2. La Dainian Tomlinson (SD) – He wasn’t quite himself last week on the ground but he made up for it in other ways. He has a good track record against the Pats and an even healthier hatred for them. He’s a multi dimensional triple threat and even against the best defense, he will always get you points.
3. Travis Henry (DEN) – He plugs in perfectly to the Bronco’s system. Week 2 will be a good one for Henry and he should get that TD that eluded him in week 1.
4. Rudi Johnson (CIN) – He posted his best game of 06’ against Cleveland. This is a great match up and a strong passing game should open things for him to break loose.
5. Willis McGahee (BAL) – Didn’t have that wow factor in his Raven’s debut. Week 2 could provide that wow against a Jets defense he has dominated in the past (at least 110 yards in each of his last 5 games vs. the Jets).
6. Brian Westbrook (PHI) – Look for him to find the end zone at least once after being shut out last week. He’s too talented for the Skins to contain.
7. Adrian Peterson (MIN) – With Chester Taylor leaving the game last week, Christmas came early for those of you who drafted A-Pete. Taylor is still beat up and only likely to play much if at all. Great match up that gets him 2 thumbs up this week.
8. Shaun Alexander (SEA) – The Card’s D was able to limit Frank Gore to just 55 ground yards and a score. Alexander has a better cast around him and will exceed Gore’s performance last week.
9. Willie Parker (PIT) – He should rack up plenty of yards this week, but he will have to break a long run to get a score.
10. Steven Jackson (STL) – He’s usually a stud against SF. The Niners provide an improved front 7 and Jackson is without Orlando Pace, but we still expect respectable numbers. You have to start him if you have him.
11. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC) – Fantasy owners and Jones- Drew himself would rather forget week 1. Week 2 vs. the Falcons should begin the healing process with a favorable match up.
12. Reggie Bush (NO) – Expect Bush to correct last week’s train wreck, but he will do it as a receiver rather than on the ground.
13. Cedric Benson (CHI) – His numbers should improve this week against KC and he shouldn’t lose as many carries to Peterson. Quality match up but he has to hang on to the football.
14. LaMont Jordan (OAK) – He started the season on a positive note, especially as a receiver out of the backfield. He will likely be used the same way this week. Good match up so long as the Raiders can stay in the game.
15. Edgerrin James (ARI) – The new look O-Line was able to provide Edge with some running room last week. Look for him to equal but probably not surpass last week’s performance.
16. Larry Johnson (KC) – The good news is he will be a much bigger part of the offense this week. The bad is he will be facing the Bears. He’s too good to sit but don’t expect his usual.
17. Clinton Portis (WAS) – A positive game against a great D in week 1.H e will still share carries with Betts but has decent upside this week.
18. Joseph Addai (IND) – When we couple the fact that Tennessee shut down 2 great backs last week with the fact that Addai hasn’t achieved great success in 2 games against the Titans. We conclude that you should use caution. He’s probably too tempting to bench this week, and that’s understandable, but don’t say we didn’t tell you so.
19. Deuce McAllister (NO) – Those of you who started him last week probably have some regrets. He should right the ship this week against division rival Tampa (a team he almost always scores on). A TD would help ease the regret of last week, wouldn’t it?
20. DeShaun Foster (CAR) – A positive week 1 should carry over this week. Splitting carries doesn’t help his fantasy numbers and if he doesn’t have great numbers by half time, he’s probably not going to.
21. Derrick Ward (NYG) – He filled in nicely for the injured Jacobs and he will get the start this week. We think he may continue to surprise, especially as a receiver out of the backfield.
22. Marion Barber (DAL) – He’s not the starter, but he is the star of the Cowboys running attack. He’s always a TD waiting to happen, but be cautious with this match up.
23. Chris Brown (TEN) – Week 1’s AFC offensive player of the week should get the bulk of the carries again this week despite not starting. Sharing the load never helps a back’s fantasy value, but it didn’t seem to hurt at all last week.
24. Marshawn Lynch (BUF) – He’s coming off the flu which kept him out of practice for a day. After the Steelers are finished with him, the flu may not seem so bad. He’s a good looking young back, but this week just isn’t his best match up.
25. Laurence Maroney (NE) – He didn’t exactly torch the Jets on the ground and San Diego will be an even tougher nut to crack. Start him if you must, but if you have another option, give Maroney the week off.
26. Ronnie Brown (MIA) – Chatman may be out meaning an increased role for Brown this week. That isn’t saying much for a guy who hasn’t produced on the ground in quite awhile. Expect a better week on the ground, but his role as a receiver will lessen.
27. Brandon Jackson (GB) – This rookie has a better match up this week, but until he proves himself, he has limited fantasy value.
28. Ahman Green (HOU) – He has to get more touches to be a truly productive fantasy back. We assume the Texan coaching staff is afraid of injury given Green’s past, but he’s the kind of back that gets better with each carry. Week 2 doesn’t provide a good match up no matter how many carries he gets.
29. DeAngelo Williams (CAR) – He’s the finisher in the Panther backfield. Foster wears em’ down and Williams finishes them off. He has tremendous upside, but not enough carries keeps him from elite fantasy status.
30. Fred Taylor (JAC) – He will start and improve over last week’s embarrassment, but Jones-Drew will be the feature back against the Falcons.
31. Jamal Lewis (CLE) – His Brown’s debut was a huge let down. Week 2 is more promising, but anything is more promising than last week. Keep your expectations low.
32. Julius Jones (DAL) – He is the yardage back for Dallas which means he’s unlikely to score. This isn’t a good match up for yards either.
33. Thomas Jones (NYJ) – Shaky in week1. He will eventually get going but facing a calf injury and a stubborn Baltimore run D makes him virtually useless for week 2. We hope you have a good back up this week.
34. Jerious Norwood (ATL) – Chris Brown was able to smoke the Jag’s defense. Norwood is a similar style back, only faster. Sound’s nice, but he doesn’t get the ball enough and we are pretty sure Jacksonville will correct their porous rush D this week.
35. LenDale White (TEN) – He will still be the starter, but Brown will continue to steal the majority of carries. He matches up well against the Colt’s but is better left on the bench given his situation.
36. LaDell Betts (WAS) – Rushed for over 170 in a game against Philly last season, but that was with Portis on the sidelines. He’s a quality spot starter in a pinch, but as long as Portis is healthy, that’s all he will be.
37. Michael Pittman (TB) – He was used often in the Buc’s passing attack last week. He may have to be used often in the running game this week. Caddy Williams is banged up, and Pittman’s fantasy value relies on William’s availability.
38. Tatum Bell (DET) – He is a talented back worthy of a starting role most weeks, just not this week. The Minnesota rush Defense is too much for him to handle.
39. Carnell Williams (TB) – He’s coming off a sub par week and a rib injury. He will be limited if he plays at all. Pittman will probably get most, if not all, of the carries.
40. Warrick Dunn (ATL) – He should give way in favor of Norwood this week and Jacksonville should correct its run defense issues. Not a good week to start him.
