Welcome, #4EYEDfans!
You want the edge in your fantasy football matchups each week?! Then you’ve come to the right place!
In these articles, we’ll highlight the players that are poised to exploit key matchups on offense that you should draft, pick up off of your waiver wire, or acquire via trade!
Quarterbacks Week 2
Some of the top fantasy quarterbacks have juicy matchups in Week 2. Lamar Jackson gets to test his luck against a Houston defense that got absolutely torched in Week 1. Dak Prescott is heading into a shoot out against Atlanta. Kyler Murray faces off vs the Washington Football Team who had eight sacks last week verse the Eagles, which could lead to a bunch of scrambles for Kyler.
Josh Allen vs. Miami
For the first time in his career, Josh Allen passed for over 300 yards. Not only that, but in Week 1 his completion percentage was higher than Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Watson, Wentz, and Murray. He completed 33 of 46 attempts and also added 14 rushing attempts for 57 rushing yards and a touchdown. Allen faces a Miami defense that gave up only 140 passing yards in Week 1, yet they were the only team in football to see less than 20 passing attempts. The Dolphins were the only team to allow over 200 rushing yards in Week 1. Josh Allen, Cam Newton, and Kyler Murray were the only quarterbacks with double-digit rushing attempts last week. I expect a heavy dose of Josh Allen on the ground this Sunday. While Zack Moss is looking to get the goal-line duties, Josh Allen did punch his lone carry inside the five.
Matt Ryan vs. Dallas
Last week, Matt Ryan found himself in a shootout with Russel Wilson. This week, he heads to Dallas to face off against Dak and the potent Kellen Moore offense. Ryan threw for 450 yards on 54 attempts in Week 1. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Russel Gage all went for over 100 yards. All three players rank in the top six among NFL receivers in receptions. The Cowboys were one of 10 defenses to give up over 250 passing yards in Week 1. Ryan did rack up 25 attempts in the fourth quarter, so game-script will certainly come into play.
Aaron Rodgers vs. Matthew Stafford
This is another quarterback dual that I am excited to watch in Week 2. These two quarterbacks combined for 763 Intended Air Yards in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers showed up to the tune of 364 yards and four touchdowns. He completed 32 passes on 44 attempts. The Lion’s defense gave up 363 total yards to the Bears a week ago. Not only is Rodgers facing off against a defense that let Mitchell Trubisky throw for 242 yards last week, but he also faces off against fellow gunslinger, Matthew Stafford. Stafford threw for 297 yards on 42 attempts. He completed just 24 passes to go along with one touchdown and one interception. In the red zone, he completed just one of seven passes, yet De’andre Swift definitely did not help him out. Stafford was disappointed in the presser after the loss last week. Knowing he’s facing off verse Rodgers, I expect him to come out with a vengeance.
Running Backs Week 2
If you drafted Kenyan Drake, you have to play him but he faces a tough Washington front this week. The Broncos take on the Steelers this week and I want nothing to do with the Denver backfield this week.
Zack Moss and Devin Singletary vs. Miami
Miami managed to give up 217 rushing yards in Week 1 against the Patriots. The Pats also scored three touchdowns on the ground last week. This Miami secondary is much improved from a year ago, but their rush defense allowed the Pats to 5.2 yards per attempt. While Devin Singletary out-snapped Moss (57% to 45%), Moss had three carries inside the five-yard line. Both backs had nine carries, but it’s looking like Zack Moss will get the more valuable carries. Devin Singletary had seven targets in Week 1, which trailed only Nyheim Hines and Alvin Kamara among running backs. That was good for a 15.6% target share. This is a great matchup for runningbacks on paper, but remember their leading rusher is the quarterback.
Mark Ingram vs. Houston
While Mark Ingram is being faded everywhere, this could be a big week for Ingram. The Texans got torched on the ground by the Chiefs to the tune of 166 rushing yards. Ingram’s 10 carries were the most on the team. Dobbins had seven attempts, while Edwards had four. However, Dobbins did out snap him 23-21. Both backs had two red zone rushing attempts, but Dobbins did see both of his inside the five yard-line. Neither Ingram nor Jackson saw a carry inside the 10 yard-line in Week 1. Baltimore loves to run the ball and after a disappointing Week 1 for Ingram, I would not be surprised to see Ingram more involved. This game also got out of hand pretty quickly and Ingram has hit the 30-year mark. Perfect situation to see what the young back has, while also not piling the carries on a player who rushed for over 1,000 yards a season ago. Could this be one of those multiple touchdown weeks Mark Ingram loves to pop off with?
Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb vs. Cincinnati
Once again, the Bengals look terrible against the run. They were one of six teams to give up over 150 yards on the ground in Week 1. Chubb disappointed in Week 1 while rushing 10 times for 60 yards and losing a fumble. Hunt out-snapped Chubb 36-35 last week and handled 13 carries for 72 yards. Hunt was targeted for a pass on 16.7% of his snaps, yet did little with those six targets. He caught four passes for just nine yards. This is a fantastic matchup for the Cleveland run game this week. I see both players having big weeks.
Wide Receivers Week 2
Before I get started, one name I will continue to keep my eye on is Russel Gage. He saw 12 targets on Sunday. Gage actually dominated the slot in Week 1 for Atlanta. He saw 80.4% of the team’s slot snaps in Week 1. His 37 snaps from the slot tripled the combined 15 snaps Julio and Ridley saw from the slot. From the slot in Week 1, Gage produced eight catches on 11 targets for 98 yards.
The Dolphins take on the Bills this week. Time of possession should lean heavily in favor of the Bills and their rushing attack. Stay away from Dolphins wide receivers this week. Parker is banged up as well, so keep that in mind.
Parris Campbell vs. Minnesota
Parris Campbell tied CeeDee Lamb, Russel Gage, and Larry Fitzgerald with the most snaps from the slot in Week 1. He received all nine of his targets while in the slot. He produced six catches for 71 yards and tacked on a nine-yard carry. Campbell actually out-snapped T.Y. Hilton 61-59. 58 of those snaps came from the slot. He faces off against a Vikings team that gave up 32 catches for 364 receiving yards last week. The Vikings allowed 13 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns to slot receivers in Week 1. Vikings also allowed four total touchdowns through the air last week!
A.J. Brown vs. Jacksonville
Jacksonville allowed 36 receptions and 357 receiving yards a week ago. Corey Davis is probable with a hamstring injury. Both Davis and Brown played 66 snaps last week, compared to Adam Humphries 44 snaps. Brown disappointed last week, but this has a big game written all over it, especially with Corey Davis hobbled. Brown had five receptions on eight targets for 39 yards. Corey Davis outperformed Brown with seven receptions for 101 yards on eight targets. I’ve believed in Corey Davis too many times to give him another try. This is Derrick Henry’s offense though as he was handed the ball a whopping 31 times last week. This is a defense Tannehill can exploit and fully expect him to look Brown’s way.
Danny Amendola and Marvin Jones vs. Green Bay
Kenny Golladay missing the opener opened the doors up for a few extra targets for Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola. Or did it? We all expected Quintez Cephus to hog up 10 targets in Week 1… Jones Jr. had four catches on eight targets for 55 yards. Amendola led the receiver room with 5 catches on the day and 81 yards. Amendola’s production strictly came from the slot. Minnesota did not test Green Bay from the slot last week as they only targeted the slot four times. Even if Golladay returns, Amendola and Jones Jr. will be heavily involved.
Tight Ends Week 2
Jonnu Smith vs. Jacksonville
I’m just picking on the Jaguars at this point. Only the Seahawks gave up more receptions to opposing receivers than the Jaguars in Week 1. Jonnu Smith and fellow tight end MyCole Pruitt caught 1-yard receptions for touchdowns last week. Smith added four catches for 36 yards with his touchdown. If he is able to find the end zone again, he’s a strong play.
Logan Thomas vs. Arizona
Arizona was historically bad against tight ends last year. Logan Thomas came out in Week 1 and produced four receptions on eight targets for 37 yards. He also found his way into the end zone, while leading the team in targets. He had a 25.8% target share! Pass-catchers are limited behind Scary Terry in Washington. Kittle produced 44 yards on four catches last week verse Arizona before injuring his leg in the second quarter. He did not catch another pass after that point. I wouldn’t say to believe in Logan Thomas but this is a defense that gave up 16 touchdowns to tight ends a year ago.
Chris Herndon vs. San Fransico
Chris Herndon caught six of seven targets for 37 yards but also lost a fumble. Herndon finished second on the team in catches, targets, and receiving yards. If he stays healthy, Herndon is going to play a huge role in a terrible offense that could be playing a ton of catch up. Herndon has always been that underneath type quarterback who loves the slot. Herndon had a 6.7 aDOT in Week 1 which plays perfectly for Darnold. Toss in the loss of Le’veon Bell and his roll just grows.
O.J. Howard vs. Carolina
The Panthers gave up 22 receptions for 260 receiving yards in Week 1. Howard had two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown in the red zone in his first game with Brady. Tight ends received 29.4% of Tampa Bay’s targets in Week 1. Only Shady McCoy and O.J. had two or more red-zone targets. Carolina will be a defense I’ll find myself streaming against all year. Waller produced just 45 yards on six receptions against Carolina last week, but Waller and Witten had receptions inside the red zone. This is a touchdown-dependent play, but we know how Brady loves his big tight ends in the red zone.
IDP Insights
Three offensive lines gave up four or more sacks in Week 1. The Texans and Jags allowed four sacks, while the Eagles allowed Washington to rack up eight sacks. Props to the Washington pass rush because they looked awesome. I will keep my eye on all three of these offensive lines as streaming options for pass-rushers in future weeks.
Five defenses allowed 30 or more receptions in Week 1. Vikings, Falcons, Jets, Jaguars, and Seahawks are all secondaries I’m looking to exploit in Week 2 and beyond.
