We made it through Week 1. Now the evaluation with (some) current stats can begin. Doesn’t mean it is going to be perfect…or will it, it just means we know what happened last week as opposed to last year.
The one-week sample size isn’t ideal, but hey, I maintain it is better than going off last year’s stats. Although all cards on the table, we’ll still be using last year’s stats a little until there is a decent 2022 sample size to work with.
Injuries sucked in week 1. You are going to be without TJ Watt and Kyle Fuller just to name two. And even if you managed to escape injury apocalypse (that’s a little much) you might think of trading out because of the matchup. Whatever you do, do it confidently because you know, you got this.
Thanks to teamrankings.com for the stats
LINEBACKERS
Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Highsmith like our next guy is listed as either LB/DE depending on what site you are playing.
With the loss of Watt, Highsmith will be a waiver wire darling. If you already have him on your roster kudos to you. Last week Highsmith played on 83% of the defensive snaps. It projects to be more now that Watt is out.
Highsmith’s stats for those defensive snaps were nine total tackles, three tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble.
This week the Steelers play the New England Patriots. It is reported that quarterback Mac Jones is dealing with back issues. In the Patriots’ loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, Jones was sacked twice.
1. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
Return of the Mack (I hate myself, but I had to do it). Mack is more valuable to you if he has DE designation but again it will depend on what site you are playing. Either way, he is in play.
Last week he had six total tackles, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble and three sacks. This week the Chargers will play the Kansas City Chiefs who just destroyed the Arizona Cardinals.
This is a Thursday Night game so adjust your lineups accordingly.
2. Mykal Walker, Atlanta Falcons
Walker played on 100% of the defensive snaps against the New Orleans Saints. He finished the game with six total tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one quarterback hit and one sack.
This week the Falcons play the Los Angeles Rams.
The trepidation about playing Walker Week 2 is valid. The Rams ran the ball on 27.27% of the offensive plays (18 times). The hopeful news is that the Falcons last week’s opponents only ran the ball 19 times (33.33%).
3. Kamu Grugier-Hill, Houston Texans
Grugier-Hill played on 100% of the defensive snaps in week 1. He collected 18 total tackles and one pass defended.
The Indianapolis Colts as expected ran the ball 38 times. The Denver Broncos (Texans Week 2 opponent) ran the ball 20 times in their loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, running back Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon were targeted 14 times in dump-off passes.
DEFENSIVE LINE
1. Dominique Robinson, Chicago Bears
Robinson had a 41% snap share Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. While that is not optimal it was the second-most for defensive ends.
He finished the game with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks.
This week the Bears play divisional rival Green Bay Packers. And while historically that was enough to elicit fear in the minds of some, what we saw of the Packers last Sunday should quiet some of those fears.
And of course, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked four times. Look at the status of right tackle Elgton Jenkins and tackle David Bakhtiari. If both are still inactive, it looks really…really good for Robinson and the crew.
2. Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
Ogbah played on 10 defensive snap counts. The highest snap count on the defensive side of the ball was 18.
He finished with four total tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.
This week the Dolphins play the Baltimore Ravens. Projected to be a low-scoring game (43.5 o/u), Baltimore is a 3.5-point favorite.
Last week Baltimore had 53 offensive plays with 21 rush attempts and 32 pass attempts.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jeff Okudah, Cornerback, Detroit Lions
Are we over all the Hard Knocks hype and nonsense? Let’s get down to facts. If you have to play a cornerback, Okudah is a good choice.
Last week he collected 10 tackles and one pass defended while playing 87% of the defensive snaps. That was against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles attempted 32 passes that game (22nd).
This week the Lions play Washington. The line for the game is Detroit -2.5 favorite and the over and under is a tasty 49. Plus, Washington passed the ball 41 times last week (7th most).
1. Talanoa Hufanga, Safety, San Francisco 49ers
Hufanga played on 100% of the defensive snaps last week. The thing to remember is that in more than half of those snaps he played in the box.
He finished last week with 11 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one pass defended and one interception.
This week the 49ers will not (probably not) play in the torrential downpour that was in Chicago. They will also go against a Seattle team that will still be bathing in the victory over Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos (but mostly Wilson).
2. Marcus Williams, Safety, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will be without the services of cornerback Kyle Fuller. If you remember back the Ravens had some issues with injuries last season.
Back to this season, last game Williams was on the field for 100% of the defensive snaps.
He finished with 12 tackles, one pass defended and one interception.
This week the Ravens will play Miami in Baltimore.
3. Desmond King, Cornerback, Houston Texans
In case you must play a cornerback, need a cornerback and Okudah is taken. King played on 76% of the defensive snaps. That was second most for cornerbacks on the team.
He finished last week’s game with six tackles, one tackle for loss and two passes defended.
This week the Texans will play the winless Denver Broncos. The Broncos had the fourth most attempted passes (42) last week.
DRUMROLL PLEASE
It is only Week 2, but injuries abound and getting better is what we do. So, let’s do this.
Steve Emtman: “Just remember, football is 80 percent mental and 40 percent physical.”
