HOT - Start'em
QB
Eli Manning – This one seems obvious to me, but to some they
may not be ready to expect top 3 or 4 numbers this week after last week’s loss
at home on opening night where Eli only threw for 213 yards and one TD. I expect Eli and the Giants to come out
hungry and come out fast. They’ve had 10 days off to marinate on that loss to
their divisional foe Cowboys and now they have a second chance for a win at
home. I expect Eli to throw for 275+ and
3 TD’s. Helping Eli’s cause will be the Giants Defense eating Josh Freeman
alive and creating short drives and turnovers. Freeman last week only threw for
138 yards and the Panthers don’t have the pass rushers the Giants do, or the
desire of redemption.
Honorable mentions: Alex
Smith and Carson Palmer
RB
Jacquizz Rodgers – Last week Rodgers rushed seven times for
22 yards and added two receptions on 4 targets for 13 yards against the Chiefs.
His counterpart Michael Turner ran for just 32 yards on 11 carries. The two
split snaps with 26 for Turner and 25 for Rodgers. Turner is still the goal
line back, but I think this week on Monday Night Football is Rodgers coming out
party and the other shoe will drop in a shift in the focus of ATL’s running
game. Rodgers is flex worthy this week in PPR and should become a mainstay as
such after this week.
Honorable mentions: Peyton Hillis and Mark Ingram
WR
Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon LaFell – Both play in potentially
high scoring affairs and benefit from playing opposite a stud WR. Last week Jeffrey caught three of his five
targets for 80 yards and a touchdown, while seeing the second most snaps
amongst Bears wide outs. LaFell tied for
the 3rd most targets on the Panthers and he played every snap
notching 5 targets with 3 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. Both have WR3 or flex appeal with WR2 upside
based on this week’s matchup.
Honorable mention:
James Jones
TE
Brandon Pettigrew – Last week received a team high 10
targets and he caught 5 for 77 yards. This week the Lions will travel to San
Fran and matchup against a defense that may approach the Lions the same as they
did the Packers where they played 2 deep safeties and rushed only four. Finley in last week’s matchup against the
49ers got 11 targets with 7 receptions, 47 yards and a touchdown. I expect
similar production from Pettigrew this week.
Honorable mention: Brent
Celek
NOT - Sit'em
QB
Tony Romo – Everything is set up for a Big D let down in
Seattle this weekend. The Cowboys have been riding high after winning on the road
in New York 10 days ago come Sunday. Returning to the site of his greatest
blunder (botched FG snap), Romo will hear and feel the 12th man in
Seattle. If there is a thing called a
trap game, this is it. Just ask the Saints about their trip to Seattle when
they had momentum and eyes looking ahead. This Seattle team is much better. If
Romo follows up his week 1 performance on the road in Seattle, he has truly
turned the corner; history suggests it most likely won’t happen.
Cautious mentions: Michael
Vick and Ben Roethlisberger
RB
Maurice Jones Drew – Coming off his first game back and now
a full week of practice, MJD is expected to start. However, he will be asked to
do more this week with Rashad Jennings likely out due to knee injury. If MJD is going to have the holdout hammy/injury
it will be this week against a tough Texans defense. Jax is going to have to score and score a lot
to compete in this game and this may be asking more than MJD can physically
give considering his lack of training camp and “football” action. I’m just
saying.
WR
Roddy White – Two words. Champ Bailey.
Cautious mentions: Brandon Lloyd and Dez Bryant
TE
Tony Gonzalez – For the reason I mention Jacquizz Rodgers at
a HOT in week 2 is why I list Gonzo as a NOT. Rodgers will see more targets out
of the backfield and those will come at the expense of Tony. Tony will be used
to clear the flat and take the LB’s out, permitting Rodgers open space on that
fast GA Dome turf to make plays.
Cautious mention: Jason Witten