Week 2 Preview: Key Matchups and Their Fantasy Relevance

Chargers at Patriots

I love when these two teams meet up.  It may be a little better in the post-season, but that might still happen this year too.  The Chargers travel to the east coast to play in Foxboro and this is enough of an edge that I think the Patriots are going to win this game.  Despite winning last week, the Chargers still had special teams issues and Philip Rivers did not look that good in week 1.  Tom Brady on the other hand looked phenomenal in his season opener as the offense kept up the pressure throughout the game and just kept scoring points in any way they could.  For some reason the Chargers never seem to have their act together early on and I don’t see how they keep up with the Patriot’s machine.  I do not think that Ryan Mathews is a very viable starter this week as the passing game is likely to be the focal point for San Diego as they try and keep pace, but Tolbert’s involvement in the passing game makes him a weak RB2 or good flex play.  I feel like Vincent Jackson will have to be a factor in order for this game to be close and I would expect them to try and get him involved early and often.  Despite the quality of the Charger’s defense, you should be starting all your usual Patriots except Danny Woodhead, who is not likely to be used much outside of third downs.

Bears at Saints

People constantly want to discredit the Bears over the past few years, but shutting down Atlanta last week really opened my eyes.  The defense is a top 5 unit and Jay Cutler is growing into quite the gunslinger.  He is going to throw a couple INTs in each game but that is because of all the big plays that he is going for and fantasy owners should respect him for his ability to take risks.  I think it is too tall of a task for the Bears to win this game in New Orleans, but I am almost positive that they will be able to keep it competitive and this should be a great game to watch.  I am not downgrading anyone for the match up at this point however, the Saints RB’s are not start-able at this time and I am not big on Meachem or Henderson, despite the Colston injury.  Someone has to have a good game for the Saints in the receiving game, but good luck trying to figure out who it will be.  I personally think Graham will become the primary red zone target, so that just leaves it up to a game of chance to try and start the receiver that comes up with the big play for Brees. I wouldn’t start Jay Cutler either in this game as I think the Saint’s complex blitzing scheme will be able to exploit a weak Bears offensive line, but I am not too scared to start him if I normally would.  Forte is the key member of the Bears offense and the one guy that is always going to be worth a spot on your roster, so don’t be afraid to start him either.

Eagles at Falcons

Atlanta disappointed me by not being competitive against the Bears in week 1.  They looked out matched and were unable to keep up with Jay Cutler and the Mike Martz offense in place for Chicago.  I had high hopes for their defense this season and they disappointed me almost as much as the offense.  The Falcons are a much better team on the road and it all starts with Matt Ryan.  At home, in the dome, the Falcons looked to be unstoppable last season and I expect this to be the game of the week as the Eagles come to town. I feel like the Eagles’ superstar secondary will be more than capable of containing Roddy White and the rest of the Faclons’ receivers and the Philadelphia offense is too explosive for Michael Turner to be able to win this game for his team.  I think Vick and the Eagles are going to win a close game and it will likely not be as high scoring as we might think.  With that said you still have to start all the usual suspects, but I don’t see a big game from any of the Falcons on the horizon.