AFC East - Week 2 ~ Start 'em and Sit 'em Overview Week one's match-ups were an interesting and sometimes intriguing mish-mash. The dull game of the bunch went to the Miami Dolphins, who looked like fish out of water against the Atlanta Falcons. They managed to keep Michael Turner from looking like a top fantasy draft pick, but that was all the excitement they generated. I almost picked the New York Jets to upset the Houston Texans last week, but the Houston offense and the rookie arm of Mark Sanchez, combined with the loss of two of his top defensemen, made me temper that belief. I was wrong. Sanchez looked great, and Houston looked average. This week they take on the mighty New England Patriots. Who did not look so mighty in week one. The Buffalo Bills, after a terrible preseason, looked fairly impressive Monday night and up to the daunting task of taking on Tom Brady's air assault. For 59 minutes an upset was brewing, but Brady, as he often does, found a way to squeak out a one point win. More accurately, the Bills, as usual, found a way to lose. You can read my personal take on how the Bills were buffaloed by Brady and bad luck, here. As we roll into week 2, we'll take a look at each game from a fantasy perspective, who to start or sit, and my score projection.
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New England Patriots at New York Jets |
The New England Patriots have won their last nine road contests against the Jets. As you can see above, I think the Jets will end that streak this week. Last week the Buffalo defense did a great job of keeping a rusty Brady off his game for the first three quarters. Look for Jets coach Rex Ryan to take a similar approach this week. Jets QB Mark Sanchez doesn't have the same downfield weapons the Bills have, but expect Sanchez to make use of what he has. RB Fred Jackson found holes in the Patriots defense last week, and now NE has lost stud linebacker Jerod Mayo for 4-8 weeks. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington could have a field day. The Jets managed to keep WR Andre Johnson quiet last week. Let's see how they handle Moss and Welker. They had no problem stopping the Texans running game, and this week they get back defensive lineman, Shaun Ellis. Start 'em - Pats: Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker -- Jets: Mark Sanchez, Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Jericho Cotchery and Dustin Keller Sit 'em - For both teams I'd bench the defense. I'd also keep Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney and Shonn Greene off your active rosters. Sleeper alert - For the Pats I like Kevin Faulk to find the endzone on a pass play. For the Jets, I picked David Clowney last week, and Chansi Stuckey made the big play. This week I think it will be Clowney. Key Injury - LB Jerod Mayo is out for New England.
| Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins |
The Miami Dolphins had four turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons last week, which did not help their cause. I certainly expected them to put up more of a fight, but in the end they couldn't FINish. (I couldn't resist). This week they get to face the Indianapolis Colts for their first Monday Night Football game in Miami since Christmas day, 2006. Ronnie Brown has to step it up or Ricky Williams is going to steal his thunder. Ted Ginn, Jr. needs to show something this week as well. The Colts lost WR2 Anthony Gonzalez for several weeks which means young guns Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie will be in line for more looks. The Colts just signed ex-Eagles WR Hank Baskett for depth as well. Start 'em- Dolphins: Ronnie Brown -- Colts: Peyton Manning, Dallas Clark, Reggie Wayne, Colts Defense. Sit 'em- Joseph Addai, Donald Brown Sleeper alert- Dolphins: Davonne Bess -- Colts: Austin Collie Key Injury- WR Anthony Gonzalez is out for Indianapolis
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills |
The Buffalo Bills faced a heartbreaker of a loss to New England in a game that I believe they rightly deserved to win. Unfortunately, the football gods had a differing view. The Bills need to put one in the win column this week to keep their
morale high and stay out of the AFC East basement with the Dolphins. I believe they will do that in week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are playing their first game at Buffalo in franchise history. The Bucs looked decent last week against the Dallas Cowboys, but the Bills defense has shown it can get even the best QB off his game. If they do half as good a job at turning Byron Leftwich inside out, they will take away Tampa's air game, and force them to stick with their four-headed RBBC to move the chains. The Bills kept the Patriots running game in check for the most part last week. The Bucs have Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham who should be more formidable. This task will be tougher with the loss of LB Paul Posluszny and DE Chris Kelsay. On the bright side, Tampa's top receiver, Antonio Bryant is struggling with an injury. He'll likely play, but could be as inefficient as he was last week. My initial thought was this would be a low scoring game, but I think both teams will move the ball, with the Bills getting the upper-hand late this time thanks to Terrell Owens. Look for Owens to see more balls this week, as he's already started griping after two catches in week one. Said T.O., "Trent [Edwards] has to better assess what he's seeing out there and take some shots down the field." Start 'em - Bills: Terrell Owens, Lee Evans, Fred Jackson -- Buccaneers: Derrick Ward, Cadillac Williams, Kellen Winslow Sit 'em- Bucs: Byron Leftwich, Antonio Bryant Sleeper alert - While Owens will see more balls I like Lee Evans to get a monster bomb for a TD this week. He'll face less coverage and is the better deep threat. We saw what Tony Romo did with his three receivers last week against the Bucs. Key Injuries: The Bucs will be without LB Poslusnzy and DE Kelsay as mentioned above.
