Fantasy Fallout, Week 2: Where you lose the game you think you’ll win and win the game you think you’ll lose
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2010 @ 11:10 am)
Funny story (at least to me): I had two games up for grabs last night. In one PPR league, I was up 13 points facing Marques Colston and wasn’t particularly optimistic about my chances given the way the Seahawks shredded the 49er pass defense in Week 1. But Colston was held to 5-67, so my team held on. In my other league, I was trailing by 12 with Drew Brees (254 yards, 2 TDs), Pierre Thomas (103 total yards, 8 catches) and Michael Crabtree (1-32) going, while my opponent only had Frank Gore. Seven catches, 168 yards and two TDs later, I lost by two. Ugh. To make matters worse, I had Jahvid Best sitting on my bench, which serves as the ol’ double kick in the nuts. UGH.
What’s the lesson? Anything can happen in fantasy football. Just when you think you’ve locked a game up, you’ll find a way to lose, and when you’re holding on for dear life, the lead will be just enough.
Oh, and don’t bench Jahvid Best.
But back to the SF/NO game…Alex Smith (275 yards, TD, 2 INTs) looked pretty good at times, but both interceptions were his fault. He threw a few very nice passes to Vernon Davis (4-78, seven targets) and Josh Morgan (6-70, eight targets), but Crabtree only saw three passes come his way. I’d keep him on the bench until he’s starts producing.
For the Saints, Reggie Bush looked great (34 total yards, TD, four catches) before leaving the game with a leg injury, and now ESPN is saying that he’s going to miss at least 6 weeks. Bump up Thomas and put DeShawn Wynn on your radar. Heath Evans might get some extra work as well, but it’s more likely that Sean Payton will elect to feature Devery Henderson (3-28) or Robert Meachem (0-0) more in the passing game to account for Bush’s production there.
Posted in: Fantasy Football, News, NFL, Rumors & Gossip
Tags: 2010 fantasy football season, 2010 fantasy football week 2, Drew Brees, fantasy fallout, fantasy fallout week 2, fantasy football strategy, fantasy football week 2, Frank Gore, Headlines, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush
Fantasy Fallout, Week 2: TEs
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 10:30 am)

- Chris Cooley (7-83) caught seven passes for the second consecutive game. He’s the only consistent part of the Washington passing game right now.
- Brent Celek (8-104) has 14 catches through two games and is an integral part of the Eagles’ offense. Start him with confidence.
- I thought Tony Gonzalez’s production would take a hit since he had to change teams and learn a new offense, but given his 12-144-2 production over the first two weeks, I’d say he’s doing just fine.
- With Antonio Bryant out, Kellen Winslow (7-90-1) had a big day. He is the Bucs’ best or second-best receiving option even when Bryant is playing.
- Greg Olsen (3-41) was drilled on what could have been a 20-yard catch and slipped in the endzone on a sure TD catch. His line could have been 5-62-1. Stay with him unless you have a great option on your bench.
Fantasy Fallout, Week 2: WRs
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 10:00 am)

- Greg Jennings was shut out against the Bengals. Now that’s something I never thought I’d type.
- If Laurent Robinson (6-54-1) is available on your waiver wire, find a spot for him on your roster. He caught five passes for 87 yards last week and looks like the clear WR1 for the Rams, who will be throwing a lot late in games.
- Braylon Edwards (6-92) should be able to put those kind of stats up on a weekly basis given the odds that the Browns will be trailing for most of 2009.
- Santana Moss (3-35) was quiet for the second consecutive week, but this time it was against the Rams. Bench him until he (or the Redskins’ pass offense) breaks out of this funk.
- Mike Sims-Walker (6-106-1) had a huge day in garbage time. He’s worth a pickup if you need help at WR.
- Jason Avant (7-79-1) was heavily involved in the Eagles’ offense with Kolb under center.
- Owners in PPR leagues, especially Wes Welker owners, should pick up Julian Edelman (8-98). If Welker doesn’t play, Edelman looks like a very capable fill in.
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Fantasy Fallout, Week 2: RBs
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 8:30 am)
- Pierre Thomas didn’t get a carry, but Mike Bell (17 carries, 86 yards, TD) left the game with a MCL sprain, so Thomas should see his workload increase greatly next week, assuming his knee holds up.
- Wow, 284 total yards and three TD for Chris Johnson. And to think, a couple of owners on our Fantasy Q&A were wondering if they should bench him this week after a subpar outing against the Steelers.
- Beanie Wells fumbled, so Tim Hightower (18 touches, 84 yards, TD) got most of the work in the Arizona backfield. Wells looked more explosive, but Hightower is more dependable right now.
- Leon Washington (16 touches, 76 yards) out-touched Thomas Jones (15 touches, 53 yards), and is a solid RB2/flex start in PPR leagues.
- It might be a good time to make an offer for Steve Slaton (20 touches, 59 yards), who has faced two tough rush defenses in the Jets and the Titans so far.
- Cedric Benson (29 carries, 141 yards) is starting to look like an every-week start. He is running with speed, power and elusiveness, and is turning into the back that the Bears thought they drafted a few years ago. Sometimes a change of scenery is all a guy needs.
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Fantasy Fallout, Week 2: QBs
Posted by John Paulsen (09/21/2009 @ 7:30 am)

- Matt Schaub (357 yards, 4 TD) is back, and the Titans have been shredded through the air in two consecutive weeks.
- Jason Campbell threw for good yardage (242 yards) but failed to throw a TD, which is worrisome considering that he was facing a pretty suspect Rams defense.
- Matt Cassel (242 yards, TD, 2 INT) wasn’t great in his first game back, but he was serviceable, and should be a decent start going forward.
- Carson Palmer (185 yards, 3 pass TD, 2 INT, 1 rush TD) didn’t look great, but he got the job done. With all the weapons around him, he should have a nice year, assuming he can stay healthy.
- Aaron Rodgers (261 yards, TD) couldn’t get comfortable in the pocket for the second consecutive week. The Packers need to button up their pass protection.
- In two weeks, Byron Leftwich has thrown for 572 yards and four TD and is a viable fantasy QB given the probability that the Bucs will be trailing for much of the season.
- If the 49ers keep playing this kind of defense and Frank Gore runs like he did today, it’s going to be tough for Shaun Hill to fulfill his sleeper potential. He was very productive over the last half of last season, but the 49ers didn’t have a good defense. Now it looks like they do.
- Seneca Wallace (127 passing yards, TD, INT) could be a nice fill in if Matt Hasselbeck (back) misses much time. Hasselbeck looked like he was in considerable pain after taking a pretty good hit to his balky back.
- Jay Cutler (236 yards, 2 TD) looked a lot better against the Steelers than he did in Week 1. He’s back to every-week starter status.
- With the Bucs, Chiefs, Raiders, Saints and Cardinals coming up for Eli Manning (330 yards, 2 TD), he could get off to a very good start this season.
- Tony Romo (127 yards, TD, 3 INT, rush TD) struggled against the Giants, but New York looks like it has an elite pass defense. He has a nice schedule coming up.
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