Week 2 Instant Reactions: J.J. McCarthy's inexperience proving painful for fantasy football

https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/week-2-instant-reactions-jj-mccarthys-inexperience-proving-painful-for-fantasy-football-002227268.html

If Week 1 Sunday Night Football was the treat in the battle of MVP QBs, Week 2 was the trick. The Falcons handled the Vikings 22-6 in a game that turned into a field goal fest and left fans yawning. J.J. McCarthy, fresh off NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, was humbled in his second career start. He went 11 of 21 for 158 yards with two interceptions and took six sacks behind a shaky offensive line. Minnesota’s offense was ugly, finishing with just 78 yards on 19 carries, and capped the night with a muffed punt to seal the loss. Gross.

This one was all about Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ ground game. Robinson ripped through Minnesota’s defense for 143 yards on 22 carries, while Tyler Allgeier added 74 yards and the game’s only touchdown on 14 attempts. Atlanta finished with 39 carries for 218 yards, pounding away at over 5.5 yards per clip. Robinson also contributed in the passing game with three catches for 25 yards, proving once again he’s one of the most dynamic players in football.

Neither of the 2024 rookie quarterbacks played well. McCarthy looked like a rookie making his second career start. His offensive line didn’t help, but he left throws on the field and was under duress all night. Kevin O’Connell may want him to be a pocket passer, but his athleticism needs to be used more. Sitting back led to McCarthy getting sacked six times. Michael Penix Jr. wasn’t sharp either, completing just 13 of 21 for 135 yards, but he didn’t need to do much with the way Atlanta ran the ball.

Drake London led the Falcons through the air with three catches for 49 yards, including a 21-yard grab, while Kyle Pitts caught four balls for 37 yards. Darnell Mooney chipped in 20 yards on two grabs. It wasn’t flashy, but with the ground game rolling, the Falcons didn’t need Penix to do much through the air. The Vikings, meanwhile, looked every bit like a team breaking in an untested QB.

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McCarthy still has the tools and Justin Jefferson is a superstar, but this is going to be a slow burn. Jefferson posted three catches for 81 yards, but secondary weapons like T.J. Hockenson, Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen were quiet.

The truth is, Minnesota has played one good quarter of football this season and it came against a defense that just gave up 50-plus points today. This offense is nowhere near ready, and until it finds some identity, it’s going to be painful for fantasy outside of Jefferson.

This matchup gave us everything we could want in fantasy football — and then some. Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson combined for over 800 passing yards, trading blows until Brandon Aubrey finally ended it with the OT game-winner. Prescott was sharp with 361 yards and two scores, Wilson lit it up for 450 and three TDs and both quarterbacks made sure their stars ate.

On the Dallas side, Javonte Williams delivered on that bold call I made — top-10 running back for Week 2. He logged 18 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown, plus six receptions for 33 yards. That all added up to 22 half-PPR points, which has him sitting as RB4 on the week heading into Sunday night. Miles Sanders may have vultured a short score but make no mistake — this is Williams’ backfield.

In the passing game, CeeDee Lamb was money once again with nine catches for 112 yards, Jake Ferguson was peppered with 12 targets and finished with nine grabs for 78 and George Pickens showed why I’ve been so high on him. Pickens not only scored his first Cowboys touchdown but also finished with 68 yards and currently sits as the WR13 in half-PPR scoring. That’s a top-15 wideout right where we expected him to be.

The real fireworks, though, came from New York. Malik Nabers had himself a day with 13 targets, nine receptions, 167 yards and two scores. Last week, I said Nabers would finish as the WR1 overall — a little premature, but he still delivered WR2 numbers on the week with 33.2 half PPR points. Alongside Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson went for 142 on eight grabs, giving the Giants two receivers inside the top five heading into Sunday night. Wilson was brilliant for most of the afternoon before an ill-timed pick in overtime swung the game back to Dallas. Rookie Cam Skattebo brought energy to the backfield and punched in his first touchdown, while Jaxson Dart got a few looks as a change-up.

Bottom line, this game was fantasy gold. Quarterbacks stuffing the stat sheet, wideouts dominating, tight ends producing and running backs finding the end zone. If you had pieces in your lineup from this game, you got paid. And if you’ve got Nabers, Pickens or Williams, you’re feeling even better heading into Week 3.

Rome Odunze makes a statement

Rome Odunze showed everyone why he was drafted to be the guy in Chicago. He led the Bears with 11 targets, seven catches, 128 yards and two touchdowns in a game where Caleb Williams once again fell apart in the second half of a 52-21 blowout loss to Detroit. While the Lions went nuclear with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both scoring, Amon-Ra St. Brown hanging 115 yards and three touchdowns and Jameson Williams turning two catches into 108 yards and a score, the Bears had nothing outside of Odunze.

Colston Loveland was invisible, Olamide Zaccheaus gave you nothing, Cole Kmet didn’t show up and DJ Moore managed just 46 yards on five grabs. Odunze is the No. 1 wideout on this roster as predicted, and with 28.3 half-PPR points heading into Sunday night, he sits as WR4 on the week. Three touchdowns on the season already; it’s clear this is going to be Caleb’s most trusted receiver moving forward.

No Burrow, no problem

Cincinnati’s franchise QB left their Week 2 game early with a toe injury, and while the sight of him on a scooter with no pressure on that foot is terrifying long-term, it didn’t stop the Bengals from pulling out a 31-27 win over Jacksonville. Jake Browning threw three interceptions, but also made enough plays, including a late QB sneak, to keep this offense afloat. The real story though was Ja’Marr Chase, who was absolutely peppered with targets. Sixteen looks turned into 14 catches, 165 yards and a touchdown, good enough to make him WR3 on the week with 29.5 half-PPR points. Tee Higgins chipped in with a 42-yard score of his own, landing at 13 half-PPR points. The interceptions didn’t matter, the absence of Burrow didn’t matter, this offense still ran through Chase and Higgins.

If Burrow does miss time, don’t even get cute with it. Chase remains locked in as a dominant weekly play, while Higgins stays in the flex mix.

Quinshon Judkins looks ready to roll

Is there already a QB controversy brewing in Cleveland? Joe Flacco was not good in this one, completing 25 of 45 passes for just 199 yards with one touchdown and two turnovers before giving way to rookie Dillon Gabriel late. The offense looked completely out of rhythm as most of the production came in the short passing game. Jerry Jeudy led the team with eight targets but managed only 51 yards, while Jerome Ford tied for the team lead with five receptions. Harold Fannin Jr. continued to carve out a role with five grabs for 48 yards and David Njoku chipped in four for 40. Outside of that, Cedric Tillman’s lone score came on a fluke tip pass. There just wasn’t much else to be encouraged by.

The one bright spot was Quinshon Judkins, who led the Browns in rushing with 10 carries for 61 yards despite expectations that he would be eased in after missing camp. He also caught three passes for another 10 yards, showing he’s going to be used as more than just an early-down back. Between Flacco’s struggles, Gabriel getting late action and the distribution of touches shifting week to week, this offense feels like a mess right now.

The takeaways are simple: Judkins needs to be picked up, and both Fannin and Njoku will continue to be featured, but Cleveland’s passing game is still looking for an identity.

Daniel Jones is a must-start

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Daniel Jones just delivered another statement game for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are now 2-0 after pulling off an upset win over Denver, and it came in dramatic fashion. A missed Colts field goal in the final seconds was wiped away by penalty, giving them another shot, which they converted to steal the game.

But the real story is Jones. He went 23 of 34 for 316 yards, tossed a touchdown, added another on the ground, was sacked only once and didn’t turn the ball over. Against a tough Broncos defense, he heads into Sunday night sitting as QB5 on the week.

This isn’t a fluke. Jones is in must-start territory, and with the Titans, Rams and Raiders up next, he belongs in every top-12 QB ranking moving forward.

Shane Steichen’s offense looked sharp with Jones running the show. Jones peppered rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who led the team with 79 receiving yards on seven targets, and Jonathan Taylor feasted on the ground with 25 carries for 165 yards. Still, the engine of this win was Jones.

I can’t believe I’m typing it, but Jones is not just playable — he’s a top-12 quarterback next week, and a must-start.

Kenneth Walker III — Seattle’s true RB1

Kenneth Walker III put any doubt about Seattle’s backfield to rest in this one. While Zach Charbonnet faceplanted with 15 carries for just 10 yards, Walker ripped off 13 carries for 105 yards and a touchdown, averaging over eight yards a pop. He looked explosive every time he touched the ball and reminded everyone why he’s still the unquestioned RB1 for the Seahawks.

Sam Darnold was his usual mixed bag with 295 yards, two touchdowns and two picks, but the offense moved because Walker kept them on schedule. Jaxon Smith-Njigba also showed out with eight grabs for 103 yards, proving he’s the alpha in this passing attack. On the other side, the Steelers looked lifeless. No ground game, Aaron Rodgers looked every bit his age, and they couldn’t string drives together.

Bottom line: Seattle dominated, and Walker is still that dude.

Mac Jones vs. Spencer Rattler Delivered

Mac Jones and Spencer Rattler both showed out in what turned into a sneaky good quarterback duel. Jones went 26 of 39 for 279 yards with three touchdowns and no turnovers. Rattler answered with 207 yards on 25 of 34 passing and three touchdowns of his own, keeping a clean sheet with no interceptions. Heading into Sunday night, both sit inside the top 10 at the position for Week 2 — not something many expected when this matchup kicked off.

Both QBs kept their offenses flowing. Jones leaned on Jauan Jennings, who led the 49ers with 10 targets, 89 yards and a touchdown, while Christian McCaffrey chipped in both on the ground with 55 yards and through the air with a receiving score.

Rattler spread it around. Juwan Johnson continued his sleeper TE breakout with five grabs for 49 yards and a touchdown, Rashid Shaheed finding the end zone and Chris Olave commanding a team-high 10 targets. Alvin Kamara also pounded the rock 21 times for 99 yards.

The 49ers took the win 26-21, but the bigger takeaway for fantasy is that Jones might be worth a waiver add if you lost Burrow.

https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/week-2-instant-reactions-jj-mccarthys-inexperience-proving-painful-for-fantasy-football-002227268.html