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Bye Weeks: N/A
Grab a Helmet
Julian
Edelman v. NYJ: I doubt they had a player prop for
“Number of Games Danny
Amendola Will Play in 2013,” but if they did, I hope you took
the under. Wes
Welker’s replacement suffered an injury in his very first
game as a Pat and though he returned to the contest to post some
very useful stats, he looks to be a likely scratch for the quick
turnaround on Thursday night against the Jets. That injury, coupled
with Shane Vereen’s even more serious wrist injury, has made Edelman
a white-hot commodity on league waiver wires this week. It’s easy
to see why. Even with those other two excelling in the Week 1
win over Buffalo, Edelman managed to turn his healthy nine targets
into seven receptions, 79 yards, and two TDs. 24 Tom Brady targets
just hit the whirlpool and I’m betting this guy absorbs a bunch
of them.
James
Jones v. WAS or Eric
Decker @ NYG: These two ranked 1-2 in receiving scores
last season and were, therefore, similarly valued heading into
the 2013 campaign (6.11 and 6.03 ADP, respectively). Unfortunately,
neither player made much of a mark in his Week 1 contest. Actually,
Jones made no mark whatsoever, astonishingly posting a goose egg
in the loss to San Francisco. Decker was slightly more productive,
turning two of his seven targets into receptions and gaining 32
total yards. Nine targets, two catches, and 32 measly yards from
a couple of high-end WR2s? Aaron Rodgers blamed San Fran’s scheme
for his inability to hook up with Jones and Decker was one mishandled
end-zone fade away from a more digestible point total. Call them
excuses, call them explanations, call them whatever you want.
I’m betting both players will bounce back on Sunday, possibly
in big ways. Keep Jones and Decker in your plans.
Nicks was targeted 8 times in Wk 1.
Hakeem
Nicks v. DEN: The Giants belong to Victor
Cruz now and I think a statistical comparison explains why.
Nicks was targeted eight times on Sunday night and hauled in five
balls for 114 yards. Cruz was thrown to eight times and grabbed
five for 118 yards. Even Steven, right? Well, except for the part
where Cruz scored THREE touchdowns to Nicks’ zero. I throw this
out there to make two points. First, Victor Cruz is an elite receiver.
Second, Hakeem Nicks is still a pretty good second banana. Even
with Rueben
Randle crowding him up, the former Tarheel has a chance to post
pretty solid numbers in 2013. He’ll rarely command double-coverage.
He’s bigger and stronger than most corners. He’s still got pretty
good wheels for a guy his size. Don’t forget the Giants could be
throwing the ball all over the place if their running game doesn’t
get sorted out soon.
Grab Some Wood
Roddy
White v. STL: News about injuries tends to be treated like
a state secret in the NFL, so when a “real” football player publicly
proclaims he’s hurting, we should probably take that information
to heart. White caught flak from those crazy fantasy sickos for
not revealing the extent of his ankle sprain (now officially a
“high” ankle sprain) prior to Week 1, but he’s come clean heading
into Week 2 and says it could be several weeks before he’s back
to being the devastating jab to Julio
Jones’ right cross. Don’t ignore this information and do prepare
yourself for the possibility of White exploding while he sits
on your bench. Unless you’re the Atlanta team doctor or Julio
Jones himself, you have no idea when he’s gonna feel 100% again.
Wait for it to happen and then start him with confidence after
that.
Jerome
Simpson @ CHI: Not. Even. Buying it. Simpson actually has
several 100-yard receiving games to his credit (all in Cincinnati),
but he never crested the 50-yard mark in his first season with
the Vikings. Now we’re supposed to all of a sudden believe he’s
the preferred target of Christian Ponder after catching seven
passes for 140 yards in the Week 1 loss at Detroit? First of all,
being the preferred target of Christian Ponder doesn’t automatically
qualify someone as a legit fantasy option. Second, it might be
wise to consider what Simpson has done for an encore the last
three times he’s topped triple digits (all in 2011): one catch,
6 yards; one catch, 14 yards; two catches, 15 yards. I’m not saying
the guy can’t handle prosperity, but…I’m just sayin’. You shouldn’t
be terribly interested in any Viking not named Adrian
Peterson this weekend against the Bears.
Darrius
Heyward-Bey v. MIA: Much to the Shot Caller’s chagrin, Andrew
Luck targeted T.Y.
Hilton a mere five times last Sunday against the Raiders,
hooking up with the promising youngster for three completions
and 20 yards. Not exactly the debut I had in mind for the guy
I think will lead the Colts receivers in fantasy points this season.
Heyward-Bey, on the other hand, had about exactly the debut I
expected. He was targeted four times and caught three balls for
33 yards. In a related story, I’m having egg salad for lunch tomorrow.
I mean, can a starting wide receiver for an exciting, playoff-caliber
offense GET any less exciting? Now comes word that the top agenda
item in the coaches’ post-game meeting was how to get Hilton more
involved (read: how to get Heyward-Bey less involved). I don’t
think anyone considers DHB a realistic option any longer, but
just in case, you’ve now been duly notified.
Good luck, folks!
Quarterbacks 
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