Aaron Rodgers, GB (@ Carolina) HIT - Do you know who is currently 11th in the league with 309 passing yards? Kevin Kolb. Do you know who Arizona played last week? The Carolina Panthers. Did you know that Aaron Rodgers is a much quarterback than Kolb? And, did you know that the Packers threw 35 times last week? I know it is risky to only use one week of play to extrapolate statistics, but we are talking about the reigning Super Bowl MVP going against one of the worst teams in the NFL.
LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ Atlanta) HIT - Last week, Chicago running back Matt Forte ran for 68 yards and caught five passes for 90 and a touchdown against the Falcons. McCoy will post similar numbers. He probably won't have a monster day on the ground, at least in terms of yards, but as a receiver out of the backfield he will. Remember, McCoy was eighth in the league last year in reception. Atlanta will be looking to blitz Vick and force him to make decisions. Often, the decision will be to dump the ball into the hands of a playmaker.
Drew Brees, NO (Chicago) MISS - Look, it's Drew freakin' Brees, you're going to start him unless you for some reason have Brady, Rodgers or Vick as well. He threw for 419 yards last week. He is a Super Bowl champion, dedicated worker and all around nice guy. But his receiving corps is missing Marques Colston and Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem can only do so much. The Bears showed they were capable of locking down a top tier receiver like Roddy White in week one, and they will be playing on the emotion of and for defensive leader Brian Urlacher. To be sure, Brees will get points, but it will be less than usual.
Michael Turner, ATL (Philadelphia) HIT - The middle of the Eagles' line is weak and Turner is a bulldozing tank with a wrecking ball. The guy weighs about 250 pounds and is nicknamed "Burner." The Falcons have little-to-no passing game out of the backfield and must establish the run to open up the secondary. Establishment, "Burner" Turner, be thy name.
Darren McFadden, OAK (Buffalo) MISS - The whole "East Coast Team travelling West" scenario is overshadowed by the "playing on a short week" and "injured" scenarios. McFadden's shoulder injury isn't significant enough to keep him out of the game, but did limit him in practice this week. It is way too early to be singing the praises of the Buffalo Bills, but they did hold Jamaal Charles to a deceiving stat line of 10 carries for 56 yards. This is not as telling as it could be, because the Bills had amassed such a lead that KC had to abandon the run and air it out. Still, I don't like McFadden this week.
Jordy Nelson, GB (Carolina) HIT - Mark my words, Nelson will develop into an every week starter by the end of the season. James Jones was nonexistent in the first week, and now that Donald Driver will have his team receiving record, Nelson will continue to come up big.
Cedric Benson, CIN (@Denver) HIT - Denver gave up big yards to Oakland last week, the Bengals' passing game is still questionable. Benson will get a lot of opportunities, and in his workmanlike way, will grind out yards.
Percy Harvin, MIN (Tampa Bay) HIT - Yes, the Vikings had 39 yards passing last week but that won't be the case all the time. Harvin is the number one receiver in Minnesota, and they ostensibly have a solid ground game in Adrian Peterson. This week, Peterson opens up the offense and allows Donovan McNabb to get the ball in Harvin's hands. Also, he is a special teams threat, as evidenced by his week one kick return for a touchdown. He should get consideration at the flex.
Deion Branch, NE (San Diego) HIT - While Welker, Gronkowski and Hernandez were all making noise behind Tom Brady's 500+ yard Monday night, Branch had seven catches for 93 yards. Yards and touchdowns won't always be so easy coming for the Patriots this year, but I like Branch as WR2 or a flex.
Joseph Addai, IND (Cleveland) HIT - Would you rely on Kerry Collins to move your offense?
Mike Tolbert, SD (@New England) MISS - I will eat the left sole of my own shoe if Tolbert repeats his three touchdown performance against New England.
Kenny Britt, TEN (Baltimore) MISS - I will eat the right sole if Britt repeats his 136 yard, two touchdown game against Baltimore.
Steve Smith, CAR (Green Bay) MISS - Smith's big surprise in the first week was really a combination of Cam Newton surprising, and Arizona's terrible secondary. I am not the first to say that Newton will not get simple reads from the Packers and it will be Steve Smith's numbers who suffer.
Owen Daniels, HOU (@Miami) HIT - Daniels underwhelmed last week, but Miami gave up 517 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game. You can't expect Andre Johnson to shoulder the entire receiving load and with Kevin Walter hurting Daniels will be the beneficiary.
One Deep Cut
Lee Evans, BAL (@Tennessee) - In deeper leagues, or if you're feeling frisky, I think Evans gets at least one big yardage touchdown.
