Week 4 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Todd Gurley and Michael Thomas, or to bench Josh McCown and Mike Wallace? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 4 of the 2017 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Carson Palmer, QB, Cardinals vs. 49ers. Arizona’s running game has been grounded since David Johnson was lost, forcing Palmer to carry the team on his arm. He’ll continue to do that Sunday as the porous 49ers secondary heads to the desert. Getting J.J. Nelson back at 100 percent sure would help, but Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown and Andre Ellington can get the job done in this matchup.

Mike Gillislee, RB, Patriots vs. Panthers. After a stellar start as a Patriot, Gillislee disappeared last week in the aerial firestorm with the Texans. This week’s matchup should be notably less-pass happy, allowing the lead back to play a more integral role in the game plan. Look for Gillislee to return to his goal-line bulldozing ways.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals at Browns. Cincinnati’s new offensive coordinator did what everyone hoped he’d do in his first game at the helm: he elevated Mixon to the lead role in the Bengals’ crowded backfield. The rookie responded with 101 combined yards. Look for the progression to continue on Sunday, with more touches and his first NFL touchdown.

Rishard Matthews, WR, Titans at Texans. Marcus Mariota has been a big disappointment to his owners thus far, but his favorite wideout is exceeding expectations. Matthews has caught 14 of his 24 targets in the first three games, and he has a string of strong outings against the Texans he is sure to build upon this weekend.

Jarvis Landry, WR, Dolphins vs. Saints. After a 13-reception opening game, Landry took several steps backwards against the Jets. Look for a nice rebound for the most reliable receiver in Miami, as the Dolphins get their running game back on track and the offense stays up-tempo to keep pace with the Saints in London.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Matt Ryan, Dak Prescott, Matt Stafford, Russell Wilson; RBs Jay Ajayi, LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Leonard Fournette, Jacquizz Rodgers, Chris Thompson, Mark Ingram, Dalvin Cook, Paul Perkins; WRs Chris Hogan, Larry Fitzgerald, Emmanuel Sanders, Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, Sammy Watkins, Adam Thielen.

Roll ‘em back

Cam Newton, QB, Panthers at Patriots. The good news is that New England has surrendered more than 300 passing yards to every quarterback it’s faced this season – including Alex Smith and rookie Deshaun Watson. The bad news is Newton looked downright pitiful against the sorry Saints last week. With Greg Olsen out, Kelvin Benjamin nursing a gimpy knee and Newton’s own shoulder woes, he can’t be trusted even in this matchup.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Raiders at Broncos. After a promising start, Lynch is now stuck in Least Mode. His coaches are determined to preserve the aging back, giving him ample relief with the youngsters below him. If Lynch doesn’t score early, he’s unlikely to produce satisfactory fantasy numbers. This week, he’ll face a Denver run defense that has surrendered a league-low 60 rushing yards per game and no TDs.

Bilal Powell, RB, Jets vs. Jaguars. Matt Forte (toe) will likely sit this one out, but I still wouldn’t bank on Powell. Not only has he failed to reprise last year’s strong showings, but he’ll be facing a stifling Jaguars run defense.

Pierre Garcon, WR, 49ers at Cardinals. Garcon had his best game in years last week against the Rams, but don’t expect to see that again any time soon. Not only is Brian Hoyer still under center, but Patrick Peterson will be blanketing Garcon throughout this game. Seattle held him to 26 yards on three catches in Week 2, which sounds about right for this week.

Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders at Broncos. Coming off a game in which he caught a six-yard pass – and that’s it – Cooper is hard to trust against the Broncos’ talented secondary. He has been plagued by drops all season, and his connection with Derek Carr is not what we remember from 2017. It’s a risk, but Cooper should be benched until he rediscovers his mojo.

More thumbs down: QBs Derek Carr, Ben Roethlisberger, Trevor Siemian, Jameis Winston, Blake Bortles, Alex Smith, Joe Flacco, Kirk Cousins, Tyrod Taylor; RBs LeGarrette Blount, Buck Allen, Lamar Miller, Derrick Henry, Ameer Abdullah, Isaiah Crowell, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles, Theo Riddick, Chris Carson; WRs Allen Hurns, Travis Benjamin, Jeremy Maclin, Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Jermaine Kearse, Eric Decker, Terrelle Pryor, Mohamed Sanu, Cooper Kupp.

TAKING A FLIER

Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans vs. Titans. It may be time to give this rookie some fantasy love. His stellar performance in New England last weekend was well-documented, and he’ll face another generous secondary this weekend. Watson has built a strong rapport with DeAndre Hopkins, and his running ability makes him a dual threat in the red zone.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…forgets about the latest London game scheduled for this Sunday. The Dolphins and Saints kick off at 9:30 a.m. ET – that’s 6:30 a.m. for those on the left coast – so don’t oversleep on Sunday and neglect to check the inactives or other late-breaking news that could affect your starting lineup.

Week 3 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to play…

QBs

Tom Brady, Patriots – Passed for 378 yards and needed all 5 of his TDs to beat the Texans, though he lost a fumble in the barn burner.

Russell Wilson, Seahawks – Dominated the Lions’ secondary with 373 passing yards and 4 TDs, plus 26 rushing yards, with no turnovers.

Eli Manning, Giants – Just when we thought he was finished, Eli pulls out a 366-yard, 3-TD outing, albeit with 2 INTs.

Blake Bortles, Jaguars – Collected 4 TDs and 244 passing yards across the pond.

Case Keenum, Vikings – Did you start him? Yeah, sure. His 369-yard, 3-TD outing came out of nowhere.

Jared Goff, Rams – Started Week 3 with a dazzling 292-yard, 3-TD, 0-turnover outing.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers – Passed for 313 yards and 3 TDs, with an INT.

Kirk Cousins, Redskins – Looked sharp in primetime with 365 yards and 3 TDs, without a blemish.

Jacoby Brissett, Colts – This backup came through too, with 259 passing and 14 rushing yards, and 3 combined TDs.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys – It wasn’t always pretty, but he passed for 183 yards, ran for 16 and accumulated 3 TDs in the Monday-night win.

RBs

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs – Dazzled again, with 172 rushing yards and a TD, plus an 11-yard reception.

Devonta Freeman, Falcons – Rumbled for 84 yards and 2 TDs, plus 2 catches for 16  yards.

Todd Gurley, Rams – Blasted the 49ers with 113 rushing yards and 2 TDs, plus 36 yards and a TD on 5 receptions.

Chris Thompson, Redskins – Only ran for 38 yards, but added 150 yards and a TD on 6 receptions.

Jordan Howard, Bears – Reclaimed his role as the leader of the Chicago backfield, with 138 rushing yards and 2 TDs, plus 5 receptions for 26 yards.

Carlos Hyde, 49ers – Ran for 84 yards and 2 TDs, plus 3 catches for 10 yards.

Dalvin Cook, Vikings – Ran for 97 yards and a TD and caught 5 passes for 72 yards.

WRs

Stefon Diggs, Vikings – The last week of practice must’ve been awesome, as Diggs collected 8 passes from Keenum for 173 yards and 2 TDs.

Sammy Watkins, Rams – His 6 receptions went for 106 yards and 2 TDs.

Brandin Cooks, Patriots – Finally got in sync with Brady, racing for 131 yards and 2 TDs on 5 receptions.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – The future Hall of Famer came to play, catching 13 passes for 149 yards and a TD.

Odell Beckham, Jr., Giants – Rewarded his patient owners with 9 catches for 79 yards and 2 TDs.

A.J. Green, Bengals – Grabbed 10 passes for 111 yards and a TD.

Antonio Brown, Steelers – Just another 10-catch, 110-yard, 1-TD day at the office.

Doug Baldwin, Seahawks – He got 105 yards and a TD out of his 10 catches.

T.Y. Hilton, Colts – Caught 7 passes for 153 yards and a TD.

Chris Hogan, Patriots – Collected 4 passes for 68 yards and a pair of TDs.

Jordy Nelson, Packers – Healed quickly and returned to catch 6 passes for 52 yards and a pair of TDs.

Sterling Shepard, Giants – Reeled in 7 passes for 133 yards, including a 77-yard TD.

Pierre Garcon, 49ers – Turned 7 catches into 142 yards.

TEs

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars – Had a career game in London, with 4 receptions for 62 yards and a TD trifecta.

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots – Caught 8 passes for 89 yards and a TD.

Ks

Matt Prater, Lions – Nailed all 4 of his FGs (from 35, 40, 55 and 57 yards) plus 2 XPs.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Cam Newton, Panthers – Passed for just 167 yards with 3 INTs – against the Saints! His 16 rushing yards and 1 TD didn’t matter.

Derek Carr, Raiders – Just 118 passing yards and 1 TD, plus 2 INTs.

Philip Rivers, Chargers – Returned to his intercepting ways, passing for 237 without a TD and with 3 picks.

Joe Flacco, Ravens – Finished with 28 passing yards and 2 INTs in London Town.

Trevor Siemian, Broncos – Just as we started believing in him, he passed for 259 yards and 2 INTs, without a TD.

RBs

Jay Ajayi, Dolphins – Stifled by the Jets with just 16 rushing and 9 receiving yards.

James White, Patriots – Caught an 11-yarder.

Marshawn Lynch, Raiders – Played sparingly and registered just 26 combined yards on Sunday night.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Buccaneers – Only 15 rushing yards against the Vikings.

Chris Johnson, Cardinals – Combined for 25 yards on the night.

Matt Forte, Jets – Just 25 rushing yards.

Terrance West, Ravens – Rushed for 26 yards and lost a fumble.

Javorius “Buck” Allen, Ravens – Held to 15 rushing and 13 receiving yards on 5 catches.

C.J. Anderson, Broncos – Settled for 36 rushing and 7 receiving yards.

Mike Gillislee, Patriots – Ran for 31 yards but held out of the end zone for a change.

Lamar Miller, Texans – Held to 56 rushing and 7 receiving yards.

WRs

J.J. Nelson, Cardinals – Shut out in primetime.

Michael Crabtree, Raiders – His 7-yard reception was better than Amari Cooper’s 6-yarder.

Cole Beasley, Cowboys – Caught a 4 yarder on Monday night.

Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers – Only 8 receiving yards before leaving injured.

Jeremy Maclin, Ravens – Same for him.

Mike Wallace, Ravens – He dazzled Britain with a 6-yard catch.

Tyrell Williams – Only 15 yards on 2 catches.

Martavis Bryant, Steelers – Had 30 yards on 2 receptions.

Cooper Kupp, Rams – His 2 receptions went for only 17 yards.

Marvin Jones, Lions – Had 24 yards on 3 catches.

  

TEs

Travis Kelce, Chiefs – Left L.A. with a 1 yarder. Ugh.

Jason Witten, Cowboys – He left the desert with a 3 yarder.

Kyle Rudolph, Vikings – Had a 4 yarder on the day.

Martellus Bennett, Packers – Just 12 yards on 3 receptions. 

Week 3, through the looking glass

Every season, the NFL serves up a weekend that reminds us how little we really know.

It all started fittingly on Thursday night, when a combined 80 points were racked up by the Rams and 49ers. You know, those two high-octane offenses led by gunslingers Jared Goff and Brian Hoyer.

I’m willing to accept that Todd Gurley has exorcised the demons of his sophomore slump, but you really don’t expect me to believe that Goff leads the highest-scoring offense in the NFL, do you?

Just a couple days ago, weren’t we all certain that the Giants’ offense was as stale as Eli Manning’s demeanor?

Everyone knows that inexperienced backup quarterbacks like Jacoby Brissett and Case Keenum are kryptonite to elite wide receivers. So how exactly were T.Y. Hilton and Stefon Diggs making it rain fantasy points all afternoon?

Meanwhile, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree combined for 13 receiving yards from Derek Carr on Sunday night.

Hello? Who’s in charge, here?

If Brandin Cooks couldn’t get on track against the sorry Saints secondary in Week 2, how does he torch the Texans for 131 yards and 2 TDs?

Speaking of the Saints, weren’t they supposed to be the tonic for all that ails opposing quarterbacks? So given his three-interception implosion on Sunday, does Cam Newton even belong on a fantasy roster any more? Or, in keeping with the whims of the fantasy gods, is he a lock to post career highs next Sunday at New England?

Drew Brees is awful on the road. Especially outdoors. Against one of the stingiest pass defenses in the league. Right?

Didn’t Jordan Howard and DeMarco Murray abdicate their starting gigs?

And didn’t Marcedes Lewis retire a couple years ago?

Admittedly, I wasn’t out on an especially long limb in predicting a subpar outing for Joe Flacco in London, but I honestly didn’t think you would’ve been better off starting me instead.

I told you Jay Cutler and DeVante Parker would torch the Jets defense. Oh, did I forget to mention it wouldn’t happen until the very last play of the game, and it would save the Dolphins from getting shut out?

Am I the only one who didn’t know Aaron Rodgers had never won an overtime game?

I’m asking all these questions because I’ve clearly run out of answers.

WAIVER WIRE PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it’s best to start with a great draft. But filling gaps in your roster with the occasional waiver-wire acquisition can also pay big dividends. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Wendell Smallwood, RB, Eagles. Consider this a tepid recommendation at best. With Darren Sproles lost for the season with a broken arm and torn ACL (ouch!), Smallwood will do his best to fill the all-purpose role in the Eagles’ offense. Meanwhile, those who dropped LeGarrette Blount in disgust last week may want to retrieve him now.

Branden Oliver, RB, Chargers. Melvin Gordon entered Sunday’s contest after nursing a tender knee during the week, then tweaked it late in Tennessee. Oliver is his handcuff, and Gordon’s owners would be wise to add him as insurance.

D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texans. Barring an injury to Lamar Miller, Foreman won’t ascend to the starting lineup overnight. But he’s absolutely worth stashing on your bench for the inevitable changing of the guard. It’s going to happen before year’s end, one way or the other.

Don’t be fooled

Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars. Could Bortles have revived his career with a command performance in London? Don’t count on it. Remember that he’s missing his most talented receiver in Allen Robinson, and his offense’s best weapon is Leonard Fournette. He is still just one or two poor outings away from losing his job to Chad Henne.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. There’s nothing not to like about this rookie, except that he’s buried beneath Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson in the backfield pecking order. Kamara flashed his talent with a 25-yard TD run to ice the game Sunday, so he should earn some more touches. Just not enough to make him a viable fantasy contributor.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars. Go ahead. Make someone else’s day.

Sunday morning observations -- Week 3

Good morning, Fools. I must admit ... I'm heading into today's action with some trepidation, as my opponent in one league has already banked 37 points thanks to Todd Gurley's stellar performance on Thursday night. It's a big mountain to climb, but I'm going to take it one player at a time.

Let's take our spin around the NFL for the news we can use to make our best starting lineup decisions today.

The Jags and Ravens are already at it in London, and Jacksonville has the upper hand through the first half. Baltimore looks listless -- so far, Buck Allen hasn't done squat and neither starting wideout has a catch -- while Bortles and Fournette are going strong. Jeremy Maclin left the game with a possible concussion.

I will be starting Cam Newton today in one league. How can I not when he's facing the Saints? I mean, they made Sam Bradford look like a Hall of Famer in Week 1 and Tom Brady, well, him too!

Speaking of Bradford, he's out. Which means Case Keenum is in, and Diggs and Thielen should be on your bench.

Melvin Gordon is expected to play, despite going on the injury report late this week with a knee issue. That's obviously worrisome to those of us counting on him, but he's a must-start today, even against a solid Chiefs defense.

Ditto for Jay Ajayi. He's dealing with a sore knee too, but he's a must-start against the sad-sack Jets.

Those of us who used a mid-round pick on Joe Mixon have some reason for encouragement, now that Cincinnati has replaced its OC. New coordinator Bill Lazor is expected to add some oomph to this listless offense, and the electric Mixon should be a big part of that. We'll see what that looks like today.

DeMarco Murray is expected to play, but I sure wouldn't bank on him getting a lot of carries. The Titans have a more-than-capable backup in Derrick Henry, so there's no reason to risk aggravating Murray's tender hammy.

Both Rob Kelley and Jordan Reed are leaning toward sitting out tonight for the Redskins. I like Samaje Perine's long-term prognosis, but perhaps not against the Raiders. Those who drafted Reed knew what they were getting when they pulled that trigger.

Get Jordy Nelson (quad) back in your lineup. He's suiting up against the Bengals. Randall Cobb probably won't, however. Should be a big game for Davante Adams.

You (should) know I'm a fan of J.J. Nelson this week -- and maybe every week going forward. But he's got a questionable tag on him heading into the Monday nighter vs. the Cowboys. It's a bum hammy that's been limiting him this week, and those things are notoriously difficult to predict. So you'll need a Plan B just in case he can't go. (Consider fellow wideout Jaron Brown, since John Brown is already out.)

Odell Beckham, Jr., will be full-go today, apparently. Not that his owners were thinking of benching him, but it's encouraging to know he's not going to be on a snap count in his second game back this season.

Both Jarvis Landry (knee) and DeVante Parker (ankle) are going to play today, and as you saw in Friday's column, I expected them -- and Jay Cutler -- to come up big in New York.

Gronk is good to go, and both Danny Amendola and Philip Dorsett are also expected to return today. Their involvement will ding Chris Hogan's upside. There's not much dinging to be done to Brandin Cooks' value. It's already scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Finally, the National Anthems across the NFL should be interesting this weekend, as several players, teams, coaches and even some owners plan to protest the President's criticism of the anthem-kneelers today. The Steelers aren't even coming out of the locker room for the ceremony. Wow. Ah yes ... politics and sports. Always a wonderful combo.

Enjoy the games and good luck to all Fools! I'll be tweeting inactives and other late-breaking news shortly.

Week 3 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Tom Brady and Kareem Hunt, or to bench Andy Dalton and Latavius Murray? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 3 of the 2017 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Jay Cutler, QB, Dolphins at Jets. I always seem to regret the times I recommend Cutler, but here I go again. He got off to a solid, though not spectacular, start as a Dolphin in Week 2. He looked comfortable with his receivers, and he clearly benefited from the team’s strong running game. Miami should score frequently against the inept Jets defense, and that should bode well for Cutler’s stat line.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers vs. Saints. This is the week the rookie’s owners have been waiting for. McCaffrey has yet to have his breakout game, as the Panthers’ offense has been fairly toothless to date. Fortunately, New Orleans’ defense tends to be an elixir for sputtering offenses. McCaffrey should find more room on the ground this weekend, but it’s as a receiver where he should really shine. He should pick up many of the targets left behind by Greg Olsen.

Derrick Henry, RB, Titans vs. Seahawks. Even if DeMarco Murray (hamstring) manages to suit up for this game (and that appears unlikely), Henry is destined to get the majority of the workload. He looked terrific last week against the Jaguars, and he should be featured again behind Tennessee’s solid offensive line when Seattle comes to town.

J.J. Nelson, WR, Cardinals vs. Cowboys. Nelson has not yet achieved must-start status, but he’s getting close. With a touchdown in six of his last seven games going back to the 2016 season, he is clearly benefiting from opposing defenses’ focus on Larry Fitzgerald. Given how poorly Dallas’ inexperienced secondary fared last week in Denver, it’s reasonable to expect Nelson’s scoring streak to continue on Monday night.

DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins at Jets. Cutler surprised many by targeting Jarvis Landry 15 times in the Dolphins’ opener last weekend. This Sunday, given the sorry state of the Jets’ secondary, look for Parker to be showcased more, especially on the downfield routes Cutler favors.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Derek Carr, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Matt Stafford; RBs Kareem Hunt, C.J. Anderson, Chris Thompson; WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Jarvis Landry, Chris Hogan, Michael Crabtree, Martavis Bryant, Jamison Crowder, Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Emmanuel Sanders, Golden Tate.

Roll ‘em back

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks at Titans. I predicted a bounce-back game for Wilson in Week 2, but I sure was expecting a bigger bounce. He did manage to connect on one touchdown pass against the 49ers, but sadly, that’s his only score all season. On the road against a solid Titans defense, and still hampered by a sieve-like offensive line, Wilson can’t be trusted.

Lamar Miller, RB, Texans at Patriots. Miller is getting plenty of touches, but the production is lacking. His weak offensive line isn’t doing him any favors. Houston could be forced to abandon the running game even earlier than usual this week against Tom Brady & Co., so Miller’s ceiling is low.

Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks at Titans. I like Carson’s long-term potential, but not this weekend against a tough Tennessee rush defense. Seattle’s run game has been fairly awful thus far, with Carson the only RB producing much of anything. But until they start showing signs of life, and face a more forgiving defense, this entire backfield should be benched.

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys at Cardinals. You and I both know you have to start Bryant. But methinks you’ll wish you hadn’t. Not only have Bryant and Dak Prescott seemed out of sync through the first two games, but Patrick Peterson will be shadowing Bryant all over the field on Monday night. Jason Witten is more likely to break through in this one than Dez.

Brandin Cooks, WR, Patriots vs. Texans. I own Cooks in two leagues, so I share my fellow owners’ frustration with his failure to bond with Tom Brady. While a breakout game surely is on the horizon, it’s hard to believe it will come against a solid Texans secondary when Cooks could manage just two receptions for 37 yards against the woeful Saints. I don’t know if I’ll really bench him, but I probably should.

More thumbs down: QBs Philip Rivers, Marcus Mariota, Eli Manning, Trevor Siemian, Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor; RBs Jonathan Stewart, Jacquizz Rodgers, Matt Forte, LeGarrette Blount, Kerwynn Williams, Ameer Abdullah, Tarik Cohen, Adrian Peterson, Isaiah Crowell, Jeremy Hill, Paul Perkins, Joe Mixon; WRs Mike Wallace, Ted Ginn, DeSean Jackson, Kendall Wright, Marvin Jones, Brandon Marshall, Jermaine Kearse, Nelson Agholor, Rishard Matthews, Mohammed Sanu, Jordan Matthews, Cole Beasley, Terrelle Pryor.

TAKING A FLIER

Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles vs. Giants. LeGarrette Blount appears to be on his last legs, literally, while Wendell Smallwood looks overmatched. Sproles is the lone bright spot in the Eagles’ backfield rotation, and he should play a bigger role than usual in this contest. As a dual threat, Sproles is in the best position to exploit any openings in the Giants’ defense.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…starts Stefon Diggs or Adam Thielen if Sam Bradford isn’t under center. Not that Bradford is such great shakes, but he has the strong rapport with his wideouts that Case Keenum clearly lacks. The Vikings’ passing game is not competitive with Keenum at the controls.

Ladd Biro is a two-time winner and five-time finalist of the Football Writer of the Year Award by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. Follow all his advice daily at the Fantasy Fools blog (fantasy-fools.blogspot.com), on Facebook and via Twitter (@ladd_biro).

Week 2 Heroes & Zeros

This was a great week to play…

QBs

Tom Brady, Patriots – Washed up? If 447 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs is washed up, he’s soaking wet.

Trevor Siemian, Broncos – Passed for 231 yards and 4 TDs, though he had an INT and a fumble.

Derek Carr, Raiders – Just 230 passing yards, but he had a TD trio and no turnovers.

RBs

Kareem Hunt, Chiefs – It took him a while to get going, but he finished strong with 81 rushing yards and 2 TDs, plus 28 yards on 3 receptions.

C.J. Anderson, Broncos – Dominated the Cowboys with 118 rushing and 36 receiving yards, scoring both ways.

Ty Montgomery, Packers – He scored as a rusher and receiver as well, totaling 6 catches for 75 yards and adding 35 rushing yards to boot.

Devonta Freeman, Falcons – Rumbled for 84 yards and 2 TDs, plus 2 catches for 16 yards.

Todd Gurley, Rams – Asserted himself with 88 yards and 1 TD on the ground, and 3 catches for 48 yards and another TD through the air. We’ll forgive the fumbles.

Chris Thompson, Redskins – Was off to the races with 77 rushing yards and 2 TDs, plus 3 receptions for 29 yards.

WRs

Michael Crabtree, Raiders – Collected 6 passes for 80 yards and a TD hat trick.

Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos – Scored twice on 6 catches for 62 yards.

J.J. Nelson, Cardinals – Caught 5 passes for 120 yards and a score.

Jermaine Kearse, Jets – Turned 4 receptions into 64 yards and 2 TDs.

Jarvis Landry, Dolphins – In PPR leagues, we loved his 13 receptions for 78 yards.

TEs

Jason Witten, Cowboys – Caught 10 passes for 97 yards and a TD.

Rob Gronkowski, Patriots – Left with a groin injury, but not before reeling in 6 passes for 116 yards and a TD.

Travis Kelce, Chiefs – His 8 receptions resulted in 103 yards and an acrobatic TD.

D/STs

Buccaneers – Collected 2 INTs, 2 fumbles, a sack and a TD on an INT return, while holding the Bears to 7 points.

Lions – Pummeled the Giants with 5 sacks, 1 INT and a punt return TD, while holding them to 10 points.

This was a great week to play against…

QBs

Andy Dalton, Bengals – Still hasn’t created a TD in 2017, passing for 224 yards and nothing else on Thursday.

Cam Newton, Panthers – Just 228 passing yards and 27 rushing yards without a TD or turnover.

RBs

Jordan Howard, Bears – A non-factor, with just 7 yards on 9 carries.

Thomas Rawls, Seahawks – Picked up 4 stinking yards.

LeGarrette Blount, Eagles – Never carried the ball and caught a pass for zero yards. Wow.

Zeke Elliott, Cowboys – Grounded in Denver with just 8 rushing and 14 receiving yards.

DeMarco Murray, Titans – Out-played by Derrick Henry, with just 28 combined yards.

Paul Perkins, Giants – Continued his quest to be the worst starting RB in the league, with 10 rushing and 12 receiving yards.

Kerwynn Williams, Cardinals – Just 22 rushing yards as the alleged starter.

LeSean McCoy, Bills – Only 9 rushing yards plus 34 yards on 6 receptions.

Isaiah Crowell, Browns – Just 37 yards on the ground.

WRs

Jordy Nelson, Packers – Yanked his quad and left with a goose egg.

Kenny Golladay, Lions – Had an 8 yarder in the Monday nighter.

Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals – Left Indy with just 3 receptions for 21 yards in his pocket.

Mike Wallace, Ravens – Caught a 7 yarder.

Corey Coleman, Browns – He caught a 9 yarder before exiting with another injury.

Brandon Marshall, Giants – Had a 17 yarder, but dropped a much longer one right in his paws.

Golden Tate, Lions – Only 25 yards on 4 receptions.

Sammy Watkins, Rams – Tallied 2 catches for 30 yards.

Pierre Garcon, 49ers – Led his team with 3 catches for 26 yards.

Terrelle Pryor, Redskins – Limited to 31 yards on 2 receptions.

Brandin Cooks, Patriots – His QB passed for 447 yards, yet he managed just 37.

Stefan Diggs, Vikings – Wilted without Sam Bradford, catching 2 passes for 27 yards.
Jordan Matthews, Bills – Had 30 yards on 3 catches.

Eric Decker, Titans – Just 32 yards on 3 catches.

Amari Cooper, Raiders – Upstaged by his sidekick with just 4 catches for 33 yards.

Odell Beckham, Jr., Giants – Might have been better served sitting out another week after tallying 36 yards on 4 receptions.

DeSean Jackson, Bucs – Caught 3 passes for 39 yards in Tampa Bay debut.

TEs

Jimmy Graham, Seahawks – Had a 1-yard catch on the day before leaving hurt.

Greg Olsen, Panthers – Caught a 10 yarder before exiting with an injury.

Austin Hooper, Falcons – Just 7 yards on 2 receptions. 

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Injuries shift fantasy landscape

In both of my leagues, and many more I’ve heard about anecdotally, the owner who selected David Johnson with the first overall pick also swung for the fences and took Ezekiel Elliott with their second or third selection. It was a bold move at the time, as Elliott’s six-game suspension was still in force.

Fast forward a few days, when Elliott was granted his injunction, and it appeared that those of us who weren’t armed with the Johnson/Elliott duo were destined to play for second place.

Funny how quickly things change. Johnson’s Week 1 injury leveled the playing field overnight. Then yesterday in Denver, Elliott might as well have been serving his suspension. Last year’s leading rusher wasn’t injured; he was just bottled up by a ferocious defense. Suddenly, my owner envy shifted to owner pity.

Bless their hearts.

But while Johnson’s near-season-ending injury was all the rage after opening weekend, Sunday’s assorted breaks, pulls and strains have thrown even more fantasy owners into a tizzy.

Greg Olsen’s broken foot leaves a huge hole in countless fantasy rosters. Olsen is renowned for his toughness and durability, and he won’t be easily replaced for the next six to eight weeks. Not by his owners, and certainly not by his quarterback. Cam Newton’s stock takes a hit, too.

Rob Gronkowski strained his groin, but declared himself to be “good” after the game. We’ll see about that. Jordan Reed left Sunday’s contest with a chest injury of unknown severity, but his owners should already have a backup plan in place, given Reed’s lengthy injury history.

That’s a lot of blows to the already-thin tight end ranks.

Meanwhile, Jordy Nelson’s owners are wondering if Sunday night’s goose egg is a one-week thing, or if their top wideout will be lost for an extended period. In the most helpful of ways, those of us who own Davante Adams and Randall Cobb think the Packers should err on the side of caution and make certain Nelson’s quad is 110% before he returns to the field.

Few fantasy owners hitched their team’s hopes to Sam Bradford in the QB slot, but those banking on consistent production from Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen are surely rooting for the rapid healing of Bradford’s bum knee.

It’s not clear if Jordan Howard’s shoulder injury is the problem, or if Howard is the problem. What seems clear is that Tarik Cohen is the solution in Chicago.

A similar shift may be unfolding in Tennessee, where DeMarco Murray is struggling with a tender hammy. Is the younger, more-decisive Derrick Henry about to seize the workhorse role?

If you’ve dodged the injury bullet so far with your fantasy team, consider yourself lucky. And warned.

WAIVER WIRE PICKS AND PANS

To win a fantasy championship, it’s best to start with a great draft. But filling gaps in your roster with the occasional waiver-wire acquisition can also pay big dividends. Here's a look at players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else's lineup.

Catch ‘em while you can

Javorius "Buck" Allen, RB, Ravens. Allen made a name for himself in the second half of his rookie season two years ago, then he disappeared in 2016. Now he’s back, leading the Ravens in touches and combining for 101 yards and a TD against the Browns. Allen has stepped into the role planned for Danny Woodhead – another Week 1 casualty. Consider him as solid depth and a decent flex start in the right matchups.

Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks. Seattle’s backfield (and its offense in general) is in low gear at the moment, but the rookie has emerged as its most viable rushing weapon. With 20 carries against the 49ers, versus just five for Thomas Rawls, and with Eddie Lacy a healthy scratch this week, Carson is currently the only Seahawk RB worth owning.

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins. If Rob Kelley’s rib injury keeps him sidelined for a game or more, Perine’s ascendance to the lead RB gig will accelerate. Chris Thompson has a lock on the change-of-pace role, and he should already be on someone’s roster. But Perine is most likely to take on the bulk of the rushing workload should the starting job be vacated.

Benjamin Watson, TE, Ravens. Given the depletion of the tight end position, healthy options will be in high demand on the waiver wire. After seeing just one target in Week 1, Watson was the busiest receiver on the field against the Browns. Though there’s no guarantee that will continue, given Baltimore’s three-headed TE committee, he’s worth consideration by desperate owners. The Colts’ Jack Doyle is another decent option, if available.

Don’t be fooled

Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals. It was good to see The RB Formerly Known as CJ2K back on the field Sunday, but it’s clear this Johnson is nothing like the one he replaced. Arizona was a terrible rushing team before David Johnson arrived, and it appears they will be so again. I’m avoiding the Cardinals’ three-headed RB committee entirely.

Brandon Coleman, WR, Saints. When you play catch with Drew Brees, you’re bound to have the occasional good game. But unless you’re one of his favorites, those performances can be fleeting. With Carolina on deck, the Saints’ passing game mostly out of sync and Willie Snead set to return from suspension in Week 4, it’s best to leave Coleman on the wire.