With week two in the books, football season is gaining steam and, with that, so is fantasy football. Here’s my spin on the week, and as always, I claim no responsibility for your failures and all credit for your successes.
Stock Trending Up
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: Tom Terrific, what’s not to like about him? Three Super Bowl rings, NFL records and a perfect regular season on his resume. While he has struggled on the field at times these last couple of years, he will play at home for the first time in week three against the Oakland Raiders, one of the worst teams in the league. Brady will have a big game on Sunday — mark it down.
2. Matt Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions: It’s pretty easy to be a quarterback when you have weapons like Reggie Bush, Golden Tate, and that guy named Calvin Johnson. Stafford has shown that he can throw the ball all over the field, and that should be no different this coming Sunday. The Packers have a defense with more holes than a block of swiss cheese and Stafford will find them all day long. Add in the chance that this turns into a shootout and the point total could be outrageous.
3. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears: Is this the second week in a row I pick a pair of wide receivers to pick apart a depleted New York Jets secondary? Yup, it is. If Jay Cutler can stay up on his feet, look for Marshall and Jeffery to put in big days at the office.
Stock Trending Down
1. Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos: I am a huge supporter of Montee Ball. I think the kid will be a top eight running back by the end of the year, but this week he will travel to Seattle… to play the Seahawks… in CenturyLink Field. If you have a solid running back you can sub in for Ball this week, I’d advise doing so.
2. Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco: I legitimately think Kaepernick could be the best quarterback in the league if he had half a brain. The guy has all the tools, yet somehow just can’t put it all together to live up to his potential. But this week he goes up against a formidable Cardinals defense in Arizona. Look for the birds to slow down Kaepernick this week.
3. Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants: Although he had a great preseason, Jennings has only looked fair in the regular season so far. He was a solid snag around the fourth round of any fantasy draft, but this week I can’t see him putting up much value. Mostly because of J.J. Watt. The NFL’s highest paid defensive lineman leads a solid front seven in Houston and I see them making it a long day for Jennings. If you have a solid running back you can sub in, you should.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups
1. Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers: Wheaton has shown that he can be an integral part of the Steelers offense this year. Big Ben loves to throw the ball all around the field and Wheaton could fill the role Emmanuel Sanders left void when he signed with the Denver Broncos in the offseason. If he’s not claimed in your league, repeat after me: Must have Wheaton!
2. Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Everyone and their mother knows about the horrific Ray Rice story by now. But, the football team will keep playing and they still need another running back to hand the ball off. Forsett has looked solid with the opportunities he’s had, so I’d be sure to add him if you’re short on running back depth.
3. Miami Defense/Special Teams: As a New England Patriots fan, I have come to dread playing the Miami Dolphins in Miami. That defense plays differently at home, and I think they’ll be able to shut down the Kansas City Chiefs offense pretty easily.