From a fantasy lens, dozens and dozens of gamers being sidelined is already tremendously impacting the depth of your league and roster. Beginning stars is as justifiable as ever, however I’m nonetheless right here to take a flamethrower to your optimism on a weekly foundation, highlighting a handful of upcoming “busts” for the forthcoming slate of video games. Let me be clear – I like enjoyable, I desire to deal with positives and, most of all, don’t hate any of those gamers. I merely imagine they may carry out beneath their regular output.

Patriots QB Cam Newton at Chiefs (-7)

Complete: o/u 53.5 – 56% Began

Cam Newton presently stands because the QB7 in fantasy factors per sport – protected to say I’m skittish in telling you to count on a fantasy output beneath his 25-point common… but just a few factors ship me in that route. By means of three video games, it’s clear the Patriots perceive their offensive limitations, particularly because of the lack of particular person playmakers exterior of the quarterback. Cam’s common supposed air yards is 4th lowest within the NFL (6.4). To broaden, 14 of 17 completions final week towards the Raiders traveled lower than six yards downfield, together with eight behind the road of scrimmage. Solely Julian Edelman may be trusted to win downfield, so manufactured touches to working backs and receivers nearer to the road of scrimmage are probably the most dependable path to getting the ball into ability place gamers’ fingers. Cam is all the time a risk to attain two touchdowns close to the purpose line which might get rid of any “bust” label, however his passing sport ceiling appears to be nearer to Raiders/Dolphins ranges than Week 2 versus Seattle.

Additionally take into account what this Chiefs Protection restricted Lamar Jackson to on Monday evening – 97 passing yards on a workforce with way more receiving expertise. Jackson added 83 yards on the bottom to salvage his day, however L-Jax and Cam’s working kinds are drastically totally different – swiftness versus hammer. Josh McDaniels and Invoice Belichick could make any pessimism look moronic, however I’ll take into account Newton a decrease finish QB1 whereas going through the most effective cross protection he’s come throughout throughout his time with the Patriots up to now.

Prediction: 24 of 34 for 195 yards, zero TDs and a couple of INTs. 11 carries for 47 yards and 1 TD.

Bucs QB Tom Brady vs Chargers (+7)

Complete: o/u 43.5 – 38% Began

By means of three video games, Brady is the QB17 in common fantasy factors per sport regardless of making an attempt over 36 passes per contest. That isn’t Brady’s fault. Sure, the miscommunications with Mike Evans and others stood out in Week 1, however Brady has been fairly dialed in and has been let down, particularly with drops, by his supporting forged and LT Donovan Smith. Brady’s ineffectiveness when pressured is clear, dropping to 33rd in yards per try when disrupted. This has been a power of the Chargers this season. As all the time, LAC continues to cope with a mountain of accidents, particularly Derwin James and Chris Harris. On this occasion, DE Melvin Ingram and DT Justin Jones, two gamers who missed final week, are crucial to ensure that the Chargers to maintain a power sturdy. This “bust” hinges on their standing, with Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery additionally possessing the power to create havoc in a sport with a projected low-ish complete.

Prediction: 23 of 35 for 225 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT

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Falcons TE Hayden Hurst at Packers (-7.5)

Complete: o/u 57.5 – 48% Began

On paper, Hurst has stuffed in for Austin Hooper because the workforce’s prime TE. But the amount distinction is drastic when evaluating the 2. By means of three video games final season, Hooper dealt with 22 targets – examine that to Hurst’s 16, together with simply three final weekend towards the Bears. It’s much more regarding when you think about Ryan has 5 extra makes an attempt this season via three video games versus 2019. With Julio Jones out final week and Russell Gage absent for a lot of the sport, you’ll suppose the goal distribution would by no means get extra slender for Atlanta. Nonetheless, Hurst was not featured. One principle – OL questions and accidents to each tackles is forcing Hurst to assist extra with protections on passing downs. That query seemingly stays towards a Packers workforce that tries to assault the quarterback from a number of angles.

Story continues

Prediction: 7 targets, Four catches for 45 yards

Giants WR Darius Slayton at Rams (-13)

Complete: o/u 48 – 42% Began

Now a two-time “bust” record contender, Slayton made me look silly in Week 1 with a signature spiked week efficiency on the again of 102 yards and two scores towards a Steelers Protection with extra free ends than anticipated, together with a 41-yard landing. Since? Two video games, six receptions and 86 yards whereas the items round him proceed to be eradicated on account of harm. Daniel Jones has been pressured on over 40% of his dropbacks this season, probably the most within the NFL. Now the Giants get Aaron Donald and Co. With Sterling Shepard on IR, Slayton stands out because the Giants’ finest exterior possibility, which means he seemingly attracts Jalen Ramsey’s focus this week. An extended landing is all the time within the vary of outcomes with Slayton, however that’s merely not a method I wish to depend on in a tough matchup.

Prediction: 7 targets, three receptions for 43 yards

Colts QB Philip Rivers at Bears (+2.5)

Complete: o/u 45 – 6% Began

It’s unlikely lots of you might be beginning Rivers at this level with the Colts’ QB averaging 14 fantasy factors per sport, however with the Falcons scoring 26 final week and the Lions posting 23 factors in Week 1, the Bears Protection may simply enable the Colts to achieve their projected complete of 24 factors as highway favorites. By means of three video games, Chicago’s protection has been a real run funnel by permitting the 4th fewest fantasy factors within the air this season – in comparison with 25th on the bottom. As Wealthy Hribar factors out, the ceiling for opposing quarterbacks has been two touchdowns for practically two full seasons. In Rivers’ favor, we now have but to see the most effective of T.Y. Hilton and Nyheim Hines is a participant with just a few particular spiked weeks in him, however the losses of Parris Campbell and Michael Pittman, two gamers this workforce supposed to depend on, seemingly lowers the week to week chance of a ceiling efficiency from Phil.

Prediction: 21 of 28 for 234 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT