Fantasy Football

Start

Larry Johnson (KC) at CHI- I shouldn’t have to advise people to start Larry Johnson, but based on other fantasy material I’ve been reading that suggests sitting LJ, I guess it’s necessary. I understand all the logic in this situation. Johnson and the Chiefs did nothing against the lowly Texans defense last week. The Bears completely shut down LT in Week 1. People are worried Johnson’s workload is being cut. It all makes sense, but it doesn’t mean you should bench LJ this week. For one, he’s going to get fed the ball. The fact that Kansas City didn’t muster any offense in Houston last week is only beneficial to Johnson, because it is going to allow Herm Edwards to wake up and realize he has only one way to win a game, and that is through Larry Johnson. He will get 25-35 touches on Sunday, and he is talented enough to make something big happen with that type of workload. Play him as usual.

Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) vs ATL- He out-carried and out-touched Fred Taylor in Week 1, despite only touching the ball 10 times himself. The Jags never had the ball against the Titans, which was a big reason for Jones-Drew’s subpar game. They will have the ball plenty against the Falcons, and they are going to run until they can’t run anymore. Jones-Drew will have a bounce back game, so don’t sit him for Chris Brown solely based on what happened last week.

Matt Schaub should be able to pad his Week 2 stats while playing from behind.

Matt Schaub (HOU) at CAR- Yes, it is tough matchup, but sometimes a tough matchup can be good for a QB as long as his team is going to be playing from behind. Carolina should score early and often, and Schaub and the Texans will be playing heavy catch-up in the 2nd half. Now, I’m not telling you to start Schaub over a solid QB1 like Tom Brady or Drew Brees, but if you are weak at QB, don’t be afraid to play him this week.

Brett Favre (GB) at NYG- Again, I don’t want you playing Favre over someone like Marc Bulger, but if you are in a two QB league, or you are digging deep for a weekly QB start, Favre is nice play on Sunday. The Giants could have one of the worst pass defenses I have ever seen. I take that back, the Giants do have one of the worst pass defenses I have ever seen. What Tono Romo did to them on Sunday night was embarrassing, and Favre should be able to take advantage as well. He certainly won’t throw 4 TDs and run for another as Romo did, but he should get at least 2 and come close to 300 yards.

James Jones (GB) at NYG- If I feel good about Favre, I have to feel good about his WRs. Donald Driver is a must start, but that is not rocket science and you don’t need me to tell you that. Jones, on the other hand, is a rookie that many people may not know about. He is starting opposite of Driver with Greg Jennings still ailing, and he has a very good chance of reaching the endzone this week. If you are up in the air about a WR3 or WR4, Jones should fit in nicely in Week 2.

Jerious Norwood (ATL) at JAX- If you are really weak at RB2, or you play a flex in your league, don’t abandon Norwood just yet. After Bobby Petrino clearly misused Norwood in Week 1, it didn’t taken him long to realize how dumb it really was. Petrino mentioned early in the week that the team needs to figure out ways to get Norwood the ball, and that should happen on Sunday. While the Jaguars figure to bounce back from their horrendous defensive performance against the Titans, they clearly don’t appear to be the same defense they were a year ago. At the very least, Norwood should make a nice Week 2 flex play.

Donte Stallworth (NE) vs SD- The Chargers have to be anticipating another Randy Moss show Sunday night, which is why Stallworth should make a nice play. They Bolts will be doing everything in their power not to let Randy slip past them, which will allow Stallworth to roam free on many plays. I can see a very noisy Week 2 after a very quiet Week 1.

Health Miller (PIT) vs BUF- He got a score last week, and I think he’ll get another one against the Bills. Buffalo’s pass defense is not very good, and Miller should be able to maneuver his way to a solid game. Go with him if you are juggling your TE position.

Sit

Darrell Jackson (SF) at STL- I’m sorry, but Alex Smith gives me no confidence that he can consistently get the ball to his WRs. If you are playing Jackson as a WR3, I would consider other alternatives.

Warrick Dunn (ATL) at JAX- If you are a Dunn owner and you got excited after seeing last week’s heavy workload, it is time to calm down and leave him where he belongs, on your bench. Jerious Norwood will take his starting job soon, and it begins this week in Jacksonville.

Adrian Peterson (MIN) at DET- Something tells me that Peterson is going to severely disappoint the owners who throw him into their lineup after his huge Week 1. His TD last week came on an everyday swing pass in which the Falcons completely forgot to play defense. He did rush for over 100 yards, but part of the reason for his large carry total was because Chestor Taylor got injured early in the game. AP is as talented as they come, and he may have a decent game, but I wouldn’t start him over a Larry Johnson or a Willie Parker type RB1.

Laveranues Coles (NYJ) at BAL- It looks like it is going to be 2nd year QB Kellen Clemens getting the start against a devastating Ravens defense in Week 2. That is bad news for Coles, in case you haven’t figured it out. If you played Coles as a WR3 last week (yes I realize he scored 2 TDs), consider better options if they are available to you this week.

Edgerrin James (ARI) vs SEA- His workload was heavy in Week 1, but his production per touch was weak once again. If the Cardinals plan on playing the type of offense they did against the 49ers last week, the Seahawks will have put Arizona away by halftime. I doubt James will get to 100 yards or score in this one. He’s worth using as a flex, but leave him on the bench if you have better RB2 options.

Vince Young (TEN) vs IND- I know, you’re thinking it is going to get better this week against the Colts. Well, I think you’re wrong. I had Young on my bust list for a reason, and it is because, well, I think he’s going to continue to be a bust. I would play both Brett Favre and Matt Schaub over Young this week.

Ronald Curry (OAK) at DEN- I liked Curry before the season, and I obviously still like Curry after his big Week 1. However, nothing about this week’s matchup is good. It looks like Josh McCown, who apparently had a good connection with Curry on Sunday, will sit in favor of Daunte Culpepper. It also doesn’t help that Champ Bailey should be blanketing him for most of the game.

Plaxico Burress (NYG) vs GB- If you are a Burress owner, you aren’t going to listen to me on this one, and I completely understand. As a matter of fact, if I was a Burress owner, I would have trouble listening to myself. After the monster Week 1, it would be almost impossible for anyone to sit Burress, but it might be the week to do it. Despite conflicting reports, Eli Manning probably won’t play, which leaves the reigns to the Pillsbury Throwboy, Jared Lorenzen. Considering all 3 of his career passes came on Sunday night after Eli exited the game, coupled with fact that Packers defense looked great against the Eagles last week, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to leave Burress on your bench in Week 2. Of course, that would only work if you are in a very shallow league, or you had great bench WRs.

Feel free to email me at Jdimaggio5@aol.com with any questions you might have regarding your own team.