DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart's Instant Fantasy Reaction After Week 1

The Carolina Panthers' two-headed monster that is DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart might just be back again, much to the delight of fantasy owners everywhere.    

Sunday, Williams took 14 totes for 72 yards against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense led by coach Lovie Smith, a pleasant surprise given the 5.1 yards-per-carry average. Stewart wound up with nine carries, which went for 20 yards.

With Cam Newton out of the lineup due to injury, Carolina coach Ron Rivera somewhat leaned on his ground game for production, with Derek Anderson attempting 34 passes to the backfield's 30 carries.

Name	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	REC	YDS	Fantasy Points
DeAngelo Williams	14	72	5.1	0	0	0	7
Jonathan Stewart	9	20	2.2	0	3	17	3

The good news is, Williams, now 31, does not appear to have lost a step one season removed from registering double-digit fantasy points in six games and more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 15 appearances. Sunday's output came in the face of stacked boxes with no threat under center.

In other words, Carolina running backs coach Jim Skipper's words just days before the game make him seem somewhat of a prophet.

"It's all there," he said, per ESPN.com's David Newton. "Oh, these guys, they really haven't lost a step. If anything, they've gained overall experience so that's got to enhance their overall game. It's good to see these guys all healthy and back at it."

Both men have different value sets depending on what sort of leagues owners partake in each week.

Williams seems set to be the No. 1 back again no matter what, although Mike Tolbert will continue to steal some carries (he took seven totes Sunday). Stewart is more of a points-per reception back who got 12 total touches Sunday thanks to his three receptions on as many targets.

Adam Harstad of FootballGuys.com provided some historical context for this point:

With Newton out of the picture for an unknown period of time, Williams becomes a play in standard leagues and Stewart in PPR leagues, regardless of matchup. Detroit and Pittsburgh are up next, and while both ranked in the top 20 in terms of points surrendered to backs last season, usage can and will continue to equal production.

Upon Newton's return, Stewart's value will drop while Williams' will remain about the same. Until then, the Panthers have two under-the-radar backs owners should be keeping tabs on until further notice.

All average draft positions courtesy of ESPN.  All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.