Sit/Start Week 2: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 PM ET

Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX

Betting Odds: BAL -7, 51.5 total via Oddsshark

Network: CBS

Baltimore Ravens

Quarterback

Lamar Jackson (Start, QB1)

Well, it looks like Lamar Jackson is still doing pretty good for a running back. After throwing and running his way to an MVP last season in the NFL, Lamar picked up where he left off, with a little more air raid in his game this time around. He completed 20/25 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also added on a meager 45 yards on the ground, a low total for Lamar. This week, I expect more ground game from the Ravens after the Texans were gashed by Clyde Edwards-Helaire last week. The Ravens were one of the most consistent ground attack teams last season, but only ran 30 total times as a team in Week 1, a low total for this squad. Lamar is still the borderline overall QB1 headed into this week and you are never sitting a healthy Lamar. Carry on.

Running Back

Mark Ingram (Start, RB2), J.K. Dobbins (Start, Flex), Gus Edwards (Sit)

Curse you Baltimore coaching staff! The bane of fantasy football ownership is when one of your formerly studded running backs falls into a full-on committee. That is what happened in Week 1. Mark Ingram still led the team with 10 carries, but Lamar and J.K. Dobbins both ran the rock seven times. It is very easy to overreact after one week, but in a season with no preseason and limited camp, it is safe to say that we need to take a wait and see approach here. I don’t expect Dobbins to get every carry at the goal line after how successful and vital to this team Ingram has been, but it was concerning for Ingram owners to see the two vultures. However, if Dobbins doesn’t get those touchdowns, he ends up with only 2 points, so he is very touchdown-dependent currently. Let’s hope this gets sorted out more this week, but right now I am still trusting in Ingram to put up numbers this week with Dobbins being a TD dependent flex play. Gus Edwards is a distant third here but could have easily vultured a touchdown last week. All aboard the roller coaster!

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Marquise Brown (Start, WR2), Willie Snead (Sit), Mark Andrews (Start, TE1)

After reports came out about Marquise Brown playing through an injury most of last year, he came out of the gates hot this season after claiming full health to the tune of 5 catches for 101 yards. His target load wasn’t huge, only gaining six looks, but he made the most of them. Brown should continue to take steps forward as the year continues. Willie Snead is currently a sit due to the usual running state of this offense. Chances are, most games there won’t be a need for even 25-30 pass attempts, so if Snead doesn’t catch a touchdown he will not produce for you most weeks. On the other hand, Mark Andrews is a beast in this offense and Lamar loves throwing to him. He tied Brown for the team lead in targets, but also put up a 5/58/2 stat line, including an insane one-handed grab. He will be a top 4 tight end as long as he and Lamar are healthy, so keep firing him up as such.

Houston Texans

Quarterback

Deshaun Watson (Start, QB1)

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson felt the impact of losing an All-Pro wide receiver with DeAndre Hopkins getting shipped off to Arizona. Coming into the season as a top 5 pick at the position, Watson put up 253 yards and a 1:1 TD:INT ratio, luckily salvaging his day with one score on the ground. Will Fuller looked good as his new number one, but if he goes down with injury, it is fair to say that things could go downhill fast for this passing offense. We will see what the future brings, as he is still a top QB in the rankings and we don’t want to overreact after one week, but we need to see more from Watson’s group of pass catchers if he is going to stay in the top tier of passers.

Running Backs

David Johnson (Start, RB2), Duke Johnson (Sit)

Speaking of the Hopkins trade, David Johnson actually looked productive during his debut with the Texans after coming over from Arizona. Johnson has had a severe fall from grace when you compare his stats in his first two years vs his last two where injury and inefficiency have plagued him. DJ rushed 11 times for 77 yards and a score, as well as adding 3 catches for 32 yards through the air. With Duke Johnson hobbled and possibly inactive, the new DJ should get plenty of volume as long as the Texans are in this game. Even in a negative game script DJ should receive decent passing work. If Duke Johnson is active, he is still a sit due to a lack of volume and the possibility of aggravating his injury.

Wide Receivers/Tight End

Will Fuller (Start, WR1), Brandin Cooks (Start, WR3/Flex), Randall Cobb (Sit), Jordan Akins (Sit)

As of this writing, Will Fuller is the only guy I am feeling overly confident about in this group. He managed to put up 8/112 as the new number 1 for Watson. He should continue to produce and even add some touchdowns as we have seen in the past. The main problem for Fuller has been health, so in a healthy season, we could see big numbers and a big draft day steal. Past Fuller, the only other pass catcher I would be thinking of starting is Brandin Cooks, who is merely a WR3 or a Flex play after turning five targets into 2/20. It could be a revolving door past Fuller, so this could change week to week. Right now, Randall Cobb and the whole tight end group should be on your bench.

-Matt Dean (@MattDeanQBList on twitter, mdean8 on Reddit)