Wow, what’s a first week of NFL action. You had the Cleveland Browns not losing (nor winning) a game for the first time since 2016. You had the debut of young rookies Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and we could be seeing Josh Rosen if Sam Bradford puts up another terrible performance. Let’s not forget we had 19 player with over 100 yards receiving, with Jared Cook at the top spot…who would have known? L
Quarterback
Start
Alex Smith vs Indianapolis Colts
The Colts let Andy Dalton have a good, not great opening day, giving up 17.52 fantasy points. Alex Smith is a better quarterback than Dalton and has a good chance to give Jordan Reed a big game. I can see Smith putting up a pretty solid day.
Jared Goff vs Arizona Cardinals
Speaking of Alex Smith, Smith put up 20 fantasy points against Arizona last week, while getting a big lead pretty early in the game. I love the three receiver set of Cooks, Woods, and Kupp that LA loved in week 1. Goff looked comfortable, and would have hit two long touchdowns to Brandin Cooks, but defensive pass interference was called both times.
Sit
Derek Carr @ Denver Broncos
Derek Carr had a tough week 1 on Monday night. The main offensive approach was run, run, Jared Cook, dump off to RB, Jared Cook. Rinse and repeat. Cooper and Nelson were targeted a combined 7 times on prime time football. I think there are better options to think about while we sit and wait for Carr to show us he is ready to be a fantasy-worthy quarterback.
Marcus Mariota vs Houston Texans
I’m just done with Mariota. He has burned me and most of you too many times. He’s not accurate enough and seems to be missing a very important decision making piece upstairs. Not to mention the elbow injury he sustained in the week 1 record-breaking game (longest game time). Skip Mariota this week.
Running Back
Start
Adrian Peterson vs Indianapolis Colts
If you couldn’t tell already, I don’t have much faith in the Colts defense. Peterson looked like a new version of himself. Not quite Vikings AP, but definitely better than Saints/Cardinals AP. Look for Peterson to have another huge workload as Joe Mixon rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown against the Colts in week 1.
Lamar Miller vs Tennessee Titans
Miller had a great week 1, where he dominated the touches outside of getting vultered on the goal line. The Titans gave up two good rushing days to Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake. Look for Miller to continue to get the work share against Tennessee
Sit
Rex Burkhead @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Burkhead is battling a slew of injuries coming into this Sunday match up against the toughest defense in the NFL. Had a concussion to start the week and is nursing a knee injury. Burkhead was limited at practice on Thursday and there is a chance that rookie Sony Michel is active. If you have a better option on your team, avoid Burkhead this week.
LeSean McCoy vs Los Angeles Chargers
We have no idea what situation McCoy is in with Buffalo. The Nathan Peterman experiment is over, and in comes Josh Allen. Shady is still an elite running back, but I think it would be wise to sit McCoy out for week 2 and see what you have in Buffalo.
Wide Receiver
Start
Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp vs Arizona
You may be asking yourself why would I play all 3? The three gentleman I listed above played 97% of all offensive snaps. The main offensive set is three receivers and a TE. If you run it 97% of snaps, then it seems to be the plan form here on out. Cooks was a open on two deep bombs, but was interfered on both. Woods and Goff missed a few deep shots as well in week 1. I think if you have any of these guys, you should be starting them in week 2.
Brandon Marshall @ Chicago Bears
The old man is relevant once again. Welcome back to fantasy football, Big Man. Marshall is forced into the 1 spot in Seattle after Doug Baldwin injured his knee. Wilson will need to throw to someone and the one thing that Marshall is still great at is being a red zone touchdown maker. Marshall caught a touchdown in week 1 and got called for offensive pass interference on another.
Sit
Amari Cooper/Jordy Nelson @ Denver Broncos
What a terrible opening day for these two. A combined four catches between them. This is another situation where I don’t think they are bad players, but we need to see what Jon Gruden is going to do to get Cooper and Nelson involved in the offense. Fade these two this week.
Nelson Agholor @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It seems the magical Nick Foles from last year’s playoffs is merely a figment of our past. Foles is bad and will dink and dunk is way back to the bench when Wentz is back(please hurry back). Agholor caught 8 passes in week 1…for 33 yards. Avoid this headache this week.
Tight Ends
Start
Jordan Reed vs Indianapolis Colts
Jordan Reed, while healthy, is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Reed was the main target for Alex Smith in week 1, catching 4 passes for 48 and a red zone touchdown. I love Reed this week against a team historically known for being bad against tight ends
Jack Doyle @ Washington Redskins
Doyle was the main tight end for Andrew Luck and the Colts. Don’t buy into the Eric Ebron hype. Ebron did come away with the touchdown in week 1, but let’s look at the snap count: 94% for Doyle and 45% for Ebron. Doyle is the player you want to own out of these 2. Not to mention Luck passes the call 50+ times.
Sit
Jared Cook @ Denver Broncos
DON’T DO IT. Do not, and I repeat, do not buy into Jared Cook being a relevant player. He does it every year and disappoints every year. It’s a never ending cycle. Cook had a huge week 1, but he had 20 targets! I can guarantee you that doesn’t happen again. I know tight end is thin this season, don’t fall into this trap.
Austin Hooper vs Carolina Panthers
Wow, tight ends are bad this year. Hooper is a player who I would avoid playing at all costs this week. Carolina does a good job of shutting down opposing tight ends and it seems to start the year that Matt Ryan is red zone challenged. If Hooper isn’t getting you a touchdown, then he’s getting you maybe 5-6 points. No thanks!
D/ST
Start
New Orleans Saints vs Cleveland Browns
Yes, the saints just have up 48 points to Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Cleveland Browns actually looked competent on Sunday. But I think the Saints defense giving up 48 is a fluke. Tyrod Taylor is not the guy who is going to beat the Saints this week, and he will do his usually 200 yards and a TD. I don’t expect any high-powered offense form the Brownies in week 2. This just in, Josh Gordon is being released from the Cleveland Browns. This is one less talented piece for the Saints to defend.
Houston Texans @Tennessee Titans
At first, this came down to weather or not Marcus Mariota was going to be able to play. Then I thought, does it even matter if he does? Mariota has been a huge let down for fantasy owners and even real life Titans fans. Mariota is looking like he is going to play but until he proves to me that he can dominate a defense, I will be betting against Mariota and the Tennessee offense.
Sit
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs
This is a defense that can go either way. Pat Mahomes played great in week 1 and connected on some big plays to the fastest man in the NFL, Tyreek Hill. Not to mention a slow first week for late first round fantasy pick Kareem Hunt. The Steelers defense can get some sacks, but I wouldn’t expect to many turnovers with no Joe Haden.
Washington Redskins vs Indianapolis Colts
I’m all in on Redskins players this week, but I can’t get behind starting the Defense. Andrew luck returned to his old self and I expect him to improve even more as the weeks go by. Marlon Mack may play for the Colts which would add more of a dynamic runner to the Indy backfield. Washington shut down the Cardinals in week 1, but don’t expect the same outcome going against Mr.Neckbeard Aka Andrew luck.
