Injuries and ideal matchups open up opportunities for less-heralded players to shine. That's sort of the theme of my list this week, as I have players who have received opportunities due to injuries (Jay Cutler, Rashard Higgins, most of the tight ends), players who have broken out and become a big part of the offense (Javorius Allen, Jermaine Kearse), and players who might breakout due to great matchups this weekend (whoever's playing the Jets, whoever's playing the Saints). Remember, I'm not telling you to start these guys over more established players. These are sleepers and players you may be on the fence about this week. They could surprise.
Picks
Record
Last Week: 10-5 vs. Spread: 7-8 O/U: 7-7-1
Season: 18-11 vs. Spread: 14-14-1 O/U: 11-16-2
(Home Team Listed Last)
Sunday
Ravens 27, Jaguars 14 (London, 9:30 AM) Line: BAL -3.5 O/U: 39.5
Broncos 20, Bills 13 (1:00 PM, CBS) Line: DEN -3 O/U: 39
Steelers 32, Bears 10 (1:00 PM, CBS) Line: PIT -7.5 O/U: 44
Falcons 38, Lions 32 (1:00 PM, Fox) Line: ATL -3 O/U: 51
Browns 20, Colts 17 (1:00 PM, CBS) Line: CLE -1.5 O/U: 42.5
Buccaneers 24, Vikings 7 (1:00 PM, Fox) Line: TB -2.5 O/U: 39
Texans 21, Patriots 45 (1:00 PM, CBS) Line: NE -14 O/U: 44
Dolphins 28, Jets 20 (1:00 PM, CBS) Line: MIA -6 O/U: 43
Giants 17, Eagles 24 (1:00 PM, Fox) Line: PHI -6 O/U: 42.5
Saints 34, Panthers 28 (1:00 PM, Fox) Line: CAR -5.5 O/U: 46
Seahawks 10, Titans 17 (4:05 PM, Fox) Line: TEN -2.5 O/U: 41
Bengals 14, Packers 35 (4:25 PM, CBS) Line: GB -7.5 O/U: 46.5
Chiefs 24, Chargers 20 (4:25 PM, CBS) Line: KC -3 O/U: 47.5
Raiders 30, Washington 23 (8:30 PM, NBC) Line: OAK -3 O/U: 55
Monday
Cowboys 28, Cardinals 13 (8:30 PM, ESPN) Line: DAL -3 O/U: 46.5
(Players listed in no particular order)
Quarterback
Deshone Kizer, Browns (@ Colts)
Wait, let me explain. I know Kizer struggled mightily last week in Baltimore (he threw three picks and missed part of the game with migraines), and I know a rookie quarterback playing for the Browns can be hard to trust. However, Kizer gets the Colts defense, which gave up over 300 yards to Jared Goff and Carson Palmer. Plus, Kizer's running ability helps too. Expect the rookie out of Notre Dame to bounce back Sunday.
Matthew Stafford, Lions (vs. Falcons)
Matt Stafford has started the season off strong, throwing four touchdown passes against Arizona and two touchdown passes against the Giants last Monday night. Plus, the Falcons will be without pass-rusher Vic Beasley Jr. The odds are in Stafford's favor for another multi-touchdown performance this week in what will probably be a shootout against Atlanta.
Jay Cutler, Dolphins (@ Jets)
This may seem like another questionable person to list here, but Cutler threw for 230 yards and a touchdown last week in San Diego, and this week he gets the Jets, who have given up five passing touchdowns through two weeks. Cutler, like Kizer, could be a solid under-the-radar play Sunday.
Cam Newton, Panthers (vs. Saints)
Cam doesn't look like vintage Cam so far this season, and that shoulder injury may be affecting him. Regardless, he slots into the "QB vs. the Saints" play of the week. New Orleans ranks last in the league in pass defense (once again).
Carson Wentz Eagles (vs. Giants)
It doesn't look like Wentz is going to fall into any kind of sophomore slump, as he has thrown for 640 yards and four touchdowns through two games. The Giants aren't a pushover defensively, but 0-2 New York may have trouble with Wentz. Carson has thrown for over 300 yards and two touchdowns in each of the first two games, and I expect him to make it three in a row.
Running Back
Javorius Allen, Ravens (@ Jaguars)
Allen has played a substantial role in the Baltimore offense so far this season. After taking 21 carries for 71 yards in the opener against Cincinnati, Allen had 14 carries for 66 yards last week against Cleveland. But what makes him appealing is his role in the passing game (he had five catches for 35 yards and a score last week). With Terrance West questionable for Sunday's game, Allen should get plenty of opportunities against Jacksonville. He'll be in my lineup.
Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (@ Jets)
Ajayi went off for 122 yards on 28 carries in Miami's season opener in San Diego last weekend, and now he gets the Jets, who rank 30th in the league in rush defense. New York has also given up four rushing touchdowns in two games. Ajayi will once again get plenty of work, and he should find plenty of running room (and the endzone).
Theo Riddick, Lions (vs. Falcons)
Riddick shares carries with Ameer Abdullah (in fact, Abdullah has received more carries), but Theo is clearly the go-to back in the passing game. Like I said, I expect this game to be a shootout, making Riddick a good flex option (or daily fantasy play) this week, especially in PPR leagues.
LeGarrette Blount, Eagles (vs.Giants)
Guess who leads the Eagles in rushing yards so far this season? Blount? Nope. Darren Sproles? Wrong. Wendell Smallwood? No sir. The Philadelphia Eagles' leading rusher is quarterback Carson Wentz, who has eight carries for 61 yards. So why did I list Blount here? After getting 14 carries in Week 1, Blount got zero last week against Kansas City. That was because the Eagles decided to go up-tempo. He should play a larger role this week against a Giants team that has given up 267 rushing yards so far this season.
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (vs. Saints)
McCaffrey hasn't done a whole lot thus far, but he has played a role in both the rushing game and the passing game for Carolina. He'll probably play an even more significant role in the passing game now that tight end Greg Olsen is sidelined, and he plays the Saints defense this week.
Wide Receiver
Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers (vs. Saints)
After catching just one pass in the season opener, Benjamin had six catches for 77 yards last week. Like McCaffrey, he should see even more action with Greg Olson out. I don't need to speak further about the New Orleans defense (but I will). In Week 1, Adam Thielen had 157 yards receiving against it, and last week, Gronk had 116 yards receiving against it.
Jermaine Kearse, Jets (vs. Dolphins)
That's right, a Jets player has made it onto the list. The former Seahawk is clearly the number one receiver in New York, and quarterback Josh McCown doesn't have many other receiving options. After catching seven passes (for 59 yards) against the Bills, Kearse found the endzone twice last week in Oakland. If the Jets score a passing touchdown, Kearse will probably be on the receiving end.
Golden Tate, Lions (vs. Falcons)
After ten catches (on 12 targets) for 107 yards in Week 1, Tate only had four catches (on four targets) Monday night against New York. I expect more targets this week. Matt Stafford will probably throw at least two touchdown passes this week, and although that could be to any of a number of people (Theo Riddick, Ameer Abdullah, Marvin Jones Jr., Kenny Golladay, Eric Ebron), Tate has the best odds, since he is the number one receiver.
Devante Adams, Packers (vs. Bengals)
After three catches for 47 yards in the first week of the season, Aaron Rodgers' favorite target broke out for 99 yards and a touchdown (on nine catches) last week. Adams will see plenty of targets (he's been targeted 17 times through two games), and although Cincinnati's problems are on offense, not defense, the defense may have problems against Green Bay.
Rashard Higgins, Browns (@ Colts)
The man they call "Hollywood Higgins" was called up from the practice squad last week, and responded with a very strong game (seven catches, 95 yards) against Baltimore. With Corey Coleman on IR, Sammie Coates doubtful to play, and Kenny Britt struggling, Higgins may be Cleveland's leading receiver again, this time against a defense that isn't nearly as good as Baltimore's.
Tight End
Eric Ebron, Lions (vs. Falcons)
Take your pick of Lion pass-catchers. At least one will probably go off this week against Atlanta. Last Monday against New York, Ebron led the team with five catches (for 42 yards and a touchdown). Ebron has a decent chance of finding the endzone again Sunday.
Jack Doyle, Colts (vs. Browns)
Jack Doyle has been Indianapolis's leading receiver (10 catches, 120 yards) so far with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, and this week he faces the Browns, who have given up 14 catches, 131 yards, and two touchdowns to tight ends so far this season.
Ed Dickson, Panthers (vs. Saints)
I list Dickson here solely because of Greg Olsen's injury (and the Saints defense). Ed had two catches for 26 yards last week, and he is now the starting tight end. In a game against New Orleans, Dickson may be a solid option for those in desperate need of a tight end.
Zach Miller, Bears (vs. Steelers)
Miller lands on here once again after catching six passes for 42 yards last week. He is seeing ample targets with Cameron Meredith and Kevin White out (he saw nine last week), so he continues to be a solid option or those in need of a tight end (especially in PPR leagues).
Benjamin Watson, Ravens (@ Jaguars)
I listed Nick Boyle as the Ravens tight end that would go off last week against Cleveland. Instead, it was the veteran Ben Watson. Watson had eight catches for 91 yards against the Browns, and is Baltimore's leading receiver so far, even though he didn't catch a pass in the first game. In an offense short on receiving options, he makes a solid option.
Defense
Cleveland Browns (@ Colts)
I'm putting faith in Cleveland again. They didn't come through for me last week (although much of the blame goes to the offense, which had five turnovers). This week the Browns get Jacoby Brissett and the Colts, who have averaged just 11 points and 273 total yards per game.
Baltimore Ravens (@ Jaguars)
The only real threat Jacksonville has on offense right now is running back Leonard Fournette, as Blake Bortles continues to be Blake Bortles (he threw two interceptions last week). Baltimore has already forced ten turnovers through the first two games, which is not good news for Bortles and company.
Green Bay Packers (vs. Bengals)
The Packers aren't an elite defense by any means, but if Cincinnati's offense plays like it has in the first two games, it won't matter. Andy Dalton has been all Bad Andy so far, throwing four interceptions. The offense as a whole hasn't scored a touchdown yet.
Dallas Cowboys (@ Cardinals)
Monday night, Dallas gets a Cardinal offense that has a questionable offensive line and no David Johnson. Carson Palmer has thrown four interceptions, and Arizona only scored 16 points against a below-average Colts defense last week.
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Giants)
Ben McAdoo's offense has struggled so far, scoring a total of 13 points in two losses. Philly's defense has held its first two opponents to 17 points and 20 points, respectively, and has turned the ball over four times, turning one of those turnovers into a touchdown.
Stats and information via ESPN.com
Lines and Over/Unders as of Saturday Afternoon
To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter (you can also find me on Twitter @G_Tingley)
No comments:
Post a Comment