What’s going on everybody, and welcome to another edition of my weekly rankings! Well we have another full slate on our hands, now with the 9:30 am EST start time in London between the Jaguars and Ravens, so make sure you wake up a little earlier than usual to tinker with those lineups.
Week 2 was definitely head and shoulders above the first week of the season, so let’s take a look at what Week 3 has to offer, but before we do, let’s recap the week that was!
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Players I Was Wrong About
Carson Palmer: 19/36, 332 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Okay I’m done. I gave Palmer a chance heading into this season after a disappointing 2016 campaign. I gave him a chance in Week 2 after a terrible Week 1 performance against the Lions, and now against a pretty bad Colts secondary, he throws for only 1 TD and throws a pick. I understand he has another good matchup this week against the Cowboys, but I just can’t do this to my heart anymore guys.
Brandin Cooks: 2 rec, 37 yds, 0 TD
Well I really expected a better day from Cooks, and I’m not really sure as to why he didn’t do well. The Patriots offense did quite well, but it’s likely that the Saints defense focused all their energy against the receiver, leading the way for Gronk, James White, Chris Hogan and even Rex Burkhead to produce in the receiving game.
Larry Fitzgerald: 3 rec, 21 yds, 0 TD
Okay so see above for Carson Palmer, however Fitzgerald did have a good Week 1 (in PPR I might add) and he’ll most likely continue to have productive weeks in PPR leagues, but my oh my did he have a terrible week against the Colts. J.J. Nelson however, did quite well for himself.
Kareem Hunt: 13 rush, 81 yds, 2 TD
I’m embarrassed. Let’s move on.
Carlos Hyde: 15 rush, 124 yds, 0 TD
Well, as it turns out, the Seahawks are not a very elite rush D, and what was a game that should have been a blowout, but wasn’t, Hyde benefited, and definitely silences the doubt that he lost this backfield over the offseason.
What I’ve Learned This Week
Maybe let’s not react after one week? Ex: The Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s important to react, but not make rash fantasy decisions after one week. Also, we should probably continue to trust the Razzball projections. Seriously, if you haven’t subscribed yet, you are seriously losing money. No other source that I heard from this past week was higher on Kareem Hunt, Michael Crabtree, C.J. Anderson, and Davante Adams than the Razzball projections. Subscribe today!
Players That I’m High On
Cousins has had a bumpy start to his 2017 campaign, but now gets a great matchup against the Raiders defense on prime-time TV, in a game that will likely be the highest scoring of the week, Cousins draws a Raiders secondary that now ranks as the 22nd-best according to Football Outsiders. The rest of his receivers have been pretty ho-hum as well, but I expect them to get going this week, especially Terrelle Pryor, who will likely draw CB David Amerson, the 81st best CB according to Pro Football Focus so far during the season.
This is pretty simple. First off, the Giants secondary is a decent one, with some great individual play by Landon Collins and DRC, but Eli Apple and Janoris Jenkins haven’t had a great start to the 2017 season, and Wentz, who plays in an offense that features almost no rushing production. With the volume that you get from starting Wentz, he becomes a Top-12 option almost every week, and this week is no different. I’m high on him this week as is the Razzball projections.
Matthew Stafford has been playing very well recently, and will likely keep this game close against the Falcons. Abdullah is at home, and although the Lions aren’t favored, Abdullah should be fed the ball a lot against the terrible rush defense of ATL.
I absoutely love McCaffrey this week against New Orleans. This Saints defense has given up a lot of production to pass-catching backs, in Week 1 versus Dalvin Cook, and last week against James White, and now will face off against McCaffrey. You’re starting him this week, no questions asked.
Terrelle Pryor
(See above, Kirk Cousins) If there’s any time for Washington’s free agent signing to come through in 2017, this is the week against Oakland.
T.Y. Hilton
Jacoby Brissett looked actually quite serviceable for the Colts last week against Arizona, and now against Cleveland, a better opponent, and still at home, Hilton is a nice FLEX option this week.
The biggest weakness for the Giants defense is their linebacking play against TE’s, as they have allowed nice games from Witten and Ebron these past few weeks, and Ertz should continue the onslaught.
Players I’m Not So High On
Ben Roethlisberger
The Bears front seven is a pretty great unit (The Bucs defense blew the Bears out, and although the Bucs offense did well, Jameis only did throw for 1 TD), and that is enough for me to worry about Big Ben on the road.
Winston for me will most likely be a Top-10 QB ROS, but I’m not exactly thrilled to start him on the road against the Vikings.
Jacquizz Rodgers
Again, he did quite well against the Bears last week, and it’s always hard to bet against a back that will likely have 20 carries a game, but I’m staying away from Rodgers as he’ll be on the road against the Vikings.
Isaiah Crowell
Sure, it’s a good enough matchup, but Crowell has struggled greatly thus far, and it just comes down to the Browns playing from behind. If there’s a game for Crowell to make some noise, this is it, but I’d rather play it safe and find someone else.
Dez Bryant
In a likely matchup against Patrick Peterson, Bryant has had a very tough start to the his 2017 campaign (although he did score against Denver last week). Again, you should never bench your studs, but I’m quite nervous about this matchup here. Although in terms of real-life football, it should be very entertaining to watch.
Jeremy Maclin
Maclin will first be at a disadvantage as he travels to London against the Jaguars, but will also face the scary combo of A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. I’d avoid Maclin at all cost.
Tyler Eifert
I really want to believe in this Bengals offense for Week 3 against the Packers, but it is in Lambeau, and I think you just better find another option.
Alright guys that about does it for me. As always, feel free to leave a comment or question down below about any player you see above. And as always, I’ll see you guys later in the week to talk about some Razzball certified fantasy plays and our Staff Consensus Rankings!
You Can Follow Zach on Twitter @razzball_zach.
