The Fantasy Footballers’ “Starts of the Week” for Week 2
It’s football time, again! Week two is here, and the guys went over their Starts of the Week on Thursday’s podcast. Before plunging into their starts, Andy, Mike, and Jason chatted about their “Take It Up To 100” players for the week. The players selected were Scotty Miller (Andy), Diontae Johnson (Jason), and David Montgomery (Mike).
Later, the Footballers jumped into their Week 2 Starts of the Week. The podcast can be found both here or on YouTube. Also, check out JoinTheFoot.com for extra resources provided just for the #FootClan.
Andy’s Starts
QB: Philip Rivers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Let’s discuss a quarterback who dumps the ball off — but dump-offs still get you fantasy points. Pee River gains Andy’s endorsement this week as he gets the Minnesota Vikings and their dreadful passing defense, ranking last in that category after the first week of play. Philip Rivers tossed the ball a total of 46 times, going for 363 yards in Week 1’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that contest, Jonathan Taylor snagged six balls for 67-yards. Watch for Rivers to exploit the Vikings defense.
RB: Raheem Mostert @ New York Jets
Are you looking for a confident start at running back in Week 2? Look no further than Raheem Mostert, running back for the San Francisco 49ers. In his first week, he produced 56 yards on the ground and 95 yards through the air. He also added a touchdown on one of his receptions. This week, the 49ers face the New York Jets who were solid on the ground in Week 1. Still, Andy does not feel the Jets will slow the 49ers down. They are trying to get back to their winning ways.
WR: A.J. Green & Odell Beckham, Jr. on Thursday Night Football
Double Start of the Week! Andy feels both A.J. Green and Odell Beckham, Jr. will have big games on Thursday night. Last week, Cleveland allowed Baltimore wide receivers 214 yards on only 13 passes in just a half. Green is an ideal play here.
Beckham was targeted ten times in the first week. The Cincinnati defense was up against Tyrod Taylor last week, where he only completed 16 passes and seemed shaky. Due to the play of Taylor, the Bengals have not had to stretch the field yet.
TE: Hunter Henry vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Andy selected Hunter Henry as Start of the Week in the first week, and he is doubling up on him this week. Henry had a good Week 1 that saw him go 5-for-73 with tons of garbage time upside. The Texans were able to get their tight ends Darren Fells and Jordan Akins involved when meeting the Chiefs last week. Henry is a more talented tight end than both guys, so he should see a substantial amount of his team’s target share. You can play Henry again this week with confidence.
Jason’s Starts
QB: Josh Allen @ Miami Dolphins
The Stallion (insert drop) was dominant in Week 1. He demonstrated he has the potential to break out in his first showing of the season. It’s hard to pinpoint if it was him or the Jets that made him look unstoppable, but Jason states it doesn’t matter. Josh Allen uses his legs, and he ran for 57 yards in Week 1. He is going to continue to run. Cam Newton was allowed to score two rushing touchdowns against the Dolphins, Allen’s opponent this week. In the four games Allen has played against Miami, he averages 2.5 passing touchdowns and 79.5 yards on the ground. The combination of Stefon Diggs and John Brown looks good as well.
RB: Jonathan Taylor vs. Minnesota Vikings
Jason says it best — it’s time. The Minnesota defense is terrible, and Jonathan Taylor will destroy them. Taylor can take short passes to the house. This appearance will be Taylor’s last appearance on Starts of the Week as he will be a “locked and loaded” top 10 back in Jason’s eyes. Last week, he got work, but he is going to get even more in Week 2. Jason would start Taylor over someone like David Johnson, for example.
Getty Images / Michael Hickey
WR: Emmanuel Sanders @ Las Vegas Raiders
Try not to panic too much, but Michael Thomas is expected to miss some time with a high ankle sprain. Those targets have to go somewhere, and Emmanuel Sanders looks like the player who will get them. The Raiders’ defense seemed middle of the pack versus Teddy Bridgewater in Week 2. This game seems like a start-worthy competition for the veteran wideout.
TE: Tyler Higbee @ Philadelphia Eagles
There was some talk of Tyler Higbee being a mirage in the last part of the 2019 season from Jason and Andy. That said, Jason is picking him for Start of the Week at tight end in Week 2. The matchup this week is great for the tight end position. Fellow Rams tight end Gerald Everett is a little beat up this week. You can’t bench Higbee due to one bad game, and he should right the ship this week.
Mike’s Starts
QB: Cam Newton vs. Seattle Seahawks
Rootin tootin and back to booty scootin! Cam Newton‘s debut with the New England Patriots was a nice one. He finished with a career-high in carries in Week 1. The new Patriot also produced two rushing scores last week and should have had a passing touchdown if N’Keal Harry didn’t fumble into the endzone. Newton’s play will continue to be more of the same — take a look at the depth chart.
RB: Ronald Jones vs. Carolina Panthers
Mike got here first! Andy was going to select Ronald Jones, but Mike beat him out. This week, Jones takes on Carolina. Mike sees a trend where the Fantasy Footballers bring up RBs playing the Panthers time and time again this season. Jones was the best back on the team, and Mike believes that Tampa Bay will be ahead in this contest. The Panthers have a solid offense, but the Buccaneers look to get it right this week. RoJo will have a good fantasy game.
WR: Marquise Brown vs. Houston Texans
Mike noted Mark Andrews stole both the headlines and the touchdowns in Week 1, but Marquise Brown still had a 24-percent target share. That is the kind of thing you want to see in a wideout you have on your starting roster. Hollywood Brown sets out to see around the same percentage of target share this week facing the Texans. He more than likely will see Bradley Roby this week, which is not a scary matchup.
TE: Jared Cook vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Jared Cook will match up facing Corey Littleton this Monday versus the Raiders. This matchup is not concerning. The Saints will either be without (or with a hobbled version) of Michael Thomas. Cook only tallied 5+ receptions twice in 2019, and he has already hit that number in 2020. He should see more volume with an injured Thomas. Mike did not want Cook in drafts due to his volume, but the situation has changed.
For your consideration — Jason Moore‘s Iron-Clad Locked and Loaded 100% Guaranteed Boom Boom Kicker of the Week:
“In week two, I don’t wanna be no hater. So I’m gonna go with the Lions’ Matt Prater“.