In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Bleacher Nation Fantasy:
There are plenty of intriguing Week 2 storylines to dig into—the rookie WR breakouts, the Saints’ continued domination, etc.—but it’s impossible to lead with anything other than the rash of injuries that continue to pile up.
Injuries are part of the game, but it feels worse this year, right? It does to me …
We started things off yesterday with Evan Engram getting scratched an hour before kickoff after pulling his hamstring.
We then watched both Justin Jefferson (quad) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (leg) get dinged up. Jefferson should be fine, but ARSB could miss some time if it is an MCL.
But then the late games really took a dark turn.
Both Rams WR Cooper Kupp and Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco got their legs rolled up on (likely resulting in high-ankle sprains). Kupp was seen after the game in a walking boot and Pacheco was spotted on crutches. Brutal.
We’ll keep you posted on injury updates, as well as waiver wire fallout as the week progresses. Until then, I got a full recap of everything that happened across yesterday’s action …
What else is in today’s newsletter?
- Pete puts a bow on Week 2’s main slate of games.
- Watercooler: A guy puked mid-snap yesterday?!
Week 2 breakouts, surprises, & busts
- by Pete Overzet
It's time for Pete's Pick 6—my weekly recap column where I round up six things that caught my eye on the Sunday main slate.
Let's dig in …
The Elite rookies are who we thought they were
A week ago at this time, we were clowning "Mazda" Marvin Harrison Jr. (4th overall pick) for running like a 45-year-old dad in New Balances, cursing Daniel Jones for submarining Malik Nabers' (6th overall pick) value, and lamenting a low ceiling for Brock Bowers (13th overall pick) in a sluggish Raiders offense.
How quickly things change.
Maserati Marv went nuclear against the Rams on Sunday. He put up 130 yards and 2 TDs against an overwhelmed Rams secondary … in the first quarter. Oh, and if you were worried about his speed, MHJ reached 20.03 mph on his 60-yard TD.
Nabers put the entire Giants offense on his back with a laugh-out-loud-worthy target share (62%). He finished the game with 10-127-1 and a gaudy 18 targets. He is a straight-up alpha.
Bowers didn't find the end zone yesterday, but posted 9 catches for 98 yards. His stats through two career games (17 targets, 15 receptions, 156 receiving yards) put him in rarefied air. He's an auto-start the rest of the way.
A lot of people balked at the ADPs for these guys in 2024 drafts. Yesterday was a good reminder that the transition to the NFL isn't difficult for superstars.
The Saints are a legit wagon. What the hell?
Last week the Saints looked like world beaters, but then the whispers started:
Sure, but it was against the Panthers …
Let's see how their O-line holds up against a real defense …
Derek Carr always turns into a pumpkin the second you start believing in him …
Well, I'm here to tell you that the Saints are an absolute unit. They bulldozed the Cowboys and have now opened the season with back-to-back 40-point outings.
They've literally scored on every possession this year (15/15).
This offense under Klint Kubiak is unrecognizable compared to what we saw last year and guys like Rashid Shaheed are reaping the benefits. Play action, pre-snap motion … everything you want to see from an elite, modern offense.
Not to mention, Alvin Kamara broke the fantasy slate with 180 scrimmage yards and 4 total TDs. He now has 6 TDs in two games and is shaping up as one of the best cost-adjusted picks in all of fantasy.
RELATED CONTENT:
- The Week 2 Stock Report is here … our staff weighs in on the action.
- Get a head start on Week 3 with some of the early betting lines to target.
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The latest analysis and insights from our merry band of football nerds:
✍️ The Fantasy Life Staff kept a Week 2 Sunday Diary, firing off updates on players breaking out as well as injuries impacting the fantasy landscape.
🚀 The comeback story of the year. Absurd bounceback from this Chargers RB.
💃 I didn’t know Baker Mayfield could do this. Um, what??
🖐️ Breece Hall is a RB, right? Are RBs allowed to catch like this?
🎩 Hey son, how ya doing? Not great, Dad.
🤮 An offensive lineman puked before snapping the ball? Hut hut … barf.
