Week 2 Hansen's Hints

Early Afternoon Games

New York Giants (0-1) at Chicago Bears (1-0) PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Evan Engram - Bears did little to slow TJ Hockenson down last week.

• Allen Robinson - Giant CB James Bradberry is solid, but he gave up production last week, including a TD.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Tarik Cohen - Usage was horrible last week with David Montgomery getting more involved in the passing game.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Darnell Mooney - He was only fourth in snaps at WR but third in target percentage, and they love him so he will officially be starting very soon, and Giant secondary is very exploitable.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Saquon Barkley - Bears allowed 115/1 rushing and 6/36 receiving to Lions RBs last week and he’ll be highly motivated after last week’s debacle.

• Darius Slayton - I don’t like chasing points and expecting a guy like Slayton, coming off a huge game, to do it again is a bit much. But I don’t know how anyone can sit him

• Daniel Jones - I can’t say I like him more than usual, but I’m still expecting a solid showing.

• David Montgomery - Promising work in the passing game last week and a solid matchup, so I’m not down on him at all.

• Anthony Miller - I liked him last week and he did come through, but he played only 42% of the snaps. JuJu Smith-Schuster posted 6/69/2 receiver from the slot against the Giants last week, so you can use Miller if you need him, but I’m not assuming he will do it again.

• Sterling Shepard - No Golden Tate would help, but I can’t use him after he posted an ugly 5/15 receiving on nine targets against the Giants last season.

• Jimmy Graham - Almost scored 2 TDs in his Bears debut last week, but the Giants allowed just 1/18 to Eric Ebron last week.

Atlanta Falcons (0-1) at Dallas Cowboys (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Matt Ryan - I had him leading the league in attempts and he’s well on his way to doing that, and Dallas lost CB Anthony Brown, one of their top-3 CBs, this weekend to IR, plus they have LBs Vander Esch and Lee are out, which helps Ryan in several ways.

• Julio Jones - Ryan’s throwing it 40+ and the matchup is good, as Dallas gave up a healthy 12/193 (16 YPR) to WRs last week. Robert Woods crushed them.

• Calvin Ridley - You’re obviously not sitting him given the matchup and how good he looked last week.

• Amari Cooper - Falcons gave up the 2nd-most fantasy points to outside WRs last week, so he’s looking great other than the fact that he did miss some practice time this week.

• Michael Gallup - See Cooper, and Gallup is healthier than Cooper.

• Ezekiel Elliott - Falcons gave up 9th-most fantasy points per carry last week and the 12th-most yards after contact. And they gave up 8 catches and 2 receiving TDs to Seattle RBs last week.

• Dak Prescott - Everything would be looking fantastic, but they do have some serious OL issues. Still, he’s usually better at home and the matchup is great. It helps that the Falcons don’t have much of a pass rush.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• CeeDee Lamb - Could be more than fine, but he gets the worst matchup this week in the slot.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Hayden Hurst - Led all TEs in routes run last week and Dallas won’t have LB Leighton Vander Esch and are usually shaky against the TEs even with him. If Hurst flops this week, it’s cause for serious concern.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Todd Gurley - Ran only 14 routes last week, less than Derrick Henry, but he did score and Malcolm Brown ran all over the Cowboys, plus there were glimpses of the old Gurley last week (but also glimpses of how he’s lost some juice).

• Russell Gage - Averaging 7.8 targets per game in 10 games since Mohamed Sanu was traded, but it feels like it’s pushing it asking for anything close to a repeat from last week. Hurst this time could get the love.

Detroit Lions (0-1) at Green Bay Packers (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Davante Adams - 22+ FP in six straight games with 13.5 targets per game in that span, Lions have major CB injury concerns this week.

• Aaron Rodgers - Perhaps last week was just about the matchup. But even if it was, this week’s matchup is just as good, since the Lions have no pass rush and are down 2 of their top 3 corners.

• Marvin Jones – No Golladay again this week and nearly 50 points expected, so I’d bet on him with Stafford throwing it 40+ times.

• T.J. Hockenson - Played on just 64% of the snaps in Week 1, but snaps may be up a little and he also just missed a second TD. They’ll need him in a higher-scoring game and his QB should throw it 40+ times.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Adrian Peterson - Lions do have some OL issues and will miss their LG, but Packers will really, really miss NT Kenny Clark. Peterson dominated the touches in this backfield with 17 compared to 13 combined touches for D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson. AD even had 3/21, And GB gave up 5.6 YPC and 2 rushing TDs last week.

• Marquez Valdes-Scantling - Lazard ran more routes (38 to 29), but MVS has already shown more upside, and a good bet to get some slot snaps.

• Quintez Cephus - They love him and he finished with a team-high 10 targets (23.8% share) last week with Golladay out, so worth a look on the low end.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Aaron Jones - I loved him last week, but he was meh. He played only 53.8% of the snaps, but this is certainly a good matchup. The Lions defense that allowed 5.3 YPC to the Bears last week. But look out for rookie AJ Dillon, whose role is already looking to be on the upswing.

• Matthew Stafford - No Golladay hurts, but he’s averaging 310.7 passing yards per game in his last nine games since Week 1 of 2019. He did have a so-so game against Green Bay last year, though, with - TDs.

• D’Andre Swift - Swift did lead the backfield in snap share (44%) and had 5 targets and just missed a second TD. I don’t trust him yet, but I could see him catching 5+ balls with the Lions playing from behind.

Minnesota Vikings (0-1) at Indianapolis Colts (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Jonathan Taylor - Vikings D did a nice job early on Aaron Jones last week, much to my surprise, but they still allowed 28/139/1 rushing and 9/37 receiving to the Packers backfield last week. Taylor saw a promising six targets and was their primary runner over Nyheim Hines once Marlon Mack (Achilles’) went down. The Vikings defense allowed 28/139/1 rushing and 9/37 receiving to the Packers backfield last week.

• Parris Campbell - Vikes gave up second-most production out of the slot last week as Mike Hughes allowed 4/69/1 receiving to Packers slot WRs last week.

• Adam Thielen - This is why we loved him this summer: He accounted for both TD passes while owning a 42% receiving yards share and a 32% target share. The Colts secondary allowed three TD passes to Jags WRs on just 14 targets.

• TY Hilton - Both outside CBs Cameron Dantzler and Holton Hill allowed 6+ catches, 80+ yards, and a touchdown to Packers’ perimeter WRs last week and Dantzler is out. Vikes gave up 3rd-most fantasy points to outside WRs last week.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Irv Smith - He ran just 16 routes last week, Kyle Rudolph ran 15.

• Michael Pittman - He’s banged up, so you can’t even consider him with a great matchup.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Nyheim Hines - Colts RBs caught 17 of Rivers’ completions last week (47.2%) in Week 1 and Hines saw a 17.4% target share with four red-zone carries and two RZ targets, plus the game total is pushing 50 and the Vikings gave up 9 RB catches last week.

• Philip Rivers - The Vikings allowed 364/4 passing to Aaron Rodgers last week and now they’re down a corner. Their pass rush really missed Danielle Hunter last week, and he’s out again.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Kirk Cousins - Attempted just five passes for 54 yards in the first half last week, but this game’s total is pushing 50, due in large part to the poor showing by both defenses, so this could be a high-scoring game.

• Dalvin Cook - Have to think his touch total rises considerably since it was just 13 last week.

Buffalo Bills (1-0, 1-0 ATS) at Miami Dolphins (0-1, 0-1), 1 p.m.

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Mike Gesicki - I’m in on him this week, given the major LB injuries the Dolphins have and how they have been crushed at times by inside receivers. He ran a league-high 78% routes from the slot last week, and the matchup is way tougher on the outside for their WRs. I’m feeling a big game here, which is going out on a limb!

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• DeVante Parker - He’s not 100% (hamstring) and he’s potentially unavailable this week against a tough Bills defense that looked great last year. Parker did well in this matchup last year, but that doesn’t seem to mean anything right now.

• Preston Williams - If Parker is out, he may draw top CB Tre’Davious White, and he was lame last week with just 2/41 receiving on seven targets against Stephon Gilmore and company last week.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Devin Singletary and Zack Moss - As expected (and feared), they split the carries and Moss even got 4 targets (Singletary with 7). Patriots RBs totaled 153 scrimmage yards last week in a run-heavy game plan against the Dolphins. I can see them slowing things down in this one in the second half and for both backs to carry the load, so they both probably have a little better potential.

• Myles Gaskin - I wrote about him in my Vibes article in the preseason, so I’m not totally shocked he played ahead of both Jordan Howard and Matt Breida last week. I don’t think it’s a lock he’ll do it again, but he led them in carries and caught all 4 of his targets. Jordan and Breida didn’t even have a target, so you have to give Gaskin a chance for 10+ PPR points.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Josh Allen - So many promising things came out of last week for Allen, who threw for 300+ yards for the first time in his career. Allen had the second-most dropbacks (53) in Week 1, the Bills led the league in 4-WR sets, and he ran 14 times. He’s crushed Miami in the past, but they do now roll with Byron Jones and Xavien Howard, a pair of high-quality outside corners (although they are both on the injury report). I don’t love the matchup, but Allen looks like he’ll get it done every week.

• Ryan Fitzpatrick - I do like Mike Gesicki this week, and he did somehow throw for 603 yards against the Bills last year (but just 1 TD), but Fitz is not looking good against a Bills defense that completely stymied the Jets last week.

San Francisco 49ers (0-1) at New York Jets (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Breshad Perriman - Sam Darnold was bad last week, and he misses Perriman for a possible TD. But it really feels like he’s going to do something in this one, as the 49ers will be without Richard Sherman and pass rusher Dee Ford.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Jordan Reed - I can’t do it. I know some DFS people are intrigued, but I can’t do it. I know if I do, then Kendrick Bourne will score 2-3 TDs.

• Jerick McKinnon - Ideally, you use him in higher-scoring games against quality opponents capable of forcing the 49ers to play from behind. That’s not the Jets.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Chris Herndon - He had a couple of decent catches in an otherwise brutal performance by the offense, but no Jamison Crowder helps a lot. Herndon did get a solid 7 targets and he will be needed. I’m not backing him strongly as a play, but there are enough positives with Crowder out for me to reach him.

• Kendrick Bourne - Old reliable and Mr. Red zone. If Jimmy G throws a TD pass, the odds are pretty good Bourne’s on the other end of it. The Jets did give up 23/247/1 receiving to the Bills WRs last week.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Raheem Mostert - He seems like an obvious play, and he is, but I can’t say he’s looking better than usual, since the Jets held the Bills RB to 2.3 YPC last week, and we could see a little more Tevin Coleman with Jerrick McKinnon well in the mix.

• Frank Gore - He still looks the same and he will be the starter, but 3-4 yards and a cloud of dust isn’t going to cut it, and forget about more than 1-2 catches.

• Sam Darnold - He was awful last week, and for the first time ever I now think Darnold may never make it and settle in as a quality starter. San Fran is without Sherman, but they limited Kyler Murray to 5.8 YPA last week and the 49ers allowed the fifth-fewest YPA (5.6) last season.

Los Angeles Rams (1-0) at Philadelphia Eagles (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Tyler Higbee - He ran routes on just 64.7% of Jared Goff’s dropbacks last week, and he had a so-so target share of 11.7%, but I’m going for it. Our Greg Cosell sees a potential coverage matchup to exploit with the Eagles LBs, and their top two wideouts have tougher matchups, so I’m feeling Higbee this week. FWIW, Logan Thomas went for 4/37/1 receiving on eight targets against the Eagles last week. Gerald Everett (back) will probably play, but he’s not 100%.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp - It’s only one game, but our affinity for Woods was confirmed last week, and also our concerns about Kupp’s usage. Woods should see a lot of Darius Slay, and Kupp his former teammate Nickell Robey-Coleman, who is very solid. I’m not saying bench them, but they’re not looking as good as usual.

• Jared Goff - He was good last week, averaging 8.9 YPA, and Philly will test their shaky OL and look to pressure Goff after pressuring Dwayne Haskins on 38.9% of his dropbacks last week. It could get a little ugly, but we could also get a lot of volume and garbage time production, so he’s not hopeless.

• Malcolm Brown - He got 60% of the snaps last week and had a big day, but this assignment is much tougher. With two other backs involved and the Eagles run defense still very good, I’m not going out of my way to use Brown.

• Cam Akers - He got the start but wasn’t ready for prime time, finishing with 14/39 rushing while catching his only target for four yards on a 33% snap share. The Eagles allowed just 3.7 YPC last week.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Jalen Reagor - The Rams may not match Jalen Ramsey up with Desean Jackson on every snap, so Reagor could see some Ramsey, so he’s not a great reach. But he should have had a 50+ yard TD last week and he was top-10 with 160+ air yards last week, so a big play would not be a surprise.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Miles Sanders - He’s back and he’s ready to go. No one knows how he’ll feel and how he’ll be used, by my gut (based on good intel) is that he has a good chance to be a mild surprise with a very good game. I’m looking for him to haul in 2-3 screen passes, and he can do a lot with those. But the Ram D did look quite solid last week.

• Carson Wentz - There’s no way I can say he’s looking good in this tougher matchup, but getting Lane Johnson back at RT is huge, and Miles Sanders will also help a lot. I can see a solid day at the office from Wentz, but nothing major.

• DeSean Jackson - He didn’t even hit 60% of the snaps last week and he ran 30 only routes, plus he should see a bit of Jalen Ramsey, if not a lot. But because it’s football and he’s Desean, a big play would not surprise me at all after he let everyone down last week.

• Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert - These guys are tough to handicap for obvious reasons. I could see Ertz more involved, though, as they look to get the ball out of Wentz’s hands quickly, and the middle of the field is always more open when they are stretching defenses vertically, which they can do with Jackson and Reagor.

Denver Broncos (0-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Ben Roethlisberger - We saw some rust the first 1-2 series, but then it was gone. They do have some OL issues, but the Bronco secondary is quite bad personnel-wise at corner, so he should be just fine.
• Diontae Johnson - He led the team with nine targets and a 30% air yards share despite an awful showing in the first half, and top outside CB A.J. Bouye will miss this week. The Broncos just allowed 7/101 receiving to Corey Davis, so you have to like Johnson’s chances.
• JuJu Smith-Schuster - There’s no doubt he looked good, and he ran a route on each of Big Ben’s 36 dropbacks, turning 6 targets into 6/69/2 receiving. Titans slot guy Adam Humphries posted 6/47 receiving against the Broncos last week.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Noah Fant - I loved seeing Fant blow up in the first half last week, because Fant was a guy I drafted most often in my draft plan article this summer, but Fant did disappear in the second half, and Courtland Sutton is likely back. Plus, the matchup is not good, as the Steelers handled Evan Engram last week and held him to just 2/7 receiving on seven targets.

• Drew Lock - He looked good last week, but averaged only 6.5 YPA, and it’s a stretch to believe he can do anything like what Daniel Jones did against this defense last week with 249/2 (with 2 INTs). It’s fair to be skeptical of Lock in Pittsburgh, as Denver has the lowest implied team total this week at 16.5 points.

• James Conner and Benny Snell - Conner had just 6/9 before leaving the game permanently with an ankle. Snell looks spry, and very good, and he may get volume late in as they milk the clock. It’s hard to expect Conner to get that volume, but it’s not a lock for Snell, either, and he’s almost a zero in the passing game. The real problem is the Broncos run defense, which looks like it’s top-5 in the league this year. With Conner working a lot in practice this week, I’d like to avoid this backfield if possible.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Eric Ebron - As expected, targets were a problem for Ebron last week, but he did look very good running routes, and both of the TDs the Broncos allowed came against TEs last week. If Anthony Firkser can score against this defense, so can Ebron.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Melvin Gordon - We’re looking at a huge role here with Phillip Lindsay out, but they do still have Royce Freeman, who can play all three downs. Gordon will have to do it in the passing game, though, as the Steelers stonewalled Saquon Barkley last week.
• Jerry Jeudy - He looked great running routes, and he led the Broncos in targets (8) but Courtland Sutton should return, which is good and bad. Ultimately, you’re banging on some garbage time production, which I can see you getting.
• Courtland Sutton - He’s tough to trust, but the Steelers secondary struggled against another big X receiver in Darius Slayton last week, at least.

Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Mike Evans - He’ll be a lot more active this week with Chris Godwin out, and Bruce Arians will get him involved early and often. He can be contained by tight man-to-man coverage from top corners, and he can also kill zone, which the Panthers mostly run. He torched the Panthers for 18/272/2 receiving in two games last season and is a good bet to dominate this poor secondary.
• Ronald Jones - Looked pretty good last week, and I actually mistook him for Leonard Fournette on a carry, so Jones’ increased size is evident. He led the backfield with 47% of the snaps and Fournette was hesitant on film. The Panthers just allowed three touchdowns to Josh Jacobs last week, and they’ve now allowed multiple rushing TDs in six straight games, so I gotta back Jones here.
• Tom Brady - I was not in on Brady this year because I thought he’d be slow out of the gate, which he was last week. But this is too good of a matchup, and Brady and Arians are likely pissed, something they can address by slinging it with a lot of success against a vulnerable secondary.
• D.J. Moore - Christian McCaffrey has his hands full, and I can see the Panthers getting smoked here, so I’m looking at some serious volume for Moore, who saw a team-high 26.4% target share in Week 1, including three deep balls and two end-zone targets. He totaled 16/162 receiving against the Bucs last season.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Christian McCaffrey - Obviously, the matchup is as nasty as it gets for CMC. The Bucs defense held CMC to under 60 scrimmage yards in both games last year, incredible considering his production in every other game. And now we also have concerns about new OC Joe Brady getting him the ball in the passing game, which is a concern after Week 1 (only 4 targets and 3 catches).

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Scotty Miller - It’s no surprise Brady loves this guy because he’s good. The guy catches everything and looks quite savvy after catching 5 of 6 targets for 73, for a healthy 14.6 YPA. It’s pretty clear he’s going to have a good game today.

• Leonard Fournette - I doubt he’s ready for a coming-out party, but I could absolutely see Fournette coming in late and icing the game with 50+ rushing yards and a cheap TE.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Teddy Bridgewater - He looked good last week, rolling with an efficient 7.9 YPA and he even attempted a pass 15+ yards downfield on 9-of-34 of his attempts (26.5%). However, the Bucs can rush the passer and cover on the back end, as they limited Drew Brees to 5.3 YPA and 160 passing yards in Week 1. Teddy should get some garbage time production, at least.
• Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel - They both saw eight targets last week and they should see a similar role this week, as the Panthers likely play from behind. But I respect the heck out of the Bucs secondary and their young DBs, so I’m using either only if I clearly needed them and they were my best options.
• Rob Gronkowski - Gronk played 77% of the snaps, he ran 21 routes, but he saw just 3 targets in Week 1 while O.J. Howard saw 53% of the snaps, he ran 19 routes, and he saw six targets. The Panthers gave up 7 catches to TEs last week, at least.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Derrick Henry - It was a struggle last week, but he did run a career-high 22 routes in the opener, and he’s probably set for 25+ opportunities. The Jags were solid against the run last week, but they did give up 17 RB catches to Indy, so Henry is a good bet for 3-4 grabs. He could score 2 TDs and go for 100 yards, and if he adds those 3-4 grabs, it’s a huge day, even if it looks a little sluggish.
• Corey Davis - He needs to avoid man coverage, and the Jags run mostly zone, which helps. He saw a 20% target share and now has 12/166 receiving with 15 targets in his last two games with Tannehill, so he’s clearly looking better than usual with AJ Brown out.
• Jonnu Smith - He reached seven targets last week for just the third time in his career, and he’ll likely do it for the fourth time today. The Jags gave up 5/69 to the low-end Colt TEs last week. I actually think Smith is safer than Davis.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Chris Thompson - He ran just 11 routes compared to Robinson’s 12 routes, and I’m not convinced this is a good spot for him, even though the Jags are road underdogs. You cannot use this guy until he does something.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• James Robinson - He’s the guy, and he will remain the guy. This one won’t likely feature a lot of scoring, so both teams will be handing the ball off a lot, and Robinson may have more upside in the passing game than Henry. If Robinson can stumble into the endzone, it’s going to be a very good day.

• Laviska Shenault - Dede Westbrook is over, so this rookie is already looking like a major factor for the Jags. Keelan Cole is pesky, but Shenault will also get some carries, and he has a ton of juice. I think he’ll be startable every week in larger leagues, but he’s still a reach only this week, since I don’t see a ton of points being scored and plays run.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Gardner Minshew - He was obviously masterful last week, but I think you’re hoping for some cheap production late, which feels a little dangerous this week.
• D.J. Chark - He scored, but then nothing last week. I liked him quite a bit this summer, but Chark has now finished with fewer than 50 yards in five of his last six games that Minshew has played in. I’d like to view him as a WR3 until further notice.
• Ryan Tannehill - He absolutely crushed the Jags last year, but I don’t see a lot of upside in this one. He will likely get 1-2 TDs and 200 yards, but I’m not seeing much more than that.

Late Afternoon Games

Washington Football Team (1-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Kyler Murray - He averaged only 6.9 YPA last week but also led all QBs with 13/91/1 rushing in Week 1. He can avoid their nasty front, which may force him to continue to run, and their secondary is very beatable.
• DeAndre Hopkins - An insane 40% target share last week, his first with Murray, and the Redkins corners are very beatable.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Dwayne Haskins - He did not look good at all last week, so forget him for now.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• Antonio Gibson - He flopped last week, but he did look good running with power and I know they really want him to take over here, so I’m giving him a chance.

• Logan Thomas - He saw a 25% target share last week and was the TE7 last week, and LB/S Isaiah Simmons struggled big time in his first game last week.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Terry McLaurin - He put up a decent 5/61 last week mostly against Darius Slay, and I’d expect to see a lot of Patrick Peterson, so I’m not expecting a huge day.

• Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald - Murray did miss an open Kirk on a potential big play last week, so I’d guess Kirk will get a deep look or two, but both guys are tough to trust.

• Kenyan Drake - Chase Edmonds saw five targets compared to Drake’s two, which is a problem, and Washington allowed a league-low 11.6 FP to Eagles backs last week. The best news is Drake should get more volume, as the Cards roll with positive game scripts.

Baltimore Ravens (1-0) at Houston Texans (0-1)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Hollywood Brown - He had the easiest 5/101 I think I’ve ever seen last week, and while the Texans did control Tyreek Hill last week, mostly with Bradley Roby, I also think the Ravens will throw more, possibly a lot more.
• Mark Ingram - This is more of a gut feeling, but after J.K. Dobbins led the Ravens backfield in snap share in Week 1 with 2 TDs, I think it’s Ingram’s turn. The Chiefs rocked the Texans last week with a league-high 163 RB rushing yards last week.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• Deshaun Watson - He got bailed out by garbage time last week, but he did not look good on film, and the matchup is obviously nasty. He at least will likely have to throw it a lot. Watson also had a tough time in this matchup last year, posting just 169 passing and 12 rushing yards without a touchdown in a 41-7 loss.
• Will Fuller - He’s a great play most weeks, but not when the matchup is brutal, and this matchup is brutal.
• Brandin Cooks and Randall Cobb - They combined for just 4/43 receiving on eight targets last week, so you can’t use them in this bad matchup.
• David Johnson - He played on 81% of the snaps last week with Duke Johnson hurt, but Dukes should play, and he could cut David’s upside down with his role in the passing game, and the matchup is overall bad.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

None of note.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Lamar Jackson - Lamar threw for four TDs on just 24 passes against the Texans last year, and Patrick Mahomes threw for three TDs against Houston last week, so he should be fine, as Deshaun forces him to throw all four downs.
• Mark Andrews - He ran a route on 90% of Jackson’s dropbacks last week, which is great, and Travis Kelce caught all six of his targets for 50/1 receiving last week. But Kelce didn’t go off, and the Texan safeties can cover WRs well, so Andrews may not go nuts.
• Jordan Akins - He looked good, and the Ravens did give up 6/70/1 receiving to the Browns TEs last week, but he’s hard to trust.

Brolley’s Bets

Baltimore Ravens -7 (Staff Picks lean)

Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Hunter Henry - He was really active with 5/73 receiving on eight targets and he put up 11/111/1 receiving in his two games against the Chief last year, KC also was quite bad against TEs last week, so I like Henry today.

• Mike Williams - He had 9 targets and 17 YPR and was used a ton downfield, so I love him today with the Chargers likely throwing a lot more. CB Charvarius Ward is out, which helps a lot.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

None of note.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Keenan Allen - He’s is going to miss Phil Rivers, as expected. He had just 4/37 receiving on eight targets last week, but at least they will throw a lot, and CB Charvarius Ward is out.
• Patrick Mahomes - He may not go nuts here, and the matchup isn’t great, but they do have a ton of weapons, obviously.
• Clyde Edwards-Helaire - He looked fantastic last week, and we’ll if he can actually get it done in the passing game, since the matchup isn’t great. Joe Mixon had only 19/69 rushing (3.6 YPC) last week, so they could get CEH more involved as a passer this week.
• Travis Kelce - He’s looking better than usual with S Derwin James out.
• Tyreek Hill - He’s also struggled a bit against the Chargers last season with just 4/61 receiving on five targets, so perhaps he doesn’t go nuts here.
• Austin Ekeler - He saw a career-high 19 carries in Week 1 but he saw just one target in his first game without Philip Rivers. Ekeler will have to catch 4-5 balls today to come through.

Sunday Night Football

New England Patriots (1-0) at Seattle Seahawks (1-0)

PLAYERS I LIKE MORE THAN USUAL:

• Julian Edelman – Seattle gave up the most fantasy points to slot receivers last week, so he’s looking great after he rolled with a massive 36.8% target share and had a 23-yard carry. He has the potential to catch 8-10 balls in this one, for sure.

PLAYERS I LIKE LESS THAN USUAL:

• D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett – You’d have to think the Pats will look to minimize these two guys’ impact, and they have the people to do it, namely Stephon Gilmore, who will likely travel with Metcalf. Lockett caught all eight of his targets for 92 yards last week and he does have an easier matchup t against Jonathan Jones, but there isn’t an easy matchup against this Patriots secondary.

• Russell Wilson – They let him cook last week, but you wonder if they’ll revert to previous form this week and stay conservative. Or, they could at least throw early, hoping to gain an early lead. Regardless, it’s one of the tougher matchups he’ll face, so I’m not nearly as high on him as usual.

DEEP SLEEPERS/REACH PLAYS:

• N’Keal Harry – Not a bad option on the low-end, and he did fumble a potential TD in the end zone last week. He had a strong 31.6% target share, which is not a surprise given the sad state of their receiving corps.

OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:

• Cam Newton – I didn’t think he’s hit 200 yards last week, and he didn’t. This week, I think he will with a better matchup, and there is some upside if they are playing from behind.

• James White – This backfield was a real problem for fantasy last week, but there’s hope for White against a top offense in Seattle as 4-point road underdogs. He turned 8 opportunities into 52 yards last week, and he could get up to 15 opportunities this week.

• Chris Carson – He played only 28 snaps compared to Carlos Hyde’s 21, but his role in the passing game this week is key, since the Patriots allowed just 3.1 YPC against the Dolphins last week.