NFL Week 2 Takeaways

Week 2 has come and gone for better or for worse. Every fantasy player falls under one of three mindsets thus far into the young NFL season. Some of you are pumped about your draft and roster through two weeks. Others are not happy campers based on early results. Others have worries about injuries and lack of depth on their roster and the waiver wire. This is the life of a fantasy player, so let’s buckle up and review Week 2 Takeaways…

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Packers at Falcons

Bijan Robinson is looking like a first-round pick for a reason after producing 124 yards on the ground off 19 attempts and hauling in four catches for 48 yards off five targets. Tyler Allgeier accounted for 16 carries for 48 yards. Drake London led the Falcons in receiving with six catches for 67 yards and one TD off seven targets after posting goose eggs in all receiving categories in Week 1.

Jordan Love posted his second straight game with three passing TDs and did so without his top RB Aaron Jones and WR Christian Watson. Love is the only QB to throw for three TDs in back-to-back weeks and was one of five QBs to have three TDs in Week 2.

Takeaways:

• The backfield in Atlanta belongs to Robinson, but Allgeier will be a thorn for Robinson shareholders all season long. The Falcons travel to the Motor City, where the Lions’ defense was middle of the pack last season against the run but have only allowed 86 total rushing yards per game this season to Kansas City and Seattle.
• The Packers will host the Saints in Lambeau in Week 3, who allowed the second-fewest passing TDs in 2022. The Saints play tonight on Monday Night Football.  In Week 1, Ryan Tannehill registered zero TDs and three interceptions against the Saints. 

 

Raiders at Bills

The Raiders were paced by Davante Adams’s six receptions off eight targets for 84 yards and one TD. The reigning rushing champion, Josh Jacobs, rushed for minus two yards off nine carries but added six grabs for 51 yards.

The Bills looked like THE Bills. Josh Allen went off for 31/37 for 274 passing yards with three TDs. James Cook had his coming out party with off with 159 all-purpose yards off 17 carries for 123 rushing yards and added four catches for 36 yards. Gabe Davis led the way for Buffalo receivers with six receptions for 92 yards and one TD. Davis and Diggs had seven grabs for 66 yards, each receiving seven targets in the contest.

Takeaways:

• The Raiders return to Las Vegas to host the Steelers, who play on Monday Night Football. The Steelers allowed Christian McCaffrey to steamroll them to the count of 152 rushing yards and one TD. The Steelers were ranked 20^th in points allowed to RBs in 2022 and also allowed 17 passing TDs to WRs in 2022, which was fourth most.
• Allen and company head to the nation’s capital, where the Commanders allowed 26 passing TDs in 2022, which was tied for the fifth most in 2022, and allowed Russell Wilson to throw for over 300 yards and three TDs in Week 2. Washington held opposing RBs to the fifth-fewest points per game in 2022.

 

Ravens at Bengals      

The Ravens rushed for 178 yards off 37 attempts and had three players with 10+ carries. Running back Gus Edwards had 10 carries for 62 yards with one TD, and Justice Hill added 11 carries for 41 yards. Lamar Jackson was 24/33 for 237 passing yards with two TDs and rushed 12 times for 54 yards. It’s confirmed that we have a running back by committee (RBBC) in Baltimore.

Tee Higgins paced the Bengals with eight catches for 89 yards and two TDs. Higgins was one of six players to record two receiving TDs in Week 2.

Takeaways:

• The Ravens will host the Colts in Week 3, who allowed the sixth most passing TDs and third most rushing TDs to signal callers in 2022. Lamar Jackson could end up as the highest-scoring QB in Week 3. Mark Andrews was back and led the Raven’s receiving corps with 8 targets cementing his TE1 status. Colts have allowed back-to-back 100 receiving yards to opposing WRs, and I forecast Zay Flowers to have his first 100 receiving yard game of the season. 
• Joe Borrow reinjured his right calf, which he strained earlier in the preseason, but was able to finish the game. If Borrow misses Week vs. the Rams, all Bengals skill players will lower in rankings. However, they shouldn’t be benched yet. Ja’Marr Chase recorded his second consecutive game under 40 receiving yards.

 

Seahawks at Lions

The Seahawks outlasted the Lions in OT behind Geno Smith’s 32/41 for 328 yards and two TDs. Tyler Lockett led the Seattle WRs with 10 targets for eight grabs with 59 yards and two TDs. Kenneth Walker III added 43 rushing yards and two TDs. Walker III was one of three RBs to score two rushing TDs in Week 2.

Jared Goff threw for 323 yards with three TDs and one interception in defeat. David Montgomery left the game early with what appeared to be a knee injury, but after the game, it was announced that he sustained a thigh bruise. Before exiting, he was the lead back for Detroit, posting 67 rushing yards and one TD off 16 carries. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished with 102 yards receiving off six receptions. Josh Reynolds caught five balls for 66 yards with two passing TDs and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta added five catches for 63 yards.  

Takeaways:

• Seattle returns home to face the Panthers, who play tonight on Monday Night Football. Carolina allowed the fifth most fantasy points to WRs and 11^th most fantasy points to QBs in 2022. The Panthers allowed the Falcons to rush for 130 yards in Week 1, so Walker III may have the best game of the young 2023 season,
• Despite Montgomery leaving the field by cart, RB Craig Reynolds received the next rushing attempts over Jahmyr Gibbs. If Montgomery misses time, Gibbs should be the next in the line for carries and increased workload, but savvy owners should look to Reynolds as a waiver add for Week 3. Fire up Goff as a top-12 QB moving forward. 

 

Colts at Texans 

Anthony Richardson rushed for 35 yards and two TDs in the first quarter before exiting the game due to a concussion. We wish him the best here at Razzball. Michael Pittman again led the Colts with 12 targets, hauling in eight catches for 56 yards. Zach Moss had 18 carries for 88 yards and one TD.

C.J. Stroud slung the ball around the yard for 384 yards and two TDs. Four pass catchers saw at least seven targets, as three WRs saw at least nine targets from Stroud. Nico Collins’ breakout season continued with seven grabs for 146 yards and one TD. Tank Dell finished with seven receptions for 72 yards and one TD.

Takeaways:

• Moss is the clear RB1 for the Colts, as no other RB registered a carry. If Moss is available in your league, he should be the top waiver add this week. However, limit your expectations of Moss in Week 3, as the Ravens allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to RBs and only allowed eight rushing TDs to RBs in 2022. Regardless of the QB, Pittman should be a good play in Week 3, as the Ravens have allowed an opposing WR to record at least 80 yards in both games in 2023.
• The Texans head to Jacksonville for another divisional showdown. Jags allowed the third-most WR receiving touchdowns in 2023 with 18 TDs. Due to the Texans trailing in both games this season, Stroud has attempted 44+ passes in each game, and we should expect a similar amount against Jacksonville. Collins is averaging 10 targets a game in 2023 and looks to be the biggest beneficiary, which sees him in the WR2 tier in Week 3.

 

Chiefs at Jaguars 

The Chiefs edged out a victory behind Patrick Mahomes 29/41 for 305 yards passing, 2 TDs, and one interception. Isiah Pacheco added 12 carries for 70 yards. 12 Kansas City pass catchers received at one target, with 11 players tallying a reception. Travis Kelce and Skyy Moore hauled in one TD each. Kelce dropped a second TD in the red zone.

The Jaguars offense did not resemble the offense from Week 1. Trevor Lawrence was 22/41 with 216 passing yards and zero TDs. Zay Jones did not get two feet in the end zone twice, and Calvin Ridley had two similar occurrences. Christian Kirk exploded for 11 receptions for 110 yards off 14 targets due to man coverage of the Chiefs.

Takeaways:

• It doesn’t appear you can trust a KC WR moving forward. Pacheco led the backfield with 12 carries. Meanwhile, CEH and Jerick McKinnon totaled only two carries. He is the clear RB1 on this roster, and for Week 3, the Chiefs face the Bears, who allowed the second most points to RBs in 2022 and have allowed three TDS to opposing RBs through two games. Mahomes is poised to spread the fantasy-receiving wealth out this season, making it hard to start anyone confidently outside of Kelce. I fear no Chiefs WR is statable moving forward. 
• The Jags face the Texans in Week 3, who allowed 69% of their fantasy points to WRs lined up on the outside. Look for Lawerence and Ridley to bounce back. Travis Etienne dominated the backfield as Tank Bigsby didn’t see the field until the fourth quarter due to some cramping issues for Etienne. The Texans have allowed the most points to RBs in 2022, setting up Etienne to have one of his best games this season.  

 

Bears at Buccaneers

DJ Moore had his best game as a Bear with six receptions for 104 yards. Justin Fields added 211 passing yards with one TD and two interceptions while adding a rushing TD.

Mike Evans turned back the clock and dominated the Bears with 171 receiving yards with six catches off eight targets and added a score. #PayMikeEvans Baker Mayfield is looking like the Comeback Player of the Year, following his efforts of 26/34 for 317 yards and one TD. Rachaad White carried 17 times for 73 yards and one TD.

Takeaways:

• The Bears are headed to Arrowhead Stadium, which allowed the third most fantasy points to QBs and fifth most rushing yards to QBs in 2022. I expect the Chiefs to get ahead early, forcing Fields to have a lot of garbage time stats. We could see his best statistical game thus far into the season. Bench all Bears RBs until proven otherwise.
• The Bucs will face the Eagles, a clash of 2-0 teams, next Sunday. The Eagles’ passing defense has looked vulnerable this season, allowing 7 passing TDs through 2 games. Look for Evans to continue his momentum, considering Justin Jefferson went off against the Eagles for 11 catches and 159 yards. For daily leagues, start Cade Otton, as Philadelphia has allowed 171 yards and three TDs in two games to TEs in 2023. Despite his best game of the season, I would not start White in Week 3, as the Eagles have allowed only 82 yards on the ground in two games.

 

Chargers at Titans 

Keenan Allen led the Chargers with 8 catches for 111 yards and two TDs without Austin Ekeler. Justin Herbert threw for over 300 yards and added two TDs. Mike Williams added 13 targets securing eight receptions for 83 yards.

Typical Titans report as Derrick Henry ran for 80 yards and one TD off 25 attempts. Treylon Burks paced the Titans with three catches for 76 yards. Yawn. 

Takeaways:

• The 0-2 Chargers head to Minnesota to face the 0-2 Vikings. If Ekler returns in Week 3, he’ll be strong play against the Vikings, who just allowed DeAndre Swift to rush for 175 yards and one TD on Thursday Night Football. I would be starting all Chargers players in this one.
• Tennessee will travel to Cleveland to face the Dawg Pound after their Monday night game. The Browns allowed the fifth most rushing yards to RBs and the sixth most fantasy points to RBs in 2022. I’ll forecast this one as a vintage Henry game where he sees 25-30 touches and finishes with 150-175 all-purpose yards with two scores, flirting as the RB1 or RB2 for Week 3.

 

Giants at Cardinals 

Daniel Jones led the Giants by going 26/37 for 321 passing yards, 2 passing TDs with one INT while accumulating 59 rushing yards with a rushing TD. Saquan Barkley rushed for 63 yards and added one rushing TD with 29 receiving yards and one receiving TD. Barkley was one of two RBs to have a rushing TD and receiving TD in Week 2.

James Connor led the Cardinals’ offense with 106 yards and one TD off 23 carries. Marquise Brown saw 10 targets for six catches for 54 yards, and Zach Ertz tallied eight targets for six grabs and 56 yards.

Takeaways:

• The Giants fly across the country to face the 49ers, who allowed the fewest points to RBs, allowed the fifth fewest points to QBs but allowed the sixth most points to WRs in 2022. The Giants lack a dominant WR1, so I would limit expectations for the Giants in Week 3.
• The 0-2 Cardinals will host the Cowboys in Week 3, in which the Cowboys are coming off Week 2 holding the Jets offense to just 234 yards. I would avoid all Cardinals skill players in this one, even Connor.

 

49ers at Rams

Christian McCaffrey had his usual Sunday performance with 20 carries, rushing for 116 yards with one TD, and added three receptions for 19 yards. Deebo Samuel led the passing game with six catches with 63 yards and added 38 rushing yards and one TD on five carries. Samuel was the only WR in Week 2 to record a rushing TD and is one of two WRs this season to register a rushing TD (KaVontae Turpin) in 2023. 

Puka Nacau had himself a day with 20 targets and 15 receptions for 147 yards. Cooper Kupp, who? Kyren Williams got the start for the Rams, tallying 14 carries for 52 yards with one TD, and added 6 grabs for 48 yards and one TD. Cam Akers was inactive. 

Takeaways:

• The 49ers will host the Giants in a short week on Thursday Night Football. Expect a high dosage of CMC, but I should note no other 49ers RB had a single carry. Start all 49ers in this one.
• Nacau should be in the WR1 tier until further notice after back-to-back games with at least 15 targets. Williams appears to be the Rams RB1, so if you scooped him up last week, you’ve got yourself a mighty fine RB2 for the rest of the season, including a juicy matchup on Monday Night Football against the Bengals, who are allowing 122.5 rushing yards per game to running backs this season. Akers is reportedly on the trade market. 

 

Jets at Cowboys

The Jets may not have received a mention if it was not for Garrett Wilson’s 68-yard TD scamper. Zach Wilson is either really bad, or the Cowboys’ defense is that good. It’s honestly both. Fire up some more QB rumors to the Jets this week. 

Last week, Pollard led the charge for the Cowboys’ offense, but in Week 2 CeeDee Lamb had 11 receptions for 143 yards, and Dak Prescott added 255 passing yards with two TDs.

Takeaways:

• The Jets will try to figure out how to play offense without Rodgers in a division match-up against the Patriots. New England allowed the second-fewest points to RBs in 2022. Wilson is generally a must-start player, but I am not overly confident after the Jets performance. Breece Hall is on a snap count limit, and until this changes, I will not start him, especially in Week 3.
• The Cowboys will travel to the desert to face the Cardinals in Week 3. TE Jake Ferguson is a must-start TE in Week 3, as the Cardinals allowed the second most fantasy points to TEs in 2022. Ferguson is slowly getting involved, and Daks loves to pass to his TE in the red zone. Pollard is a great start with his continued usage rate, as Arizona allowed the third most points to RBs in 2022.

 

Commanders at Broncos 

Brian Robinson Jr. totaled 87 rushing yards with 2 TDs off 18 carries and added two catches for 44 yards. Sam Howell provided 299 passing yards with two TDs. Howell connected with 10 different pass catchers as Terry McLaurin finished with five receptions for 54 yards and one TD off six targets.

Wilson passed for 308 yards, three TDs, and one interception and tallied 56 rushing yards. Javonte Williams led the backfield with 12 carries for 44 yards. A late-game 50-yard Hail Mary to Brandon Johnson accounted for one passing TD. Courtland Sutton led the Broncos with seven targets securing five catches for 66 yards.

Takeaways:

• The Commanders will host the Bills in Week 3, who were the seventh-best defense against RBs in 2022 and held the Raiders to 55 rushing yards in Week 2. Robinson is the clear RB1 with this squad but will need to lower expectations against the Bills in Week 3. McClaurin and Johan Dotson could be in for good games, as the Bills allowed the fifth most points to WRs in the 2022 season.
• The Broncos head to South Beach to take the Dolphins, who allowed the fifth most passing yards to opposing QBs in 2022, making Wilson, Sutton, and Jerry Jeudy viable options. Miami allows more fantasy points to the outside than the slot, where Sutton produced 84% of fantasy points a season ago.

 

Dolphins at Patriots 

Miami had a balanced offensive game plan against the Patriots as they passed the ball 30 times and rushed the ball 30 times. Raheem Mostert rushed 18 times with 121 yards and two TDs and was one of three backs who had 2 rushing TDs in Week 2. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 248 yards adding with one  TD.  Tyreek Hill was kept in check after his Week 1 explosion with five receptions for 40 yards and one TD off nine targets.

Mac Jones passed for 231 yards with one TD and one interception. Five pass catchers tallied at least six targets as Hunter Henry caught the lone TD. Rhamondre Stevenson paced the Patriots RBs with 15 carries for 50 yards and one TD, which seemed disappointing considering the Chargers’ running backs ran for 208 yards and two scores in Week 1.

Takeaways:

• Miami will face a Broncos defense that allowed the second-fewest points to WRs and seventh-fewest points to QBs in 2022, however, allowed the 12^th most points to RBS in 2022. Look for the Dolphins to feature Mostert often and early next week slotting him into RB2 consideration next week.
• The 0-2 Patriots will travel to New York to face the Jets, who will be looking to right the wrongs of Week 2. The Jets allowed the fewest points to WRs, the ninth fewest to QBs, and the 10^th fewest to RBs in 2022. I would look for Stevenson to have increased usage being utilized out of the backfield. Henry has now caught a TD in back-to-back games and is the only TE to do so this season.