Aug 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) warms up before the start of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks:
Jake Locker (v. DAL)- Locker has managed four multiple touchdown games in his last eight games. He started the season off with a multiple touchdown game and his opponent started their season off allowing a multiple touchdown game to Colin Kaepernick. Locker is an interesting start this week with his unproductive running game in week one. Even so, Locker is well inside my top 10 at quarterback this week.
Andy Dalton (v. ATL)- Nobody believes in Andy Dalton. Seriously, when I originally did my ranks, I had him ranked at 15th among quarterbacks. Then I looked up his numbers and he has multiple touchdowns in eight of his last 12 games. I don’t get what it is about him, but people simply don’t trust him on their fantasy teams. I moved Dalton up into the top 12, and I’m starting him this week.
Quarterback Sits:
Jay Cutler (@ SF)- Jay Cutler will be playing in the Sunday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s the issue, both of the Bears receivers are listed as questionable. Do they play? Probably, but how well? They probably won’t do so well. Neither guy practiced all week, Brandon Marshall was able to do a light jog in practice but that isn’t at game speed. I don’t trust it. I will be sitting Jay Cutler this week.
Tom Brady (@MIN)- I realize Minnesota has been absolutely horrible on defense, but Tom Brady didn’t look that great on week 1 and I want to see better from him before I can start him again. According to ESPN stats and information, “Brady went 2-for-16 on throws at least 15 yards down field”. Considering I don’t find the Miami defense spectacular, I’m out on Brady this week.
Russell Wilson (@SD)- The Chargers defense wasn’t messing around with Carson Palmer. They actually were able to put him in some terrible scenarios, which forced Arizona to struggle to get points on the board. Now the Chargers face Seattle, who has a quarterback who isn’t the same beast away from Century Link. The Chargers will make it tough on Russell Wilson this week, I like both Dalton and Locker better.
Running Backs:
Sep 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno (28) dives in for a touchdown against the New England Patriots defense during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Dolphins won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Running Back Starts:
Knowshon Moreno (@BUF)- Moreno was absolutely dominant in his debut for the Dolphins. We just always seem to miss on this guy. We said Moreno was good because he was seeing six man boxes in Denver, but maybe we just misjudged him, again. Moreno, if healthy, is an effective back and should be in your fantasy lineup. He rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown against what most believed to be a good Patriots run defense.
Shane Vereen (@MIN)- Minnesota has struggled against the run, and if the Vikings have learned anything from Miami, they are going to blitz Tom Brady. This could result in a lot of quick dump offs to the backs. Vereen could be highly effective against this Vikings defense, as he looks to be the lead man in the New England backfield.
Mark Ingram (@CLE)- Two touchdowns in week one! We’ve been waiting for this, haven’t we? Has Mark Ingram finally become the Saints goal line back? I think so, and whoever is the Saints goal line back is a must-start considering how often they are around the end zone. I’m starting Mark Ingram this week.
Chris Johnson (@GB)- They played the Raiders, but watching the film, I saw a lot more from Chris Johnson. First, he’s catching passes. That’s something he didn’t do very often in Tennessee. Another thing I saw was he was actually running north/south rather than east/west. Chris Johnson is a big play machine, but he can’t do what he did in Tennessee, which is try for the big play every play. He might finally be learning that.
Running Back Sits:
Reggie Bush/ Joique Bell (@CAR)- Carolina has the best run defense in football. They gave up three touchdowns to running backs all last season. Reggie Bush looked bad against the Giants defense, and Joique Bell looks like he is only going to have value in a PPR league this week. I am starting Bell in one of my PPR leagues, but I don’t really feel good about it.
Doug Martin (v. STL)- Doug Martin was pulled for another reason other than injury last week against Carolina. The Buccaneers stated that they weren’t happy with his pass protection. The pass protection I have never thought was a serious problem with Martin’s game, meaning perhaps, he was losing focus with the bad game he was having. This may be something we have to watch going forward.
Pierre Thomas (@CLE)- Pierre Thomas is certainly in a reduced role. He is going to a Darren Sproles like role which is great for PPR leagues, but not in standard leagues. I can’t trust Thomas if he’s not getting goal line carries or isn’t getting in on anything other than passing downs.
Darren McFadden (v. HOU)- The Raiders have already announced that they are going with the “hot hand” approach. This Texans defense is going to be able to take advantage of the Raiders offensive line and they’ll hold these Raiders backs to short gains.
Wide Receivers:
Sep 7, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) runs into the end zone on a 68-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars, 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Wide Receivers Starts:
Jeremy Maclin (@IND)- Jeremy Maclin managed 10-plus targets in a win over Jacksonville. He should continue to see those targets.
Reggie Wayne (v. PHI)- Same old Reggie. In what looks to be a shootout against Philadelphia, Andrew Luck’s number one target is a must start.
Kelvin Benjamin (v. DET)- I’m slightly worried about the chemistry between Newton and Benjamin, but Benjamin was able to have success with Derek Anderson at quarterback. Benjamin was a top 24 receiver for me coming into the season. So I’m starting him all the time. I have supreme confidence in him.
Andre Johnson (@OAK)- In a run-first offense, Johnson should be able to take advantage of a bad secondary, even with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback.
Wide Receivers Sits:
Alshon Jeffery (@SF)- Jeffery is banged up, and we don’t know his status, and likely won’t know about it until the Sunday night game. Meaning that we have to sit Alshon Jeffery this week. Even if he plays, he has a tough matchup and a bad hamstring. Sit him. You don’t want any part of this.
Victor Cruz (v. ARI)- Victor Cruz is completely lost in this offense. I haven’t seen him this lost in his career. He’s really tough to trust as a start for this week, until we see that he can still make plays.
Marques Colston (@CLE)- Who draws Joe Haden? I’m not really sure, but I don’t trust Colston on the road. If I start Colston, I’ll start him only at the Dome. I have no faith in him this week.
Larry Fitzgerald (@NYG)- Carson Palmer is banged up, and Fitzgerald seems to be kicked out of the offense? I like Floyd more for the rest of the season, but maybe Fitzgerald can prove me wrong. Still, I don’t trust him.
Sep 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. The Titans won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tight Ends:
Tight End Starts:
Delanie Walker (v. DAL)- Vernon Davis had two touchdowns against Dallas in week one. Could Delanie Walker repeat this?
Travis Kelce (v. DEN)- Travis Kelce only played in 18 snaps on Sunday, but they are going to have to play him if they count on having any chance against Denver. Kelce is an interesting deep play, I’m starting him in a league.
Tight End Sits:
Larry Donnell (v. ARI)- I don’t want any part of the Giants receiving corps. I don’t trust any of them.
Antonio Gates (v. SEA)- Gates has a hamstring injury and is going against the Legion of Boom.
D/ST:
D/ST Starts:
Buccaneers D/ST (v. STL)- The Buccaneers are the safest bet at defense this week for me. They have a real chance to capitalize on turnovers, with Austin Davis likely getting his first start at quarterback for St. Louis.
49ers D/ST (v. CHI)- Chicago has a good offense, but they might be without Alshon Jeffery. I feel comfortable starting against them this week.
D/ST Sits:
Dolphins D/ST (@BUF)- The Dolphins starting linebacker corps are completely depleted. They had a solid pass rush against the Patriots, but without the linebackers they are tough to trust.
Packers (v. NYJ)- A lot of people think they are a good play because they play the Jets, but I think it’s not the case. The Green Bay defense has not looked impressive at all so far and the Jets are going to be able to get some points.
Sep 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) defends during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 36-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
IDP:
Sleepers:
Richard Sherman (@SD)- Sherman had zero targets to him against the Packers in week 1. That isn’t going to progress, as Philip Rivers already said he is going to use the whole field. Every IDP league I’m in values interceptions and Richard Sherman might be bringing a pick six home this week.
D.J. Swearinger (@OAK)- Swearinger is a hard hitter in the secondary for the Texans. In fact, he even forced a fumble. Swearinger is an interesting start this week against Oakland. Rookie quarterback, bad offensive line, bad running back play, usually equals a great matchup.
Sio Moore (v. HOU)- Sio Moore just set a career high in tackles in week 1, and could be on pace to IDP greatness. He is worth a play against a team that is going to just run the football the entire game.
Emmanuel Lamur (v. ATL)- Lamur might have to step up with Burfict recovering from his hamstring injury.
Andre Branch (v. WAS)- Branch is a big reason the Jaguars pass rush looked good in week one. He is worth a look.