NFL Takeaways: Week 2

We had to endure some serious injuries this week. These types of injuries to star players can be season-altering for fantasy squads. The good news is that it’s only the second week of the season, so there’s time to make adjustments to prepare your team for future victories. I present my Week 2 takeaways as we look forward to Week 3.

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Quarterbacks

Player: Jared Goff
Game: vs. Bears
Stats: 23/28, 334 passing yards, 5 TD

The return of the indoor vs outdoor splits for Goff is back on full display after his incredible 5 TD performance. This was the fourth time in his career, and would you believe it, all four times were indoors. Week 1 was outdoors in Green Bay, and he was not good. Week 3 is outdoors in Baltimore, so there’s a chance he’ll flop. If you’re in one QB league, I’d strongly consider a steamer start in Week 3.

Notables:

Russell Wilson was dangerRUS in Dallas, completing three passes of at least 48 yards to three different WRs. His 450 passing yards were two yards shy of his career high. I am not sure what to make of the Giants’ passing game through two weeks. If we get a shootout in Kansas City next week, I will be shocked. Wilson remains a low-end QB2 despite this outing.

Drake Maye is settling in nicely with Josh McDaniels’ play-calling, tossing two TDs while completing 19 of 23 passes against Miami. The Dolphins have allowed opposing QBs to finish as the QB3 in back-to-back weeks. Let’s not overlook that Maye called his number 10 times, rushing for 30 yards and a TD. This marks the seventh time in 14 starts that he has rushed for at least 30 yards. Josh Allen will face the Fins in Week 3. Maye gets the Steelers who are allowing 31.5 points through two weeks.

Lamar Jackson took offense to being called a crab in his Sundae Interview with Caleb Pressley. He threw four TDs while rushing just two times for 13 yards against the Browns. Expect his legs to return as the Lions allowed the fourth-most rushing yards and third-most rushing TDs to QBs last season.

Dak was back with 361 passing yards and two TDs against the Giants. These are the numbers I was expecting with my top five QB prediction in the preseason. It helps when his top WR is catching passes! Could Prescott toss five TDs against the Bears next week? Why not six?

The Liam Cohen effect is real! Trevor Lawrence threw three TDs, should have been four, but two INTs on the road against the Bengals. This was the first time Lawrence has thrown three TDs on the road since 12/10/23 at Cleveland. His 4:3 TD to INT ratio isn’t ideal, but he’ll keep the momentum at home against the Texans, who gave up the third most passing TDs but had the second most INTs to QBs last season.

I hope no one overreacted to Bo Nix in Week 1. He compiled three passing TDs with 200 passing yards, along with 20 rushing yards on the road in Indianapolis. These same Colts limited Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami passing offense to one TD and 114 yards. The Chargers await in Week 3, who gave up a rushing score and 250+ passing yards to Patrick Mahomes in Week 1. Is it too much to expect a rushing score for Nix next week?

Mahomes has now rushed for at least 57 yards in consecutive games to start the season, which is the most rushing yards in a two-game span in his career. His two rushing scores in back-to-back games marks the third time in his career, most recently in 2022, then in 2018. Mahomes may have to continue using his legs to keep the Chiefs competitive with a lack of a running game and down their top two WRs.

Did we give J.J. McCarthy his flowers too soon? Two INTs against Atlanta isn’t going to cut for fantasy teams, considering they allowed the fourth-most points to QBs last season and gave up three passing TDs to Baker.

Running Backs

Player: Jonathan Taylor
Game: vs. Broncos
Stats: 25 carries, 165 rushing yards, 2 receptions for 50 yards with one TD

This was vintage 2021 JT. Denver’s defense ranked in the bottom half in allowing fantasy points to opposing RBs last season and limited Tony Pollard to 60 yards in Week 1. Taylor recently rushed for over 100 yards against Denver in Week 15 of last season. Go figure. He was one of three backs to do against the Broncos last season. Taylor will look to build off his 200+ all-purpose yards against Tennessee, whom he had success against last season to the tune of 218 rush yards and three TDs in two games.

Notables:

James Cook was one of four backs to rush over 100 yards in Week 2. His 44-yard TD displayed his vision and speed. Cook has three TDs in two weeks as the clear back in Buffalo. He faces the Dolphins, who have allowed over 100 yards but zero TDs to RBs through two weeks.

De’Von Achane was impressive for a second consecutive week as the focal point of the Fins offense, tallying 122 all-purpose yards with a score. His 10 targets were a career high, securing eight. He gets the Bills next week, who limited the Jets’ RBs to 49 total yards after getting steamrolled by the Ravens’ rushing attack.

Javonte Williams was the workhorse back for Dallas against the Giants, scoring his third TD on 25 touches with six receptions. He’s bringing value to those who drafted him this season. The good times should continue against the Bears, who let the Lions loose in Week 2.

Detroit’s backfield of Sonic and Knuckles reminded Ben Johnson of what he used to have in the ground game. They combined for 151 rushing yards and two scores. The duo will visit Baltimore, which allowed the fourth fewest points in ’24 but has been Jekyll and Hyde defensively with matchups against Buffalo and Cleveland.

Has the Cam Skattebo era begun? According to PFF, he led the Giants’ RB room in offensive snaps in the second half, tallying a fourth quarter rushing TD. Closely monitor this backfield this week, but it’s one to avoid in Week 3 against KC on SNF.

Travis Etienne Jr. is still the top RB in Jacksonville after the trade of Tank Bigsby. Bhayshul Tuten filled the RB2 role admirably with 10 touches and a receiving TD. The Bengals are allowing a ton of fantasy points to RB out of the backfield through two weeks, which bodes well for Aaron Jones in Week 3.

Rhamondre Steveson was the clear RB1 for the Pats in Week 2 with 16 touches for 142 yards (88 receiving) and dominated the snaps with 39. Preseason sensation, TreVeyon Henderson, played 19 snaps with five touches.

Chase Brown saw the touches (23) but didn’t do much with them. He has not been efficient through two weeks, averaging 55 yards with 20+ touches per game. It doesn’t get any easier on the road in Minnesota, with the possibility of no Joe Burrow.

Jaylen Warren has officially taken over as the “featured runner,” per Mike Tomlin, with 18 touches and a highlight reel 65-yard reception. Kenneth Gainwell did see eight touches, but he could be fighting for touches with Kaleb Johnson as the season progresses. I say this, and watch Arthur Smith give Gainwell 15 touches next against the Patriots’ formidable rush defense.

The Browns’ backfield will be hard to predict as the season progresses, and usage will be game-script dependent. Jerome Ford led all backs with 35 snaps and 11 touches. Quinshon Judkins made his debut leading the team with 13 touches, 10 carries, 61 rushing yards, and a team-high 71 all-purpose yards on 19 snaps. Dylan Sampson scored the lone TD out of the backfield on 18 snaps on seven touches. Green Bay’s defense awaits next.

PPR stud, Alvin Kamara returned to glory with six catches on six targets, adding 99 rushing yards on 21 attempts. He’s a floor RB2 with RB1 appeal at Seattle in Week 3.

The Bears’ backfield is another one to monitor. D’Andre Swift is the clear starter with 15 touches and a TD. Kyle Monangai’s played 28 snaps compared to Swift’s 39. Roschon Johnson was healthy but did not play a snap.

The loss of Austin Ekeler will have a significant impact on the Commanders’ rushing attack and their overall balance on offense. Bill should be in line for more work, possibly in the receiving game, similar to Ekeler. Chris Rodriguez should take on an increased role in the ground game. The Raiders’ defense will provide a stiff test on a short week after their MNF matchup against the Chargers.

Wide Receivers

Player: Ja’Marr Chase
Game: vs. Jaguars
Stats: 14 receptions, 165 receiving yards, 1 touchdown on 16 targets

Despite losing Joe Burrow, Chase was able to put on a clinic against the Jacksonville secondary. His backup QB, Jake Browning, looked his way often with chunk plays left and right. His teammate, Tee Higgins, drew eight targets and scored a TD, but this could be a one-WR show for fantasy purposes in Week 3 at Minnesota. Burrow’s toe injury could be detrimental to the Bengals’ offense moving forward.

Notables:

Due to the game script and lack of defense from the Cowboys, the Giants’ WRs Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson each ended up as top 10 WRs. I would have expected this type of production from the Philly WRs in Week 1 against Dallas and not the G-Men. Nabers and Robinson will face the Chiefs in Week 3. I expect Nabers to have WR2 numbers and Robinson WR3 numbers, so temper expectations.

You thought the Lions RBs feasted on the Bears; the WRs had their own banquet. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the WR1, posting nine receptions for 115 yards and three scores. His three TDs are the most by any WR this season. Jameson Williams finished with 108 yards and a tuddy as the WR10.

Rome Odunze paced the Bears’ WRs with a career-high seven receptions for 128 yards with two TDs. Odunze has passed DJ Moore as the WR1 in Ben Johnson’s offense with three TDs and a 2:1 target ratio. Both Bears could go off against Dallas in Week 3 after the Giants’ explosion.

The Rams’ passing attack is strong with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, as they both ended up as top 10 WRs. I may have spoken too early on Adams, but Nacua might be the best overall WR in the NFL. Nacua burst for a 45-yard rushing score and tacked on eight catches for 91 yards. Adams was targeted a team-high 13 times and went over the century mark for the first time as a Ram. The duo will travel across time zones to Philly for a Week 3 rematch of the NFC championship game.

Jauan Jennings drew a 25% target share from Mac Jones (Who?), with Brock Purdy and George Kittle out. Ricky Pearsall was involved but was unable to showcase his big-play ability. Arizona’s is next on the docket, which limited WRs to the eighth-fewest points in ’24 and held NOLA and Carolina in check through two weeks.

Tyreek Hill went over the century mark for the first time after doing so only two times last week. Coincidentally, he went over 100 yards in Week 2 last season. The Cheetah has yet to complete a pass over 40 yards since 12/3/23.

After leading the league in air yards in Week 1, Elic Ayomanor caught Cam Ward’s first TD in the NFL and tied Calvin Ridley with six targets. We are seeing the rise of the next WR1 in Tennessee.

Brian Thomas Jr. drew 12 targets, running 43 routes on 68 snaps, but left too many plays on the field. Travis Hunter was the WR3, logging 42 snaps, behind Dynami Brown’s 57 snaps, who dropped a TD. The Texans feel like a “get right” game for the Jags WR core.

Jayden Reed’s injury and situation are oddly similar to Xavier Worthy’s. Jordan Love will have to rely on his rising star TE, with Romeo Doubs taking over as the top playmaker out wide. Rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams have legitimate opportunities to be more involved.

We may have a new member of the WR top 10 rankings with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s gone over 100 yards and at least double-digit targets with eight catches through two weeks. That’s good for a 41% target share from Sam Darnold. New Orleans is on tap next, so expect the consistency to continue.

Clean up on aisle nine. Tetairoa McMillan will have mop-up duty all season with the Panthers struggling to stop anyone. He impressively reached his first 100-yard game in his second game of his career against the Cards defense that limited WRs to the eighth-fewest points last season. His first score is almost guaranteed against Atlanta in Week 3.

We could be on the verge of a Troy Franklin breakout in Denver. He paced the Broncos in receptions, yards, and targets while securing a TD against the Colts. He leads the Broncos with 15 targets ahead of Courtland Sutton’s 13. Franklin could emerge into WR2/3 consideration on the road for the Chargers’ home opener in Week 3.

Tight Ends

Player: Tucker Kraft
Game: vs. Commanders
Stats: 6 receptions, 124 yards, 1 touchdown on 7 targets

The third-year TE appears to be in the midst of a breakout campaign with two TDs in consecutive weeks. The injury to Reed prevents this game from being a fluke. He’ll take the reins as the top pass catcher for the foreseeable future and should be considered a top three to five TE moving forward. Kraft’s Week 3 matchup against the Browns isn’t great on paper, as the Ravens did not use Mark Andrews in Week 2 against Cleveland, but allowed Noah Fant to score a TD in Week 1.

Notables:

Juwan Johnson was at it again in Week 2 against the Niners with a TD reception and second on the team with nine targets. Johnson looks to be a fixture in Kellen Moore’s offense. Seattle can be beaten by TEs, so expect Johnson to keep cooking some of the Bayou magic.

Jake Ferguson was Dak Prescott’s number two option in the Cowboys’ comeback rally against the Giants. His 12 targets paced the team, and nine receptions tied Ceedee Lamb. He and George Pickens will flip-flop as the number two passing option throughout the season behind Lamb. With the Bears in Week 3, Ferguson could take a backseat to Pickens after the Lions’ game plan in Week 2.

Trey McBride remains the most consistent pass catcher in Arizona. Despite this, his performance feels like a letdown considering how bad the Panthers fare against TEs. He should rebound nicely against San Fran and hopefully find that elusive passing TD.

Tyler Warren is locked in as TE1 with the Colts. His young career has started with at least seven targets and 70 yards through two games. Shane Steichen is creative with scheming touches to Warren. He has a rushing attempt in both games. Tennessee will prove to be a tough test for Warren in Week 3 after holding TE1s for a total of seven catches and 58 yards this season.

Evan Engram is trending to be a bust in Denver. He played fewer snaps than Adam Trautman, drawing just two targets in a game that went down to the wire.

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