Fantasy Focus – Week 2 Matchups

Some big upsets, some classic opening week bouts – and some correct predictions. So let’s keep it going. Here are four of the Week 2 matches worthy of a fantasy focus. 

Chargers @ Chiefs

The AFC West arms race kicked off with a bang in week 1. Both Herbert and Mahomes were incredibly efficient in their week 1 victories. It is no secret that the AFC West is considered one of, if not, the most competitive division in modern NFL history. This week 2 matchup is going to be crucial in the head to head battle for supremacy in the AFC West. 

Fantasy Factors

Mahomes vs Chargers Pass Rush

Going into week 1 there were alot of question marks surrounding Mahomes after his offence lost Tyreek Hill. But Mahomes answered those questions by throwing over 350 yards against the Cardinals. The Chargers are a different beast and with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa coming off the edge, they will both have to play lights out to contain Mahomes. Mahomes will have to release the ball a lot quicker so Kelce should have another big game after his 100+ receiving yards in week 1.

Herbert without Allen

Keenan Allen was forced out on Sunday due to a hamstring injury and this will be one to keep an eye on prior to their Thursday night kick off. The Chargers offence stuttered ever so slightly when Allen left the field but Herbert was good enough to pass it all around the field efficiently to multiple other targets. Mike Williams was disappointing but I expect him to have a bounce back game to help the Chargers keep up with this Chiefs offence.

Is CEH back?

One of the predictions in week 1 was for CEH to have a big fantasy week, his output was largely propped up by his 2 receiving touchdowns. The Chargers will do their homework this week and do what they can to keep CEH in check. He will still remain a large piece of their offence and will need to be as productive as he was in week 1 to help Chiefs win this game.

My Predictions:

1. Mack and Bosa get after Mahomes
2. Kelce not enough to carry the Chiefs to a win
3. Herbert with a statement victory, Mike Williams bounce back game

 

Dolphins @ Ravens

Tua did what he had to in week 1 to beat what seemed to be a weak Patriots team. Week 2 is going to be a real test for Tua and will prove whether or not the Dolphins are good enough to put the Bills under any pressure this season for the AFC East title. The Jets were not much competition last week for the Ravens and Baltimore will have to be at their best and not underestimate this fast paced Miami side to get the result the bookies will expect.

Fantasy Factors

Quick receivers vs Elite DB’s

Although Tyreek didn’t get the debut TD he was hoping for, he still saw 12 targets for 90+ yards and 8 receptions. As expected Tua is going to see a huge target share volume this year and he has proven time and again why he is one of the elite receivers in the league. Waddle is just as explosive and these receivers as a combination will scare a lot of secondaries this season. The Ravens secondary had a great week 1, with Marcus Williams getting an interception on his Baltimore debut along with Chuck Clark and Marlon Humphrey combining for 9 tackles between them. This iis the key battle of the game and could be where the Dolphins surprise this good Ravens defence.

Are Dolphins better than Ravens?

The Dolphins had a very busy off season, which included strengthening in multiple areas as well as appointing a fresh face as head coach. The Ravens have been discussed as a late playoff candidate for the last few years (predominantly off the back of Lamar Jackson’s x-factor performances) but looking at the both squads head to head at each position Dolphins are not far off and if anything superior in certain areas like wide receiver that can influence the game considerably. With all this in mind the QB battle will be of huge importance and Tua could surprise us all by holding his own and throwing the ball to his wide receivers in space resulting in a Dolphins upset.

Chase Edmonds to keep building his role

After week 1, there is optimism in the Chase Edmonds fantasy owners camps. He saw 12 carries and 4 receptions for a combined 65 scrimmage yards. Although not as productive as some owners would’ve hoped, with the emergence of the ruthless Hill and Waddle receiving combination, Tua will hope Edmonds can break out on the ground and help take that pressure off Tua’s arm.

My Predictions:

1. Ravens to pip the Dolphins by less than 7 points
2. Edmonds to have a more expanded role
3. Lamar to have to use his legs more than week 1

 

Buccaneers @ Saints

The battle for the NFC South! Both the Saints and the Bucs won their week 1 matchups, but the Saints almost slipped up on that banana skin in Atlanta. The Bucs totally controlled a game which everyone believed would be a closer contested encounter. This is a grudge match between these teams who will both be desperate to win in-order to get that all important head to head advantage over their divisional rivals. 

Fantasy Factors

Is Taysom Hill a must have fantasy asset?

One of the most dropped players during the NFL Offseason, Taysom Hill reannounced himself to the fantasy world with 81 rushing yards in 4 rushing attempts with 1 rushing TD. Taysom Hill is going to be a fantasy owners nightmare in 2022 as he will be used as this gadget player Sean Payton always wanted. Everyone should look to add Taysom Hill for as long as he is allocated as a TE. He has huge upside but his volatility and usage volume will be frustrating. Hill should have about 5 opportunities in week 2 to influence the game. But the Bucs defence is better than the Falcons and thus will keep him in check for week 2.

Brady vs No Brees, Payton or CGJ

Since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tom Brady has been swept in both regular seasons by the Saints. This will be a burning desire for Brady to get the win over the New Orlean Saints. Factors that have changed this year, compared to the last two regular seasons. There is no Brees and no Sean Payton. The Saints defence, although adding in some areas, is missing their key antagoniser in Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. The rumours of this being Brady’s last dance are to be factored in in the importance to him getting a result this weekend. 

Kamara bounce back?

Kamara has had a volatile offseason for fantasy owners. Kamara was practically a no-show for the season opener in Atlanta. The game script quickly changed for Kamara when the Saints went multiple scores behind. And there are new receiving weapons in New Orleans such as Landry, a fit Michael Thomas and the rookie Olave. So there were not as many targets available for him as there have been over the past few seasons. Also the use of Hill as a goal line and gadget running back are worrying for Kamara owners. These factors won’t go away quickly and will continue throughout the season. And, although Kamara might have explosive weeks going forward, they won’t be as frequent as they have been in his career thus far. 

My Predictions:

1. Brady gets the win at the Superdome
2. Rachaad White to complement Fournette and be relevant out the backfield
3. Kamara will have an increased workload.

 

Vikings @ Eagles

The Vikings were incredibly impressive over their divisional big brother Green Bay in week 1. Justin Jefferson had a field day against that almost non-existent Packers secondary. The Eagles will need to learn from this and keep him in check. At the same time the Eagles delivered as expected in week 1 and their offence looks to be ticking confidently.

Fantasy Factors

Dalvin Cook beast mode

Dalvin Cook quietly went under the radar in week 1, as he wasn’t able to go over for a touchdown. However, he did accumulate 108 scrimmage yards including 90 rushing yards and 3 receptions. The Eagles secondary will have a plan to keep Justin Jefferson in check. That could result in Cook having increased volume in week 2 and be expected to carry the Vikings offence.

Is Jalen Hurts turning into the Lamar Jackson of a few years ago?

Jalen Hurts was smiling from ear to ear on NFL Draft day earlier this year when he found out the news they traded for Tennessee receiver AJ Brown. AJ Brown saw 13 targets for 155 yards in a productive day. When Brown becomes such an offensive weapon for the Eagles it opens up the field for Hurts to attack with his legs. Hurts is an explosive runner and with the weapons around him, including involving Miles Sanders again on the ground. The Quarterback has every chance of being an MVP candidate. And he will continue his evolution as an NFL starting QB this week and have a fantasy relevant day.

My Predictions:

1. Hurts to make the Eagles fly to victory
2. Dalvin Cook to have a bigger week
3. Adam Thielen to see more targets

 

Nathan Roberts – @mountaindrew92