Andrew Luck went 8-for-8 against Baltimore and took a couple of prudent slides in the running game.

1. Some starting QBs are playing like it’s September

It’s always encouraging to see the signal callers you’re counting on to win you fantasy games look sharp in August. A few guys on their game this past weekend included Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, and Matthew Stafford. Newton threw a beautiful deep ball to Ted Ginn Jr. that resulted in a touchdown and finished his shortened day with 162 yards. Newton’s psyche after the Super Bowl loss was a concern to some, but he should be drafted like the player he was during the regular season, not the one who struggled against Denver. Elsewhere, Andrew Luck went 8-for-8 for Indianapolis looking his best since 2014. His performance should put to rest some concerns of a failed rebound this season. Finally, Stafford and Marvin Jones put on a show that resulted in four quick catches for 64 yards for Jones against his former team. As for Stafford, he finished his short stint with 113 yds on 8-for-11 passing.

2. Rookie wide receivers continue to impress

Laquon Treadwell, Corey Coleman, and Sterling Shepard have been heralded as the rookie wideouts to watch in 2016, but the players getting our attention thus far in the preseason have been Tajae Sharpe(Tennessee), Will Fuller (Houston), and Tyler Boyd (Cincinnati). In a receiving corps void of talent (particularly after Dorial Green-Beckham departed last week), Sharpe’s 6 catches this weekend for 68 yards is worth paying attention to. He is definitely worth a late-round flier in redrafts leagues. Fuller hauled in a 19-yard TD pass from Brock Osweiler after beating his first-string defender badly by putting his speed on display. As for Boyd, much like Sharpe, he has a chance to carve out a role early in the season on a team without much receiving depth. Boyd’s contributions last Thursday included a TD reception which was a nice follow-up to Week 1 in which he caught a pass for a 40-yard gain. All three players should be on your radar this upcoming weekend if you’re in a dynasty draft.

3. LeGarrette is rising

The weekend’s biggest injury story was the continued absence of Dion Lewis followed by the news that he will now undergo a second knee procedure that will likely sideline him for at least the next two months. Throw in Tom Brady’s four-game suspension and the Patriots will need to lean on a veteran to move the chains early in the season. Blount’s audition for that role this weekend went very well. The big running back churned out 69 yards on 11 carries and added a TD for good measure. He may not be a player that you need in November and December, but in September and October, Blount might give you more than many of the higher priced running backs. Keep him in your sights this upcoming weekend in all redraft leagues.

4. Raised expectations / tempered expectations

A couple other running backs were given their fair share of carries this past weekend and made the most with their opportunities. Eddie Lacy turned 9 touches into 45 yards and a TD, demonstrating much of what made him so good prior to last season. Jeremy Langford also ran decisively for Chicago, netting 55 yards on one fewer carry also scoring a TD. Langford was spotted in a walking boot the morning after the game, but had already shed the helper by yesterday afternoon. On the flip side of the coin, the Chargers ran the ball 27 times vs. Arizona for a whopping 46 yards. Yes, Melvin Gordon has had a full off-season to better learn how to be an NFL running back, but the Chargers still can’t run block. Keep your expectations modest this weekend when evaluating Gordon’s value. You can’t manufacture good rushing totals without blocking, no matter how much skill you have as a runner.

5. Backup QBs that impressed…

I will submit to you again that assessing the value of backup quarterbacks is much more important than one might think. The value of every skill position player on a team is affected dramatically by an injury to the starting QB. This week, Dak Prescott (DAL) proved his worth and made Dez Bryant’s value rise based not only on what Dez did (second TD in as many weeks), but the fact that Dez did it without Tony Romo. Bryce Petty (NYJ), meanwhile, went wild in the second half of the Jets-Washington game throwing for 242 yards and 2 TDs. Sure, Petty was facing the second-stringers, but it was a sign that he is not only pushing Geno Smith for the backup job, but can move the chains if something were to happen to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Much like Bryant owners, Brandon Marshall owners should also take some comfort from what took place at the QB position over the weekend.

6. Some backup QBs did not impress…

The dark side of backup quarterbacks can be equally influential. That was the case with Landry Jones of the Steelers (4 interceptions) and Ryan Nassib of the New York Giants (2-for-12 passing). Steelers’ skill position players are being drafted highly this year based on the realistic expectation of high-octane offense, but if Jones is running the show, a major drop-off in production would be expected. Further, it would appear that Eli Manning staying healthy in New York is potentially a must. Nassib is far from ready for the big-time in the Big Apple.

7. Time to do the Vance dance?

Three catches for 38 yards. No big deal, right? Well, yes…and no. Vance McDonald caught all three passes in the first three 49er possessions before coming out of the game and ended up as the only receiver for San Francisco with more than 2 catches. Here’s the reality of the situation. The 49ers don’t have a proven possession receiver. Torrey Smith has never been a high-volume player, so he’s not going to assume that role anytime soon. That leaves McDonald as this year’s version of Delanie Walker. That is, a tight end on a bad team that lacks WR prowess and has a QB prone to the check down. If McDonald isn’t on your redraft radar yet, he needs to be soon.

8. If Zeke can’t do it, Alfred most certainly can

More numbers to chew on: Alfred Morris ran for 85 yards on 13 carries Friday night in addition to reaching paydirt once. While no one is suggesting the Ezekiel Elliott won’t be the “man’ in Dallas this year, what everyone should be suggesting is that Morris can carry the load and then some should Elliott falter. Darren McFadden enjoyed a re-birth last season behind a truly great offensive line and Morris is a better straight-forward runner than McFadden ever was. Bottom line: Morris is worth a late-round pick even if you’re not handcuffing him to Elliott.

9. Clear as mud…

Don’t draft a Denver QB. Paxton Lynch is being thrown about as a possible starter with Mark Sanchez (2 fumbles) and Trevor Siemian (interception) failing to impress versus the 49ers. The value of Demaryius Thomas continues to fall as the uncertainty rises. In Baltimore, the RB situation remains in a state of flux as well. Nothing over the weekend made the pecking order any clearer. Steer clear of any Baltimore running back until very late in redraft leagues. Terrance West, Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen, and Kenneth Dixon still have a shot at significant roles after fairly pedestrian performances in limited action Saturday night. Hey, at least Denver does represent some clarity at RB position as Devontae Booker out-touched Ronnie Hillman 9-to-3 and caught a pass. Booker appears to be the clear backup to C.J. Anderson.

10. This week’s Zach Zenner award goes to…

Robby Anderson! Never heard of him, right? The rookie wideout from Temple dazzled in the second half for the Jets with a 6-131-1 stat line.

Next week, we’ll review Week 3, commonly known as the “dress rehearsal” as starters should play well into the third quarter. Until then…