Fantasy Football Recap
With week two came major upsets, defensive grinder matches and blockbuster performances from running backs Alvin Kamara (4 TD) and James Cook (3 TD). As the 2024 NFL season begins to take its shape, we reflect on the fantasy impact of each matchup. The following point total mentions refer to a 4-point passing TD, standard PPR format.
Saints 44 Cowboys 19
- Following a week one blowout over the Panthers, the Saints backed up their first performance of 2024 with another 40+ point showing. Alvin Kamara broke free for a league-high 44 PTS to the tune of four touchdowns. Quarterback Derek Carr continued his early tear, logging 21.82 PTS with a pair of touchdowns (up to a league-high five on the year). Ceedee Lamb (19 PTS) led all point scorers for the Cowboys in a rough one.
Buccaneers 20 Lions 16
- In a rematch of the 2023 NFC Divisional Round matchup, this time the Buccaneers got the last laugh. Chris Godwin, working off of four 1,000-yard seasons in the last five tries, rattled off 24.7 PTS. His quarterback, Baker Mayfield, followed suit with 18.8 PTS and a rushing touchdown. Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a vintage performance, pulling in 11 of his 19 targets for 22.9 PTS.
Packers 16 Colts 10
- With backup signal caller Malik Willis taking the reins in Jordan Love’s absence, Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur opted for a run-heavy scheme. 54 of the 67 plays Green Bay ran were on the ground, with Josh Jacobs (15.1 PTS) leading the charge on 32 rushes for 151 yards. Colts’ deep weapon Alec Pierce led all receivers (16.6 PTS) with five receptions for 56 yards and a score.
Jets 24 Titans 17
- Breece Hall lived up to his high fantasy draft stock this week. The third year back logged 21 touches, visited the end zone and logged 24.4 PTS. His backup, Braelon Allen, put up 19.6 PTS with a pair of touchdowns as well. Titans quarterback Will Levis looked better in game two of the season, but his pair of turnovers (one interception, one fumble) was the difference maker. 40-year-old veteran signal caller Aaron Rodgers looked far better than last week with a pair of touchdowns and 15.14 PTS.
Vikings 23 49ers 17
- The Vikings delivered one of the larger stunners of week 2, taking the game by the horns from the beginning. A 97-yard catch and run from Justin Jefferson set the tempo for a Minnesota squad that now has a 2-0 record. Jefferson finished with 23.1 PTS, and his quarterback in Sam Darnold put up 19.92 PTS. Running back Jordan Mason (17.4 PTS) capitalized on 21 total touches, logging a touchdown for the second straight week.
Seahawks 23 Patriots 20
- It took bonus time, but Seattle improved to 2-0 behind a strong passing attack. Geno Smith put up 327 passing yards with a passing score for 17.88 PTS. His main target, DK Metcalf (28.9 PTS), put on a clinic, registering 10 catches for 129 yards and a score. Jaxson Smith-Njigba (23.7 PTS) also racked in 11 receptions to make an impact. The Seahawks take on a Dolphins team that’s likely without Tua in the future. The Patriots will face a Jets team coming off of a bounce back win.
Commanders 21 Giants 18
- Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels logged the first win of his career Sunday, and he is looking more confident with every snap. While he only tallied 13.44 PTS, Daniels went another week without turning the ball over, a feat the other two starting QBs (Williams, Nix) have failed to do. Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson Jr. flexed his muscles with 7.8 yards per carry, and Giants’ receiver Malik Nabers put up 10 receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown (28.7 PTS).
Chargers 26 Panthers 3
- The Chargers stayed the course with a run-heavy scheme for the second straight week, and it paid dividends against a Panthers squad that is stumbling out of the gate. J.K. Dobbins (20.1 PTS) has now put up back-to-back weeks with 130+ rushing yards. Quentin Johnson put up a pair of touchdowns in what looks to be another potential bounce back year.
Browns 18 Jaguars 13
- This was one of the uglier games of the young season, but the Browns managed to come out on the other side in a battle of 0-1 teams. Cleveland receiver Jerry Jeudy (12.3 PTS) led his squad in receiving yards with 73, while Brian Thomas Jr. took a pair of catches for 94 yards. Christian Kirk, listed as Jacksonville’s WR1 on their depth chart, had one catch for a loss of a yard. Neither team turned the ball over despite both offenses looking less than promising for most of this one.
Raiders 26 Ravens 23
- The Raiders put up a comeback for ages, led by veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew. After the offense failed to break 50 total yards in the opening half, Minshew distributed the ball to Davante Adams (9 receptions, 110 yards) and Brock Bowers (9 receptions, 98 yards) with plenty of effectiveness. On the other end, Zay Flowers (22.1 PTS) led all Ravens in fantasy scoring. Baltimore is now 0-2 with losses to Kansas City and Las Vegas.
Cardinals 41 Rams 10
- A week removed from taking the Bills down to the wire, the Cardinals blew the Rams out of the water, snapping a dry spell against NFC West opponents. Kyler Murray put up a perfect passer rating, going 17-for-21 with 266 passing yards and three touchdowns. First round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. expelled the doubt of his many fantasy owners, putting up 29 fantasy PTS after pulling one catch in for four yards in the season opener.
Steelers 13 Broncos 6
- Taking the cake as the lowest scoring game in week 2, the Steelers and Broncos combined for just 29 first downs. Pat Freiermuth (4 receptions, 39 yards) led all receivers in a conservative passing attack spearheaded by Justin Fields. Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds (13.3 PTS) had 93 receiving yards, including a 49-yard catch. While Pittsburgh is scoring just 15.5 points per contest, they’re 2-0 heading into a key matchup with the undefeated Chargers. Expect plenty of rushing between a pair of units that have made the ground game their identity.
Chiefs 26 Bengals 25
- In typical Chiefs-Bengals fashion, this one came down to the final possession. The Bengals looked a lot better than their week 1 selves, and tight end Mike Gesicki (7 receptions, 91 yards) led all Cincinnati receivers on a day where Joe Burrow threw for over 250 yards and a pair of scores. Isaiah Pacheco (16.1 PTS) continued his strong start, averaging 4.7 yards per rush on 19 carries. Rashee Rice (17.5 PTS) also looks like the primary option on this team following the Hollywood Brown injury news.
Texans 19 Bears 13
- This primetime matchup featured 2024 no. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and 2023 no. 2 overall pick CJ Stroud, but the defenses stole the show. The Texans picked off Williams twice and sacked him on seven occasions for a loss of 40 yards. Nico Collins (27.5 PTS) became the only receiver in the league with back-to-back 100-yard performances this season. DJ Moore caught six of his 10 targets for 53 yards.
With week 2 giving us a greater idea of the 2024 data, look out for patterns and new storylines that build during a new season. Some of the best performers of this season may even be a free agent in most leagues. Stay tuned for our week 3 recap next Monday.
