Week 2: Play’em or FOH
Ok, I’m man enough to admit I missed the boat on Joe Flacco as he torched the Steelers’ defense for 224 yards and 3 TDs, however in my defense, in the six pervious Steelers/Ravens matchups, Flacco has thrown a combined 6 touchdowns, so I guess he was due. But enough small talk, here are my picks for “Play’em or FOH”, week 2.
Play’em
Quarterbacks
Michael Vick vs. Falcons – I know the Falcons are playing at home on Sunday night TV, in front of a national audience, and would like some redemption from their opening week blowout loss to the Bears, but let’s be real. The Falcons’ secondary allowed Jay Cutler to throw for 312 yards and 2 TDs. Mike Vick and the Eagles’ offensive weapons are far greater than the Bears’. Look for a big night from Vick.
Matt Stafford vs. Chiefs – Stafford is coming off a 305 yard and 3 TD performance against the Bucs and his facing a Chiefs defense that allowed 4 passing TDs to Ryan Fitzpatrick. This a no-brainer start.
Josh Freeman vs. Vikings – I still believe in Josh Freeman, even though he didn’t have his best game last week. Look for him to bounce back in a big way against a mediocre Vikings secondary.
Tom Brady vs. Chargers – All I have to say is…look at last week’s stat line of 517 yards passing and 4 TDs. START BRADY!
FOH
Quarterbacks
Donavan McNabb vs. Bucs – All I have to say is…look at McNabb’s stat line from last week; 7–15 for 39 yards. Play McNabb if you want too, but I’m not guaranteeing you he’ll improve much.
Alex Smith vs. Cowboys – It’s Alex Smith. Do I really need to give a reason?
Luke McCown vs. Jets – Look at the previous Alex Smith comment.
Play’em
Running Backs
Tim Hightower vs. Cardinals – I see a little payback here for Hightower, who was given his walking papers from the Cardinals. Hightower is clearly the number 1 back in Washington, as evident by his 25 carries last week against a weak Giants defense. Look for Hightower to have a good game.
Derrick McFadden vs. Bills – “RUN DMC” had a monster game in week one with 22 carries for 150 yards, and with an improved Raiders offensive line, look for McFadden to have a big game against the Bills.
Cedric Benson vs. Broncos – Denver’s defense allowed the Raiders to run for 190 yards on 39 carries, for an average of 4.9 yards per carry. It’s a copy cat league so expect Benson to get a heavy workload against Broncos this week.
FOH
Running Backs
Fred Jackson vs. Raiders – Raiders’ defense only allowed the Denver Broncos to rush for 38 yards last week. Look for Fred Jackson to find it difficult running against the middle of this Raiders defense, with a rejuvenated Richard Seymour anchoring it.
Chris Johnson vs. Ravens – Chris Johnson never got into a rhythm last week vs the Jaguars, and appears a little out of football shape this week. Don’t look for him to have an impact this week against a very good Ravens defense. He still is Chris Johnson and if you lack a better match-up, start him but don’t expect much.
Ryan Matthews vs. Patriots – As long as Matthews is in a carry share with Mike Tolbert, and with Tolbert getting the goal line plays, I say keep Matthews on your bench.
Play’em
Wide Receivers
Dez Bryant vs. 49ers – I just don’t see anyone in the 49ers secondary capable of guarding Bryant, who gave Reevis Island fits last week. Look for another big game from Bryant.
Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks – Seahawks are another team that had difficulty with covering the opposing team’s receivers last week. Look for Big Ben and Wallace to connect on a couple of big pass plays vs a porous Seahawks secondary.
Devery Henderson and Robert Meacham vs. Bears – With Colston out for 4 weeks and Lance Moore still hampered by the groin injury, look for Brees to look more to Henderson and Meacham in their absence.
FOH
Wide Receivers
Mike Thomas vs. Jets – Jaguars best receiver will have to pay a visit to Reevis Island. And at 5’8 and 160 pounds soak and wet, he lacks the physical attributes of a Dez Bryant. Look for Thomas to have a hard time shaking Reevis.
Any Seahawks receiver vs. Steelers Defense – Two words…Tavaris Jackson. Play at your own risk.
Any Vikings Receiver vs. Bucs – SMH, McNabb is under center. Play these guys at your own risk.
Play’em
Tight end
Vernon Davis vs. Cowboys – Davis only had 5 catches for 47 yards last week and Alex Smith says he has to do a better job of getting the ball to him. Look for him to do that against an improved Dallas defense that struggled to contain Dustin Keller last week. Look for a big game from Davis.
FOH
Tight end
Brent Celek vs. Falcons – With Jason Peters questionable for the game, which possibly means King Dunlap will start against Falcons defensive ends John Abraham and Ray Edwards, look for Celek to remain in protection and help the offensive line, limiting his opportunities to make plays in the passing game.
Play’em
Defense
Packers Defense vs. Panthers – Cam Newton had a monstrous first start in his NFL debut, throwing for 422 yards and 2 TDs. Look for him to have a difficult time repeating that performance against a solid Packers defense, lead by Clay Matthews Jr. and Charles Woodson.
FOH
Defense
Chargers Defense vs. Patriots – Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense looked like a well-oiled machine, gaining 622 yards against what I thought was going to be a solid Dolphins Defense heading into the season. While they might not repeat that performance, I still look for Brady & Co. to have a huge week vs an average Chargers defense. This game has “shoot-out” written all over it.
Nairann Merceir, Fantasy Expert for War Room Sports
(For additional advice, hit me up on FB or Twitter. I’m always available to talk fantasy football. Click my signature at the top of the page for my Twitter page and click the signature directly above this message for my Facebook page.)
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