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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – TE/DEF/ST

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

There were some excellent performances by tight ends in Week 1, but we also lost two of the most productive players at the position due to injury in Delanie Walker and Greg Olsen. With Walker out for the season and Olsen likely to miss several weeks, an already thin position became that much harder to navigate. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

Zach Ertz vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $6,100

Ertz only came away with five catches for 48 yards against the Falcons in Week 1, but the key is that he was targeted 10 times. He has never finished a season with a catch rate below 63.2%, so it was a bit of an aberration to see him haul in only half of the balls thrown his way. The number of targets he received was no surprise, though, as he received at least 106 targets in three consecutive seasons.

Alshon Jeffery is expected to miss Week 2 as well, opening up an even larger role in the offense for Ertz. Nelson Agholor will be his main competition for targets, but the Eagles pass-catching options are fairly limited otherwise. Nick Foles attempted 34 passes against the Falcons with Ertz and Agholor being his targets on 20 of them. Ertz is also their best red zone option, leaving him with a high floor in this contest.

Jordan Reed vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,000

Reed is one of the most talented tight ends in the league. His only problem is finding a way to stay on the field. He’s healthy right now and is coming off a productive first game of the season that saw him catch four of five targets for 48 yards and a touchdown.

Last year was pretty much a lost season for Reed as he played only six games and was limited by injury in many of those contests where he did actually play. In the 24 games that he played across 2015 and 2016, he averaged more than 10 yards per reception and scored 17 total touchdowns. The Colts secondary entered this season ranked last in the NFL by Pro Football Focus and struggled in Week 1, making Reed an excellent target for your entry.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $3,700

The Rams had one of the best defenses in the NFL last year and made it even stronger when they added cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Aaron Donald was holding out for a contract extension, but luckily he and the Rams were able to agree to a new deal before the start of the season so he didn’t miss any games. They limited the Raiders to 13 points Monday, recording three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The Cardinals offense laid an egg Week 1, scoring only six points against the Redskins. Sam Bradford struggled mightily, completing 20 of 34 passes for 153 and an interception. They have two talented weapons in David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but Bradford doesn’t have much to work with outside of those two. Add in the fact that this game will be at home and the Rams defense could dominate Sunday.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

George Kittle vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800

Not much went right for the 49ers against the Vikings on Sunday, but Kittle was one of the bright spots for their offense. He finished with five catches on nine targets for 90 yards and could have finished with an even better line had he not dropped what looked to be a potential long touchdown pass.

Kittle and Jimmy Garoppolo clearly have developed a good relationship. In the final three games of 2017 with Garoppolo as his starting quarterback, Kittle averaged 64.7 receiving yards per contest. The 49ers may try to avoid cornerback Darius Slay, which could open up even more targets for Kittle. The Lions defense is weak, overall, so look for Kittle to build on his strong opening performance.

Jared Cook vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,600

The Raiders were clearly trying to avoid the Rams star cornerbacks in Week 1, which opened up a huge role in the offense for Cook. He finished with nine catches on 12 targets for a staggering 180 yards. He had 83 targets and 688 receiving yards across 16 games in all of 2017.

While his performance was certainly impressive, Cook is going to be hard pressed to get 12 targets again Sunday. He might not need to in order to provide significant value, though, based on the Broncos struggles to defend tight ends. They allowed 1,023 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to the position in 2017 and were torched by Will Dissly for 105 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. At this cheap price, he’s a viable option to consider in tournament play.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,600

The Chargers defense suffered a significant loss when Joey Bosa was unable to play against the Chiefs. They were destroyed by Tyreek Hill, who had 169 receiving yards and three total touchdowns, one of which came on a punt return. Patrick Mahomes also had an impressive performance in the first game of the post-Alex Smith era.

The Chiefs have a lot of weapons on offense. The Chargers will be facing a team on the opposite end of the spectrum in the Bills. They could only muster three points against the Ravens and have already turned over the quarterback job to Josh Allen after Nathan Peterman was awful once again. They have very few playmakers outside of LeSean McCoy and will likely struggle to score again in Week 2.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - TE/DEF/ST

Jimmy Graham vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,800

Jimmy Graham was all about touchdowns in 2017. He hauled in 10 scores but also posted just 520 receiving yards on 57 receptions. He only topped 60 receiving yards in a game twice all season and finished with a combined 47 yards across his last four games. A move to the Packers brought much of the same in Week 1 as he finished with two catches on four targets for eight yards.

Graham is one of the more talented tight ends that Aaron Rodgers has played with in his career, but Graham is heavily touchdown dependent at this stage of his career. I’d much rather roll with Reed, Kittle or Cook rather than the all-or-nothing risk that Graham provides.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – TIAA Bank Field
FanDuel = $4,300
DraftKings = $2,800

The Jaguars defense started off on the right foot, holding the Giants to 15 points in their season opener. Eli Manning was under pressure throughout the game and eventually threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown. That was nothing new for a Jaguars team that had seven defensive touchdowns in 2017.

The Giants have a lot of weapons on offense, but Manning is in the twilight of his career. Tom Brady hasn’t lost a step and opened the season with 277 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Texans. The Patriots are thin at wide receiver with Julian Edelman suspended, but they still have enough talent to cause plenty of problems. It might be wise to avoid this matchup, especially at the Jaguars price on FanDuel.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – Wide Receivers

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The first week of the NFL season brought some prolific performances from a few of the top wide receivers around the league. There are plenty of great matchups to take advantage of for Week 2, as well. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players to target or avoid as you create your DFS entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,800

The weather conditions were less than ideal for the Steelers passing game in Week 1, but Brown still had an excellent performance. He caught nine of 16 targets for 93 yards and a touchdown. The game did include an entire overtime period, but Brown received at least 10 targets in 11 of the 14 games he played last year, as well.

There are few matchups that don’t lean in Brown’s favor, but this is one that certainly sticks out as an opportunity for him to dominate. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has historically performed better at home, which has given Brown a boost when they play there. In seven games at Heinz Field last year, Brown averaged 119.1 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. He averaged 99.9 yards and scored three touchdowns across seven games on the road. The Chiefs secondary allowed Philip Rivers to throw for 424 yards last week, leaving Brown with tremendous upside.

Julio Jones vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $8,500
DraftKings = $8,400

Jones put on a show against the defending Super Bowl champs in Week 1, catching 10 of 19 targets for 169 yards. He received three targets inside the red zone, but as has been the case in his career, Jones finished yet another game without a score. He scored nine touchdowns over the last two seasons, combined, and has only scored double-digit touchdowns in a year one time in his career.

There is no questioning that Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the league. The only problem has been his inability to reach the end zone. With that being said, he’s a target monster and has no problem racking up yardage. He has received at least 129 targets and recorded at least 1,409 receiving yards in four straight seasons. Even if he doesn’t reach the end zone again Sunday, his role in the offense gives him a high floor that is valuable in cash contests.

Keenan Allen vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $8,000
DraftKings = $7,800

Allen was one of the main beneficiaries of the Chargers having to play catch up with the Chiefs, catching eight of 11 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers have quality depth at wide receiver and brought back Antonio Gates to fill their hole at tight end, but Allen is clearly the focal point of their passing attack. Allen received at least 10 targets in a game nine times last year and finished the season recording at least 100 yards in five of his final seven contests.

The Bills were awful in their blowout loss to the Ravens in Week 1 and while they struggled across the board, they allowed Joe Flacco to throw three touchdown passes after he failed to toss more than two in any game last year. There is a chance the Chargers could storm out to an early lead and run the ball more in the second half, but Allen should still see plenty of passes thrown his way.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Wide Receivers

Emmanuel Sanders vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $6,200

Sanders entered 2017 having received at least 136 targets and posting at least 1,032 yards in three straight seasons. However, he dealt with injuries and poor quarterback play last year, which resulted in him finishing with 555 yards over 12 games. His 51.1% catch rate and 11.8 yards per reception were both his lowest marks since he was still with the Steelers in 2013.

The addition of Case Keenum immediately paid dividends for Sanders in Week 1 as he hauled in 10 of 11 targets for 135 yards and a touchdown. It did come against a Seahawks defense that is a shell of its former self, but he’ll get another favorable matchup Sunday against a Raiders defense that suffered a tough blow when Khalil Mack was traded to the Bears. He might not be able to replicate his performance from last week, but Sanders doesn’t have to in order to still be able to provide value at this price.

Josh Gordon vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $6,300
DraftKings = $5,800

Gordon didn’t start Week 1 after missing part of training camp and was supposed to be on a limited snap count. The latter didn’t come to fruition as he was on the field for 69 of the Browns 89 offensive plays. He only caught one of three targets, but it resulted in a 17-yard touchdown.

Gordon is listed as a starter for Week 2 and should be on the field plenty in this game. He has tremendous talent, but off-the-field issues have certainly put a damper on his career. The Browns may be forced to throw a lot to keep up with the Saints high-powered offense, which could lead to a big performance from Gordon.

Nelson Agholor vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $6,100

Agholor had a weird first game of the season. He entered Week 1 as the Eagles top wide receiver with Alshon Jeffery out due to injury and certainly saw plenty of passes thrown his way, grabbing eight of 10 targets. However, he finished with just 33 yards.

Jeffery will be sidelined again in Week 2, leaving Agholor to likely get the lion’s share of the targets out of the Eagles wide receiver group. Tight end Zach Ertz will likely be heavily involved, as well, but Agholor still stands out as a great option against a Buccaneers defense that allowed Drew Brees to throw for 429 yards in Week 1.

Kenny Golladay vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,800

The Lions suffered one of the uglier losses of Week 1 on Monday against the Jets. Matthew Stafford had a particularly poor performance, throwing four interceptions compared to just one touchdown. The good news was they were forced to throw a lot because of the lopsided score, which helped Golladay amass seven receptions and 114 yards on 12 targets.

The Lions have an impressive wide receiver trio of Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., and Golden Tate. While that might limit their production for some teams, it’s not a big concern for the Lions because they use a lot of three-receiver sets and don’t run the ball a ton. They also don’t really have any quality pass-catching options at tight end after Eric Ebron departed for the Colts. Don’t be surprised if the Lions defense forces their offense to try and play from behind in this game, too, which makes Golladay an intriguing option in tournament play.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Wide Receivers

Amari Cooper vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,900
DraftKings = $6,600

Cooper is one of the more frustrating receivers in fantasy. He has a lot of talent, but drops have limited his production. New head coach Jon Gruden said he wanted Cooper to be heavily involved in their offense this year, but he received just three targets in Week 1. While it did come against a very tough Rams secondary, it wasn’t the type of performance that instills a ton of confidence that this season will be any different for him. The Broncos secondary is formidable as well as they entered the season ranked 10th in the league by Pro Football Focus. There are a lot of great options at wide receiver with bye weeks having yet to start, so Cooper seems like an unnecessary risk to take.

Randall Cobb vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $4,600

The injury to Aaron Rodgers last year really hurt Cobb’s numbers. He averaged a career-low 9.9 yards per catch and scored just four touchdowns despite playing in 15 games. He put up a vintage performance with Rodgers back at the helm for Week 1, catching nine of 12 targets for a whopping 142 yards and a touchdown. It was certainly encouraging for Cobb’s outlook for the season, but he’s not someone you want to consider this week with Rodgers battling a knee injury and also having to face the stingy Vikings defense.

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – Running Backs

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

Week 1 wasn’t exactly a banner start for running backs across the NFL with only four players topping 100 rushing yards. Two of them were James Conner, who took advantage of the absence of Le’Veon Bell, and Isaiah Crowell, who was making his debut for the Jets. Let’s dive into the schedule for Week 2 and examine some players to target or avoid as you create your DFS lineup. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Running Backs

Alvin Kamara vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $9,000
DraftKings = $9,500

Kamara only ran the ball eight times Sunday for 29 yards, but he did record two rushing touchdowns. With the Saints involved in a shootout, Kamara’s heaviest usage came in the passing game as he hauled in nine of 12 targets for 112 yards and another touchdown. Both the 12 targets and 112 receiving yards were the highest marks of his career.

It should come as no surprise that Kamara saw such a high usage catching passes out of the backfield considering he had 100 targets last year. He never had more than 12 rushing attempts in 2017, either, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t see a major increase even with Mark Ingram suspended. That being said, he has a huge role in the Saints offense and gets another favorable matchup at home against a Browns team that allowed 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Conner last week.

Todd Gurley II vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $9,200

Gurley was one of the four running backs in the NFL to top 100 rushing yards in Week 1, finishing second to Conner with 108 yards on the ground. He was also one of only five running backs to get at least 20 rushing attempts. The Rams have a lot of weapons at wide receiver, but Gurley is clearly the focal point of their offense.

The Cardinals had a hard time stopping the Redskins rushing attack in Week 1, which was led by Adrian Peterson and his 96 yards on 26 carries. Chris Thompson even chipped in 65 rushing yards on just five attempts. The Cardinals run defense was ranked 23rd heading into this season by Pro Football Focus, so their struggles out of the gate were not all that surprising. Gurley has one of the highest floors of any running back taking the field in Week 2.

Melvin Gordon III vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $8,200
DraftKings = $7,400

Gordon didn’t exactly dominate on the ground against the Chiefs, rushing 15 times for 64 yards. With the Chargers playing catch up late in the game, Gordon was actually used extensively in the passing attack, catching nine of 13 targets for 102 yards. He had a total of 83 targets in 2017 and should be a significant weapon catching passes out of the backfield again in 2018.

This could be an entirely different type of game for the Chargers against the Bills and their anemic offense. I expect Gordon to see fewer targets, as a result, but he could also get more carries if the Chargers get up big early. The Bills allowed three rushing touchdowns against the Ravens on Sunday after giving up a league-high 22 touchdowns in the ground in 2017, leaving Gordon with the potential for an extremely valuable performance.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $7,000

McCaffrey was the talk of the preseason after the Panthers coaching staff stated they wanted to get him more touches this year. He didn’t exactly set the league on fire in Week 1 against the Cowboys, rushing 10 times for 50 yards. He also caught six of nine targets for 45 yards. While the overall yardage was a positive sign, McCaffrey again failed to reach the end zone after recording just seven total touchdowns in his rookie season.

This could be the week the stars align for McCaffrey against the Falcons, who allowed the most receptions by opposing running backs (107) in the league last year. They have also lost linebacker Deion Jones to a foot injury. The Panthers will also be without tight end Greg Olsen due to another foot injury of his own, opening up even more targets for McCaffrey.

Adrian Peterson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,500

Peterson wasn’t overly efficient with his 3.7 yards per carry in Week 1, but it was encouraging to see him rack up 26 carries in the first game of the year. Although he was a late addition to the roster after Derrius Guice was lost for the season with a torn ACL, Peterson is clearly the lead back for the Redskins. Samaje Perine was inactive for the game and Rob Kelley received just three carries.

The Colts secondary might be one of the worst in the league, but their run defense wasn’t much better against the Bengals on Sunday, allowing Joe Mixon to accumulate 95 yards and a touchdown on only 17 carries. Peterson’s volume makes him a very appealing option to consider.

Chris Thompson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $6,200
DraftKings = $5,900

Thompson was limited to 10 games last season due to injury, but he was putting up big numbers catching passes out of the backfield before he went down. He averaged 13.1 yards per catch and scored a career-high four receiving touchdowns. Although he’s known more for his receiving skills, Thompson averaged 4.6 yards per carry and has averaged 5.4 yards per carry for his career, overall.

Thompson showed no signs of rust in his first regular season game since November, catching six of 7 targets for 63 yards and a score in Week 1. Add in his 65 yards on the ground and he and Peterson both topped 120 total yards against the Cardinals. There is certainly room for both of them to be successful again this week.

Phillip Lindsay vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $4,400

During training camp, Devontae Booker and Royce Freeman were battling it out for the Broncos starting running back job. Freeman entered the season at the top of the depth chart and rushed 15 times for 71 yards against the Seahawks. Booker received only two carries, but he was expected to be more heavily involved in the passing attack. Booker caught both of his targets for 11 yards, but he looks to be behind Lindsay now as well.

Lindsay flashed plenty of potential out of the gate, rushing 15 times for 71 yards and catching two of his three targets for 31 yards. He was on the field for only three fewer snaps than Freeman, but he out-snapped Booker 26 to 19. If you play in season-long fantasy, Lindsay is a hot add off waivers. He’s still very cheap in DFS for Week 2, so it might be a good idea to take advantage of the discount while you still can.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Running Backs

LeSean McCoy vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,700

McCoy was not immune to the disasters of the Bills offense Sunday. In a game that was over early, he had only seven carries for 22 yards. He caught one of his three targets, losing a yard on the lone pass that he hauled in. The Bills quarterback situation is a mess and they don’t have much talent at wide receiver, either, which should allow opposing defenses to focus their efforts on stopping McCoy. With so many other quality options this week, he seems like an unnecessary risk to take.

Jamaal Williams vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $6,100
DraftKings = $5,200

The Packers only ran the ball 18 times Sunday night, 15 of which went to Williams. He didn’t cash in on his opportunities, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. He also failed to catch either of the two passes thrown his way. The Packers had to turn away from the run during their comeback efforts, but their offense is clearly built around Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is dealing with an injury that could at least limit him in this game, but you don’t want to start Williams either way against the stout Vikings defense

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 – Quarterbacks

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

Early bird special! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.

The NFL started the season on a high note with a weekend full of wild games. The Browns finally ended their losing streak by forcing a tie against the Steelers, Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Buccaneers to a surprising win against the Saints and the Raiders were beaten soundly in Jon Gruden’s coaching return.

We’re right back at it for Week 2, which is highlighted by the Packers against the Vikings and the Patriots facing the Jaguars. It also brings another opportunity to win some money in DFS. Let’s examine some quarterbacks to target and avoid as you craft your entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,900

Coming away with a tie in Cleveland was a disappointing start to the season for the Steelers. There were plenty of concerns about the weather heading into the contest and while it did rain, it was nowhere near the magnitude that was being discussed as a possibility early in the week. Roethlisberger threw for 335 yards but only had a 56.1% completion percentage and one touchdown to go along with three interceptions. He threw more than two interceptions in a game one time in 2017, which was a five-pick performance against the Jaguars.

While his performance wasn’t pretty, Roethlisberger is set up for a nice rebound game in Week 2. He’s been much better at home, averaging 316.6 yards per game there last year compared to 254.4 yards on the road. He also threw 16 touchdown passes across seven home games compared to 12 over eight road contests. The Chiefs secondary leaves a lot to be desired and allowed Philip Rivers to throw for 424 yards and three scores in Week 1. They also have a potent offense, so Roethlisberger and the Steelers might be forced to throw a lot to keep pace.

Philip Rivers vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,700

The Chargers came away with a tough loss of their own at home against the Chiefs. They played poorly on defense and special teams, which forced Rivers and their offense to try and play catch up after being down 31-12 after three quarters. Not only did Rivers finish with over 400 passing yards and three scores, but he threw just one pick and had a 66.7% completion percentage.

He was set up for a big game based on the Chiefs weak secondary and has another good matchup against the Bills, who were destroyed 47-3 by the Ravens. Joe Flacco finished that game with only 236 passing yards, but he had three touchdown passes and a 73.5% completion percentage. Flacco never threw more than two touchdown passes in any game last year and his yardage total could have been higher, but he wasn’t needed to throw much late with the game in hand. The Bills do get the benefit of playing this game at home, but Rivers is still an excellent target for your entry.

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $7,300
DraftKings = $6,000

It’s no surprise that Garoppolo struggled on the road against the Vikings in Week 1. The Vikings allowed the fewest points in the NFL last year. Garoppolo finished the game with only one touchdown, three interceptions, and a 45.5% completion percentage.

Don’t read too much into that performance, there are few defenses in the league that can compare to the Vikings. One of them is certainly not the Lions, who were crushed by the Jets on Monday Night Football. Rookie quarterback Sam Darnold wasn’t needed to throw much based on the score, but he completed 16 of 21 passes for 198 yards and two scores. Garoppolo isn’t overly expensive, but he has a high floor in this matchup.

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NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Quarterbacks

Alex Smith vs. Indianapolis Colts
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $7,100
DraftKings = $6,000

Smith wasted no time getting off to a strong start with his new team in a win against the Cardinals. While Adrian Peterson did have a great game on the ground, Smith was no slouch himself. He completed 21 of 30 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. It’s no surprise he didn’t throw an interception considering he threw five all of 2017. His 70% completion percentage isn’t out of the ordinary, either, since he has finished with a completion percentage of at least 67.1% in both of the last two seasons.

Like the Chiefs, the Colts have a porous secondary. Andy Dalton didn’t throw for a ton of yards against them with 243 in Week 1, but he did throw for two touchdowns and post a 75% completion percentage. Dalton only had a 59.9% completion percentage in 2017. Smith’s upside isn’t off the charts, but his ability to limit turnovers while also potentially providing value with his legs makes him someone to consider in tournament play.

Case Keenum vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Broncos Stadium at Mile High
FanDuel = $6,700
DraftKings = $5,800

It’s wasn’t all rainbows and gumdrops for Keenum in Week 1. He threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns against the Seahawks, but he also had three interceptions after throwing seven all of last season. He did attempt 39 passes, which was more attempts than he had in all but two games last year. His completion percentage was still reasonable, as well, at 64.1%. It was also encouraging to see him have such good chemistry with Emmanuel Sanders so quickly, who caught 10 of 11 targets for 135 yards.

The Raiders defense suffered a tough loss when they traded Khalil Mack to the Bears. His ability to get to the quarterback can cover up a lot of holes in a secondary which entered the season ranked 24th by Pro Football Focus. Keenum has some weapons at wide receiver with Sanders, Demaryius Thomas, and Courtland Sutton, while Philip Lindsay showed he could be an excellent compliment to Royce Freeman in the Broncos backfield. Expect Keenum to cut down on his interceptions in this game while still providing yardage and touchdown upside.

Tyrod Taylor vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $6,600
DraftKings = $5,900

Well, at least the Browns didn’t lose for once. They could have come away with a big win to start their season, but they clearly should be an improved team. They’ve been a mess at quarterback in recent years, but they have turned to Taylor to provide some stability at the position. He completed just 37.5% of his passes in Week 1, but he provided plenty of value on the ground with 77 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

The Saints defense may have provided the most unexpected flop of the first week, giving up 48 points to Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers. Don’t count on the Browns matching that point total, but they might be forced to play catchup against the productive Saints offense late in this game. Taylor’s passing contributions can be inconsistent, but when added with his ability to provide rushing yards, he has plenty of upside at this price.

PLAYERS TO AVOID

NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 2 - Quarterbacks

Jared Goff vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,300

Goff didn’t have a great performance against the Raiders, completing only 18 of 33 passes for 233 yards. On a positive note, he did throw for two scores without tossing an interception. The Rams have built him a promising wide receiver trio of Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp, but their offense is still led by Todd Gurley. That was clear last year when Goff’s 477 pass attempts were the fourth-fewest for any quarterback who played at least 15 games. The only players who attempted fewer were DeShone Kizer, Jacoby Brissett, and Marcus Mariota. His ceiling isn’t very high, so it might be best to avoid Goff at this price, even though this isn’t a bad matchup.

Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,500

Fitzpatrick was likely the biggest surprise of the opening week. Filling in for the suspended Jameis Winston, he torched the Saints for 417 passing yards and four touchdowns. He completed 75% of his passes and didn’t throw a single interception. For good measure, he added 36 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Fitzpatrick is one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league, but it’s highly unlikely he comes close to matching this performance since he threw three touchdowns in three starts combined last year. He’ll also be facing a much tougher Eagles defense, so even though he’s cheap, I’d stay away from him in tournament play.

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2

by Mike Barner 0 Comments

*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2

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Although this is the second week for most fantasy baseball leagues, it’s the first full week of games for the 2018 season. If you are playing in a head-to-head fantasy league, using starting pitchers that have two starts in a week can give you a significant edge over your opponent. He are some starters who will each start two games in the week ahead that you should either target or avoid for your lineup.

Starters With Favorable Matchups

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2

Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians: at LAA, vs. KC

The big names in the Indians starting rotation are Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Danny Salazar, but Clevinger proved to be an important part of their rotation in 2017. He finished the year 12-6 with a 3.11 ERA and 10.1 K/9. Walks were an issue at 4.4 per nine innings, but he held opponents to just a .211 batting average. Getting two starts out of a pitcher with his strikeout upside can give you a significant edge in many leagues. His second start of the week against the Royals is especially favorable based on the losses they suffered to their lineup this winter.

Tyler Chatwood, Chicago Cubs: at CIN, at MIL

I was very high on Chatwood heading into this season and he gives those who drafted him a two-start week early in the season. Chatwood did not pitch well in Coors Field as a member of the Rockies last year, posting a 6.01 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 70.1 innings. He was much better on the road, finishing with a 3.49 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 77.1 innings. He’ll still have a potent lineup behind him in Chicago, which could have him in line for the best season of his career.

Jameson Taillon, Pittsburgh Pirates: vs. MIN, vs. CIN

Taillon’s numbers from 2017 aren’t impressive as he finished with a 4.44 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. However, his FIP was 3.48, so he could be in line for improved numbers this season. Opponents also had a .359 BABIP against him last year, which should be in line for some regression towards the norm this season. Taillon only allowed 0.7 HR/9, which is important because he didn’t have overpowering stuff with an 8.4 K/9. Playing the Twins at home will help Taillon as he gets to avoid the DH.

Charlie Morton, Houston Astros: vs. BAL, vs. SD

Morton had one of the best seasons of his career in 2017 finishing with a career-high 14 wins to go along with a 3.62 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 10 K/9. He had a 3.46 FIP, opponents posted a .297 BABIP against him, and he only allowed 0.9 HR/9, so his numbers stand up past just the initial inspection. The Orioles really struggled offensively in their first series of the season, scoring a combined five runs in three games against the Twins. The Padres brought in Eric Hosmer during the winter, but their lineup still isn’t very imposing. Expect significant production for Morton in Week 2.

Starters to Avoid

MLB Fantasy Baseball Schedule Analysis for Week 2

Sean Newcomb and Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves: vs. WAS, at COL:

The Braves have two starters who will each get two starts this week, but they have very unfavorable matchups. First, they face the Nationals at home, who still have a very deep lineup despite the absence of Daniel Murphy (knee). Teheran really struggled at home last season, posting a 5.68 ERA compared to a 3.14 ERA on the road. After Newcomb and Teheran get through that, they then have to travel to hitter-friendly Coors Field. Both pitchers will provide value over the course of the long season, but this might be the week to keep them anchored to your bench.

Chris Tillman and Dylan Bundy, Baltimore Orioles: at HOU, at NYY

Tillman was horrid for the Orioles last season, posting a 7.84 ERA and 1.89 WHIP. He’s bound to improve on those numbers this year, but his career 4.43 ERA and 4.66 FIP leave a lot to be desired. Unless you are in a very deep AL-only league, you shouldn’t be starting him regardless of opponent or number of starts he has in a given week. Bundy, on the other hand, is considered the future of the Orioles rotation at just 25 years old. He had a respectable 2017 campaign, finishing with a 4.24 ERA and 8.1 K/9. He did a great job keeping runner off base with a 1.20 WHIP, but his 1.4 HR/9 is an area of concern. He’ll face two of the more powerful lineups in all of baseball in Week 2, so it might be best to avoid him for your lineup.

Bryan Mitchell and Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres: vs. COL, at HOU

The Padres made some improvements to their lineup, but their starting rotation still has a long ways to go before they can become a playoff-caliber team. Ross rejoins the Padres after injuries limited him to just 54.1 innings in the last two seasons combined. His brief stint with the Rangers did not go well last season, finishing with a 7.71 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. Mitchell was brought over in a trade with the Yankees after bouncing between their bullpen and starting rotation. He’s not a strikeout pitcher, posting just a 5.9 K/9 during his career in the majors. He could be someone to consider streaming against favorable opponents, but that’s certainly not the case this week facing the Rockies and Astros. Don’t trust either Padres starter to help you win your league this week.