Week 2 was absolute madness. Everything that we love about the NFL season, we got. High scoring shootout? Check. Big fantasy performances? Check. Fourth quarter comebacks? Check. Fantasy duds? Also, check, albeit unfortunately. After two weeks, you may be feeling really good about your fantasy roster. If so, congrats to you. On the other hand, for some, these first two weeks of the fantasy season have been much much worse. Are you a frustrated owner of Jonathan Taylor? Dalvin Cook? Joe Mixon? DJ Moore? I could go on and on, but you get the point. At this time, you may be thinking that your team is set, and you don’t want to mess with what’s working. Again, on the flip side, you may be contemplating blowing it all up and starting over. While there are certainly moves to be made each week, try not to get too high or too low based off of one week. Fantasy football is a long season, although it always seems to go so quick. Weird, right? This is why I am here for you all, each and every week. Let’s discuss the games that unfolded, the most relevant fantasy performances, and moves that you should, or should not make, to improve your title chances. This can include: taking a breath (it’ll all be okay), make a plan (look at waivers and possible trade scenarios for improvements), or take action (you need to do something ASAP). Anyway, LET’S OVERTHINK THIS.
Week 2 games:
Chiefs 27, Chargers 24 Chiefs top performer(s): While the Chiefs didn’t have their most explosive game on offense, they did enough to come away with the win. The box score isn’t overly sexy as far as fantasy performances, but Mahomes played a really clean game and delivered a solid stat line with no INTs. Through the first two games Mahomes has thrown for 7 TDs and 0 INTs. I see a big year from Mahomes & Kelce, as the Chiefs are out to remind everyone who was sleeping on them, just how good they can be. Was also encouraged with CEH rushing for 74 yards, but still see this as a RB by committee as the season goes on with him, McKinnon, and Pacheco. Even though they didn’t perform their best, take a breath when it comes to the Chiefs offense. More monster performances ahead. Chargers top performer(s): New year, same old Chargers. Play a great game. Hang with a contender, yet somehow still wind up with the L. These games have to start swinging in their favor, right? Herbert played great, but is now dealing with fractured rib cartilage. In case you were wondering, yeah, this hurts. A LOT. Chargers better emphasize protecting Herbert over these next few weeks. Also a big game from Mike Williams with Keenan Allen not playing due to his hammy injury. Gerald Everett seems to be a solid TE option for teams that need one. Let’s circle back to Herbert. While I’m not overly concerned, I would still make a plan when it comes to your QB situation. You want to be prepared in case this goes to a worst-case scenario. Jets 31, Browns 30 Jets top performer(s): Joe Flacco and Garrett Wilson. It felt weird to write that in 2022. The old timer and the rookie each had MONSTER games to propel the Jets to their crazy 4th quarter comeback win against the Browns. If Wilson is available in your league, take action and go get him! I think he will have some more great performances in the season even when Zach Wilson returns at QB. Breece Hall and Michael Carter each had 7 carries, so if you were expecting Hall to take command of this backfield, it looks like you’ll be waiting a little longer. If you have Hall as your RB2, make a plan to gather more depth for your squad. Browns top performer(s): Just an awful game the Browns had no business losing. On the positive side, Nick Chubb had 3 rushing TDs and Amari Cooper had over 100 yards and a score. Kareem Hunt also had 13 carries and 2 catches, so it seems like both Hunt and Chubb will continue to get their volume. Take a breath with the Browns. Even though it was a bad loss, you’re still playing Chubb and Hunt weekly. Lions 36, Commanders 27 Lions top performer(s): 2 games in and this Lions offense is looking DANGEROUS. Put up 35 in a loss to the Eagles in week 1 and now hung 36 on the Commanders in a win. D’Andre Swift and Amon-Ra St. Brown were the studs in this one. Swift is going to have a huge year assuming he stays healthy. Clear cut RB1 and St. Brown continues his tear from the end of last season. Until they show otherwise, I’m playing these guys, even Jamaal Williams, on a weekly basis. Take a breath. Commanders top performer(s): Well, that game got ugly pretty quickly for the Commanders. Hard to comeback from a 22-0 deficit, but they made it entertaining. For those that were able to scoop up Wentz on the waiver wire or late in drafts, good job to you. Tougher assignment this week after the Eagles D looked great against the Vikings. Even with the loss, take a breath. Gibson, Samuel, McLaurin, and Jahan Dotson continue to be fantasy relevant and solid plays. Buccaneers 20, Saints 10 Bucs top performer(s): Another blah performance by Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. If Brady is your QB1, it’s time to make a plan. If it were me, I would probably be taking action at this point as well. The offensive line is banged up, as are the skill position players. Not ideal for a QB. Breshad Perriman had a good game after Evans was ejected. Saints top performer(s): You knew the Saints offense was going to have a hard time getting things going against the Bucs defense. Then the news came out pregame that Jameis is playing with 4 fractures in his back. More specifically, Jay Glazer says he is dealing with fractures to L1 through L4 of his lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is your lower back, and you have 5 vertebral segments here (L1 through L5). So, in short, almost his entire lower back is fractured. Not good. This is something that will take a good few weeks to heal as well. Time to make a plan in case this injury worsens for Jameis. Good to see Michael Thomas get in the end zone again. Giants 19, Panthers 16 Giants top performer(s): Nothing overly sexy from the Giants in this one, but 2-0 is a great way to start the season. Barkely with another 21 carries, albeit for only 72 yards. Still encouraging to see him get this volume, however. If you had Kenny Golloday, which I have no idea why you would, it’s time to take action. Seems like the Giants are done with him after giving him that egregious contract. I like Sterling Shepard the rest of the season for top scoring Giants WR. Panthers top performer(s): How many more weeks does Matt Rhule last? Seriously, the clock is ticking. This offense looks so pedestrian, even after acquiring Baker Mayfield. Good to see CMC get over 100 yards rushing, and only on 15 carries. I’m worried about DJ Moore. 3 catches for a lowly 43 yards, but the TD bailed out a lousy fantasy performance. Until he gets the ball more consistently, time to start making a plan. Patriots 17, Steelers 14 Patriots top performer(s): Damien Harris and Nelson Agholor had nice games for the Pats. Both found the endzone, and that catch from Agholor was fantastic. Just went up and got it, beastly catch. Encouraged to see Jakobi Meyers with another stat line as well with 9 catches for 95 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson owners, if you were expecting big things, better start making a plan. His path to flex worthy stats is still murky. Steelers top performer(s): Poor performance by the Steelers offense in this one. Najee Harris averaged 3.3 YPC and Diontae Johnson was held to 57 yards. Unfortunately, these weeks are just going to happen with the Steelers when they play against a tough defensive opponent. Including this week against Cleveland. If I have Harris, I’m starting to make a plan. I would be looking at other teams’ in my league roster and draw up trade scenarios. Jaguars 24, Colts 0 Jags top performer(s): Christian Kirk, welcome to Duval! 2 TDs is great and he seems to be developing some solid rapport for Trevor Lawrence. James Robinson, I’m at a loss for words. Running backs typically do not perform great the year after an Achilles injury, but Robinson is proving me wrong here. Until the snaps tilt more towards an even split, this is Robinson’s backfield. Etienne owners, make a plan. Colts top performer(s): Colts, WTF? Seriously, what in the world was that putrid performance? Is Matty Ice cooked? Two weeks in and it’s a question I’m seriously considering. If you have Jonathan Taylor, take a breath. He might not finish as THE RB1, but he will still put up RB1 numbers when it is all said and done. Dolphins 42, Ravens 38 Dolphins top performer(s): TUA!!!!!! What a performance. Just absurd really, especially that fourth quarter. Having Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Mike Geisicki, Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert, etc has this Dolphins offense rolling. Tough assignment this week vs Buffalo but let’s all take a breath. You’re gonna play Hill and Waddle no matter the opponent. If Mostert is available, take action and get him, especially if you are an Edmonds owner. Ravens top performer(s): Lamar is going to earn a LOT of money. From the Ravens, or whomever. Just an absolute monster. Rashod Bateman also had his coming out party in this game with a long TD catch & run. You may be wondering what in the world is going on with the backfield situation, but take a breath. JK Dobbins will be back as Baltimore’s RB1 shortly. Rams 31, Falcons 27 Rams top performer(s): Cooper Kupp continues to do Cooper Kupp things. He’s making these absurd stat lines appear normal for him. Another 11 catch, 108 yard, 2 TD day. No big deal. Allen Robinson owners, take a breath. They got him more involved this past week, and he scored a TD! Falcons top performer(s): Drake London is having a nice start to the season. However, this has coincided with Kyle Pitts having another dreadful game from a fantasy performance. I’m still bullish on Pitts, so take a breath. Give it a couple more weeks. 49ers 27, Seahawks 7 49ers top performer(s): Terrible development for Trey Lance. You gotta feel for the kid. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Now, the reins are back to Jimmy G. Ty Davis-Price got 14 carries, but suffered the dreaded high ankle sprain, so he will be shelved for a few weeks. Jeff Wilson Jr owners, take a breath. More opportunities in the coming weeks now for Wilson. I like Kittle to produce with Jimmy G under center as well, whenever he returns from his groin injury (which should be this week). Seahawks top performer(s): Tyler Lockett played well. The rest of the Seahawks? Not so much. 36 yards total rushing, as a team. Gulp. DK Metcalf will get looks throughout the season, but will it translate to stats? I’m not sure. Time to make a plan if you have Metcalf has a WR2 or even a weekly flex. Cowboys 20, Bengals 17 Cowboys top performer(s): Noah Brown and Ceedee Lamb performed well, as did Tony Pollard. Think this offense may just be okay until Dak gets back. Let’s take a breath. Unless you have Zeke Elliot, then I would start to slightly worry and begin to make a plan (which hopefully you did in the draft and secured the Pollard handcuff). Bengals top performer(s): Didn’t the Bengals fix their offensive line? Or at least make an attempt to? Sure doesn’t look like it. Burrow is getting crushed out there. Tee Higgins had a nice game. It’s only two games, so for right now, I’m taking a breath. However, another down performance from this group and I’m going to start to worry about them. Broncos 16, Texans 9 Broncos top performer(s): Just an ugly game all around. Russ is not performing nearly as well as we all thought he would so far in Denver. Courtland Sutton had another big game, and Javonte Williams averaged a cool 5.0 YPC. Russell Wilson owners, make a plan. Just in case he can’t figure it out soon, you do not want to be left up the creek without a paddle. Texans top performer(s): Did I mention this was an ugly game? Dameon Pierce responded to a poor week 1 with an improved showing. I still like him as RB1 in Houston season-long. If you’re relying on big fantasy production from this offense weekly, I don’t know what to say to you, other than make a plan! Cardinals 29, Raiders 23 Cardinals top performer(s): Kyler Murray came alive late in this one but propelled the Cardinals to the come from behind win. James Conner went down with an injury, so it’s time to take action. Looks like the RB job will be held down by Eno Benjamin and Darrell Williams until he comes back. Raiders top performer(s): I assumed I would be writing Davante Adams in this space for the Raiders almost all season long, but Waller, Mack Hollins, and Hunter Renfrow were Carr’s preferred targets on Sunday. I’m worried about Josh Jacobs’ value over the season, so best to make a plan. When it comes to Adams, take a breath. Packers 27, Bears 10 Packers top performer(s): Aaron Jones had a vintage monster-like game that he has shown in the past he is capable of. Over 100 yards rushing with a TD and another score receiving. Solid day for #33. AJ Dillon continues to get good volume as well, so let’s all take a breath as it pertains to both RBs. Both can be used. Big game vs Tampa on deck as well. Bears top performer(s): 11 passing attempts for Justin Fields. In a game they were trailing 24-7 at halftime. How do you expect a QB to develop when you don’t let him read a defense and make throws? Mind-boggling. Montgomery had over 100 yards rushing, which is good from a fantasy standpoint. However, if you have Kmet or Mooney, time to make a plan. Heck, if they don’t let Fields pass more, it may already be time to take action. Bills 41, Titans 7 Bills top performer(s): Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen. Just going to leave this sentence here all year in this space. But seriously, are there any concerns with this Bills offense? They were missing their number 2 WR in Gabe Davis and STILL hung 41 points on the boards. Just absolutely nutty. Don’t know why anyone would be worried, but take a breath. Titans top performer(s): Derrick Henry had a rushing TD on their first possession, and that was it. Now, they won’t be playing the Bills every week, which helps. But, something is amiss with this offense. I still trust Henry, but until Tannehill gets out of this turnover funk, I’m starting to make a plan as it pertains to Henry. I would wait until he has a monster game then look at trade prospects. Buy low, sell high. You know how it works. Eagles 24, Vikings 7 Eagles top performer(s): Jalen Hurts. Record-setting performance on MNF. 333 yards passing, 57 yards rushing and 3 total TDs. Has seemed to take the next step in development this year, and acquiring a guy like AJ Brown certainly helps. The offense is going to be a problem all year long for opponents. Take a breath. Vikings top performer(s): I’m sure you’ve heard that Cousins does NOT play well in primetime, especially on MNF. Down performance by the offense including Cousins, Cook, and Justin Jefferson. Slay locked up Jefferson all game long, but still, no concerns from this offense as the season unfolds. Take a breath.
