Monday Morning Aftermath

Week two brought some some surprising performances and a few players returning back to earth from their week one orbit.

Let’s get right to it!

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Sunday’s MVP

Jahvid Best made a big statement against the Eagles on Sunday, posting 232 combined rushing and receiving yards, with three touchdowns. He’s certainly worthy of “Best in Show” this week.

That’s five scores in two weeks for the dynamic rookie from Cal. While the Lions have to disappointed to be 0-2, they have to be elated to see Best’s preseason translate to the regular season.

Best is a must start as a No. 2 running back until further notice, even against Minnesota next week.

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Sunday’s LVP

He’ll likely never be on this list again, but Chris Johnson’s streak of 100 yard performances ended with a big thud. The Steelers held Johnson to just 53 combined rushing and receiving yards, and forced him to lose a fumble.

You have to figure more than a few owners took a loss based on this performance on Sunday.

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Lineup Fun

You probably won if your lineup looked like this…

QB  Matt Schaub = 497 passing yards, three touchdowns, one interception
RB Jahvid Best = 78 rushing yards, 154 receiving yards, three touchdowns
RB  LeSean McCoy = 120 rushing yards, three touchdowns
RB  Adrian Peterson = 145 rushing yards, 41 receiving yards, one touchdown
WR Andre Johnson = 12 catches, 158 yards, one touchdown
WR  Kevin Walter = 11 catches, 144 yards, one touchdown
WR DeSean Jackson = 4 catches, 135 yards, one touchdown
TE Antonio Gates = 5 catches, 57 yards, two touchdowns

You probably lost if your lineup looked like this…

QB Brett Favre = 225 passing yards, 3 interceptions, 1 lost fumble
RB Felix Jones = 7 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards
RB Ricky Williams = 30 rushing yards, one lost fumble
RB Maurice Jones-Drew = 31 rushing yards, 17 receiving yards, one lost fumble
WR Legadu Naanee = 1 catch, 14 yards
WR Hines Ward = 1 catch, 9 yards
WR Greg Jennings = 3 catches, 36 yards
TE Heath Miller = 2 catches, 3 yards

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I owned CJ Spiller. He showed some dynamic talent in the preseason, but has shown very little on just 16 touches in his first two games. The Bills need to find a way to get him the ball in space, but they can’t do much offensively right now.

I took Jamaal Charles with my first pick in my fantasy draft. He has just 22 touches in two games and is playing second fiddle to Thomas Jones at the moment. Not many believed the talk that the Chiefs would limit him this season, but it’s sure looking that way.

I’m relying on Brett Favre as my No. 1 quarterback. The Vikings offense isn’t pretty without Sidney Rice, and it looked downright putrid after Percy Harvin got hurt today. They need Vincent Jackson badly right now or their season is going to get away from them.

I’m banking on Michael Bush to be my breakout performer this year. Darren McFadden has taken advantage of his opportunity this year with 240 rushing yards the first two weeks. You can bet the Raiders will ride their prized draft pick as far as he’ll take them.

I was hoping for a Dennis Dixon breakout this year. He’s really missed out on a golden opportunity after passing for just 18 yards and losing a fumble on Sunday. He left the game with a knee sprain and likely could have returned. The Steelers chose to stick with Charlie Batch. Not good.

I’m relying on any Patriot running back on my team. Fred Taylor started the game Sunday, but had only five carries.  Kevin Faulk led the team with 22 yards, while BenJarvus Green-Ellis led the team in carries with ten.

I’m counting on Brandon Lloyd as a long-term option. He had three catches for 53 yards, but Demaryius Thomas is lurking. Lloyd looks like a good sell high candidate right now.

I’d depending on big things from Shonn Greene. A total of 70 yards in two games isn’t going to lead many owners to league titles this year.

I expect Bernard Berrian to break out any time soon. He had just two catches for 24 yards on a day where Favre threw 36 times. It’s obvious he’s not trusted.

I’m holding on to Jason Campbell as my No. 2 quarterback. Personally, I’m shocked the Raiders benched him this early in the season in favor of Bruce Gradkowski. Campbell wasn’t very effective, but it’s pretty early to press the panic button.

I have Matt Moore as my developmental quarterback in a dynasty league. Jimmy Clausen wasn’t great after replacing Moore, but John Fox is going to be starving for wins here soon and won’t hesitate in making that change permanent.

I’m hoping to find a Cowboys running back to ride. Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice combined for just 37 yards this week. Ouch.

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1. Michael Vick = 284 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, two touchdowns
2. Shaun Hill = 335 passing yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions
3. Mark Clayton = two catches, 24 yards, two touchdowns
4. Tony Moeaki = Five catches, 58 receiving yards
5. Marcedes Lewis = Five catches, 70 yards

Five we missed on:

1. Derrick Ward = Arian Foster owners are glad our curses didn’t continue
2. Greg Camarillo = One catch, three receiving yards
3. Evan Moore = No catches
4. Davone Bess = One catch, 12 yards
5. Jimmy Clausen = 59 passing yards, one interception

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A Look Back at our Twenty Sneaky Plays for Week Two

Five we hit on:

1. Michael Vick = 284 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, two touchdowns
2. Eddie Royal =  Five catches, 65 yards, one touchdown
3. Jacoby Jones = Six catches, 53 yards, one touchdown
4. Malcom Floyd = Three catches, 95 yards, one touchdown
5.  Mark Clayton = Two catches, 24 yards, two touchdowns

Five we missed on:

1. Davone Bess = One catch, 12 yards
2. Mike Williams (SEA) = One catch, 7 yards
3. Fred Taylor = Five carries, 11 yards
4. Mike Thomas = Four catches, 43 yards
5. Tony Scheffler = One catch, five yards

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An Early Look Ahead to Hot Names on the Week Two Waiver Wire

1. Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN (owned in 1.7% of leagues)

Thomas himself doubted he could play this week while still recovering from a foot injury. When he was declared active, most looked right past it. That won’t happen again after he posted eight catches, 97 yards and one touchdown in his pro debut. Not bad.

2. Bruce Gradkowski, QB, OAK (0.1%)

Hard to say what’s going to happen in Oakland with the quarterback controversy, but every quarterback who doesn’t play in Buffalo should be owned.

3. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET (1.2%)

Dynasty owners know a lot about Pettigrew. Mainstream fantasy players likely do now after he posted seven catches for 108 yards. Welcome back!

4. Jason Snelling, RB, ATL (3.4%)

Snelling is one of the most underrated backups in all of fantasy. He erupted for 186 combined yards and three touchdowns after Michael Turner was hurt. While Turner is expected back next week, this showing reminds us of just how effective Snelling can be.

5. Charlie Batch, QB, PIT (0.1%)

See: Gradkowski, Bruce

6. Golden Tate, WR, SEA (4.5%)

Tate is still very much a work in progress, but he had two big plays of at least 50 yards on Sunday that keep him on the fantasy radar.

7. Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ (22.6%)

Sanchez has had quite the turnaround in the last six days. After looking awful in week one against the Ravens, he bounced back with three (yes, three!) touchdown passes against New England. While he shouldn’t come close to starting for your team yet, it’s conceivable he could grow into a bye week play this season.

8. Aaron Hernandez, TE, NE (3.5%)

The Jets have allowed two 100 yard receivers in around the past year and a half. One was Anquan Boldin. Want to guess the other?

9. Mike Tolbert, RB, SD (0.4%)

Speaking of running back injuries, Ryan Mathews left the game early with a foot injury for the Chargers. Tolbert did a great job of replacing him with 82 rushing yards and two scores. Mathews injury status is still unknown, but his handcuff is certainly no mystery.

10. Rashad Jennings, RB, JAX (26.2%)

Maybe the Jags really were serious about getting MJD some help.

Keep in mind these weekly pickups are always going to be added to the ones we suggested from previous weeks.

11. Earl Bennett, WR, CHI (0.9%)

Five catches and 29 yards don’t excite you, but the Bears playing Devin Aromashodu mostly on special teams should give him some future opportunities.

Week One
Week Two

Good luck this week!