Start Sit Week 2
Big-name fantasy players like Travis Kelce, Derrick Henry, and Amon Ra St. Brown, among others, didn't impress in the opening week of the NFL season. To make matters even worse, the consensus first-overall pick in fantasy drafts this year, Christian McCaffrey, was a late inactive in Monday night's game against the New York Jets.
While some of these guys threw up dud games, we still managed to get some big performances from players like Jameson Williams, who got his hype train off to a great start. He finished as a top 5 Fantasy Wide receiver for Week 1 and dropped 121 receiving yards against the Los Angeles Rams. But don't be discouraged—Week 2 is knocking at the door, so I have some more Starts/Sits coming at you!
Starts
Justin Herbert vs. CAR
Herbert and the Chargers' offense did not look great against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. The offense generated 316 total yards but they put up 22 points in the game which put them somewhere in the middle of scoring offenses in the league. But what better way to get some get back than playing against a Carolina Panthers defense that got absolutely smoked by the New Orleans Saints. The Panthers defense allowed Derek Carr to look like Peyton Manning as he dropped three touchdowns and 200 passing yards. This the kind of defense that could get Herbert right.
Jayden Daniels vs. NYG
The rookie quarterback for the Washington Commanders had an up and down game in his debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On one hand, Daniels rushed for 88 yards on 16 attempts and scored two rushing touchdowns. On the other hand, Daniels put the ball on the ground three times. Fortunately for Daniels, they were all recovered by the Commanders. Daniels also threw 24 passes for 184 yards but no passing touchdowns. The Giants, like the Panthers, present an opportunity to help Jayden Daniels get his footing. The Giants defense got carved up by Sam Darnold, surrendering 15.9 FP and two passing touchdowns.
James Conner vs. LAR
James Conner was one of the better running backs in Week 1 when facing off against a tough Buffalo Bills defense. Despite averaging 3.1 y/a on 16 carries (50 yards), Conner got busy as he caught three passes (on four targets) for another 33 yards. He also added a rushing touchdown to boot against the Bills. Now he'll get to face off against the Los Angeles Rams defense that allowed 5.3 y/a to the Detroit Lions tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Rams also gave up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs at 33.7
J.K. Dobbins vs. CAR
With everything we heard about Gus Edwards being the starter and getting the bulk of the carries, Jim Harbaugh pulled the wool over everyone's eyes as Dobbins led the Chargers backfield in carries, yards, and receiving. Not only that, Dobbins is currently second in rushing with 135 yards heading into Week 2. The Carolina Panthers defense stinks out loud as they allowed 4.9 y/a and allowed Saints running back Alvin Kamara to finish as a top 5 fantasy running back with 22 fantasy points. I'm tossing Dobbins in my lineups and hoping for the best.
Brandon Aiyuk vs. MIN
Brandon Aiyuk didn't have the best of night's against the New York Jets. Likely shadowed by Sauce Gardner much of the night, Aiyuk finished with just 28 receiving yards in the game on five targets. Minnesota did well to take on the Giants middling (and that's being generous) passing offense but should face a much bigger test facing off against the high-powered 49ers offense. Brock Purdy is no Daniel Jones and should be able to help the newly paid wide receiver get back on track. Just a season ago, the Vikings allowed the ninth-most passing yards in the NFL. That may be who they truly are instead of what they showed against a poor Giants team.
Tyler Johnson vs. ARI
Puka Nacua is out for at least four games as he was placed on IR by the Rams. Tyler Johnson could be one of the more popular waiver wire targets heading into Week 2. This might be a reach but Tyler Johnson managed to play more than 50% of the snaps after Nacua went down. Johnson also saw seven targets against the Lions and averaged 15.8 yards per reception. Make no mistake, Cooper Kupp will be the apple of Matthew Stafford's eye but Stafford will have to throw the ball somewhere else (right?). Johnson was able to produce more with the work that he received than the other receivers on the roster, who were not named Cooper Kupp, and he might get the chance to do it again over the next four games.
Trey McBride vs. LAR
Trey McBride led the Arizona Cardinals in targets and was third in receiving yards. I expect the Cardinals offense to open up even further after a dismal passing attack finally flopped against the Buffalo Bills. The Rams had a hard time slowing down Lions tight end Sam LaPorta as he caught four passes for 45 yards and 8.5 fantasy points. Murray will need to get McBride involved in the red zone a bit more this time around too. McBride has just one reception in the RZ against the Bills.
Sits
Deshaun Watson vs. JAX
The Browns were believed to have an improved offense with Watson healthy and starting for Week 1, but the reality was anything but that. Watson would end up on the wrong end of a tough defense in the Dallas Cowboys, throwing for just 169 yards and tossing two interceptions. Watson was also sacked six times in the game as well. Watson even managed to average 3.8 yards per attempt passing. Jacksonville did allow 319 passing yards vs. MIA but with Watson looking a bit shaky out the gate, plus some potential legal issues in the wind, Watson might need to sit until he looks better on the field.
D'Andre Swift vs. HOU
Swift was slated to be the Bears new leading man. However in Week 1, the Bears ran the ball with Swift just 10 times and the Titans managed to contain the shifty back to just 30 yards on the ground. The Texans did a solid job in limiting Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, keeping him at three yards per attempt on 16 rushes. With the Bears offense still trying to establish itself behind rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, Swift might need another week to sit until the team gets rolling.
Chris Olave vs. DAL
Chris Olave was a surprise dud in Week 1 with Derek Carr tossing three touchdowns and 200 passing yards. Olave saw just two targets for 11 yards against a porus Panthers defense. Now they get the Cowboys in Week 2 that allowed just 41 yards between its top two options in Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy. I'm only playing Olave if I don't have any better options this week. The Cowboys allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to the wide receiver position at 20.3.
Brock Bowers vs. BAL
Brock Bowers got off to a good start in his debut with the Las Vegas Raiders. Bowers managed eight targets, six receptions, and 58 receiving yards in his first game and finished as the TE3 with 11.8 fantasy points. However, in Week 2 the Raiders get the Baltimore Ravens fresh off a close loss against the defending Superbowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens held their all-pro tight end to just 34 receiving yards in Week 1 on just four targets. Bowers could be coming back to earth this week.
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