Matthew Berry’s Love/Hate for Week 2 with a go to from Iron Man

“I am in.”

“However,” he stated, laughing, “I have never even requested the query but.”

“OK certain,” I stated. “Ask your query. But it surely does not matter what it’s,” I instructed him. “I am in.”

As a result of, you see, when Joe Russo asks me to do one thing, the reply is all the time sure.

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I’ve written about Joe earlier than. He, alongside together with his brother Anthony, has produced and directed many films and TV exhibits you’ve loved over time. However the Russo Brothers are best-known for quite a lot of superhero films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Captain America: Civil Conflict,” “Avengers: Infinity Conflict” and the highest-grossing film of all time, “Avengers: Endgame.”

Superheroes have been an enormous a part of Joe’s life for quite a lot of years. And, if you happen to learn my preseason Love/Hate or have caught any of Joe’s appearances on Fantasy Soccer Now or the Fantasy Focus 06010 podcast, you understand fantasy soccer has been as properly. He has performed for greater than 20 years and is in 4 leagues this 12 months.

And now he was on the telephone with me, speaking a couple of fifth. He had an concept.

Properly, it wasn’t precisely his concept. He was simply including on to Guillermo Lozano’s concept. Guillermo has labored for years with Chris Evans, and he’s additionally the commissioner of Bloodsport, the fantasy league that counts Evans, Joe Russo and quite a lot of different celebrities amongst its ranks, together with a number of the actors from “Avengers: Endgame.”

Since that league has began to get some publicity, Guillermo has been besieged by his well-known associates wanting in that league. (I am not well-known, after all, however I’ve additionally been on the waitlist for 2 years now).

The problem with the Bloodsport league, Guillermo has defined to me previously, is that nobody desires to go away it. So Guillermo, who by no means likes disappointing individuals, has to say no much more than he would love.

Fortunately, Guillermo had a easy resolution: What if there have been one other celeb league?

However, he did not need this to be “simply one other league.” Even when it had insanely well-known individuals in it.

There are a good variety of celeb leagues on the market (with, ahem, numerous ranges of celeb, however nonetheless; they’re on the market). Hell, we do one for the Fantasy Focus 06010 podcast with some actually huge names, and I like that league. Guillermo, figuring out all this, questioned what else might be accomplished with this new league.

2 Associated

Properly, anytime you’ve an concept and try to determine find out how to make it greater, extra entertaining, extra attention-grabbing, extra … something, you name Joe Russo. Which is what Guillermo did, and now Joe is telling me what the 2 of them got here up with.

“It is a fantasy league, after all, however with a twist,” Joe explains. To be within the league, it’s a must to have appeared in a superhero film. The theme of superheroes means a fantastic deal to Joe, clearly. Not simply due to the success his films have had on his profession however extra due to what they characterize. Combating for many who cannot. Sacrificing private wants for the better good. Representing one of the best in us, of what we aspire and hope to be. Displaying that the unimaginable can, the truth is, be attainable.

Briefly, making the world a greater, kinder, safer place.

And people aren’t simply phrases to Joe. He and his brother Anthony personal AGBO Studios, a TV and movie studio. Joe tells me that AGBO is placing up $100,000 for charity and that the celeb “Superhero” actors within the league are taking part in for his or her favourite trigger. Doing in actual life what they do on the large display screen — utilizing their powers to make the world a greater place.

And doing all of it whereas taking part in fantasy soccer. What might be higher than that?

As we continued speaking, Joe instructed me how fantasy soccer trash speak was rampant on the set of “Infinity Conflict” and “Endgame.” That these within the league Guillermo ran would continuously run their mouths, and that those who weren’t included actually wished in on the enjoyable.

The unique concept for the league was a easy 10-team league. However as Joe began sending out feelers, there have been so many “superheroes” who instantly stated sure that we needed to make it a 14-team league.

Superb, proper? I instructed you. It is not simply me. Everybody agrees. When Joe Russo calls, you say sure.

We bought hard-core gamers and those that had by no means tried it earlier than however had been excited to see what all of the enjoyable was about and lift cash and consciousness for some nice causes.

Joe and Anthony introduced the league on their Instagram web page (@TheRussoBrothers), and Anthony (not within the league) drew the draft order out of a hat. And as anybody who watched that video already is aware of, the listing of individuals on this league is simply pure madness.

So with out additional ado, here is who’s within the league, the charity they play for and their first-round decide, in draft order. As a result of I do know not everybody who reads this column is a superhero film fan, I’ve included the position every performs.

1. Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch). Elizabeth is taking part in for The Rape Basis, and she or he did not overthink it, taking consensus No. 1 Saquon Barkley.

2. Karen Gillan (Nebula). Karen is taking part in for Mickey’s Line in Inverness, Scotland. She went with Ezekiel Elliott.

three. Anthony Mackie (Falcon). Anthony is taking part in for Stem NOLA, however he did not let his NOLA roots hold him from taking Christian McCaffrey.

four Chris Pratt (Star-Lord). Chris is taking part in for The Mind Remedy Basis. He took Alvin Kamara, whom Mackie handed on.

5. Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool). Ryan is taking part in for SickKids Basis of Canada. He took David Johnson.

6. Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger). Michael is taking part in for My Brother’s Keeper, and he took the primary extensive receiver off the board, DeAndre Hopkins.

7. Miles Teller (Mr. Incredible). Miles is taking part in for NAMI. He additionally went extensive receiver, taking Michael Thomas.

eight. Chris Evans (Captain America). Chris is taking part in for Christopher’s Haven in Boston, and he picked Le’Veon Bell.

9. Tom Holland (Spider-Man). Tom is taking part in for The Brothers Belief. He took James Conner.

10. Chris Hemsworth (Thor). Chris is taking part in for The Australian Childhood Basis. He went with JuJu Smith-Schuster.

11. Paul Rudd (Ant-Man). Paul is taking part in for Huge Slick, Youngsters’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas Metropolis. His decide, appropriately, was Patrick Mahomes.

12. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man). Robert is taking part in for Man Aquino’s Sacred Hearts intervention, counseling and remedy providers for dependancy. He picked Todd Gurley II.

Now I do know what you’re considering. That is solely 12 names. The place are the opposite two? Properly, that is the place Joe could be very intelligent. You see, the rule is not that it’s a must to have performed a superhero. No, you simply must have been in a superhero film.

So, very like most of my profession, I handle to sneak in underneath the wire, this time due to my “Endgame” cameo. I picked 13th, and I’m taking part in for The Jimmy V Basis for most cancers analysis. I took Dalvin Cook dinner.

On set with Joe Russo as we tape an announcement of the AGBO Superhero Fantasy Soccer League. Courtesy of Sophia Russo

And, after all, Joe Russo must be in it. For many who have seen “Endgame,” Joe performs the grieving man within the group remedy session that Steve Rogers (i.e., Captain America) is working, discussing a date he had and the way he’s dealing with the occasions of Infinity Conflict. Should you did not understand that was Joe, it is comprehensible. He was listed as Gozie Agbo, which is the alias he makes use of anytime he does a cameo. And, after all, that pseudonym is the place Joe bought the inspiration for the identify AGBO Studios.

Joe picked 14th and is taking part in for The Arthritis Basis. He picked Julio Jones.

So, it is all for a bunch of nice causes and I hope you will take a while, examine them out and assist if you happen to can.

Being that it is a 14-team league that’s totally for enjoyable and charity, and that we’ve a couple of new gamers, we wished to stage the taking part in subject a bit. So PPR scoring however the beginning lineups are a bit of funky: QB, RB, WR, 2 FLEX (RB/WR/TE), Ok, D/ST and 5 bench. So a hybrid between a brilliant flex and a regular league the place you are not going too deep.

You’ll examine in on the league on ESPN.com to see how we’re doing all through the season. As well as, we will likely be offering updates from the league (together with a lot of superhero trash speak movies) all year long on The Fantasy Present on ESPN+, Fantasy Soccer Now and numerous different platforms at ESPN, together with our digital and social platforms. Actually, if you would like to see the primary video of the 12 months that includes Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, Karen Gillan, Joe Russo and myself, head over to the ESPN YouTube channel to test it out.

Me? I bought off to a tricky begin as Paul Rudd rode Patrick Mahomes, Mark Ingram II and Evan Engram to a win over my Carson Wentz, Dalvin Cook dinner and Odell Beckham Jr. trio, no due to my Matt Bryant and the Philadelphia D who mixed for one, rely ’em, one level. Brandin Cooks did nothing for me both, whereas Rudd bought 15 factors from his D/ST and Ok and that was that. For the file, Rudd is a longtime, hard-core and excellent fantasy participant.

How did I really feel about dropping in Week 1? … No matter! I am taking part in Paul Rudd! For charity! That is superior in and of itself! The remainder does not matter.

And that is what I’d say to anybody who misplaced in Week 1. Anybody who drafted Lamar Miller, Hunter Henry, Tyreek Hill, Derrius Guice or anybody else who would possibly miss a big period of time. What I’d say to anybody who began the flawed participant. Who’s sweating their Todd Gurley choice. Who desires to criticize the league format or any strikes made on this league.

Fantasy soccer is for enjoyable. And increasingly more leagues help a charity. Attempt to use fantasy soccer to do some good on this planet and have a blast doing it. That must be the objective with each league. As a result of it definitely is with this one.

Let’s get to it.

As all the time, this isn’t a start-or-sit column. I do not “love” or “hate” gamers. I do, nonetheless, “love” or “hate” their ESPN projection for PPR leagues. So that is what that is. Gamers who’re “loves” are gamers I consider will usually meet or exceed their ESPN projections. “Hates” are gamers I consider will fall in need of their ESPN projections. That straightforward. For particular “this participant or that participant” questions, please seek the advice of my rankings, that are continuously up to date all through Sunday at kickoff. You can also watch The Fantasy Present on ESPN+, which expanded to 4 episodes per week this 12 months, and naturally Fantasy Soccer Now, each Sunday morning on ESPN2. Thanks as all the time to “Thirsty” Kyle Soppe of the 06010 podcast and the Stat-a-pillar from The Fantasy Present on ESPN+, Damian Dabrowski, for his or her assist at numerous factors on this column. And an extra-special thanks to Guillermo Lozano and to Joe Russo (and everybody at AGBO, together with Josh Williams and Sophia Russo) for all their assist in setting this up in an extremely quick period of time. So pumped for this league.

Excelsior!

Quarterbacks I like in Week 2

If Lamar Jackson can mild up the Dolphins secondary, simply consider the probabilities for Tom Brady and his spectacular supporting solid. Ryan Kang by way of AP Photograph

Tom Brady, New England Patriots, at Dolphins (ESPN projection: 19.9): He was on my preseason “Hate” listing. However that was earlier than he bought Josh Gordon again. And now he is getting Antonio Brown. Final week was Brady’s first recreation with 4 deep completions and a number of deep touchdowns since Week three of 2017. And he’ll hold it going in opposition to a Dolphins protection that simply allowed 5 TD passes on 20 makes an attempt to a QB (Lamar Jackson) who threw 5 in 158 makes an attempt as a starter in 2018. In Brady’s previous three journeys to Miami he has averaged 20.5 PPG and he has posted a top-three end on the place twice.

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens, vs. Cardinals (ESPN projection: 19.9): Off a monster week, he has one other nice matchup in dealing with Arizona. The Cardinals have a depleted secondary, which they attempt to masks by blitzing. (Final 12 months, the Playing cards blitzed on the highest fee within the NFL, and final week they blitzed at a 47.9% fee, fourth highest within the NFL.) Properly, when Miami blitzed Jackson final week, all he did was go 9-for-10 for 137 yards and 4 touchdowns. Jackson will not be this good all 12 months lengthy, however he’ll definitely seem like it once more on Sunday.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, vs. Eagles (ESPN projection: 19.three): I do know, he regarded brutal final week. However again at house the place he has 5 straight video games with a number of landing passes, I anticipate a giant week for Ryan. The Eagles’ secondary definitely regarded beatable final week as (checks notes) Case Keenum threw for (checks notes once more) 380 yards in opposition to them. You may’t see it, however I simply did a double take. In a recreation with certainly one of Week 2’s highest over/unders, I like Ryan, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley to at the very least match what Keenum, Terry McLaurin and Paul Richardson did.

Others receiving votes: Again at house the place he was one of the best QB in fantasy final season (200.5 factors in eight house video games), I used to be stunned to see Jared Goff ranked properly exterior the highest 10 this week. In a recreation with an over/underneath of 53 (53!) in opposition to a Saints crew that’s 29th in opposition to the cross because the begin of 2018, I like Goff to have a giant recreation. … We all know Josh Allen can run (5 dashing TDs in his previous 5 video games), however final week we noticed some actual progress. He accomplished 64.9% of throws (third better of his profession) and had a career-high 254 passing yards. Now he will get a Giants protection that regarded utterly overmatched and may’t generate a cross rush, permitting for loads of time for Allen to search out John Brown deep. … You recognize who regarded good final week? Derek Carr (geese). No, severely he did and definitely, for these in deeper leagues, you could possibly do worse than Carr at house in opposition to a Chiefs protection that allowed Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew to maneuver the ball simply. Given the potential that Ok.C. simply pours it on (the over/underneath is 53 with the Chiefs a 9.5-point favourite as of this writing), I like Carr in a deep, 2-QB league kind of method.

Quarterbacks I hate in Week 2

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, vs. Chargers (ESPN projection: 15.5): It is one factor to have an enormous recreation whenever you’re taking part in in opposition to a depleted secondary like Arizona’s for 5 quarters. It is one other in opposition to a Chargers unit that may get after the quarterback. They had been above common in opponent completion share and seventh greatest by way of landing share on throws of 10-plus air yards final season, and so they held Jacoby Brissett under 200 yards passing in Week 1. Because the begin of final season, the Bolts have allowed a league-low two 20-point performances by a QB.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, at Packers (ESPN projection: 16.1): Look, I am not anticipating solely 10 makes an attempt once more, however with a very good Vikings protection that limits the necessity for shootouts and a powerful working recreation, Cousins has now been held to 215 or fewer passing yards in 5 of his previous six video games. On the street in opposition to an underrated Packers protection that held Mitchell Trubisky with out a landing cross final week regardless of 45 makes an attempt, I am taking the underneath on 16.1 for Cousins.

Aaron Rodgers, Inexperienced Bay Packers, vs. Vikings (ESPN projection: 17.zero): The Vikings are all the time a tricky matchup for Rodgers. He has been held under 20 factors in eight of his previous 9 video games in opposition to the Vikings and has thrown for zero or one landing in 4 of his previous 5 wholesome video games in opposition to them. After making Matt Ryan seem like a misplaced rookie final Sunday, the Vikes come to Inexperienced Bay to play a Rodgers-led offense that regarded very very like an out-of-sync work in progress in opposition to Chicago. An over/underneath of 44.5 (one of many lowest on Week 2’s slate of video games) makes me suppose that is extra slugfest than shootout, so I am taking the underneath on 17.

Working backs I like in Week 2

Even when Todd Gurley’s workload continues to be managed, he ought to nonetheless have loads of success in a candy matchup with the Saints. AP Photograph/Brian Blanco

Todd Gurley II, Los Angeles Rams, vs. Saints (ESPN projection: 13.eight): Arghh! What? (later) Arghh! Once more?! After being assured there was no “pitch rely” for Gurley, fantasy managers watched in horror as Malcolm Brown scored twice. However look nearer. Gurley out-snapped Brown 51-19, and all of Brown’s touches got here on three drives (certainly one of which began on the Carolina 10-yard line). My perception is that Brown was set to get a particular variety of drives and that it was simply good luck (or unhealthy, relying in your viewpoint) that Brown was in after they scored. I’ve Brown on each crew I’ve Gurley, however I am not panicking. Give me the over right here in what must be certainly one of Week 2’s highest-scoring video games in opposition to a Saints crew that gave up the third-most dashing yards in Week 1 and the second-highest yards per carry to Duke Johnson Jr. and the ghost of Carlos Hyde.

Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks, at Steelers (ESPN projection: 15.2): If Josh Jacobs wasn’t my experience or die, this man would have been. He ranked considerably larger than the consensus all preseason for me, and the explanations had been apparent in Week 1. He is a strong runner in a run-heavy offense behind a very good offensive line, and he was used rather more within the passing recreation than of us thought. Out-snapping Rashaad Penny 39-12, Carson bought all of Seattle’s purple zone dashing makes an attempt, led the Seahawks in targets and receptions final week and now will get a Steelers crew that allowed 10 RB receptions final week.

Josh Jacobs, Oakland Raiders, vs. Chiefs (ESPN projection: 17.zero): My fantasy experience or die, Jacobs turned the primary participant since LaDainian Tomlinson (2001) to complete 100 scrimmage yards and run for a number of scores in an NFL debut, so yeah, to date it is figuring out simply nice. The Chiefs allowed the second-most yards per carry final season (four.97) and by permitting the Jags to common 5.06 yards per carry in Week 1, I might say it is nonetheless an space of concern for them. This must be a high-scoring recreation and Oakland must hold Patrick Mahomes off the sector. Their greatest guess to try this is with Jacobs, who gained yardage on 87% of his Week 1 carries, the fifth-highest fee amongst backs with at the very least 15 carries.

Sony Michel, New England Patriots, at Dolphins (ESPN projection: 12.9): I am in on Sony this week after a brutal Week 1, during which a number of Patriots not named Sony regarded superior. He nonetheless bought work (15 carries, greater than James White and Rex Burkhead mixed) and in opposition to a Dolphins crew that simply coughed up 265 dashing yards, I anticipate the Patriots to not solely be up huge right here however get their floor recreation going once more (keep in mind, they had been fifth in dashing share final season). And which means a number of Sony Michel.

Others receiving votes: After being on the sector for 74.6% of the Chargers’ offensive performs final week, anticipate one other heavy dose of Austin Ekeler in a recreation during which the Chargers will not have Hunter Henry and, as of this writing, are unlikely to have Mike Williams. Which means the passes will go to Keenan Allen and Ekeler, who’s averaging 19.6 fantasy factors per recreation when he will get 10-plus touches. … I believed Devin Singletary regarded good final week. I believed the Giants regarded terrible final week. I used to be inspired by Singletary’s 43 snaps (in comparison with 20 for Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon mixed) and his shocking utilization within the passing recreation. … Dying, taxes and also you begin pass-catching working backs in opposition to the Falcons. I do know final week wasn’t nice, however you could possibly do worse at your flex this week than Miles Sanders, whom I prefer to beat his projection of 9.5. … Given what must be the high-scoring nature of Chiefs-Raiders, I am again on Damien Williams this week, as he now has at the very least 5 catches in 5 of his previous six video games relationship to final season (together with playoffs). … Digging a bit of deeper, the Redskins will not be utilizing Adrian Peterson within the passing recreation, particularly in the event that they fall behind Dallas, and Chris Thompson led the crew with seven catches and 10 targets final week. Because the starting of final season, the Cowboys enable the second-highest completion share to opposing RBs. … Should you’re determined, I may see Raheem Mostert being helpful in a very good matchup in opposition to the Bengals, as I do not anticipate Matt Breida to deal with the complete workload. Mostert regarded good in restricted work final week, averaging three.56 yards per carry after first contact.

Working backs I hate in Week 2

Philip Lindsay, Denver Broncos, vs. Bears (ESPN projection: 12.7): Can we simply level out he is taking part in the Bears and name it a day? Final week, solely the Ravens and the Bears allowed lower than 1.1 yards earlier than and after first contact and, in contrast to final 12 months, it is a true RBBC (31 snaps for Lindsay in Week 1, 27 for Royce Freeman). If Chicago may shut down Aaron Jones with the specter of Aaron Rodgers, I am fairly certain stopping Lindsay and Freeman with the specter of Joe Flacco must be no problem.

Aaron Jones, Inexperienced Bay Packers, vs. Vikings (ESPN projection: 14.three): Because the flag-waving founding father of the #FreeAaronJones motion, I want somebody in energy in Inexperienced Bay would hearken to me. However till they do, weeks like this one occur, the place I would like the underneath on Jones’ projection. Jones has slowed down since his sizzling begin final season, averaging simply three.74 yards per carry over his previous six video games. And now he faces a Vikings run protection that, because the begin of final season, is permitting the third-fewest yards per carry after first contact and simply held the Falcons working backs to under 50 yards dashing … complete.

Adrian Peterson, Washington Redskins, vs. Cowboys (ESPN projection: 10.9): As a Redskins fan annoyed by final week’s loss, I hope I am flawed about this. It does really feel like each time you guess in opposition to Peterson he makes you look foolish. I’d like it if it is the case this week, however with the Redskins as four.5-point underdogs at house, Peterson will not be concerned within the passing recreation ought to the Skins fall behind. It is nonetheless a brutal offensive line for Washington and because the begin of final season, the Cowboys are the seventh-best run protection within the NFL. He’ll beat this projection if he scores a landing, and he definitely has an opportunity to try this, however … how fortunate do you are feeling?

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears, at Broncos (ESPN projection: 10.1): Even with Tarik Cohen turning right into a slot receiver in Week 1, Montgomery performed simply 23 snaps to Mike Davis’ 38. If Mitchell Trubisky performs like he did final Thursday night time, nothing I write right here will matter. However even when he is higher, former Bears defensive coordinator and present Broncos head coach Vic Fangio will doubtless know find out how to cease the offense he noticed day by day in follow final 12 months. At 40.5 factors, this recreation is projected to be the lowest-scoring recreation in Week 2, so till we see extra utilization from Montgomery (and extra life from the Bears’ offense as an entire), he is too dangerous for me in per week with no groups on a bye.

Go-catchers I like in Week 2

Tyler Lockett has a knack for large performs already, and now he is set to face a secondary that struggles in opposition to slot receivers. Abbie Parr/Getty Photos

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks, at Steelers (ESPN projection: 12.1): Happiness is having a slot receiver in opposition to the Steelers. Pittsburgh has been unhealthy in opposition to the slot for so long as I can keep in mind, and that features final Sunday night time when New England rinsed them to the tune of 11 receptions for 224 yards and three TDs out of the slot. Again at house, I anticipate the Steelers to bounce again in a giant method, which implies Russell Wilson must throw. Loads. And when he does, will probably be to Lockett within the slot in opposition to a Pittsburgh squad that allowed a league-high 158 slot receptions final season.

Sammy Watkins, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, at Raiders (ESPN projection: 15.7): Now the No. 1 wideout on one of the best offense in soccer, when Watkins will get work, he rocks. In Sammy’s previous 16 video games during which he is gotten at the very least seven targets, he has scored 318.6 fantasy factors (which might have been WR6 in 2018, simply forward of Michael Thomas). Because the starting of final season, Oakland has allowed a landing cross on 9.6% of deep makes an attempt (seventh highest), and the Raiders bought burned on deep passes final week by each Courtland Sutton and Emmanuel Sanders.

Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams, vs. Saints (ESPN projection: 14.four): Hashtag revenge recreation for the previous Saints wideout, however most significantly, as we noticed with Deshaun Watson throwing throughout them final week, you’ll be able to beat New Orleans deep. Because the starting of final season, opponents have accomplished a league-high 68 deep passes on a league-high 52.three% completion fee on deep passes in opposition to the Saints. Cooks … look ahead to it … cooks at house, the place he was the third-best receiver in soccer final season. After a quiet Week 1, anticipate Brandin to have a giant recreation on Sunday in a high-scoring affair.

Julian Edelman, New England Patriots, at Dolphins (ESPN projection: 13.three): Go-catching working backs in opposition to the Falcons and the Colts. Slot receivers in opposition to the Steelers. Julian Edelman in opposition to the Dolphins. There are just a few guidelines in sports activities and that is certainly one of them. Edelman has greater than 75 yards in seven straight video games in opposition to the Fins, averaging 24.three fantasy factors in these video games. All eyes will likely be on Antonio Brown on this one, however Edelman is the one I really feel most assured in to beat his projection.

Darren Waller, Oakland Raiders, vs. Chiefs (ESPN projection: 10.7): Waller the baller ought to have already been in your roster if you happen to had paid any consideration to me within the preseason. However no matter whether or not you had him already or simply picked him up, it does not matter. Waller performed each snap for the Raiders in Week 1 and in a recreation the place Oakland must throw to maintain up with Patrick Mahomes and crew, Waller ought to see near double-digit targets from a quarterback who threw the fourth-most passes to tight ends final season.

Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers, vs. Seahawks (ESPN projection: 9.zero): Again at house in opposition to a Seahawks protection that simply bought shredded by Andy Dalton and now has to journey east for a 1 p.m. native begin, gimme some Vance McDonald. After being a preseason favourite of mine, I am not bailing after a tricky Week 1. Particularly in opposition to a Seattle protection that simply gave up 9 receptions for 93 yards mixed to C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Eifert final week.

Others receiving votes: Together with the playoffs, Michael Gallup now has a landing or at the very least seven targets in six of his previous seven video games (and a 19.6% goal share). … Calvin Ridley has now scored in three straight video games and has 11 touchdowns in his previous 16 video games. In a projected shootout with a nasty Eagles secondary on the turf in Atlanta, I like his probabilities to make it 12 previously 17. … Some issues from final week are flukes, however John Brown’s 32% goal share, Josh Allen’s love of chucking it deep and a nasty Giants secondary that was burned for six deep receptions and three deep touchdowns in opposition to Dallas aren’t amongst them. … Tyrell Williams will get quantity in a high-scoring recreation. For his profession, when Williams will get at the very least seven targets (like he did on Monday night time), he averages 13.6 factors per recreation. … Terry McLaurin performed 84.5% of snaps final week and got here thisclose to having a two-touchdown recreation. … I like Greg Olsen (or, if he cannot go, Ian Thomas) within the Thursday night time recreation in a plus matchup in opposition to the Buccaneers, who’re touring on a brief week. … It is nonetheless type of a three-headed monster in Baltimore on the tight finish place, however definitely for this week, Mark Andrews could be very viable in opposition to the Cardinals, who simply bought lit up by T.J. Hockenson.

Go-catchers I hate in Week 2

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Robby Anderson, New York Jets, vs. Browns (ESPN projection: 9.5): An anticipated shadow from Denzel Ward does not assist, nor does the dink-and-dunk nature of what the Jets ran final week. Sam Darnold’s air yards per goal in Week 1 was simply 5.37 (NFL common in Week 1 was eight.01), and it is onerous to think about the Jets’ offense will likely be extra wide-open with Trevor Siemian underneath heart. And Robby wants the deep ball. Because the starting of final season, he is averaging simply 5.three PPG when does not file a 25-plus-yard catch.

Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions, vs. Chargers (ESPN projection: 12.four): Golladay is super-talented, however I consider final week was a little bit of a fluke for the Lions’ offense, as I anticipate them to be rather more run-heavy than they had been of their Week 1 additional time recreation in opposition to a depleted secondary. Golladay will likely be nice, however I am taking the underneath right here, as it is a robust matchup (the Chargers had been ninth greatest in opponent deep TD% final season). So whereas a deep landing is all the time attainable, quantity is unlikely with how a lot work Danny Amendola and T.J. Hockenson bought final week. It is an unsightly week for pass-catcher hates, so as a result of I’ve to select somebody, I decide Golladay. However I do not actually “hate” him. Extra like lukewarm on him.

Emmanuel Sanders (ESPN projection: 10.6) and Courtland Sutton (11.three), Denver Broncos, vs. Bears: Each guys regarded nice final week, however that was in opposition to Oakland. That is in opposition to Chicago, the place because the starting of final season, the Bears have allowed the sixth-fewest yards per catch after the reception. Gimme the underneath on each of those guys in a low-scoring recreation.

Jimmy Graham, Inexperienced Bay Packers, vs. Vikings (eight.2): Similar to I have been telling you to not panic on gradual starters from final week, so too am I asking you to not purchase into Graham’s box-out, jump-ball landing catch. What’s almost definitely to occur? Graham hasn’t caught greater than three balls in eight of his previous 9 video games and the Vikings have not allowed a good finish to achieve double-figure fantasy factors whereas catching three or fewer passes since Week 5 of 2017.

Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts, at Titans (ESPN projection: 7.zero): I imply, after I say pass-catcher is ugly for me this week (in different phrases, I like a number of the pass-catcher choices), I imply it. Am I actually taking the underneath on seven factors right here? Rattling proper, I’m. Along with dropping a landing final Sunday, Ebron was out-snapped 42-25 by Jack Doyle. And because the begin of final season, the Titans have allowed simply two tight finish touchdowns. This can be a robust street matchup for the Colts and I anticipate a low-scoring recreation.

Matthew Berry — the Gifted Mr. Roto — performs Tom Holland this week within the AGBO Superhero league. So assist me, if I do not beat Spider-Man.