Best Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Receivers-Fantasy Football Week 2

Sept 16 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush (22) runs for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

There were plenty of surprise performances in week two: the top three quarterbacks in the league (Brady, Rodgers, Brees) weren’t in the top five in scoring, the top two running backs were mid-round picks, and Graham/Gronkowski got outscored by someone who was un-rostered in almost all leagues.

Here’s the top five performances at the top three skill positions from week 2:

Top 5 Quarterbacks

Sep 19, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) attempts a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Redskins 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE

Robert Griffin III-Washington Redskins: Although Josh Morgan cost him a chance to go 2-0 with one of the “C’mon Man” plays of the weekend, Griffin still had a great fantasy day. He finished with 206 yards passing on 20-29 but added a nice 82 yards rushing with a pair of rushing TDs. If your league awards touchdown points differently for throwing and rushing, Griffin is a top 10 option to be sure the rest of the way. He was the top scoring QB in ESPN standard scoring after finishing second to Matt Ryan last week.

Cam Newton-Carolina Panthers: Newton threw for 253 yards and a TD and added 71 yards rushing with a second TD. He bounced back nicely after a tough week one in Tampa and is a good starting option especially where running QBs are rewarded.

Eli Manning-New York Giants: The top scorer where all touchdowns are created equal was most likely Manning with his 510 yards and three passing TDs. After three quarters, Giants fans and Manning owners were furious with Eli, but his dazzing fourth quarter, the W, and his final numbers made everyone believers by the end of the day. Manning did throw three picks which may have hurt you depending on your league’s scoring. He definitely looked “elite” today.

Michael Vick-Philadelphia Eagles: Vick and the Eagles have been a turnover machine with nine in eight quarters so far this season. The Eagles are 2-0 with back-to-back one point wins. This week it was Vick on the ground for the winning TD as part of his 34 yards rushing. He threw for 371 yards and a TD to go with a pair of picks.

Sam Bradford-St. Louis Rams: Bradford threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Rams past the Redskins. Jeff Fisher could make this guy a fringe fantasy option.

Biggest Surprise: Brandon Weeden-Cleveland Browns: Weeden looked like a different player than last week as he confidently threw for 322 yards and a pair of TDs in the Browns loss in Cincinnati.

Top 5 Running Backs

Reggie Bush-Miami Dolphins: Bush destroyed the Raiders running for 172 yards and a pair of touchdowns and adding 25 yards on three catches. Bush has always said he could be a feature back, and it’starting to look like he may have found his place to shine in the Dolphins offense. Consider him a high RBw especially in PPR leagues going forward

C.J. Spiller-Buffalo Bills: Spiller followed up his monster week one with two more rushing touchdowns and 123 yards on just 15 carries while catching all three passes thrown his way for 47 more yards. He has another nice matchup against the Browns next week, so play him with the utmost confidence going forward if you were the owner who took a flier on him in the draft.

Trent Richardson-Cleveland Browns: Richardson showed why the Browns traded up to get him rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown and adding 36 yards on four catches and another touchdown. He showed vast improvement from last week’s dismal performance so don’t give up on him as a RB2 just yet.

Ben Tate-Houston Texans: Many owners left him on the bench after a disappointing week one. Oops! Tate ran for 74 yards on 12 carries and a pair of touchdowns. He had a third touchdown overturned on replay and “vultured” (ironically) by Arian Foster. Foster had over twice as many carries, but Tate showed his flex value in good matchups as both Texan running backs had good weeks in Jacksonville.

Marshawn Lynch-Seattle Seahawks: Lynch ran for 122 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries against the Cowboys. He helped the Seahawks get a big win at home to avoid falling to 0-2.

Sep 16, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) scores during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Top 5 Wide Recievers

Hakeem Nicks-NYG: Nicks had a huge game despite his questionable tag. His owners better get used to that designation as he continues his recovery from his broken foot. He finished yesterday with 10 catches for 199 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets from Eli as the Giants played catch-up. He and Cruz are both WR1 and could either or both have massive games in any matchup.

Victor Cruz-NYG: Cruz’s salsa was back after an 80-yard touchdown catch as part of a 179-yard, 11-catch performance. He and Nicks were the top two receivers in non-PPR leagues.

Dwayne Bowe-KC: Even though they were in garbage time, Bowe’s owners won’t complain aboug his two touchdowns on eight catches with 102 yards. He showed his WR1 upside despite playing on the struggling Chiefs. No matter how bad KC is, Bowe should still be able to get his points as he showed yesterday.

Danny Amendola-Stl: In PPR leagues, he broke the Giants monopoly at the top of the receiver scoring by catching 15 of the 16 balls passed to him by Sam Bradford. He had a touchdown and 160 yards in a breakout performance and will surely be the #1 target in those leagues where he was left on the waiver wire.

Vincent Jackson-TB: V-Jax went for 128 yards on five catches and a TD. Since he was playing the Giants, he wasn’t one of the top point-scorers in his game but still helped many of his owners with his solid performance. He’s a strong WR2 going forward.

Come back at noon for the top 5 at the three peripheral positions of Kicker, Team Defense, and Tight End.