They say that week one is a liar. If that is the case, then week two is a double agent. I always say that one is a fluke, but two in a row is a trend. We got some confirmation for those players with two good weeks or two bad ones. What about all the guys who now have one of each? With many players, it takes four or five games to reach a level of comfort in knowing what to expect.
The first month of the season is vital to success as it presents the best opportunity to improve your team. Making good decisions now can save your season. Making bad ones can sink it. For the vast majority of managers, the worst thing you can do is nothing.
Guru's IDP Notes: Arizona Cardinals
Jack Gibbens turned in another decent stat line. At 1-8 with a pass breakup, it would be nice if more of his tackles were of the solo variety. Through two games, he has16 combined stops, half a sack, and a PD. The important factor that goes along with the on-field stats is that he has missed only one snap in each game. Have no delusions about Gibbens becoming a stud, but don't overlook the strong possibility that he will continue to be a consistent contributor.
When Andrew Wingard posted two turnovers but just four tackles in week one, I was far from sold on him as a strong option for us. With five tackles and three assists, he didn't need turnovers to provide value in week two. Wingard was a late bloomer, serving as a backup for most of his career before earning starting roles in each of the last two seasons. Like the team he is playing for, it's time to start paying attention to them.
Guru's IDP Notes: Atlanta Falcons
Falcons had 21 defensive players show up on the stat sheet. The only one with decent numbers was safety Xavier Watts at 6-1 and a forced fumble. I've not yet had a chance to watch the lopsided loss to Carolina, so for now, I'll assume that the widespread playing time is related to backups getting on the field late in the game.
Even with the Falcons struggling, Jessie Bates III has not yet stepped up on the field or the stat sheet. He has six combined stops in each game, which is respectable. If Bates is on your roster, don't be in a hurry to make a change. With the team's struggles at linebacker, I have a feeling the safeties will be busy as the season moves along.
As for those linebackers, Kendal Daniels and Divine Deablo were the starters again. Deablo managed a sorry one tackle and one assist on 82% of the snaps, while Daniels had three solos on 62%; Yasir Abdullah was 2-0 on 45%; and Harold Perkins Jr. 0-1 on 39%. If the Falcons don't get better linebacker play, those ugly beatdowns could be a common problem for them.
The Falcons' problems at the edge position started well before the season. They got worse in week two when Samson Ebukam went down with a hamstring injury. The result was an increased role for Za'Darius Smith, who now has two and a half sacks on the young season. If Ebukam misses time, Smith could be a decent addition.
The hits keep coming for Atlanta. They lost A.J. Terrell Jr. to a groin injury on the sixth play of the game. He was placed on IR Tuesday. C.J. Henderson is the next man up.
Guru's IDP Notes: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens played three safeties on 63 of 68 plays against New Orleans. That allows Kyle Hamilton to play the slot and move around. The role and the matchup led to a busy 13-tackle day. My concern with Hamilton is the schedule. He was 3-2 against the Colts in week one and has matchups with the Cowboys, Titans, Falcons, Browns, and Chargers over the next two months. None of those teams are looking like good matchups right now.
The edge guys made an impact. Trey Hendrickson looked like himself at 3-0-1 despite a 53% share, and Tavius Robinson was 2-0-1 on 78%. Mike Green went from 17 snaps in week one to 32 against the Saints, adding 2-0-1 as the third man. Unlike Hamilton, that string of upcoming games could be juicy for the pass rushers. I'm looking to add Robinson in some leagues this week.
Like the boy who cried wolf, the Ravens keep telling us that Nnamdi Madibuike will play, but when game time comes, he doesn't suit up. Believe it when you finally see it.
Guru's IDP Notes: Buffalo Bills
Ed Oliver came up gimpy in warmups and was a last-minute scratch with a hip injury. The good news is that it's not considered serious and he could get back on the field as early as week three. DeWayne Carter made the start.
Deone Walker's lone tackle was an assist, but his 3 batted passes made up for it. At 6'7" and 330 pounds, Walker is a beast that will continue to give quarterbacks nightmares with his size and ability to block passing lanes. He had six tackles and a sack in the opener and was a much bigger factor in week two than the numbers tell. Managers in tackle-required leagues should snap him up if possible.
Last week I predicted that Greg Rousseau's fast start would probably fizzle. I am now second-guessing myself on that one. At 7-0-4 with 3 forced fumbles and a batted pass, he is currently leading the league in sacks and is tied with T.J. Watt atop the fantasy rankings. There is a bit of concern that the 63 snaps that Rousseau and Bradley Chubb both saw in the opener slipped to 43 and 42, respectively, in week two. That is something we will need to watch.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson turned in a stinker with one tackle, but he played all 65 snaps. Consistency has never been his calling card, but don't panic.
Guru's IDP Notes: Carolina Panthers
After being run over by Chicago in week one, the Panthers looked like a different defense, holding the Falcons to three points. Carolina opened in a 5-1-5 with Devin Lloyd as the lone linebacker. They didn't use that package very often. Both Lloyd and Bobby Okereke were on the field full-time until the starters were pulled in the blowout. Any questions about the fantasy value of either player were answered with Lloyd going off for 7-2-1 with 2 interceptions and a score, while Okereke was no slouch at 6-3 with a pick.
With the linebackers soaking up all the plays, the safeties were not very busy in this one, but there is a situation brewing that we might be able to take advantage of. Nick Scott left in the first quarter with an abdominal injury. Lathan Ransom came on to finish the game, playing every snap after entering the lineup. Ransom is a capable player who put up strong numbers when his chances came last year. Keep an eye out for an update on Scott. If he is set to miss time, grab Ransom.
Guru's IDP Notes: Chicago Bears
The Vikings and Bears contest looked like an old black-and-white game film from the 60s. There was a downpour for most of the three hours, and the grass field turned into a mud pit. Thus, there was not much offense for either side and not much opportunity for defenders. Bad weather games are generally a plus for linebackers. Yet Devin Bush managed 3-1 and T.J. Edwards 2-2, on 100% of the snaps. With neither putting up good numbers in week one either, this has to be a concern.
Dillon Thieneman was 3-4 with a pass breakup, leading the team in tackles for the second week in a row. I really like this guy.
Guru's IDP Notes: Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have a defense. The rest of the league could be in trouble. The impact of Dexter Lawrence II is not showing up on the stat sheet under his name, but the difference he is making on the numbers of those around him and on the scoreboard is impressive. I talked about the young linebackers last week. This time I'll point out that Jonathan Allen has six tackles and two sacks to his credit already. Lawrence demands double teams on virtually every snap, and Allen is tough to block one-on-one.
With B.J. Hill inactive, everyone in the interior rotation worked a few more snaps. They even got Shamar Stewart involved. He was 2-0-1 on 5 snaps while working at tackle on passing downs.
Guru's IDP Notes: Cleveland Browns
Without Myles Garrett to harass opposing quarterbacks, the Browns turned to the blitz. Safeties Grant Delpit (5-0-1) and Ronnie Hickman (1-2-1) got home for sacks, while Jared Verse was a virtual no-show at 1-0. It's not time to give up on Verse just yet. With four tackles and an assist in two games, the rope is getting short.
One pleasant surprise for the team has been tackle Mason Graham, who has a sack in each game. Last year's first-round pick had no sacks as a rookie, but contributed decent tackle totals. He could be this year's breakout player at the position.
Guru's IDP Notes: Dallas Cowboys
With DeMarvion Overshown sidelined by a sore hamstring, the Cowboys had no every-down linebacker. Dee Williams saw the most action and the best production. He was 7-2 with a fumble recovery on 75% of the snaps. Jaishaun Barham went 4-3 with a forced fumble on 63%, and Shamar James picked up 54%. There is a chance that Overshown will return for week three.
Donovan Ezeiruaku came back to earth after his big week one numbers. While the 2-1 was unimpressive, he was a bigger factor on the field than the numbers tell, and his snap count was up to about 70%. If you picked him up last week, have a little patience.
Cobie Durant (hamstring) and P.J. Locke (foot) were both injured in the win over Washington. Neither injury is considered serious, but both players could miss a little time. Shavon Revel Jr. stepped in at corner, with Markuese Bell coming on to go 5-1 at strong safety. Bell could be an interesting stream play against Baltimore this week.
Guru's IDP Notes: Denver Broncos
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