We’re on to Week 2, you fantasy hooligans! I haven’t crunched the numbers for Week 1, yet, but I’ll have an Erin vs. Bryan scoreboard update next week. Erin and I share a lot of similar opinions this week, so this could go very well or very poorly for us. Please continue bringing those start/sit dilemmas to the Football Absurdity Discord and I’ll do my best to work them into next week’s absurd advice.
James Robinson vs. the Denver Broncos or Javonte Williams at the Jacksonville Jaguars?
Bryan’s Take: James Robinson led the Jaguars backfield with a 64% snap share, while Javonte Williams had a perfect 50/50 snap split with Melvin Gordon. However, the Broncos’ offense looked elite compared to the uninspiring pilot episode of the Trevor Lawrence experience. The Jags offense as a whole will have to improve before Robinson can be a reliable fantasy play. Start Javonte Williams in Week 2.
Erin’s Take: I’m drawn to Javonte Williams because “javonte” sounds like a ballroom dance style: rumba, foxtrot, mambo, javonte, etc. And James Robinson just sounds incredibly mediocre. I don’t want mediocrity. I want to javonte with Javonte. Start Javonte Williams in Week 2.
Ty’Son Williams vs. the Kansas City Chiefs or Elijah Mitchell at the Philadelphia Eagles?
Bryan’s Take: Rookie running back roulette! Ty’Son Williams did an admirable job stepping in as the de facto RB1 for the Ravens, but got a little bit of help from a favorable game script. Things will get tougher in Week 2, both opponent-wise and depth chart-wise. Meanwhile, Mitchell appears to have cemented his RB1 status. At least for September. Ride the wave. Start Elijah Mitchell in Week 2.
Erin’s Take: I don’t like when people take traditional names and try to fancy them up, like Ty’Son or D’Anthony or Æ A-12. Elijah Mitchell sounds like the name of a mythical local hero or star football player from a Disney teen drama. Start Elijah Mitchell in Week 2.
Chase Claypool vs. the Las Vegas Raiders or Deebo Samuel at the Philadelphia Eagles?
Bryan’s Take: This isn’t close if you’re looking at their Week 1 stat lines, but you have to remember that Deebo was facing mostly cardboard cutouts wearing Lions uniforms. Don’t get me wrong, Deebo is a superb talent, but I don’t know what the 49ers’ offense is yet. Do you know who else is a superb talent? Chase Claypool. Even though he had far fewer targets in Week 1, I think Claypool will find more opportunity against the Raiders, and I expect Deebo to return from orbit. Start Chase Claypool in Week 2.
Erin’s Take: When picking a football player, I’m looking for a tough guy. There’s no such thing as a tough guy named Chase. That name is better suited for a cyclist or sculler. “Deebo” has all the swagger of “Tebow,” but way cooler. Give me the cooler Tebow. Start Deebo Samuel in Week 2.
Sterling Shepard at the Washington Football Team or Michael Pittman Jr. vs. the Los Angeles Rams?
Bryan’s Take: Shepard had a really nice Week 1, pulling in 7 of his 9 targets for 113 yards and a TD. Pittman, on the other hand, only had 3 catches for 29 yards. I believe that MUCH better days are in store for Pittman, but, for now, stick with Sterling’s hot hand, especially while Saquon is still limited. Start Sterling Shepard in Week 2.
Erin’s Take: Michael Pittman Jr. sounds like an attorney. Not a successful attorney, but one that is appointed to you if you cannot afford one. Sterling is a man’s man. The kind of man whose name would be called out in a moment of passion by a heroine in a steamy romance novel: “Oh Sterling!” Start Sterling Shepard in Week 2.
You can find Erin on Instagram. For more from Bryan Sclar, follow him on Twitter (@FA_BryanSclar).
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