Monday Hangover: Week Two

Ken Kelly Posted On September 17, 2012

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Every Sunday we’re featuring the Sunday Six Pack that covers the day’s biggest storylines. We’ll be following this up each and every Monday with the Monday Hangover, which will look back on those stories and cover what we learned. These back-to-back articles are sure to get you primed, pumped and informed throughout the entire season. In addition, reading these articles will ensure you understand the dangers of not paying attention or drinking too much on Sundays.

Let’s get to it!

Can #1) Which Week One Waiver Wire Wonders Will Work Wonderfully?

We mentioned several hot waiver wire additions in the Sunday Six Pack, including Kevin Ogletree, Dexter McCluster, Andrew Hawkins and Dennis Pitta.

Almost predictably, Kevin Ogletree came crashing back to earth with one reception for 26 yards. On the plus side, he caught 100% of his targets. That’s right – Ogletree was targeted just once on Tony Romo’s 40 pass attempts. It’s safe to say Ogletree’s production isn’t going to be anywhere close to consistent without an injury to Miles Austin or Dez Bryant.

Dexter McCluster was decent with four catches for 32 yards. It’s looking like he’s going to get a lot of opportunities if this Chiefs team can’t play any better. In two games, they’ve been outscored 75-41 and a lot of their points have come in garbage time. Yikes.

Andrew Hawkins was fairly quiet on the day until Andy Dalton hit him on a beautiful 50 yard catch and run touchdown. He finished the day with two catches for 56 yards and that touchdown to reward savvy owners who jumped on picking him up last week.

Dennis Pitta was solid again this week as he led the Ravens with eight catches for 65 yards.

One of the best suggestions we had last week was Daryl Richardson, who entered the game as the featured back in St. Louis after Steven Jackson left with a groin strain. Isaiah Pead was nowhere to be found.

Can #2) Will Two Discombobulated Offenses From Week One Get Back on Track?

We really wondered if the Saints and Panthers offenses could get going this week after they each really struggled. After all, one of these teams was going to be surprisingly 0-2 at the end of the day.

Unfortunately for the Saints, it’s them as they got on track and scored 27 points, but still lost 35-27. They did find some offensive balance as they threw 49 passes, but still had 27 carries. Mark Ingram finally produced something tangible with 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Saints are going to be desperate for a win next week and luckily get the woeful Chiefs at home.

For the Panthers, the 35 points was great, but the distribution was maddening from a fantasy perspective as Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Cam Newton and DeAngelo Williams all scored once. At least they found some rhythm on offense. They’ll get the Giants on Thursday in a game that should be very interesting.

Can #3) Kolb’s Last Stand

Kevin Kolb was set up to fail today. After all, going into New England to play against that defensive line was like the Millenium Falcon coming out of hyperspace on it’s way to Alderan only to see the giant Death Star. Well, much like the Rebel Alliance, Kolb was able to beat what looked to be insurmountable odds and help the Cardinals beat the Patriots on the road. On the day, he went 15-for-27 for 140 and had two total touchdowns and no interceptions. He did lose a fumble, but more importantly, he was fairly composed under constant pressure – something we frankly haven’t seen in a long, long time. It’s going to be very interesting to see who the Cardinals start next week if Skelton is healthy.

Can #4) Jonathan Dwyer’s Shining Moment

Today should have been the day that Jonathan Dwyer staked his claim to being no worse than a time share running back when Rashard Mendenhall returns from his injury here soon. Instead, the Jets really bottled him up as he was able to finish with just 28 rushing yards on 12 attempts and caught one pass for 12 more yards. This was hardly the performance Dwyer’s owners were hoping for and does nothing to clear up the mess in the Pittsburgh backfield.

Can #5) Spiller Time

Yep, it’s Spiller time.

CJ Spiller was absolutely electric this week as he rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries and also added 47 receiving yards on just three catches. It’s the clear the Bills have the best chance to win with Spiller as the focal point in the offense and it’s fair to say he’s a weekly RB1 for as long as Fred Jackson is out. The way he’s playing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bills use an incredible amount of caution with Jackson and his recovery – that three to eight week recovery time may end up conveniently ending later, rather than sooner. When Jackson comes back, it’s fair to say this committee is going to start with Spiller as the “1” and Jackson as the “2” in a “1-2” punch now.

Can #6) Can We Get Some Consistency Please?

We mentioned Jay Cutler as a player who drove many owners nuts this week with his egg laying performance on Thursday night. There were a number of players who had huge performances in week one who were squarely in the crosshairs this week to see if they could repeat their stellar days – some delivered and some didn’t. Some of the players we mentioned on Sunday were Robert Griffin III, Mark Sanchez, Blaine Gabbert, Adrian Peterson, Martellus Bennett, and Stephen Hill.

First off, it’s safe to say RGIII is for real. He finished the game going 20-for-29 for 206 yards and a touchdown, but also rushed for 82 more yards and two more scores. Griffin is actually like what Michael Vick should be and he’s a rookie.

Mark Sanchez predictably fell back to earth with a clunker against the Steelers. Sanchez finished the completing just 10-of-27 passing for 138 yards and one touchdown.

For the first time this year, the 2012 version of Blaine Gabbert looked like the 2011 version of Blaine Gabbert. He finished the day completing 7-of-19 for just 53 yards and one five yard touchdown to Maurice Jones-Drew. He left the game with a lower leg injury and it really wouldn’t surprise many to see Chad Henne under center next week.

Adrian Peterson had a quiet game with 80 yards on 19 touches, but it’s still safe to say he’s back.

Martellus Bennett has another fine day with five catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. It could have been even better as he dropped another score from Manning earlier in the day. It’s safe to say Bennett is going to be pretty solid TE2 this year and could even be more. He’s currently on pace to tie Rob Gronkowski’s touchdown record for a tight end. Well, maybe we shouldn’t get that excited.

That brings us to Stephen Hill. We figured Hill’s production could be spotty and we were right – he finished with as many catches as you did this week. He’s going to be big-time boom or bust play all season long as he develops his game.

Thanks for spending your employer’s work time with us today! Follow Ken on twitter @DLF_KenK.

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK