thevalleyranchreport
09-15-2007, 02:39 PM
Fantasy Focus: Week 2
Carson Palmer could be in for a big day in Week 2 against a Browns defense that surrendered 34 points to Pittsburgh in the season opener.
A look at the upcoming weekend's fantasy football landscape:
Projected fantasy studs
• Carson Palmer– If Ben Roethlisberger can pick apart the Browns defense for four touchdown passes, it's scary to think what Palmer might manage with superior offensive weapons at his disposal.
• Santana Moss– The Eagles will be missing top cornerback Lito Sheppard and their safeties aren't great in pass defense. If Jason Campbell can calibrate his bazooka arm, Moss should be able to post big numbers, especially since the Eagles will have to suddenly respect the red-hot Antwaan Randle El.
• Brett Favre– Fresh off surrendering four touchdown strikes to Tony Romo, the hapless Giants secondary draws a date with Brett Favre. Favre doesn't have a bona fide running back behind him, so look for him to take to the air. And with the Giants offense tattered by injuries, Favre and Co. could be on the field quite a bit.
• Willie Parker–Travis Henry cashed in on a Bills defense trying to break in several new starters. Now it's Fast Willie's turn – provided the Steelers aren't lulled into suddenly thinking they're the "Greatest Show on Grass in a Bad Weather City."
• Ravens defense– The Jets didn't do much against the Patriots, and now they hit the road to face an even better unit. Even if Chad Pennington is healthy enough to play, he may not be upright long when that ferocious pass rush blows through a line that hasn't solved its void at left guard.
Projected fantasy duds
• Larry Johnson– The Bears just went on the road and limited LaDainian Tomlinson to 25 yards on the ground. Think they'll have much trouble coming home to cope with Johnson and a far less capable Chiefs offense? Doubtful.
• Randy Moss– He's not going to get nine balls a week in the Patriots' spread attack. He's not going to surprise the Chargers the way he did the Jets. And Tom Brady's not going to have an hour to set up and throw in the pocket and look for Moss this week with Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips and the rest of the Bolts breathing down his neck.
• J.P. Losman– The Broncos were supposedly having trouble adapting to their new defensive schemes. Apparently the Bills are having more trouble adapting to their revamped offensive line because Denver had no trouble shutting Losman down. It doesn't get any easier in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
• Andre Johnson– He and Matt Schaub appear to have a good thing going. But Johnson will have a tougher time breaking loose from Carolina's talented trio of corners than he did Kansas City's aging duo. And David Carr should be able to give his new defense some good intel about the Texans, his former club.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: NFL | National Football League | Universal Resource Locator | Chris Chambers
• Warrick Dunn– The usually stout Jaguars run defense was MIA last week. Look for the Jags to roar back with a vengeance against Dunn – who managed just 55 yards on 22 carries last week – and the woeful Falcons.
Sleepers
• Chris Chambers– Don't expect him to pull a Plaxico Burress and torch Dallas for three touchdowns. But Chambers should be able to physically handle the Cowboys corners. If Trent Green gets enough time to find him, Chambers can do some serious damage.
• Michael Pittman– Always an underrated receiver and third-down back, Pittman's role could expand exponentially if Cadillac Williams is out for a significant period with his tender ribs.
• Mike Furrey– The Lions will have to rely on their passing game against the Vikings. Furrey should have success working the seams and underneath routes, especially since Calvin Johnson is already proving he's a force to be reckoned with alongside Roy Williams. Detroit's Shaun McDonald could also be a legit option in larger leagues.
• 'aints defense– They've had extra time to regroup after a disastrous Week 1 outing. They'll need a much better effort against divisional rival Tampa Bay to avoid a 0-2 start.
• Vernon Davis– Unimpressive in the opener, Davis should create plenty of mismatches against a Rams defense that doesn't look like it's made much progress from last season.
Waiver wire wonders
• Derrick Ward– Looks like he's the man for the Giants while Brandon Jacobs is on the shelf. But don't get carried away. Reuben Droughns is still lurking and the muddled quarterback situation – is Eli Manning hurt or isn't he? – could render the New York offense quite inept in the coming weeks.
• Colts defense– They didn't get a lot of love in most fantasy drafts, but maybe they should have. Indianapolis just shut down what is arguably the NFC's best offense and has had 10 days to get ready for the Titans.
• Chris Brown– He offered another titillating taste of his talent with 175 yards in Week 1. Warning – Brown has done this before and never manages to maintain the momentum for long before either he or the Titans breaks down. Still, if you need a third back or a flex player, he's worth a roster spot.
• Nate Burleson– He should enjoy a larger role in Seattle's normally prolific offense with D.J. Hackett likely on the mend for a while with a high ankle sprain.
• Drew Carter– Two touchdown grabs in Week 1 could earn him a larger role in the Panthers' evolving offense. He's worth a flyer in larger leagues.
Extra points
The kicking carousel is spinning at high RPMs. Dave Rayner has displaced Justin Medlock in Kansas City while veteran John Carney should hold down Josh Scobee's job temporarily in Jacksonville until Scobee recovers from a leg injury. The Bengals could be in the market for a new leg, too, as Shayne Graham struggles with injuries. Mike Vanderjagt, anyone? … With Charlie Frye exiled to Seattle, Brady Quinn just got a little closer to the top job in Cleveland. Derek Anderson is likely to retain the job for the rest of the month, but the bet here is that Quinn is starting sometime around Columbus Day – though only fantasy owners in deep leagues or keeper leagues need concern themselves with this information. … Will Kellen Clemens be facing Kyle Boller this week in Baltimore? Could happen if Chad Pennington and Steve McNair aggravate injuries that cost them snaps in their respective openers. …Matt Jones and the inactive Reggie Williams combined for zero catches Sunday. Elevate Dennis Northcutt and John Broussard if you're scouting Jacksonville receivers. Tight end Marcedes Lewis has also seemingly caught David Garrard's eye after snaring four balls against the Titans. …Laurence Maroney owners are probably a bit concerned after seeing the amount of work Sammy Morris received against the Jets. Don't forget, either, the number of times Heath Evans was used as a goal-line back in the preseason. … Looks like DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams will truly split carries this year after Foster received 17 totes in Week 1 while Williams had 15. … Keep an eye on the "other" Adrian Peterson in Chicago. He could push Cedric Benson if the former first-rounder has problems carrying the mail in Chicago.
Carson Palmer could be in for a big day in Week 2 against a Browns defense that surrendered 34 points to Pittsburgh in the season opener.
A look at the upcoming weekend's fantasy football landscape:
Projected fantasy studs
• Carson Palmer– If Ben Roethlisberger can pick apart the Browns defense for four touchdown passes, it's scary to think what Palmer might manage with superior offensive weapons at his disposal.
• Santana Moss– The Eagles will be missing top cornerback Lito Sheppard and their safeties aren't great in pass defense. If Jason Campbell can calibrate his bazooka arm, Moss should be able to post big numbers, especially since the Eagles will have to suddenly respect the red-hot Antwaan Randle El.
• Brett Favre– Fresh off surrendering four touchdown strikes to Tony Romo, the hapless Giants secondary draws a date with Brett Favre. Favre doesn't have a bona fide running back behind him, so look for him to take to the air. And with the Giants offense tattered by injuries, Favre and Co. could be on the field quite a bit.
• Willie Parker–Travis Henry cashed in on a Bills defense trying to break in several new starters. Now it's Fast Willie's turn – provided the Steelers aren't lulled into suddenly thinking they're the "Greatest Show on Grass in a Bad Weather City."
• Ravens defense– The Jets didn't do much against the Patriots, and now they hit the road to face an even better unit. Even if Chad Pennington is healthy enough to play, he may not be upright long when that ferocious pass rush blows through a line that hasn't solved its void at left guard.
Projected fantasy duds
• Larry Johnson– The Bears just went on the road and limited LaDainian Tomlinson to 25 yards on the ground. Think they'll have much trouble coming home to cope with Johnson and a far less capable Chiefs offense? Doubtful.
• Randy Moss– He's not going to get nine balls a week in the Patriots' spread attack. He's not going to surprise the Chargers the way he did the Jets. And Tom Brady's not going to have an hour to set up and throw in the pocket and look for Moss this week with Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips and the rest of the Bolts breathing down his neck.
• J.P. Losman– The Broncos were supposedly having trouble adapting to their new defensive schemes. Apparently the Bills are having more trouble adapting to their revamped offensive line because Denver had no trouble shutting Losman down. It doesn't get any easier in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
• Andre Johnson– He and Matt Schaub appear to have a good thing going. But Johnson will have a tougher time breaking loose from Carolina's talented trio of corners than he did Kansas City's aging duo. And David Carr should be able to give his new defense some good intel about the Texans, his former club.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: NFL | National Football League | Universal Resource Locator | Chris Chambers
• Warrick Dunn– The usually stout Jaguars run defense was MIA last week. Look for the Jags to roar back with a vengeance against Dunn – who managed just 55 yards on 22 carries last week – and the woeful Falcons.
Sleepers
• Chris Chambers– Don't expect him to pull a Plaxico Burress and torch Dallas for three touchdowns. But Chambers should be able to physically handle the Cowboys corners. If Trent Green gets enough time to find him, Chambers can do some serious damage.
• Michael Pittman– Always an underrated receiver and third-down back, Pittman's role could expand exponentially if Cadillac Williams is out for a significant period with his tender ribs.
• Mike Furrey– The Lions will have to rely on their passing game against the Vikings. Furrey should have success working the seams and underneath routes, especially since Calvin Johnson is already proving he's a force to be reckoned with alongside Roy Williams. Detroit's Shaun McDonald could also be a legit option in larger leagues.
• 'aints defense– They've had extra time to regroup after a disastrous Week 1 outing. They'll need a much better effort against divisional rival Tampa Bay to avoid a 0-2 start.
• Vernon Davis– Unimpressive in the opener, Davis should create plenty of mismatches against a Rams defense that doesn't look like it's made much progress from last season.
Waiver wire wonders
• Derrick Ward– Looks like he's the man for the Giants while Brandon Jacobs is on the shelf. But don't get carried away. Reuben Droughns is still lurking and the muddled quarterback situation – is Eli Manning hurt or isn't he? – could render the New York offense quite inept in the coming weeks.
• Colts defense– They didn't get a lot of love in most fantasy drafts, but maybe they should have. Indianapolis just shut down what is arguably the NFC's best offense and has had 10 days to get ready for the Titans.
• Chris Brown– He offered another titillating taste of his talent with 175 yards in Week 1. Warning – Brown has done this before and never manages to maintain the momentum for long before either he or the Titans breaks down. Still, if you need a third back or a flex player, he's worth a roster spot.
• Nate Burleson– He should enjoy a larger role in Seattle's normally prolific offense with D.J. Hackett likely on the mend for a while with a high ankle sprain.
• Drew Carter– Two touchdown grabs in Week 1 could earn him a larger role in the Panthers' evolving offense. He's worth a flyer in larger leagues.
Extra points
The kicking carousel is spinning at high RPMs. Dave Rayner has displaced Justin Medlock in Kansas City while veteran John Carney should hold down Josh Scobee's job temporarily in Jacksonville until Scobee recovers from a leg injury. The Bengals could be in the market for a new leg, too, as Shayne Graham struggles with injuries. Mike Vanderjagt, anyone? … With Charlie Frye exiled to Seattle, Brady Quinn just got a little closer to the top job in Cleveland. Derek Anderson is likely to retain the job for the rest of the month, but the bet here is that Quinn is starting sometime around Columbus Day – though only fantasy owners in deep leagues or keeper leagues need concern themselves with this information. … Will Kellen Clemens be facing Kyle Boller this week in Baltimore? Could happen if Chad Pennington and Steve McNair aggravate injuries that cost them snaps in their respective openers. …Matt Jones and the inactive Reggie Williams combined for zero catches Sunday. Elevate Dennis Northcutt and John Broussard if you're scouting Jacksonville receivers. Tight end Marcedes Lewis has also seemingly caught David Garrard's eye after snaring four balls against the Titans. …Laurence Maroney owners are probably a bit concerned after seeing the amount of work Sammy Morris received against the Jets. Don't forget, either, the number of times Heath Evans was used as a goal-line back in the preseason. … Looks like DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams will truly split carries this year after Foster received 17 totes in Week 1 while Williams had 15. … Keep an eye on the "other" Adrian Peterson in Chicago. He could push Cedric Benson if the former first-rounder has problems carrying the mail in Chicago.