Week 1 is in the books and wow what a start to the season.  Lamar Jackson led all QB’s despite playing against the worst team in football. Austin Ekeler, Marlon Mack, and Josh Jacobs all finished better than expected landing top 10 finishes. The elderly (DeSean Jackson, Larry Fitzgerald, and John Brown) and the youthful (John Ross, Marquise Brown, D.J. Chark, and Terry McLaurin) stole the show at WR. The new wave of TE has arrived with top performances from Evan Engram, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, and Darren Waller. Kinda feels like we could be in for a season where plenty of new players land top spots at their positions doesn’t it? 

 

We move on to Week 2 and I’m still skeptical about some of the younger players despite how phenomenal they look already. Rarely do we see so many rookies post top performances across the board so early.  Players like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown who went 4 for 147 yards and 2 TD’s, Terry McLaurin who racked up 5 receptions for 125 yards and 1 TD, T.J. Hockenson proved to be a top 2019 talent going 6 for 131 yards and 1 TD, and debatably the best rookie in the draft, AJ Brown caught 3 receptions for 100 yards.  Be careful about placing these guys immediately into your lineups for Week 2.  These are great performances out the gate however, we still need to watch what these players do a couple more weeks before feeling confident about starting them in our flex’s.  That being said, if you plan on starting any rookies I’m looking at TJ Hockenson or Terry McLaurin as guys to take a chance on in Week 2.  

 

Notable injuries to keep track of: Tyreek Hill (Shoulder injury, Week-to-Week), Baker Mayfield (Wrist Injury, available Week 2), Patrick Mahomes (Sprained Ankle, available Week 2), Nick Foles (Broken Clavicle, placed on IR), Albert Wilson (Calf Injury, most likely out Week 2), Tevin Coleman (Ankle Injury, Week-to-Week, most likely out Week 2), Joe Mixon (Ankle Injury, Day-to-Day), Mike Williams (Knee injury, not projected to play Week 2), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Toe injury, ready for Week 2), Devin Funchess (Broken Collarbone, placed on IR), Sterling Shepard (Concussion Protocol, may not be ready for Week 2).

 

Criteria for the Start/Sit categories

 

Auto start players would be guys you don’t have to think twice about, guys that will be starters no matter the matchup. Starters are players that are most likely in your lineups unless you have auto start players that can be played in their spot instead. Sit players are players I’m not playing in lineups based on the matchup and other possible reasons.  I would not play these players in the sit category unless your options are limited. Don’t Sweat It players are players that are irrelevant at the moment, they should be nowhere near your starting lineups.

 

BUCCANEERS @ PANTHERS

Auto Start: 

  • Mike Evans & Chris Godwin
  • Cam Newton
  • Christian McCaffery

Start:

  • Jameis Winston
  • DJ Moore

Sit: 

  • Curtis Samuel
  • Ronald Jones & Peyton Barber
  • OJ Howard

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Greg Olsen/Ian Thomas
  • Dare Ogunbowale

Conclusion:

Woof, what a rough Week 1 for both Winston and Newton, two guys I’ve been high on all offseason but I’m not backing off these quarterbacks despite their poor performances.  I have faith they will figure it out against each other Thursday night. For the Bucs, Godwin got bailed out with the only offensive touchdown scored while Mike Evans was nowhere to be seen.  Ronald Jones flashed a bit with almost a 100 total yards but I’m still keeping him away from my starting lineup along with OJ Howard. The Panthers played a solid Rams defense last week, that being said, McCaffery looked like the #1 back in fantasy, DJ Moore looked okay, and Curtis Samuel disappointed.  I’m expecting this offense (outside of McCaffery) to bounce back against the 29th ranked defense through one week.  

49ERS @ BENGALS

Auto Start:

  • George Kittle
  • Tyler Boyd

Start:

  • Matt Breida
  • Joe Mixon (Hurt but plans to play)

Sit: 

  • Jimmy Garropolo
  • Raheem Mostert
  • Deebo Samuel
  • Andy Dalton
  • John Ross

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Gio Bernard
  • Dante Pettis
  • Marquise Goodwin

Conclusion:

This is an easy start ‘em, sit ‘em matchup.  For the 49ers, George Kittle will forever be an auto-start.  It’s unnecessary to start Jimmy G until we see more from him and it’s as simple as that.  With Garrapolo only throwing for 166 yards last week it’s hard to imagine starting any of the receivers either.  For the Bengals, Andy Dalton had one of his best performances against the Hawks but some would say this 49ers defense is being slept on, Joe Mixon is day-to-day but I still want to play him, Tyler Boyd has a safe floor but John Ross not so much.  Don’t expect 100 yard games that often from Ross, it’s only his 2nd time posting over 50 yards in his career.

CHARGERS @ LIONS

Auto Start:

  • Phillip Rivers
  • Austin Ekeler
  • Keenan Allen
  • Kenny Golladay

Start:

  • Kerryon Johnson
  • TJ Hockensen

Sit:

  • Marvin Jones 
  • Danny Amendola

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Justin Jackson
  • Hunter Henry (Out 4-6 weeks)
  • CJ Anderson

Conclusion

I like Phillip Rivers in this matchup A LOT.  Despite his offense dropping like flies with injuries to Mike Williams and Hunter Henry.  Now there are only two players for this ball to go to and that’s Austin Ekeler and Keenan Allen, both who had solid starts to their 2019 season.  Buy into this offense funneling targets to these guys week in and week out.  For the Lions, it looks like T.J. Hockenson will be an important piece to this offense along with Kenny Golladay who should see more targets against the Chargers.  I’m still starting Kerryon Johnson and avoiding Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola until we know what this offense is like on a week-to-week basis.  

VIKINGS @ PACKERS

Auto Start:

  • Dalvin Cook
  • Adam Thielen
  • Aaron Rodgers
  • Devante Adams

Start:

  • Stefon Diggs
  • Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Sit:

  • Kirk Cousins
  • Alexander Mattison
  • Jimmy Graham
  • Aaron Jones

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Kyle Rudolph & Irv Smith Jr.
  • Jamaal Williams
  • Geronimo Allison

Conclusion:

Packers get another top defense in the league Week 2 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them struggle similar to last Thursday night. Kirk Cousins is a sit until he throws more than 10 times a game, If Dalvin Cook gets to run the ball 20 plus times, you’re looking at a top 5 finish, and Adam Thielen looks to be the guy while Stefon Diggs plays through his soft tissue injury. For the Packers DaVante Adams will alway your WR 1, Aaron Jones is a sit until he can pull a more favorable matchup, MVS could be an interesting flex play with the Packers playing catchup, and Jimmy Graham got lucky with a TD so park him on the bench if you can.

COLTS @ TITANS

Auto Start:

  • TY Hilton

Start:

  • Marlon Mack
  • Derrick Henry
  • Corey Davis
  • Delanie Walker

Sit:

  • Jacoby Brissett
  • Parris Campbell
  • Marcus Mariota
  • AJ Brown

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Devin Funchess (Broken Collarbone – Out until Week 10)
  • Dion Lewis
  • Tajae Sharp
  • Eric Ebron & Jack Doyle

Conclusion:

Putting TY Hilton as the only auto-start was a tough call after watching Marlon Mack go for 174 yards and a TD but watching Nick Chubb go up against a tough Titans defense is the only explanation you need. Parris Campbell should fill in well for Devin Funchess while he recovers from his broken collarbone but I can’t find a way to squeeze him into my lineups, and Jacoby Brissett isn’t quite there yet either.  Looking at the Titans, I’m leaning towards playing Derrick Henry after a solid week 1 and I believe we can expect a bounce-back game from Corey Davis, and like Campbell, AJ Brown is having a hard time finding himself amongst my starters. BENCH EVERYONE ELSE, yes I’m looking at you Marcus Mariota truthers.

PATRIOTS @ DOLPHINS

Auto Start:

  • Tom Brady
  • Antonio Brown
  • Josh Gordon

Start:

  • Sony Michel

Sit:

  • James White
  • Julian Edelman

Don’t Sweat It:

  • ALL DOLPHIN PLAYERS

Conclusion: 

Sony Michel looked bad last week only rushing for 14 yards on 15 carries but you know who looked worse? The Dolphins, and we can expect more from Michel Week 2 because of that reason.  The Pats should go up big, then run the ball, and chalk up the W.  Tom Brady looks exactly how we expected, Antonio Brown is back for now so he becomes an auto-start, and Josh Gordon deserves a little love himself.  Someone on the Pats has to take the back seat for Week 2 and I’m putting my money on Julian Edelman and James White to be those guys. For the Dolphins? Well, I think you already know the answer to that question.

BILLS @ GIANTS

Auto Start:

  • John Brown
  • Saquon Barkley
  • Evan Engram

Start:

  • Devin Singletary

Sit:

  • Josh Allen
  • Eli Manning
  • Sterling Shepard
  • Cody Latimer

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Zay Jones & Cole Beasley

Conclusion:

Grossest game of Week 2 goes to this matchup.  However, there’s almost a handful of players I’d be starting.  For the Bills, John Brown looks to be Josh Allen’s guy despite the poor quarterbacking Allen will be giving teams week-to-week.  Devin Singletary is a strange play but I wouldn’t knock you for starting him. If you can play someone else do it. For the Giants, play Saquon Barkley, play Evan Engram, and until we know if Sterling Shepard is playing bench him and Eli Manning. No need to overthink this one.

SEAHAWKS @ STEELERS

Auto Start:

  • Ben Roethlisberger
  • Juju Smith-Schuster
  • Russell Wilson

Start:

  • Chris Carson
  • Tyler Lockett
  • Vance McDonald

Sit:

  • DK Metcalf
  • James Connor

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Rashaad Penny
  • Donte Moncrief & James Washington
  • Jaylen Samuels

Conclusion:

I know I know Tyler Lockett only had one catch for 44 yards and a TD but he’s still the number one option for Russell Wilson, start ‘em both.  DK Metcalf, on the other hand, is nice but he’s another one of those players I want to see produce a tad more before starting. After watching Sony Michel struggle last week against the Steelers, I dropped Chris Carson from auto-start to start.  That being said, he should be a solid start regardless.  I still believe Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster will figure it out especially after Andy Dalton shredded the Hawks last week and the same goes for Vance McDonaldJames Connor scares me after watching Joe Mixon struggle but that could have been because of his ankle injury so play Connor at your own risk.  

COWBOYS @ REDSKINS

Auto Start:

 

  • Dak Prescott
  • Ezekiel Elliot
  • Amari Cooper 

Start:

  • Michael Gallup
  • Chris Thompson

Sit:

  • Randall Cobb
  • Case Keenum
  • Adrian Peterson
  • Terry McLaurin

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Tony Pollard
  • Jason Witten & Geoff Swaim
  • Derrius Guice
  • Trey Quinn
  • Jordan Reed

Conclusion:

I’m very serious when say Dak Prescott could be in for a huge year after watching him drop bombs last week so find a way to start him if you can. Sooner rather than later Ezekiel Elliot will get to eat again like usual,  and if Amari Cooper is healthy he’s looking to repeat with another 100+ yard game.  Michael Gallup stepping up is great for the offense and for fantasy making him one of my bolder starts of the week, and everyone else including Randall Cobb should be on your bench.  As for the Redskins, Terry McLaurin could be a start Week 2 but for now, be patient.  If you plan on playing any Redskin go with Chris Thompson.  With no Derrius Guice *insert cry emoji here* I think Thompson becomes the beneficiary of the backfield being the only pass catcher available.

CARDINALS @ RAVENS

Auto Start:

  • David Johnson
  • Lamar Jackson
  • Mark Andrews

Start:

  • Kyler Murray
  • Larry Fitzgerald
  • Mark Ingram

Sit:

  • Christian Kirk
  • KeeSean Johnson
  • Gus Edwards
  • Marquise “Hollywood” Brown

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Chase Edmonds
  • Andy Isabella
  • Justice Hill
  • Miles Boykin
  • Willie Snead IV

Conclusion:

Will we see another Lamar Jackson Week 1?  Possibly. I think there’s a good chance we can see another big fantasy week against the Cardinals.  The only Raven I’m not playing is Marquise Brown after only being on the field for 14 SNAPS.  If he can be on the field more he could become a weekly start but until then I want more snaps.  The Cardinals are very interesting now that Larry Fitzgerald dug himself out his own grave, David Johnson is back to his old ways, and Kyler Murray will always bring rush touchdown upside to the table. 

JAGUARS @ TEXANS

Auto Start:

  • Leonard Fournette
  • Deshaun Watson
  • DeAndre Hopkins

Start:

  • Dede Westbrook
  • Duke Johnson
  • Will Fuller

Sit:

  • Gardner Minshew
  • Chris Conley
  • DJ Chark
  • Carlos Hyde

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Nick Foles
  • Kenny Stills

Conclusion:

Nick Foles last a hot second in Jacksonville but that’s not his fault and now we get WSU alum Gardner Minshew as QB 1.  Bench him, no point in trying to get cute here.  Leonard Fournette and Dede Westbrook are the Jaguar plays you’re looking for.  DJ Chark had a great week but not startable yet, and Chris Conley is in the same boat. For the Texans, you’re starting Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Will Fuller without hesitation.  Duke Johnson had a respectable Week 1 and also deserves a start if you can find a way to get him on your flex.

CHIEFS @ RAIDERS

Auto Start:

  • Patrick Mahomes
  • Sammy Watkins
  • Travis Kelce
  • Josh Jacobs
  • Tyrell Williams

Start: 

  • LeSean McCoy
  • Mecole Hardman
  • Derek Carr
  • Darren Waller

Sit:

  • Damien Williams
  • Keelan Doss

Don’t Sweat It: 

  • Darwin Thompson
  • Tyreek Hill (Week-to-Week)
  • Hunter Renfroe

Conclusion:

Sadly the Raiders put it to my Broncos in Week 1 but with Josh Jacobs getting a quality amount of touches, Tyrell Williams going for 105 yards and a TD, Darren Waller catching for 70 yards, and Derek Carr running train on the Denver defense, it gives fantasy owners something to look forward to in Oakland.  Following the departure of Antonio Brown I expected the Raiders to struggle however, they did not. Play them all against the Chiefs if able.  Patrick Mahomes ended the game with a sprained ankle but still gave owners 378 yards and 3 TD’s, Travis Kelce missed out on a TD despite snagging 88 yards, but at the end of the day, Sammy Watkins won most owners their matchup.  Tyreek Hill is out for an unknown amount of time giving Mecole Hardman owners the ability to take a gamble.  This is a great matchup to take a gamble on a number of guys even LeSean McCoy

BEARS @ BRONCOS

Auto Start:

  • Allen Robinson

Start:

  • David Montgomery
  • Emmanuel Sanders

Sit:

  • Mitch Trubisky
  • Tarik Cohen
  • Joe Flacco
  • Courtland Sutton
  • Royce Freeman & Phillip Lindsay

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Mike Davis
  • Anthony Miller
  • Taylor Gabriel
  • Trey Burton (Week-to-Week)
  • Noah Fant
  • DaeSean Hamilton

Conclusion:

I wanted David Montgomery to do so well on Thursday but it just wasn’t in the cards.  Allen Robinson should be your only Bear starter in your lineup this week and Mitchell Trubisky is still out of mine.  As for the Broncos, there are only two guys Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman look to be an even split and until one of them gets the majority of carries, they sittin’.

SAINTS @ RAMS

Auto Start:

  • Drew Brees
  • Alvin Kamara
  • Michael Thomas
  • Robert Woods

Start:

  • Jared Goff
  • Todd Gurley
  • Brandin Cooks
  • Cooper Kupp

Sit:

  • Latavius Murray
  • Malcolm Brown

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Tre’Quan Smith
  • Ted Ginn
  • Jared Cook
  • Darrell Henderson

Conclusion:

Fantasy matchup of the week! Alvin Kamara looked electric against the Texans, didn’t he?  Drew Brees and Michael Thomas did their job and even Latavius Murray got a little taste.  This is going to be a shoot-out so Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp should be back to elite form. You could justify a starting spot for Malcolm Brown and I wouldn’t hate it but Todd Gurley is still the play at RB.

EAGLES @ FALCONS

Auto Start:

  • Carson Wentz
  • DeSean Jackson
  • Zach Ertz
  • Matt Ryan
  • Julio Jones

Start:

  • Miles Sanders
  • Alshon Jeffery
  • Austin Hooper

Sit:

  • Jordan Howard
  • Dallas Goedert
  • Devonta Freeman
  • Ito Smith
  • Mohamed Sanu

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Darren Sproles
  • Nelson Agholor

Conclusion:

A top 3 matchup this week and I can’t wait to watch.  There are so many players you have to play this week I might as well just tell you who not to play. I have Miles Sanders as a start but be careful.  The big question in this matchup is Devonta Freeman and with how bad the Falcons O-line looked against the Vikings last week Freeman will sit for me against the Eagles.

BROWNS @ JETS

Auto Start:

  • Baker Mayfield
  • Odell Beckham Jr.
  • Nick Chubb
  • Le’Veon Bell

Start:

  • Jarvis Landry
  • Jamison Crowder

Sit:

  • David Njoku
  • Sam Darnold
  • Robby Anderson

Don’t Sweat It:

  • Dontrell Hilliard
  • Rashard Higgins
  • Demaryius Thomas

Conclusion:

This is kind of a gross matchup but which team gets to be .500?  My money’s on the Browns but I also said that last week. It’s another matchup where I’m playing most guys if I can.  We finally got to see Le’Veon Bell back in action and we finally got what we wanted.  I’m expecting a bounce back from Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb, Odell Beckham Jr. is obviously still the guy, and I’m even expecting a little extra from Jarvis Landry.  Oh, I almost forgot Jamison Crowder is the only pass catcher on the Jets.

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