The goal here is to give you everything of note I have for a given week - in a 5-minute read. If I feel strongly about something good or bad, I’ll address it in the notes section.
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Players I like more than usual: Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki,
Players I’m neutral on: Josh Allen, Devin Singletary, Tua Tagovailoa, Devante Parker, Myles Gaskin
Players I like less than usual: Stefon Diggs, Zach Moss
Longshot Plays: Gabe Davis, Emmanuel Sanders
Notes: Tough call with Josh Allen roasting this defense last week, but also coming off a worrisome start against the Steelers, who made him look like the pre-2020 Josh Allen. The concern is teams will now opt to play a lot more zone against Allen, like the Steelers did last week. Miami is usually more man-to-man, which explains in part how Allen crushed them. Do they try to confuse him with more zone looks like Pittsburgh last week? At least Allen will be ready for it and I’m sure he’s pissed about laying an egg last week.
Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t very good last week, so I can’t say I love him, but Mike Gesicki has a great history in this matchup, and Jaylen Waddle’s usage was great last week.
Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears
Players I like more than usual: Joe Burrow, Tyler Boyd, Ja’Marr Chase, Allen Robinson
Players I’m neutral on: Tee Higgins, Joe Mixon, David Montgomery
Players I like less than usual: None of note.
Longshot Plays: Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet
Notes: Andy Dalton couldn’t get Darnell Mooney the ball on a potential TD last week, which was reminiscent of 2020 for Mooney. But I do think if Dalton isn’t getting it done today he will get pulled (no inside info, just a guess), so we might not be hosed with A-Rob and Mooney is Dalton stinks. The Bengals are down their top outside CB in Trae Waynes, and they lost a critical player in their second in S Ricardo Allen to IR this week, which helps.
Definitely like the matchup for the Bengals passing game, like I did for the Lions last week. This could be a Tyler Boyd game with such a good matchup in the slot. The two top RBs in this game should be fine with plenty of touches.
Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns
Players I like more than usual: Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, Jarvis Landry,
Players I’m neutral on: Baker Mayfield, Austin Hooper, Anthony Schwartz
Players I like less than usual: Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay
Longshot Plays: David Johnson, Donovan Peoples-Jones
Notes: The Browns did give up 16/231/1 to WRs last week, and Brandin Cooks should be busy yet again. I trust no other Texans other than Tyrod Taylor, who did play well last week.
Obviously, the Browns should run all over the Texans, so Baker Mayfield is a tough call. He was very good last week, but we’re already light on TDs. I do like Donovan Peoples-Jones’ role with OBJ out and I’m not buying into the rookie Anthony Schwartz having a huge role.
Los Angeles Rams at Indianapolis Colts
Players I like more than usual: Matthew Stafford, Tyler Higbee, Robert Woods,
Players I’m neutral on: Cooper Kupp, Darrell Henderson, Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines
Players I like less than usual: Michael Pittman, Parris Campbell, Sony Michel
Longshot Plays: Zach Pascal, Van Jefferson
Notes: No Xavier Rhodes is massive for the Rams, since the Colts have shaky outside CBs. They do have a good slot corner in Kenny Moore, which could help Robert Woods stand out over Cooper Kupp, who was great last week. At least for Darrell Henderson, it’s clear that Sony Michel is not ready for prime time.
RT Braden Smith is out, which is a concern because they have issues at LT, as well. It does look like LT Eric Fisher will play, at least. With Michael Pittman and Parris Campbell showing up on the injury report late in the week, and Carson Wentz’ Week 1 play less than encouraging, I’m sitting those guys down. After all, we all know Zach Pascal won’t be denied. Indy needs to put the game in Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines’ hands in the running and passing game, for sure.
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Players I like more than usual: Damien Harris, Jakobi Meyers
Players I’m neutral on: James White, Nelson Agholor, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, Corey Davis, Zack Wilson
Players I like less than usual: Elijah Moore
Longshot Plays: Mac Jones
Notes: I’m bracing myself for another Elijah Moore fail this week because I don’t think you can start him with Jamison Crowder likely back and a tough matchup. But he is a baller and he did just miss making a nice long catch last week. I don’t even like Corey Davis much, although no Stephon Gimore helps, and our guy Wes Huber likes the matchup for Davis. I want no parts of the Jets RBs right now, of course.
On the other side, how can you not like Mac Jones and the Pats after Jones passed a tough Week 1 in Miami with flying colors. Jones and Jakobi Meyers should click today, especially with Jonnu Smith banged up. I can’t say I love James White, since the Pats are favored by 4.5 on the road, but since I’m benching him in my top league, expect him to score.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
Players I like more than usual: Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel
Players I’m neutral on: Jimmy Garoppolo, Brandon Aiyuk, Miles Sanders, Jalen Reagor
Players I like less than usual: Elijah Mitchell, Zach Ertz
Longshot Plays: Trey Sermon
Notes: We all like the matchup for Jalen Hurts and the passing game against a depleted 49er secondary and ideal coverage shells, and I like Dallas Goedert to make a big play down the seam, and it’s worth noting SF gave up 9/99/1 to TJ Hockenson and the Lions last week. Tougher matchup on the ground for Miles Sanders, but he did look good last week.
George Kittle crushed Philly last year, and S Rodney McLeod is out, which can’t hurt Kittle. Deebo Samuel won’t likely see Darius Slay traveling to cover him, which is good. I’m certainly not confidently starting Brandon Aiyuk, but I’m not automatically benching him, either. I’m also skeptical of Elijah Mitchell, at least in terms of assuming he’s getting another large workload. Trey Sermon will be active, and he’s good, so you never know.
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers
Players I like more than usual: Najee Harris, Kenyan Drake, Chase Claypool
Players I’m neutral on: Ben Roethlisberger, Diontae Johnson, Eric Ebron
Players I like less than usual: Darren Waller, Henry Ruggs
Longshot Plays: Bryan Edwards
Notes: The Raiders signed Kenyan Drake specifically to be their pass-catching back, so it’s not lock he gets most of Josh Jacobs’ carries. But he should get some of them, which makes him very playable. Darren Waller was ridiculous last year, but it’s a really tough matchup so I’m lowering expectations and wondering if Bryan Edwards gets another 8 targets or more. I certainly do not expect anything from Henry Ruggs, but we’ll see.
It’s certainly a beatable matchup for Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game, but all eyes on Najee Harris after he played all the snaps in the game and did diddly-poo for fantasy.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Players I like more than usual: Marquez Callaway, DJ Moore
Players I’m neutral on: Christian McCaffrey, Robby Anderson, Sam Darnold, Alvin Kamara, Jameis Winston
Players I like less than usual: None of note
Longshot Plays: Terrace Marshall, Adam Trautman
Notes: We like the matchup for Marquez Callaway, so he’s a good post-hype sleeper play. The Saints TEs could also do something here, but I don’t really trust either guy. Alvin Kamara may get 20 carries in this one. The Saints are missing a bunch of coaches due to Covid, keep in mind. C Erik McCoy is also out, not great news.
The Saints have some defensive issues for sure, but I still don’t trust Sam Darnold much. I do like DJ Moore and Terrace Marshall is worth a look again.
Denver Broncos at Jacksonville Jaguars
Players I like more than usual: Teddy Bridgewater, Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon
Players I’m neutral on: Marvin Jones, Trevor Lawrence, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick
Players I like less than usual: Laviska Shenault, James O'Shaughnessy
Longshot Plays: KJ Hamler, James Robinson
Notes:
The Jaguars allowed 37/120/2 rushing and 4/24/1 receiving to Texans RBs last week, so I like both Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon. It really should be a good chance to showcase Williams with the game in hand, but the NFL messes you up when you assume anything. Tim Patrick seems to produce whenever he plays, and KJ Hamler should replace most of Jerry Jeudy’s slot snaps, so I can’t say I love Courtland Sutton. He’s a viable play, of course, and the matchup isn’t scary, and they could look to establish him with Teddy with Jeudy out.
We should see slot corner maven Bryce Callahan playing Laviska Shenault, so I’m lowering expectations. I don’t really trust the rest of the Jaguar receivers, but Marvin Jones is steady and reliable, and they are likely to run off a ton of plays, so production should be there in a tougher matchup. I just don’t trust DJ Chark yet, mainly. We should see more James Robinson this week, since they are home underdogs, meaning they will likely be playing from behind, and I’m guessing Robinson gets more snaps this week, period.
Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
Players I like more than usual: Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Chase Edmonds
Players I’m neutral on: Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Tyler Conklin, Rondale Moore
Players I like less than usual: None of note
Longshot Plays: AJ Green,
Notes: The Viking defense was brutal last week, especially stopping the run, and they won’t have Anthony Barr and Everson Griffin, so I think the Cardinals will continue to have a lot of success on offense.
I’m very concerned about the Cardinal pass rush and Chandler Jones against Kirk Cousins and their bad OL, so I’m lowering expectations for all Vikings.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players I like more than usual: Tom Brady, Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Leonard Fournette, Tampa Defense
Players I’m neutral on: Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, Rob Gronkowski
Players I like less than usual: Mike Davis, Matt Ryan
Longshot Plays: Ronald Jones, Russell Gage
Notes: The Bucs should crush this defense, and Antonio Brown could go off again. I’d bet they try to get Mike Evans a red zone TD, too. The Bucs RBs have a chance with volume late, so Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones are decent plays.
I don’t love the Falcons here, but they should have to throw a lot. The sneaky play is Russell Gage, especially given the CB injuries the Bucs have.
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers
Players I like more than usual: Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Austin Eckler, Mike Williams, Dak Prescott, Amario Cooper, CeeDee Lamb
Players I’m neutral on: Ezekiel Elliott
Players I like less than usual:
Longshot Plays:
Notes: This is a start-them-if-you-have them game.
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
Players I like more than usual: DK Metcalf, Chris Carson, Russell Wilson
Players I’m neutral on:
Players I like less than usual: Derrick Henry, Julio Jones
Longshot Plays: Gerald Everett,
Notes: Julio Jones looked like dog dirt last week, which is really scary for Derrick Henry. If Julio isn’t Julio or he’s not playing, yikes, this is a thin receiving corps. My fear here is the lame Titans defense will have them playing from behind, like last week. Ryan Tannehill is okay in that regard, but it’s not ideal. AJ Brown should be active, at least.
The Titans have no pass rush and a bunch of young CBs, and Russell Wilson played very well last week, so he’s looking good here, as is DK Metcalf
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
Players I like more than usual: Tyreek Hill, Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown
Players I’m neutral on: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Lamar Jackson
Players I like less than usual: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ty’Son Williams
Longshot Plays: Latavius Murray
Notes: The Ravens have issues on defense, so Patrick Mahomes to Tyreek Hill should be in good shape. I just don’t know about Clyde Edwards-Helaire, so he’s merely a guy you’re starting because you used an early pick on him. Mecole Hardman needs to actually do something to gain trust, by the way.
The Ravens may be in trouble here, since the KC defense is better than people think, but he should at least drop back a ton, and run a ton. I can see Marquise Brown getting 8-10 targets, and they do need Mark Andrews to step up. I don’t love Ty’Son Williams, though, since he has pass-pro issues, so we could see more Latavius Murray in this one. Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Players I like more than usual: Aaron Roders, Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams
Players I’m neutral on: Bobby Tonyan
Players I like less than usual: None of note
Longshot Plays: AJ Dillon, Marquez Valdes Scantling
Notes: Obviously, I expect the Packers to smoke the Lions, so we’re looking at 4-5 TDs from Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams, etc. All Packers are looking better than usual, especially AJ Dillon, who should have a great chance to get volume, which all he needs to produce.
The Lions will once again have to throw a ton, of course, and it once again sets up very well for RBs D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams to catch a ton of balls, along with TJ Hockenson.
