DFS: Pigskin Panel - The 3 Biggest Questions of Week 2
Week 1 was full of surprises - and has DFS players scrambling to figure out whether some opening-week performances were legitimate, or fool's gold.
Here are three of the biggest queries entering Week 2 action:
Which QB is primed for the strongest rebound following a poor Week 1 showing?
Josh Ghatak: The obvious answers here are Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco simply because of how awful they were. But in Week 2, Flacco travels to Oakland while Manning plays a road game on Thursday night - both poor matchups. The real answer here is Matthew Stafford. Stafford has a dome game in Minnesota and should hit Calvin Johnson more than two times.
Jason Wilson: Flacco had a terrible game against the Broncos but he has the best medicine in the Oakland Raiders coming up in Week 2. Andy Dalton was solid for Cincinnati in the Bengals' Week 1 triumph against the Raiders, and if Flacco can find Steve Smith, Justin Forsett or one of his tight ends with consistency, he will rip it up.
David Chernish: Eli Manning and the Giants were a colossal DFS disaster Week 1 and will look for a better showing in the air against Atlanta. The Falcons' defense allowed Eagles QB Sam Bradford to rack up 336 yards and a score in a narrow Week 1 victory, and will struggle to contain Manning and favorite target Odell Beckham Jr.
Ken Conrad: With or without T.Y. Hilton, Andrew Luck should rebound at home to the Jets on Monday night football. The Colts will be under pressure to avoid an 0-2 start, and despite Darrelle Revis' presence, the Colts have enough options for Luck to spread the ball around. With Antonio Cromartie banged up, 300 yards and three TDs will represent a return to form for Luck.
Who leads the Cowboys in fantasy points among receiving options this week?
Josh Ghatak: Jason Witten edges out Terrance Williams due to strong Week 1 performance and high floor. On the other hand, Williams struggled with a few drops against New York and does not seem ready for WR1 status. Tony Romo has an affinity for Witten as his ‘security blanket’, and Witten should again see 8-10 targets and red-zone looks. Witten is a great value pick.
Jason Wilson: Witten is the safest bet of the bunch. Top receiver Dez Bryant went down and Romo is going to go with the steady hand. Witten caught two TDs in Week 1; I see no reason why he won’t be the top target again in what should be a high-scoring road game against Philadelphia - and possibly every week until Bryant’s return.
David Chernish: Witten's value will skyrocket with his Week 2 matchup against the division-rival Eagles. With Bryant shelved for weeks with a broken bone in his foot, Witten becomes the unquestionable go-to option in the Cowboys air attack. The 12-year veteran will see double digit targets in Week 2, and should find the end zone.
Ken Conrad: Cole Beasley has an opportunity to perhaps surprisingly lead the Cowboys' receivers in fantasy points, particularly in PPR-scoring formats. A road matchup against the Eagles should be high-scoring, and in Bryant's absence, Beasley will see more playing time. It's reasonable to expect six catches and a score.
Which surprise Week 1 star is most likely to retain major value in Week 2?
Josh Ghatak: Carlos Hyde is for real. In the off-season, the 49ers brought in former Washington O-line coach Chris Foerster and saw immediate dividends as Hyde led the league in attempts (26) and yards (168) in Week 1. Under Foerster, Washington finished first and fifth in rushing yards per game in 2012 and 2013; expect another good performance from Hyde in Pittsburgh.
Jason Wilson: Ladarius Green should put up consistent numbers in Philip Rivers’ pass-heavy offense - at least for the short term. Keenan Allen remains Rivers’ top target, but Green made five catches for 74 yards and a TD in the Chargers' win over the Lions. He is a bargain option with a rather high floor until Antonio Gates comes back.
David Chernish: Bengals TE Tyler Eifert was on fire last week, scorching Raiders defenders all day long on way to an impressive 9/104/2 statline. The Chargers had trouble stopping the Lions through the air and Dalton will look to his new partner in crime yet again Week 2. Expect plenty of targets and at least one trip to the end zone.
Ken Conrad: It's not entirely fair to call Stevie Johnson a poor man's Antonio Brown, but like the Steelers star, Johnson is a precise route-runner with a knack for getting open. With the Bengals defense likely to key on Keenan Allen, Johnson should be able to replicate his Week 1 tally of six catches and a TD, representing strong value.