FANTASY FOOTBALL: WEEK 2 TIPS

Last week was certainly a rough week for a number of fantasy studs. Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Aaron Rodgers, and Ray Rice just to name a few had sub-par weeks by

Last week was certainly a rough week for a number of fantasy studs. Drew Brees, Frank Gore, Aaron Rodgers, and Ray Rice just to name a few had sub-par weeks by their lofty standards. But on the flip side, a few guys who had question marks surrounding them, like Arian Foster, Wes Welker, and Matt Forte all came up big. I guess that just speaks to the insanity that is fantasy football. Don’t you just love it? Now, on to week 2.

Quarterback

BEST:   Philip Rivers, SD

Rivers had a good game in week 1, throwing for 298 yards and 2 TDs. This week he faces the Jaguars who gave up similar stats to the less talented Kyle Orton. I expect Rivers to have a monster game this week against Jacksonville. Of course, he still doesn’t have Vincent Jackson, but just get used to that, I’d be shocked if Jackson plays for the Chargers this season. And if he does it won’t be until he absolutely has to. Rivers is still a fantasy stud without his best WR, and should be huge this week.

WORST:Â Carson Palmer, CIN

The Ravens looked very good against the pass last week against the Jets. Baltimore only gave up 74 yards last week to the Jets, and no that isn’t a typo. Now I don’t expect Palmer to do THAT poorly against the Ravens, he’s better than Sanchez and his wide receivers are more talented. However, I just don’t see him putting up any really significant numbers against one of the best defenses in the league.

Running Back

BEST:   DeAngelo Williams, CAR

Williams’ stats last week weren’t that fantastic upon first glance. But you have to remember that the Panthers had to abandon the run early against the Giants because they found themselves in a very deep hole. The best news that came out of that game was that Williams dominated his backfield mate, Jonathan Stewart, in terms of number of carries. Williams ended the day with 16 carries while Stewart only got 5. Williams gets Tampa Bay this week, who gave up more than 4 yards per carry to the Browns. Williams should abuse the Buccaneers just like he did last year when he went off for 152 yards and 2 scores.

WORST:Â Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams, MIA

You have a two headed problem here. The first is that these two guys seem to be splitting their carries pretty evenly. Williams got 18 last week while Brown got 13. Secondly, they have to face a tough run defense in the Minnesota Vikings. If you have either of these guys on you roster and you have a better option I suggest you use that other option. I don’t see either of these guys having much impact save for the possible short touchdown run. That kind of thing is too risky to rely on.

Wide Receiver

BEST:   Marques Colston, NO

He got the most receptions for the Saints last week, and is the most talented receiver on that team. Now he’s got a game against the 49ers who were absolutely gashed by group of Seattle receivers who could be best described as “rag-tag.” I think Colston will connect with Drew Brees for at least one big play in week 2, and will also be Brees’ favorite target in the red zone. I think he’ll end up with a touchdown, and possibly multiple scores.

WORST:Â Terrell Owens, CIN

T.O. saw quite a few balls come his way last week, but it looks like he’s going to be used mostly on underneath routes by the Bengals. The big plays appear to be going to Chad Ochocinco this year, and that hurts Owens’ fantasy value. This week is especially bad as he’ll be going up against a tough Ravens’ defense who like to punish receivers on those shorter routes, just ask Dustin Keller. I think Ray Lewis and company put a beating to T.O. this week, and keep him mostly off of the stat sheet.

Tight End

BEST:   Antonio Gates, SD

As we discussed previously, the Jaguars pass defense didn’t look so great in week 1. Gates is the most consistent target on the Chargers, so I think he’ll see plenty of looks from Philip Rivers in the red zone. I fully expect him to find the end zone and pile up a respectable number of yards, with the possibility that he explodes for more than 100 yards.

WORST:Â Greg Olsen, CHI

Last week was not a good sign for Olsen. Cutler looked early and often to Matt Forte on both dump-offs and even some deep balls. Tight ends are often neglected in Mike Martz offenses, and it’s starting to look like that will probably be the case with Olsen this year as well. Couple that with the Bears playing a much tougher defense this week in the Cowboys and it spells trouble for Olsen.

Defense

BEST:Â Green Bay Packers

I made it known prior to the season that I wasn’t terribly high on the Packers’ defense this year. However they looked better than I had anticipated last week, even though they did have trouble with the suddenly youthful Mike Vick. This week the Packers play the Buffalo Bills, who certainly don’t have a mobile quarterback like Vick. The Packers were all over Vick, but just couldn’t drag him down and finish the sack in week 1. I don’t think Trent Edwards is going to be able to escape the rush as easily as Vick did, and the Packers should register a good number of sacks and possibly some pressure induced turnovers as well.

WORST:Â New York Giants

Would you want to play Peyton Manning the week after he lost to the Texans for just the second time? I didn’t think so. Look for them to give up a ton through the air and quite a few points.

SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

-Santana Moss, WR, WAS: Moss had a pretty solid week last week against the Cowboys, catching 6 balls for 77 yards. This week he gets the Texans who let Peyton Manning have a huge day. Of course that was Peyton Manning, the best QB in the league, so be warned that Donovan McNabb probably won’t have quite as easy of a time slinging the ball around the field. However, Moss is generally being used as a 3rd or 4th WR in most leagues, but this week he has the potential to produce like a number 1. If you have him on your bench I would strongly consider inserting him into your starting lineup this week.