Broken bottles under children’s feet
Bodies strewn across the dead-end street
But I won’t heed the battle call
It puts my back up
Puts my back up against the wall
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
Sunday, Bloody Sunday, Sunday, Bloody Sunday
And the battle’s just begun
There’s many lost, but tell me who has won
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart
Released in 1983 I am almost positive that Sunday Bloody Sunday was written about Bono’s fantasy team. I was just a pup then, but the NFL was fresh off of a strike and I hear the trainers rooms resembled the 4077, which also ended in 1983. It seems the more things change the more they stay the same.
A rash of injuries swept through the NFL this past Sunday like the autumn wind through a pirates sail. (Do you hear John Facenda’s voice?) The 49ers, who were already hobbled, may have been hit the hardest. In one half of football they lost Jimmy Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Nick Bosa and Soloman Thomas to the turf at Met Life Stadium. And if that wasn’t enough, their personal hell continues for another week as they are right back in the Meadowlands for a bout with the Giants.
This column was also hit hard by injuries. I called for Saquon Barkley, Parris Campbell, Julio Jones and Davante Adams to visit the end zone. All were befallen by injury. The running tally on the year (not counting injuries) is 10 for 21, not bad, but we can do better.
Running Back
Devin Singletary has the backfield to himself this week but Josh Allen spoils the coming-out party. The talented QB should be good for one rushing score.
Jeff Wilson will serve as the goal-line back for the 49ers Sunday. A role he’s played well in the past. The Giants have allowed Benny Snell and David Montgomery to run wild. The 49ers scheme the run as well as anyone. Look for Wilson to fall across the end zone for one score.
The Bengals have given up 370 rush yards through the season’s first two weeks. The Eagles have had trouble keeping QB Carson Wentz upright. The remedy for that? Run the football. The Bengals have given up the third-most fantasy points to the RB position and Geno Atkins is still sidelined. Miles Sanders should be plenty busy Sunday. One score for the former Nittany Lion.
The Falcons can’t stop a nosebleed and Bears QB Mitch Trubiski is awful. That sounds like a David Montgomery week to me. Expect at least one score in a plus matchup.
Jonathan Taylor plays the Jets this weekend. I repeat. JT and the Jets. Sounds like an Elton John song. One touchdown.
The Chiefs can be had on the ground and the Ravens run the ball as well as anyone. Through two weeks the Ravens lead the NFL with 341 yards on the ground. Lamar Jackson and J.K. Dobbins get in on the touchdown action, while Ingram leads the team in rushing.
Wide Receiver
A.J. Bouye is OUT for the Broncos Sunday and Tom Brady spent the week waxing poetic about how Mike Evans reminds him of Randy Moss. Yes, THAT Randy Moss. The Broncos have allowed the most fantasy points to perimeter wide receivers. Where Evans makes his money. He gets loose for one touchdown.
We spoke on the Unscripted podcast this week about how bad the Seattle secondary has been this season. They’ve given up the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far, including the most to the slot. CeeDee Lamb figures to benefit most in what should be a shootout with Jerry’s Boys.
Davante Adams is doubtful Sunday. Enter Marquez Valdez-Scantling. Everyone’s 2019 darling has started 2020 red hot. He attributes it to finally being healthy. Aaron Rodgers has gushed over his college like separation. Whatever it is, it’s working. Through two weeks MVS has 13 targets, 160 yards and a score. I like him to find pay dirt again in what should be a high scoring affair in the Superdome.
Volume is always a concern with Tennessee’s passing attack but with A.J. Brown expected to miss another game with a bone bruise, running mate Corey Davis is the only game in town. The Minnesota secondary has been a dumpster fire, giving up the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers. Fantasy is all about opportunity and Davis should have plenty of that Sunday.
Forget that Diontae Johnson has a toe injury. It isn’t bothering his Quarterback and it shouldn’t bother you. He leads Pittsburgh in targets through two games and is on pace for 112 receptions and 1,192 yards! I think he finds the end zone Sunday in a game with sneaky shootout potential.
Allen Robinson disappointed in a prime spot last week but he’s getting plenty of opportunities. Through two weeks the talented receiver has drawn 18 targets from QB Mitchel Trubisky. It’s hard to imagine Robinson getting 9 targets against the Falcons and failing to find the end zone.
Tight End
Everyone is talking about the quarterback matchup set for Monday Night Football but all I can think of are the two big tight ends set to square off. With Hayden Hurst shipped off to Atlanta Mark Andrews has logged some of the heaviest snap totals of his career. For his part, Travis Kelce has drawn 20 targets in two games. They are clearly the top options for their respective offenses and should get plenty of attention from their QBs.
The Eagles have given up nine receptions and four touchdowns to tight ends. Drew Sample was heavily targeted by Joe Burrow last Thursday. Drawing nine targets AFTER CJ Uzomah left the game. If you scored Sample off your waiver wire this week, kudos. The second round talent should sample the end zone Sunday. Maybe twice.
This should be a “get right” game for Austin Hooper who almost scored last week. The Washington Football team gave up 11 for 119 and a score to Eagles TEs weeks one. The Cardinals don’t really utilize the tight end in their offense (Probably why they’re so bad defending it) so the jury is still out on Washington, but I’m giving Hooper one more chance to redeem himself.
Mo Alie-Cox was another waiver wire darling this past week. Per Pro Football Focus, he was the highest-graded offensive player in the league last week and posted the highest TE grade since 2017! This week he gets the Jets defense who were just torched by Jordan Reed… checks the calendar, yep, still 2020!
Who are the Cardinals playing this week… Detroit. Everyone remembers T.J. Hockenson’s week one performance last season. 6 for 131 and a score. Expect a repeat. One touchdown for the former Mackey Award Winner.
