Jimmy the bartender at 26 West On The Navesink in Red Bank, N.J. makes the best dirty martini on the Jersey Shore. His Fantasy Football team is the Big Boss, part of a competitive league called the FFL Smack Down. Comprised mostly of fathers and sons, Jimmy’s dad won’t join because he loathes using a smart phone, even though Jimmy said he’d be a terrific owner. C’mon Dad! Don’t let technology stand in the way of a good time. You and Jimmy should discuss this over a couple of martinis. That’s when decisions are best made.
GIDDY UP!
QB Jayden Daniels (vs. Giants) — I laughed when my son drafted Daniels in the seventh round of our draft. Well, the joke’s on me after Daniels finished as QB5 on opening day. Next up are the Giants and their “Olé Defense” that just made Jets’ cast-off Sam Darnold look like Joe Namath.
QB Anthony Richardson (at Packers) — The name “Anthony” dates back to the Roman Empire. It means “priceless one.” In each of his last two full games, he’s scored over 30 Fantasy points. Priceless indeed.
RB J.K. Dobbins (at Panthers) — I’m not one to chase points, but Dobbins’ Los Angeles debut was too good to ignore, averaging 13.5 yards per carry for 135 yards and chipping in a TD. The Panthers had no answers for the Saints last week, surrendering 47 points. J.K. Dobbins will go dobb, dobb, dobbin’ along.
RB Derrick Henry (vs. Raiders) — Did the Ravens bring in Henry as a $9 million decoy? QB Lamar Jackson out carried him 16-13. Henry needs 20 touches just to warm up. Expect the Ravens to adjust accordingly and feed Henry against the Raiders’ suddenly suspect run defense.
WR Khalil Shakir (at Dolphins) — This buffalo has been on quite the stampede. He’s scored three games in a row and the game before that he had six receptions for 105 yards against the Fins. Josh Allen’s favorite target is in range for more TDs in Miami.
WR Stefon Diggs (vs. Bears) — Speaking of Allen’s favorite target, ex-teammate Diggs excelled in his Texans premiere (six receptions, two TDs). Ever the prima donna, Diggs will look to cement his place in NFL stardom with a big showing on primetime Monday night.
TE Colby Parkinson (at Cardinals) — The former Seahawk put on a strong display for the Rams, making four catches for 46 yards on SNF, earning a TE7 finish. With Puka Nacua on IR for four weeks, Colby will jack up the receptions.
WHOA DOWN!
QB Derek Carr (at Cowboys) — Carr rarely puts up solid numbers back-to-back. He made quick work of a lousy Panthers D, but now flies into Dallas to face a defense that dismantled Cleveland QB Deshaun Watson. If history plays out, expect Carr to come in around the 20-point range in Big D.
QB Trevor Lawrence (vs. Browns) — Am I the only one waiting for T-Law to kick things up a notch? He was outscored by lesser QBs Nix, Young and Levis last week on his way to a mere 13 Fantasy points. The Browns just held Dak Prescott to 13 points as well, an ominous sign for Lawrence.
RB Devin Singletary (vs. Commanders) — Giants coach Brian Daboll never used Singletary as a workhorse when they were together in Buffalo, and he’s not using him as one now. Giving 10 carries to Singletary (for an anemic 37 yards) in a game that was close at halftime tells me it’s only a matter of time until we see RB backups Gray or Tracy take lead.
RB D’Andre Swift (at Texans) — Swift joins Singletary in the “10 Carries Club” as the Bears’ latest underachieving RB. Twenty of his 30 yards came on one play, meaning he had nine other carries for 10 yards. That’s no bueno. Swift can’t be trusted in Houston this week.
WR DeAndre Hopkins (vs. Jets) — Former All-Pro Hopkins suddenly finds himself the fourth-best WR in Tennessee and faces a teed-off Jets defense.
WR Xavier Worthy (vs. Bengals) — To quote Bill Parcells “Let’s not put him in the Hall of Fame just yet.” Worthy had a great opening day, but the fact remains he scored twice while touching the ball only three times. That success ratio is unsustainable.
TE Cole Kmet (at Texans) — Paging Mr. Kmet (one catch, four yards last week). Come in, Mr. Kmet. Are you there Mr. Kmet?
Thursday Night Special: The Bills were down 17-3 at home against an inferior opponent (the Cardinals) before Josh Allen saved the day again. On a short week with injuries at LB and DB, they will be hard pressed to defeat the Dolphins for the fifth straight time. But they will. Bills 31, Dolphins 30
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Bill Reinhard is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, a columnist for FantasyGuru.com, and author of Jets legend Joe Klecko’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech. Catch Bill on X @NFLFantasyBill and every Thursday night at 6:45 on “This Week in Pro Football” on YouTube TV.