(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Let’s take a look at 10 fantasy matchups that owners should be thinking about heading into Week Two.
1. Tony Romo vs. the New York Giants Defense
The Rundown: Romo was outstanding in Week One, posting a 140.6 QB rating as he threw for a career-high 353 yards and three touchdowns. Owners should be advised that while we’re high on Romo this season, he played an extremely soft Tampa Bay secondary that allowed touchdown passes of 42, 66, and 80 yards.
Preview: Don’t expect the same magic when the Cowboys host the Giants on Sunday night. Romo was sacked only once by the Bucs and didn’t face nearly the kind of pressure he’ll see against Big Blue.
Projection: 279 passing yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions.
2. Kellen Winslow vs. the Buffalo Bills Defense
The Rundown: Winslow caught five passes for 30 yards and one score against the Cowboys on Sunday, giving fantasy owners a productive opening weekend. The only concern here is that four of his five receptions came in the second half, when the Cowboys were putting the game away and playing a safer style of defense.
Preview: Don’t think for a second that the Tampa coaching staff didn’t see the Patriots bust up the Bills’ Cover Two defense Monday night by using tight end Ben Watson. Watson caught six passes for 77 yards and scored two touchdowns by running down the seam (the weak spot in the Cover Two) in the fourth quarter.
Look for the Bucs to try to stretch the defense on the outside so Winslow can make plays over the middle. Remember, starting linebacker Paul Posluszny is out with a broken arm.
Projection: Seven receptions for 71 yards.
3. Ray Rice vs. the San Diego Chargers Defense
The Rundown: As predicted, Rice looked outstanding against the Chiefs in Week One, touching the rock 21 times for 120 yards and averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He’s the featured ball carrier on an offense that will throw the football more this season than last, which will open up running lanes by preventing opposing defenses from stacking eight men in the box.
Preview: The Chargers’ defense got lit up by the Oakland rushing attack in the first half of Monday’s game, allowing 105 yards on the ground. The coaching staff made the necessary adjustments at the half, and San Diego limited the Raiders to just 43 yards on the ground during the last two quarters.
Expect Rice to see plenty of touches on Sunday, but it won’t be as easy to gain yards against the Bolts as it was the Chiefs.
Projection: 20 touches, 107 total yards, one touchdown.
4. Houston Texans Offense vs. Tennessee Titans Defense
The Rundown: The Texans were awful in Week One against the Jets (at home nonetheless), controlling the clock for a pitiful 21:14 and racking up just 183 total yards. Steve Slaton was ineffective, Matt Schaub looked awful, and Andre Johnson was nonexistent.
Preview: The Texans are headed for a 0-2 start. Tennessee’s defense was impressive Thursday night against the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, as it sacked quarterback Ben Roethlisberger four times and forced three turnovers. Houston is soft up front and is hitting the road for the first time this year.
Look for the Titans’ offense to establish the run game and control the clock (just like the Jets did), forcing Houston to play Tennessee’s style of football.
Projection: Schaub is going to struggle, and Slaton’s only chance of putting up reliable fantasy numbers is by busting a big play. Johnson is the only must-start as the Texans will have to throw for four quarters if they want to have a chance to win in Week Two.
5. Matt Hasselbeck vs. the San Francisco 49ers Defense
The Rundown: Hass looked every bit as good as we thought he would by completing 25 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the lowly St. Louis Rams. The most impressive number in Hasselbeck’s stat line was 69.4, as in his completion percentage for Week One. Be advised: Any numbers posted against the Rams this season will be somewhat misleading. They’re a bad football team.
Preview: Week Two will be a good test for the Seattle offense as it heads to San Francisco to take on a 49ers team coming off a big-time win over the defending NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals.
The Niners limited Kurt Warner all day last Sunday, sacking him three times and forcing two interceptions. Remember, the Seahawks’ starting left tackle, Walter Jones, is still out with a knee injury.
Projection: 255 yards, two touchdowns, one interception.
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