Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Where was Big Ben on Thursday night? Was he even playing? Sadly he was and if you ventured to start Roethlisberger against the Baltimore Ravens, it was a mistake fantasy owners have been regretting all weekend long. What Roethlisberger had brought to the table was a whole bag of nothing, finishing the night with zero touchdowns, an interception and 217 passing yards.
Averaging only 5.9 yards per pass, and enduring a couple of sacks, Roethlisberger and the Steelers were an utter mess, and if Big Ben was your starting quarterback, you were the recipient of a disappointing 4.68 fantasy points in Week 2. Roethlisberger faces another menacing matchup against Carolina next week.
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons
If you started Ryan on the assumption he would reward fantasy points galore like he did in Week 1, you got cheated by him this week. In an incredibly disappointing Week 2 performance, Ryan coughed up three interceptions, had just one touchdown and passed for 231 yards. These aren’t exactly the fantasy numbers owners of Ryan were expecting in a 10-24 loss in Cincinnati.
After winning his Week 1 NFC Offensive Player of the Week performance, Ryan was offensive in a whole different light as he caved under pressure, threw careless interceptions and took a couple of sacks. Let’s hope Week 3 brings fantasy owners much more than the 8.04 fantasy points Ryan earned in Week 2.
Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick, penalized for inappropriate language and all, was extremely underwhelming this week in what should have been a game in the bag at home against Chicago. If you started Kaepernick based off of his performance last week, you likely had some inappropriate language of your own as you watched his sloppy Sunday night performance.
Throwing a total of three picks, two of which came in the fourth quarter from Chicago’s rookie cornerback, had Kaepernick heated by the end of the evening. A lost fumble and only one touchdown with 68 rush yards completed added to Kaepernick’s disappointing Week 2 performance. Kaepernick has boom or bust potential, so plan carefully if you choose to start him in Arizona in Week 3.
A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
A lousy toe injury Green had been battling during practice this past week got the better of him in the first quarter against Atlanta, sending Green to the sidelines, catch-less and rewarding fantasy owners with a big goose egg in Week 2. Green is always a no-brainer start, so fantasy owners who were counting on Green’s generous dose of fantasy points were left high and dry this week.
While Green’s sprained toe hampered his Week 2 performance, it appears to be an injury that reportedly may only cost him the one week. If able to perform in Week 3, Green should be started with WR1 expectations, barring any setbacks with his toe.
Marques Colston, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints
Many questions surround Colston’s incredibly disappointing Week 2 performance. Did Colston get injured? Was he scratched, or sick? No. Colston was there, but quarterback Drew Brees played as if Colston was invisible. Receiving absolutely zero targets, results in absolutely zero fantasy points from a receiver who was on the field during most of the major plays.
Brees passed the ball 40 times for 237 yards and gave not one look Colston’s way. While it is unlikely fantasy owners started Colston as anything higher than a flex, receiving zero fantasy points from any player who was present during the game is extremely mind-boggling and alarming. Let’s hope Colston can get Brees’ attention as the 0-2 Saints host Minnesota in Week 3.
Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
Fantasy owners of Jeffery were waiting on pins and needles all day long Sunday to find out if the wide receiver, who has been nursing an injured hamstring would suit up for Sunday Night Football. The good news close to game time was a positive and indeed, Jeffery would play. The bad news is if you had passed up a higher-scoring wide receiver earlier in the day, for whom you were contemplating sitting Jeffery for, his lackluster performance totaling 7.80 fantasy points didn’t do a whole lot for anyone.
Cutler only had eyes for Brandon Marshall, for the most part, as he scored three of four of Cutler’s touchdown passes. Jeffery definitely didn’t look in top form and only managed 47 yards on three passes. Usually Jeffery has more to offer his fantasy owners, but this week, he was overshadowed by Marshall. Monday Night Football in Week 3 at the Jets is where you’ll next see Jeffery, who will have had more time let his hamstring heal.
Kendall Wright, Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans
If fantasy owners took their chances with Wright as a flex play in Week 2 against Dallas, that move didn’t pay off very well. With only three receptions for 31 yards and no scores against Dallas’ generous defense, Wright disappointed his owners with just 6.10 fantasy points. Quarterback Jake Locker passed for 234 yards, but the Cowboys had Wright covered adequately enough not to allow him make much of an impact in Sunday’s loss. If you take your changes with Wright again in Week 3, the Titans head to Cincinnati for their next matchup.
Toby Gerhart, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
Fantasy owners of Gerhart are quickly losing their patience for what was believed to have been a fairly solid RB2/flex draft pick. Gerhart scrounged up just eight rushing yards on seven carries and had nine receiving yards in the Jaguars’ blowout loss to the Washington Redskins. Playing from behind certainly didn’t enhance Gerhart’s performance, as the team attempted to make up points by practically abandoning the run game.
With a grand total of 3.70 fantasy points, this week and a hobbled performance in Week 1, Gerhart is a becoming a major temptation to sit, or possibly float to the waivers if you are in need of improvement in this position. We’ll see how Gerhart produces next against the Colts in Week 3, likely from the bench.
Reggie Bush, Running Back, Detroit Lions
Bush graciously offered up a whole lot of nothing in disappointing fantasy performance in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. For those who trusted starting Bush against the Panthers’ strong rush defense, of for lack of viable options, received a whopping 5.20 fantasy points.
This number likely hurt your team as Bush managed just 22 yards on six rush attempts and only had six receiving yards. Typically, Bush is a safe RB2 start, however his unfriendly matchup reduced him. As for Bush in Week 3, he faces Green Bay, who allowed just 80 ground yards to the Jets’ running backs this past week.
Chris Johnson, Running Back, New York Jets
What did Johnson have to show his fantasy owners in Week 2? A big, fat disappointing fantasy performance, that's what. Johnson managed a miserable 21 yards on 12 rushes, and that was it. Struggling from the start, Johnson had only seven rush yards at the end of the first half. That was a clear sign of how things played out the remainder of the game.
If you started Johnson thinking he would impress once again with his 5.2 yards per carry he had in Week 1, you were left with barely anything to show for starting Johnson in Week 2, who earned just 3.10 fantasy points.
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
Are owners of Charles just not completely exasperated with now two disappointing fantasy performances out of last years’ top ranked running back? Last week due to poor coaching, Charles was barely involved in the offense, and now for Week 2, he has suffered a high ankle sprain for which he departed the game in the first quarter.
Fantasy owners who started Charles would be lucky to have claimed victory in Week 2 as his 2.20 fantasy points barely even registers any relevance. With Charles’ Week 3 status versus the Miami Dolphins up in the air, fantasy owners should plan for a backup. In fact, even if Charles suits up, many people may choose to avoid him until he can earn his owners’ trust back.
Vernon Davis, Tight End, San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy owners who started Davis based on his two touchdown catches last week got thoroughly robbed in Week 2. Currently, Davis’ disappointing performance in Sunday night’s game has him the 21st ranked tight end in Week 2.
Unfortunately, Davis injured his ankle in the second half, causing his departure to the game to become permanent. With just 39 yards on three catches and zero touchdowns, Davis only had 6.90 fantasy points to reward Week 2. This is a far cry from the 20-plus points Davis kicked off the season with.
Davis’ ankle injury will need to be monitored and should he be healthy to play in Week 3, he should bounce back after an embarrassing loss at home to the Chicago Bears and become TE1 material once again.