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Dennis’s Fantasy Football Fix Week 2
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Week two is upon us folks. The week where half of you are riding a high from a victory in week one, and the other half well…not so much. That’s okay though because as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said; “The sun is shining and the sky is still blue so it’s not all bad. Last week I went 2-0 in my two leagues with scores of 140-74 and 106-104 (thanks to Saints kicker Will Lutz).

With that said; here are my top three players in each position.

 

Quarterbacks

 

3. Matt Ryan vs. Philadelphia- In what should be a shoot-out in the dome, I am expecting a boat load of points here. If the Falcons are playing from behind, Ryan is going to have to throw the ball most of the night.

2. Kirk Cousins at Green Bay- Cousins laid a real stinker last week (8/10 for 98 yards) against the Falcons. He did manage to rush for a touchdown to help owners last week. This week I expect big things from the Vikings including a healthy passing attack against the Packers.

1. Drew Brees at LA Rams- Last week I had Brees as my number two starter in my column and he did not disappoint. This game has the potential reach high 30’s to mid-40’s for each team. The Saints have waited for this showdown since the Rams beat them in the playoffs last year. Revenge could be instore for Brees and the Saints.

 

Sleeper of the Week- Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. New England: By no means do I have the Dolphins winning this game. However, I expect this game to get out of hand early forcing Fitzpatrick to throw close to 30 times against the Patriots. Perhaps some garbage time points could help pad Fitzpatrick’s stat line.

Bust of the Week- Mitchell Trubisky at Denver: Coming into the season the Bears were expected to have a high powered offense, with a healthy balance attack of rushing and passing. Last week Trubisky went 26/45 for 228 yards and an interception. I don’t think it will get any better for him this week on the road. Denver’s defense was held in check by the Raiders Monday night, so expect them to come out fired up.

 

Running Backs

3. Mark Ingram vs Arizona- Last week Ingram racked up 17 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Dolphins. This week he is going against a similar defense in the Cardinals. This game could get out of hand early and the Ravens should be able to establish a strong running game and Ingram will be the work horse.

2. Derrick Henry vs. Indianapolis- Henry has a boom or bust factor. Not really sure what you will get out of him week to week. However Henry’s upside is too large to ignore. He had 84 rushing yards with a touchdown and added a 75 yard receiving touchdown against the Browns last week. If you have Henry consider him an RB2/Flex option this week.

1. Christian McCaffrey vs. Tampa Bay- Tonight McCaffrey and the Panthers look to get in the win column against division rivals. McCaffrey has emerged as a top tier running back because of his allusiveness and catching ability. He was a top three draft pick in most drafts and tonight he should have a monster game.

 

Sleeper- Ronald Jones at Carolina: Jones is in his second season and has the ability to be a top 10 running back. Tonight’s match-up against the Panthers could be a close game, meaning Tampa Bay can lean on the running game.

Bust of the Week- Aaron Jones vs. Minnesota: Jones was drafted to be your RB1/RB2. This week he should be a flex option, with tempered expectations.

 

Wide Receivers

3. Tyrell Williams vs. Kansas City- Entering last Monday night’s game, questions arose who would step up following Antonio Brown’s departure. It did not take long for Williams to answer the call. Williams hauled in 105 yards and a touchdown on six catches.

2. Amari Cooper vs. Washington- Cooper has regained his top 10 status since joining the Cowboys last season. Last week Cooper had 106 yards and a touchdown at home against the Giants. This week the Cowboys are home against another NFC East rival and I expect a similar outcome. Cooper’s ceiling for this week is between 19-23 points.

1. Julian Edelman at Miami- Edelman was targeted 11 times in the team’s 33-3 home win over Pittsburg last week. He 83 yards and completed a 32 yard pass as well. This week against the Dolphins I can see Edelman going well over 100 and finding the end zone on multiple occasions. Even if Antonio Brown plays this weekend, I have confidence that Edelman will be a top five WR.

 

Sleeper- A.J. Brown vs. Indianapolis: Brown entered the preseason virtually unknown. He turned in impressive games in the preseason and his regular season debut saw him have 100 yards on three receptions on the road in Cleveland. This week he makes his home debut against a banged up Colts team.

Bust of the Week- Emmanuel Sanders vs. Chicago: Sanders was very serviceable last week. The veteran wide out hauled in 86 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. This week however, I would stay clear of Sanders as he goes up against a very stingy Bears secondary.

 

Tight Ends

3. George Kittle at Cincinnati- Kittle is no surprise and should be in your lineup each week. What makes him a most start is the targets that come his way. Last week he had eight catches on 10 targets.

2. Mark Andrews vs. Arizona- Last week I had Andrews as my number three tight end and he blew up. He was a wrecking crew over the Dolphins and the Cardinals defense is no better. Andrews is a must start this week.

1. O.J. Howard at Carolina- Tonight’s matchup is going to be tight end heavy, meaning Howard, Cameron Brate and Greg Olsen could all be involved and find the end zone. Howard did not have a good game last week against San Francisco; just 32 yards on four catches. Tonight, I expect him to get double-digit points for fantasy owners.

 

Sleeper of the Week- Vance McDonald vs. Seattle: McDonald only had two catches for 40 yards last week, but at a thin position 40 is not too bad. I expect the Steelers to open things up in the passing game and McDonald should be a big part of it.

Bust of the Week- Evan Engram vs. Buffalo: I’m a big Engram fan (last week I had him as my number two TE). However, this week he goes up against the Bills defense and I would abandon ship on all Giants players this week not named Saquon Barkley.

 

Defense/Special Teams

3. Cleveland at NY Jets- Once a promising matchup now has been dampened by the news of Jets starting quarterback Sam Darnold contracting Mono. In his absence will be journey man Trevor Siemian. Siemian has not started a game since 2017 and is only given a few days to prepare for a Browns team that features Myles Garrett and Morgan Burnett.

2. Baltimore vs. Arizona- The number one pick in the draft (Kyler Murray) struggled against the Lions defense until the final minutes of the game. This week he goes against arguably the best defense in the league.

1. New England at Miami- The Patriots defense may end up as the number one defense over the first month of the season. Their schedule over the next few weeks include; Dolphins Jets, Bills, Redskins, Giants and Jets. Last week they only gave up a total of 277 yards against the Steelers. Not seeing much optimism from the Dolphins this week.

Sleeper of the Week- San Francisco at Cincinnati: Last week the 49ers forced five turnovers and scored a touchdown. This week they may be able to see similar numbers against a banged up Bengals squad.

Bust of the Week- LA Chargers at Detroit: I’m confident the Chargers will get the win. I’m not so confident that it will be a blowout. Last week the Chargers struggled to stop the Colts and I can see Matt Stafford lighting them up late in the game to make it close.

 

Kickers

3. Brandon McManus vs. Chicago- McManus went 3/3 last Monday night against the Raiders. His longest was from 39 yards out but this week he will be playing at home which means he will get the opportunity to kick from further out with confidence.

2. Jake Elliott at Atlanta- As mentioned earlier in the column I expect the Eagles and Falcons to be a slugfest resulting in slew of points. Elliott is a great start here.

1. Will Lutz at LA Rams- Last week Lutz connected on a 58 yard game winner and he may have to do it again this week in Los Angeles.

 

Sleeper of the Week- Dustin Hopkins vs. Dallas: Hopkins went perfect last week including a 48 yard field goal. The young kicker may see more opportunities this week against the Cowboys.

Bust of the Week- Sam Ficken vs Cleveland: Set to make his debut, Ficken is not a reliable start. I’m not seeing much upside to any Jets players this week.