Fantasy Football Frustration: Week 2 Recap Part 1
Starting this week and continuing throughout the season, I’ll take a look at each game and give a quick recap followed by a notable performer for each team. Also, fantasy points will be abbreviated FP from now on.
Packers versus Bears 23-10
The Packers defense picked off Jay Cutler four times Thursday night as they scored a week two-leading 21 FP. Aaron Rodgers had an underwhelming 10-FP performance as the Packer offense was out of sorts most of the night. Week one fantasy darling Randall Cobb disappointed by catching one pass and scoring four FP. Cutler had the fourth four-interception game of his career en route to a two-FP night. Matt Forte avoided a high-ankle sprain but left the game in the third quarter and is questionable going forward. Brandon Marshall had an off game catching just two passes for two FP in the loss.
Notable Performer CHI: Michael Bush—Bush got 14 carries for 54 yards Thursday. This was good for five FP but he is notable because he will be the starting running back if Forte misses any time.
Notable Performer GB: Cedric Benson—Bouncing back from a dismal one-FP effort, he accrued 24 total touches for 11 FP. Offensive coordinator Tom Clements will have Benson as a regular in the game plan.
Patriots versus Cardinals 18-20
Tom Brady didn’t look like his usual self, scoring only 14 FP. Wes Welker bounced back with a 95-yard, nine-FP game. Tight End Aaron Hernandez left the game early on with a supposed ankle sprain and could miss multiple weeks. Gronkowski had a Gronk kind of day, scoring 13 fantasy points. Larry Fitzgerald caught just one pass and had zero FP. Kevin Kolb threw for just 140 yards but scored an impressive 15 FP against the Patriots D.
Notable Performer NE: Stevan Ridley—With 18 carries and 3 receptions, he has gotten over 20 touches for the second-straight week. He is a must-start most weeks.
Notable Performer ARI: Defense/Special Teams—They scored seven FP Sunday but more importantly, this is the second week in a row they have allowed fewer than 20 points.
Bills versus Chiefs 35-17
Buffalo answered their week-one dud against the Jets with an emphatic rout at home this week. C.J. Spiller led the way for the Bills with 170 total yards and 28 FP. Ryan Fitzpatrick managed the victory from the quarterback position and had a solid 18-FP performance. For the Chiefs, nothing of value happened fantasy-wise until the garbage time of the fourth quarter, in which Dwayne Bowe caught a pair of touchdowns. Matt Cassel also padded his stats in the fourth as he finished the day with 301 yards, two touchdowns, and 18 FP.
Notable Performer BUF: C.J. Spiller—He led the league this week in FP, and with Fred Jackson out, he will be a top-five back in the coming weeks.
Notable Performer KC: Jamaal Charles—After getting just six carries and three receptions, you have to wonder what is wrong with him. He reinjured his surgically repaired left knee but wanted to return to the game. Proceed with caution on Charles.
Bengals versus Browns 34-27
Andy Dalton had a huge game throwing for over 300 yards, three touchdowns, and 22 FP. A.J. Green produced like the top wide receiver he is, having himself 11 FP. Browns rookie Trent Richardson had his first 100 yard rushing game of the season; he added four catches and two touchdowns for 25 FP. The Browns’ other rookie, Brandon Weeden, rebounded from a historically awful debut by throwing for 322 yards, two touchdowns, and 20 FP.
Notable Performer CIN: BenJarvus Green-Ellis—Adding 21 rushes and 3 catches following his 19-touch game last week, he seems to have carved out the workhorse role for this Cincinnati team.
Notable Performer CLE: Trent Richardson—His stats speak for themselves; he is capable of performing like he did this week but don’t expect consistency.
Colts versus Vikings 23-20
Andrew Luck played the role of game manager on his way to 224 yards, two touchdowns, and 18 FP. Reggie Wayne caught six passes for 13 FP. Christian Ponder played terrific despite losing a fumble, passing for 245 yards, two touchdowns, and 15 FP. Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph caught a touchdown and seems to be the third offensive weapon after Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin.
Notable Performer IND: Donnie Avery—Nine receptions for 111 yards won’t go unnoticed, especially in a close win. Avery is a good add until Austin Collie comes back.
Notable Performer MIN: Percy Harvin—Harvin is getting 10-15 touches per game; you want him.
Dolphins versus Raiders 35-13
Ryan Tannehill looked much better this week for Miami, scoring rushing and passing touchdowns on his way to 19 FP. Reggie Bush was a beast, rushing for 173 yards on 26 carries, and scoring a league leading 31 FP. Carson Palmer led Oakland with 16 FP in the loss. Darren McFadden disappointed along with the rest of the Raiders on Sunday to the tune of just three FP.
Notable Performer MIA: Brian Hartline—He caught nine balls for a team-leading 111 yards and seems to have emerged as Tannehill’s favorite target.
Notable Performer OAK: None
Giants versus Buccaneers 41-34
Eli Manning threw for over 500 yards, three touchdowns, and managed 26 FP despite three interceptions. Ahmad Bradshaw left the game early with a sprained neck, which left the door open for backup Andre Brown, who went gangbusters off the bench with 90 total yards, a touchdown, and 16 FP. Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz performed admirably with 23 and 25 FP, respectively. For the Bucs, Vincent Jackson came up big with 128 yards receiving and a touchdown for 18 FP.
Notable Performer NYG: Andre Brown—He came out of nowhere, considering it was understood that the backup to Bradshaw was rookie David Wilson. Brown can be a solid play this Thursday if Bradshaw cannot play.
Notable Performer TB: Doug Martin—The rookie running back scored 10+ FP for the second week in a row.
Eagles versus Ravens 24-23
Fans with “Flacco Fever” were disappointed by this week’s underwhelming 232-yard, one-touchdown, one-pick, one-fumble, and 9-FP performance. Ray Rice played like he usually does and managed 14 FP. Michael Vick had a better fantasy game than actual game with a solid 21-FP effort. DeSean Jackson caught seven passes for 114 yards and 11 FP. LeSean McCoy fumbled for the second-straight week but still had 12 FP.
Notable Performer PHI: Brent Celek—The tight end had 157 receiving yards this week and led the team in targets with 11. He is available in 35 percent of leagues.
Notable Performer BAL: Dennis Pitta—He caught eight passes for 65 yards but the important thing to note here is his 15 targets! That was by far the most on the team this week and Pitta seems to have supplanted Ed Dickson as the top tight end in Baltimore.
Check out the recap for games 9-16 of week 2 in part two of my recap.
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