Fantasy Football Week 2: Impressive Performances from Early Sunday Games

The first wave of Sunday’s NFL games provided many impressive fantasy football performances.

A few running backs that were selected in the top 10 of their respective NFL draft classes had very strong games in Week 2.

There were some productive showings from players as other positions as well.

Reggie Bush, Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins’ running back had a huge day as he ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders. He also caught three balls for 25 yards.

Perhaps it was the San Diego Chargers’ running game that was the problem on Monday Night Football in Week 1.

The Raiders didn’t provide much resistance to Bush. Miami handed him the ball 26 times and he rewarded them with 6.6 yards per carry.

Trent Richardson, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson had a much more favorable outing in Week 2. The rookie’s stat line looked every bit the part of one produced by a No. 3 overall NFL draft pick.

Richardson got 19 carries again in Week 2, but instead of the resulting 39 yards he amassed in Week 1, he finished with 109 yards and a touchdown.

Richardson was targeted five times in the passing game, catching four for 36 yards and another score.

Shout-out to quarterback Brandon Weeden, too. The rookie got his first 300-yard passing day and tossed a couple of touchdowns with no picks.

He outscored Drew Brees.

Buffalo Bills

C.J. Spiller stepped up in a major way for the Buffalo Bills in Fred Jackson’s absence in Week 2. He racked up 180 total yards (123 rushing, 47 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns.

Both scores and over 100 of those yards came in the first half.

Almost the whole team turned in good fantasy performances in Week 2. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed a touchdown to WR Steve Johnson and TE Scott Chandler.

The Bills’ defense/special teams came up with an interception, two fumble recoveries, five sacks and a punt return for a touchdown.

All while allowing 17 points.

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

While the Chiefs’ appearance in Buffalo did not result in a close game, Dwayne Bowe showed up. He left with two touchdowns and 102 yards on eight catches.

Bowe was targeted 15 times, which bodes well for his future fantasy prospects.

New York Giants Offense

The New York Giants wide receiver duo rebounded from their disappointing game against the Cowboys in Week 1 quite nicely.

Victor Cruz saw 17 balls thrown his way and caught 11 of them for 179 yards and a score. Hakeem Nicks got 15 targets and caught 10 passes for 199 yards and his own touchdown.

Martellus Bennett added a score of his own on 10 targets. He finished with 71 yards receiving.

Eli Manning threw three first-half interceptions, but bounced back in the second half to finish with a whopping 510 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Running back Andre Brown stepped in for Ahmad Bradshaw, and took 13 carries for 71 yards and a trip to the end zone.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton got back to his usual ways of thrilling fantasy owners with his dual-threat quarterbacking abilities.

His monster game consisted of 253 passing yards and 71 rushing yards (on 13 carries) in addition to a passing and a rushing touchdown.

That’s why he was drafted so early.

Houston Texans Running Backs

Ben Tate and Arian Foster of the Houston Texans ran roughshod over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Each running back turned out to be worth his fantasy starter’s slot as Foster carried the rock 28 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Tate added 74 rushing yards and two scores on 12 carries of his own.

The two combined for 10 receptions and 60 receiving yards out of the backfield.

Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles

To walk away healthy from the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens’ clash in Week 2 is an accomplishment in itself.

Celek did so with eight catches (on 11 targets from quarterback Michael Vick) for 157 yards.

It appears that he is the No. 1 tight end in Philly.

Vick himself performed well on Sunday. He threw two interceptions (one was on a tipped ball that would have been caught if not for Ray Lewis dragging down his tight end), which is still an improvement from last week’s four-pick effort.

Vick also had 371 passing yards, 36 rushing yards and a pair of total touchdowns.