Expert Picks Preview: Week 2
Glean insight from one of the game’s best in Beermakersfan’s NFL Tourney Picks, as he lists picks he’ll actually be targeting in his cash games below. Each day you can get in-depth analysis by position for FanDuel GPP, Qualifier and other larger-field games.
Week 2
QUARTERBACK
1. Aaron Rodgers: $9,100 (vs. NY Jets)
Let’s remember, this article is focused on tournament (GPP) plays because there’s no doubt I love the Andrew Luck’s and Peyton Manning’s of the world this week, but Rodgers makes for a tremendous play at home against the Jets. He will not be as highly owned as one might think coming off a rough season opening loss to the Seahawks and some other “big name” QBs in potential shootouts but that’s just fine by me. Rodgers and the Pack will have plenty of frustration to take out on the Jets after a lackluster performance in Seattle and I expect the offense to come out clicking on all cylinders in this one. This is not the same Jets D that used to strike fear in opponents, in fact they ranked just 22nd against the pass in 2013, giving up 246.7 yards per game and 26 touchdowns. The secondary is not very good and is injury riddled right now so expect Rodgers to carve this team up and approach 300+ yards and 2-3 scores.
2. Jake Locker: $7,400 (vs. Dallas)
Locker and the Titans looked phenomenal in their Week 1 beat down of the Chiefs in Arrowhead and now they get to return home to face potentially the league’s worst defense in the Dallas Cowboys. Locker completed 66.6% of his passes against the Chiefs and threw for 266 yards and 2 scores and looked in command of the offense all day long. He looks to be healthy and has numerous viable receiving options in Wright, Hunter, Washington and Walker and should get little resistance from this below average secondary. Don’t let Kaepernick’s so-so outing have you worried, San Fran jumped out to a big lead and cruised to victory. Locker and the Titans still have their doubters out there and they will come out focused and continue their upswing this week, making Locker my favorite mid-range tournament play of Week 2.
3. Brian Hoyer: $5,800 (vs New Orleans)
I touted Chad Henne over Shaun Hill in this column last week which worked out well and I like Hoyer this week for almost all the same reasons. I have to think that Cleveland will be game planning to run the ball to keep this game lower scoring and keep Drew Brees on the sideline. The problem is the Saints are one of the most explosive quick score offenses in the game and have a pretty good run D which could put Hoyer and the Browns in more of a deficit than expected. Hoyer could be forced to attack through the air and he showed us last season before his injury that he can step up to the plate when needed. He also showed his mettle last week after trailing the Steelers 27-3 at the half by helping bring the team all the way back to tie the game before ultimately losing in OT. There is upside in this play and the price is very easy to manage and help you load up all your favorite studs of the week.
RUNNING BACK
1. Jamaal Charles: $9,100 (At Denver)
Charles let a bunch of people down with his week one clunker against the Titans but it’s very important to have a short memory in this game. Most people will look to McCoy or AP and overlook JC due to the “what have you done for me lately” method of roster construction and that’s a major mistake. Andy Reid knows that this team’s success and failure hinges on Charles and he will look to get his prized RB back on track in a huge division game at Denver. Others will also overlook Charles due to the expectation that the Broncos will manhandle the Chiefs, but let’s not forget Charles is also highly involved in the teams passing attack and he totaled 189 yards and a TD in two meetings last season.
2. Giovani Bernard: $7,800 (vs. Atlanta)
The Saints showed us last week that the Falcons can be eaten alive on the ground, giving up 139 yards and three scores in Week 1. Now the Falcons face the tall task of trying to slow the explosive Bengals running game led by dynamic sophomore Gio Bernard. Bernard was very busy in the Bengals first game against the Ravens, totaling 14 carries to go along with 6 catches, good for 110 total yards. The word out of Cincy is that they would like to get Jeremy Hill more involved in the game plan, and I agree with that statement, but it does not temper my expectations for Bernard who once again should be highly involved in all facets of the attack against a porous Falcons run defense.
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