Week three was much more exciting than week two in the AFC South. A divisional shoot-out between Tennessee and Houston and the Monday Night slug-fest were two of the best games to watch this past weekend. The stars in this division showed us a lot about themselves: Peyton Manning showed 15 minutes is enough possession time to win a game, Chris Johnson showed us it doesn't matter who gets the goal-line carries when you can score from anywhere on the field, and Andre Johnson showed us why many people think he is the top receiver in the NFL. Tennessee and Jacksonville go into week three 0-2, both desperate for a win and both with tough road opponents. Desperate teams can be very dangerous in the NFL so look for some added tenacity out of the Titans and Jaguars as their respective seasons hinge on avoiding an 0-3 start.
Week Two Fantasy Football Projections
JACKSONVILLE @ HOUSTON
The Jaguars are off to an 0-2 start as they head into a divisional match-up on the road in week three. Week one looked promising as they held the explosive Colts offense to just 14 points, however they followed that performance by surrendering 31 point to Arizona. Now they head into another battle against a high-powered offense in Houston. The Texans strong offense is still held back by a bottom-tier defense. Tennessee's Chris Johnson exploded for almost 300 totals yards and 3 TDs against Houston last week, which should have Maurice Jones-Drew owners giddy about MJD's chances for a huge game this week.
After being held in check week one by emerging shut-down star Darrelle Revis, Andre Johnson shredded the Titan's secondary for 149 yards on 10 catches with 2 TDs. The Jags chose not to put Rasean Mathis on Reggie Wayne week one, but last week he blanketed Larry Fitzgerald and held him to just 4 catches. Mathis has the ability to contain Johnson if he can get some safety help over the top, but if Steve Slaton can break out of his early season slump it could open Johnson up for another big game. Slaton is really struggling thus far, not only to gain yards but also hanging onto the ball. After fumbling three times his entire rookie season, Slaton has already fumbled three times in his first two games this year. Slaton will already cede goal-line carries to back-up Chris Brown, but if he continues to lose the football he could see his time between the 20's dwindle as well.
David Garrard- 225 passing yards, 30 rushing yards 2 total TDs
Maurice Jones-Drew- 150 total yards, 2 TDs
Torry Holt - 5 receptions 60 yards, 1 TD
Mike Sims-Walker - 3 receptions 60 yards
Matt Schaub- 275 passing yards, 3 TDs
Steve Slaton - 70 total yards
Andre Johnson - 6 receptions 110 yards, 1 TD
Owen Daniels - 5 receptions 75 yards 1 TD
Final Score - Houston 28, Jacksonville 27
TENNESSEE @ NY JETS
There is no way to over-hype how good the Jets defense has looked in the first two weeks of the 2009 season. They held Houston's offense scoreless in week one (Tennessee gave up 34 to the same Houston team in week two) followed by holding Tom Brady and the Pats, incredibly, out of the end zone last week. The Jets pass rush has been relentless, giving opposing QBs little time to find open receivers. Beating the blitz with big plays may be Tennessee's only chance to score, luckily they have one of the best big-play backs in the league in Chris Johnson who, as previously mentioned, scorched the Texans D for close to 300 total yards and 3 TDs. Obviously you should not expect similar numbers this week against a much better defense but Johnson is capable of putting up big numbers against anyone.
Kerry Collins- 200 passing yards, 0 TDs 1 INT
Chris Johnson - 100 total yards, 1 TD
LenDale White - 40 total yards
Kenny Britt - 4 receptions 80 yards
Gage/Washington - 3 receptions 45 yards (each)
Final Score - Tennessee 16, NY Jets 10
INDIANAPOLIS @ ARIZONA
The Cardinal's defense gave up 280 passing yards last week, but they also had 3 takeaways. They may give up over 280 yards against Peyton Manning but I doubt they will take the ball away from him 3 times. Their rush defense has been good and the Colts rush offense has been bad, so look for Manning to air it out once again this week. Just imagine the numbers he could put up with over 15 minutes of possession time! Pierre Garcon made a great run after the catch on his game-winning TD reception Monday night, but the smart money is still on Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark getting almost all of the fantasy points, leaving only scraps for Garcon and Austin Collie. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown have been invisible, I wouldn't trust either of them as fantasy startersuntil they prove themselves worthy.
Peyton Manning - Over 300 yards passing, 4 TDs
Joseph Addai - 50 total yards
Donald Brown - 40 total yards
Reggie Wayne - 7 receptions 110 yards, 2 TDs
Dallas Clark - 7 receptions 80 yards, 2 TDs
Final Score - Indianapolis 34, Arizona 28
