Week 1 was quite a doozy, wasn't it? Well, sort of. My condolences go out to Keenan Allen and his owners. Be smart, be savvy, attack desperate owners and do not drop a stud who underperformed in Week 1. We are gathered here today to take a look at my rankings for Week 2 and look at how they stack up against the Expert Consensus, commenting on any standouts or points of contention.

Last week went pretty darn well if I do say so myself, so let's just get down to business (to defeat the Huns).

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Week 2 Quarterbacks - Rankings Analysis

The quarterback situation is pretty chalky at the top, especially with Eli Manning opening at home against a horrible Saints defense that is down its top corner now. What we need is to show more love for Joe Flacco, who should be ranked a low-end QB1 instead of a mid-range QB2. He gets to hit the road to take on a Cleveland defense that just made Carson Wentz look like a stud muffin.

While you may believe that Wentz is deservedly a stud, the point remains that Cleveland's D is a real letdown and their playing at home isn't going to make them any better. Baltimore still can't run the ball, and Flacco should get a chance to diddy-bop with Mike Wallace, Steve Smith, Kamar Aiken and Justin Forsett catching balls left and right.

For what it's worth, Trevor Siemian actually makes a healthy QB2 against a horribly disparaged Indianapolis defense that you, me and some folks from the local pub could potentially complete a few passes against.

 

Week 2 Running Backs - Rankings Analysis

Everyone is really hyped about David Johnson, and that's cool, I respect it. But he's not the #1 RB this week. Tampa Bay's defense was good against the run last season, and it only improved as a unit heading into 2016.

Yes, they just lost edge rusher Jacquies Smith, but they're still very stout. Johnson is extremely talented, but the Bucs even have an amazing outside linebacker named Lavonte David who is damn good in coverage against those flat routes. No one is benching Johnson and I'd never call for it, but #1 he is not.

Consensus standard rankings have Ryan Mathews at #15 and Rashad Jennings at #18. Way too low. I have Mathews at #9 and Jennings at #11. Mathews gets to feast on a porous Chicago defense that is still trying to establish an identity, while Jennings will be involved in the aforementioned Giants home matchup against the Saints. It won't be all Eli.

The Todd Gurley blowback from a disappointing Week 1 is all too real, and yet this home matchup against Seattle's stifling defense shouldn't even have him in the RB1 conversation. Not with the nice mid-range RB matchups that I just mentioned.

 

Week 2 Wide Receivers - Rankings Analysis

The first standout here is I have Jordy Nelson as a top-8 WR against a consensus ranking of #12. Not huge, but that's fairly notable so high up in the rankings. The Packers will take on the Vikings in a gritty divisional matchup, and while Minnesota's defense scored two TDs last week, they're still exploitable and will likely be without top DB Xavier Rhodes again. Fire up your Jordy's.

I'm pretty much swapping him with Amari Cooper, who projects to work primarily against a great corner in Atlanta's Desmond Trufant. Yes, Tampa Bay threw for four TDs against Atlanta in Week 1, but Trufant has a great track record and Mike Evans' TD came when they moved him into the slot on the left side -- away from Trufant. It's not life-altering stuff here, but it's enough for me to bump Coop down a tick.

Yet another ripple effect of New Orleans' terrible defense is Sterling Shepard getting a +6 bump from me. He's already caught his first TD, and it's clear that he has a role in this offense. Why not Sterling? Victor Cruz also gets a +7 bump. Do not underestimate the horror when the Saints go marching in.

 

Week 2 Tight Ends - Rankings Analysis

Well, obviously one has to really stay on top of the Rob Gronkowski news. It not only affects him, but Martellus Bennett as well. New England has a solid matchup against Miami's subpar defense (despite their solid showing against Seattle), but health trumps opportunity of course.

Everyone is crazy down on Coby Fleener after he ghosted in Week 1's shootout against the Raiders, which is fair...but ill-advised against a Giants team that hasn't been able to cover a tight end since the Paleolithic Era. Jason Witten just caught nine balls for 66 yards against them. The thing is, the Giants are pretty good on the perimeter with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins. Dez Bryant stinking in Week 1 wasn't just because it was Dak Prescott under center. If the Saints are smart, they'll exploit the Giants over the middle against their questionable linebacking corps.

Clive Walford is buried at the tail-end of the TE2s until he proves me wrong. He was a non-factor in the cushiest matchup against New Orleans when Oakland put up nearly 40 points, so I'd rather shoot for upside with others first.

 

Week 2 Kickers - Rankings Analysis

It's a kicker. Just target points totals and you'll probably be fine. Yeah, I'm probably going to be snarky with the kicking section all season long. Why is Chandler Catanzaro #3? I have him at #12, Tampa's defense was covered a bit and Arizona (specifically Catanzaro) did not looked particularly sharp. Let Larry Fitzgerald kick and then we'll talk.

The Giants get kicker Josh Brown back, and he should be a lot higher than #12 considering he's good at kicking, is at home, and as we've drilled into you, faces the Saints. I also have Brandon McManus right above him at #6, since he gets to kick at home in that mile-high air against Indy's banged-up defense.

 

Week 2 Defenses - Rankings Analysis

I think the Broncos and the Cardinals are both a few slots too high. Denver still has to tangle with a Colts offense that can move the ball if given enough opportunities, even if it all comes in the second half, while Arizona goes against an emerging QB1 in Jameis Winston. It's not that they can't turn in good performances, but their likelihood of doing so isn't as high as most seem to be banking on.

The Eagles should also get a bump up, as they get to pick on a Bears offense that looked pretty disheveled for much of their Week 1 matchup against Houston. Admittedly that's a tough draw, but Philadelphia did just tally three sacks and generate two turnovers against a vulnerable Cleveland offense. They can make things happen. They also have one of the best return men in the game in Darren Sproles if your league counts that.

 

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