With fantasy football rosters being strained due a rash of high-profile injuries so early in the season, the start of the 2024 season has more of the look of last man standing as opposed to next man up.
This week we have three wide receivers doing damage and making an impact, the highest-paid QB in the league not hitting a big number, and the No. 1 projected fantasy running back falling a little short in topping his rushing number.
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The Carolina Panthers take their stink show on the road to Las Vegas where Adams and Gardner Minshew are waiting for them. Adams is an elite receiver, and the Panthers can’t stop anyone. His return on investment is high with the Raiders are making their home debut and the Panthers being the best possible opponent to face.
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The feeling is that the 0-2 Ravens absolutely need this game and to beat the Cowboys, the priority needs to be running the ball and stringing together double-digit-play drives. The Cowboys have a solid defense but can be had on the ground. The byproduct of Baltimore’s offensive mindset is that Prescott will struggle to get enough passing snaps to top this lofty number.
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Both the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams are without star offensive players, but the lack of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel has been made up for in the running game. But the passing attack hasn’t filled the void yet. Aiyuk held out all of training camp and has been late getting up to playing speed. Typically, that takes about three weeks, and he is sure to get targeted early and often. As a downfield threat he won’t need a ton of receptions to top this number. Furthermore, TE George Kittle is unlikely to play due to a bum hamstring.
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The Kansas City Chiefs defense has allowed 259 rushing yards in two games, but almost half those yards were produced by Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Running backs have been a different story. No running back has rushed for more than 46 yards. Kansas City’s defensive philosophy has been to take away the biggest threat on an opposing offense, and that’s Bijan for the Falcons. Robinson may end up with 100-plus total yards, though it may be more evenly split between rushing and receiving.
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There is something to be said about a revenge play, especially when it is a player with an attitude like Diggs. If you look at the projections against the Minnesota Vikings (the team that drafted Diggs), both Nico Collins and Tank Dell are projected to get more yards. However, this is a reception prop for a motivated player who will lining up opposite slot corners. It wouldn’t be surprising if Diggs catches seven passes or more.
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