Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 18th at 1:00 PM ET
Location: TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL
Betting Odds: IND, -4, 45 Total on Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Matt Ryan (Start, QB2)
Matt Ryan looked like the vintage Falcons QB in Week 1. Ryan went for 352 yards, one TD, and one interception while throwing the ball 50 times. The game script went out the window when the Texans started controlling the game and thoroughly scaring the Colts. Last week the Jaguars put up a solid fight against the Commanders and brought out an elite form of Carson Wentz. I’m predicting that Ryan will have to put up an identical stat line to Week 1. Look to roll out Ryan as a QB2 and FantasyPros has him ranked as QB18.
Matt Ryan wasn't getting much help from receivers not named Michael Pittman on Sunday pic.twitter.com/ZSIwmvB4zx
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 12, 2022
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor (Start, RB1), Nyheim Hines (Start, Flex)
Jonathan Taylor is the best running back in Fantasy Football and general football. There is no question about it, he’s still the guy. Anytime you carry the ball 31 times for 161 yards and a TD, you’d think it was all game script and the team dominated. Quite the opposite, The Colts stayed balanced even though they were down and never took the rock out of Taylor’s hands. He’s the unquestioned number one this week and is the easiest start you’ll get. Nyheim Hines showed that he’ll be a value this year as a flex, on Sunday he caught six passes for 50 yards. I’m starting him as a Flex and FantasyPros has Hines at RB46.
JONATHON TAYLOR TUDDY 🔒 #ForTheShoe #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/OS5cwbNg0Q
— Rabbet (@RabbetGaming) September 11, 2022
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Michael Pittman (Start, WR1), Parris Campbell (Sit), Alec Pierce (Sit), Mo Allie-Cox (Sit)
Michael Pittman is the best receiver on this team by a country mile and got a lion’s share of the targets (28.9%) Pittman went for 9 receptions, 121 yards, and one game-tying touchdown. Pittman is the target hog in this offense and will be an easy WR1 start this week with FantasyPros ranking him WR10. The next best options are Parris Campbell, Alec Pierce, and Mo-Allie Cox. I’m sitting all three of these guys because I don’t have the stones to try and guess if any of them will be good. If I were to put a guess on one to overachieve I’d go with Campbell due to his six targets on Sunday.
Michael Pittman Jr. is an absolute BEAST 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Hc8N4nw5Mi
— Ʊ Bring The Juice -Colts Ʊ (@BTJPod) September 12, 2022
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence (Sit)
Trevor Lawrence completed 57 % of his passes on Sunday for 275 yards, one TD, and an interception. That’s pretty bad, I mean some of his overthrows were just terrible. Though the Colts were the best on defense last week against the Texans, I’m expecting the return of Shaquille Leonard to the defense will make it good enough to force some turnovers. Look for Lawrence to struggle once again in this game, I’m sitting him on Sunday.
Trevor Lawrence with another miss pic.twitter.com/vqtK77BEJp
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 11, 2022
Running Backs
James Robinson (Start, RB2), Travis Etienne (Start, Flex)
James Robinson, welcome back to the league. This man put together a great game, rushing for 66 yards and a TD while catching one pass for three yards and a TD. Robinson looked really agile and quick for a guy who just came off an Achilles injury. Look to start Robinson this week, because it just seems like he’s really good at football. He’s an RB2 for me and he’s RB30 for FantasyPros. Guess who RB31 is? That’s right Travis Etienne, who didn’t have a bad debut and was breaking off chunk plays left and right against Washington. I’m not going to start him as anything other than a Flex until he can consistently put up higher numbers.
https://twitter.com/LuckIsMadeFF/status/1569691828152143872
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Christian Kirk (Start, WR2), Zay Jones (Sit), Marvin Jones Jr (Sit), Evan Engram (Start, TE1)
Christian Kirk is a slot monster, running 68% of his routes from the slot. He collected six passes for 117 yards and was the main guy in between the 20s for the Jaguars. When he starts going off for touchdowns then we’re going to have a bona fide WR1, but until then plug him in as a WR2 and enjoy his Michael Thomas-esque performances. Kirk is WR26 on FantasyPros this week. Evan Engram is someone to keep an eye on this week. As we saw last week with OJ Howard, scoring two touchdowns, the Colts might not be so good when it comes to defending the position. He’s not the worst guy to plug in as a TE1 and FantasyPros has him at TE20. Zay Jones is a good receiver, but I need to see more in fantasy than six catches for 50 yards. As for Marvin Jones Jr, I think he needs to get back to being the team’s deep ball option before I can even consider putting him in a flex position.
Beautiful route and track by Christian Kirk. Lawrence let this go trusting that Kirk would get under it. pic.twitter.com/eYHbbYNn6f
— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) September 12, 2022
Would you start Jeudy or Kamara in flex position for week 2?
Kamara matchup against TB seems tough
Great article
Why are you talking about Atlanta in the Julio Jones write up? They aren’t playing the Falcons this week. Also, how do you talk about Evans without mentioning how Lattimore has shut him down consistently over the years?
This isn’t analysis. Just summarizing common narratives and being extremely vague with predictions.
Why do you have George Kittle listed as (Start, TE1) and then go on to say: “I don’t think George Kittle will be playing this week.”?
Great analysis! I love how you broke down the performances of each player and highlighted potential sleepers. It’s always helpful to have this kind of detail for setting my fantasy lineup each week. Looking forward to the rest of the series!