Fantasy football
By Staff Reports on Sep 16, 2013, at 2:28 AM Updated on 9/16/13 at 5:22 AM
San Diego's Eddie Royal scores a touchdown in Sunday's game against Philadelphia. MICHAEL PEREZ / Associated Press
Five random facts
1. Eddie Royal is a beast. The guy who was a decent fantasy player like five years ago is blowing it up in the first two weeks in what only can be called an amazing offense that no one predicted. Philip Rivers and Royal are like Montana and Rice. Both are available in most leagues and are going to be popular with those 0-2 teams in your league.
2. The running backs came back alive. A week after only two running backs ran for more than 100 yards, this week five accomplished the feat. No one would have bet James Starks would lead the pack. C.J. Spiller woke up finally and Darren McFadden looked good. Adrian Peterson is still living up to his No. 1 ranking with so many of his peers busting as of right now (I'm looking at you Trent Richardson).
3. Reggie Bush came back to Earth this week, not able to hit even close to 100 yards rushing or receiving.
The Lions are who we thought they were - a team that is going to throw to win. Only problem is Matt Stafford is not holding up his end of the bargain. He threw only 36 times and only had 278 yards. Stafford is not acting like that 30-TD, 5,000-passing-yard stud many thought he would be. Philip Rivers has better numbers after two weeks. While we are on quarterbacks, Robert Griffin III is doing a lot of work in the second half of games. The rust is almost off, but he's turning in great fantasy games, thanks to his trio of wide receivers. With four carries for one yard, looks like he will get to maybe 200 yards rushing this season after turning in 815 last season. If he keeps going for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, I don't think any owner will mind.
4. Should you cut David Wilson? Not yet. He had a second straight horrible game, but at least he wasn't benched in this one. Denver has a tough defense. Wilson is going to emerge because there are no other options for the Giants right now. Speaking of Denver, Montee Ball continues to own the title of most over-hyped rookie. He averaged 1.3 yards a carry. It's time to cut Ball and have nothing to do with this running committee.
5. Tavon Austin had his breakout game with six receptions and two touchdowns.
Good for him. He is not doing anything on punt returns, which made the Rams defense a good option. Chris Givens had more yards, but Austin showed today that he is now worth starting in your league. Jared Cook, who blew up last week and so everyone started him? One catch for 10 yards. This Rams offense is going to frustrate you.
- JASON COLLINGTON
Put on your radar: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
Andre Johnson has always needed some help and it looks as though the Houston Texans may have found some in receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
A first-round pick from Clemson, Hopkins finished with seven catches for 117 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown reception in overtime. Hopkins will continue to struggle on occasion, as he did on Sunday. An incorrect route in the fourth quarter led to an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
That being said, Hopkins has plenty of upside and is worth having on your roster at this point. It's all about having guys who can contribute when the bye weeks start rolling in.
- MATT CLAYTON
