Fantasy Sports: NFL's second-tier starters, week 2
A projection of week 2's second-tier fantasy stars, including Marc Bulger, Corey Dillon and Larry Fitzgerald.
It's time to take a look at the NFL's week 2 second-tier fantasy stars, including Marc Bulger, Corey Dillon and Larry Fitzgerald.
Week 2:
Every Saturday, I'll compile a starting fantasy roster of guys who probably didn't go No. 1 overall in your league. Look for four out of seven -- I don't do kickers -- to hit it big each weekend.
QB: Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
Bulger was my breakout call at quarterback last Sunday vs. Arizona, and he let me down big-time, throwing for only 272 yards and one touchdown in the dome on opening day.
I'll take him this week again, though, against a depleted Falcons secondary that made Niners wideout Cedrick Wilson look like a Pro Bowler and gave up a combined passer rating of 82.2 to Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey. Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk should each be good for a scoring reception in this one.
RB: Domanick Davis, Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions
Davis put up 150 total yards and two touchdowns on only 26 touches vs. San Diego last weekend. He'll better his yardage total Sunday against the Lions, who gave up 100 yards and two scores in week 1 to the Bears' Thomas Jones, who is nowhere near the player Davis is.
Owners with Davis in their lineup should be salivating come kickoff.
RB: Corey Dillon, New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona gave up 170 rushing yards to Marshall Faulk (5.8 yards per carry) and Steven Jackson (7.1 yards per carry) in week 1. Bill Belichick, meanwhile, left Corey Dillon on the bench while Tom Brady picked apart the Colts' disheveled secondary.
Expect Belichick to unleash Dillon in Tempe. Corey could be good for 150+ yards and a score before it's all over.
WR: Justin McCareins, New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers I'm not a big fan of McCareins -- I thought the Jets grossly overpaid to acquire the fourth-year player last summer -- but I'll take the big 6'2" receiver over corners Sammy Davis and Jamar Fletcher any day.
Chad Pennington was hyper-accurate in week 1, and with Jonathan Carter stepping up as a deep threat and the Bolts game-planning to shut down Santana Moss this weekend, McCareins will get a lot of passes thrown his way. Look for him to convert at least one for a touchdown.
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots
Okay, this pick is way out there. The Pats blanketed Indy's Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne on opening day, and corner Asante Samuel looked even better than Ty Law. But I have a feeling Dennis Green is going to show off his new toy to the home crowd.
Fitzgerald will see at least 10 balls thrown his way and will catch all of them, overpowering the smaller New England defenders. This call is risky but could pay big dividends in leagues that start three receivers.
TE: Ernie Conwell, New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
Julian Peterson may be the best coverage linebacker in the NFL, but both of his eyes will be focused on stopping Deuce McAllister the majority of the game. Conwell probably won't score in the red zone, but he'll pick up significant yardage over the middle.
Boo Williams is in Jim Haslett's doghouse after some horrible blocking in week 1, so Conwell will be the only option in single tight end sets. Look for 70 yards on 6 receptions.
Defense: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Green Bay has stomped the Bears at Lambeau the past three seasons and will do so again for their home opener Sunday afternoon. Thomas Jones will not look anything like the guy you saw vs. Detroit last week, Rex Grossman will be frustrated all day, and receiver David Terrell will whine himself out of the lineup by the beginning of the fourth quarter.
* * *
Last Week's Lineup (* denotes bust)
* QB: Marc Bulger, St. Louis - 272 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
RB: Curtis Martin, NY Jets - 203 yards, 2 touchdowns.
RB: Quentin Griffin, Denver - 157 yards, 3 touchdowns.
* WR: Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis - 42 yards.
* WR: Steve Smith, Carolina - 60 yards, injury.
TE: Daniel Graham, New England - 57 yards, 1 touchdown.
Defense: Steelers, Pittsburgh - 2 picks, 2 fumbles, 3 sacks, 21 points against.
Week 2:
Every Saturday, I'll compile a starting fantasy roster of guys who probably didn't go No. 1 overall in your league. Look for four out of seven -- I don't do kickers -- to hit it big each weekend.
QB: Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
Bulger was my breakout call at quarterback last Sunday vs. Arizona, and he let me down big-time, throwing for only 272 yards and one touchdown in the dome on opening day.
I'll take him this week again, though, against a depleted Falcons secondary that made Niners wideout Cedrick Wilson look like a Pro Bowler and gave up a combined passer rating of 82.2 to Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey. Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Marshall Faulk should each be good for a scoring reception in this one.
RB: Domanick Davis, Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions
Davis put up 150 total yards and two touchdowns on only 26 touches vs. San Diego last weekend. He'll better his yardage total Sunday against the Lions, who gave up 100 yards and two scores in week 1 to the Bears' Thomas Jones, who is nowhere near the player Davis is.
Owners with Davis in their lineup should be salivating come kickoff.
RB: Corey Dillon, New England Patriots vs. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona gave up 170 rushing yards to Marshall Faulk (5.8 yards per carry) and Steven Jackson (7.1 yards per carry) in week 1. Bill Belichick, meanwhile, left Corey Dillon on the bench while Tom Brady picked apart the Colts' disheveled secondary.
Expect Belichick to unleash Dillon in Tempe. Corey could be good for 150+ yards and a score before it's all over.
WR: Justin McCareins, New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers I'm not a big fan of McCareins -- I thought the Jets grossly overpaid to acquire the fourth-year player last summer -- but I'll take the big 6'2" receiver over corners Sammy Davis and Jamar Fletcher any day.
Chad Pennington was hyper-accurate in week 1, and with Jonathan Carter stepping up as a deep threat and the Bolts game-planning to shut down Santana Moss this weekend, McCareins will get a lot of passes thrown his way. Look for him to convert at least one for a touchdown.
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. New England Patriots
Okay, this pick is way out there. The Pats blanketed Indy's Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne on opening day, and corner Asante Samuel looked even better than Ty Law. But I have a feeling Dennis Green is going to show off his new toy to the home crowd.
Fitzgerald will see at least 10 balls thrown his way and will catch all of them, overpowering the smaller New England defenders. This call is risky but could pay big dividends in leagues that start three receivers.
TE: Ernie Conwell, New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers
Julian Peterson may be the best coverage linebacker in the NFL, but both of his eyes will be focused on stopping Deuce McAllister the majority of the game. Conwell probably won't score in the red zone, but he'll pick up significant yardage over the middle.
Boo Williams is in Jim Haslett's doghouse after some horrible blocking in week 1, so Conwell will be the only option in single tight end sets. Look for 70 yards on 6 receptions.
Defense: Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Green Bay has stomped the Bears at Lambeau the past three seasons and will do so again for their home opener Sunday afternoon. Thomas Jones will not look anything like the guy you saw vs. Detroit last week, Rex Grossman will be frustrated all day, and receiver David Terrell will whine himself out of the lineup by the beginning of the fourth quarter.
* * *
Last Week's Lineup (* denotes bust)
* QB: Marc Bulger, St. Louis - 272 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception.
RB: Curtis Martin, NY Jets - 203 yards, 2 touchdowns.
RB: Quentin Griffin, Denver - 157 yards, 3 touchdowns.
* WR: Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis - 42 yards.
* WR: Steve Smith, Carolina - 60 yards, injury.
TE: Daniel Graham, New England - 57 yards, 1 touchdown.
Defense: Steelers, Pittsburgh - 2 picks, 2 fumbles, 3 sacks, 21 points against.

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