Slate Breaker: National Football League (Week 2)

Game Picks

Browns @ Jaguars

The Browns sure looked bad didn't they? Yes, the Cowboys are an elite defense, but this Browns offense has never looked good with Deshaun Watson as their QB. In 13 starts with the Browns, a Watson led offense has topped 27 points just two times and he is averaging just 1.3 TDs across all his starts. The only chance the Browns have this game is if they run the ball well and play great defense. The Jaguars allowed the 9th fewest rushing yards in 2023 and held the Dolphins to just 81 rushing yards in Week 1 so this will be a struggle for the Browns. Jaguars win easily.

Chargers @ Panthers

As long as the Panthers are playing a semi-functional team, I am always picking their opponent. The Chargers are much more than semi-functional and their defense looked like a typical Jim Harbuagh defense in Week 1. Chargers win by multiple possessions.

Giants @ Commanders

I love when two bad teams meet up like this. Both have talent on offense, but huge issues on defense. The Giants made Sam Darnold look like a superstar and the Commanders made Baker Mayfield look like the next MVP. There will be plenty of offensive production in this game, but I just do not think Daniel Jones is capable of winning many games so I am rolling with the Commanders in this one.

49ers @ Vikings

Both these teams looked great in Week 1, but obviously the 49ers faced a far better opponent. Sam Darnold is just not cut out to take down a defense like the 49ers, but the Vikings defense is much improved so this could be more of a defensive battle than people think. The 9ers will pull out a close win.

Raiders @ Ravens

Gardner Minshew vs Lamar Jackson.....do I need to say more? Ravens win big.

Saints @ Cowboys

The Saints were the biggest winner of Week 1, but that was a result of a poor Panthers team instead of any of the Saints strength. The Saints will get a hard dose of reality from the Cowboys as they are clearly over matched on both offense and defense. The Cowboys are contenders and the Saints are pretenders.

Buccaneers @ Lions

The Lions looked like the team to beat in NFC in Week 1 playing great offense with a much improved defense. While I like what the Buccaneers do on offense, they look like they have taken a step back on defense allowing a rookie in his NFL debut to score 3 times. Lions already have an edge in this one but Ford Field turns this into an easy win for them.

Seahawks @ Patriots

Are the Patriots good? Nah. The Bengals are just way worse than we thought. The Seahawks are no studs either with their offense getting stopped twice for two safeties last week. This game seems like a bit of a toss up as whoever plays the cleanest football will take home a win. The loss of Kenneth Walker will really hurt the Seahawks which will lead to offensive struggles against an underrated Patriots defense. The Patriots will ride Rhamondre Stevenson to a hard fought win and a surprising 2-0 start.

Jets @ Titans

I am on upset alert for this one. The Titans defensive front looked strong in Week 1 and that is the Jets exact weakness. Aaron Rodgers and Breece Hall will have defenders in their face all game long keeping the Jets from establishing any kind of offensive rhythm. The Jets defense is no pushover either but I think Will Levis's big play ability comes through when it matters as he only needs to connect on a deep ball or two to control this game. If Levis can take care of the ball, the Titans will pull off the upset.

Colts @ Packers

Malik Willis has three career starts and just 78 passing yards per game in those starts. The Colts are one of the best up and coming offenses in the league so the Packers do not stand a chance in this one.

Rams @ Cardinals

Even with Puka Nacua out, the Rams still have all they need as long as Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Kyren Williams are at full strength.The Cardinals offense is improved, but they just do not have the firepower to pull out a win over this talented Rams' O.

Bengals @ Chiefs

I am almost out on Joe Burrow after last week. He has not consistently won in some time and looks like he has lost all the confidence that fueled his early career. Until Joe Burrow can find his mojo again, the Bengals do not stand a chance against this Chiefs team.

Steelers @ Broncos

I want to pick the Broncos. Their defense is great and should be able to dominate whoever the Steelers start at QB, but the TJ Watt vs Bo Nix battle scares me. In the end, the Steelers can win by just running the ball so Steelers all the way.

Bears @ Texans

The Texans looked playoff ready in Week 1, while the Bears offense looked like they were sleepwalking. This Bears offense will continue to take steps forward, but they will not be able to improve quick enough to compete with this Texans squad quite yet. Texans make it look easy in Week 2.

Player Spotlights

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs Giants)

Daniels is going to be a fantasy stud. He is going to be the exact QB he was in college with a heavy dose of running after carrying the ball 16 times in his NFL debut but it was his goal line usage that was the most encouraging. The Commanders had 4 plays inside the opponent's 5 yard line in Week 1 and Daniels ran the ball on 3 of those plays. He can be a subpar passer but if he continues to rush like a lead back while getting the majority of the goal line work, he will be an elite fantasy option regardless of his opponent.

Anthony Richardson, Colts (@ Packers)

How many more monster games in a row does Richardson need until we call him the best fantasy QB. Yes, he only has 3 full games in his career but his finishes in those games are QB4, QB2, QB4. Anthony is an elite rushing QB making him the strongest fantasy QB we have seen since Cam Newton's 2015 season. Play Richardson each and every week with confidence until he shows you he cannot be trusted.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs Rams)

I am all about the rushing QBs this week, but it is not Kyler's rushing abilities that has grabbed my attention this week. Murray has shown he can move the ball against this Rams team. He has averaged 305 passing yards over their last 4 matchups so if you add his usual rushing production with that many passing yards....Murray is as safe a play as it gets this week. I would not be too concerned about Murray's Week 1 performance as the Bills showed that they are just a truly elite offense by also shutting down the Dolphins dynamic offense. 

Brock Purdy, 49ers (@ Vikings)

While Jordan Mason did look great in Week 1, that is the best the rushing attack will look while CMC is out. Purdy will be forced to take on a bigger load and that will start this week as Harrison Phillips and Ivan Pace Jr will make the 49ers rushing attack far less effective in Week 2. Although Purdy was a disappointment in Week 1 fantasy wise; he was a fantasy stud last year so he should get back to his old ways this week.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Jordan Mason, 49ers (@ Vikings)

While I do not expect Mason to nearly score 25 points again, he will definitely boom at his current price. He will still easily score more than 10 points, making him a huge value. He will be chalky, but that is for a good reason as there just is not another RB on this slate that offers the same value profile Mason does. Make sure you have him in your lineups.

Joe Mixon, Texans (vs Bears)

Did you see that usage??? As long as Mixon is getting all the RB work for this Texans offense, he is a must play. He had 30 carries last week and that was just the running game with 3 more touches in the passing game as well. Mixon is playing a huge role in a great scoring offense so he is matchup proof and worth your consideration regardless of opponent from this point forward.

Najee Harris, Steelers (@ Broncos)

Harris was a workhorse back with 22 opportunities in Week 1. He was not super efficient which resulted in a middling day for Harris. This week looks far more promising though as the Broncos allowed the third most rushing yards per game in 2023 and allowed the Seahawks to rush for 146 yards in Week 1. Until the Steelers develop confidence in their QBs, they will run the offense through Harris which will lead to some huge weeks especially when he has a matchup like this.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (@ Patriots)

Charbonnet has just two starts in his young career and has not been great averaging just 53.5 rushing yards in those games, but that is a misleading stat with those two games coming against two of the top run defenses last season, the 49ers and Cowboys. Charbonnet's third start will be a different story. While the Patriots run defense is good, the Seahawks O line looked great last week so they will be able to open enough holes to lead Charbonnet to a productive day. With Charbonnet locking into 20+ touches, the opportunity alone makes the new Seahawks starter a great play.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Cooper Kupp, Rams (@ Cardinals)

The 2021 Cooper Kupp is back and he is a must play until Puka Nacua gets back and likely even beyond that. He will be chalky, but do not get cute, make sure you are playing Kupp.

Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (@ Chiefs)

While I do like the other other elite WRs on this slate, Chase stands out to me. After getting embarrassed by the Patriots in Week 1, they will force feed their best and only real proven player they have on offense. They will also be playing catchup from the get go so expect a lot of passes. L'Jarius Sneed is also out of Kansas City so the Chiefs have gone from a horrible matchup for WR1s to one of the best. The usage and matchup make Chase a truly elite play.

DJ Moore, Bears (@ Texans)

Did you see how many deep balls the Colts completed against this Texans defense last week??? And they just missed on two more long TDs. You can definitely get behind this defense so Moore should do it with ease. Keenan Allen is also not practicing so Moore will likely be the Bears top target this week which is a very valuable role since the Bears will have to pass a lot as they try to keep pace with the Texans. Caleb Williams is the only thing standing between Moore and a monster day.

Malik Nabers, Giants (@ Commanders)

Nabers looked like an elite talent in Week 1 and the Commanders looked like the worst secondary in the league. Although Nabers is hampered by a subpar Daniel Jones, even Jones will be able to push the ball down the field against the Commanders D so expect a breakout performance from Nabers as he will be able to do whatever he wants against this defense.

Jalen Nailor & Josh Reynolds, Vikings & Broncos

Both these guys are very similar to me. They have moved up the depth chart as a fellow WR is dealing with an injury and both are coming off a decent Week 1. Nailor made his Week 1 with a beautiful TD but will see far more than 1 target this week with Jordan Addison out. Nailor has been hyped up all offseason by the Vikings so this looks like a game when that hype will turn into production. Reynolds was already super involved in this offense with 8 Week 1 targets and now Devaughn Vele is out who also received 8 targets. The Broncos will have to pass the ball to compete with the Steelers so Reyonlds should easily see 10 targets in this one and you can basically put him in your lineup for free.

Tight Ends

Play of the Day: Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs Rams)

Week 1 was a desert for TE fantasy production with Likely being the only guy who did anything to write home about. McBride's Week 1 was marred by a tough matchup but his usage is not in question after receiving 9 targets. No Tight End is locked into as much usage as McBride making him an extremely safe play. McBride produced last time he faced these rams with a 7 catch day so expect him to continue that kind of production.

Colby Parkinson, Rams (Cardinals)

As long as Puka Nacua is out, Parkinson is a great play. He seems to be the Rams #2 target with 5 targets in Week 1. The Rams is a great passing offense so any prominent role in that scheme makes him a viable fantasy play. He is just too cheap to ignore.

Luke Schoonmaker, Cowboys (vs Saints)

Speaking of too cheap to ignore, Schoonmaker has been thrust into a very valuable role and you can have him for free. The Cowboys love passing to their TE in the redzone with Jake Ferguson leading the position in endzone targets last year. Schoonmaker could make his day on a single play and he provides great salary relief.

Defense/Special Teams

Play of the Day: Chargers D/ST (@ Panthers)

The Chargers looked like a typical Jim Harbaugh defense, but this pick is not about the Chargers. The Panthers are just flat out bad so you can play any defense against them. Playing a good defense like the Chargers against them has all the makings for a huge day.

Other Plays: Steelers D?ST (@ Broncos); Colts D/ST (@ Packers) & Jaguars D/ST (vs Browns)

FanDuel DFS Dream Team

QB: Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs Giants)

RB1: Jordan Mason, 49ers (@ Vikings)

RB2: Najee Harris, Steelers (@ Broncos)

WR1: Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (@ Chiefs)

WR2: Cooper Kupp, Rams (@ Cardinals)

WR3: Josh Reynolds, Broncos (vs Steelers)

TE: Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs Rams)

Flex: Joe Mixon, Texans (vs Bears)

D/ST: Chargers (@ Panthers)

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