Sit Em, Start Em – Week Two
Terrelle Pryor – Pryor ran wild in week one and has the chance to have another strong fantasy night against the Jaguars this week. Expect Pryor to flirt with 80 rushing yards and 180 plus passing yards against a Jaguar team who is not very good themselves. Pryor is an upside QB2 until further notice.
Brian Hartline – After his week one explosion Hartline should be employed in all leagues as an upside WR3 until further notice. The Mike Wallace effect is real and Hartline will continue to feast in single coverage for the entire season. Hartline has proven chemistry with Tannehill and is finally ready to show some consistency to fantasy owners.
Marlon Brown – For those of you who were lucky enough to have a high enough waiver priority to land Brown he comes in as a strong play this week. Brown has solid flex value this week versus the Browns as Smith is expected to be shadowed by top corner Joe Haden opening him up to face single coverage all night. Flacco much like Tony Romo is not much of a risk taker and plays the matchups which means Brown should see six plus targets this week. Deploy Brown with confidence for the foreseeable future.
David Wilson – Some owners may be thinking about sitting Wilson after a disastrous week one but with Brown still out, Scott hurting and Jacobs probably not in the best football shape Wilson should get 12-15 touches to prove himself. If he avoids fumbling he could rack up touches in this one if the Giants somehow manage to create a cushion. Wilson is an upside RB2 play this week.
Knowshown Moreno – Moreno is a solid yet unspectacular running back but is a rock solid passing down back at this stage in his career. Moreno came into the league with a lot of talent and we should not forget that. Moreno will likely dominate snaps once again while getting the most work in the passing game. Lead protector and goal line back Montee Ball minimizes his fantasy upside but he is a solid flex option in PPR leagues. Employ Moreno with confidence this week.
Julius Thomas – Julius Thomas broke out in a big way on Thursday Night Football and is locked in as a top ten option for the rest of the season. He is virtually uncoverable and only his own routes or hands can stop him from making a play on the majority of his targets.
Sit em
Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben had a questionable game in week one and is not a recommended start this week against the division rival Bengals. Big Ben has not had much success against the Bengals recently who will be extra fired up this week as they try to help James Harrison beat his old team. Big Ben is nothing more than a low end QB2 this week as he tries to acclimate himself to life without ‘60 minutes’ Mike Wallace.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis – BJGE struggled against the Bears in week one racking up just 29 yards on 13 touches to 30 yards for Giovanni Bernard on just five touches. Bernard is going to be supplanted by Bernard sooner than later and is not a recommended fantasy play if you have other options. BJGE is a flex2 option this week with a bye week filler floor going up against the Steelers. He should have a better game than in week one but the Bernard threat is real and looming larger each and every week.
Montee Ball – Knowshon Moreno as mentioned above is still the Broncos most trusted running back and will likely dominate in the snap department once again. Once the Broncos start to nurse a lead however it will be the Montee Ball show. Montee may also get some work in the red zone but nothing is guaranteed except coach Fox continuing to defer to the veterans over his high upside rookie. Ball is already the Broncos best runner and should breakout in the near future. Ball is an upside flex2 play this week but it is recommended to sit him until he emerges from the RBBC quagmire coach Fox has presented fantasy owners.
Kenbrell Thompkins – Thompkins should be someone you can afford to sit this week after a truly disappointing week one effort that saw his catch rate at 33 percent as he managed to haul in only four of his 12 targets on the night. Dobson is expected to be activated this week with Amendola banged up and has more upside if Thompkins is going to be such a lackluster target in the passing game. Thompkins remains a flex play in deeper leagues but swap him out for one week until he proves he can hang. Thompkins is expected to draw Cromartie in coverage this week.
Brandon LaFell – LaFell saw zero targets in week one and remains nothing more than a bye week filler at this point. LaFell will have some big games this year but with Newton locked onto Smith and Olsen is not a recommended fantasy play except for in the deepest of leagues where sitting him may not be an option vis a vis the other options you have available.
Brandon Pettigrew – Gone are the days of Pettigrew serving as Stafford’s number two target which puts a serious damper on Pettigrew’s fantasy upside. Pettigrew is now behind the versatile Reggie Bush and will continue to operate as a check down security option only when Bush or Bell are not open. Pettigrew will have a few big games this year and this may be one of the weeks but he is not a reliable fantasy option and is not someone we recommend starting this week unless you have no choice. Pettigrew is a TE2, even in PPR leagues.
