Nature Of The Beast

It is quite clear Peyton Manning is not coming back this season, and more injuries seem to be mounting up. Jamaal Charles just broke the hearts of many owners in any Redraft or Dynasty league, and with injuries to Michael Vick, Miles Austin, and Aaron Hernandez there is a lot to ponder about this upcoming week.  In particular, which players will step up in place of the injured.  A couple other parting shots from Week 2 and some thoughts heading into Week 3:

Cam Newton’s Dynasty value is skyrocketing with a 2^nd straight 400+ yard passing game, even with the loss Cam is 2^nd in the league in passing behind only Tom Brady. Matt Stafford is healthy and proving is worth as a #1 draft pick. He is a beast in the making and is tied for first with Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick at 7TD passes through week 2.

Fred Jackson through two weeks leads the league in rushing yards and rushing yards per game for the unforeseen 2-0 Bills, and Chris Johnson is still trying to find his groove as he only recorded 77 rushing yards through the first two games, don’t panic yet, CJ is a beast and has the ability to turn it around.

 
Chiefs:

The Kansas City Chiefs have among the toughest luck so far in 2011. Being outscored 89-10 through two games and the loss of Beast Jamaal Charles will open up the door for Dexter McCluster to prove his worth, although the Thomas Jones will be getting majority carries. The Chargers are not the easiest team to run on, but adding McCluster to your team can help in the long run if you stash him for now.

Bengals: 

A.J. Green seems like the real deal so far, and Andy Dalton has played pretty good through his first two games. With that said the 49ers rush defense will make Dalton rely on Green a lot, so Green is a young Dynasty player to watch out for this week.  Jermaine Gresham is being targeted often and is growing good chemistry with Dalton.

Titans:

This looks real good for Chris Johnson to break out, since Denver’s rush defense was 32^nd last year and have allowed 100+rushing yards to RB’s 11 of it’s past 19 games.  And Kenny Britt is still really good and a matchup with Champ Bailey can once prove him to be a Beast.  CJ's slow return hasn't been too concerning, yet.

Dolphins:

Rookie Daniel Thomas stepped up after a subpar preseason last week with his 107 rushing yard performance. Now has the edge over Reggie Bush this week with carries a with another great game he can take over the majority load in Miami.

Giants:  

Big division game coming up this week, with Eli struggling lately when in Philly look for the RB’s Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to take a big role this week. Dump off passes to Bradshaw will likely be an occurrence with Philly’s heavy blitz defense.  Bradshaw has higher Dynasty value given his age and elusiveness.

Eagles:

With Michael Vick’s status uncertain, Mike Kafka’s name becomes a hot commodity after a valiant effort Sunday night in Atlanta. In Dynasty leagues Kafka is a name/performance to watch as the Eagles are clearly one of the few teams in the league who are in the business of eventually selling their backup QB's in future trades.

Texans:

Foster’s hammy is acting up again, so this week look for Ben Tate to possibly get the majority carries this week, He is RB2 material this week against the Saints. Also watch out for Steve Slaton in the passing game if Foster does not even dress.

Saints:

This week Deverey Henderson, Meachem, Sproles, Ingram all have stepped up thus far this season, and this week, any of these guys are good Flex options in any league facing a not so good Texans pass defense.

Patriots: 

Brady is already putting up 2007 numbers, so any of his options could bring success this week, but with Aaron Hernandez sidelined a few weeks, look for Ocho Cinco to get more involved in the passing game as well as Danny Woodhead, and maybe in the other Gronk- Dan Gronkowski. Dynasty value for Hernandez is that of a TE2/TE1 and Woodhead offers a nice Flex value at all times.

Ravens:

No surprise here, with a week 3 matchup with the Rams Ray Rice should get a lot of looks, and might take off the heavy Rams Blitz D to give Flacco more time to throw to his big targets like Boldin, Ed Dickson, and even Lee Evans.

Rams:

Tough matchup here for Sam Bradford and any Rams of that sort, with no Steven Jackson most likely Bradford might be throwing a lot but might not be a good thing either. With that said since Bradford is a Beast in the making do not be surprised if he pulls off some decent numbers this week.

Jets:

Shonn Greene has a favorable matchup with the Raiders this week who have been quite generous to opposing RB’s, so look for him to rebound this week. With Burress “goose egg” last game it seems only Dustin Keller and Santonio Holmes are safe plays this week.

Raiders:

This is tough for Run DMC even Michael Bush, but McFadden’s upside gives him the only legitimate chance to succeed against the Jets defense. Jacoby Ford is hurt and Jason Campbell might be running around all day if the O-line does not protect him.

Chargers:

With the way the Chiefs are playing you can justify playing any Charger especially Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Rivers, even Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert who were big last week catching out of the backfield. Mathews can give Dynasty owners some hope with a huge game this week and has a good chance to do so.

Packers:

All Packers are worthy this week in this fiery division matchup with rival Bears, but on the Dynasty side Jordy Nelson has become a favorite of Rodgers and could see another big opportunity this week, Nelson could become a WR3 this season and his Dynasty value can go up this week with a good performance.

Bears:

Matt Forte is the league’s best receiving RB so far and this week he can see some more catches against the Packers who have let up back-to-back 400 yard passing games. Forte is a RB2, playing like a RB1 right now and a big game against their rival can boost his value up more.

Cardinals:

Kevin Kolb has a nice matchup and could post big numbers this week with a mediocre secondary in Seattle. This goes well for Beast Larry Fitzgerald also who went off last week in the second half. Kolb has nice upside of a QB2 and his Dynasty value should go up throughout the season.  Beanie loves his matchup again this week and is showing some juice.

Seahawks: 

It is hard right now for any Seahawk offensive player right now Sidney Rice is out with an injury, and Tavaris Jackson’s O-line has not been helping him. Beast mode Marshawn Lynch could be stifled to by Arizona’s good defensive line.

Falcons:

Michael Turner is looking good right now, and he has a nice history with the Bucs, posting 100+ rushing yards and 3 TD’s the last three games against them. He will get a nice load of carries this week, and look to see if Roddy White can break out this week to show off his WR1 ability.  Lots of spreading it around for Matty Ice right now.

Buccaneers:

Josh Freeman is showing his 4^th quarter prowess again as he did last week, and look for him to play well with the Falcons pass d letting up over 300 passing yards each game so far this season. He is a QB2 with great upside and his target Mike Williams has had success with the Falcons last season as well.

Steelers:

Rashard Mendenhall facing the Colts D, could be a very nice matchup for the bruising RB. And even Issac Redman who exhibits less Dynasty value then Mendenhall could see some touches if the Steelers get up big and early in Indy.

Colts:

Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are the only viable options right now for Kerry Collins, but with the Steelers D it is tough to see a productive game from any Colt. Usually Fantasy Beasts Wayne and Clark could struggle to find their groove unless Collins catches fire.  It's Not likely.

Redskins:

Fred Davis is becoming a Rex Grossman favorite, and remember last year Grossman burned Dallas for 322 yards and 4 TD’s, so keep Santana Moss and Davis in mind because they can be nice options to have another big week. Dynasty Value for Davis is increasing to a legitimate TE option for owners

Cowboys:

A Bruised Rib for Tony Romo, a banged up Felix Jones, and no Miles Austin coming up this week is not too appetizing for Dynasty Owners, so DeMarco Murray the rook RB could see double digit carries if Jones does not play or is limited.  Dez Bryant is hurt too, so Jason Witten could see a lot of targets this week.