Fantasy Fives: Best is Best, Favre Flops in Week 2
Fantasy Aces
1. Jahvid Best – The Lions may have lost to the Eagles 35-32, but Jahvid Best really was the best on Sunday. The rookie running back from Cal ended the day with 78 yards rushing, 154 yards receiving and three total touchdowns – that’s 40 fantasy points, folks. Best is elevating himself to RB1 status and it’s only Week 2. He has a tough match-up next week against Minnesota, but most thought that Philly’s defense was going to present problems. Think again.
2. Jason Snelling – Michael Turner goes down and Jason Snelling picks up right where he left off last season – and then some. Snelling shredded Arizona’s defense for 186 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as the Falcons embarrassed the Cardinals 41-7. Back to Turner – he left the game with a groin injury but is expected to be OK. Still, there’s no excuse not to have Snelling on your fantasy roster. He’s a must handcuff for Turner owners and should be looked at as a possible flex play, even when Turner’s healthy.
3. Matt Schaub – Schaub won a shoot-out over Donovan McNabb in DC, and boy did he use every bullet. The seven-year veteran was 38/52 for 497 yards and three touchdowns, including a 34-yard touchdown strike to Andre Johnson on fourth down to tie a game that the Texans would eventually win in overtime over the Redskins, 30-27. Last week, Arian Foster led the Texans offense on the ground. This week, it was Schaub who showed why he’s one of the NFL’s elite.
4. LeSean McCoy – Keeping up with Jahvid Best isn’t easy, but LeSean McCoy sure came close. The second-year back led the Eagles’ ground attack with 16 carries for 120 yards and three touchdowns as the Eagles squeaked past the Lions 35-32. McCoy is over-delivering thus far in 2010 — you have to wonder how the dynamic of the offense changes if/when Kevin Kolb returns to the line-up.
5. Andre Johnson – We knew it was only a matter of time. Johnson made up for last week’s three point fantasy performance against the Colts with 12 catches for 158 yards and a touchdown against the Redskins. He tweaked his ankle in the second-half only to return to catch that 34-yard touchdown from Schaub mentioned above. Just be happy he’s on your team – he’s a beast.
Fantasy Jokers
1. Brett Favre – Yikes. After watching Sunday’s ugly performance, three thoughts: a) training camp is important b) maybe last season was a good time to bow out and c) when does Vincent Jackson land in Minneapolis? Favre was 22/36 for 225 yards and three interceptions in a disheartening 14-10 loss to the Dolphins. If it weren’t for Adrian Peterson, things could’ve been worse. Next week’s match-up against the Lions is favorable, but if you have better options, use ‘em.
2. Joe Flacco – Not a good day to be a quarterback wearing purple. Flacco saw Favre’s three picks and raised him one. His final numbers in a 15-10 loss to the Bengals: 17/39 for 154 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. A tough day, but the good news for Flacco owners is that a tasty match-up against the Browns awaits next week.
3. Chris Johnson – One of the rare occasions you’ll see the NFL’s most dynamic runner in this category and it’s not entirely his fault. CJ had an 85-yard touchdown called back because of holding and the rest of his day on the ground (16 carries for 34 yards, lost fumble) was tough sledding against the Steelers defense. Regardless, you never want to see your #1 pick put up two points. Expect Johnson to bounce back big against the Giants in Week 3.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew – Another top-five fantasy pick that fizzled in Week 2. The Jags got throttled by the Chargers 38-13 and their offense was playing from behind for most of the game. Jones-Drew ended the day with only 12 carries for 31 yards and one catch for 17 yards. MJD is a must-start each week – heck, you probably drafted him #3 or #4 overall. But it can’t be ignored that there’s just not a lot of talent around him.
5. Greg Jennings – Aaron Rodgers and Co. torched the Bills 34-7, but someone forgot to invite Greg Jennings to the party. Jermichael Finley had 103 yards receiving, Donald Driver caught a touchdown, yet Rodgers’ #1 target caught only three balls for 36 yards. Hey, that’s the way it goes sometimes. Jennings should rebound in a Monday night match-up against the Bears in Week 3.
