallas with 1,845yds rushing. He was held to 9yds on 8 carries. What a difference a season makes. The Eagles play the Cowboys next week, Murray better put on his big boy pants and running shoes.That's a wrap people. M. Ryan threw for 298yds, 2 TDs & 2 ints. T. Coleman had 20 carries for 80yds. J. Jones started early earning his new $71.5 million contract with 9 receptions for 141yds & 2 TDs. S. Bradford, the new kid in town, threw for 336yds, 1 TD & 2 ints. D. Sproles had 5 carries for 50yds. J. Matthews contributed 10 receptions for 102yds.

NFC NORTH:
Chicago Bears: 0-1
My Bears gave it a shot but could not pull it out against the cheese heads.  The Packers had to muster up all of their strength to win this one, 31-23.  What really won the game?  Clay Matthews, since when he intercepts and run back more than 15 yards?  True, Jay did let us down with the predictable 4th Qtr interception but then he wouldn't be jay would he?  Forte however, was almost flawless. Forte joined the Bears in 2008 as a 2nd round draft pick and has accumulated 11,431yds from scrimmage since then. Run Matt Run. They keep the running game going we might be in the mix this year. Bennett showed up and made his presence know.  Read the full update below.  And YES, I am leaving the BEARS at the top spot, if only for one week, lol.

Green bay Packers: 1-0
You stink GBP, that sounds like a GPS system, not a football team, lol. Yes, they beat us again but this time, I was able to wear my gear to work with head held high and my butt not dragging on the floor. I watched the whole game and overall, I believe the Bears played a good game, this one finally, did not disappoint, well let's say it didn't hurt to bad.  I am sure most folks had us down for something like 42-6 or 35-7, suckerssss, we fooled you this time. This was one where we didn't give up like Detroit or like Seattle did, pretty much having the lead through their whole games and turn and lose in regular & O.T.  Yes, I am throwing salt on other teams, but, I don't care, what's life without fun and this is fun. The man of the game for the Packers was James Jones. He was with the Packers for his first 7 seasons, including a SB and then left to sign a free-agent deal with Oakland.  He was cut by the Raiders in the spring and He signed with the NYG later in the summer. He was cut by the Giants as well. Then just like that, 31 days before the start of the season, Jordy Nelson was injured and out for the season. The Packers were waiting for him with open arms, come on home to daddy. He caught the first 2 TD passes of the season from Rodgers and well, you know the rest.  There are no setbacks for Randall Cobb's shoulder so he is good to go. A. Rodgers threw 18-23, 189yds & 3 TDs. E. Lacey had 19 carries for 86yds & 1TD, man, that man has some monster thighs, crazy huge. James Jones had 2 TDs, finishing the icing on the cake.  J. Cutler threw for 225 yds, 1 TD & you know it, 1 int. M. Forte had 24 carries for 141yds & 1 TD. A. Jeffery had 5 receptions for 78yds and how did Jay throw over his head? SMH. note: A. Rodgers has more than 4x as many career TDs (229) as INTs (57). No other QB in NFL history even has 3x as many TDs as INTs.

Minnesota Vikings: 0-1
Another one bites the dust and apparently Teddy did too, 5 times to be exact.  Peterson, shut down to only 31yds. See MNF update for this one.

Detroit Lions: 0-1
I am sure, NO, positive that the Lions are still kicking themselves in the butt about this one.  But this should be of no surprise to the Lions or anyone in Detroit for that matter, they do this on a regular. I know what you saying Lions fans, you are probably saying, you can't say nothing Rainey, ya'll lost today.  Uhhhh, yeah we did, but we lost with dignity, get it straight.  You had a 21-10 lead at the end of the half and Rivers whipped it on ya'll in the 2nd half and BAM, you lost, LOL. I know a certain person at work is going to let me have it but I couldn't resist :o).  Read about the Rivers show in the Chargers update.
 
NFC SOUTH:
New Orleans Saints: 0-1
Man, didn't they end the season like this. It's hard to believe the Saints just suck right now andddd they lost Jimmy Graham to boot. They lost to the Cardinals, 31-19. Momma said they'll be days like this. Check out the full update in the Arizona Cardinals update.
 
Carolina Panthers: 1-0
Panthers win easily over the Jaguars, 20-9. From what I'm reading, this was not a blow 20-9, it was a "the panthers did just enough offensively to beat the jaguars." Carolina held Jacksonville to 75yds in the 2nd half, intercepted two passes and got 4 four of the 5 sacks in the game. Cam was mediocre in this showing with 18 of 31 passing for 175  yds, 1 TD & 1 interception, oh yeah, he ran for 35yds. Nuff said about this game. C. Newton, already noted, J. Stewart 18 carries for 56yds and T Ginn Jr., 2 receptions for 54yds. B. Bortles, whom they said was off all day, threw for 183yds, 1 TD & 2 int, T. Yeldon had 12 carries for 51yds & A. Hurns had 5 receptions for 60yds & 1 fumble.  note: The teams kicked off the season 20 years after entering the league together as expansion franchises.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 0-1
Good grief Charlie Brown, they got stomped by the Titans, 42-14. QB Jameis Winston, No. 1 overall draft pick was taught the basic fundamentals of a QB by the also rookie, Marcus Mariota. Man, I hope he had his pen & pad out, lol. Winston did have a first in this game though. He became the 1st QB since Brett Favre in 1991 to have his first NFL pass intercepted & returned for a TD. But he was the Heisman winner in 2013, that's something to he can dwell on for today. Read full details in Titans update.
 
Atlanta Falcons: 1-0
You have already read this update about their win over the Eagles in the MNF update 
 
NFC EAST:
Philadelphia Eagles: 0-1
You got it, MNF update.

Dallas Cowboys: 1-0
At first, I said, the Cowboys are going to blow this one, I was calling them the DULLas Cowboys for a bit. They must have heard me and turned things around.  Romo put on his 10 gallon hat like J.R. Ewing and when the dust cleared, they beat the Giants by a hair, 27-26. Romo did drop the last snap, he had to scramble around to get it back in his hands and when he looked up, who was there? His trusty TE Jason Witten, with 7 seconds left, he threw an 11yd TD pass and that was all she wrote.  They connected a lot last season and it looks like they still have that vibe going. The Cowboys first, were gunning for O. Beckham, seems they still haven't gotten over the beautiful one handed catch he put on them last season. Reports say that Cowboys Wilcox hit Beckham so hard, he broke his own nose. Really, beat yourself up and save everyone else the trouble, that had to hurt. With every win comes a little pain, the pain for the Cowboys, Dez Bryant. He played kinda weak, he wasn't the same, at least that's what I thought. Then he left the game to get some juices flowing in his body because he was dehydrated. After that, he broke a bone in his foot, he may be out 6 weeks. Let's see if the Cowboys can hold it together. T. Romo threw for 356yds, 3 TDs & 2 ints. J. Randle had 16 carries for 65yds and L. Dunbar tallied 8 receptions for 70yds. E. Manning threw for 193yds. R Jennings had 13 carries for 52yds & 1 TD, lastly S. Vereen had 4 receptions for 46yds.

 
New York Giants: 0-1
You just read the full details of their loss to the Cowboys, 27-26. But what you didn't read was that there was some questionable clock management & decision making. Rashad Jennings said that he was told NOT to score. Monday, Eli owned up to the mistake, he was trying to work the clock but not realizing how many timeouts Dallas had, he turned out getting worked. Mike Strahan came in to give the boys a pep talk but who in the locker room really cared at that point. To make it even worse, their flight was delayed 3 hours before leaving Dallas. Talk about a bad day all the way around.

Washington Redskins: 0-1
When it rains it pours. First, the QB situation, RGIII seems to be a past thought. The Redskins are still staying away in using anything of his likeness. Cousins, he is not going to hold up for even 1/2 the season, that's just my thinking.  Here are a few other things to add to their woes. WR, DeSean Jackson, who swears he is the 2nd coming of Jesus on the field is out for a month with a hamstring injury. They also lost 2 other starters in WK1. The Redskins released kicker K. Forbath, he missed more than 1 FG attempt and apparently it was the his final kick, maybe even in the NFL. The Redskins offered season ticket holders a chance to try kicking. If I didn't have this bum right knee, I might have given it a shot. They have signed former Saints kicker Dustin Hopkins. Don't miss Dustin, don't miss. And it looks like they are near bottom of Fox Sports WK2 Power Rankings. Man, all I gotta say is, nobody on the Redskins should buy any houses or Bentleys just yet. SMH. Check out the full 411 in the Dolphins update.
 
NFC WEST:
Seattle Seahawks: 0-1
I'm so happy they lost, yeah I said it. They win one Superbowl and swear they are the best that ever touched the turf or football for that matter. This game switched leaders back and forth and finally came down to the wire. What would win it was a FG in OT, 12:06 left, that gave the Rams the 34-31 win. Oh yeah, Graham had 6 catches for 51yds and a 7yd TD in the 4th for his Seattle debut. Read the full details in the Rams update.

San Francisco 49'ers: 1-0
See the details for this easy win over the Vikings, 20-3 in the other MNF update.
 
Arizona Cardinals: 1-0
So they took down the Saints 31-19. I am sure the Saints felt it was an episode of Angry Birds.. get it? LOL. Arizona took the lead 7-0 in the 1st Qtr and never looked back. From start to finish, Carson Palmer came to win and mighty easily at that. This was his first game back from a torn ACL last season, he didn't miss a beat. With this win, he became the first Cardinals QB since Jim Hart to win 7 straight starts. (Jim Hart played for the then, St. Louis Cardinals from 1966-1983). How it happened you ask? Carson directed a 9 play, 80yd TD drive right after the opening kickoff. That felt so good, he threw a 10yd TD to John Brown. He got hooked on the TDs and threw 2 more in the 4th Qtr. Darren Fells made a 17yd fingertip catch & the clincher, Palmer's 55yd pass to rookie David Johnson with 1:33 to play. Palmer is 14-2 in his last 16 starts. Did you get all that, that's how you win a FB game.  The Cardinals were 8-1 when he was injured last year, they was on the move, I do believe he is here to pick up where he left off. C. Palmer threw for 307yds & 3 TDs, A. Ellington had 12 carries for 69yds, 1 TD & 1 fumble. My main crush, L. Fitzgerald had 6 receptions for 87yds. D. Brees threw for 355yds, 1 TD & 1 int. M. Ingram, am I shamed to say had 9 carries for 24yds. 3x9=27, you couldn't even get 3 per carry, that's a shame. M. Ingram had 8 receptions for 98yds.

St. Louis Rams: 1-0
I like em already cuz they handed Seattle a lost, 34-31. Same old story, the Seahawks needed a yard and the ball was going to, guess who?  Marshawn Lynch, but instead of him getting that yard, Rams DL Michael Brockers & Aaron Donald stuffed Lynch for a 1yd loss on 4th & down to seal the victory in OT. This was after G. Zuerlein kicked a 37yd FG on the opening drive of OT. The Rams have put together a defense that features 5 first-round picks up front, just for occasions like this. They sacked Wilson 6 times. Don't worry Russell, Ciara will rub your back for you.  Another main element was the 75yd TD punt return by Tavon Austin, he said he thought that Ryan would never kick it to him. He did and he took full advantage. N. Foles, who I believe was with the Eagles last season, threw for 297yds & 1 TD, he had no ints. in his St. Louis Debut, B. Cunningham had 16 carries for 45yds and J. Cook had 5 receptions for 85yds.  Wilson threw for 251yds, 1 TD & 1 int. He added 8 carries for 31yds. M. Lynch had 18 carries for 73yds, lolll. J. Kearse had 8 reception for 76yds in the losing battle. note: M. Lynch mom said that the Seahawks OC, Darrell Bevell is the "worst play caller ever." She wants him fired. She was dead serious, lol, she put it on Facebook. Really, because they put your boy on his butt!
 
AFC NORTH:
Cincinnati Bengals: 1-0
I think this was predictable. Bengals 33, Oakland 13. Tyler Eifert who had been out since the season opener last year, was welcomed back by Dalton with 2 TD passes and Jeremy Hill got in on the party running for two scores. It was Del Rio's coaching debut in Oakland, even worse, They lost starting QB Derek Carr to a hand injury in the 2nd Qtr and were held scoreless until midway through the 4th Qtr. That's gotta suck for the Raiders. The Bengals got their first win in Oakland after 10 previous losses. The game was a little chippy with several personal fouls, including the one where corner Adam Jones ripped the helmet off of Oakland receiver Amari Cooper & slammed his head against it. He was fined 35K.  He said it was way too much for a football play. He also said that he can't promise that it will not happen again, he's an emotional player, sounds more like a prick to me. I'm glad they loss, just on that one point. Just my personal view Oakland fans, don't start tripping on me now, freedom of speech and all that other good stuff. A. Dalton threw for 269yds & 2 TDs, G. Bernard had 8 carries for 63yds & T. Eifert had 9 receptions for 1014yds & 2 TDs, not bad for your first day back. M. McGloin threw for 142yds, 2 TDs & 1 int, L. Murray had 11 carries for 44yds and A. Cooper had 5 receptions for 47yds.

Pittsburgh Steelers: 0-1
Read about their whining loss to the Patriots in the TNF update. FYI, you passed it already.

Baltimore Ravens: 0-1
They lost this one by a slim margin, but it's still a loss. Denver took them down, 19-13 and they didn't look too good doing it. Read about it in Denver's update.

Cleveland Browns: 0-1
Read about their spanking from the Jets, 31-10 in that update.
 
AFC SOUTH:
Indianapolis Colts: 0-1
I'm not surprised, everybody think that Luck is better than Manning, whom he replaced and has yet to fill those big shoes that were left in Indy. Read about their lost to the Bills, 27-14 in Buffalo's update.  Maybe Luck should have let "overgrown beard" Luck play this game, lol. 

Tennessee Titans:1-0
Sayyyy what, the Titans won their opener easily against Tampa Bay 42-14. Is this a sign of things to come? Mariota was masterful, I bet he said to Winston after the game, "who's yo daddy now.", lol.  Looks like to me according to the score & stats, Mariota was indeed his daddy in this game and he got the game ball.  A lot of folks was waiting on this game, it had both of the first 2 players selected in the draft. Winston the 2013 Heisman winner & Mariota the 2014 Heisman winner. Mariota said he can't read to much into this first game, there's still a lot of football to play. Mariota threw no interceptions in his first NFL game.  This put him on the records which gave him a spot with no other than, Hall of Famer, Frank Tarkenton as the only players to throw for 4 or more TDs in their first NFL game. Tarkenton did it for Minnesota against DA BEARS on Sept., 17, 1961. Mariota became the first to do it in the first half.  In case you don't know, Fran was the only reason I everrrr watched the Vikings, I loved his style of play. He was short, but big, in the NFL. The Titans, did not score more than 28pts in ANY game last season and ended up 2-14. This may be the start of something big. M. Mariota threw for 209yds & 4 TDs, B. Sankey had 12 carries for 74yds & 1 TD, K. Wright tied it up pretty with 4 receptions for 101yds & 1 TD. J. Winston threw for 210yds, 2 TDs & 2 ints. D. Martin had 11 carries for 52yds & A. Seferian-Jenkins earned his keep with 5 receptions for 110yds & 2 TDs. 

Houston Texans: 0-1
The Texans were hogged tied by the Chiefs, 27-20. They just made one mistake after another. QB Brian Hoyer didn't fare to well with a forced fumble that turned into a TD for the Chiefs. After much booing & the crowd calling for Mallett, Hoyer hit the bench. Ryan Mallett over with about 6 mins. left and led the Texans on a charge to cut the lead to a TD, but it was too little too late. JJ, well he is JJ. 2 sacks and 9 tackles, including six for losses. J. Clowney, last year's overall pick, added his two cents with 4 tackles, one for a loss. This was his first game back since micro-fracture surgery in December. Get all the info in the Chiefs update.

Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-1
Well we all knew how this would end up, right? The Panthers gave them their first lost of the season, 20-9. I am sure it won't be the last. Check out the Panthers update for details.
 
AFC EAST:
New England Patriots: 1-0
They came out, showed off their 4 SB trophies. Then they proceeded to beat the Steelers, 28-21.  Read about it in the TNF update.

New York Jets: 1-0
The Jets won, without Geno Smith. What, you thought they wouldn't? They beat the Browns and Johnny Football, 31-10. Meantime, Geno still salty about the sucker punch, he said he has to work on his anger issues. You better work on the buzz that the Jets called the Redskins about a possible trade for Kirk Cousins and I don't think they was trying to dump R. Fitzpatrick, I'm just saying. But Kirk ain't no fool, he is the starter for the Redskins now, he ain't moving. Fitzpatrick threw 2 TD passes & Chris Ivory ran for two scores in the process of running over the Jets. The Jets had 5 takeaways against the Brown, including an interception & two forced fumbles of J. Football who came in late in the 1st Qtr for an injured Josh McCown but it was not to be, the ran out of fuel in this one. R. Fitzpatrick threw for 179yds, 2 TDs & 1 int., C. Ivory had 20 carries for 91yds & 2 TDs and B. Marshall, I miss you man, had 6 receptions for 62yds & 1 TD. J. Manziel threw for 182yds, 1 TD & 1 int., J. Manziel had 5 carries for 35yds & 2 fumbles, lastly T. Benjamin had 3 receptions for 89yds & 1 TD.

Miami Dolphins: 1-0
They fin slapped the Redskins, 17-10. They didn't have to do much to bring them down, they are already feeling low. Miami had fell into an early slump in the game. They put together only 1 TD drive and stat wise was being man-handled by the Redskins. The Dolphins have Jarvis Landry to thank for this one.  It was his 69yds Punt return for the TD that gave them the lead for the first time and they held on tight. They were tied 10-10 at the time. Even though it was early in the 4th when he made the TD, they could not recover. On the Redskins next drive, Cousins threw a sideline pass that Dolphins CB, Brice McCain intercepted at the Miami 2. Washington got the ball back and drove to the Dolphins 20 before Cousins threw 2 straight incomplete passes. The Redskins out gained the Dolphins 349-256 & held the ball for 37:54 compared to the Dolphins 22:06 and still lost. That's how it goes in the NFL. R. Tannehill had 226yds & 1 TD, L. Miller had 13 carries for 53yds & J. Cameron had 4 receptions for 73yds. K. Cousins threw for 196yds, 1 TD & 2 ints. A. Morris had 25 carries for 121yds & P. Garcon had 6 receptions for 74yds.

Buffalo Bills: 1-0
I'm not going to even lie, I did not see this game, didn't try to see it and glad that Indy lost. Let me see, what can I add to make it a little interesting for this update. The headline I saw said, "Bills bully Colts." Have no ideal what that means, but I'm guessing Indy took their football and ran home crying. Oh yeah, Rex Ryan is coaching the Bills now. Buffalo's dominating defense put the clamps on Luck, which was one of the NFL's best offenses a year ago. The Colts were a done deal with a 24-0 deficit early in the 3rd Qtr, as usual, they dug themselves into a hole they couldn't get out of. Colts WR, T.Y. Hilton left the game with a knee injury, it was first thought he would miss a few weeks. But I did see this week where they said he would play Sunday. Coach Pagano said they threw everything but the kitchen sink at us, lol. T. Taylor threw for 195yds & 1 TD, K. Williams had 6 carries for 55yds & 1 TD and P. Harvin had 5 receptions for 79yds & 1 TD. A. Luck threw for 243yds, 2 TDs & 2 ints, F. Gore had 8 carries for 31yds & T. Hilton had 7 receptions for 88yds.
 
AFC WEST:
Denver Broncos: 1-0
Not even 1.5 years ago,  anytime the Broncos played, you were going to see a good game. Sure they lost one here and there but you know you were in for some good football.  What the hell happened, this was the worst 19-13 win I have ever seen.  This Kubiak guy, the new coach, who promised that he would work his offensive playbook around Manning's strengths LIED. This is the worse I have seen in a team that you know was on point 2 season's ago. The buzz is that the Manning/Kubiak union is already on the rocks one game into the season.  The Broncos won but didn't look good at all. Peyton was sacked 4x and knocked down they said about 8x, can't confirm that # but that's what I heard. His stats were more like Geno Smiths, lol. 175yds passing, he threw a pic-six too. The game looked to belong to the Ravens but Flacco never saw it coming. He saw Smith Jr. running his route but he never saw Talib, until it was too late. Talib snatched the ball so fast, everyone just had to stop and look for a sec to see what happened. They say that Talib has a long standing rivalry dating back to TB days covering Smith in Carolina.  After that, game over man. Even on his mediocre game days Peyton breaks records. This was his record 13th season opening win. He broke a tie with Tom Brady, Brett Favre & John Elway for most opening game wins in league history. P. Manning threw for 175yds & 1 int, R. Hillman had 12 carries for 41yds & E. Sanders had 8 receptions for 65yds. A. Talib had the only TD for the Broncos. J. Flacco threw for 117yds & 2 ints., J. Forsett had 14 carries for 43yds & M. Brown had 2 receptions for 25yds. note: I heard that the Houston Texans ran Kubiak out of town, might happen here in Denver too, I'm just saying.
 
Kansas City Chiefs: 1-0
The Chiefs won their season opener, lassoed and tied up the Texans, 27-20.  Alex Smith threw for 3TDs in the first 1/2 and sat on that for the rest of the day. The Chiefs shelled out a total of 5 sacks in this game with Allen Bailey accounting for 2 of em. Even though they won, their wide receivers are still in a scoreless drought.  Not one TD was scored by a WR. Instead, TE Travis Kelce was hungry and snagged two of them and RB, Jamaal Charles tied a nice bow around the 3rd one. The last time a Chiefs wide out scored a TD?  It was in WK 14 of the 2013 season, yep, almost 2 years. But the 411 in the locker room is about 2013 top pick Eric Fisher and whether he sat out on purpose to avoid facing J.J. Watt. The coach said that it was HIS call and not the player. But ex-chief player Shaun Smith is a little salty, he is the one that tweeted that Fisher was scared. He said he doesn't even know Fisher, never met him but knows that he sat out to avoid JJ. Well, at least Fisher is in the NFL and where are you Shaun? Oh yeah, you at home talking about why somebody didn't play.  Get a grip man, it's over, just sit there and wait on a call to come back or not. A. Smith threw for 243yds & 3 TDs. J. Charles had 16 carries for 57yds, T. Kelce brought it home with 6 receptions for 106yds & 2 TDs. B. Hoyer had 236yds, 1 TD & 1 int. A. Blue had 9 carries for 42yds and N. Washington didn't do bad with 6 receptions for 105yds. note: Chiefs Safety, Eric Berry had 2 tackles in his 1st regular season game since revealing he had lymphoma last year. He was declared cancer-free in June & cleared to practice just before camp. GREAT for him.

Oakland Raiders: 0-1
Read about their loss to the Bengals in that update.

San Diego Chargers: 1-0
See, this here game right here, is why the Chargers paid P. Rivers an $84 million contract extension, they ain't cra-cra.  Rivers, who I think is one of the most UNDER rated QBs in the NFL, put his team on his back and piled up 30 straight points, including a go-ahead 13yd TD pass to TE Ladarius Green and shocked the Lions into the new season with a 33-28 win. Rivers made up for two interceptions, including a 31yd return for a TD run by Glover Quin, to complete 35 of 42 passes for 404yds & 2 TDs. They go-ahead TD to Green tied Rivers with hall of famer Dan Fouts for the franchise record of 254. They said they didn't even blink at the fact of being down 21-10 at the half. The first half of the game belonged to Stafford & the Lions but the second half that won the game, belonged to the Chargers. They had them beat stat wise as well. This might be their final home opener at Qualcomm Stadium and they did it in style. P. Rivers threw for 404yds, 2 TDs & 2 ints. M. Gordon had 14 carries for 51yds & 1 fumble, K. Allen had 15 receptons for 166yds, dang, he earned his money today. M. Stafford threw for 246yds, 2 TDs & 2 ints, A. Abdullah had 7 carries for 50yds & 1 TD, E. Ebron had 4 receptions for 53yds & 1 TD.
 

Details

It’s always best to get off to a strong start!

 

If you followed my picks last week, then you should be sitting pretty towards the top of the standings of your confidence pool. Getting 12 out of 16 right in week 1 is something to pat yourself on the back about…(excuse me while I pat myself on the back).

 

But as the old saying goes, this is a sprint, not a marathon…though you may have won the weekly payout for the week 1 sprint :). We have a bit of an understanding of what the 2015 version of each team looks like, but there is still room for adjustments.  We are still looking for that elusive perfect week of picks…maybe it will be this week!

 

Week 2! … HERE WE GO!!!!!!

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

 

16 – INDIANAPOLIS over New York Jets – The Colts came into the 2015 campaign labeled by some as favorites to win the AFC Championship this season. Losing in week 1 doesn’t help that case. Lucky for them they get a home game against the Jets to help the recovery process.

 

15 – PITTSBURGH over San Francisco – The season started off with an unexpected bang for the 9ers with a big win on a national Monday night stage. They should be brought back down to Earth pretty quickly in the Steel City.

 

14 – NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay – Last week the Saints were my lock to lose. This week they are on the winning side of the 14-point line … ah the fun of the NFC South.

 

13 – GREEN BAY over Seattle – Last week in Chicago, the Packers gave up a late TD to the Bears which led to an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. How many Packer fans were brought back to a similar situation seven months ago in Seattle? This week they get their chance at proper retribution – and to put the Seahawks in an 0-2 hole to start the season.

 

12 – Miami over JACKSONVILLE – The Dolphins got off to a slow start but still pulled off the road win. Look for the same this week…with the probably exception of Miami starting off slow.

 

11 –Baltimore over OAKLAND – The Raiders proved last week that they are still a work in progress. Add in injuries to key players, including quarterback Derek Carr, and it’s really hard to see the Raiders pulling one out here either.

 

10 – CINCINNATI over San Diego –The announce team for the Bengals/Raiders game last week made it sound like the Bengals were on their way to the Super Bowl. That game was against Oakland, this is different – but the result won’t be.

 

9 – CAROLINA over Houston – Doctors in Houston are rushing trying to figure out how the bring Arian Foster back as soon as possible – won’t be this week though!

 

8 – KANSAS CITY over Denver – After edging the Ravens at home and a very not-Peyton like performance from Peyton Manning, the Broncos are in “Show-Me Mode.” Show me you can pull out big road games like this and I’ll have more confidence in you.

 

7 – MINNESOTA over Detroit – Both teams are coming off of a rough start to the season. Look for this one to be a shootout – an aerial assault from both teams. If for no other reason, the Vikings are the home team so they get the edge here.

 

6 – NEW YORK GIANTS over Atlanta – Apparently Eli told Rashad Jennings to NOT score at the end of the Dallas game last week … to NOT score! To NOT put points on the board! The Giants won’t make that mistake again.

 

5 – Arizona over CHICAGO – Carson Palmer looked like the Carson Palmer of hold. Expect to see more of the same on the lake this week. Arizona is looking solid enough to say that this week’s BOLD PREDICTION is that THE CARDINALS WILL OVERTAKE THE SEAHAWKS AND WIN THE NFC WEST.

 

4 – Tennessee over CLEVELAND – The scheduling Gods live in Nashville apparently. The Titans start the season with two road games…but those games are in Tampa and Cleveland. Johnny Manziel will be under center for the Browns this week. All Titan fans hail the scheduling Gods!

 

3 – BUFFALO over New England – Nothing motivates Rex Ryan more than a game against the Pats. Now he gets to go against New England with more talent than he has had in the last few years. I don’t think he will let this opportunity fall.

 

2 – PHILADELPHIA over Dallas – The Cowboys leading rusher a year ago will be on the other sideline. Their all-everything receiver will still be on their own sideline…but he won’t leave the sideline. Philly will just have too much firepower for Dallas to handle.

 

1 – St. Louis over WASHINGTON – Washington used their run game to keep it close against the Dolphins last week. They won’t have the same success against the strong Rams defensive line.

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