2012 Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em for Week 2-  09/14/12

 

START 'EM

 

 

QUARTERBACKS

 

Andrew Luck (vs. Min) – Luck showed against the Bears that he’ll be a fantasy force to be reckoned with this season and should outperform his Week 1 numbers (309 yards, 1 TD) against Minnesota this weekend. No offense to Blaine Gabbert as he’s certainly improved this season, but if the Vikings can give up 260 yards, two TDs and no INTs to him while at home, then it’s very possible we see Luck go up over 300 yards once against and likely stack it up with 2-3 TDs as well. The Vikes DID give up the most passing TDs last season and with Austin Collie back in the lineup, I really like Luck’s potential this week.

Peyton Manning (@ Atl - Monday Night) – When one of the best of all-time tries to come back from a possible career-ending injury, there are usually more questions than answers. Is he really healthy? Will he ever regain the arm-strength he once had? Is it even possible at 36-years-old? Well it looks like those questions were pretty well answered last Sunday night as Manning tossed up 253 yards and two TDs against the Steelers top-rated pass defense of 2011. His move to Denver and playing with new receivers didn’t make much of a difference but on Monday night, Manning will have to prove his worth yet again if the Donkeys want to keep up with this new Falcons offense…and I believe he will. Remember, this is Peyton Manning we’re talking about here. The same guy who finished outside the Top-5 fantasy QBs in a season just once since 2000 (sixth in 2008).

 

Jake Locker (@ SD) – It was a bummer to see Locker go down with that injury while trying to tackle his interceptor last weekend as he was well on his way to a 300-yard game before leaving early in the fourth quarter, but the word is that Locker is just fine and will start next weekend against a banged up San Diego pass D that gives up a lot of fantasy points to opposing QBs. With Kenny Britt back in the lineup, I’m really excited to see how Locker moves this offense as his weaponry is simply off the charts. I’ve been on his wagon for about a year now, so I’m expecting he’ll do well to prove my allegiance worthy this weekend.

 

Tony Romo (@ Sea) – The Tony Romo we have come to expect (in the early part of the season) showed his stuff in the NFL kickoff game last Wednesday against the Giants, but that New York secondary can’t hold a candle to what the Seahawks have going on in Seattle. Still, I think the Cowboys will have to throw the ball to win this one due to the ‘Hawks strong rush defense, so look for Romo to put up a good 35-40 passes in this one. Last year Romo threw for 279 yards and two TDs against this team in Week 9, numbers he should be able to reproduce en route to a borderline QB1 fantasy day.

 

Other QBs You Should Consider Starting:

Ben Roethlisberger (vs. NYJ)

 

Matt Schaub (@ Jax)

 

Philip Rivers (vs. Ten)

 

RUNNING BACKS

Jamaal Charles (@ Buf) – The top two spots this weekend belong to two guys coming back from season-ending injuries last year, which is a surprise even to me. Jamaal, however, showed last weekend that Peterson isn’t the only one who can return from ACL surgery and look good as he put up 87 yards on 16 carries (5.4 YPC) against a pretty stout Atlanta rush D. The main reason I have him up this high is because Charles LOVES playing the Bills and has had some of the best games of his career against them. In 2010 he put up 238 total yards (177 rushing) on 26 touches and in 2009 had 181 total yards (143 rushing) with a TD. Buffalo could barely stop the slow-rolling Shonn Greene last weekend, so what are their chances against a lightning bolt this Sunday?

 

Stevan Ridley (vs. Ari) – Ridley put his stamp on the Patriots season-long starting RB job last weekend going off for 125 yards and a TD on just 21 carries. Arizona did pretty well with Marshawn Lynch in Week 1, but they were able to concentrate their efforts on the run with Seattle sporting a rookie QB at the helm. Not quite the case with Tom Brady running the show and I fully expect to see some gigantic holes for Ridley to pound through, putting up some hefty fantasy points in the process. When New England gets up big—which they will—it might be the Ridley show from then on out as well.

 

C.J. Spiller (vs. KC) – I love that this kid pulled it together last season after being considered a bust for the first year and a half of his career… and now he seems to have proven that he wasn’t just lip-syncing.  With Freddy Jackson on the mend for about a month, Spiller will have sole possession of the backfield once again and should be able to do well against a Chiefs defense that looked pretty porous against Atlanta in Week 1. Last year, Spiller and Jackson combined for 128 yards and a TD on 25 carries against KC.

 

Alfred Morris (@ StL) – Though Shanahan has already gone on record saying Alfred Morris is his starter this Sunday, you know it can change any second so I’d absolutely keep an eye on all the news coming out of the Redskins camp right up until game time. That being said, Morris DID in fact look like an NFL starter in Week 1 putting up 96 rushing yards and two TDs against the Saints. If he does indeed start again, he’ll have a great matchup to get him in your lineup as the Rams gave up the fifth-most fantasy points to RBs in 2011 and the second-most already this season…to supposedly one of the worst rushing offenses in the league (Detroit).

 

Reggie Bush (vs. Oak) – Bush is coming off a pretty impressive game against the Texans where he finished with 115 total yards with 6 receptions and a 4.9 yards per carry average.  Daniel Thomas suffered a concussion in week 1 and his status is uncertain.  Bush will face the Raiders defense which showed their toughness, without a long snapper and horrible field position, against the Chargers, but the Chargers were without Ryan Matthews.  Bush could be a sneaky start as west coast teams always seem to have trouble going to the east coast and playing in the early game.

 

BenJarvus Green-Ellis (vs. Cle) – Was that really the Law Firm running the ball last weekend against the Ravens or did Corey Dillon make a comeback at 37 years old? Actually, Dillon always sucked against Baltimore so that MUST have been Green-Ellis in there. Cleveland had one of the worst rush defenses last season allowing the second-most yards to RBs in the league and probably won’t be all that much better this season, so I expect BJ to have a pretty nice fantasy day this weekend.

 

Other RBs You Should Consider Starting:

Ahmad Bradshaw (vs. TB)

 

Doug Martin (@ NYG)

 

Jonathan Dwyer (vs. NYJ)

 

WIDE RECEIVERS 

 

Reggie Wayne (vs. Min) – Wayne went absolutely ballistic in his first regular season game with Andrew Luck and should be right back in the WR1 talk each week from here on out. 18 targets, nine catches and 135 yards is nothing to sneeze at and seeing that he’s playing against a terrible Minnesota secondary this week, he just might do it again. The Vikings allowed Blaine Gabbert to toss up a career-high 260 yards against them last week (with two TDs) so who knows how much Luck and Wayne will get this weekend.

Vincent Jackson (@ NYG) – Jackson is going to dominate the targets department on this team all year long so you know he'll get his chances. The Giants secondary wasn't able to stop anybody last year and got off to another horrible start this season against the Cowboys in the season opener. Jackson should have himself a nice game here.

Percy Harvin (@ Ind) – Yes, I do believe the Vikings will run quite a bit in this game due to the Colts porous rush D, but they'll also be able to throw as Jay Cutler and the Bears showed in Week 1. With Dwight Freeney already declared out for Week 2, Christian Ponder will have as much time as he wants to find his receivers...and Percy will capitalize big-time.

 

Antonio Brown (vs. NYJ) – Darrelle Revis would normally shadow Brown in this game, but since he's Out with a concussion, the task will fall onto Kyle Wilson to handle the job. Neither he nor anyone else (especially RB Joe McKnight, who is rumored to be practicing at CB for this game) has a shot at keeping up with him, so I expect a big game here.

 

Lance Moore (@ Car) – With Devery Henderson Out with a concussion and this game looking like a possible slug-fest, Moore will have ample opportunity to put up similar numbers to last week (6-120-1).

 

Kendall Wright (@ SD) – Kenny Britt is on a snap-count and if Nate Washington can't go this Sunday, which is looking like a slim-to-none chance, then Kendall Wright will have quite a bit of room to shine.

 

Michael Crabtree (vs. Det - Sunday Night) – Detroit has a pretty stout run defense so the 49ers are going to HAVE to pass the ball more than they would like. Last season against the Lions in Week 6, Crabby had NINE catches on 15 targets for 77 yards. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see numbers like that again this Sunday evening.

 

Other WRs You Should Consider Starting:

 

Denarius Moore (@ Mia)

 

Titus Young (@ SF - Sunday Night)

 

Brandon LaFell (vs. NO)

 

Malcom Floyd (vs. Ten)

 

Donald Jones (vs. KC)

 

Damian Williams (@ SD)

 

Danny Amendola (vs. Was)

 

TIGHT ENDS

Coby Fleener (vs. Min) – In his first game as a pro, Fleener caught six balls on 10 targets for 82 yards against the Bears. The Vikings weren't very good against tight ends last season and just allowed Marcedes Lewis to score his first touchdown since 2010 last weekend. Get used to this Luck-to-Fleener combo, folks.

Jermaine Gresham (vs. Cle) – In two games against the Browns last season, Gresham put up 11 catches on 17 targets for 126 yards and two TDs. I think he likes these inner-state games.

 

Jared Cook (@ SD) – San Diego was already in the bottom-third of the league in regards to allowing tight end fantasy points last season, and then proceeded to allow Oakland's Brandon Myers to grab five balls for 65 yards against them last Monday night. Myers had only caught 32 balls in his three-year career before that. Besides that, like I said with Kendall Wright above, Cook should get a lot of looks with Britt on a snap-count and Nate Washington unlikely to suit up.

 

Kyle Rudolph (@ Ind) – With John Carlson getting back into the Vikings lineup and taking over as the in-line/blocking TE, Rudolph is going to be a target monster out there. Indy allowed the second-most receptions to tight ends in 2011. You do the math.

 

Other TEs You Should Consider Starting:

Owen Daniels (@ Jax)

 

Martellus Bennett (vs. TB)

 

Scott Chandler (vs. KC)

SIT 'EM 

QUARTERBACKS

 

Michael Vick (vs. Bal) - Even though WRs Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson look like they'll play, they aren't at 100 percent and already would have had a tough time getting open against a tough Ravens defense.

On top of that, Vick's security blanket, TE Brent Celek, will likely be kept in on the offensive line more than usual to help out with blocking against a hard core Baltimore front four as well.

If you drafted Vick, I'll assume you also drafted a nice backup due to his injury risk. Despite Vick being healthy, this would be a good week to use your QB insurance player.

Mark Sanchez (@ Pit) - Dirty Sanchez probably won't have another game all season like he did last weekend against the Bills, ESPECIALLY not in this week's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There's no way you drafted him as your starter this season, so sit him back down on your bench where he belongs today.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. KC) - The Chiefs stud CB Brandon Flowers is back in the lineup and ready to shadow Stevie Johnson wherever he goes today.

Considering that WR David Nelson is also out with a season-ending injury, I expect the Bills to run quite a bit and thus cap Fitzpatrick's fantasy potential this week.

Russell Wilson (vs. Dal) - After an awesome preseason to win the Seahawks starting job, Russell Wilson was brought back down to earth in Week 1 against a middling Arizona defense.

If Wilson couldn't produce against the Cardinals, there's no reason to think he'll do much against a Cowboys defense that sports a really nice CB combo of Brandon Carr and rookie Morris Claiborne.

 

RUNNING BACKS

Steven Jackson (vs. Was) – Jackson had about as bad a start as you can have finishing week 1 with 53 rushing yards on 21 attempts, for a putrid 2.5 yards per carry.  Jackson and the Rams face the Redskins this week after shocking the Saints last week. The Redskins should have a good chance to jump to an early lead against the Rams which could end up limiting the attempts for Jackson. Tack on some major troubles along the Rams offensive line and it could be a stressful day for fantasy owners. Jackson needs to prove it this game or it could be a long season.

Shonn Greene (@ Pit)

Kevin Smith (@ SF - Sunday Night)

 

Donald Brown (vs. Min)

 

Beanie Wells (@ NE)

 

Isaac Redman (vs. NYJ)

 

Ryan Mathews (vs. Ten) – IF ACTIVE, Questionable – If Mathews makes his debut against Tennessee, he’ll likely have his carries limited. That being said, Ryan is a competitor and will want to be on the field as much as possible. Mathews was setting up for a huge season before the injury and will be looking for blood when he gets the ball. Stevan Ridley was able to exploit the Titans defense at home so if Mathews plays, he is still a threat even with limited carries, but make sure to check on his status before game-time. He may not be worth the risk here.

 

Fred Jackson (vs. KC) – OUT - Sprained Knee (LCL)

WIDE RECEIVERS

Stevie Johnson (vs. KC) – Stevie will draw an activated Brandon Flowers this week. Not the best assignment for him and with the Bills looking to run in this game, Johnson could have a real slow day.

DeSean Jackson (vs. Bal) – If he’s shadowed by Lardarius Webb (which he should be), don’t expect much…again.

Brandon Lloyd (vs. Ari) – Lloyd will likely be shadowed by Patrick Peterson. With so many other weapons at his disposal, I just don’t see Lloyd playing much of factor.

 

Greg Little (@ Cin) – Brandon Weeden doesn’t look all that comfortable as an NFL quarterback yet and with Little still dealing with a butterfingers issue, you simply can’t start the guy.

 

Kevin Ogletree (@ Sea) – This is the same Kevin Ogletree who wasn't able to do anything with his playing time over the last three years, fellas. This is also the Seattle Seahawks pass defense, not the Giants.

 

Santonio Holmes (@ Pit) – Until he puts up a good game, you simply have to sit him. That was likely the best passing game the Jets will have all season and Holmes wasn't even a part of it.

 

Nate Washington (@ SD) – Nobody is even sure what the injury was that he sustained in Week 1, whether it was a leg injury or a concussion, but Nate missed practice all week and is Questionable to play on Sunday. Don't take the chance unless you have to.

 

Pierre Garcon (@ StL) –It's only a "bruised right foot" from what team officials are saying and he was only given a Questionable tag, but Garcon was very limited in the two practices he made it out there for this week and I'm not so sure the Redskins will feel the need to risk aggravating the injury against the Rams. If you have another option, you might want to sit him regardless of whether he's active or not. Maybe pick up his replacement, Aldrick Robinson, and stick him in there instead. He did very well replacing Garcon last weekend and has the Redskins coaches singing his praises.

 

 

Tight Ends

Fred Davis (@ StL) – Fred has NOT looked in tune with Robert Griffin III yet and only caught two of his four targets in Week 1 for 38 yards. He'll get better for sure, but St. Louis was actually the second-best team in the NFL in not allowing fantasy points to tight ends last season, so you might want to sit Fred for the week.

 

Brent Celek (vs. Bal) – With Baltimore’s defense as good as it is, I’m betting on a nice fat Blocking Day for Mr. Celek.

 

Greg Olsen (vs. NO) –

 

Dustin Keller (@ Pit) – Ruled OUT for Sunday’s game - Hamstring

 

 

 

 

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- 09/14/12