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Football season is officially in full swing and did it ever start with a bang. With monster weeks from star players to shocking depth chart revelations in San Francisco, last week had it all. Unfortunately, it also had its share of injuries with long term absences now expected for Jerry Jeudy, Raheem Mostert, and most relevant for this article, Ryan Fitzpatrick. I want to wish all players a speedy recovery.
On a brighter note, the games in Week One were perfect for both fantasy and the NFL. With seven matchups hitting the over on points scored and two games going into overtime thrillers, all NFL fans must be ecstatic for football to be back.
To start Week Two we have one of the best division rivalries in the game. The New York Giants (0-1) are heading to FedEx field to take on the Washington Football Team (0-1). Both these teams are coming off of tough losses as the Football team narrowly slipped to the Chargers in Week One and the Giants look to find their footing. Once again I want to thank you all for starting your week with my analysis. So without further ado, I bring to you, the RotoBaller Thursday Night Preview!
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New York Giants @ Washington Football Team
Thursday 9/16 @ 8:20 PM EST
Notable Injuries:
- Evan Engram (TE, NYG) - Calf - Out
- Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG) - Knee - Questionable
- Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB, WAS) - Hip - Out
- Antonio Gibson (RB, WAS) - Shoulder - Expected
Must-Starts
Antonio Gibson (RB, WAS): Although potentially costing their team the game with a late fumble in the fourth quarter, Gibson looked like the real deal. Leading the entire team in rush attempts (20) and targets (5), Gibson is well on his way to becoming the workhorse we all hoped. In 2020 we saw this Giants team give up the most rushing yards per game, and last week we watched the combination of Melvin Gordon III and Javonte Williams torch them for 146 yards. Plus, this should be a very positive game script for the young back. Start Gibson as a locked-in RB-one for week 2.
Taylor Heinicke (QB, WAS): This guy is a baller. As sad as I am to see the legendary Fitzmagic go down with a hip injury, I couldn’t be more excited about the guy stepping in. As featured in my Ellis’ Essentials article, Heinicke could be the real deal for fantasy. The undrafted Atlanta native is on his fifth NFL franchise and has stepped up every time they’ve called his number. Last season, he managed to pass for 306 yards and a score and rushed six times for 46 yards and another score in their 2021 wild card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This week he gets to take on a defense that got ruined by the conservative QB play of Teddy Bridgewater, who threw for 264 yards and 2 TDs in week 1. To add to the upside of the matchup, Heinicke also provides a very sturdy rushing fantasy floor. Saying he is a “must-start” might be a little ambitious, however, I think he is worth a shot in all two-QB leagues and a strong consideration in single QB formats.
Terry McLaurin (WR, WAS): One of the league’s best pure receivers takes on the aforementioned team that got picked apart by conservative QB-play in week one. As mentioned above, I would not be worried about having Heinicke under the helm. Although the change at QB may take away some of McLaurin’s potential upside, Heinicke will definitely be able to give him the volume needed to produce. The Giants do have one of the league’s top corners in James Bradberry, however, he did not look his best last week. I would start McLaurin as a high-end, safe, WR-two in week two.
Logan Thomas (TE, WAS): You might have caught on that I really like this matchup for the Washington fantasy options. In what seems to be a disastrous TE landscape, having a guy who you can plugin and get guaranteed volume is hard to find. This is exactly what you get with Logan Thomas. With no Curtis Samuel in the lineup, he is clearly the number two option for this passing attack. Last season, with a very similar receiving group, he was one of five tight ends with over 100 targets, and in his two games with Heinicke, he found paydirt each time. I’m calling for both of these trends to continue as I see him scoring once again in this fantastic matchup. That’s right, the Pie Shop* is open for Thomas on Thursday.
*Pie Shop: An Australian term (often used in Rugby League) to describe who will score a Try (or in this case touchdown) this week.
Solid Options
Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG): This makes back-to-back weeks where a first-round running back has made the “solid options” segment but could easily be in the “consider sitting” portion. Over Barkley’s last three games he has averaged two yards per carry. This is over the span of two seasons (three games) and 29 attempts. That’s bad. He has been riddled with injuries over the last year and was not expected to be fully healthy to start the season. Even then, we haven’t seen him be fantasy-relevant since week 17 of the 2019 season. To me, that’s a little too long to be able to put a lot of faith in my RB-one. Plus, this week he is going against one of 2020’s top-ranked run defenses that held the shifty Austin Ekeler to under four yards per carry and zero receptions in week one. I’d be cautious about playing Barkley this week.
Sterling Shepherd, Kenny Golladay, and Darius Slayton (WR, NYG): These receivers had mostly impressive stat lines in Week one. Shepherd definitely stole the show, leading the team with seven catches on nine targets for 113 yards and a touchdown. Golladay had a fairly impressive debut in navy blue, catching four of his six targets for 64 yards. I know, you want to see more from the big-bodied receiver, but I think you will this week. I’m calling for Golladay to open the Pie Shop* and find the endzone. Of the three, I am the least confident playing Slayton. With Evan Engram's out again this week, all three options are playable as mid-to-low-end WRs - with Slayton being a high-upside flex play.
*Pie Shop: An Australian term (often used in Rugby League) to describe who will score a Try (or in this case touchdown) this week.
Consider Sitting
Daniel Jones (QB, NYG): I really hope no fantasy team was planning on rolling out Jones this week. However, just in case anyone is tanking this season, I’ll break down why he might be a great start to lose your week two matchup. I’m only kidding, although I would definitely look elsewhere at the position. Last week, Jones had a solid showing, passing for over 260 yards while rushing the ball six times for 24 yards and a score. Although his rushing provides some upside, I don’t think Chase Young and Montez Sweat are going to allow that to happen. I don’t mind Jones as a high-upside second QB, however, in this matchup, you’ll need to be pretty desperate to play him.
I am thrilled to say that last week I was 2-0 with my picks of Dallas +9.0 and over 51.5 points. This week I’m looking to do the same with a matchup that I personally have a lot more confidence in. I believe people are discounting how Heinicke has played when he has been given a shot. He looked great in camp and last week, so I don’t see that changing. The Giants on the other hand are a dumpster-fire and I have zero confidence on either side of the ball. It’s an easy choice for me this week, hopefully, we can continue this season’s start!
Ellis’ Picks: Washington -3.0 (1-0), Over 40.5 (1-0)
Career record: Spread (10-9), Over/Under (10-9)
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