We’re now two weeks into the season and there sure are some crazy headlines going on: Eli is out and Daniel Jones is in, the Bills are 2-0, Big Ben is done for the season, and, of course, the Patriots are heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl once again. Most people’s fantasy teams are probably in disarray with how many injuries we’re seeing this year, but read closely, because after I share how my predictions went last week, I’ll get into who you should look to start or sit this week.
Who I loved last week was Josh Allen, Todd Gurley, Michael Gallup, and Mark Andrews so I’m going to give myself a 2.5 out of 4. Andrews finished as the highest scoring tight end this week and Allen had himself a very strong performance finishing as the QB7. I struck out on Gallup with his very average game (6 receptions, 68 yards), but I’m giving myself half a star with Gurley because he finished as the RB14 even though he didn’t explode quite like I thought he would. As for who I hated last week, my predictions were Kyler Murray, Josh Jacobs, T.Y. Hilton, and Zach Ertz so I’m getting a solid 3 out of 4. Murray may have finished with over 300 yards passing, but he had no touchdowns to show for it and his performance had him as the QB16 of the week. Both Jacobs and Hilton finished outside the top 25 in their respective positions, but the one I missed out on was Zach Ertz with his 16 targets(!!!!) and 6th highest scoring week for tight ends.
A pretty strong week if I do say so myself, so let’s hope I can carry it over this week.
Who I love:
QB: This quarterback has barely put up over 10 points each of the first two weeks, but he’s in a prime position to show why he was drafted first overall in 2015. Jameis Winston has had some serious issues to start this season but in week 3 he gets to face the New York Giants, which means big numbers (just ask Dak Prescott and Josh Allen). It’s also worth noting that Daniel Jones will be starting his first NFL game for the Giants, so the Bucs should have plenty of scoring opportunities off of turnovers.
Moose’s Prediction: 315 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
RB: Devonta Freeman is another player that has really struggled this far with a total of 41 rushing yards, but he has a juicy matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Austin Ekeler and Derrick Henry have both feasted against the Colts D, so I have no reason to believe that Freeman won’t get his act together and remind everyone the kind of running back he really is.
Moose’s Prediction: 127 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 4 receptions, and 1 receiving touchdown.
WR: Is it cheating to pair my wide receiver I love with the quarterback I love? Well either way, that’s exactly what I’m doing here. Mike Evans has given all of his owners some serious headaches, but this is the week we reap the rewards of having Evans. As mentioned before, the Bucs play against the Giants and surely they’re going to do what the other teams have done. He has 8 receptions for 89 yards on the season to this point and those are seriously laughable for a top 10 receiver in this league, but his numbers are going to get a serious boost this weekend.
Moose’s Prediction: 9 receptions, 148 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns.
TE: Detroit Lions rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson exploded on the scene in week 1 when he had 131 yards and a touchdown in his debut, but then laid an absolute dud last week against the Chargers with 7 receiving yards. This week, though, Hockenson faces an Eagles defense that has been lit up by both Case Keenum and Matt Ryan, so Matt Stafford should be able to hit his big tight end all day long. Don’t get hung up on what happened last week, he’s an absolute lock to go off this weekend.
Moose’s Prediction: 7 receptions, 96 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown.
Who I hate:
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo reminded everyone why he got paid so much and why the 49ers are so invested in him, it’s just unfortunate it’ll be so short lived. Jimmy G is matched up against the Steelers this week, and even though they have been awful to start the year, the Steelers have a lot to prove this week and I think they come out firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. Newly acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick will make a big impact on the defensive side of the ball, and Mason Rudolph will rise to the occasion on the offensive side of the ball.
Moose’s prediction: 235 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions.
RB: The New York Jets are a team in rough shape this season, but at least they have Le’Veon Bell to lean on (see his 31 touches against the Browns). It’s too bad though, because this week he faces the New England Patriots and mad genius Bill Belichick. Like I said in my week 1 article, Belichick knows how to eliminate a team’s number one option, and in this case, Bell is the target. Sorry Le’Veon, you should have signed elsewhere.
Moose’s Prediction: 49 rushing yards, 5 reception, and 35 yards.
WR: It’s not often you see last week’s highest scoring receiver on my hate list, but that’s exactly where Kansas City Chiefs Demarcus Robinson finds himself. He exploded out of nowhere with 172 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders. It’s just that this week they go against the stout Baltimore Ravens defense who will not be letting anyone walk over them like that. So pump the brakes Robinson fans; definitely pick him up, but hold off on starting him this week.
Moose’s Prediction: 3 receptions and 47 yards.
TE: I guess I’m just here to crush some hype trains but someone has to be the one to do it. Last week Will Dissly of the Seattle Seahawks finished as the TE3 for the week and he had himself a great game by all marks. This week he’s matched up against the Saints who are starting Teddy Bridgewater, so expect them to control the tempo with the run game and then mixing in Lockett and Metcalf. To be honest, I wouldn’t even waste a waiver move on Dissly this week, he’s never going to be in a position to be a weekly starter in fantasy.
Moose’s Prediction: 2 receptions and 25 yards.
Thanks for coming back and reading what I have to say each week, I know your rosters appreciate it (as do I). Let me know how your teams are doing and what you think of my picks, and as always, send a share of your winnings, or at least a thank you. I’ll be seeing you next week.
~Moose~