Week 2 NFL Matchup Preview Part Two
Be sure to check out Part One of our Week 2 NFL Matchup Previews.
Sunday – September 18, 2016
1:00 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
QB Dak Prescott: It was a shaky start for the rookie completing just 55% of his passes and no TDs. The upside is there, but he’s best left on the bench, even in a decent divisional matchup.
RB Ezekiel Elliott: The rookie underwhelmed with a dismal 2.5 ypc and just one reception, but saw plenty of work with 20 carries and salvaged his day with a TD. You’re still starting him, but he’ll be more of a borderline RB1 until this offense finds it’s identity.
WR Dez Bryant: Bryant had just one reception for 8 yards on 5 targets, but barely missed out a TD. He’s more of a WR2 until the passing game improves.
WR Cole Beasley: Beasley led the Cowboy WRs with 12 targets, catching 8. He should continue to be a reliable safety net for the rookie QB. He’s a flex play in PPR leagues, with minimal upside.
TE Jason Witten: Witten was peppered with targets and should continue to be a back-end TE1 based on sheer volume.
QB Kirk Cousins: Had the yardage and attempts last week, but should finally get a few into the end zone in Week 2.
RB Matt Jones: The Redskins abandoned the run last week. This game projects to be a little slower paced, so we might get to see a bit more work for Matt Jones. He’s still just a back-end RB2.
WR DeSean Jackson: The Redskins always seem to have a big TD against Dallas and DeSean Jackson is the perfect candidate to get behind the defense this week.
TE Jordan Reed: A favorite target for Kirk Cousins, but a slower pace could limit his volume, but not his upside. He’s a must start.
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Sunday – September 18, 2016
4:05 PM EST
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals
QB Jameis Winston: Coming off a 4 TD game, Winston heads west to take on a suddenly not-so-scary Arizona secondary. He should have another solid week as a back-end QB1.
RB Doug Martin: Martin had a solid, but unspectacular day, but faces a stiffer challenge this week. He’s still a borderline RB1 as the clear leader in the backfield.
RB Charles Sims: Surprisingly took a backseat to Martin in the passing game, but snuck in a rushing TD. Keep Sims on the bench in standard leagues and only use him as a flex if necessary in PPR formats.
WR Mike Evans: Found the end zone last week which should become a regular occurrence for him. Another solid matchup in a game that projects to be high scoring should give Evans some more scoring opportunities.
WR Vincent Jackson: Quietly tied Evans with a team-high 7 targets; hopefully, he can catch a few more of them this week and be a WR3.
QB Carson Palmer: A juicy home matchup with a porous Tampa Bay secondary makes Palmer a solid QB1 option.
RB David Johnson: The Buccaneers defense held the Falcons to 2.2ypc last week. They have their work cut out for them against this RB1 stud.
WR Larry Fitzgerald: Had a nice game last week and should have another nice game in a high scoring affair. He’s a decent WR2 in all formats.
WR Michael Floyd: 3 of Floyd’s 8 targets were in the red zone. This week he finds paydirt.
WR John Brown: Clearly the third WR in Week 1 with only 4 targets while playing just 57% of the snaps, he’s best left on the bench until his volume increases.
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Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
QB Russell Wilson: Dealing with a tweaked ankle, Wilson is still a QB1 if he is on the field against a Rams defense who made Blaine Gabbert look good.
RB Thomas Rawls, Christine Michael: This has the makings of an ugly committee against a decent run defense. Both players are merely flex options at best.
WR Doug Baldwin: Picked up where he left off last year and should have another solid week. Easy start at WR2 with WR1 upside.
WR Tyler Lockett: The hype-train was strong all off-season, but after Week 1, Lockett is best used as a boom/bust WR3.
D/ST: An absolute must-start against the Case Keenum led Rams team that was shutout last week.
RB Todd Gurley: After an abysmal Week 1, Todd Gurley hopes to rebound in Week 2. You’re not benching him, just be prepared for another rough night.
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Sunday – September 18, 2016
4:25 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
QB Andrew Luck: Denver is a much tougher matchup, but this team is built for the passing game. Luck is a must-start QB1.
RB Frank Gore: Expecting a big game here is a mistake. He might have some volume, but Gore is nothing more than a low-end RB2.
WR TY Hilton: Lead the team in targets with 12 last week, he should be a nice WR2 play this week.
WR Donte Moncrief: As many expected, Moncrief is a red zone favorite of Andrew Luck. Jack Doyle’s second TD could have easily gone to Moncrief. He’s a must-start WR2.
TE Dwayne Allen: After being a late round draft pick or waiver wire streamer for some in Week 1, Dwayne Allen is a borderline TE1 in Week 2.
QB Trevor Siemian: Siemian looked decent enough in Week 1, but a matchup with the Colts is always a nice way to feel confident about your passing game. He’s a viable streamer for Week 2.
RB C.J. Anderson: Should see another heavy workload and perhaps a bit more involvement in the passing game as a locked-and-loaded RB1.
WR Demaryius Thomas: Monitor the injury report before you start Demaryius Thomas. If you have similar options, you may feel better putting him on the bench for the week.
WR Emmanuel Sanders: With Thomas banged up and a juicy matchup, Emmanuel Sanders is a must-start WR2 with WR1 upside.
TE Virgil Green: Virgil Green should get a boost in opportunities against a poor pass defense and the aforementioned injury to Demaryius Thomas.
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Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders
QB Matt Ryan: Another week of high volume should see Matt Ryan post another top 12 week.
RB Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman: The worst fears of every Devonta Freeman owner came true in Week 1. The Falcons appear set to use a full on RBBC. Freeman still projects to be an RB2, while Coleman is a flex option.
WR Julio Jones: Julio tweaked his ankle in Week 1, but should be good to go for Week 2. You’re not benching him.
WR Mohamed Sanu: Sanu tied with Julio in Week 1 for targets, had one more reception and a few more yards. In his best attempt to mirror Julio, he also tweaked his ankle. Just like his running mate, his ankle should be ok and he’s a WR2 this week.
TE Jacob Tamme: Tamme was surprisingly active in Week 1 with 6 receptions on 8 targets. The Raiders shut down the Saints TEs in Week 1, but Tamme is a streaming option for Week 2.
QB Derek Carr: The volume was there, but the RBs got the TDs in Week 1. Carr is a borderline QB1 for Week 2.
RB Latavius Murray: Owners were happy in Week 1 when Murray scored a TD, but he received just 58% of the RB carries. He’s more of an RB2 this week.
WR Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree: Both WRs have the same feeling as their QB; the volume is there. Cooper is a borderline WR1, Crabtree is a solid WR2.
TE Clive Walford: Walford wasn’t very involved in Week 1, but this week’s opponent allowed a combined 5 receptions for 64 yards and 2 TDs to the Buccaneers TEs. He’s a good TE start for Week 2.
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Jacksonville Jaguars at San Diego Chargers
QB Blake Bortles: Blake Bortles picked up where he left off in 2015, tossing the ball all over the yard and heavily targeting his main man, Allen Robinson. He should see similar opportunities to post top 12 QB points.
RB Chris Ivory: After a surprise trip to the hospital, Chris Ivory says he’s all better and day-to-day. He will most likely miss Week 2, so keep him on your bench.
RB T.J. Yeldon: Thrust into an every down role, Yeldon was a solid RB2 after scoring a TD, but his dismal 1.86 ypc is worrisome. Volume alone on the ground and in the passing game will make him an RB2 again this week.
WR Allen Robinson: On the receiving end of 15 targets in Week 1, Allen Robinson owners hope he can reel in more than 40% of his targets. He has WR1 upside for Week 2.
WR Allen Hurns: The “other Allen” was far more efficient with his targets, but is more of a WR3 or Flex play in Week 2.
TE Julius Thomas: Thomas will be a solid TE starter again in Week 2 after finishing in the top 5 in Week 1 and showing off his red zone prowess.
QB Philip Rivers: Losing your top WR target is never good for your fantasy outlook. Rivers is not a top 12 QB for Week 2.
RB Melvin Gordon: Fantasy owners might be excited by the box score for Melvin Gordon after receiving 14 carries and scoring 2 TDs. But digging deeper shows us that he played just 23 offensive snaps (32%), and was out snapped by Danny Woodhead by a 2-1 ratio. A completely lack of involvement in the passing game makes Gordon a TD-dependent RB2.
RB Danny Woodhead: With Keenan Allen going down, Woodhead’s role in this offense definitely increases. He’s a great RB2 option in both standard and PPR leagues.
WR Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman: Travis Benjamin lead this trio in receptions and targets, Dontrelle Inman lead the group in snap share while Tyrell Williams lead them in yardage. Someone will have to step up and take on the volume from Keenan Allen, but until we see a trend, each one is no better than a flex option.
TE Antonio Gates: Antonio Gates should see a bump in targets, but is still a TD-dependant TE1.
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Sunday Night Football – September 18, 2016
8:30 PM EST
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
QB Aaron Rodgers: Aaron Rodgers solid fantasy day was buoyed by a rushing TD while not cracking 200 passing yards in Week 1. On the road against a division rival playing the home opener of their brand new stadium is a tough test, but you’re not benching him.
RB Eddie Lacy: The Vikings held the Titans RBs to a meager 2.5 ypc, but allowed 7 receptions for 76 yards and 2 TDs to them. Eddie Lacy is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside.
WR Jordy Nelson: Jordy Nelson was on the field for 84% of the snaps in his first regular season game action since 2014. He’s still the WR1 for Aaron Rodgers and should be started as such after a solid Week 1.
WR Randall Cobb: With Jordy Nelson back in action, Cobb returns to his preferred role as Rodgers safety net. He’s a solid WR2.
WR Davante Adams: The Packers continue to force feed Adams targets (7), but he’s still highly inefficient with them. While 1 of his 3 receptions resulted in a TD, he’s an uninspiring flex play in Week 2.
RB Adrian Peterson: The volume was there with 19 carries, but the team’s poor passing offense allows defenses to focus on Peterson. He will be better in Week 2 but temper your expectations.
WR Stefon Diggs: Dominated the limited targets and receptions, Diggs is a reasonable start at WR3 or Flex.
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Monday Night Football – September 19, 2016
8:30PM EST
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
QB Carson Wentz: The Eagles rookie QB surprised many fantasy owners with a solid Week 1 performance which could be replicated in Week 2 against a questionable Bears secondary. He’s a streaming option at QB.
RB Ryan Mathews: Ryan Mathews was far-and-away the workhorse back in the running game, but the overall lack of involvement of RBs in the passing game is a concern. Based on the volume and how the Bears were run on last week, Mathews is a borderline RB1.
WR Jordan Matthews: Everyone’s fears were put to rest when Jordan Matthews was peppered with targets from the rookie QB, drawing 14 targets and hauling in 7 receptions for 114 yards and a TD. He’s an excellent WR2 against a soft Bears secondary.
QB Jay Cutler: The Eagles defense gave up a few deep passes last week, which gives Cutler some upside as a streamer, but that’s about it.
RB Jeremy Langford: Langford played on 96% of the Bears offensive snaps, handled all but one rushing attempt and received all the RB passing targets. Volume dictates that he’s a must-start RB2.
WR Alshon Jeffery: Jeffery started off hot, but was out targeted by Kevin White. While he didn’t find the end zone or get a huge target volume, he’s still a stud WR and a must-start WR1.
WR Kevin White: Leading the team with targets, White underwhelmed with just 3 receptions for 34 yards in his first NFL game. He’s a flex play for Week 2.
TE Zach Miller: The Eagles defense shutout opposing TEs in Week 1, while Zach Miller was minimally involved in the passing game for the Bears. He’s a low-end streamer for week 2.
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Be sure to check out Part One of our Week 2 NFL Matchup Previews.