NFL Fantasy Pulse: Week Two
Green Bay Packers 23, Chicago Bears 10
Bears- QB Jay Cutler had a nightmare of a game. Cutler is the definition of a hit or miss fantasy player. With an extended rest and the Rams on the schedule for Week 3, look for Cutler to have a big bounce back game. RB Matt Forte might have a high ankle sprain, so keep an eye on his status. High ankle sprains usually mean 4-6 weeks of missed action. RB Michael Bush already carries RB2/flex-worthy value, but if Forte misses significant time, Bush becomes even more valuable.
Packers- The Packers' offense is clearly not running on all cylinders. It isn't like they're playing horribly, they just aren't playing the way we are accustomed to seeing them play. WR Greg Jennings missed this game with a groin injury. Look for him to be close to 100 percent for Week 3. Now isn't a bad time to send out a few trade feelers on guys like QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Jordy Nelson and Jennings. Buy low.
Buffalo Bills 35, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Chiefs- Owners who have RB Jamaal Charles have to be concerned with the way he was used in this game (6 carries for 3 yards). In comparison, RB Peyton Hillis had 11 carries for 66 yards. WR Dwayne Bowe had a monster game (8 receptions for 102 yards and 2 TDs, he was targeted 15 times) and should be started every week.
Bills- After a poor opening game, the Bills had a strong bounce back performance. RB C.J. Spiller continues to make the most out of increased playing time (123 yards rushing, 47 yards receiving and 2 TDs) and has become a must start with Fred Jackson out. Even when Jackson gets back, Spiller should continue to receive enough touches to warrant weekly fantasy consideration as a RB2.
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Cincinnati Bengals 34, Cleveland Browns 27
Browns- After a rough debut QB Brandon Weeden showed some promise (322 yards and 2 scores. I don't give him very much value yet, but he may become a serviceable bye week filler down the road. RB Trent Richardson showed great promise (109 yards rushing, 26 yards receiving and 2 TDs) and can be safely used as a RB2/flex as long as he remains healthy. WR Mohamed Massaquoi had a decent game (5 receptions for 90 yards on 7 targets) and could develop solid fantasy value if Weeden deems him his favorite target.
Bengals- QB Andy Dalton showed signs of last years success (318 yards and 3 TDs) and is a quality backup. WR Brandon Tate had a good game (3 receptoins for 71 yards and a score), but I wouldn't recommend picking him up just yet. Tate put those numbers up on 3 targets, which means he'll be an inconsistent play until the targets increase.
Indianapolis Colts 23, Minnesota Vikings 20
Vikings- If you need QB help, take a look at Christian Ponder. Ponder isn't going to give you gaudy numbers, but he'll give you consistent production and that's all you can ask out of a bye week filler. Ponder's favorite target WR Percy Harvin (13 targets, 12 receptions for 104 yards) continues to roll. TE Kyle Rudolph is another good pickup. Rudolph had 3 catches for 43 yards with a score and should give you around 10 points a game. He doesn't have a huge week to week upside, but consistency is key.
Colts- QB Andrew Luck showed some strong signs of fantasy relevancy (224 yards, 2 TDs), but he still remains, at best, a backup QB. The big development in this game was WR Donnie Avery. Avery was targeted 10 times and caught 9 balls for 111 yards. Is it too early to be starting him on a weekly basis? Yes. But, Luck is going to be throwing the ball and WR Reggie Wayne can't get all the looks. If Luck and Avery continue to find chemistry, Avery could be a solid WR3 with serious upside. He's worth a roster spot in all leagues.
Miami Dolphins 35, Oakland Raiders 13
Raiders- Another poor showing by the Raiders' offense. Owners should be starting RB Darren McFadden every week, but beyond him, the Raiders aren't offering much fantasy value. Owners who are looking for a TE might consider Brandon Myers. QB Carson Palmer is only looking for Myers a half-dozen times a game right now, but he has made the most of his opportunities. Keep an eye on him.
Dolphins- I can't stress this enough; the only Dolphin with any starting potential is RB Reggie Bush. Bush had a monster game (172 yards rushing, 3 receptions for 25 yards and two scores) and is a quality RB2. WR Brian Hartline had a nice game (9 receptions for 111 yards), but don't expect to get that type of production every week. Hartline is a decent depth option in a deeper league.
Arizona Cardinals 20, New England Patriots 18
Cardinals- The Cardinals got a win, but they are a fantasy owner's nightmare. RBs Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams split carries for the second week. And for the second week, they offered little production. If you spent a high pick on WR Larry Fitzgerald, it might be time to start looking to deal him. There's no question that Fitzy is one of the most talented WRs in the league, but as long as QB Kevin Kolb is throwing the ball, his value takes a huge hit.
Patriots- Don't give up on the Patriots just yet. They aren't clicking on offense yet, but it's just a matter of time. Consider targeting QB Tom Brady, WR Wes Welker and WR Brandon Lloyd in a trade before the Pats get back on track. TE Aaron Hernandez suffered an injury and is likely to miss some time. This injury gives Welker, Lloyd and Gronkowski a boost in value.
New York Giants 41, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34
Buccaneers- The Bucs have three decent fantasy options; QB Josh Freeman, RB Doug Martin and WR Vincent Jackson. All three put up productive games and that should continue for the rest of the season. WR Mike Williams (3 receptions for 59 yards and a score) is on the cusp of becoming the Bucs' fourth option, but I wouldn't trust him on a weekly basis just yet.
Giants- RB Ahmad Bradshaw suffered an injury and could miss some time. RB Andre Brown (71 yards and a TD) will pick up the majority of his carries, but RB David Wilson will probably get a few extra touches as well. If you have Bradshaw, make sure you pick up Brown.
Philadelphia Eagles 24, Baltimore Ravens 23
Ravens- QB Joe Flacco is not an every week fantasy starter. Flacco always shows glimpses of being a reliable starter, but he fails to bring it every week. If you have Flacco, make sure you keep a couple of extra QBs on your roster and play matchups. TE Dennis Pitta is making quite the name for himself. Pitta was targeted 15 times and caught eight passes for 65 yards. If Pitta is still out there in your league, pick him up.
Eagles- It certainly seems like the tight end position is getting a lot stronger. TE Brent Celek (8 receptions for 157 yards) is another guy that should be picked up in all leagues.
Carolina Panthers 35, New Orleans Saints 27
Saints- Like the Patriots, the Saints offense isn't clicking. If you have the opportunity to trade for QB Drew Brees or WR Marques Colston, nows the time to get a deal done. The Saints will get things together. That's two straight games without a carry for RB Darren Sproles. Sproles is producing (13 receptions for 128 yards), but that's a scary stat. Keep an eye on this situation.
Panthers- WR Brandon LaFell (6 receptions for 90 yards) was one of my big sleepers this year. He'll certainly have his bad games, but I wouldn't hesitate starting him as my WR3.
Houston Texans 27, Jaguars 7
Texans- A week after I said RB Ben Tate had no value, he goes off for 74 yards rushing and 2 scores. Tate is worth a roster spot, but I would be quite hesitant starting him as long as RB Arian Foster is healthy. QB Matt Schaub only has 1 TD through the first two games. Schaub should get it together and is a borderline starting QB and a top-tier backup.
Jaguars- RB Maurice Jones-Drew is the only Jag worth starting. WR Laurent Robinson still has some value and deserves to be on your roster, but he's not worthy of starting duties.
St. Louis Rams 31, Washington Redskins 28
Redskins- WR Leonard Hankerson made an impact (2 receptions for 68 yards and a score) on limited targets. However, when WR Pierre Garcon gets back, his value will go back down. RB Alfred Morris continues to gain value and appears to be the unquestioned No. 1 back in Washington.
Rams- RB Steven Jackson suffered a groin injury and may miss time. RB Drayl Richardson was used as the Rams primary back after Jackson left and was effective (83 rush yards and a score). If you own Jackson, make sure to pick Richardson up. Even if you don't own Jackson, Richardson is a good pick up. If you have WR Danny Amendola, make sure to start him (especially if you're in a PPR league).
Seattle Seahawks 27, Dallas Cowboys 7
Cowboys- Everyone off the WR Kevin Ogletree bandwagon! After a monster opening game, Ogletree was targeted one time. If you picked him up after last week, I'd hold on to him, as the potential is clearly there. But, I'd leave him on your bench until he shows a little more consistency.
Seahawks- Like the Dolphins and Jaguars, the Seahawks offer one solid fantasy play and, surprise, it's their RB. Marshawn Lynch continues to be a workhorse and is a solid RB1 option. WR Sidney Rice is the only other Hawk' worthy of ownership.
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, New York Jets 10
Jets- That's more like the Jets offense we all expected. WR Santonio Holmes is the main fantasy option (11 targets, 3 receptions for 28 yards), but he is, at best, a WR3/ flex option. RB Shonn Greene isn't a horrible RB2 option, but he should remain on your bench when the Jets go against a tough rushing defense.
Steelers- What will the Steelers do when RB Rashard Mendenhall gets back? RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman each received 12 carries. Neither impressed, which makes this RB situation wide open. Until it gets cleared up, avoid starting either of them.
San Diego Chargers 38, Tennessee Titans 10
Titans- I can't stress this enough; it's time to sell RB Chris Johnson. Johnson just isn't the same back he was two years ago and there are no signs that he's going to get back to that level. Johnson will still give you a couple of monster games, but the bottom line is he's received 19 carries through the first two games and ha only 21 yards. It's time to cash out while you can still get significant value for him.
Chargers- Did anyone start TE Dante Rosario? If you did, kudos to you. Rosario was targeted 4 times, had 4 receptions for 48 yards and scored three times. Let's not get too excited. Unless TE Antonio Gates misses significant time, don't bother picking up Rosario as he will only get chances if Gates isn't in the lineup. WR Malcom Floyd looks to be QB Philip Rivers' favorite target. Don't hesitate starting him as your WR3/flex.
Notes on the Sunday and Monday night games will be up tomorrow. Questions? Comments? Need a trade evaluation? Send me an e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
