Although my fantasy suggestions did pretty well last week, I did not do so hot on my picks. Let's hope Week 2 is better (it probably won't be).
Record
Last Week: 8-8 vs. Spread: 7-8-1 Over/Under: 6-10
Week 1 Fantasy Pick to Click
Quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (vs. KC)
Big Ben put up a clunker last week, throwing three interceptions and fumbling the ball twice against the Browns. However, the Browns defense is much improved, and Ben did still throw for 335 yards and a touchdown. He's a good bet to get back on track (or at least not turn the ball over five times) at home against a defense that gave up 424 yards and three touchdowns to Phillip Rivers last week.
Phillip Rivers, Chargers (vs. BUF)
Speaking of Phil Rivers, he gets to treat himself to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Bills allowed three touchdown passes to Joe Flacco last week, so Rivers should be able to tear Buffalo up. If you have a Los Angeles Chargers player (or the LA defense) on your fantasy team, start them Sunday.
Tyrod Taylor, Browns (@ NO)
It was a rough Week 1, but I'm still riding the Tyrod Train. Despite the first-week struggles, Taylor still put up decent fantasy numbers, largely thanks to his legs. The Browns offense should be better in Week 2 (one would hope), and they're playing a Saints defense that gave up 48 points to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.
Running Back
James Connor, Steelers (vs. KC)
Not only am I still riding the Tyrod Train, I'm still in the Connor Car, and for good reason. The second-year back out of Pittsburgh had 36 touches last week, turning those into 192 total yards and two touchdowns. Le'Veon Bell still hasn't reported, so expect Connor to once again have a heavy workload against a Kansas City defense that gave up 166 total yards to Melvin Gordon last week.
Chris Thompson, Redskins (vs. IND)
Adrian Peterson may be the early-down back in Washington, but Thompson still has a big role in the offense. Thompson had 128 total yards and a touchdown last week against Arizona, and this week he faces a Colts defense that allowed 149 total yards and a touchdown to Joe Mixon last Sunday.
Dion Lewis, Titans (vs. HOU)
The Derrick Henry-Dion Lewis timeshare leaned heavily towards Lewis in Week 1, as he had 16 carries (and five catches) to Henry's 10 carries (and one catch). Lewis also did more with those carries, accumulating 75 yards and a touchdown (Henry ran for 26 yards). Houston allowed 122 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown from a running back last week against New England.
Wide Receiver
Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (vs. OAK)
Sanders and new quarterback Case Keenum connected 10 times in Week 1, with Emmanuel racking up 135 yards and a touchdown against Seattle. Keenum will likely target Sanders a lot again this week, against an Oakland defense that gave up 86 yards and a score to Rams slot receivers Monday.
Josh Gordon, Browns (@ NO)
Gordon was expected to be somewhat limited last Sunday after not playing in a preseason game, but he ended up playing quite a bit. Despite that, he was only targeted three times. One of those targets, however, turned into a touchdown. Gordon figures to be more involved this week against a Saints defense that gave up 417 yards and four touchdowns from Tampa Bay receivers last week.
Nelson Agholor, Buccaneers (@ TB)
With Alshon Jeffery out, Agholor is the number one receiver for Philly, and although he didn't put up big numbers in Week 1, he did have a team-leading eight catches (for 33 yards), a 16-yard run and a 15-yard pass. Although Tampa torched the New Orleans defense, they couldn't stop the Saints offense. allowing 439 yards and three touchdowns through the air.
Tight End
Jack Doyle, Colts (@ WAS)
In Andrew Luck's first game in a year and a half, he targeted Jack Doyle 10 times. Doyle had seven catches for 60 yards (along with a game-losing fumble), leading the team in receiving yards. If Luck still trusts him after the back-breaking fumble, he should find plenty of room against Washington.
Jared Cook, Raiders (@ DEN)
The Jared Cook revival was in full effect of Monday night, as the veteran pass-catcher had nine receptions for 180 yards in Oakland's loss to the Rams. He seems to be the clear focal point of this passing offense, and there's no reason to think he won't be heavily involved again this week.
Benjamin Watson, Saints (vs. CLE)
In the weekly "tight end facing the Browns" slot, we have solid veteran Ben Watson. Watson had four catches for 44 yards last week. Meanwhile, Cleveland allowed 3 catches for 60 yards from Steelers tight end Jesse James. Watson will find some openings Sunday.
Defense
Los Angeles Chargers (@ BUF)
The Bolts won't get the pleasure of facing Nathan Peterman, but they will get to see rookie Josh Allen, who will be making his first regular season NFL start.
New England Patriots (@ JAX)
The Jaguars, who already relied heavily on their defense, could now be without their best offensive player (Leonard Fournette). The possible absence of Fournette, coupled with the fact that Blake Bortles could be throwing the ball lot, equals a good game for the Patriot defense.
New York Jets (vs. MIA)
Are the J-E-T-S B-A-C-K? It sure looked like it Monday Night, when the New York defense picked off Matthew Stafford five times. The Dolphins are nobody's idea of an offensive juggernaut, so it's very possible the the strong start from the Jets could continue.
Week 2 Game Picks
ThursdayRavens @ Bengals (8:20 PM, NFL Network)
Baltimore
Spread: BAL -1 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Bengals 24, Ravens 17
Sunday
Vikings @ Packers (1:00 PM, FOX)
Aaron Rodgers. I think that's all I need to say about that. However, the Vikings are a better overall team than the Packers. I would never bet against A-Rodg, but I would bet against the Green Bay Packers.
Spread: GB -1 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Vikings 31, Packers 27
Browns @ Saints (1:00 PM, FOX)
One of these teams is coming into this game unbeaten. The other got torn up by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Neither team has a win. Cleveland's defense looked good in Week 1, but they might have a hard time stopping the extremely talented Saints offense. The key matchup will be the Cleveland offense vs. the New Orleans defense. Both struggled last week. I'm going to go with the smart pick.
Spread: NO -9 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Saints 34, Browns 24
Dolphins @ Jets (1:00 PM, CBS)
Both of these teams are coming off of surprising (at least in my opinion) wins. The Jets looked much more impressive in their win. The defense terrorized Detroit, and Sam Darnold did not look like someone making his first NFL start (other than the first play). I'll keep riding with New York.
Spread: NYJ -3 Over/Under: 43.5
Prediction: Jets 20, Dolphins 10
Chargers @ Bills (1:00 PM, CBS)
Phil Rivers and the Chargers couldn't get past the Chiefs last week, but now they face the worst team in the league. The Bills should be better after ending the Nathan Peterman Experiment, but Josh Allen is raw and inexperienced. Chargers in a rout.
Spread: LAC -7 Over/Under: 43
Prediction: Chargers 38, Bills 13
Panthers @ Falcons (1:00 PM, FOX)
Atlanta fell just short last Thursday night, as Matt Ryan (once again) couldn't get it to Julio Jones in the end zone. Carolina took care of the Cowboys last week, but this week will be a tougher test. I think Cam and the Panthers outlast Ryan and the Falcons on the road.
Spread: ATL -6 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Panthers 32, Falcons 28
Chiefs @ Steelers (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Steelers are going to need to play a lot better than they did last week, especially against a dangerous Kansas City offense. I think they will at home against a suspect Chiefs defense. This could be a shootout between two talented offenses. I'm going with KC to take one on the road.
Spread: PIT -4.5 Over/Under: 53
Prediction: Chiefs 38, Steelers 31
Colts @ Redskins (1:00 PM, CBS)
The Colts almost won in Andrew Luck's return, but fell short at home against Cincinnati. Washington cruised past Arizona in Alex Smith's debut. Indianapolis didn't play badly in Week 1, but the Colts need to limit mistakes and find away to stop the short and intermediate passing game. I think they'll struggle against Chris Thompson and company.
Spread: WAS -6 Over/Under: 48
Prediction: Redskins 27, Colts 20
Texans @ Titans (1:00 PM, CBS)
Deshaun Watson was a bit rusty in his return from injury, but Houston still had a chance against New England last week. The Titans lost Marcus Mariota last week (he's expected to play this week), and Blaine Gabbert had no chance against Miami. Tennessee is banged up everywhere (Delanie Walker is out for the year), making a win over Houston a daunting task, even at home.
Spread: HOU -2 Over/Under: 44.5
Prediction: Texans 30, Titans 17
Eagles @ Buccaneers (1:00 PM, FOX)
It's the Backup Quarterback Bowl, as Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles faces off against NFL passing leading Ryan Fitzpatrick. I don't expect a repeat of last week's Fitz-magical game for the Bucs, but I also doubt we'll see the Philly Special 3.0. The Eagles are the better all-around team.
Spread: PHI -3 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Eagles 23, Buccaneers 14
Cardinals @ Rams (4:05 PM, FOX)
The loaded Rams got off to a slow start against Oakland Monday night, then got it going and cruised to a blowout victory. Arizona got off to a slow start and slow finish. I see no way the Cardinals win this game, unless Sam Bradford pulls a Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Spread: LAR -13 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Rams 42, Cardinals 21
Lions @ 49ers (4:05 PM, FOX)
I expect Matthew Stafford to play better after a forgettable Week 1 (it'd be hard for him to play worse). I also expect San Francisco to play better after hanging with the talented Vikings last week. I'm going to go with the hosts out west.
Spread: SF -6 Over/Under: 48
Prediction: 49ers 28, Lions 21
Raiders @ Broncos (4:25 PM, CBS)
Jon Gruden's return to the sideline got off to a good start, but had a predictably poor ending. The Broncos aren't the Rams, but Denver's defense, which includes elite pass-rusher Von Miller (too bad the Raiders don't have an elite pass-rusher), will be a challenge for Derek Carr and company. Also, punts don't often provide much entertainment value, but they might in this game. Denver punter Marquette King may have some celebrations ready for Sunday's game against the guy who cut him.
Spread: DEN -6 Over/Under: 45.5
Prediction: Broncos 24, Raiders 14
Patriots @ Jaguars (4:25 PM, CBS)
We get a rematch of last season's AFC Championship game in the late afternoon time slot. New England won that game, 24-20, and Jacksonville hasn't greatly improved since then (in fact, the Jags' leading receiver from that game is gone, and their leading rusher is a game-time decision). The Pats also no longer have their leading receiver and leading rusher from that game, but they do have Tom Brady. This could be a tight one, but it's hard to go against Bill Belichick's squad.
Spread: NE -1 Over/Under: 45.5
Prediction: Patriots 24, Jaguars 21
Giants @ Cowboys (8:20 PM, NBC)
Week 2 brings us our first Giants-Cowboys game of the season (a game that is always on Sunday Night Football). Both teams started off with losses against good teams, and both teams have talented running backs. I'll go with the host 'Boys in a close one.
Spread: DAL -3 Over/Under: 42.5
Prediction: Cowboys 28, Giants 24
Monday
Seahawks @ Bears (8:15 PM, ESPN)
The Monsters of the Midway are in Primetime again this week, as they host the struggling Seahawks. The Bears looked good in Week 1, but unfortunately, they were playing Aaron Rodgers, so it didn't end in a desired result for them. I think this week will. The Seattle offensive line will have fits with Khalil Mack and Roquan Smith.
Spread: CHI -3.5 Over/Under: 43
Prediction: Bears 27, Seahawks 17
Stats and Info via ESPN.com and NFL.com
Lines and Over/Unders via SportsLine.com
Lines and Over/Unders as of Thursday Afternoon
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