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

Bills at Giants

 

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th at 1:00 pm EST

Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Betting Odds: NYG +2.5, 42.5 Total via Oddsshark

Network: CBS

Sleeper Spotlight: Cole Beasley

 

Buffalo Bills

 

Quarterbacks

• Josh Allen (Start/QB2 fringe QB1)

 

Josh Allen got off to a slow start last week against the Jets. Many fantasy fans seem to be jumping ship already but I’m not so sure just yet. I wouldn’t blame you for looking towards the waiver wire; there are probably a few options (Matthew Stafford and Jacoby Brissett) in your league. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst-case scenario just yet. The Bills’ defense should be able to keep their offense in most games. Allen’s two interceptions were both pretty flukey and not entirely his fault. He started to look much better in the fourth quarter and I expect his play to continue getting better. He has a solid bounce-back matchup against a Giants defense that was in the bottom five last year. Also, don’t expect Allen to be the runner he was last year. He put up a respectable 3.8 yards per carry but the Bills will try to give most of the running work to Devin Singletary. 

 

Running Backs

• Devin Singletary (Start/RB2)

• Frank Gore (Sit)

 

Many fantasy players came away from last week’s game confused about the Bills backfield. Many thought Frank Gore was used way too often but he was utilized the same as we saw in the preseason; mainly for ground-and-pound short gain plays. The only way I’m interested in keeping Gore on my fantasy team is if he exclusively gets all goal-line work, and even then it’s not likely. The guy averaged 1.8 yards per carry to Devin Singletary’s 17.5. The Bills finally fed Singletary the ball in the second half and he quickly looked to be the real deal. Keep a close eye on your fantasy players’ matchups this week because Singletary could be a smart and sneaky play going up against an exploitable Giants defense. If Gore concerns you, don’t let him. He was on the field for 19 snaps compared to Singletary’s 45. 

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

• John Brown (Start/FLEX fringe WR2)
• Cole Beasley (Start/FLEX)
• Tommy Sweeney (Sit)
• Zay Jones (Sit)

 

John Brown had a great Week 1 against the Jets and should continue to be a serviceable receiver, especially against a bad Giants defense. Most fantasy players should be pleased if they drafted Brown as a FLEX receiver. After last week it’s hard to not just plug-and-play him. Josh Allen should continue to target him often as well. I’m personally pretty high on Cole Beasley against the Giants. Beasley was the second most targeted receiver on the Bills in Week 1. Josh Allen targeted him quite often during his preseason reps as well. Beasley should be a solid option if you are desperate for a last-second receiver fill-in. 

 

Zay Jones could continue to improve but I doubt he will suddenly become fantasy relevant overnight. He will probably have his “boom” week at some point but do you want to bet which week that will happen? I would only consider him in incredibly deep PPR leagues. It’s worth keeping an eye on Tommy Sweeney this week but it’s not likely he gets involved to the point of fantasy success.

 

New York Giants

 

Quarterbacks

• Eli Manning (Sit)

• Daniel Jones (Sit)

 

I can’t be the only fantasy football fan waiting for Eli Manning to lose this starting job, right? I mean, it’s got to be a matter of time at this point. Maybe I just want to see something new for the Giants. We know what Eli can do. He was the same Eli last week as he’s always been; good at times but rarely great. His Week 1 efforts were commendable but his game is lacking venom with all these screens and quick slants. He rarely throws the long ball anymore. I wouldn’t feel safe starting him against what seems to be an improved Buffalo defense. Not to mention, his replacement is waiting in the wings for that inevitable day Eli pisses off his coaches with a pathetic performance. 

 

That being said, Daniel Jones getting one drive at the very end of a huge loss doesn’t tell us much about his time frame for eventually becoming the Giants’ starting quarterback. Jones could be a solid dynasty stash but I can’t tell you any more about the guy than I could before Week 1. All he’s done since then and now is throw three passes and fumble the ball. 

 

Running Backs

• Saquon Barkley (Start/RB1)

• Wayne Gallman (Sit)

 

This has got to be the easiest paragraph I’ll write all day. Saquon Barkley is still the guy to own here and you’re going to start him because he’s Saquon friggin’ Barkley. The guy ripped off a 59-yard run on his first carry of the season. His stats were fine in Week 1 but I’m expecting those numbers to rise when this offense starts clicking. That time may not come right away against a solid Bills defense this week, but as I said, Barkley should still be automatically started in all leagues. Don’t worry about seeing Wayne Gallman in the box score last week, this is still Barkley’s backfield and he’s a must-start.

 

Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends

• Evan Engram (Start/TE1)

• Cody Latimer (Sit)

• Sterling Shepard (Start/WR2)

• Bennie Fowler (Sit)

 

It looks like all that Evan Engram offseason hype was justified. He had a great Week 1 and was the clear target leader. There are times he seems like Eli’s favorite receiver out there. If Engram can keep playing at that level he’s a must-start who could easily finish the season top-five among tight ends. Fantasy owners were likely a little bummed Sterling Shepard only got seven targets in Week 1. I wouldn’t worry too much though, he’s still the WR1 on this team. His ten PPR points last week is likely his floor and I’m expecting him to bounce back a bit this week. Just keep an eye on his concussion and don’t be surprised if the Bills defense caps his potential upside. 

 

I also wanted to quickly mention Cody Latimer and Bennie Fowler who both had pretty solid showings last week. I would keep an eye on them to see if one of the two emerges as Eli’s third option, but until that happens, they will likely remain fantasy irrelevant simply because it’s too hard to know who will be productive from week-to-week. 

-Ryan Kruse (@ryanpkruse)