Fantasy Football Week Two: Sneaky Plays that Will Make You Look Brilliant

Fantasy football season is in full force as we approach week two of the NFL season. Whether or not you won your opening game, you certainly are looking to notch a mark in the win column after the conclusion of Monday’s Bengals vs Steelers contest.

Although flashy stars are always the focus of match ups, it is the unknown guys that often prove to be the difference in winning and losing on the fantasy gridiron.

That’s where this piece comes in, identifying the little name guys that will bust out and make themselves known this weekend.

Quarterback

Carson Palmer

He put up a nice 327 yard, 2 touchdown effort in his debut with the Cardinals a week ago. Showing an ability to get Larry Fitzgerald involved in the offense is a good sign moving forward.

Add in a Lions defense that just allowed Christian Ponder to make Jerome Simpson look good a week ago, and you have a recipe for fantasy success. Simpson had 7 catches for 140 yards last week, and he is no Larry Fitzgerald.

Another reason to expect big things from Palmer is this game figures to be a shootout. The Lions love to throw the ball, and Megatron and co. will put up a good deal of points this week. This means that the Cardinals and Palmer will be throwing if they want to keep pace with their opponents.

Start Palmer and reap the rewards.

Running Back

Maurice Jones-Drew

MJD is stuck in a horrible offense. He is literally the only threat this team has with Blaine Gabbert under center. Last week with the defense keying in on Mojo, Gabbert took until the fourth quarter to get his team over the 50 yard line.

Good news for owners of MJD heading into week two. Gabbert is out for the game, and Chad Henne showed an ability to stretch the defense when under center in 2012.

Add in a Raiders’ defense that is anything but stellar, and MJD should bounce back with a nice fantasy day. Don’t lose faith, they won’t be behind big enough for the Jags to abandon the run in this one. Oakland is their only early competition for the number one overall draft pick.

Wide Receiver

Marlon Brown

There is risk in starting an undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver, just ask Kenbrell Thompkins owners, but with Jacoby Jones out with an injury there is not really anyone else to compliment Torrey Smith at receiver for the Ravens.

A solid debut performance calls for an encore from Brown, who had four catches for 65 yards and a score in his first NFL game. With Joe Haden sure to shadow Smith all night, Joe Flacco might just have to look elsewhere to move the ball downfield. That is where Brown steps into the picture.

He should easily match last weeks performance. Not bad for a guy owned in just 4 percent of fantasy leagues on ESPN.

Tight End

Jordan Cameron

Is he really a sleeper after his huge week 1? With the huge number of young tight ends, he may very well be available on your waiver wire (he is currently owned in just 73 percent of ESPN leagues.)

With Josh Gordon still serving his suspension, there really is no one else for Brandon Weeden to throw to against the Ravens this week.

Cameron put up 9 catches for 107 and a touchdown against the Dolphins a week ago, and looked to be the only playmaker on the field when the team looked to throw the ball.

Athletic and big, the former basketball player should continue to develop into the Antonio Gates mold with a solid day against the reigning Super Bowl champs.

Defense

Jacksonville Jaguars

Two Jaguars on the list, is he crazy? Is this guy forgetting the 28-2 drubbing they took from Kansas City at home a week ago? No, I haven’t.

This is not as bad of a defense as it often looks, the offensive troubles are a huge factor in the point totals allowed by this unit.

Enter the Raiders, a team perhaps as bad as Jacksonville. They won’t be blown out today, and Terrelle Pryor has a habit of turning the ball over, as shown by his two interceptions on opening weekend. The Jaguars should be able to take advantage of this, and remain in the game.

If their offense can stay on the field and put up a few points, they not only have a chance to put up a nice fantasy day for your team, but they might even leave Oakland with a win of their own.

Kicker

Alex Henery

Kickers are a crap shoot. Don’t get me wrong. But when an offense looks as prolific as the Eagles did in the first half against the Redskins, their kicker stands to put up some points.

San Diego struggled against the Texans last week, and now with a short week of practice heading into this one, might not be prepared for the pace of the Eagles offense. If Philadelphia can get it going early, Henery will have a nice little fantasy day.

Charlie Gille

Senior Sports Editor

The Guardian Express