MACK’S SUNDAY SAUCE: NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHTS (WEEK 2)

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This is Mack’s Sunday Sauce comin’ at ya! Always fresh, never stirred, where I’m here to give you your weekly dose of anything goes, no filter FANTASY FOOTBALL advice.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. In Week 1, we saw a bunch of big players take poops, a few no names break out, and most notably, the number one fantasy pick, David Johnson, go down with a 2-3 month injury. Week 2 is upon us, so without further ado, let’s take a look at some key games and the fantasy implications each game brings to the table! While the sauce is always delicious, sometimes you just gotta’ go with that Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream of a gut!

SUNDAY 1:00 PM - NEW ENGLAND @NO: It just sounds like a fun one, doesn’t it!? Well, when Drew Brees and his pass heavy Saints get back on their home turf after a week 1 loss in Minnesota against a New England secondary that looked highly vulnerable against the pass after getting pummeled by Alex Smith and the Chiefs, we may be in line for a shootout. That means expect another 35+ attempt pass day from Brees and a bounce back week should be expected from Michael Thomas as well. BOLD STATLINE PREDICTION: 8 receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD. After a solid week 1, Coby Fleener will look to keep it going, as the TE depth in the NFL is quite shallow in 2016, and one has room to give some guys a shot this year. Mark Ingram saved his 17 yard rushing total with five receptions for 54 yards, and his counterpart Adrian Peterson also rushed for 18 yards. While New England’s defense got torn apart all in all last week, I wouldn’t like to have to depend on either Peterson or Ingram until we see how the New Orleans backfield shapes out. Both can be given boom or bust flex consideration with Ingram having the slight upper hand. Tom Brady is obviously a must start. I can look at what his record is throughout his career following a loss; I won’t take the time out though, and would bet he’s won after a loss over 80% of the time. Brandin Cooks makes his return to New Orleans after just one game with his new team; let’s see if he plays like a DeSean Jackson every time he meets the Philadelphia Eagles. I would bet on it. Lastly, Mike Gillislee had a monster debut in New England rushing for three TD’s, and the Saints just gave up 127 yards on the ground to rookie Dalvin Cook. He is very tough to sit and will look to lock in an every week RB2 stature in fantasy football.

SUNDAY 1:00PM - PHILADELPHIA @ KC: What do we make of both teams after Week 1? Neither is slouching in potential. Many have ranked on Carson Wentz in the offseason, but he had quite the Week 1 in Washington. Wentz will be a decent plug in during bye weeks and to have on your bench in 2016, but he will have better weeks than what’s coming in Week 2. Kansas City has one of the best secondary’s in the league. While I see him putting up a fight, he’ll throw some picks and it definitely will not be a walk in the park for young Carson. His biggest weapon, Alshon Jeffery is tough to sit, even against a tight nit Kansas City secondary. He is a WR2 this week, and won’t have his normal, possession receiver danger, rather should make a few big plays to make his fantasy impact. On the other end out wide, Torrey Smith is one of the biggest boom or bust deep threats of all time. That hasn’t changed in Philly. This all opens doors for Nelson Agholor to continue to come into his own as a third year slot threat, taking over for Jordan Matthews. This is the type of guy you need to have a big game against a tough D. He will probably not be started in fantasy yet, though. Zach Ertz is a TE1 until further notice, and LaGarrette Blount looks like he should be just fine as an RB2 in 2016. The future is bright in Kansas City with Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill. They will both look to build on the impressive season-opening win against New England, and even if I told you to, I don’t think anyone would sit them with the excitement they are both bringing to the table. Charcandrick West’s usage can be monitored, and Travis Kelce will look to make some noise after the Eagles gave star Jordan Reed a tough time in Week 1. Kelce’s BOLD STATLINE PREDICTION: 5receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD.

MNF – MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL - DETROIT @ NYG: The New York Football Giants’ offense looked absolutely despicable against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. The offensive line left Eli Manning out to dry, and he couldn’t get it together. Like most good QB’s, he should play better at home on MNF after some restructuring and practice. If Odell Beckham Jr. returns, some attention will be taken off of Brandon Marshall, and give both guys some better shots to get in sync with Eli. I am not sitting Marshall after one week. Sterling Shepard didn’t have a bad Week 1, especially in PPR formats, and can be considered flex worthy in deeper leagues. Paul Perkins doesn’t seem to be more of a starting RB on a bad running team, and won’t be an RB2 in fantasy until the Giants show some confidence running the ball. He is not a start for me this week, but can be flexed in desperation. One should keep their eyes on Evan Engram, as he is looking like he may round out the offense and become a weapon of Eli’s. Matthew Stafford looked rejuvenated in his week 1 win vs. Arizona, throwing for four TD passes and 292 yards. He is not the QB1 in fantasy he once was, but if you need him, you can do worse this week. Kenny Golloday will be a pick up across fantasy football this week, but shouldn’t be started until some consistency sets in. On the other hand, Golden Tate remained reliable, and should not be sat in any format. Marvin Jones was TD dependent as usual, and is tough to fit into lineups with so much more value out there these days. The PPR phenomenon Theo Riddick somehow always seems to remain fantasy relevant, as he caught six balls and was able to find the endzone in week 1. I would probably rather start him than Ameer Abdullah or Dwayne Washington who rushed for 52 yards on 21 carries combined week 1 vs. Arizona.

-MACK

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