When you think Titans you think Derrick Henry and pounding the
rock. Yes, they will do that too, but Tannehill has become a serviceable
passer and facing a toothless Jaguars pass rush which couldn’t
sack a slow-footed and immobile Philip Rivers even once, should
allow the Titans quarterback plenty of time to hit a trio of underrated
receivers in Corey Davis, A.J. Brown and Adam Humphries. A couple
of touchdown passes and 275 yards is certainly possible.
In years past you would never need to be told to start Tom Brady,
but after his first start with the Buccaneers, you might need
a push to play him again in Week 2. Players are rarely as bad
as they seem or as good and in this case Brady looked horrible
against a tough New Orleans Saints defense. This time around,
he gets one of the worst defenses in the league, one in which
the Raiders racked up 34 points and even made Derek Carr look
like a solid quarterback. Mike Evans will be one week healthier
and an angry Brady will not make multiple mistakes in consecutive
games. This game has 300 yards and three touchdown passes written
all over it unless Bruce Arians calls off the dogs early.
The Vikings secondary was abused by Aaron Rodgers and it’s going
to happen again this week. Give Rivers time and he won’t throw
interceptions and Minnesota managed zero sacks in Week 1. Additionally,
the loss of Marlon Mack means the Colts backfield is a rookie
and a pass-catching specialist, Nyheim Hines. Rivers was 8-for-8
when targeting Hines on Sunday, reminiscent of his fondness for
Austin Ekeler and he was even 6-for-6 with rookie Jonathon Taylor.
T.Y. Hilton should thrive against a defensive backfield of Mike
Hughes, Holton Hill, Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris.
I’m sure many of you are saying I’m not sitting Watson against
anybody, he’s my plug-and-play guy. Be forewarned, this is not
the time to be stubborn. The Ravens juggernaut is stingy on defense
and good when playing with a lead which is often when Lamar Jackson
is your quarterback. They yielded just 282 points in 2019 (third-best)
despite playing a lot of prevent defense in the fourth quarter
(yielded more than 30% of their points in the fourth quarter).
These two teams met a year ago and it wasn’t good for Watson.
His team was shutout for three quarters before one of those late
garbage-time touchdowns and the Texans’ quarterback went 18-of-30
for 169 yards, no scores and one interception. Since that meeting
Baltimore traded for All-Pro DE Calais Campbell, signed Derek
Wolfe and spent a No.1 draft choice on LSU linebacker Patrick
Queen. The rich getting richer. They were the only team to hold
an opponent to single-digits in Week 1.
Ryan won’t be horrible, it’s just after Week 1 expectations
will be far too high. The Seahawks, without Jadeveon Clowney,
have no pass rush to speak of. Dallas’ pass rush is much
more formidable. In the loss to the Rams the Cowboys couldn’t
stop the run, and I expect the Falcons will look to the ground
game a lot more than the paltry 18 times they ran while far behind
Seattle in Week 1. Between Todd Gurley, Brian Hill and Ito Smith
I see close to 30 carries leaving less opportunities for Julio
Jones, Calvin Ridley and in particular Russell Gage.
The Steelers defense is one to avoid at all costs. They have
talent at every level with T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree rushing the
quarterback, linebacker Devin Bush roaming the middle and both
Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary. Lock was decent
in a loss against a strong Tennessee defense without his No.1
receiver (22-of-33 for 216 and 1 TD). Even if Courtland Sutton
(shoulder) returns to the lineup across from rookie Jerry Jeudy
and talented TE Noah Fant this isn’t the time to challenge
a defensive Goliath to a fight. Use your backup or find another
inexpensive option like Tannehill to fit your DFS budget.
