Love
MIA WR Jaylen Waddle vs. IND CB Samuel Womack III
Waddle has not had over 50 receiving yards since Week 1 when he went over 100 yards. He has not found the end zone yet this season. This week could change things for him. Yes, Tyler Huntley is still at quarterback, but Waddle attended a throwing session during the bye week with Huntley. Those extra reps could make the difference Sunday. Coming off the bye week, Huntley and HC Mike McDaniel have extra time to prepare for this awful Colts defense that has been riddled with injuries. Womack III has been good for Indianapolis since getting his opportunity to be on the field all of the time, but these Miami receivers are just too much.
NYG WR Wan’Dale Robinson vs. PHI CB Quinyon Mitchell
Robinson has become a favorite target for QB Daniel Jones. Could it be a comfort thing for Jones to just dump it down to Robinson on the underneath routes, or is Robinson just that open? Whatever the answer is, fantasy managers do not mind. Robinson has scored in double digits in all but one game this season in which he only saw four targets. In all other games, he saw no fewer than eight targets. The Eagles play a lot of two-high safety zone coverages which will allow Robinson to find the holes in the defense and keep his volume high.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Zay Flowers #4 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball in front of Steven Nelson #21 of the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BAL WR Zay Flowers vs. TB CB Jamel Dean
Flowers is coming off back-to-back 100-yard performances against two teams whose defenses do not do a good job defending the pass. Flowers gets another favorable matchup against Tampa Bay who is giving up 252 pass yards a game. In his first NFL start last week, Saints QB Spencer Rattler threw for 243 yards to put things in perspective. Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles is known for his creative schemes, but his pass defense has flat out not been where it should be so far. Flowers is starting to come on, and be Lamar Jackson’s top target in the pass game.
Hate
BUF WR Amari Cooper vs. TEN CB L’Jarius Sneed
As a fantasy manager that has Cooper on one of his squads, there is excitement that Cooper is no longer in Cleveland, but there has to be some tempered expectations for the first week against a stingy Tennessee defense. Despite the offensive struggles, this Titans defense has held opposing teams to just 137 pass yards per game on average. First year DC Dennard Wilson has done a fantastic job creating pressure on the quarterback, but they are able to get pressure because of the personnel they have in the secondary. They have guys back there that can hold their own in man-press coverage allowing the pass rush to get home. Manage your expectations for Cooper this week.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 24: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers leaps for a reception over Natrone Brooks #35 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
PIT WR George Pickens vs. NYJ CB Sauce Gardner
Whatever Mike Tomlin is thinking regarding his quarterback situation, we will never know, but I do know this: do not play Pickens this week. The Jets have one of the best pass defenses in the league this season. It can be picked apart at times, but Justin Fields or Russell Wilson will not do that. There will be a new energy in this Jets team amidst the acquisition of Davante Adams this week.
IND WR Josh Downs vs. MIA CB Kader Kohou
With Anthony Richardson back under center, it is hard to imagine Downs will have the production he has been posting with Joe Flacco at quarterback. In the one game Downs played fully with Richardson, he only saw five targets and converted those targets into three catches for 22 yards. Miami’s defense has been a bright spot despite the offense’s struggles without Tua Tagovailoa. They have held teams to an average of about 160 yards per game. The Dolphins’ defensive players look much more comfortable in Anthony Weaver’s scheme than Vic Fangio’s scheme. We have seen the flashes from Richardson, but Miami will be ready coming off the bye week.