Film review and recap each week. This week being split into two parts (part 2 released Thursday) because of time constraints.
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
- Pierce and Forsett are average RB’s to me, but I think both are somewhat valuable in this upstart offense. I think the Ravens offense will be improved this year with the addition of Owen Daniels, a healthy Dennis Pitta and Steve Smith
- Speaking of Smith, he is not done, he has plenty left in the tank and still plays the game with a passion.
- There is room for Owen Daniels in this Gary Kubiak (his former HC) offense.
- Be patient with Torrey Smith, he will be solid some weeks and a decent flex, but won’t be a solid #2 like many hoped.
- Steelers pass game looked awful, but The Ravens underrated D has something to do with that creating a ton of pressure on Big B. Should be Ok, just a rough week.
- Still time to trade for Le’veon Bell, guy is in for a big time year. Very impressed with his talent.
- I almost a full believer in Markus ” Must have Wheatons”. Steelers used him on screens, and reverses to utilize his speed. He also showed he could break tackles and get some YAC. Should only get better and better. Solid flex at this point, even with the return of Lance Moore.
Jacksonville @ Washington
- Allen Hurns did nothing this week, 2 catches for 13 yards. He did however run a beautiful stop n go on DeAngelo Hall only to drop a pass that was right in his mitts.
- Toby Gerhart stinks, the whole Jags backfield needs to be avoided as of now. Maybe take a flier on Storm Johnson or Denard Robinson, but I am not a believer in either. Jordan Todman neither.
- Bortles should take over within a few weeks, Henne is average and the Jags are starting to realize this, but maybe not, they did run Blaine Gabbert out there week after week. When Bortles does takeover, which I expect soon, look for Marquise Lee or Shorts to emerge a solid option at WR. Shorts needs to get healthy. I rank them Lee, Shorts, Hurns, Robinson.
- Kirk Cousins looked accurate and like he had a good understanding of the offense. A lot of short quick routes, especially to Andre Caldwell. I would not add Caldwell however, keep an eye on Cousins if you need QB help.
- Roy Helu is talented, but Alfred Morris gets a huge chunk of the carries and all the GL touches. He can be cut, unless you own Morris.
- Niles Paul is the real deal. He is young, athletic, fast and can catch. Be interesting to see what kind of role he maintains when Reed comes back. I think he stays in the mix, go grab him, or if you did already, nice pickup.
Atlanta @ Cincinnati
- Devonta Freeman got 0 carries in this game and did not touch the ball until late in the 4th quarter when the game was basically over. I don’t think they trust him in pass protection. Steven Jackson and Jaquizz Rodgers split the carries, but both are average and I wouldn’t want to own either.
- Matt Ryan struggled and I would expect more games like this from him. He was inconsistent last year and although I think he will be better with the return of Julio and Roddy, he still will have games like this time to time.
- I don’t trust Roddy White to stay fully healthy this year, be weary, maybe see what kind of offers you can get for him.
- Levine Toilolo probably won’t be as good as I expected him to be after Week 1. Let’s give him one more week.
- The Bengals coaches weren’t lying when they said they would give Jeremy Hill more burn. Hill got the ball often and ran well. Hill was given the rock on one drive from the 15 yard line in, when he finally punched it in for a 1 yd TD. He could be the main GL back. Bernard also had a good game, and both should remain solid all year despite the platoon. This could be on the best running tandems in the league. Both backs are just impressive, especially the 2nd year Bernard. Hill has become a every week flex at this point.
- While A.J. Green is out, Mohammed Sanu is most definitely worth owning and starting.
Miami @ Buffalo
- Trade for Sammy Watkins. Looks like the Bills have found a way to use him by hiding EJ Manuel’s weaknesses and getting Watkins on short routes and just let him create. Guy is easily the most talented Rookie WR, and should shine if they continue to use him the way they did in Week 2.
- Get Spiller the Ball, also Watkins, this should be the Bills game plan every week, pretty simple. Spiller averaged 5+ yards per carry while Fred Jackson averaged 2 ypc. Hopefully Doug Marrone has finally come to his senses and will get more creative with Spiller.
- Miami has signed Daniel Thomas again due to the Moreno injury, oh boy here we go again. I don’t trust Lamar Miller, average back to me.
- Wallace and Tannehill hooked up again for another TD this week, mostly thanks to Wallace who made a terrific catch in the end zone.
New England @ Minnesota
- Tom Brady struggled again. Gronk looks a tad bit slower and they really just don’t have any explosive options. Brady should get better as him and Gronk connect more often. Somebody needs to emerge other than Edelman and Gronk, I just don’t see where that comes from.
- So much for Shane Vereen getting early down work. Stevan Ridley got the bulk of the carries and took advantage. As long as he doesn’t fumble anytime soon, he could return to 2012 form. Brandon Bolden had a few carries and looked bad. James White is off the radar still. Shane Vereen will be fine, just wasn’t his week. Wait til the Pats get into some shootouts.
- Matt Asiata is the back to own while Peterson remains out. He isn’t very good, but at least can move a pile and can catch a bit. Jerrick McKinnon didn’t get many carries and didn’t do much with them. Let’s see what happens this week, but overall this Minnesota backfield isn’t creating any fireworks with Peterson out.
- A lot of people love Kyle Rudolph, I just don’t see what the big fuss is about. Big target, with average speed. Maybe when Bridgewater takes over, which he should soon, Rudolph will step up.
Detroit @ Carolina
- Jonathan Stewart had a few nice runs, but still was held under 50 yards. The Carolina backfield continues to be something to avoid.
- Kelvin Benjamin didn’t look like he was used to Cam’s bullets, as he had multiple drops. He did however make a very nice catch on the sideline. These two will only get better as the season goes on and Benjamin will be heavily targeted every week.
- Jason Avant had a decent game, but he is probably going to remain irrelevant. And look out the Panthers may have their version of Riley Cooper. LOL, stay tuned.
Arizona @ NY Giants
- Ellington looked better than week 1, but reports are his foot is still bothering him, as it should be, dude has a tear. Cards have a bye in Week 4, I think after that Ellington should look more like his 2013 form.
- Jonathan Dwyer now deactivated, Stefan Taylor should be picked up if you own Ellington. I liked Taylor last year, he could have some value.
- Stay patient with Larry Fitz, he should have had a TD last week, but it was overturned. He will be fine, but he does need Palmer back.
- I think Eli will get better as the season goes on, he looked a lot better in this game than week 1.
- Ruben Randle was relevant and beat Patrick Peterson for a TD. Should get better. Larry Donnell continues to be one of Eli’s favorite targets, keep him going.
- Take a flier on Odell Beckham Jr. Should be back soon, although it is troubling he really hasn’t practiced with the team in months. Jernell Jerrigan is out for the year however and Beckham could have a nice role when he comes back. Guy is very talented. Reminds me of a Percy Harvin, Randall Cobb type.
Dallas @ Tennessee
- Holy Delanie Walker. 142 yards on 10 catches. Walker is athletic and fast as evidenced on his TD catch and run. He is for real in my mind, Locker should target him a ton.
- Bishop Sankey I think his droppable. McCluster looks better to me and he gets more carries. Regardless probably another backfield to avoid in it’s entirety.
- Locker came back down to earth after a good Week 1, but did improve in the 2nd half after looking brutal in the 1st. I still think he could be solid this year, let’s see how he does in Week 3.
- DeMarco Murray is running beast mode. The line is creating holes and he’s bursting though them. Just needs to stay healthy.
- Romo improved on the Week 1 debacle. He looked like the usual Romo we are used to.
- Will see about Terrance Williams, he’s pretty much the 4th option in this offense. I’m not expecting anything great.
New Orleans @ Cleveland
- Not sure why, but Pierre Thomas is not really being used, just 6 touches last week. He could be banged up? Or maybe Payton really was trying to feature Ingram who again led the Saints backfield in carries. Even Khiry Robinson had more carries, although he did nothing with them, just 36 yards on 11 carries. Ingram is now out for multiple weeks, it will be interesting to see if Thomas is still held back. Could be an injury here.
- Brandon Cooks had a quiet week 2 after a strong week 1. He should return to Week 1 form next week, as the Saints play in their home opener.
- Terrance West (19-68-1 TD)got more carries, but Isaiah Crowell had a higher YPC (11-54). Both backs ran well, but Ben Tate will be back eventually probably knocking out Crowell for good. Could be a 3 headed monster however as Mike Pettine looks like he loves to run the football.
- Andrew Hawkins another good game in PPR leagues (6-70), Miles Austin caught a TD and ran a nice route on it, but I still want no part of him.
Part 2 released tomorrow. Stay Tuned. Follow us on Twitter @ FantasySavvy. Radio Show will be sometime Friday Night, I will announce time Friday Afternoon.
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