Don't Panic, Fantasy Managers - Week 2 Insights

As fantasy football managers reflect on a rocky start in Week 1, there’s no need for despair. The first week of the NFL season often presents unpredictable matchups with new player roles and game plans still in flux. For example, it was surprising to see the Philadelphia Eagles largely ignore their wide receivers in their matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

Key Takeaways from Week 1

Looking ahead to Week 2, managers can take solace in having a clearer picture of player utilization across teams. The Jacksonville Jaguars seem to have sidelined Tank Bigsby, indicating a stronger focus on established players. It’s smart to lean on high-profile players like A.J. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase to bounce back from slower starts.

The Cleveland Browns, despite their knack for losing, showcased a promising passing attack against the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighted by Cedric Tillman's five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues, Tillman is emerging as a strong No. 2 wideout, especially if Joe Flacco continues under center. While Cleveland might anticipate a tough battle against the Baltimore Ravens, Tillman's potential remains high given Baltimore's struggles against wide receivers in Week 1.

Saints and Jaguars Assessments

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints showed resilience but fell short against the Arizona Cardinals. Even though Spencer Rattler displayed a decent performance, the Saints’ wideouts, particularly Rashid Shaheed, may face challenges ahead, especially with the formidable San Francisco 49ers defense on the docket. Despite Shaheed's six catches in Week 1, his low yardage total poses concerns for fantasy managers.

On the Jaguars' front, Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to see a heavier workload with Bigsby moving on. After a stellar 156-yard game against the Carolina Panthers, Etienne is a strong waiver target, although managers should be cautious given the Bengals' stout run defense displayed in Week 1.

Analyzing Running Back Matchups

For those considering Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco against Philadelphia, the results from the Eagles’ last game suggest caution. While they allowed 119 rushing yards to the Cowboys, a significant portion came from one run, and Kansas City’s backfield workload appears to be shared, complicating the trustworthiness of Pacheco heading into Week 2.

As we navigate through these early weeks, it's essential for fantasy managers to adjust strategies based on observations and analyses of player performances from previous games.