Week 2 NFL Matchup Preview Part One
Be sure to check out Part Two of our Week 2 NFL Matchup Previews.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
8:30 PM EST
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick: Expect Fitzpatrick to throw a couple of TDs against Buffalo. The Bills have a struggling offense that will have a hard time staying on the field, leaving more opportunities for everyone involved on the NY Jets.
RB Matt Forte, Bilal Powell: No Doubt that Forte is the man in NY and will see a ton of carries while the Jets dominate time of possession in Week 2 vs the Bills. Powell could see more snaps as he looked explosive each time he touched the ball last week. Powell is worth a handcuff to Forte but should be left on the bench for now.
WR Brandon Marshall: I expect Brandon Marshall will bounce back from his Week 1 flop with a monster game and a score. He is an every-week starter, don’t overreact to last week.
WR Eric Decker: Solid WR2 every week. Start Decker as you normally would. May not have the yards this week but is usually good for a few end zone targets.
QB Tyrod Taylor: Likely not to have his main target, Sammy Watkins, I do not see a productive night for Tyrod Taylor on a short week. Bench him.
RB LeSean McCoy: McCoy is tricky this week. I don’t see him getting the carries but could easily become part of the short pass game to make up for what they will be missing at WR. I would bench him. Too many factors against him producing this week.
WR Sammy Watkins: Even if he happens to be a “go” for Thursday Night Football, I do not expect he will be anywhere close to 100%. Combine that with Revis motivated to prove that last week will not happen again, all things point to benching Watkins Week 2.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Sunday – SEPTEMBER 18, 2016
1:00 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers @ Carolina Panthers
QB Blaine Gabbert: Gabbert had himself a decent night last week only because no one expected anything out of him. This week vs the Carolina Panthers and most weeks he is fantasy irrelevant.
RB Carlos Hyde: Expect Hyde to come back down to earth this week. Could be the most productive 49er on the field but that isn’t saying much against one of the top defenses in Carolina.
WR Jeremy Kerley, Quinton Patton, Torrey Smith: Kerley appears to be the top target for Gabbert but I wouldn’t bank on that being a consistent game plan. It’s Hard to trust any 49ers receiver right now.
TE Vance McDonald: Had a underwhelming Week 1. I do not see him improving much this week.
QB Cam Newton: If you thought Cam was motivated for last week’s game vs the defending champions, just wait until he unloads on the San Francisco 49ers. You can count on a big Week 2 from Cam Newton.
RB Jonathan Stewart: Stewart didn’t have a bad game last week. I think he has a chance to flirt with 100 yards rushing this week. I expect the Panthers to control the clock using Stewart as much as possible.
WR Kelvin Benjamin: The 49ers didn’t allow a score last week but that was against the pitiful Rams offense. Benjamin should have no issues getting open. Start him safely as a WR1 this week.
TE Greg Olsen: Mr. Production looks to have another 70+ yard game Week 2.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
QB Joe Flacco: Flacco isn’t the most desired QB in fantasy but he really does have great potential around him. I look for Flacco to explore that talent and spread the ball around on the Cleveland Browns. Not a bad streaming option if you are desperate in the position.
RB Justin Forsett, Terrance West : Not crazy about either option. Non-starts until someone truly separates themselves from this backfield, which may not happen this season.
WR Steve Smith Sr., Mike Wallace, Kamar Aiken, Breshad Perriman: It’s tough to rely on any of these WR options. Wallace had a great week but it was on only 3 receptions. Anyone of these WRs could step up this week but it’s hard to say who it will be.
QB Josh McCown: Taking over for the injured RG3, Josh McCown may be the better QB for this team anyway. Still not worth a start against the Titans this week.
RB Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson Jr: Crowell and Johnson will get an increase in snaps this week to help ease McCown into the 2016 season. Crowell is the one to start here, however.
WR Corey Coleman, Terrell Pryor: Bench both. We don’t know who McCown has the chemistry with and how he will do in his first 2016 regular season game.
TE Gary Barnidge: The TE position is usually the “safety blanket” position for QBs. I expect McCown to target Barnidge as he did last season. I like Barnidge as a sneaky TE2 play this week. I wouldn’t be surprised to find him on the waiver wire.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Tennessee Titans @ Detroit Lions
QB Marcus Mariota: A week to week situation. I like him this week against the Lions defense. Has a new favorite target in Tajae Sharpe and not afraid to dump it off to his RBs. He also has a top TE on his side. Would not be surprised if Mariota found the end zone multiple times Week 2.
RB DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry: DeMarco Murray is a must start for me this week. I like Derrick Henry but it’s hard to rely on him for consistent production week to week as the backup.
WR Tajae Sharpe: Sharpe had himself an impressive first game last week. I expect him to have an even better week against the Lions.
TE Delanie Walker: 3 receptions for 42 yards in Week 1. Not bad from the TE position, but not what is expected from Walker. That said, this is a great matchup for Walker in a game where Mariota will be throwing a bunch. I think Walker leads the Titans in targets this week.
QB Matthew Stafford: Shaun Hill led the Vikings to a victory against the Titan’s defense in Week 1 with no help from Adrian Peterson. I expect Stafford to do much better than Hill did Week 1 and pass for over 300 yards and multiple TDs.
RB Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick: Running backs or wide receivers? Regardless these two backs can produce fantasy numbers. Stafford loves throwing to them but it’s hard to predict who will get the better end of the stick week to week. I like both in a flex play this week. Would not blame you for benching either until the situation is clear.
WR Golden Tate, Marvin Jones Jr.: Both great options this week. Tate caught all 7 of his targets but Jones made the most of his 4 receptions with big plays. Jones was the number 1 target Week 1 but I can see that changing each week. I like both as a WR2 this week vs the Titans.
TE Eric Ebron: Dangerous in the red zone. The Detroit Lions will be in the red zone. Ebron will have high TD probability this game. Start him.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Kansas City Chiefs @ Houston Texans
QB Alex Smith: Had a fantastic first week. I do not see him coming even close to repeating it. Keep him on the bench vs Houston.
RB Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware: Charles likely to sit again. Don’t like either back against the Texans this week.
WR Jeremy Maclin: Could get lucky with a couple of deep balls but do not see production outside of that.
TE Travis Kelce: I like Kelce the most on the Chiefs this week. I expect him to lead the team in targets and if anyone is going to score on Houston, it’s Kelce.
QB Brock Osweiler: Tough matchup this week. Has plenty of weapons around him to have success any week. This week, however, I predict Osweiler to have just over 200 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.
RB Lamar Miller: Every week starter. I see Miller having a big day on the ground and through the air.
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Hopkins will lead the Texans in targets this week. Start him as you WR1.
WR Will Fuller: Still expect another big game from Fuller. Just see him finishing behind Hopkins this week.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
QB Ryan Tannehill: I see Tannehill getting the passing yards but may be hard converting it into points against the Patriots defense who are the real deal.
RB Arian Foster, Jay Ajayi: Foster is the guy in Miami and should see plenty of work against the Patriots. Ajayi will take some snaps from Foster this week but is a non factor fantasy-wise.
WR Jarvis Landry : As the only threat in the pass game, the targets will be there for Landry and with that comes opportunity. I like him as a W2 this week.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo: Garoppolo had a decent night against one of the league’s best defenses last Sunday night. He did not turn the ball over and threw for a score. Expect Jimmy to have an even better game against the Dolphins this Sunday. Not a bad streaming play.
RB LeGarrette Blount: It should be obvious that Blount is the most effective back in New England. He has a good chance to score each game but it’s still hard to trust any running back for the patriots. Sit him or play him as a flex filler if needed. The matchup does favor him this week, just a risky play.
WR Julian Edelman: Look for Edelman to be the main target this week. He is a solid WR2 with WR1 upside in this matchup.
WR Chris Hogan: Just waiting for Hogan to break out. Not sure it will happen this week or any week Brady is not at the helm. Still should have a decent amount of targets in this game. I’m not ready to consider him in any fantasy lineup other than in deeper leagues.
TE Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett: Gronk did practice Wednesday but you just never know with the Patriots. If Gronk does play, you can expect limited snaps/production. Bennett will see more work as he did last week, blocking and protecting the quarterback. If you want to take a chance on him this week, he is still a monster, end zone target if they get within the 15-yard line.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
New Orleans Saints @ New York Giants
QB Drew Brees: Look for Brees to have another monster week this week against the Giants. Must start in what could be Saints vs Raiders 2.0.
RB Mark Ingram: Ingram is tricky. His production depends on the game flow. If it’s a shoot-out like I expect it to be, Ingram will have just an OK game vs the Giants.
WR Brandin Cooks: Likely will not repeat last week’s numbers but is still primed for another WR1 week.
WR Willie Snead: Is he the real deal? Don’t bench a known WR1 to play Snead. I like him this week as a low-end WR2.
TE Coby Fleener: It’s the “wait and see” game with Fleener. Although I do expect him to have a great season, I’m just not sure that starts Week 2. Stash him on your bench and stream tight ends until his chemistry with Brees is revealed.
QB Eli Manning: A QB1 this week Manning has too many weapons around him not to produce QB1 type numbers this week against a spotty New Orleans defense.
RB Rashad Jennings: The Giants still like a balanced attack even in shoot-outs so I do not expect them to shy away from their bell cow RB. I like Rashard Jennings as a high-end RB2 against the Saints defense this week.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.: My pick as the top WR this week. Must start.
WR Sterling Shepard: Should be a high scoring game and Shepard will be part of the reason. Confidently play him as your 3rd WR or in the flex.
WR Victor Cruz: Saw glimpses of his greatness last week. Still, would not start him, but he is worth the pickup and bench spot to see if/when the Giants involve him more in this “giant” offensive attack.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Andy Dalton: Always a tough divisional matchup with these two teams. I can see this being a game where Dalton is playing catch up which could translate to fantasy points. I still do not like banking on that with Dalton and would sit him unless you are in a 2 QB league, then I like him as your second QB this week.
RB Jeremy Hill, Gio Bernard: I think they will both be more involved in this game than they were Week 1. I typically do not like either of these backs because it’s a true guessing game of who will be the big producer week to week. I would give the edge to Bernard this week, given the expectations of the Bengals playing from behind.
WR A.J. Green: Catches everything, will be heavily targeted and will produce as a WR1. Must Start.
WR Brandon LaFell: I actually like Brandon LaFell this week as a WR3. Could be a sneaky flex play if you are looking for help in that spot.
TE T.J. Uzomah: Involved in the offense as their top TE option. Will not put up a zero but do not expect big numbers from him this week.
QB Ben Roethlisberger: Tougher matchup than he had last week but I still like him as a QB1 this week.
RB DeAngelo Williams: Always provides great production when he’s filling in for Bell. Milk him until Bell is back and then stash him on the bench as the best handcuff in fantasy.
WR Antonio Brown: WR1. Start him.
WR Eli Rogers, Sammie Coates, Markus Wheaton: Hard to determine who the number 2 is here. They are all worth a bench spot until it has been decided.
TE Jesse James: Was targeted 7 times last week. I really like him as a viable option at TE this week. Could easily have 50+ yards and a TD against the Bengals.
The Fantasy Footballers Preview
Be sure to check out Part Two of our Week 2 NFL Matchup Previews. (coming Friday)