Fantasy Football: Three up, three down for Week 2

Well, Thursday night games are certainly becoming intriguing for the water coolers aren’t they? For Philadelphia Eagles fans, the failures of Andy Reid were on full display for everyone last night. Unfortunately the two fumbles by Jamaal Charles dampened an otherwise solid performance by the All-Pro running back.

Each and every Friday, I will take a long look at three players that will be worth the risk to start (with upside for elongated future success). I will also look at the three players that are generating substantial buzz for the week ahead, yet are likely to underwhelm when it counts. Here are the players I have for Week Two.

Three Up

Mark Ingram – Let’s go over the details surrounding Ingram’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints are 10 point favorites. They are at home. And they have averaged just over 36 points in the last four home games against the Bucs.

Oh, lest we forget, C.J. Spiller is still on the injury list for Sunday’s game. I highly doubt whether Spiller suits up due to the fact that this game shouldn’t be competitive. This is a game where Ingram should be heavily utilized. Don’t overthink using Ingram in both season-long and daily fantasy sites this weekend.

Terrance Williams – Advocating a Dallas Cowboy on Dallas Week is likely not smart on a Philadelphia Eagles fan site. But, let’s face it: Byron Maxwell still is an enigma wrapped in a mystery, and with no Dez Bryant the Cowboys have to find someone for those targets. Last season, Terrance Williams received the second most red zone targets on the Cowboys behind Dez Bryant. Las Vegas has pegged this game with an over/under of 55 points, the highest total of the weekend. Opportunity breeds success in fantasy football, and Williams now has a golden opportunity to provide fantasy dividends.

Andre Johnson – There are exactly 20 wide receivers that received 10 or more targets last week. Andre Johnson was one of them. But if you’re reading the fantasy football tea leaves, it sounds like Donte Moncrief is getting the majority of the love. Part of this could be due to Johnson only catching four passes for 24 yards.Look, I understand the desire to focus on the shiny new toys in a (hopefully) prolific offense. But let’s not dismiss what Johnson is capable of with Andrew Luck at the helm.

The injury report is going to be critical this week for the Colts as T.Y. Hilton is questionable. The problem with siding with Moncrief is that his fantasy relevance depends highly on Hilton being out. With the game being played on Monday, you are likely doomed to substitute a quality replacement in the event Hilton gives it a go. There will be a lot of concern that Johnson could be shadowed by Darrelle Revis. But let’s realize that he’s not the same player he once was. Additionally, the Jets have Jaiquawn Jarrett at safety. Eagles fans…’nuff said.

Three Down

LeSean McCoy – The injuries are mounting for Shady McCoy as he left practice Thursday with a hamstring injury. With rookie Karlos Williams already leaving a mark on the Buffalo Bills offense, McCoy’s value in the fantasy community is rapidly plummeting quicker than the legitimacy of his racism accusations.

This weekend the Bills take on the New England Patriots. McCoy has only had one game against the Patriots, but they held him in check. He rushed 10 times for 31 yards while catching four passes for 30 yards. Marcus Mariota – The greatest quarterback in the history of life gets his second start in the NFL this weekend. For those that rushed to the waiver wire to pick him up, understand that not every defense the Titans will face will be Tampa Bay.

This weekend the Titans take on the Cleveland Browns. The Browns allowed the 7th fewest passing yards last week. They also had three sacks, an interception, and four forced fumbles. This has the makings of a low scoring, grind-it-out battle between two young quarterbacks. Leave Mariota on the bench this weekend.

James Jones – First and foremost, the Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears in Week One. Let me say that one more time. The Packers beat the Bears. The overreactions surrounding James Jones are reaching borderline comedy. Yes, he used to play for the Packers and with Aaron Rodgers. But if you’re expecting him to score a touchdown every week you’re in for a world of hurt.

James Jones is the same guy that was released by the Oakland Raiders and the New York Giants. He’s the same receiver that has never had more than 73 catches in a season. He has not surpassed 850 yards in a season. Randall Cobb is still recovering from his shoulder injury. And this week he’s going against the Seattle Seahawks secondary. Regardless that Kam Chancellor will not suit up, this is not a game I feel secure in starting Jones.

Next: Eagles Fantasy Relevant Plays For Week 2