Fantasy Football Week 2: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em
We were back at the start of week 1, but now with week 1 in the rearview, we are ALL THE WAY back.
To no one’s surprise, the first week of the season brought with it a good handful of injuries. Most notably and detrimental was Jets QB Aaron Rodgers going down on the fourth snap of Monday Night Football, later learning he fully tore his achilles and will be out for the season.
Other notable injuries were J.K. Dobbins (done for the season, also achilles), Jakobi Meyers (concussion), Tyler Lockett (concussion), Aaron Jones (hamstring), and Diontae Johnson (hamstring). It’s possible all except Dobbins will be ready for week 2, but no one likes to see the ‘QUESTIONABLE’ next to any of their players’ names.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some potential, healthy replacements ahead of Vikings-Eagles on TNF.
Ian’s Record: 6-3
Start ’em
Anthony Richardson (QB, Colts) @ Texans
Richardson far and away had the best debut of the rookie QBs last week. Against the reigning AFC South champs, he threw for 223 yards and a score on a 65% completion rate, as well as rushing for 40 yards and an additional score.
The Texans were able to contain Lamar Jackson through the air and on the ground in week 1, but keep in mind Jackson didn’t play a single snap of preseason. As Mike Tomlin said in August, “It’s difficult to box without sparring.” I see Richardson and Michael Pittman picking up where they left off last week and picking up a road win following the Jaguars comeback.
Jamaal Williams (RB, Saints) @ Panthers
While Williams had a sluggish start to the season, the Panthers got run over by Bijan Robinson and the Falcons last week. With Jaycee Horn going down as well, that should create more breathing room in the secondary for Williams to make big plays.
Williams was handed the ball 18 times in week 1. Tyler Allgeier was handed the ball 15 times and went for 75 yards and 2 scores. If Williams receives a similar workload and the Saints can set up shop in the red zone a couple times, cha-ching.
Calvin Ridley (WR, Jaguars) vs. Chiefs
Jaguars fans couldn’t have asked for a much better debut from Ridley than what they got last week, as he torched the Colts’ secondary for 101 yards and a score on eight receptions.
The Chiefs did not fare well against Amon-Ra St. Brown last week either, and I expect them to come out swinging after that frustrating loss. Look for a dog fight between Mahomes and Lawrence similar to the Dolphins-Chargers barn burner, and for Ridley to capitalize on said dog fight.
T.J. Hockenson (TE, Vikings) @ Eagles
Also angry from a tough loss, the Vikings should be heading to Philadelphia ready to swing for the fences to prove they still belong in talks for the NFC North. While the run game without Dalvin Cook didn’t look promising at all, Cousins and co. looked good through the air despite dropping to the new-look Bucs.
Most notably, T.J. Hockenson had eight receptions on nine targets last week. If he gets a similar target share this week, against an Eagles defense that just got cooked by Hunter Henry? Cha-ching.
Sit ’em
Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys) vs. Jets
Jets fans need a beer.
After months of excitement and hype surrounding no-doubt Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers taking the helm, his season ended four snaps into Monday Night Football against the Bills. However, New York overcame this sudden adversity by shocking the Bills and winning the game in overtime on a punt returned for a touchdown.
Not to take anything away from the Cowboys’ whomping of the Giants on Sunday night, but Dak Prescott had very little to do with it. This week, you’re going up against a pissed defense that picked off Josh Allen three times the week before? Pass.
Cam Akers (RB, Rams) vs. 49ers
Cam Akers is the lead back for the Rams, but from what we’ve seen so far, it’s the Puka Nacua show in Los Angeles.
Akers ran the ball 22 times in week one, but only amassed 29 yards. His week one performance was saved because he found the endzone on 4th and goal from the half yard line.
That’s not happening this week, because the Rams are hosting the 49ers in week 2. If you read any of my articles last year, you know exactly how I feel about running backs playing San Francisco. Pass.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, Patriots) vs. Dolphins
Despite the loss, the Patriots had an impressive outing against the Super Bowl runner-ups in week one. JuJu, though? Not so much.
He saw the second-most targets on the team in week one but only brought in four for 33 yards. If Mac Jones is going to be throwing to nine different players every week, it’ll be tough for JuJu to stay consistent.
He’ll likely be seeing plenty of Xavien Howard or Kader Kohou this week against the Dolphins, so we’ll just put him in our back pockets for now.
Zach Ertz (TE, Cardinals) vs. Giants
Zach Ertz had ten targets last week. Zach Ertz caught six passes last week. You may be asking, “why should I sit him then?” Because those six catches only amassed 21 yards.
I’ve always been high on Ertz, and this is probably a high-upside game for him, but if Josh Dobbs is going to be using him as a safety outlet for 3-4 yards every time he throws him the ball, yuck. Pass.
BYES: None
