Week 2 of the 2022-2023 NFL season is now behind us and so is Week 2 of fantasy football. What seemed like an odd week in the world of NFL fantasy yielded some thrilling performances from players across the league. In this week’s report, we will be reviewing the top performers, and worst performers, and an outlook on who to start for week 3.
Top Performers
Lamar Jackson
We start in Baltimore, where Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was nothing short of spectacular this past Sunday. Jackson was the top dawg in fantasy this week. The Ravens QB went 21/29 on passes with 318 yards, three passing touchdowns, nine rushing attempts for 119 yards, one rushing touchdown, and 42.6 fantasy points. The Louisville legend put fantasy teams on his back this week with his performance and hopefully sent a message to the Ravens’ front office – pay that man already.
Stefon Diggs
Stefon Diggs lit up the board on Monday night against the Titans. The burner in Buffalo was electric on Monday, cutting through the Tennessee defense like a hot knife through butter. Diggs posted 12 receptions on 14 targets, 148 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, and 44.8 fantasy points.
Nick Chubb
Cleveland Browns running back, Nick Chubb or “Quadzilla” had himself a day in the fantasy football world this past Sunday as well. The veteran back posted three receptions for 26 yards, 17 carries for 87 yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 32.3 fantasy points. Chubb was the top running back this week
Mark Andrews
Baltimore Ravens TE, Mark Andrews was the top-performing tight end this week in fantasy. The big man accounted for 9 receptions for 104 yards, one carry for three yards, one receiving touchdown, and 25.7 fantasy points. This will be a persisting trend for the fantasy season as Andrews has become Lamar Jackson’s favorite target since the trade of former Raven Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Defense
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has come up big for their team through the first two games of this NFL season. The offense has got off to a slow start but this defensive unit has hit the ground running this season. During their game against the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday the defensive unit held the Saints to just 10 points. Todd Bowles’ defense had three interceptions, six sacks, 59 tackles, and 29 fantasy points.
Worst Performers
Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston was at the bottom for QBs in week 2 of fantasy football. Winston and his Saints played fellow division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Bucs’ defense was all over Winston and his offense. The former Florida State Seminole threw for 236 yards, with three interceptions, one carry for two yards, and 7.64 fantasy points.
Davante Adams
A shocking poor performance from the best receiver in the league. Las Vegas Raider, Davante Adams had a very uncharacteristic performance against the Cardinals on Sunday. Adams accounted for two receptions for 12 yards, one receiving touchdown, and 9.2 fantasy points. Managers should not be concerned with this, the wideout will no doubt bounce back in Week 3 against the Titans.
Jonathan Taylor
The Indianapolis Colts running back, Jonathon Taylor also had a very uncharacteristic outing on Sunday as well. Taylor has often been said to be one of the top backs in the league, however, his performance on Sunday against the Jaguars was less than stellar. The former Wisconsin Badger rushed for 54 yards on nine carries, had one reception for nine yards, and 7.3 fantasy points. Managers should not be alarmed with this poor performance from the back, Taylor posted freak-like numbers last year during his rookie tenure and will rebound in week 3.
Kyle Pitts
The tight end out of Florida has been coming up short this year. Former gator, Kyle Pitts faced off against the LA Rams on Sunday afternoon. Pitts posted some abysmal numbers on the fantasy board. The TE was responsible for two receptions, 19 yards, and 3.9 fantasy points. Managers who have Pitts rostered need to seriously evaluate his potential and benefits to their squad while also considering finding a suitable replacement for the underperforming TE.
Dolphins Defense
The Miami defense was not kind to managers during week 2. The fins started their game against the Ravens getting absolutely torched by Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews. The Ravens put 38 points up on the board on Sunday. The Miami defense had 0 interceptions, 0 sacks, 55 tackles, and -4 fantasy points. The Fins were bailed out by their high-powered offense. Week 3 is looking grim for the fins as they will be going toe to toe with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
Week 3 Starters
Drake London
The rookie wideout has established himself as the number 1 target for Marcus Mariota and the Atlanta Falcons. During week 2, London was targeted 12 times with 8 receptions for 86 yards and 1 touchdown. The Falcons will be playing the Seahawks in week 3, while the Seahawks’ defense is usually always dominant they are without their best player, Jamaal Adams due to his quad injury sustained in week 1 against the Broncos. London should be able to produce good numbers and put double digit points on the board for week 3. Managers should give him the green light at the WR2 or Flex position.
Tyler Higbee
Higbee and the Rams will be facing a divisional opponent in the Arizona Cardinals this coming week. The tight end is at the top of the list for targets across the board for all TEs in the league so far. QB Matt Stafford has targeted his TE 20 times through 2 weeks and the Cardinals are coming off two back-to-back weeks of allowing opposing teams’ TEs to find the end zone. The Arizona DBs will be concerned with receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson thus leaving an opportunity for Higbee to capitalize.
Russel Gage
Things got spicy this week in the Big Easy as the Bucs and Saints were duking it out in the Caesar’s Superdome. Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore got involved in a fight on the field which led to the two being ejected from the game. Evans was deemed the catalyst of the altercation and received a one-game suspension from the league as a result. Managers who have Mike Evans on their roster will be without the WR1 for week 3. Those who have Russell Gage on their bench should absolutely give him the start. Gage will fill the void at receiver for the Bucs this week as Evans will be sidelined serving his one-game suspension.
Eagles Defense
After Monday night’s game against the Vikings, Eagles fans and fantasy managers who have their defense should be nothing but ecstatic. The Birds’ defense shut down Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook. With three interceptions (very likely could have been 5 or 6) and only 7 points allowed this defense played the game of their lives on Monday night. The Eagles face divisional opponent, Washington Commanders and former teammate Carson Wentz, this coming Sunday. There is no doubt this defense will come out guns blazing looking to get to Wentz and lockdown the Washington run and passing game.
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