2016 NFL WEEKLY GAME PREVIEWS: WEEK 3

There have been 20 games decided by seven or fewer points through two games, the second most ever (23 in 2013).

A total of 247 players caught a pass in Week 16, the most in NFL history (242 in Week 12 last year).

J.J. Watt had a sack and a half to give him 76 sacks in 82 games. He’s the second fastest player to get tot 75 sacks behind only Reggie White (75 in 62 games).

Some articles to check out.

Week 2 snap counts.

Week 2 hot takes.

Week 2 Game Recaps from Jeff Mans.

The updated DEPTH CHART.

Here's a link to the Fantasy Alarm WEEKLY PLAYER RANKINGS.

Here’s a link to the DFS NFL PLAYBOOK PRO.

** Game recaps are from NFL Media.

** All times listed are EDT.

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Houston Texans

Will Fuller is the third player ever to have 100-receiving yards in his first two career games. He also saw his targets dip from 11 to seven in Week 2, and his hands are still an issue.

DeAndre Hopkins has scored his last two games. He’s also caught 12 balls for 167 yards and two scores on 19 targets in two games. In his last Thursday night game he went for 11 grabs and 169 yards.

Lamar Miller has carried the ball 53 times for 189 yards. That’s a pace for more than 1,500 rushing yards. He’s also caught three passes but he’s yet to get into the end zone. His workload keeps him an RB1, period.

Brock Osweiler has thrown for three scores in two games, but he’s also been picked off twice while completing just 60.3 percent of his passes. The Patriots have allowed 321 passing yards a game and have permitted four passing scores.

Jaelen Strong has done nothing. Stephen Anderson has five grabs for 40 yards.

J.J. Watt has 76 sacks since he entered the league, the most in football. Whitney Mercilus has 8.5 sacks in his last four games (playoffs included).

New England Patriots

Danny Amendola scored twice last week. He’s still caught just seven balls on eight targets for 98 yards in two games. He also lost a fumble last week.

Tom Brady is out (suspension). Jimmy Garoppolo is out (shoulder). It’s Jacoby Brissett time. We think. The team is making it seem like Garoppolo could play, but that seems unreasonable. As of this writing that means that Edelman is the backup quarterback. The Texans are allowing just 178.5 yards a game through the air and have allowed one passing score.

LeGarrette Blount carried the ball 29 times for 123 yards and a score last week with 56 percent of his yardage coming in the fourth quarter. That’s 51 carries in two games for Blount who has also scored in each contest.

Julian Edelman has seven scores in 10 games. He’s also caught 100-yards of passes each of his last two games against Houston. As the likely backup QB this week, he has to be started in all leagues given the passing potential.

Rob Gronkowski has 10 grabs for 214 yards and two scores his last two games in this matchup. Gronk also has 15 scores his last 14 games at home (including the playoffs). It’s still unclear if he will play this week though there is growing optimism that he will play.

Chris Hogan has gone for four catches and 59 yards and three catches for 60 yards. Ten targets in two weeks. He could start to cede snaps to Amendola.

Malcolm Mitchell has caught three passes for 48 yards on seven targets in two games.

James White has carried the ball five times for 23 yards. He hasn’t scored on the ground or as a pass catcher. He’s caught 7-of-11 targets for 50 yards in two games.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016

Arizona Cardinals

John Brown has caught two passes for 22 yards in two games. Jaron Brown has caught three balls for 96 yard and a touchdown. John is still the Brown to own, but his value was greatly talked up this offseason for no reason.

David Johnson was out carried in Week 2 by Chris Johnson 16 to 12. Doesn’t matter. It was only because of the game score. It’s David all the time here as he turned 15 touches into 142 yards. He also played 41 snaps to 21 for Chris. Matt Forte ran for 100 yards and three scores against the Bills in Week 2.

Larry Fitzgerald went for 6-81-1 last week. He went for 8-81-2 in Week 1. He has 14 grabs, double any other member of the team. He had a 6-93-1 line the last time against the Bills.

Michael Floyd has scored three of his last four games against the AFC. He also scored last week but he has only five catches on 13 targets the first two games as he’s struggled to hook up with his quarterback.

Carson Palmer has posted a QB Rating of 100 in 6-of-7 games. He’s thrown for 579 yards and five scores in two games, despite not looking like the star that should be behind those numbers. The Bills have allowed just two passing scores this season but 297.5 yards a game through the air.

Buffalo Bills

Charles Clay (knee) continues to miss practice. Shouldn’t really matter as he cannot be active in fantasy lineups. He has seven catches for 67 yards in two games.

Mike Gillislee touched the ball once, a late 18 yard touchdown reception. That was it. Nothing else for the backup in terms of work. He’s a pure handcuff with no standalone value.

Marquise Goodwin leads the team with 112 yards but he’s merely a deep threat, that’s all. He’s only caught two passes.

LeSean McCoy handled 95 percent of the backfield touches last week (19 of 20). McCoy has caught four passes in each game, and he’s averaged 16 carries giving him an RB1 workload. He’s produced 383 yards from scrimmage the last four matchups.  

Greg Salas is second on the team with 89 yards. Seventy one of them came on a touchdown grab.

Tyrod Taylor has posted a QB Rating of 110.3 with nine scores (two rushing) his last five games at home. The Cardinals have picked off four passes. He still struggles on the short stuff, but boy does he throw a nice deep ball. He’s been picked once in two games while throwing for three scores though he has only attempted 52 passes. The matchup with Arizona is a very poor one.

Sammy Watkins (foot) will continue to play on even as he misses practice time early in the week. He has a terrible matchup this week in which he will be shadowed Partick Peterson. Watkins has caught just six passes for 63 yards. He’s caught five passes for 92 yards and one score per game the last three versus the NFC. 

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Minnesota Vikings

Sam Bradford looked solid last week with 286 passing yards and two scores, versus no picks (the Panthers have picked off four passes). He looked sharp though he did take four sacks. Carolina has picked off four passes while allowing a mere 198 passing yards a game.

Stefon Diggs lit it up last week. Check out the Big 3 video. He has 16 grabs for 285 yards and a score, on 20 targets, through two games (with two different quarterbacks).

Everson Griffen had a sack and forced fumble last week. He had two sacks in the last meeting.

Charles Johnson has caught three balls for 20 yards. Cordarrelle Patterson has caught one pass for six yards. Laquon Treadwell still hasn’t caught a pass.

Adrian Peterson (knee) is an issue and he is going to miss at least three months, if not more. His recovery could be up to six months meaning his season is likely over. It will likely be Jerick McKinnon much of the time, but Matt Asiata could steal the glory. Asiata is a better pass blocker, and back in 2014 when AD was out Asiata saw 34 touches in the red zone compared to eight for McKinnon. If Asiata is the goaline back, and he sees time on third down cause of his blocking acumen it could kill the value of McKinnon. Go McKinnon in PPR, Asiata in non. The Vikings signed Ronnie Hillman, though projecting any role for him this week seems nonsensical.

Kyle Rudolph scored last week and has a score his last two games against the Panthers. Rudolph has scored or gone for 65 yards in both games. He’s seen eight targets each of his last two games, and Bradford has long enjoyed throwing to his tight ends.

Carolina Panthers

Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker will have to step up with Jonathan Stewart sidelined with a hamstring issue. Fozzy had 19 touches for 131 yards stepping in for the Panthers including 100 yards on 16 carries. However, Mike Tolbert is around and could always steal work, and CAP, though inactive because he doesn’t play special teams, is arguably the top talent of the three men who will be out there. This will be a committee this week with potentially CAP in the lead.

Kelvin Benjamin had seven grabs for 108 yards and two scores last week. He’s caught 13 passes for 199 yards and three scores in two games. He’s gone for 100 yards in three of his last four games at home. See this Big 3 video.

Devin Funchess has scored four times his last five games at home. He also scored last week against the Niners. Still, he’s caught three passes for 28 yards on just eight targets in two games.

Charles Johnson had a forced fumble and sack in the last matchup. He had a forced fumble last week.

Ted Ginn lost a touchdown last week and has just three grabs on five receptions for 56 yards through two games.

Cam Newton threw for 354 yards and four scores against the Niners. He’s thrown for five scores and run for one through two games while averaging nine carries a game. He has 20 touchdowns his last five games at home (17 pass, 3 rush).

Greg Olsen caught five balls for 122 yards and a score last week. He’s seen 17 targets and is averaging 97.5 yards a game on six catches. He’s scored six times his last eight games at home.

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Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson touched the ball 23 times last week to 10 for Devontae Booker. Anderson has scored in 4-straight games. He’s scored twice in two meetings. The Bengals were beat up for 155 yards from Matt Forte in Week 1 and in Week 2 DeAngelo Williams produced 132 total yards. The Bengals are allowing 138 yards and 4.2 yards a carry on the ground.

Virgil Green has a strained calf and is being called day-to-day. Jeff Heuerman, who was a healthy scratch last week, might be active this week. Green has caught seven balls for 74 yards in two games. Why do you care?

Emmanuel Sanders has scored three times in two outings. Still, he has only caught eight balls for 88 yards in two games and he’s averaging a pathetic 1.9 yards after the catch.

Trevor Siemian has thrown just 59 passes in two games this season. He’s also tossed one score and has been picked off twice while averaging a mere 222 yards. He’s simply not a startable commodity, even against a Bengals unit that has allowed five passing scores.

Demaryius Thomas looked decent last week after all the concerns about his hip as he caught five passes for 90 yards. The last matchup Thomas caught seven balls for 115 yards but he cannot be counted on for production like that this week. Thomas has only 13 targets in two games.

Cincinnati Bengals

Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill each touched the ball 14 times in Week 2. There performances were drastically different however. Bernard produced 117 yards nearly double the 59 that Hill generated. The highlight for Bernard were the nine grabs for 100 yards and a score. Four of those catches, 60 yards and a touchdown, came in the fourth quarter with the team in comeback mode. Tough to expect any type of consistent workload from Bernard as his role is situation dependent. Hill has done nothing on the ground by the does have eight rushing scores in 10 games (playoffs included). The matchup with Denver should be tough.

Tyler Boyd has caught eight of 11 targets without a score. He’s produced 102 yards in two games. He did look sharp last week with six grabs and 78 yards.

Andy Dalton leads the NFL with 732 passing yards as he’s thrown for 366 yards in each game. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns versus five picks over his last nine games at home (106.8 QB Rating). The Broncos are allowing a mere 173 yards through the air however.

Tyler Eifert is starting to practice but there is seemingly no chance that he could play this week. Tyler Kroft has three grabs for 35 yards while C.J. Uzomah has caught five for 68 yards. Neither has scored.

A.J. Green disappeared last week with two gabs. Still he’s averaging seven catches and 109 yards a game through two outings. He has scored three times in four meetings. He’s scored five times in his last four games at home with at least one touchdown in each outing.

Brandon LaFell saw eight targets last week but caught only three passes for 39 yards. He saw 72 snaps last week, 12 more than Boyd.

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Detroit Lions

Ameer Abdullah (foot) isn’t going to play this week or any of the next eight weeks (at least) as he was placed on injured reserve. That leaves the backfield to three men: Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner. Riddick should be first up after touching the ball 15 times in Week 2, but he’s far from ideal and simply isn’t a back who should be carrying the ball 15 times (his career YPC mark is 3.2). He’s not a first two down back, but the Lions might have to give him more work. Washington is the big back and should continue to be the goaline back with Zenner waiting in the wings. Reddick is a starter as an RB2, while Washington is a desperate flex options. The Packers have allowed just 1.6 YPC the first two games at 39 yards an outing.

Anquan Boldin has a score, seven grabs and 83 yards in two games. He saw just three targets in Week 1 but seven last week.

Eric Ebron has just 99 receiving yards, but he does have nine catches and a score. He’s dealing with a sore back.

Marvin Jones has seen 10 and 11 targets in two games producing 85 and 118 yards. He will get into the end zone soon enough.

Matthew Stafford has thrown for at least two touchdowns in 3-straight games in the matchup. The Lions have used the no-huddle on more than 40 percent of their snaps. The Packers pass coverage is 6^th worst in football according to PFF and they will likely be without Sam Shields, their top d-back.

Golden Tate has nine grabs, a bit slow for him, but it’s the no scores and 54 yards that has some owners in a panic. Still, Tate is on pace for 128 targets this season, the exact same total he saw last year. #Patience

Green Bay Packers

Davante Adams scored in the last matchup. He continues to make mistakes but he has received seven targets in each of his two games. He’s only caught six passes for 56 yards though.

Randall Cobb has been disappointing in two games. He has caught 11 passes, but he also hasn’t scored while going for just 99 yards. His total of 15 targets seems a bit low too.

Jared Cook caught four balls in Week 2 to push his totals to five grabs and 38 yards. Richard Rodgers caught eight passes for 146 yards in the last meeting and he has three receptions for 47 yards this season.

Eddie Lacy and James Starks shared the backfield in Week 2. Lacy touched the ball 12 times, Starks 8. Lacy produced 50 yards, Starks 19. Interestingly, in two games Lacy hasn’t had a single carry on third down this season despite averaging 4.3 YPC, vastly superior to the 0.9 mark of Starks. Lacy does have 199 yards on the ground his last two home games against the Lions.

Jordy Nelson has scored in each game this season, even as he’s struggled to create separation on his way to 105 yards. He is the red zone threat of choice for Mr. Rodgers. Nelson has scored six times his last seven against the NFC North and is averaging 110 yards and a score his last three home games against the Lions.

Aaron Rodgers has started 14 times against the Lions with 26 touchdowns and six picks with a 105.9 QB Rating. In the last meeting he threw for 273 yards and two scores, with a rushing score. He’s been off his game to this point though floating passes over his intended targets but he faces a Lions team with their top pass rusher Ziggy Ansah.

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Baltimore Ravens

Kamar Aiken has seen 36 snaps in two weeks. He’s completely useless at the moment.

Joe Flacco passed for 302 yards and two scores last week. He threw for three scores and 316 yards in the matchup last November. The Jaguars have allowed six passing scores and have not picked off a pass.

Justin Forsett and Terrance West were once again the only two active halfbacks for the Ravens. There were 29 touches for 103 yards last week with Forsett leading the way with 14 carries for 37 yards. A total mess. The Jags are allowing a big 122.5 yards a game on the ground at 4.1 yards per carry while allowing two rushing scores.

Breshad Perriman saw 21 snaps in Week 1 and 31 in Week 2. Things are trending up. Still only three grabs for 67 yards at this point marks him as a non-entity this week in the fantasy game.

Dennis Pitta caught nine passes for 102 yards last week. Nine of his 11 targets in Week 2 were within nine yards of the line of scrimmage. He’s a TE1 weekly as long as he’s on the field given his connection with Flacco. Crockett Gillmore and Max Williams both had a touchdown reception in the last matchup but they cannot be started with Pitta on the field.

Steve Smith is playing nearly 70 percent of the snaps, most on the team at wideout, but he has only eight grabs for 83 yards. He’s had 15 passes thrown his way but other than a 31 yard grab he’s done nothing.

Mike Wallace has scored in each game with the Ravens for a total of three touchdowns. All seven of his receptions in two games have been for a score or a first down. Note that Wallace has just 11 targets in two games, a pace of 88 targets for the season. Ted Ginn was the only wideout in football last season in the top-25 who had fewer than 90-targets.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Blake Bortles takes on the Ravens who have allowed just two passing scores in two games and an NFL best 168.5 yards through the air. Bortles threw for two touchdowns in the last matchup and he’s tossed the pigskin for more than 320 yards each game this season. He’s also tossed three picks.

Allen Hurns scored in the last matchup. He’s gone for at least four grabs and 64 yards in each game though he’s still looking for his first score. He’s soaked up 15 targets.

Chris Ivory returned to practice early in the week and is expected to play in Week 3. Ivory would appear to be set to return to a role as the goaline back as well as the potential 1-2 down runner as well. The Ravens are allowing 4.5 YPC and have permitted two rushing scores.

Marquise Lees has seven grabs for 97 yards. With all the starts and stops in his career you cannot trust him, at all.

Allen Robinson has had a slow start, but he still has 12 touchdowns his last 14 games and he’s scored seven times his last eight outings at home. He’s only caught nine passes for 126 yards thus far.

Julius Thomas has scored 30 times since 2013, the most for any tight end in football. Last week though it was Marcedes Lewis who scored. Thomas still has two strong games with at least four receptions and 64 yards in each game.

T.J. Yeldon is not good. He caught eight passes for 10 yards last week (read that again). He also carried the ball seven times for 28 yards. With Ivory returning, he’s likely to become more of a third down back. He is tied for the running back lead with 12 grabs.  

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Cleveland Browns

Gary Barnidge did very little last week catching four passes for 37 yards. That’s a huge improvement on his Week 1 goose egg. No telling how he will be used with a rookie under center, though it stands to reason that he should see some work as a safety valve.

Corey Coleman caught five balls for 104 yards and two scores last week. He has two grabs of at least 45 yards in two games. Still, he’s only caught seven passes this season and late news came down that he suffered a broken bone in his hand at practice Wednesday. It's unclear how much time he will miss. 

Isaiah Crowell ran nuts for 133 yards and a score on 18 carries last week. He also has five rushing scores his last six games. However, remove his 85-yard touchdown run and his other 17 carries didn’t even produce 50 yards. He more than doubled the touch count, 19 to seven, of Duke Johnson. Duke caught four balls for 44 yards, but he’s simply not been a focal part of the offense in either of the two games. Last week the Dolphins were destroyed by LeGarrette Blount for 129 yards and a score over 29 carries last week and are allowing 136.5 yards a game on the ground.

Robert Griffin III is out. Josh McCown (shoulder) seems likely to miss Week 3 and potentially more. The club signed Charlie Whitehurst but he won’t be ready to play so it’s left to third round QB Cody Kessler who simply isn’t ready to start in the NFL. His insertion into the lineup is a downgrade for all Bills starters. It’s gonna get ugly in Cleveland.

Terrelle Pryor has seen 17 targets in two games. He’s only caught six of them for 100 yards. Take away his 44 yard grab and it’s five catches for 56 yards. Not startable, not close.

Miami Dolphins

Jordan Cameron has a score. He also has a drop. He’s caught seven passes for 55 yards. He’s pretty useless.

Arian Foster (groin) sounds like he might play after all. That makes this situation a mess as Foster, Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake could see touches (heck, even Damien Williams might). Through two games Foster has averaged 2.9 YPC on 16 totes. Ajayi would seem like the best complimentary option this week but he did fumble last week while Drake put the ball in the end zone so Drake might end up leading in touches. It could be a full blown committee though. The Browns have allowed the 11^th fewest points to runners.

Jarvis Landry caught 10 balls for 137 yards last week and he leads the NFL with 17 grabs. He’s a PPR monster who has caught an average of eight balls for 94 yards in his last three at home.

DeVante Parker has gone for 100-yards his last two games. Of course, one of those games was last season. Parker was on the field for 60 snaps last week, four less than Kenny Stills, and is finally coming into the range of startable after dealing with so many health woes, especially after seeing a whopping 13 targets last week. Stills continues to play a lot of snaps but he’s only seen nine targets in two games catching three for 55 yards and a score.

Ryan Tannehill - The Fish ran the no-huddle in Week 1 13 percent of the time before opening things up last week (54.8 percent). Tannehill completed 20-of-24 when throwing out of the no-huddle last week for two scores. Overall he threw for 389 yards and two scores while running for 35 more yards on six carries and the Browns seem like an opponent he could take advantage of.

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Washington Redskins

Kirk Cousins does not look good. Just the truth. He threw for 364 yards and a score last week but there is dissention in the locker room while his play on the field continues to be middling (he simply locks on to players allowing defenders to get a good break on the ball). He’s mistake prone and seemingly lacking confidence even though he’s thrown for 300 yards both games this season as he’s tossed one score and three picks.

Jamison Crowder had a touchdown last week. Still, he seems like nothing more than a desperation WR3 in PPR setups. For more, see this Big 3 video.

Josh Doctson has two catches on six passes. The team continues to pick and choose spots to take a chance with Doctson, he saw three red zone looks, but he’s not a fantasy option at the moment.

Matt Jones carried the ball 13 times for 61 yards and a touchdown as he touched the ball 74 percent of the time. Chris Thompson was the only other player in the backfield to get a touch as he caught three for 57 yards and had two carries for one. The Giants have looked good against backs allowing a mere 71.0 yards a game on the ground.

Pierre Garcon has scored in two of his last three games against the NFC East. He’s very boring though at the moment. He’s caught eight passes for 76 yards. A very low level option.

DeSean Jackson scored on a 63-yard pass play in the last matchup. He’s seen 15 targets catching nine passes for 142 yards this season. He still has his long speed with a couple of grabs of 28 and 33 yards but he’s missing practice time early in the week with knee/ankle situation.

Jordan Reed has gone for 95 yards in each of the last two matchups with the Giants. Reed has hauled in 12 passes on 18 targets with 64 and 70 yards in two games.

Chris Thompson has caught five passes for 73 yards on six targets. He’s just not involved enough.

New York Giants

Odell Beckham dropped a sure touchdown last week as the ball went right through his hands on a catch a 12 year old could make. This week he faces Josh Norman who cause ODB to devolve into a crying two year old last season. Norman is going to be all over ODB only leaving him if Odell goes into the slot. A Norman-less Redskins club has allowed ODB to score five times with a 121 yards per game average in three matchups.

Victor Cruz continues to play the majority of snaps, 74-of-79 last week, and he’s gone for 100-yards in 3-of-4 games against the Redskins. Alas, he caught only 4-of-8 targets last week and fumbled at the end of a long gain. He’s still out there all the time as the Giants constantly run 3-wideout sets.

Larry Donnell has 74 snaps in two weeks, Will Tye 66. There’s really no way to differentiate between the two. Each has five receptions. Donnell has a score.

Rashaad Jennings touched the ball 15 times in Week 2 while Shane Vereen touched the ball 17 times. Why? Jennings was seen to have his hand heavily wrapped after the game indicating he might be hurt. The matchup is a good one since the ‘Skins have allowed five rushing scores in two games but the Giants did average just two yards a carry last week. Orleans Darkwa might see some work.

Eli Manning has a 100 QB Rating in 3-of-4 games against the ‘Skins. The last two games at home he’s thrown for 300-yards. He has completed 74 percent of his passes with a 106.9 QB Rating. The Redskins were run over by the up tempo Steelers offense in Week 1 and the Giants push the pace even more.

Sterling Shepard caught all eight of his targets for 117 yards in Week 2 as he beat five different defenders. He has a completely unsustainable rate of 11 receptions on 12 targets but he has looked great in two games.

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Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr threw for 330 yards and three scores in the last matchup with no picks. He hasn’t been picked off in two games and is averaging. The Saints are allowing 336 passing yards a game but have only allowed one passing score.

Amari Cooper had a touchdown negated last week as he caught five balls for 71 yards. Look for him to explode this week against the Titans who have allowed two huge games in a row to wideouts in Week 1 (Stefon Diggs 7-103) and Week 2 (Marvin Jones 8-118). Cooper caught seven balls for 115 yards in the last meeting.

Michael Crabtree has scored in three of his last four games. He scored the last time he faced the Titans as well. Crabtree has seen 14 targets through two games catching 11 passes.

Latavius Murray scored his second touchdown in Week 2. However, he continues to lose looks to DeAndre Washington, Jamize Olawale and Jalen Richard (Murray saw 60 percent of the snaps in Week 1 but only 46 percent in Week). Yes, four men seem to have a role in this backfield. Murray received 50 percent of backfield touches but the number dipped further to 45 percent in Week 2. In a complete change from what we heard all preseason, the Raiders plan is to use a shared backfield.

Clive Walford caught a career best six passes last week. He also scored. He caught three for 25 yards in Week 1, totals he doubled in Week 2. The Titans have allowed the 12^th fewest points to tight ends.

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry has appeared on 52 snaps. He’s touched the ball 14 times on the ground with a mere 3.1 YPC (he did lose a 30 yards play in Week 1 on a penalty). He’s also caught just three passes for 30 yards. He’s not a confident start, even in deep leagues.

Marcus Mariota is opposed, if you can even say that, by the worst pass defense in football as the Raiders are allowing an average of 404 yards and 3.5 passing scores per game. Mariota threw for three scores in the last meeting. He has tossed two scores in each game this season though he’s failed to reach 275 yards while throwing a pick each time out.

Rishard Matthews has just seven grabs for 66 yards. He only has 10 targets. He’s only appeared on 71 snaps.

DeMarco Murray has appeared on 91 snaps. He’s averaged in impressive 5.2 YPC. He’s also caught an impressive 12 catches, on 14 targets, while scoring two times. He’s been a PPR monster. The Raiders are allowing the 14^th most points to runners.

Tajae Sharpe has appeared on 131 snaps this season. Sharpe is the lead wideout with 11 grabs, on 18 targets, for just 109 yards (9.9 YPC). He’s not a red zone threat.

Delanie Walker caught six balls for 91 yards in the last matchup. He also rebounded last week with six grabs for 83 yards and a score. Still, he only saw six targets. His 5.9 is about a yard above his career mark.

Kendall Wright is still dealing with a hamstring issue. Don’t know what his outlook is this week. Don’t care either.

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San Francisco 49ers

Navarro Bowman has seven tackles of more in 7-straight matchups. Meanwhile, Ahmad Brooks has five sacks his past four games against Seattle.

Blaine Gabbert has thrown a touchdown pass in 12-straight games. He threw for two last week and ran it in once against the Panthers. He also has the 31^st completion rate at 54.9 percent. “It’s not always the quarterback,” HC Chip Kelly said. “I try to say that not to take pressure off of Blaine, but because that’s the case.” Seattle has allowed just 184.5 passing yards a game and no scores.

Carlos Hyde touched the ball 17 times and provided 52 yards in Week 2. He had 65 percent of the backfield touches as Shaun Draughn carried the ball nine times for 21 yards while not catching a pass. The Niners face a Seahawks team that has allowed 64.0 yards a game on the ground. Draughn did haul in eight passes in the last matchup. He won’t this week.

Colin Kaepernick remains on the sidelines.

Jeremy Kerley went from seven receptions to three and 61 yards to 29. That’s what should be expected, little. In two games he has 10 receptions for a mere 90 yards.

Vance McDonald has scored each game this season. He also scored in the last meeting while going for 65 yards. He’s scored three times in his last four games against NFC West opponents. Vance has just three receptions on five targets in two games this season.

Quinton Patton is averaging four grabs and 42.5 yards. Whoopie.

Torrey Smith scored last week. He saw a strong total of 10 targets, but he still only caught three of them for 55 yards.

Seattle Seahawks

Doug Baldwin has scored eight times his last six games at home. He caught just three balls last week though while seeing just six targets on his way to 20 yards. MRI results on his knee were negative as well.

Jimmy Graham appeared on just 25 percent of the plays in Week 1. The number jumped to 50 percent in Week 2 as he caught three of four targets for 42 yards. He said that he felt great too. His role should increase and he will be in the TE1 discussion this week.

Tyler Lockett has scored three times in two meetings with the Niners. He also caught four balls for 99 yards last week. Seven catches for 116 yards and no scores though hardly inspires confidence. Locket is missing time with a knee issue but should play.

Christine Michael touched the ball 13 times compared to 10 for Thomas Rawls last week. Speaking of Rawls, he looked terrible with seven rushes leading to (-7) yards. He looked sluggish and was eventually replaced by Michael. Christine M. carried the ball 10 times for 60 yards but he also fumbled late in the game. Michael seems in the lead for work this week, especially with Rawls injured, and faces a Niners club that is allowing 120 rushing yards a game, 8^th worst in football, though they have yet to allow a rushing score. C.J. Prosise is an afterthought at the moment.

Paul Richardson scored the last time he faced the Niners, though that was in 2014.

Russell Wilson threw for 260 yards and three scores the last matchup. He’s dealing with an ankle issue that is hobbling him, and his o-line is in total shambles at the moment. It would be a monumental achievement if he were to reach both those numbers week despite the fact that he’s 6-2 versus the Niners and that he’s had a QB Rating of 100 in five of his last six games at home.

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Los Angeles Rams

Tavon Austin has been pathetic with nine catches on 21 targets. He’s gained 63 yards as a pass catcher and eight yards as a runner.

Kenny Britt has nine first downs on 10 catches. He’s caught four passes for 67 yards both weeks. No upside though in this offense, and very little in the way of scores.

Todd Gurley faced two defenses that allowed a combined 3.5 YPC last season (Niners, Seahawks). He hasn’t broken free for one of his patented long runs yet. Last season he had 16 runs of at least 15 yards. On those 16 carries he generated 45.9 percent of his season long yards or 508 in total. He will break one soon.

Lance Kendricks has six receptions for 76 yards.

Case Keenum continues to soldier on while Jared Goff waits. Keenum has thrown for two picks and no scores, with a mere 369 passing yards, through two games. He’s also been sacked five times. Nothing to see here despite the fact that Keenum has won six of nine starts.

Brandon Quick has caught four passes for 31 yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans has caught an average of six balls for 85 yards and a score despite catching just 11 of 24 passes through two games. He had nine grabs for 157 yards in the last matchup and remains a WR1.

Adam Humphries caught six balls for 67 yards last week as it was he, and not Vincent Jackson (who has done nothing), who stood out. He’s still a smallish (5’11”, 195) slot guy who doesn’t have any scoring upside.

Doug Martin will miss Week 3 with a hamstring injury with estimates being that he will be out three weeks. In his stead Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers will see time. In fact, they will “split the duties.” Sims is expected to handle 15 or so touches, Rodgers maybe 6-8. Sims has averaged 89 yards from scrimmage his last three games at home. However, he’s averaged just 2.5 YPC this season and he’s gained a mere 36 yards on six receptions. The Rams are allowing the 13^th most points to running backs.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins score in the last meeting. Does it matter? Here are the Week 2 snap counts for Bucs’ ends: ASF 34, Cameron Brate 33, Brandon Myers 22 and Luke Stocker 9. Can’t trust any of them.

Jameis Winston threw for 363 yards and two scores the last matchup. However, he blew a tire last week and has five interceptions and a fumble (see this Daily Dive video). The Rams have allowed one passing score and just 204.5 yards a game through the air.

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San Diego Chargers

Travis Benjamin went nuts last week for six grabs, 115 yards and two scores. He’s not that guy. He’s still 5’10” and 175 lbs, and has just 12 scores in 56 career games. He’s also caught an unsustainable pace of 13-of-14 passes.

Antonio Gates scored yet again last week. He’s really a touchdown dependent player at this point since he only has six grabs for 35 yards through two games. Still in the TE1 range of course as long as he plays (he missed early week practice with a hamstring issue).

Melvin Gordon takes on a Colts club that is getting beat by running backs for 125 yards on the ground (4^th worst in the game) and three rushing scores. He should get all the looks on the ground on the early downs, and at the goaline. They allow the most points a week to runners. Gordon has scored three times and he carried the ball for more than 100 yards last week for the first time.

Dexter McCluster was signed, ostensibly, to take the role of Danny Woodhead who is out for the year with a torn ACL. Don’t believe the hype though. Dexter is not as good at any aspect of the game as Woodhead, and it’s quite possible that Kenneth Farrow is the back to own behind Gordon, not Dexter. See Jeff Mans report.

Dontrelle Inman has two grabs for 13 yards.

Philip Rivers hasn’t thrown a pick. He has tossed five scores. He’s yet to hit 245 passing yards in a game, but he has completed 70 percent of his passes. Oddly, after 661 pass attempts last year, his current two game pace would equate to only 480 pass attempts this season. It will rise. He’s been at 527 or more passes 6-straight seasons. The Colts pass defense is a total mess as seemingly every d-back is hurt as they are allowing 299 passing yards a week with three touchdown passes.

Tyrell Williams caught three balls for 61 yards and a score last week. He’s big and fast, and Rivers has always had an affinity for such men.

Indianapolis Colts

Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle should continue to see significant work, not just because of their offensive coordinator, but because of a significant injury out wide for Donte M. Doyle has scored three times on his last seven catches at home. The problem is for now that they are canceling out each other a bit. Allen is still the guy to own, and as long as he’s healthy, he may not be right now, he figures to see his looks increase with Donte M. down.

Frank Gore, Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson touched the ball 26 times for 109 yards and two scores. Gore was easily the lead back with 16 touches for 63 yards including a fantastic score. Seems like Turbin is the handcuff at this point but it’s Gore or bust in this backfield. Gore has just 103 rushing yards on 27 carries though he does have seven receptions for 38 yards.

T.Y. Hilton has scored five times in his last seven home games though he has failed to score in 7-straight outings. Hilton has seen big volume though with 12 and 11 targets in two games. With Moncrief down, his target total shouldn’t go down (duh). Still, he’s gone for less than 80-yards in 5-straight games and 6-of-7 games.

Andrew Luck has posted a QB Rating over 110.4 his last two home starts as he’s thrown for 637 yards, six scores and no picks. He’s tossed the pigskin for 291 yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game, though he has been sacked seven times. The Chargers are allowing a massive 324.5 yards a game through the air.

Donte Moncrief will miss between 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured scapula. He will not need surgery. Phillip Dorsett will now move up to the second spot out wide and should be an every down player. Dorsett is a smallish wideout and not a direct replacement for Moncrief, but double-digit targets each week are possible for Dorsett in this offense.

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New York Jets

Bilal Powell has carried the ball five times and caught three passes for 51 yards. He’s done nothing.

Eric Decker has a big member, ask his wife, and he’s scored in 6-struaght games. He’s also scored 15 times his last 18 games and he’s a red zone hog. He’s dealing with a shoulder issue but says there is no question he will play through it.

Quincy Enunwa, who has caught 13 passes for 146 yards and a score in two games, stands to be a big weapon this week if Marshall is limited or in fact misses the game. Enunwa is dealing with a minor rib issue that bears watching.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has hit 6-of-10 passes for 178 yards on tosses of more than 20 yards, while two of the passes were dropped. He’s been deadly on deep balls. He threw for 374 yards last week against the Bills. The Chiefs have allowed a 63.8 percent completion percentage but just two passing scores.

Matt Forte has more than 25 touches in both the games he’s played this season. He’s carried the ball 52 times and caught another seven passes while scoring three times. He’s an RB1 until you’re notified differently, matchup be damned.

Brandon Marshall has scored in 5-straight games against the Chiefs, though he’s being bothered by a knee issue which might lead to him being a game time decision. He’s scored 14 times in 18 games with the Jets and has gone for 100-yards in 6-of-8 games.

Bilal Powell touched the ball twice in Week 2.

Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles (knee) may or may not return this week as he continues to work with the scout team. We just don’t know as of this writing but it sure sounds like he will sit out one more game. He has scored 10 times his last nine games at home.

Chris Conley has caught six balls for 58 yards. Albert Wilson has caught five balls for 12 yards.

Travis Kelce continues to be startable, solid, but nothing much more. He’s caught 11 passes, five and six, in two games. He’s also failed to score while producing just 108 yards.

Jeremy Maclin has scored in 3-straight games at home and 5-of-6. He’s scored seven times his last 11 games overall (playoffs included). Maclin has seen 22 targets in two weeks making his total of 11 grabs for 131 yards and a score a bit disappointing.

Alex Smith has already taken seven sacks, the same number the Jets produced in Week 1. He is 7-0 in his last seven starts at home. Still, he’s thrown just two scores in two games, and after throwing for 363 yards in Week 1 he slipped to just 186 passing yards in Week 2. Despite throwing an average of 43 passes a game, a total he cannot sustain, he has tossed just two touchdown passes.

Spencer Ware saw 12 touches in Week 2 compared to seven for Charcandrick West. West was strong with six carries for 61 yards but Ware once again out produced West with 105 yards on his 12 touches. Ware has scored seven times his last 10 games, and he’s scored his last two outings at home. He’s also averaged an impressive 6.0 YPC this season.

Charcandrick West has only carried the ball nine times, but he’s run for 60 yards (6.7 YPC). He’s also caught seven passes for 26 yards, but he’s impossible to start in Week 3 given that the Jets have allowed just 71.5 yards a game on the ground and one score.

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Le’Veon Bell is one week away from returning from suspension.

Antonio Brown had his worst game in three years last week (four catches, 39 yards). Really wasn’t his fault as Big Ben was just off. Still, his two game pace would be 96 receptions, 1,320 yards and 16 scores. He’s still elite. Book it – he returns this week.

Sammie Coates only caught two passes in Week 2 but they went for 97 yards. In two games he has four catches for 143 yards. He should lose snaps though with Wheaton back.

Jesse James and Xavier Grimble both scored last week. James has caught eight balls for 60 yards in two games. Don’t get carried away with James.    

Ben Roethlisberger didn’t have success in the no-huddle last week, but when they huddled up he threw for 239 yards and three scores on 28 passes. Big Ben has thrown for three scores in 3-straight games. The Eagles haven’t allowed a passing score in two games and just 194 yards a game.

Eli Rogers was huge in Week 1 but he caught just one of three passes for nine yards in Week 2 as he vanished from importance. He’s seen 10 targets but only has 68 yards, a poor ratio.

Markus Wheaton should return from his shoulder issue this week as he attempts to carve out his role.

DeAngelo Williams leads the league with 237 rushing yards. He’s the oldest player in league history to have run for 200 yards in his team’s first two games. He’s scored six times in five games against the NFC as a member of the Steelers. As always, he’s an RB1 without Bell in the mix.

Philadelphia Eagles

See this Daily Dive video for a breakdown of Wentz and Sproles.

Nelson Agholor caught four of seven targets for 42 yards in Week 2. That effort doesn’t include a drop that would have gone for at least 45 yards.

Zach Ertz remains on the sidelines early in the week with his rib issue. Last week Trey Burton stepped up to catch 5-of-7 targets for 49 yards and a score as he was second on the team in targets. That was his first career score.  

Dorial Green-Beckham caught 2-of-4 passes for 18 yards last week. He’s still just a sub-package player at the moment.

Ryan Mathews scored twice in Week 9 and has three scores through two games. At least he is the goaline back for a team that not a single person in the football world can understand in terms of how they are deploying their backs. The Steelers are averaging a stout 50.5 yards a game on the ground.

Jordan Matthews caught 6-of-9 for 71 yards last week. He dropped a pass that would have gone for a 35 yard touchdown. Matthews has scored in 6-of-8 games and he has a touchdown and 100-yards in 3-straight games at home. He’s seen 23 targets through two games and can be started as no worse than a WR2.

Darren Sproles was utilized way too much in Week 2. Just bonkers. Here’s the video. He’s not a starter this week.

Carson Wentz is the first quarterback since 1970 to make starts in the first two games of the season with a win and no interception. He’s also thrown just three scores for an average of 234 yards with a barely 60 percent completion rate. No picks, but his overall fantasy numbers have been moderate.

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Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler has an issue with his thumb and he will not play in Week 3. In fact, it seems likely that he will miss 2-3 weeks with the injury. Brian Hoyer will take over and face a Cowboys club that has allowed 277 yards and two scores a week. Hoyer threw for 19 scores and seven picks in 11 games last season with the Texans.

Alshon Jeffery went for 6-95-1 in the last meeting and he’s scored the last two times he’s faced the Cowboys. He’s only seen 13 targets in two games though he has still caught nine balls for 201 yards. Hoyer has shown a propensity to relentlessly target his best pass catching option.  

Jeremy Langford has scored each game this season, but he’s also fumbled and carried the ball 28 times for just 85 yards. The coaching staff is seemingly losing faith in him as well. Langford had 31 snaps last week, Jordan Howard 11 and Ka’Deem Carey 10. Howard cannot be a free agent in any league at this point as the gap to Langford is shrinking making Langford barely startable as an RB2. Dallas is allowing the 13^th fewest points to running backs through two games.

Zach Miller is just there right now with seven grabs for 47 yards in two games. At least he’s healthy.

Kevin White has caught seven balls for 70 yards and no scores. His outlook is very muted at the moment as a very raw, young player. Can’t be starting him.

Dallas Cowboys

Cole Beasley caught two scores in the last meeting with the Bears and his rookie quarterback seems very fond of him. Cole has seen 18 targets in two games catching 13 passes for at least 65 yards both weeks. Very limited and not a scoring threat (11 in 58 career games).

Dez Bryant was silent in Week 1 but he went for seven grabs and 102 yards in Week 2. He’s posted a score or 80-yards in 3-straight games against the Bears. He’s back to being a WR1.

Ezekiel Elliott fumbled the ball twice last week, and after the second one he didn’t see the field. Still, he touched the ball 23 times in Week while Lance Dunbar(five) and Alfred Morris (five) saw a bit of work. There are rumblings in both directions with Elliott this week. He needs to hold on to the ball and show some of the burst he was famous for in college. As of now he’s still an RB1 but he’s trending in the wrong direction. Heck, he’s scored in both his NFL games so the doom and gloom is a bit overblown at this point.

Dak Prescott has thrown 75 passes without a pick in his first two games. He has no fumbles and no interceptions. He’s also failed to throw a touchdown, though he does have one on the ground. A better real world than fantasy option right now. The Bears are allowing just over 197 passing yards a game.  

Terrance Williams has caught three passes for 34 yards. Oh well. Geoff Swaim has three grabs for 50 yards.

Jason Witten has scored in two of three games against the Bears. He’s also racked up 12 catches though his target total went from 14 in Week 1 to four in Week 2.

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Atlanta Falcons

Tevin Coleman carried the ball 12 times to 17 carries for Devonta Freeman in Week 2. Coleman was still out touched 14 to 17 in the game, and a pass bounced off his body that went for a lucky touchdown for a teammate. Freeman averaged 5.5 YPC last week, a number that would get you to the Hall of Fame, and they both face the Saints on MNF. The Saints have allowed three rushing scores and 115 yards a game on the ground. They are also allowing the 5^th most points a week to running backs in a PPR setup.

Julio Jones has an ankle and calf issue that he should play through. He caught nine balls for 149 yards in the last meeting and has gone for 100-yards in 3-of-4 meetings. He’s caught three scores while averaging 166 yards his last three on MNF.

Matt Ryan completed 9-of-11 throws out of the no-huddle last week for two scores and a perfect 158.3 QB Rating. Through two games Ryan is averaging 365 passing yards and 2.5 TDs a game. He’s getting rid of the ball in 2.2 seconds, the fastest mark in the league. The Saints didn’t generate a sack or interception last week and Ryan threw for 334 and two in the last meeting of the two teams.

Mohamed Sanu caught five passes in Week 1. He only saw five targets in Week 2. Folks, he’s Mohamed Sanu. The five catch, 50-yard average he currently has through two games is who he is, nothing more.

Jacob Tamme caught 6-of-8 targets in Week 1. He caught 5-of-8 targets in Week 2. He’s averaged 63 yards a game and 0.5 touchdowns. Hard to see him remaining at that level all season, but he does have 70 receptions his last 17 games, even if he has no scoring upside (12 touchdowns in 124 career games).

New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees faces the Falcons who have allowed seven passing scores in two games. Brees has thrown for 300-yards in 4-straight against the Falcons and in 4-of-5 games of late on MNF he’s thrown for 300 yards and three scores.

Travaris Cadet has just one carry, but he has caught five balls on 10 targets. Still, he’s not startable and more of a nuisance to Ingram than anything else.

Brandon Coleman has two catches for 15 yards.

Brandin Cooks has scored a touchdown in 7-straight games at home. In his last four at home he’s averaged 123.5 yards a game. He’s caught 13 passes for 211 yards and two scores through two games.

Colby Fleener has three catches for 35 yards. He has eight passes thrown his way last week, even though he only hauled in two for 29 yards.

Mark Ingram only touched the ball 13 out of the 21 times the backfield touched the ball last week. He’s touched the ball 59 percent of the time through two games, but we were hoping that mark would be higher. Luckily the Falcons represent a great matchup as they’ve allowed 356 yards from scrimmage in two games to the running back. Ingram scored twice in the last home meeting.

Cameron Jordan has four sacks and a forced fumble the last two matchups.

Willie Snead leads the club with 226 receiving yards. He’s scored or gone for 100-yards in both games. He’s also produced a first down on 12-of-14 catches and has seen 17 targets through two games. Over 17 career outings he has 83 grabs, 1,210 yards and five scores.

Michael Thomas is the third wideout, no doubt, but he’s still seeing a lot of work with 91 total snaps, just 15 less than Mr. Snead. He’s produced a stable average of five grabs and 57 yards in two outings. Still, just six targets a week make him more of a bye week fill-in than a current starter.

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).