There are some players that just aren’t exciting. Adding them to your fantasy plate is like picking potatoes over steak. The good news is, though it is easy to overcook a steak, it is harder to mess up a potato.
Jordan Matthews is a fantasy potato. He’s not a tasty pick. He’s not flashy. You don’t look at his name in your starting lineup and think, “Yum.” But there is reason to believe the Eagles wide receiver can be a delicious addition this week against the Bears.
Yes, we know his quarterback is underprepared rookie Carson Wentz. Though Wentz conjures some fear, he looked good last week. Mind you, that was against a sorry Browns defense. But for a rookie coming from a small college who missed a chunk of preseason time, we were impressed.
We interrupt this article to bring you obvious news: If you have Giants or Saints on your fantasy team, start them this week. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.
Some of our Wentz fears are allayed, but we still are talking about Jordan Matthews. Right, well, who else is going to catch passes for the Eagles? Tight end Zach Ertz has a rib injury and reportedly could miss several weeks — and Ertz was the Eagles’ next-best receiving option.
Dorial Green-Beckham? No thanks. Nelson Agholor? We’re not sold yet. Backup tight end Brent Celek? C’mon. And you can’t constantly check down to the running backs.
By process of elimination, Matthews is the guy. He made seven receptions for 114 yards and a score in Week 1. Duplicating those numbers, against what the Madman feels is a soft Bears defense, certainly is a possibility.
Expect the Eagles to try to get the Bears in their basic 3-4 front, so as to create one-on-one matchups for Matthews against cornerback Tracy Porter.
We’re going to start Matthews (a better bargain at FanDuel for $6,900 than DraftKings, at the same price under a tighter cap) this week ahead of players such as Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree, Doug Baldwin and T.Y. Hilton.
And you may be able to get comfortable with Matthews in your lineup. The Eagles don’t face a stiff pass defense until the Vikings in Week 7 — with matchups against the Steelers, Lions and Redskins in the coming weeks.
Big Weeks
Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
at Browns (FanDuel $7,400/DraftKings $6,500)
The Browns made rookie Carson Wentz look like a stud in Week 1. What can a seasoned vet like Flacco do to this paltry secondary? Another big play to Mike Wallace is not unexpected.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots
at Dolphins (FD $6,000/DK $ 4,000)
We saw the Patriots use this battering ram frequently in their Week 1 upset of the Cardinals. Don’t be surprised to see it again. With backup Jimmy Garoppolo still under center and the Dolphins able to apply QB pressure, it makes sense for the Pats to focus on the ground game again. Better in standard leagues than PPR.
Jeremy Kerley, WR, 49ers
at Panthers (FD $ 4,700/DK $3,000)
He is the slow WR in a Chip Kelley offense. On a short week, against one of the NFL’s best defenses, which had 10 days to prepare, could be a blowout. The clock says Garbage Time.
Clive Walford, TE, Raiders
vs. Falcons (FD $4,700/DK $2,900)
Atlanta did a good job last year limiting the fantasy production of WRs. No reason for the Raiders to force it to the stellar WRs if Walford is open, particularly in the red zone.
Small Weaks
Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks
at Rams (FD $8,400/DK $7,400)
Wilson had a hard time with the Dolphins defense at home in Week 1. Nursing an ankle injury, now he and his weak O-line face a Rams defense that is better than it looked in the opener.
Spencer Ware, RB, Chiefs
at Texans (FD $6,800/DK $6,100)
The Texans defense is no joke. Ware should fare OK, but don’t expect the monster numbers he had last week against the Chargers. Sore toe doesn’t help.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions
vs. Titans (FD $6,700/DK $4,900)
Speaking of strong run defenses, the Titans completely bottled up Adrian Peterson last week. They allowed just 3.9 yards per rush last season. And the Lions prefer to pass anyway.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
at Broncos (FD $7,000/DK $7,000)
He likely will draw cornerback Aqib Talib often. With QB Andrew Luck likely to face pressure most of the day, Donte Moncrief is going to be a safer option, facing less able coverage.
The Decision
Post fantasy Madman Drew Loftis and Roto Files columnist Jarad Wilk debate whom you should start this week:
Jeremy Langford vs. T.J. Yeldon
Drew: Langford — Starting Langford is like watching network television: predictable in its boredom and lacking in excitement. But against an Eagles run defense that was the worst in the league last season, knowing he likely will get around 20 touches, with the understanding he gets a full bellcow workload — Langford had 17 carries last week to one by Ka’Deem Carey. We don’t love Langford as a player, but we don’t love Yeldon either. And it is easier to envision an air-attack shootout in the Jaguars-Chargers affair than it is in Eagles-Bears.
Jarad: Yeldon — The Chargers’ defense was the sixth-worst against the run last season, while allowing the fourth-most rushing TDs and 4.8 yards per carry. They started this season by allowing just 83 yards rushing to the Chiefs in Week 1, but surrendered two rushing TDs and 153 yards receiving to Chiefs RBs. Though Yeldon had an ugly 1.9 yards per carry vs. Green Bay, he scored a TD (and with no Chris Ivory, he should see goal-line attempts). Even better, he had four receptions (six targets) and 30 yards receiving. After seeing Spencer Ware go nuts last week, Yeldon becomes a solid under-the-radar start who will be a part of the passing game and should see the end zone.
Last week: Jarad 13 (Ryan Mathews — 77 rushing yards, one TD), Drew 7 (Rashad Jennings — 75 rushing yards, three receiving yards)
Season series: Jarad leads, 1-0