Fantasy Football Out on a Limb 2009: Week Two

Time for another edition of Fantasy Football Out on a Limb, where I scour NFL rosters to select a player who I feel will outperform a higher profile player each week.

I base my decisions on matchups, how the players are trending, and the ever-important hunch. To mix things up, I’ll occasionally do some two-on-one matchups or even pit RB or WR duos against each other. Sometimes, I’ll spot a player some points.

Scoring

6 points for rushing or receiving TD
4 points for passing TD
0.1 points per yard for rushing or receiving
0.05 points per passing yard

Last Week

Brett Favre vs. Eli Manning—I lost, Eli crushed Favre, 16.5 to 9.5
Darren Sproles vs. Derrick Ward—I lost as Ward outscored Sproles, 14.3 to 12.6
Chester Taylor vs. LenDale White—I lost, LenDale squeaked by Chester, 3.3 to 3.0
Chad Ochocinco vs. Dwayne Bowe—I lost by a hair, Bowe’s 10.0 beat Chad’s 9.7
Marques Colston vs. Andre Johnson—Finally won, Colston had 9.0 to AJ's 3.5
SS: Peyton Hillis vs. Clinton Portis—I lost. Portis 7.2, Hillis 0.8

Regular Picks: 1-4
Super Stretch Picks: 0-1
Overall: 1-5

Season Record

Regular Picks: 1-4
Super Stretch Picks: 0-1
Overall: 1-5

WEEK TWO PICKS

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger over Tony Romo

Both QBs threw for more than 350 yards last week, but I feel Big Ben will have to answer the call again due to Pittsburgh’s lack of a running game. Big Ben has the easier matchup against Chicago (Romo faces the Giants), but he is on the road while the Cowboys are at home.

The Giants are going to put a lot of pressure on Romo, which could force him into some turnovers. They’ll also use a mix of Marion Barber III and Felix Jones in what should be an intense game. Chicago just lost Brian Urlacher for the year, which should make things a little easier for Big Ben.

Running Backs

Adrian Peterson over Matt Forte and Kevin Smith combined

I’m doing my first two-for-one special of the year. I’ll take last year’s leading rusher against two second-year backs. I’m counting on AP to do his damage early because he could be watching the game on the sidelines in the fourth quarter as Minnesota draws Detroit.

Forte (Pittsburgh) and Smith (Minnesota) both face tough run defenses. Although both are capable of picking up yardage in the passing game, I’m guessing neither back scores this week.

Ryan Grant over Michael Turner

Ryan Grant got off to a decent start against the Bears last week, and he should follow that up with a strong effort against Cincinnati at home. Michael Turner had somewhat of a disappointing start against Miami in week one, and although he’s also at home, I would temper my expectations.

He’s playing a Carolina team that got dominated by Philadelphia, but they are going to come out firing to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke. Plus, Turner scored four TDs the last time he played Carolina, which I’m sure the Panthers were reminded of several times this week.

Wide Receivers

Brandon Marshall over Andre Johnson

I’m going to pick on AJ once again. I think he has a tough matchup going on the road to Tennessee. Houston QB Matt Schaub is going to be under heavy pressure, and Johnson is going to draw plenty of attention.

After dealing with Jets CB Darrelle Revis last week, he’ll have to face Cortland Finnegan this week. Meanwhile, Marshall plays against Cleveland. He's had another week to get acclimated to the offense, and QB Kyle Orton’s getting healthier.

  
Percy Harvin over Chad Ochocinco

Brett Favre threw his first TD as a Viking to Percy, and I think the rookie will find a way to get into the end zone again against the Lions. He is so explosive, and when the Lions try to stop AP, Harvin should get loose.

Ochocinco has to face Green Bay’s tough defense, which forced Chicago QB Jay Cutler into four INTs in Week One. While I don’t see Bengals QB Carson Palmer making that many mistakes, Cincinnati's offense isn’t in sync right now. It’s not going to happen for Chad in Lambeau this weekend.

Super Stretch

  
LeSean McCoy +2 over Steven Jackson

With QB Donovan McNabb likely out, the Eagles are going to have to run the ball more to move the chains and keep Drew Brees and company off the field. While RB Brian Westbrook should be in line for a big game, the Eagles will have to use a heavy dose of McCoy as well to make sure Westbrook doesn’t get banged up.

I’m taking on a top-six fantasy pick in S-Jax, so I’ll spot McCoy two points. Jackson faces Washington, who kept Brandon Jacobs in check on the road in Week One. Look for them to do the same against Action Jackson.

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Originally published at LestersLegends.com.