NFL Reactions: Week 2

We all know the feeling. It's Sunday, the sun is slowly lowering beyond the horizon, and the blunt realization that Monday is approaching hovers over you in the waning moments of the weekend. You guessed it. Those are the "Sunday Scaries." Fortunately for us, we have football. Ah yes — our beautiful game — the one cure we can all agree on in these divisive times. That is, unless the games become just as gut-wrenching to watch as the clock counting down to the work week.

Week 2 gave the phrase "Sunday Scaries" a whole new meaning.

"Christian McCaffrey is heading to the locker room." These words are enough to send any fantasy manager into hiding. The consensus No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts suffered myriad injuries in 2020, including a high ankle sprain, a shoulder injury and he even tweaked his quad during a practice. The high ankle sprain occurred Week 2 last season, so the eerie sense of déjà vu hit fans hard Sunday. However, it turns out all that worry was for not, as CMC only missed a short amount of time with cramping in his calf — the price to pay for carrying your team's offense for the better part of five years, I guess.

In that same game, a divisional matchup between the Panthers and the Saints, the latter came crashing back down to Earth following a brilliant performance against the Packers in Week 1. New Orleans went from looking like an offensive juggernaut that moves the ball efficiently without turnovers to … well … a team quarterbacked by Jameis Winston. Winston threw two interceptions and didn't find the end zone through the air (he scored a rushing TD) while totaling only 111 passing yards. This horrifying performance is one we can learn from as fantasy managers: Don't overreact to small sample sizes in fantasy football. Last week, Winston looked like an MVP candidate. This week he looked lost. I don't think he's either of those things. Most weeks, he'll be somewhere in the middle.

You know what else is scary? The Rams offense — but in a good way, of course. After spending the first 12 years with the Lions, Matthew Stafford must feel like he has hit the quarterback jackpot with his trade to Los Angeles. When it comes to the weapons at Stafford's disposal, his Kupp runneth over. Corny jokes aside, this is a team that is flush with playmakers and looks like it can be dangerous this year. Through two weeks, Cooper Kupp is flashing WR1 upside. He scored two touchdowns Sunday while racking up 163 receiving yards, 52 more yards than Winston threw for. Like I said: Scary.

This brings us to my final "scare" of the Sunday slate: the game between the Cowboys and Chargers. Don't get me wrong. The game was an interesting, close contest that kept my attention. There were some solid performances, it had drama and the game even ended on a walk-off field goal for the win for the Cowboys with time expiring. So what was so nerve-racking? The final score — 20-17. The Cowboys and Chargers had the highest over/under going into the weekend at 55 points. Most thought this game would be an absolute explosion of offense on both sides, but sadly, that wasn't the case. These things happen. Such is life and such is fantasy football. At the end of the day (and weekend), this is just another reminder that in fantasy, we can only prepare for what we think will happen based on the best information we can gather (at RotoWire, of course). We can't predict the future, but going into Sundays armed with the best intel will at least allow us to rest our heads easy and avoid those "Sunday Scaries."

Here's to a good week ahead.

Sunday Takeaways

• Derek Carr threw 382 yards and two touchdowns in a victory against the Steelers. This may be premature, but this Raiders offense looks like it could be the real deal in 2021. Carr is becoming a reliable signal caller and should be given consideration in fantasy lineups.
• Damien Harris carried 16 times for 62 yards and a touchdown in a win against the Jets. The touchdown run was reminiscent of Marshawn Lynch's "Beast Quake" touchdown run against the Saints in 2011, as Harris broke roughly seven tackles on the way to a 26-yard score. (Rubs eyes) Is it possible that Belichick is finally sticking with one back as the lead dog? If Harris keeps running like that, Bill won't have a choice.
• James Robinson totaled 47 yards rushing on 11 carries in a loss against the Broncos. Although the yard total wasn't exactly awe inspiring, his share of rushing attempts is the promising stat. Running mate Carlos Hyde only carried twice, so it is possible that Coach Urban Meyer is realizing what he has in Robinson as a runner and a pass catcher.
• Alvin Kamara carried eight times for five yards. Yeah — you read that right. He also added four catches for 25 yards. This was just a horrible game for the Saints. Throw away the tape. Kamara and the Saints won't have many outings like this one.
• Courtland Sutton caught nine of his 12 targets for 159 yards during Sunday's win against the Jaguars. Well … he's back. This is the emerging playmaker we saw before his injury last season. Sutton took on more of the load with Jerry Jeudy out with a high ankle sprain. Teddy Bridgewater did a great job of spreading the ball around, but Sutton's 35 percent target share is quite promising for his fantasy prospects.
• Melvin Gordon carried 13 times for the Broncos. Javonte Williams also carried 13 times for the Broncos. Williams' yardage total of 64 was more than double that of Gordon at 31 yards. It's a matter of time before Williams becomes the more trusted back for fantasy purposes in this offense.
• Kyler Murray threw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 31 yards and a score in a narrow victory of the Vikings. Arizona's signal caller is making an early case to be the fantasy MVP of the 2021 season, and things get even better next week. Murray will travel to Jacksonville in Week 3 to take on the Jaguars. Better hope your fantasy opponent doesn't have him.
• Could a full-on running back committee be forming in Dallas? Tony Pollard carried 13 times for 109 yards and a touchdown. Ezekiel Elliott totaled 71 yards and a score on 16 carries. The eye test seems to tell me that Pollard has more than earned his share. In an 18-week regular season, don't be surprised if this trend continues as the year goes on as a means to preserve both backs for the long haul.
• Derrick Henry is back! After an underwhelming Week 1, Henry came roaring back with 182 yards on the ground and three touchdowns in an overtime win against the Seahawks. He also caught all six of his targets for 55 yards. The Titans' running back was unstoppable and relied on heavily, carrying 35 times. One must worry if the workload may be too much for Henry, but he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down just yet.
• Tom Brady threw five touchdowns in a blowout win against the Falcons. As always, Brady was efficient and found multiple teammates for scores. The Buccaneers take on the Rams in Week 3, and normally I would tell you to temper your expectations for the quarterback in a tough matchup — but it's Tom Brady.
• Through the first two weeks, Tyler Lockett is tied with DK Metcalf for the team lead in targets, but it's Lockett who has made the most with his opportunities. The newly re-signed wideout followed up his 100 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1 with 178 yards on eight catches and a score against the Titans in Week 2. Russell Wilson is airing it out so far in 2021, and his connection with Lockett will bode well for fantasy managers more often than not.

Injury Notes

Diontae Johnson – Johnson injured his knee on the final play of the Steelers' loss to the Raiders. The severity of the injury is unknown, but if Johnson is forced to miss time, James Washington would likely benefit from his absence.

Laviska Shenault – Shenault will have an MRI Monday to determine the extent of a shoulder injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Broncos. Any missed time for the wide receiver would be a blow to the already struggling Jaguars offense.

Trey Sermon – Add another San Francisco running back to the injury report. Sermon suffered a concussion in the second half of the game and now enters the concussion protocol. The rookie's timetable to return is unknown, but his absence is another shot to the gut for a team that is lacking running back depth.

Jarvis Landry – Landry is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his knee Monday after suffering an MCL injury Sunday. In addition, the Browns are still unsure about Odell Beckham's status. If Landry must miss time, teammates Anthony Schwartz, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins will likely benefit in the passing game.

Tua Tagovailoa – Tua suffered a rib injury in a blowout loss to the Bills, but coach Brian Flores hopes the second-year quarterback can play Week 3. If he can't go, Jacoby Brissett likely will start against the Raiders, which doesn't exactly inspire hope for Miami's skill position players.

Tyrod Taylor – Taylor injured his hamstring against the Browns, and he will undergo an MRI this week. The Texans have a quick turnaround this week in a Thursday night tilt against the Panthers, so it is plausible the Texans might need to rely on rookie Davis Mills to lead the team.

Andy Dalton – Dalton will undergo tests this week to determine the severity of a knee injury he suffered Sunday. If Dalton can't go, it will be rookie Justin Fields drawing his first NFL start. Fields' dual-threat ability may actually help to open things for the offense.

Carson Wentz – Wentz's ankle was rolled up on in the Colts loss to the Rams on Sunday. He was unable to return to the game, and Jacob Eason took over for the remainder of the contest. If Wentz must miss time, this would likely downgrade the majority of the skill position players until his return.

Darrell Henderson – Henderson suffered a rib injury against Indianapolis. Depending on the severity, it is possible that Henderson could miss time. If he does, newly acquired Sony Michel would be the next man up in Los Angeles. If he's available, Michel should be a priority add on the waiver wire this week.