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We started the 2014 season off pretty good with landing 13 of 20 (65%) of our starts/sits. It not a great percentage , but still a fairly respectable number. Now onto week 2. With a little data under our belts , we will have a better idea what to expect. Also don't panic if your stud had a poor performance in week 1. Its a long season. Let get rolling!
Starts -
Quarterbacks:
Jake Locker - I was a big fan of Locker in the offseason. I thought he had great potential (given he stays healthy.) He mashup the Kansas City Defense. Week 2 Locker Owners get an absolute gift in the Cowboys Defense. CK7 and the 49ers were able to expose this defensive unit. Expect Locker to do the same.
Matthew Stafford - I know he's have a tough matchup ,but can you really sit him? I say no ,unless your other Quarterback have a unbelievable favorable matchup. Stafford won't put up 40+ fantasy points (like he did week 1) , but he is capable of having a nice week. Even if it against an unfavorable foe.
Andrew Luck - Luck is a pretty easy call on Monday night. The Eagles don't have a defense which can shut you down. Henne proved it in week 1. Their questionable secondary will be eaten alive by Luck. He also adds value with his legs (look back at week 1 for examples). I have Luck as an top 10 Quarterback (Top 5 upside in Standard scoring).
Running Backs -
Knowshon Moreno: Even with splitting carries w/ Miller , Knowshon brings ton of potential to be a nice option. This week he gets another terrific matchup (vs Buffalo). For the time being , Moreno is an Flex/RB3 option. If he have another 100 yard game on Sunday , the backfield situation could significantly change.
Gio Bernard: I was little disappointed in Gio in week 1. Luckily week 2 looks much better against Atlanta. Atlanta surrendered the most points to Runners in week 1. What stands out more is Gio is much more talented then any of the Saints running backs. Gio value get a nice boost in PPR with opportunities catching ball out of the backfield.
Alfred Morris: Hard to pass this matchup up. The Jags can and will give up valuable points to running backs (consistently). Morris didn't set the world on fire in week 1. Fortunately his luck could change in week 2 against an fairly weak defense. Morris is an RB2 in most formats.
Wide Receivers -
Randall Cobb: RC was one of the few brighter spots for the Packers on Thursday night. He is actually overlooked in my opinion. Very few individuals can be such a dynamic threat like Cobb. The Jets could be without their top CB on Sunday. These Packers WRs will go wild on Sunday afternoon. Start him with confidents.
Jarrett Boykin: Not many are big on Boykin after week 1. But remember Sherman was covering him all night long. The Jets unfortunately don't have a Sherman or anything really close. Boykin won't lead the team in catches or targets , but I expect him to get his share fair. With Rodgers throwing the football , its not hard to have productive day.
Brandin Cooks - I was impresed by this young man. He isn't the number 1 guy on the team though. Which should be an advantage for him. Long as Haden isn't covering him , Brandin should be able to have a field day. The Browns allowed a lot of points to Wide Receivers in week 1. I say no reason for Week 2 to be different.
Tight Ends -
Delanie Walker: Walker isn't an elite option , but seems like the Cowboys can make anyone an elite option (least temporary). Last week Davis slaughtered them for 2 TDs. Walker is unlikely to score twice. But 50-75 yards and possibly a Touchdown is in his range.
Zach Ertz - Ertz may not be the popular option , but he will get top 10 results in a shootout on Monday night. In week 1 ,Indy allowed Thomas to run wild for multiple TDs. I don't expect Ertz to match Thomas totals , but 70 yards and a score is reasonable.
Sits -
Quarterbacks:
Cam Newton - Newton missed week 1 and now faces the Lions. He doesn't face a tough matchup , but ribs injuries just don't disappear over night. Its can linger for a few weeks. So I would recommend keeping Newton on the bench until least week 3. Again this isn't about the matchup.
Tony Romo - Romo looked garbage in week 1. He was just terrible. Bench him and let him throw Interceptions from your bench. The Titans actually have a pretty underrated Defense. Romo needs to prove himself to owners. Plus when have Romo ever started the season off great? Probably not often.
Jay Cutler - I was pretty big on Cutler in the offseason. Despite some critical mistakes in week 1 , I standby my statement. Unfortunately Cutler got a bad matchup in week 2 against 49ers. The Niners took apart Romo in week 1. Don't expect four force turnovers , but not like Cutler a legit fantasy starter either.
Running Backs:
Trent Richardson - Richardson been overrated his entire NFL career. He never had a legitimate yard per carry average (usually firts with 4.0 - 4.2 ypc.) Does that make him as a bad player? No. Its just his value depends on Touchdowns (like the 12 he had his rookie season.) When your value depends on TDs to have great point totals, you cannot be losing touches. As we saw last week , Bradshaw was eating away at his touches.
Steven Jackson - The Steven Jackson party been over for awhile , and now he is in running back committee in Atlanta. In week 1 , Jackson had 12 carries for 52 yards. That's a 4.3 yards per carry. Solid average , but too low of a nunber of carries to be nothing more then a flex.
Joique Bell - Bell scored a Touchdown last week. That great and all , but Carolina represents an tough matchup. Remember Bell isn't the top back either. That remains with Reggie Bush (who should be considered nothing more then a flex.) Bell could have a nice day , but I don't see it happening. Least not in Standard scoring. PPR you may be able to sneak Bell in as a flex play.
Wide Receivers -
Victor Cruz: Cruz haven't scored an TD at since 2012 (at home). Cruz is a very talented player. Unfortunately his value get dragged down with Eli Manning poor quarterback play and abilities. Cruz is best stood on the bench for a few weeks and see how things unfolds.
Golden Tate - Like it been for years now , Calvin is a one-man show. Tate is a talented young man out of Notre Dame, but until he get more looks he nothing more then an flex play. Keep him on the bench.
Tight Ends :
Coby Fleener - Fleener is the odd man out in Indy. Allen is the more talented and preferred Tight End in the Andrew Luck offense. If you gonna own a Tight End , then it probably Allen. Fleener will get some targets , but not enough to be legit starter.
Heath Miller - Miller would be more useful if Big Ben looked towards his Tight Ends more. Unfortunately Big Ben prefers Wide Receivers first. Which makes Miller at best an nice back up for most squads.
I know most of you are wondering why Defenses and Kickers aren't listed. The reason behind that is , you can take any Defense and Kicker with an favorable matchup. And have a nice points day. Not too hard to determine who have a good matchup.
As always you can send me a tweet @MattAleza with your question. Also I will be answering your questions on @TimersSports on Sunday.
Twitter - @MattAleza
