Sneaky Starts: Week 2
As injuries pile up, all but the luckiest fantasy owners will at some point need to find the proverbial diamond in the rough: a waiver wire or bench player who is capable of putting up some points in a pinch. This weekly feature is dedicated to that part of fantasy football. It's not pretty, but it's part of the game.
Week 1's sneaky starts included Kevin Smith, Stevan Ridley, Nate Washington, Malcom Floyd, Rod Streater and three 60+ yard TEs. Here's a look at the sneakiest QB, RB, WR and TE plays for Week 2...
Note: These recommendations do not trump our weekly rankings which are updated throughout the week and weekend.
49ers QB Alex Smith (vs. DET)
Smith was impressive against the Packers in Week 1 throwing for 211 yards and 2 touchdowns while completing 20 of 26 passes. It appears that the added weapons in the passing game -- namely Randy Moss and Mario Manningham -- have helped Smith's situation. The Lions are not all that easy to run on, so expect the 49ers to throw the ball against a suspect Detroit secondary.
Colts QB Andrew Luck (vs. MIN)
If Blaine Gabbert can throw for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Vikings, what will Luck be able to do? With or without Austin Collie, Luck should be able to move the ball like he did against the Bears in Week 1. He was picked off 3 times, but threw for 309 yards and a touchdown. His efficiency should improve against the Vikings.
Titans QB Jake Locker (@ SD)
Locker injured his shoulder at the start of the 4th quarter against the Patriots, but was on pace for 305 passing yards and 1.3 TDs. This week he faces a Chargers defense that successfully shut down Darren McFadden in the running game, so look for the Titans to have to throw it to try to move the ball. He also will benefit from the return of Kenny Britt.
Vikings QB Christian Ponder (vs. IND)
Jay Cutler torched the Colts in Week 1, while Ponder fared pretty well -- 270 yards on 74% accuracy -- against the Jaguars. Ponder didn't throw a TD pass, but that should change against the Colts in Week 2.
Redskins RB Alfred Morris (@ STL)
Morris may still be out there in some very shallow leagues. He is shaping up as a mid- to low-end RB2 against the Rams who really struggle against the rush last season. Against the Saints in Week 1, Morris rushed for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on 28 carries and appears to be the RB of the moment in Washington, though that can change on a dime.
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