Have you come down from your Week 1 high and gotten any sleep yet?
I trust that many defensive coordinators and head coaches across the league fought through tremendous lows and produced an IHOP-inspired never-ending pot of coffee after watching their teams get carved up in the opener. The massive offensive production left many coordinators lying on the floor and screaming “Can’t go to sleep. Clown’s gonna eat me.” (Simpsons)
In previous installments, I’ve rolled out the Heroes and Flops at the glory positions. Let’s find a few gems lurking in the shadows.
(Exclude: Antonio Gates, Jermichael Finley, Dallas Clark, Jason Witten, Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski)
Week 2 Heroes
Brandon Pettigrew vs. Kansas City: Longtime readers know of my Man-Crush for Pettigrew. He registered four receptions for 57 yards on six targets in Week 1 against the Buccaneers. I anticipate a high target count this week against the Kansas City and for Pettigrew to have ample room to run down the seams with Eric Berry missing in the secondary.
Dustin Keller vs. Jacksonville: Keller opened the season with a strong effort against the Cowboys. He was targeted eight times and finished the game with five receptions, 61 receiving yards and a touchdown. Remember, Keller started off the 2010 season in similar fashion and dominated the red zone in the early part of the campaign.
Attention afforded Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes clears a lot of space for Keller to sit down in the end zone.
Greg Olsen vs. Green Bay: Olsen caught four of his six targets for 78 yards in Week 1 as Cam Newton opened things up against the Arizona secondary. He’ll be a pivotal cog in this offense for Week 2 as Newton and coordinator Rob Chudzinski try to slow down the Eagles. Check it down and get it out quickly to the tight end. Celebrate the DVD release of “Thor” with a big game out of his doppelganger.
Fred Davis vs. Arizona: I championed the promotion of Davis to “START” status in Week 1. He responded with a five-reception, 105-yard effort against the Giants. I’m calling on him to do me proud in a glorious matchup against the sieve-like Arizona pass defense. Chris Cooley’s lingering knee issue thrusts Davis into the spotlight.
Heath Miller vs. Seattle: Few offenses operated as poorly as the Steelers did in Week 1. The offensive line struggled against Haloti Ngata and the Baltimore front. Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t hang onto the ball.
Roethlisberger and his offense get healthy with a tasty home matchup against the woeful Seahawks. While the Seahawks try to slow down the Steelers’ speed options on the edges, Miller finds ample space to roam down the middle.
Ninja Alerts
Zach Miller at Pittsburgh: Tarvaris Jackson would do well to check down again … and again … and again. After being embarrassed by the Ravens in Week 1, the Pittsburgh defense is ready to go to work against the inferior Seattle attack. As such, Jackson yells “Hot Route!” frequently and dumps the ball to Miller.
Ed Dickson at Tennessee: I touted Dickson as a season-long “Ninja.” I didn’t anticipate that he (five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown) and the Ravens would post huge offensive production in Week 1 against the Steelers. He’s on the radar for another big effort in Week 2 against the Titans. The aggressiveness displayed by Flacco in Week 1 bodes well for another big game
Flop Alerts
Owen Daniels at Miami: Following a tepid Week 1 performance, I’m reticent to jump onboard the Daniels bandwagon this week. The Houston ground game worked well and the Texans obliterated the Colts, but the passing game was hardly dominant. It’s possible that things shift this week and that the passing offense clicks against the Miami defense that was picked apart by Tom Brady in Week 1. I believe there are better options to be had this week.
Team Defense
Tampa Bay at Minnesota: Go back and watch the Minnesota offense from Week 1. Scratch that. Go back and watch the non-Adrian Peterson plays, throw up and come back to read the rest of this piece. The Minnesota passing game was positively atrocious in Week 1 (I know that Michael Jenkins scored, but come on). It can’t help but to improve over time, but the road from Week 1 to “acceptable” is a long one.
Denver vs. Cincinnati: I liked the Cincinnati offense better with Bruce Gradkowski under center. Andy Dalton returns, and that opens up an opportunity for Elvis Dumervil (watch his health) and Von Miller to wreak some havoc. The Bengals should be able to run Cedric Benson if they commit to giving him the ball 25 times (look at what Oakland did last week). I just don’t believe that they’ll make any waves in the passing game and should be able to rattle Dalton.
Kicker
Nick Novak at New England: Novak was signed to replace Nate Kaeding, who was injured on the opening kickoff in Week 1. He kicks behind one of the most explosive offenses in the game and will have ample opportunities in this highly-anticipated contest. Experts are anticipating a high-scoring affair. At a minimum, you’re locking up at least a field goal worth of PATs.
Jay Feely at Washington: You saw a high-flying, wide open game in Week 1 between Kevin Kolb and Cam Newton. Get ready for an encore in Washington as Kolb and Rex Grossman tangle. Take one of our Twitter faves to post a big game in what promises to be a high-scoring affair.
