Our panel of NFL Insiders predict Week 2's biggest upsets, fantasy flops and potential sleepers.
Plus: biggest areas of concern after one week, where Le'Veon Bell will suit up in 2019 and which personal predictions we're calling back after seeing each team play.
What's your top upset pick for Week 2?
Mike Clay, NFL writer: Lions (+5.5) over 49ers. Yes, the Lions got smoked at home by the Jets, and Matthew Stafford is beaten up, but Detroit's offense is still one of the league's best. The 49ers figure to look better back home, tasked with one of the league's worst defenses. But considering their own holes on defense, this could be a shootout, and I wouldn't be surprised if Stafford rebounds in a big way.
Domonique Foxworth, The Undefeated senior writer: Giants (+3) over Cowboys. The Giants are better than the team that was swept by the Cowboys in 2017, even if the Jaguars and the league's best defense held them to only 15 points in Week 1. I'm willing to reserve judgment on the new-look New York offensive line, and it was encouraging to see both Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Saquon Barkley make plays. The Giants should put up some points Sunday night.
Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: Vikings (+1.5) over Packers. Minnesota has the better team, and Aaron Rodgers barely made it through the opener. Only one of these teams can be counted on to rush the passer consistently, although the Vikings' line can be vulnerable in protection.
Kevin Seifert, NFL national writer: Chiefs (+5) over Steelers. Part of me thinks we could be overprojecting what the Chiefs' offense might do to the Steelers' defense. Andy Reid is well known for surprise Week 1 wrinkles that can be scouted in time for Week 2. But Week 1 also reminded us the Chiefs have speed and athleticism up and down their lineup. At the very least, the Steelers are going to be in a track meet.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Chiefs (+5) over Steelers. Kansas City had a sizzling offensive start to the season in Los Angeles. Defending the Chiefs is going to be a master class in preparation, as there are innumerable ways in which they can attack you.
Where will Le'Veon Bell be playing in 2019?
Clay: Bills. The Bills have made some head-scratching personnel decisions in recent years, so signing Bell to an exorbitant, long-term deal would be par for the course. LeSean McCoy is 30 years old and could very well be in his final year with the team. The Bills are expected to have over $90 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. Buffalo will be looking to add someone to help Allen, so the connection makes sense.
Foxworth: Jets. They have their guy at quarterback under a team-friendly rookie contract, which frees up cap room to go after high-dollar free agents. And there will be a running back-sized hole in the roster come season's end. Bilal Powell, the Jets' current starting back, is in the last year of his contract. Not to mention, the best tea leaf is digital; this weekend the Jets followed Bell on Instagram.
Sando: Browns. They weren't bashful in adding veteran pieces this offseason, and they could pay Bell to help their offense while knocking down a division rival. Why would Bell want to sign with a struggling team? Money seems paramount to him, by all appearances, and it is generally the primary driver in free agency. Cleveland would then have a franchise back to help bring along Baker Mayfield.
Seifert: Jets. No team has more 2019 salary-cap space than the Jets, and it wouldn't be outlandish to think they could make a massive investment in Bell to round off an offense that would be ready to move into another gear with Darnold at quarterback. Plus, the Jets are always in search of star power in the New York market.
Yates: Raiders. They do not have a young workhorse back on the roster (although Chris Warren had a solid preseason). Bell changes everything for an offense, and the Raiders -- who, by dint of the Mack trade, are going to have even more cap space to utilize -- are a sensible option.
It's time to worry about _____ after Week 1.
Clay: The Lions' defense. Detroit's offense is terrific and will bounce back from Monday's debacle, but the defense getting absolutely shredded by Sam Darnold & Co. suggests the unit is arguably the league's worst. Ezekiel Ansah, Darius Slay and Glover Quin are good players, but there's a big dip in reliable solid assets behind them with weak spots on every level. Especially after the Bears added Khalil Mack, Detroit is a decent bet to bring up the rear in the NFC North -- and it won't be the offense's fault.
Foxworth: The Bills. They lost 47-3 to the Baltimore Ravens, the largest losing margin for any NFL team in almost four years. They made a series of inexplicable personnel decisions last season and then drafted Josh Allen over some other options. While the Bills can't be as bad as they looked Week 1, I don't think they are that much better, either, unless Allen is the second coming of Peyton Manning.
Sando: The Titans' offense. Losing Delanie Walker hurts, seeing Marcus Mariota get injured on an run-pass option was concerning given his injury history, and losing Taylor Lewan to a concussion capped off a rough start to the season for an offense that figured to need some time anyway.
Seifert: Nathan Peterman. It's just a hunch, but I'm thinking Peterman isn't ready to start in the NFL -- and might never be. He has been put under duress on 10 attempts during his two career starts and threw interceptions on six of them. He misfired on 13 of 18 attempts Sunday, and none of his five completions were on a pass thrown more than eight yards in the air.
Yates: The Cowboys' offense. On principle, I prefer not to worry about many teams after only one week, having seen dramatic shifts following sluggish starts every year. But the Cowboys' offensive line is banged up and the receiving corps are inexperienced. The offense lacks a true identity. A Week 2 in-division loss would be a difficult setback.
Who's your pick to be the biggest fantasy flop this weekend?
Clay: Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett, WR, Patriots. Dorsett was strong in Week 1, handling seven of the nine receptions by Patriots' wide receivers. Hogan was on the field more than Dorsett but was limited to one catch on five targets. Yet both are strong bets to disappoint against shutdown corners Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in Week 2. Dorsett primarily lines up on the outside, which means he will see the dynamic corner duo more often, whereas Hogan aligned in the slot on 51 percent of his routes against Houston on Sunday. Dorsett should be on benches, and Hogan is reduced to a risky flex.
Foxworth: James Conner, RB, Steelers. He's a good back, but not this good. The Browns were reluctant to load the box, making him prove that he should be respected. I suspect the Chiefs will flip the game plan, opting to stop the run early. And if that Kansas City offense puts points on the board, the Steelers won't have time to run the ball or check down to Conner.
Sando: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. He barely made it through the season opener. Now, if cleared to play, Rodgers will be facing a physical, swarming Vikings defense that knocked him from a game last season. Rodgers has reached 20 fantasy points only once in seven games against Minnesota during the Mike Zimmer era, albeit he had 37.2 points in that game, his highest single-game output against any opponent over the previous four seasons.
Seifert: Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks. The Seahawks have a number of different running backs they can turn to, but the chances aren't high that any of them will be successful against the Bears. They looked awfully strong Sunday night against the Packers, holding running backs Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery to a combined 54 yards in 17 carries.
Yates: LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills. The Bills' offense could not get out of its own way in Week 1, stumbling through a humiliating defeat. McCoy's talents are unquestioned and he's by far their best asset on offense, but the Chargers are going to key extensively on McCoy. They largely held Kareem Hunt in check in Week 1, although it was perhaps because of game script.
What's a personal preseason prediction you'd like to change after Week 1, and why?
Clay: The Jets are a favorite to pick first overall in the 2019 NFL draft. Granted he threw only 21 passes (one of which was a pick-six), but Darnold looked solid in his NFL debut. He certainly has some serious problem areas around him in New York, but combined with a solid defense, Darnold should be able to lead the Jets to five or six wins. In other words, enough wins to finish well ahead of the Bills.
Foxworth: Lamar Jackson will start this season. Any time a team drafts a quarterback in the first round, it is assumed that he will supplant the starter. But the Ravens weren't looking to draft a first-round replacement for Joe Flacco, despite his recent track record. But Jackson slid to the final pick in the first round, so the Ravens traded up to grab him after previously using their own first-round pick. Maybe, Jackson will take over the team in 2019 or 2020, but barring injury, I expect coach John Harbaugh to ride the quarterback who won him a Super Bowl.
Sando: The Cardinals might not be so bad. I noted during a few radio interviews that Arizona could be better than anticipated given that the team had an elite pass-rusher (Chandler Jones), an elite corner (Patrick Peterson), an elite running back (David Johnson) and two potentially accurate quarterbacks to go with Larry Fitzgerald. I'm not abandoning that thought entirely, but Week 1 was not encouraging.
Seifert: Adrian Peterson is done. Peterson, 33, is ancient for a running back, and it has been four years since he averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in a season. But his 96-yard performance Sunday against the Cardinals was eye-opening. I still think Peterson is a shadow of his prime, but perhaps the shadow of a future Hall of Famer still looms large. Or something like that.
Yates: The Buccaneers need Jameis Winston. When word came out of Tampa Bay that Winston was not assured of the starting gig upon his return from suspension in Week 4, I largely chalked it up to wanting to establish confidence in Ryan Fitzpatrick. But after Fitz's incredible Week 1, I do believe that if he orchestrates one win in the next two weeks (against Philadelphia or Pittsburgh), Tampa Bay will give serious consideration to sticking with him as its starter in Week 4.
Pick a fringe fantasy player who should be started in Week 2.
Clay: Alex Smith, QB, Redskins. Andy Dalton traveled to Indianapolis and put up 243 yards and two touchdowns on only 28 attempts against the Colts in Week 1. Smith, who played well in his Redskins debut in a win over Arizona, will be back home this week with a chance to light up one of the league's weakest defenses. Smith is an elite fantasy play, and Jordan Reed, Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Chris Thompson will also benefit from the matchup.
Foxworth: Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts. Hines is listed as the third back on the Colts' depth chart, but with the Marlon Mack, the starter, out last week, Hines made an impact in the passing game. Hines, a former college receiver, was targeted nine times while catching seven. His yards total was unimpressive, but that'll change if the ACC's 2017 all-purpose yards leader continues to get touches.
Sando: Brandon Marshall, WR, Seahawks. The veteran receiver owns 1,200-yard seasons with four franchises. He's aging now, but with Doug Baldwin out, Marshall has a chance to figure more prominently in Seattle's offense. He also has a better quarterback than he has had in the past.
Seifert: Will Dissly, TE, Seahawks. It's hard to imagine the Seahawks doing anything other than continuing to feed Dissly after his spectacular 105-yard debut. With Baldwin's knee injury, quarterback Russell Wilson has fewer trusted targets. Dissly will rise in his read progression quickly.
Yates: Ryan Grant, WR, Colts. Andrew Luck chucked it 53 times in Week 1, a rate that won't sustain every week but is also an indicator of what could be a pass-heavy team. There's a lack of defensive pedigree in Indy and an unestablished ground game. Grant had eight catches on nine targets in Week 1 and figures to be the less accounted for starting wideout by opposing defenses, which will instead opt to tilt attention toward T.Y. Hilton.
Plus: biggest areas of concern after one week, where Le'Veon Bell will suit up in 2019 and which personal predictions we're calling back after seeing each team play.
What's your top upset pick for Week 2?
Mike Clay, NFL writer: Lions (+5.5) over 49ers. Yes, the Lions got smoked at home by the Jets, and Matthew Stafford is beaten up, but Detroit's offense is still one of the league's best. The 49ers figure to look better back home, tasked with one of the league's worst defenses. But considering their own holes on defense, this could be a shootout, and I wouldn't be surprised if Stafford rebounds in a big way.
Domonique Foxworth, The Undefeated senior writer: Giants (+3) over Cowboys. The Giants are better than the team that was swept by the Cowboys in 2017, even if the Jaguars and the league's best defense held them to only 15 points in Week 1. I'm willing to reserve judgment on the new-look New York offensive line, and it was encouraging to see both Odell Beckham Jr. and rookie Saquon Barkley make plays. The Giants should put up some points Sunday night.
Mike Sando, senior NFL writer: Vikings (+1.5) over Packers. Minnesota has the better team, and Aaron Rodgers barely made it through the opener. Only one of these teams can be counted on to rush the passer consistently, although the Vikings' line can be vulnerable in protection.
Kevin Seifert, NFL national writer: Chiefs (+5) over Steelers. Part of me thinks we could be overprojecting what the Chiefs' offense might do to the Steelers' defense. Andy Reid is well known for surprise Week 1 wrinkles that can be scouted in time for Week 2. But Week 1 also reminded us the Chiefs have speed and athleticism up and down their lineup. At the very least, the Steelers are going to be in a track meet.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Chiefs (+5) over Steelers. Kansas City had a sizzling offensive start to the season in Los Angeles. Defending the Chiefs is going to be a master class in preparation, as there are innumerable ways in which they can attack you.
Where will Le'Veon Bell be playing in 2019?
Clay: Bills. The Bills have made some head-scratching personnel decisions in recent years, so signing Bell to an exorbitant, long-term deal would be par for the course. LeSean McCoy is 30 years old and could very well be in his final year with the team. The Bills are expected to have over $90 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap. Buffalo will be looking to add someone to help Allen, so the connection makes sense.
Foxworth: Jets. They have their guy at quarterback under a team-friendly rookie contract, which frees up cap room to go after high-dollar free agents. And there will be a running back-sized hole in the roster come season's end. Bilal Powell, the Jets' current starting back, is in the last year of his contract. Not to mention, the best tea leaf is digital; this weekend the Jets followed Bell on Instagram.
Sando: Browns. They weren't bashful in adding veteran pieces this offseason, and they could pay Bell to help their offense while knocking down a division rival. Why would Bell want to sign with a struggling team? Money seems paramount to him, by all appearances, and it is generally the primary driver in free agency. Cleveland would then have a franchise back to help bring along Baker Mayfield.
Seifert: Jets. No team has more 2019 salary-cap space than the Jets, and it wouldn't be outlandish to think they could make a massive investment in Bell to round off an offense that would be ready to move into another gear with Darnold at quarterback. Plus, the Jets are always in search of star power in the New York market.
Yates: Raiders. They do not have a young workhorse back on the roster (although Chris Warren had a solid preseason). Bell changes everything for an offense, and the Raiders -- who, by dint of the Mack trade, are going to have even more cap space to utilize -- are a sensible option.
It's time to worry about _____ after Week 1.
Clay: The Lions' defense. Detroit's offense is terrific and will bounce back from Monday's debacle, but the defense getting absolutely shredded by Sam Darnold & Co. suggests the unit is arguably the league's worst. Ezekiel Ansah, Darius Slay and Glover Quin are good players, but there's a big dip in reliable solid assets behind them with weak spots on every level. Especially after the Bears added Khalil Mack, Detroit is a decent bet to bring up the rear in the NFC North -- and it won't be the offense's fault.
Foxworth: The Bills. They lost 47-3 to the Baltimore Ravens, the largest losing margin for any NFL team in almost four years. They made a series of inexplicable personnel decisions last season and then drafted Josh Allen over some other options. While the Bills can't be as bad as they looked Week 1, I don't think they are that much better, either, unless Allen is the second coming of Peyton Manning.
Sando: The Titans' offense. Losing Delanie Walker hurts, seeing Marcus Mariota get injured on an run-pass option was concerning given his injury history, and losing Taylor Lewan to a concussion capped off a rough start to the season for an offense that figured to need some time anyway.
Seifert: Nathan Peterman. It's just a hunch, but I'm thinking Peterman isn't ready to start in the NFL -- and might never be. He has been put under duress on 10 attempts during his two career starts and threw interceptions on six of them. He misfired on 13 of 18 attempts Sunday, and none of his five completions were on a pass thrown more than eight yards in the air.
Yates: The Cowboys' offense. On principle, I prefer not to worry about many teams after only one week, having seen dramatic shifts following sluggish starts every year. But the Cowboys' offensive line is banged up and the receiving corps are inexperienced. The offense lacks a true identity. A Week 2 in-division loss would be a difficult setback.
Who's your pick to be the biggest fantasy flop this weekend?
Clay: Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett, WR, Patriots. Dorsett was strong in Week 1, handling seven of the nine receptions by Patriots' wide receivers. Hogan was on the field more than Dorsett but was limited to one catch on five targets. Yet both are strong bets to disappoint against shutdown corners Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye in Week 2. Dorsett primarily lines up on the outside, which means he will see the dynamic corner duo more often, whereas Hogan aligned in the slot on 51 percent of his routes against Houston on Sunday. Dorsett should be on benches, and Hogan is reduced to a risky flex.
Foxworth: James Conner, RB, Steelers. He's a good back, but not this good. The Browns were reluctant to load the box, making him prove that he should be respected. I suspect the Chiefs will flip the game plan, opting to stop the run early. And if that Kansas City offense puts points on the board, the Steelers won't have time to run the ball or check down to Conner.
Sando: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. He barely made it through the season opener. Now, if cleared to play, Rodgers will be facing a physical, swarming Vikings defense that knocked him from a game last season. Rodgers has reached 20 fantasy points only once in seven games against Minnesota during the Mike Zimmer era, albeit he had 37.2 points in that game, his highest single-game output against any opponent over the previous four seasons.
Seifert: Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks. The Seahawks have a number of different running backs they can turn to, but the chances aren't high that any of them will be successful against the Bears. They looked awfully strong Sunday night against the Packers, holding running backs Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery to a combined 54 yards in 17 carries.
Yates: LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills. The Bills' offense could not get out of its own way in Week 1, stumbling through a humiliating defeat. McCoy's talents are unquestioned and he's by far their best asset on offense, but the Chargers are going to key extensively on McCoy. They largely held Kareem Hunt in check in Week 1, although it was perhaps because of game script.
What's a personal preseason prediction you'd like to change after Week 1, and why?
Clay: The Jets are a favorite to pick first overall in the 2019 NFL draft. Granted he threw only 21 passes (one of which was a pick-six), but Darnold looked solid in his NFL debut. He certainly has some serious problem areas around him in New York, but combined with a solid defense, Darnold should be able to lead the Jets to five or six wins. In other words, enough wins to finish well ahead of the Bills.
Foxworth: Lamar Jackson will start this season. Any time a team drafts a quarterback in the first round, it is assumed that he will supplant the starter. But the Ravens weren't looking to draft a first-round replacement for Joe Flacco, despite his recent track record. But Jackson slid to the final pick in the first round, so the Ravens traded up to grab him after previously using their own first-round pick. Maybe, Jackson will take over the team in 2019 or 2020, but barring injury, I expect coach John Harbaugh to ride the quarterback who won him a Super Bowl.
Sando: The Cardinals might not be so bad. I noted during a few radio interviews that Arizona could be better than anticipated given that the team had an elite pass-rusher (Chandler Jones), an elite corner (Patrick Peterson), an elite running back (David Johnson) and two potentially accurate quarterbacks to go with Larry Fitzgerald. I'm not abandoning that thought entirely, but Week 1 was not encouraging.
Seifert: Adrian Peterson is done. Peterson, 33, is ancient for a running back, and it has been four years since he averaged at least 4.0 yards per carry in a season. But his 96-yard performance Sunday against the Cardinals was eye-opening. I still think Peterson is a shadow of his prime, but perhaps the shadow of a future Hall of Famer still looms large. Or something like that.
Yates: The Buccaneers need Jameis Winston. When word came out of Tampa Bay that Winston was not assured of the starting gig upon his return from suspension in Week 4, I largely chalked it up to wanting to establish confidence in Ryan Fitzpatrick. But after Fitz's incredible Week 1, I do believe that if he orchestrates one win in the next two weeks (against Philadelphia or Pittsburgh), Tampa Bay will give serious consideration to sticking with him as its starter in Week 4.
Pick a fringe fantasy player who should be started in Week 2.
Clay: Alex Smith, QB, Redskins. Andy Dalton traveled to Indianapolis and put up 243 yards and two touchdowns on only 28 attempts against the Colts in Week 1. Smith, who played well in his Redskins debut in a win over Arizona, will be back home this week with a chance to light up one of the league's weakest defenses. Smith is an elite fantasy play, and Jordan Reed, Paul Richardson, Jamison Crowder, Josh Doctson and Chris Thompson will also benefit from the matchup.
Foxworth: Nyheim Hines, RB, Colts. Hines is listed as the third back on the Colts' depth chart, but with the Marlon Mack, the starter, out last week, Hines made an impact in the passing game. Hines, a former college receiver, was targeted nine times while catching seven. His yards total was unimpressive, but that'll change if the ACC's 2017 all-purpose yards leader continues to get touches.
Sando: Brandon Marshall, WR, Seahawks. The veteran receiver owns 1,200-yard seasons with four franchises. He's aging now, but with Doug Baldwin out, Marshall has a chance to figure more prominently in Seattle's offense. He also has a better quarterback than he has had in the past.
Seifert: Will Dissly, TE, Seahawks. It's hard to imagine the Seahawks doing anything other than continuing to feed Dissly after his spectacular 105-yard debut. With Baldwin's knee injury, quarterback Russell Wilson has fewer trusted targets. Dissly will rise in his read progression quickly.
Yates: Ryan Grant, WR, Colts. Andrew Luck chucked it 53 times in Week 1, a rate that won't sustain every week but is also an indicator of what could be a pass-heavy team. There's a lack of defensive pedigree in Indy and an unestablished ground game. Grant had eight catches on nine targets in Week 1 and figures to be the less accounted for starting wideout by opposing defenses, which will instead opt to tilt attention toward T.Y. Hilton.
