NFL Fantasy Football Week 2: Sleeper, Creeper, Stud and Dud

The NFL is back and what a first week!  The night games were exciting, with three close ones coming down to the final ticks of the clock.

In all the excitement there were important injuries and emerging players.  With Arian Foster out, Ben Tate showed he could carry the load, but it was against a weak Colts team. 

Can he duplicate the success next week against Miami?  I am willing to bet yes, but that also is contingent on Foster's status and the coach's decision.  Houston likes to roll with the hot hand, so this is likely to be a game time decision. 

Success in fantasy football is dictated to grabbing emerging stars and knowing when your players will miss time.  A broken collarbone for Colston has boosted the value of the other New Orleans wide receivers.  Everyone favors Robert Meachem and Lance Moore, but people forget about the Saints actual starting number two wide out, Devery Henderson (undrafted in two of my leagues, yet Lance Moore who missed Week 1 was drafted in the later rounds). 

I advise you get Henderson and consider starting him as WR3 for the next few weeks.  The Saints defense is weak and Brees will be passing the ball a lot to keep games close, grab big leads or come from behind. 

Brees has been playing with Henderson since Drew arrived, but Henderson has never had big numbers unless Colston is missing time.  With Colston's out over the next four or so weeks, Henderson's targets will be up, especially if Lance Moore also misses time.

Outside of finding the hot waiver wire ticket to fantasy glory, it is important to analyze your players match ups, figure out who your must starts are and who might need to sit the week out.

STUD:  High draft pick with a favorable match up this week.

DUD:  High or moderate draft pick with an unfavorable match up this week.

SLEEPER:  Unknown who has a favorable match up this week.

CREEPER:  Know player who has been average recently, but has a favorable match up this week.

Week 2 Sleeper: Jacoby Jones

With Kevin Walter lost for the season, Jacoby Jones is now the number two wide receiver in Houston.  In Week 2 the Texans face off against the Miami Dolphins, who allowed the Patriots to pass all over them for 500-plus yards. I expect the Texans to roll in this match up whether they start Foster or Tate, but in the passing game they will be limited to a few targets. 

Andre Johnson and Bryant Johnson are the only other wide receivers on their depth chart as of today.  TE Owen Daniels is a solid stud start, as he should be much involved in the passing attack after Miami yielded 13 catches, 189 yards and two touchdowns to New England's tight ends, but that was two player's output. 

The Texans are likely to spread that kind of production to two players as well and look for Jacoby Jones to be a benefactor.  Also, if your league counts KR/PR yards and scores, Jones isn't too shabby there either.

Week 2 Creeper: Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis is expected to be an average runner this season after his amazing 2010 campaign, which landed him on the cover of Madden NFL 12. 

What the experts are missing is that Peyton Hillis is an excellent receiver out of the back field as well, so if he is less effective running the ball then he'll likely make up those stats in receptions, because his team is behind.  Fantasy-wise, I think he'll land closer to last season than people think and in PPR leagues he'll do even better.

Now, about next week...

Hillis draws the Indianapolis defense, which surrendered a ton of yards to another smash mouth running back in Ben Tate.  Not expecting the Colts defense to fix any issues with run defense, Peyton Hillis should have a field day shrugging off weak tackles and trotting for scores of yards.  And since the Colts offense is less than spectacular, the Browns are likely to be grinding the clock in the second half.

Week 2 Stud: Ben Roethlisberger

Coming off a nightmare of a game, Ben Roethlisberger expects to get back on track against a weak Seattle Seahawks pass defense that is feeling a little too good about themselves after holding Tarvaris Jackson to under 200 yards passing. 

The Seahawks run defense is a little above average, but their pass defense is pathetic. The Steelers have too many receiving weapons for the Seahawks to cover.  Big Ben, whether his protection holds up or not, will be finding lots of yards.  Let's just hope he can avoid the turnover bug this week.

Week 2 Dud: Cam Newton

Boy, did Cam Newton have a great debut!  And how lucky of him to get to debut against an awful Arizona Cardinal defense. 

With 422 passing yards though, you'd expect the team to manage more than 21 points.  With a poor 2.7 yards per rush and only 3-11 on third down, the offense couldn't stay on the field and sustain drives to put up points. 

When the Panthers meet the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers at home for Week 2, expect those numbers to remain or come in lower.  The Green Bay secondary and pass rush should bring Cam Newton back down to earth and have the stadium chanting Jimmy Clausen's name. 

Well, maybe it won't be that bad, but I'd stay as far away from Newton as I can next week.

Come Back Next Week!

Make sure you tune in next week when Mike Vick and the Eagles get to face a New York Giants defense that let Rex Grossman pass on them!

Also, please submit your comments!  Any feedback is welcome, whether you agree, disagree or just want to flame me for picking on your favorite players.  Good luck in Week 2!