Week 2 has been fairly the curler coaster. Sunday’s video games had excessive scoring offenses, some shock returns to fantasy relevance, and a boatload of accidents to big-time starters.
The New York Giants on the Chicago Bears had the excellence of getting the lowest-scoring recreation of 13 to 17 because the Bears superior to 2-Zero and the Giants fell to 0-2. Broncos at Steelers, Vikings at Colts and Chiefs at Chargers had been the one different video games that didn’t have no less than one group scoring 30 or extra factors.
Welcome again to the NFL TE Jordan Reed and RB Jerick McKinnon. The 49ers’ tight finish, Reed, stepped in for the injured George Kittle and posted seven receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns. It’s his first time again on the sphere since 2018 when he was typically injured on the Washington Football Team. McKinnon, Reed’s teammate, is getting concerned within the offense this yr scoring a landing in every of his appearances. He has not seen the sphere since 2017 when he was Minnesota Viking and scored three touchdowns the entire season. With a bunch of accidents to the 49ers (and throughout the NFL), this received’t be the final time we see Reed and McKinnon in addition to some shocking fantasy stars over the following a number of weeks.
Cowboys Make a Comeback and Chargers Begin Rookie QB
The Cowboys regarded horrible to begin the sport, giving up a whopping 4 fumbles within the first quarter and shedding possession on three of them. The Falcons took benefit of the turnovers with two touchdowns and two area targets gaining a 20 to zero lead heading into the second quarter. RB Ezekiel Elliott then rushed in a one-yard landing, however the Falcons answered again with a TD to WR Calvin Ridley, his second on the day. Every group exchanged area targets and the Falcons went into halftime main 29 to 10.
Sound acquainted?
It was nearly surreal watching QB Dak Prescott put everything of the Cowboys’ offense onto his shoulders, scoring two touchdowns by himself within the third quarter. The Falcons pulled away barely with a landing cross to WR Russell Gage and one other area aim, however a victory was not meant to be. Prescott stepped up once more with a landing cross to TE Dalton Schultz. After an odd two-point conversion try failed, Prescott mounted one other drive and rushed in his third landing to carry the sport inside two factors. A area aim by Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein snatched the victory away from the Falcons.
I believe it is time begin taking Prescott severely and contemplate paying the person a good contract. The win was additionally a welcome sigh of reduction for brand new HC Mike McCarthy who was capable of keep away from answering some uncomfortable questions if Atlanta had continued to steamroll Dallas at residence.
The Falcons at Cowboys recreation wasn’t the one nail-biting, field-goal-finish of the day. QB Tyrod Taylor was experiencing chest ache and shortness of breath throughout pregame warmups. Of all the shocking gameday begins, this one takes the cake. After the coin toss, backup QB Justin Herbert was instructed he could be the starter for Week 2. Herbert was dealing with no simple job making his NFL debut in opposition to the reigning Tremendous Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Not like the Falcons on the Cowboys matchup, the afternoon recreation in Los Angeles was a surprisingly low scoring affair given QB Patrick Mahomes’ penchant for gunslinging. In reality, it was Herbert who led the Chargers to a 14 to six lead into halftime after operating in a landing within the first quarter and connecting later with WR Jalen Guyton.
The third quarter noticed area targets exchanged between the 2 groups in an eerie foreshadowing, and Mahomes related with WR Tyreek Hill for presumably one among his finest landing passes but. After one other set of area targets by every group, the sport went into extra time tied at 20 apiece.
The Chargers began off with the primary possession of OT. WR Mike Williams almost transformed a fourth down however got here up one yard quick. The Chargers then elected to punt the ball, as an alternative of attempting for it on fourth and one. I’m stunned HC Anthony Lynn made this name. It’s by no means a good suggestion to present the Tremendous Bowl MVP the ball in extra time when you plan on attempting to win the sport.
In extra time guidelines, the Chiefs didn’t want to attain a landing to win. Kicker Harrison Butker got here up huge, not as soon as, not twice, however thrice to complete the sport. The primary try, which was good, was negated by a false begin penalty that tacked on an extra 5 yards to make it a 58-yard try. The second try, additionally good, didn’t rely because the Chargers known as a outing to ice the kicker. The third try was good once more and formally ended the sport. Butker was hoisted above his cheering Chiefs teammates with a lot fanfare.
Who stated kickers don’t matter? When you’re curious, he completed with 13 fantasy factors behind Justin Tucker and Younghoe Koo with 15 factors.
Though the Chargers did lose the sport, Herbert regarded excellent contemplating the character of his begin. He made some rookie errors, together with an interception the place he might have simply run for a primary down. He was capable of shake off the error and lead Los Angeles into extra time. Just like the Bengals, Chargers followers needs to be very excited by what they see of their rookie QB.
The Sunday night time recreation was a rematch (of types) of Tremendous Bowl XLIX between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. When you haven’t heard “Let Russ Cook dinner” but, get acquainted with it since you is likely to be listening to it much more any longer. Maybe it should alter a bit to “Let Russ Preserve Cooking”. He had an unimaginable recreation in opposition to the Patriots, ending with 5 landing passes in a 35 to 30 victory over New England.
Patriots’ QB Cam Newton rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns on prime of 397 yards passing and a landing cross to the fullback Jakob Johnson. Newton dominated the run recreation for New England with RBs Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead combining for 13 carries and solely 21 yards. RB James White was a shock inactive after studying his father had simply handed away in a lethal automobile accident whereas his mom remained in crucial situation. His absence was keenly felt on either side of the ball. White was a teammate with Wilson throughout their days in Wisconsin.
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Commerce Targets
AWAY
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)*
Mark Ingram (RB – BAL)*
Robby Anderson (WR – CAR)
Stefon Diggs (WR – BUF)
Mike Evans (WR – TB)
FOR
A.J. Green (WR – CIN)
Austin Ekeler (RB – LAC)
Joshua Kelley (RB – LAC)
David Johnson (RB – HOU)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – PIT)
This week goes to be a large number when it comes to trades. My record of commerce targets will not be exhaustive, particularly when you have any of the gamers or the backups from Sunday’s damage record.
Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon tops the commerce away record with an asterisk. He has been ineffective to this point in Cincinnati’s offense and Burrow has been slinging it all around the area. If you will get a good commerce for Mixon now, it might be in your finest curiosity to take it if you might want to change a bit in your offense. Nevertheless, I like to recommend holding onto him till he has a good recreation. His commerce worth might be a lot greater and you should have higher choices. However, determined instances name for determined measures, so if he’s your solely tradeable piece, I get it.
The Baltimore backfield is not any clearer after Week 2 so I’ve one other asterisk after RB Mark Ingram’s title. Actually, when you have Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, and even Gus Edwards, you will have some respectable commerce worth. After scoring two touchdowns final week, Dobbins carried the ball solely two instances for 48 yards whereas Gus Edwards led the group in carries with 10 for 73 yards. Nevertheless, it was Ingram who noticed the endzone this time with 9 carries and 55 yards. I don’t like that this offense is so unpredictable. Buying and selling these RB items for depth at different positions could also be the best choice as an alternative of attempting to foretell who will get the carries or see the goal-line work.
WRs Robby Anderson, Stefon Diggs, and Mike Evans spherical out my commerce away targets. These are usually not gamers that you simply essentially ought to commerce away, however somewhat gamers who you might commerce away. Once more, if you’re hurting at different positions, you might want to maneuver somebody with a purpose to get a high quality substitute. The waiver wire will possible be a ghost city after this week and a commerce could also be your solely choice. Anderson, Diggs, and Evans are on offenses that produce other proficient pass-catchers. They’ve seen glorious manufacturing to this point in 2020 however that’s not assured every week. (Evans could also be your exception till Godwin returns.) They’ve a ton of worth and their inventory is excessive, giving you a chance to fill wants in your roster with out having to settle.
Do not forget that you win a commerce when you will get an excellent participant when their inventory low. WR A.J. Green is on the prime of my commerce for record. Inexperienced has been a heartbreaker for fantasy this season. He’s seen a complete of 22 targets for less than eight receptions and has but to attain a landing. Whereas that is disheartening, there’s a very shiny silver lining. Burrow is attempting his finest to focus on the veteran receiver, however they only haven’t been on the identical web page, but. Burrow wants just a few extra reps to get his timing down and Inexperienced is simply too proficient of a receiver to be forgotten within the offense. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than Burrow and Inexperienced begin connecting. When that occurs, be careful. Till then, you’ll be able to goal fantasy GMs who’re getting fed up with the frustration.
Not like the Ravens backfield, the Chargers operating backs are starting to degree out. This week, Austin Ekeler was lastly concerned within the passing recreation with 5 receptions for 55 yards whereas nonetheless dashing 16 instances for 93 yards. Josh Kelley was additionally concerned, however his id is changing into extra outlined as Ekeler’s ground-and-pound counterpart. After scoring a landing final week, Kelley rushed 23 instances for 64 yards. When you have the chance to get one among these operating backs in your squad, I might take it, ideally Ekeler in PPR and Kelley in non-ppr codecs.
Sticking with the operating again place, Houston’s David Johnson predictably struggled in opposition to the Ravens’ protection and a destructive recreation script. He rushed 11 instances for less than 34 yards. Johnson will face a frightening Pittsburgh protection subsequent week and may very well be held to a poor efficiency as soon as extra. If the league mate with Johnson is unwilling to commerce but, give it every week. The matchup in opposition to the Steelers could present the required push to finish the commerce. After the Steelers, the Texans have a extra favorable schedule dealing with Minnesota, Jacksonville, and Tennessee.
Talking of the Steelers, it was WR Diontae Johnson who shined on this week’s matchup in opposition to the banged-up Denver Broncos. The WR place is seeing some notable accidents this yr reminiscent of Kenny Golladay, Chris Godwin, Michael Thomas, and Courtland Sutton (simply to call just a few). When you want some depth at extensive receiver, attempt going for JuJu Smith-Schuster. Rookie WR Chase Claypool appears just like the Steelers’ shiny new toy. Let your league mates be preoccupied with Johnson and Claypool when you go for the WR1.
Main Accidents
Even with some thrilling comebacks and storylines all through the day, nothing dominated the headlines just like the plethora of accidents to big-time starters across the NFL. Sunday was certainly a painful day.
Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley sits atop the prolonged record of injured gamers with a potential torn ACL. It’s a devastating loss to the Giants and for fantasy GMs who now must pivot for the remainder of the season. Carolina’s RB Christian McCaffrey suffered an ankle damage, however that fortunately occurred after he rushed for 59 yards and two touchdowns. 49ers’ RB Raheem Mostert additionally had a good fantasy day earlier than leaving with a knee damage. Sticking with the 49ers, QB Jimmy Garopollo suffered an ankle damage, so backup Nick Mullens is the following man up.
Denver’s QB Drew Lock left early with a shoulder damage and WR Courtland Sutton was harm with a knee damage and cramping after simply getting back from a sprained shoulder. RB Phillip Lindsay continues to be sidelined with turf-toe and Denver’s fantasy inventory is trying bleak. Will probably be as much as backup QB Jeff Driskel to supply any hope for WR Jerry Jeudy and TE Noah Fant.
After an enormous efficiency final week, Packers’ WR Davante Adams suffered a hamstring damage after solely three receptions for 36 yards in Inexperienced Bay’s victory over the Detroit Lions. This may result in questions as to which extensive receiver will step up in his absence with Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling subsequent in line.
Minor Accidents
Rams’ RB Cam Akers is questionable with a rib damage. … Colts’ WR Paris Campbell leaves recreation early with a knee damage. … Jets’ WR Breshad Perriman suffered an ankle damage and WR Chris Hogan suffered a rib damage. … Chargers’ QB Tyrod Taylor was despatched to the hospital Sunday after experiencing shortness of breath previous to the sport. He has since been launched. … Giants’ WR Sterling Shepard questionable with a toe damage. … 49ers’ RB Tevin Coleman suffered a knee damage. Fellow RB Raheem Mostert can also be questionable with a suspected delicate MCL sprain. … Payments TE Dawson Knox suffered a concussion. … Colts WR Parris Campbell is questionable with a knee damage, it’s unlikely it’s an ACL tear, and can have an MRI. … Chiefs’ RB Darrel Williams suffered an ankle damage and WR Sammy Watkins suffered a head damage and left Sunday’s recreation early. … Patriots’ RB James White inactive in opposition to the Seahawks after the devastating information that his mother and father had been concerned in a lethal automobile crash. His father has handed away from the accident and his mom in crucial situation in a Florida hospital.
