Lead ‘Em, Seat ‘Em: Week 2
First of all, how about those Falcons cheerleaders, amirite? Okay, okay, fine. I know we have a varied audience, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t incorporate something for everyone:
http://gty.im/488235876
Just look at that formation!
Moving on; we are officially into Week 2, and I hope you’ve all made wise waiver claims if you were a Dez Bryant or DeSean Jackson owner. Oh, you didn’t? Perhaps you should read up, then, loser:
Week 2 Waiver Pickups
Matchups became just a bit clearer following Week 1 action, and if you’re a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, well, I’m sorry. I just, I’m truly sorry. The road ahead isn’t much smoother, I’m afraid.
Each week, I’ll be giving you a heads-up on guys you should be rolling out in your quest for fantasy glory, as well as the pitfalls (Trent Richardsons, if you will) to avoid. It’s my spin on the traditional “start/sit” column, and will also serve as a bit of DFS help as we navigate the shark-infested waters of those daily sites.
Obviously, I don’t need to tell you to start players like Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson every week. If I do, then perhaps you need more professional help than I can provide. These lists are more subtle, more value-and-matchup-based, and could provide you the edge you need to pull out a sneaky victory.
Light it up!
(All times EST)
Lead ‘Em
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings: vs. Detroit, 1 p.m.
http://gty.im/488321520
ESPN ownership: 99.9%, 99.5% start; DraftKings: $7,700; FanDuel: $9,000
Look, I know what I said. The only reason I bring this up is that I heard some moron on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports radio today say he was benching Peterson after Monday night’s 10-carry, 31-yard performance against the Niners. Look, I get it. You roll out your top-3 overall draft pick and he gets you sub-five points or so, and you’re a bit peeved. Understandable!
However.
It’s Adrian. Freaking. Peterson. The single greatest running back on two legs. The man who may in fact not be human. The offensive equivalent of J.J. Watt. If Watt doesn’t record five sacks, do you sit him?
No. No you do not. It’s Adrian Peterson. Start him, you simpering idiot.
Mike Wallace, Minnesota Vikings: vs. Detroit, 1 p.m.
http://gty.im/488321368
ESPN ownership: 93.9%, 33.9% start; DraftKings: $5,400; FanDuel: $6,200
Here’s what RotoWire has to say about Mr. Deep Ball:
Wallace’s seven targets tied teammate Kyle Rudolph for the Vikings’ lead, but his six receptions and 63 yards paced Minnesota pass-catchers. In his first game as a Viking, Wallace seemed to have a solid understanding with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but an improved offensive performance will be of import to Minnesota in Week 2.
The Vikings will be at home, Bridgewater clearly approves of the offseason pickup, and Wallace will be a great flex start for your squad as the team rebounds from their 20-3 Monday night shellacking.
Chris Ivory, New York Jets: at Indianapolis, Monday, 8:30 p.m.
ESPN ownership: 93.2%, 63.6% start; DraftKings: $4,700; FanDuel: $6,900
What does Christopher have to do to earn y’all’s respect? Rush for three touchdowns? Yes, it was the Browns, and yes, I left him off last week’s list because I’m selfish. But 63.6 percent? Come on.
He’ll be facing an Indianapolis run defense who allowed Boobie Dixon to score a rushing touchdown. Boobie. Boobie scored.
Ivory could have 150-plus yards in this matchup on the faster indoor turf, in a game I believe the Jets have a great chance of leading some, if not most, of. The Jets’ defense isn’t far off from Buffalo’s as far as talent, so don’t expect Andrew Luck and Co. to blow the green and white out of the building.
Bills D/ST: vs. New England, 1 p.m.
ESPN ownership: 98.8%, 74.9% start; DraftKings: $2,900; FanDuel: $4,400
Speaking of the Bills defense, I expect that start percentage to fall over the course of the week out of fear of the “great” Tom Brady and his merry band of chea…ply priced receivers. Sure, Brady had an easy time in the Thursday opener, throwing four scores, but that was against the Steelers. Buffalo gets to host another elite NFL quarterback in Orchard Park this week, and I firmly believe the song will remain the same. In Week 15 of last season, the Bills welcomed the Packers to town.
Aaron Rodgers: 17-42, 185 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT, sack-fumble, safety
Last week?
Andrew Luck: 26-49, 243 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 2 sacks
Brady may get a score or two, but it certainly won’t be easy, especially with Marcell Dareus back in the lineup. The Bills may not win the game (haven’t beaten New England in New York since September 2011), but they’ll make it a hard road to hoe.
Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: at Chicago, 1 p.m.
ESPN ownership: 48.2%, 14.1% start; DraftKings: $6,700; FanDuel: $7,800
Did everyone forget Palmer is almost guaranteed for 300 yards and a couple of scores every single week he’s healthy? If only someone had written about that:
Yes, he’s old. Yes, your dad remembers watching him win a bunch of games with USC. Yes, he’s coming back from another ACL tear. However, all that said, dude can chuck it, and unless your league gives points for actually winning a real game, Palmer’s almost guaranteed for 300 yards and two touchdowns every week.
2013: 16 GS/63.3%/4,274 yards (267.1 YPG)/24 TDs/22 INTs/41 sacks
Not great, I grant you, but he was throwing to Fitzgerald (82 rec/954 yards/10 TDs), Michael Floyd (65 rec/1,041 yards/5 TDs) and John Brown (48 rec/696 yards/5 TDs). The running game didn’t help him much; between lack of talent and lack of line play, the ground game only created 96.3 yards per contest, good for 23rd in the league.
2014: 6 GS/62.9%/1,626 yards (271.0 YPG)/11 TDs/3 INTs/9 sacks
Nine! Nine sacks! In six games! Only three interceptions! A 7.6 adjusted yards per attempt, the second highest of his career and a full yard better than the previous year! JOHN BROWN!
Then he goes out and puts up a 19-of-32, 306-yard, three-touchdown game against the Saints. And he’s still under 50 percent owned. Get moving, people! He’s got weapons now, and with the plodding mummy previously known as Chris Johnson likely the team’s starting tailback, Palmer is going to need to throw, throw again, and throw some more.
Seat ‘Em
Alfred Morris, Washington: vs. St. Louis, 1 p.m.
ESPN ownership: 99.2%, 79.6% start; DraftKings: $5,000; FanDuel: $7,300
Man, did you see Alf go off for 121 yards on 25 carries against the Dolphins’ fearsome defensive line? That was awesome, right? Most yards Morris hashad since Week 11 of last year (125), the…oh. That game against San Francisco was the only time all season he broke 100 yards, you say?
Hmm.
Oh, and did you see what the Rams did to Marshawn Lynch in Week 1?
“Shoulda run Marshawn.” Yeah, they know. Morris doesn’t have the benefit of a mobile quarterback anymore, so expect a sub-50-yard performance and no scores for him this week. #SackCity
Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs: vs. Denver, Thursday, 8:25 p.m.
http://gty.im/488070538
ESPN ownership: 96.2%, 63.2% start; DraftKings: $6,500; FanDuel: $7,100
Did you hear that Kansas City hasn’t thrown a touchdown to a wide receiver since 2013? That didn’t change in Week 1 of 2015, and don’t expect it to in Week 2 against a stifling Broncos defense who shut down Baltimore entirely. Maclin’s also nursing a back injury and was limited in Monday’s practice, so not only is his matchup a bummer, he’s banged up as well. These factors combine, for me, into a big “Hell No.”
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos: at Kansas City, Thursday, 8:25 p.m.
http://gty.im/488327080
ESPN ownership: 99.8%, 86.6% start; DraftKings: $7,500; FanDuel: $8,200
Let me stop you right there: this is an exception to the “but it’s [Elite Player]!” rule, the first (but not last) of this column.
Peyton may well be done, folks. Yes, the Ravens defense is scary, and sure, the Broncos offensive line isn’t what it used to be, but Manning’s throws were, well, awful. Soul-suckingly so. He couldn’t hit anyone in stride, and failed to throw a touchdown.
HE WAS OUTSCORED BY JOHNNY MANZIEL AND RYAN MALLETT, for chrissake.
This matchup isn’t any more favorable, as he travels to Arrowhead Stadium to face a Chiefs defense (featuring Justin Houston) who just made Texans quarterbacks miserable all afternoon. If you want to take a “wait and see” approach with Manning, pick up Carson Palmer. If I’m wrong, you won’t be missing much; if I’m not, you’ll be glad you listened.
Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers: vs. Seattle, 8:30 p.m.
ESPN ownership: 100%, 99.7% start; DraftKings: $7,200; FanDuel: $8,100
See? I told you it wouldn’t be the only time during this column you’d call me a crazy person.
Look, I know they’ve lost a lot, but the Seahawks defense is still the Seahawks defense until proven otherwise. Benny Cunningham managed 45 yards against them, which isn’t really saying anything, but what about the last time the ‘Hawks allowed a 100-yard rusher? Jamaal Charles did it, with 124 yards on 24 carries in November of last season, but what about the last time Lacy faced them? Twelve carries for 34 yards. I owned him then, and I own him now; I sat him then, and I will sit him now.
Lacy may rack up a few yards, but if the Rams showed anything in their win, it was that attacking Seattle through the air is the way to win. Rodgers is a bit better then Nick Foles, so expect the ground game to be an afterthought.
