Giant vs Cowboys

 

• As as diehard Cowboys fan and Romo-critic, it’s hard to reconcile that the only difference between a win and a loss last night is the month in which the game took place. That being said, it’s always a pleasure watching Tom Coughlin age before my very eyes. Now on to fantasy….

 

• The loss of Dez Bryant in week one is tragedy or epic proportions to myself and his other owners I’m sure. He could be back in four weeks, but they have a Week 6 bye so I wouldn’t be surprised if they hold him out until they come back in Week 7 – if they have a winning record.

 

• Terrance Williams, who I was high on coming into the season, is going to be the new No.1 in Dallas until further notice. He’s probably owned in your league, so take a look at Cole Beasley who should be especially useful in PPRs. He’s worth an add in all formats though.

 

• It was obvious to me, and anyone with at least one eye, that Joseph Randle is the best option in Dallas’ backfield. That could change if Christine Michael get to speed, but I like Randle’s chances of staying on the RB2 radar in most weeks. It’s probably too late to trade for him, as once apprehensive owners were likely swayed to feel more comfortable after Sunday night, but you might be able to pry him from those who would sell just a little high on him.

 

• Jason Witten is back in elite TE status as long as Bryant is off the field. He’s an every week must-start as Romo’s go-to.

 

• Held to 44 yards, Odell Beckham, along with the rest of the Giants offensive, went well contained last night – which is either an indictment on NY’s offense or a credit to Dallas’ defense. I hope it’s the latter, as a lot of fantasy owners have their wagons hitched to Beckham and/or Manning. The Giants are late risers though, so try not to worry too much.

 

• So much for Andre Williams being the goal line back in NY. Jennings was in there when it mattered, and he made good. For now, Williams is a bench stash and nothing more.

 

Colts vs. Bills

 

• Wow, I was bullish on Tyrod Taylor due to his feet, but he delivered in every aspect of the game yesterday. He’s worth rostering in all formats, and should be a decent play most weeks.

 

• The same can’t be said for his receiving corps. The Bills say they have gameplans featuring each of their wrs, and it could vary weekly. This is terrible news to fantasy owners. What was a boom day for Harvin, could be a bust next week, while Watkins could go nuts the next game after a catchless first week. It might be a good idea to sell high on Harvin. His value may never be higher this season.

 

• Karlos Williams makes for a solid flex play in plus matchups on a Buffalo team that’s going to run the ball more often than not.

 

• Yeah, Andre Johnson stunk the place up in week 1, but the Colts are going to have to rely on him heavily as long as Hilton sits. Keep him plugged in your lineups.

 

• Donte Moncrief is my top waiver wr add of the week, unless Terrance Williams or James Jones is unowned in your league. He could end up garnering more targets than Johnson as a lightning rod for end-zone looks.

 

• Frank Gore makes for a nice buy-low target after his lackluster start to the season. I think he’ll have better days. The Bills might have the best defense in the league, and Gore will be leaned on with Hilton gone. It doesn’t help that he’s going against the Jets next week, unless it just lowers his price for prospective buyers.

 

Packers vs Bears

 

• What a difference a team makes. After an underwhelming stint in Oakland, James Jones came home and promptly started where he left off, catching TD after TD from Aaron Rodgers. This isn’t a fluke folks. If he wasn’t owned before the game, rush to your waiver wire and put in a high bid. He’s very TD dependent, but he always seems to catch TDs.

 

• Don’t sit Davante Adams just yet. He tied Jones for targets and averaged more yards per catch. He’s going to come on.

 

• As I suspected, The Jones addition seems to most adversely affect TE Richard Rogers, who is no longer the red zone threat we imagined.

 

• Matt Forte is the focal point of the Bears offense, and will continue to feast on the weekly. So much for a down year…

 

• Alshon Jeffery looked no worse for the wear after a hamstring scare coming into week 1. Targeted a team high 11 times, he’s a must start next week and any other, as long as he suits up.

 

Seahawks vs Rams

 

• Tough loss for the ‘Hawks, but I like their uptempo offense, for fantasy sake. Russell Wilson had a career high 41 attempts, and though a few of them were in overtime, I think things are going to open up for Seattle skill players this season. Now is the time to consider Kearse, Baldwin, and Lockett in deeper and daily leagues.

 

• Nick Foles did a solid job managing the Rams offense in a close win over the Seahawks. I can’t say I’m entirely surprised, as he proved himself a more than capable QB with the Eagles. It’s hard to see him as anything more than a QB until we see how he performs when Brian Quick returns.

 

• As far as Rams pass catchers go, only Jared Cook warrants weekly consideration for the time being. He could be in for considerable workloads under Foles.

 

• Actually, Tavon Austin should also be considered in leagues that count return yardage. The Rams are going to use him where they can.

 

• Though not a weekly consideration, Benny Cunningham is definitely worth a spot play against Washington next week should Tre Mason continue to be sidelined. Though he’s a less than average back, Cunningham is an adept receiver and would get dump-offs a plenty behind the Rams’ sorry O-line.

 

Browns vs Jets

 

• Both Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson struggled against the Jets, notching about 20 yds a piece, but it does look like Crowell will continue to get starts and goal line looks for the time being. All bets are off when Robert Turbin gets up to speed though. The Browns are looking for someone to take the job, not fall into it.

 

• I really don’t know what else to say about the Browns offense. No one pass catcher stepped up, aside from Benjamin’s big play, and Manziel looked bewildered much of the time, although that might be attributed to his lack of reps coming into a game a he wasn’t expecting to play in.

 

• Chris Ivory lived up to our expectations, and performed better than his ADP belied. Though he ceded passing downs to Bilal Powell, he was effective in the red-zone and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. He’s going to have another big day against the Colts next week.

 

• Though it’s still early, our bet on Brandon Marshall being a true WR1 seems to have paid off. He garnered 9 targets and caught 6 of them for 62 yds and a TD, all while being covered by Joe Haden. Fortunately for RW Nation, most of you own him.

 

Dolphins vs Redskins

 

• Lamar Miller only gave up 2 touches to Damien Williams, which is the most important stat to take away from his pedestrian performance against the ‘Skins.

 

• DeVante Parker received nary a target Sunday, indicating he’s got a ways to go before he starts contributing fantasy wise. He’s someone to target in trades though, as his best days are ahead of him.

 

• TE Jordan Reed looked strong and fast as Kirk Cousin’s safety blanket and favorite red-zone target against the Dolphins. In a week that highlighted many a tight end, Reed stood out as one who will continue to perform well as long as he’s in one piece. The loss of DeSean Jackson guarantees that for at least the next 3 weeks.

 

• Kirk Cousins continued his reign of interceptions this weekend, throwing two in the loss to Miami. While I have high hopes for his skill players, Cousins tendency to turn the ball over limits his fantasy potential considerably.

 

• Jackson’s loss also opens the door for Jamison Crowder to make an impact. Keep an eye on him in DeSean’s absence.

 

Panthers vs Jaguars

 

• The battle of the big cats brought out a running Cam Newton, who rushed 14 times despite the claims from Carolina that he wouldn’t be used much in that way. Looks like push came to shove. If the Panthers want to win, Cam’s going to need to run, and that boosts his fantasy outlook.

 

• One surprise of this game was the dearth of targets(only 3) for Greg Olsen, who was used to block for much of the game. With a team now dedicated to the run, this may be what’s required of him a lot of the time. He’ll definitely do better than this on most days, in fact he had a TD called back, but I think we may have to temper our expectations for Olsen until we see some real threats at the wr position in Carolina.

 

• Mr. Dependable, Jerricho Cotchery, may be the Panthers’ leading receiver when all is said and done this season. Anything but exciting, Cotchery is trustworthy and should serve as a respectable flex play most weeks.

 

• I don’t know how or why Rashad Greene got 13 targets on Sunday, but it needs to stop. Robinson and Hurns are the Jaguars’ best receivers, and the sooner Bortles learns that the better.

 

• To my un-surprise, Allen Hurns was Jacksonville’s best receiver on Sunday. As defenses continue to key in on Allen Robinson, Hurns will continue to be a consistent deep threat for Bortles and his big, if inaccurate, arm.

 

Chiefs vs Texans

 

• In what to me was the surprise performance of the weekend, the Chiefs boasted an offense that was quick and effective against Houston’s supposedly solid defense. Alex Smith, could post top 10 QB numbers this year.

 

• In what some might consider a role reversal, Jeremey Maclin played the possession guy while Travis Kelce stretched the field. I’ll be the first to admit we underestimated Kelce’s role this year, but I fully acknowledge it.

 

• As the “other” wr in a new look offense, Albert Wilson is one to watch in deeper leagues. One of our favorite prospects last year, he’s going to have value in 14 and 16 team leagues.

 

• Houston is a RBBC backfield until Arian Foster returns, which is most likely not week 2. I’m not starting a Texan back until he’s active or I’m desperate.

 

• Nobody plans for Nate Washington untils he punches you in the mouth for a hunny. One of my all-time favorite fantasy gap fillers, Washington makes for a less than speculative add in deep leagues.

 

• DeAndre Hopkins is a WR1, and anyone who tells you different doesn’t work for RosterWatch.

 

• Houston has a decision to make at QB this week, and my bet’s on Ryan Mallett. He just looked more comfortable under center than Brian Hoyer, who looked as if he was playing in his first NFL game.

 

Saints vs Cardinals

 

• Somebody call me when Drew Brees gets his game back. I understand Jimmy Graham will be sorely missed in the endzone, but Brees has several receivers well over six feet at his disposal.

 

• One of them is Brandon Coleman, who played in all 3-wide sets, and I was encouraged by his TD. Look for him to be a weekly presence in the red-zone.

 

• Now is a fine time to trade for C.J. Spiller before he returns. If the way Khiry Robinson was implemented early and often in the Saints offense is any indicator, New Orleans is expecting big things for Spiller. Try to acquire him while his value is probably at its lowest. Robinson is a prime waiver add until Spiller comes back.

 

• Michael Floyd should be on your bench until we see that he gets at least as many snaps as J.J. Nelson, who had 19 more.

 

• I feel good starting Larry Fitzgerald and/or John Brown as my WR2 on any given week.

 

• Bruce Arians claims that Chris Johnson is their starter while Ellington is out, but the eyes don’t lie. David Johnson is the much more effective back, and he’s the one I want to own in fantasy.

 

• Contrary to every Arians offense we’ve seen in the past, the tight ends were targeted heavily in week 1, especially Darren Fells. He’s hard to ignore as what could be a primary receiver in one of the most pass happy teams in football.

 

Lions vs Chargers

 

• Matt Stafford seems to have amnesia. He forgot that all you need to do is throw the ball up to Megatron, and he’s going to come down with it 9 of 10 times. Hopefully his memory returns before it’s too late.

 

• Ameer Abdullah out-touched and outperformed Joique Bell in week one. I guess his high ADP was warranted. He looked absolutely electric with the football in his hands and poses a threat every time he sees the field. Bell will still have his days, but Abdullah has RB1 upside every week.

 

• It didn’t show in the box score, but Melvin Gordon was balanced and elusive on the field Sunday. It might be prudent to throw out some offers, just in case whoever owns him in your league wasn’t watching the game.

 

• Whether they were watching the game or not, Danny Woodhead’s owners have to be elated with his week 1 performance. What’s so surprising is San Diego’s willingness to use him on the goal line. He should be in your lineups in plus matchups in all formats, not just PPR.

 

• Keenan Allen saw career highs in targets and receptions against Detroit, and it looks like he’s finally stepping into his own in year 3. In related news, there was still tons of action to go around for the likes of Stevie Johnson. If he isn’t owned in your league, which he should be if you used the cheat sheet, make sure you put in a waiver request this week.

 

• TE Ladarius Green looks healthy, and he makes for an apt replacement until and perhaps even when Gates makes his way back.

 

Ravens vs Broncos

 

• Oh man, things don’t look good for Peyton Manning. 40 attempts and only 175 yds? He’s the smartest QB in the league, so he has to figure it out, right? One can only hope. This is the time for shrewd owners to aim for Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in trades. Just don’t give up anyone you can’t live without. The potential to tank is for real.

 

• C.J. Anderson’s toe is fine, but his owners’ confidence is collectively shaken, especially with Ronnie Hillman outperforming him. His beast factor is too high to not make some offers for him too. I mean Anderson, just to be clear.

 

• I’d comment on the Raven’s offense, but my mother always told me, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

 

• The only bright spot for Baltimore was their defense, which continues to be a weekly play year after year.

 

Bengals vs Raiders

 

• I thought Tyler Eifert would be the 2nd option behind A.J. Green this season, but he was an offensive spectacle against the Raiders racking up 9 catches on 12 targets on his way to a 104 yd, 2 TD smorgasbord. He’s a TE 1 all year, and if I was a Greg Olsen owner, I’d be bolting to the wire to add him, if he isn’t already rostered.

 

• A. J. Green drops too many TDs…

 

• I don’t know how bad Derek Carr’s injury is, but you know things are more than questionable when you hear the Raiders have contacted Christian Ponder. The fates of every Oakland skill player hang in the balance, and a breakout season for Amari Cooper already seems like a fantasy.

 

• Marcel Reece might actually be worth flexing in deeper leagues should Carr miss considerable time, as the dump truck for broken plays. There may be quite a few…

 

Titans vs Buccaneers

 

• It’s way too early to proclaim Mariota the savior of Titans, just as it’s way too early to write off Winston as a bust. Both are still QB 2’s at best until we see what they can do in games against decent teams.

 

• Bishop Sankey was out carried by Terrence West, but Sankey was the much more productive back. Perhaps he’s not the bust everyone thought he would be amidst the RB tumult we saw this preseason.

 

• Kendall Wright is going to be sneaky productive as usual this year. He’s an ideal get in a trade where you give up a bigger name for him and another deceptively effective player like danny woodhead.

 

• We had high hopes for Doug Martin coming into week 1, and they still stand. The return of Mike Evans will open up lanes considerably.

 

• The return of Mike Evans will also bring ASJ back to earth. Sell high if someone makes an offer.