QB: Deshaun Watson
The Houston Texans have not gotten off to the start many imagined, but a division title and playoff berth are still realistic expectations for this team. Their week one loss in New England was to be expected, and week two was simply the product of a young quarterback and an incompetent head coach. Bill O’Brien is one of the worst coaches in the league, and he may singlehandedly tank an incredibly talented Texans team. All that being said, I still like quarterback Deshaun Watson to go off this weekend against the New York Giants. Even with all of their flaws, this Houston offense is lined with talent and should be able to get whatever they want against a weak New York defense. Houston’s offense line is a major concern, but the Giants pass rush is no longer the force it once was with the injury to linebacker Olivier Vernon Deandre Hopkins and Will Fuller form one of the league’s best wide receiver duos, and against a mediocre New York secondary I like their chances. Look for Watson to throw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns as the Texans end the NFL’s longest losing streak.
RB: Jordan Howard
The Chicago Bears travel to Glendale this week to take on the Arizona Cardinals as they look to build off their impressive Monday Night Football victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Bears running back Jordan Howard has yet to find the end zone this season, but against the pathetic Cardinals defense I expect a big game from Howard and the Bears offense as a whole. Chicago’s offense line is secretly one of the best in the league, and their inside trio of guards Eric Kush and Kyle Long, paired with center Cody Whitehair produce some of the leagues prettiest running lanes. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has a long way to go, but he has taken impressive strides this season in his understanding of the offense under new head coach Matt Nagy. Nagy himself has also shown improvement in his play calling, and should more comfortable week after week. Against Arizona, the offense as a whole should look the best it has all season, and includes a monster game from Howard. Expect over 120 yards on the ground, 40 through the air, and two total touchdowns in a lopsided victory for the new look Bears.
RB: Tevin Coleman
The injury to Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman is disappointing, and sidelines one of the games premiere talents at the position. But, it does satisfy the requests of many Falcons fans who have clamored for more Tevin Coleman, and it’s easy to see why. Coleman is one of the quickest players in the league with the ball in his hands, and his ability to make defenders miss is second to none. He has long had to share the backfield with Freeman, but with the injury he has taken his game to a new level. In his first week as RB1, he ran the ball 16 times for 107 yards and added 18 receiving yards on four catches. He was held out of the end zone, but was clearly the focal point of a fast-paced Atlanta offense. Against a porous New Orleans Saints defense, Coleman will have a field day and assert himself as a legit starting running back. I project over 175 all-purpose yards to go along with a touchdown.
WR: Michael Thomas
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has been a force since he entered the league in 2016, and this season has taken his dominance to new heights. Through the first two games he has caught a whopping 28 receptions, the most by any receiver ever through their first two games of the season. The typically deep Saints receiving corps is surprisingly shallow this year, and quarterback Drew Brees has clearly established Thomas as his go to target. There are some small signs for concern, most notably only managing 21 points against a pretty pedestrian Cleveland Browns defense, but all signs point to a return to form in week three. This week the Saints face a banged-up Atlanta Falcons defense, as Brees and Thomas should have their way and are both primed for huge games. Thomas will continue his hot start this week as he once again will reel in over 10 catches for over 100 yards and at least one score.
WR: Davante Adams
The number one wide receiver position in Green Bay has long been a fruitful position, and this season with speedster Davante Adams slotting in the result has been no different. Last week Adams was blanketed by All-Pro corner Xavier Rhodes and the rest of the stellar Minnesota Vikings defense yet still managed to get targeted a team high 12 times resulting in eight receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. This week Adams and the rest of the Packers offense face a much easier test as they travel to Washington. Statistically the Washington defense seem to have emerged as one of the league’s surprise units, as they currently lead the league in yards allowed through two games. Much of that comes from a dominant week one performance against the dumpster fire that is the Arizona Cardinals, and against one of the league’s best units this week Washington’s defense should come back to earth. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has started the season off hot, and I see no reason for that not to continue in week three. Look for Adams to reel in over 100 yards through the air and two touchdowns in a big Packers victory.
WR: Phillip Dorsett
The New England Patriots face their easiest test of the season Sunday as they travel to Ford Field to take on the winless Detroit Lions. Rookie Lions head coach Matt Patricia faces off against his former boss under the big lights of Sunday Night Football. Sometimes you can tell when a moment seems a little too big for a team, and I think that will become painfully obvious very early in this game Sunday. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady should have a field day against a weak Lions defense, and he should make it a priority to put this game away very quickly. Coming off a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, New England should come out angrier then we’ve seen them in a while, and that should include an unleashing of the aerial attacks. Wide receiver Phillip Dorsett has carved himself a nice role within the Patriots offense, and provides a speed and shiftiness no other receiver on New England’s roster can replicate. The acquisition of maligned wide receiver Josh Gordon may complicate the target shares in the coming weeks, but Gordon likely won’t see the field in his first full week in New England. For now, reap the benefits of a depleted receiving corps and give Dorsett a play this week. I project over five catches for at least 80 yards and a touchdown in a resounding Patriots victory.
TE: Travis Kelce
It’s no secret the Kansas City Chiefs offense has emerged as the premiere unit so far this season, racing down the field and picking up touchdowns at will. Tight end Travis Kelce is a huge part of that equation, and faces an enticing matchup with week against the San Francisco 49ers. In Kansas City’s home opener, an absolutely bonkers crowd is expected to show out to support their undefeated Chiefs team. The points should come early and often in this one, as neither the Chiefs nor the 49ers possess the defensive personnel to stop either offense. Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has lit the world on fire to start the season, and against a young and mediocre San Francisco defense he should once again impress. The 49ers employ a pair of handful of average cornerbacks, highlighted by free agent acquisition Richard Sherman, and should make life a little harder for Chiefs wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Chris Conley. What San Francisco lacks though is consistency in the middle of the field, as their linebacking corps and safety pairing are both major weaknesses. This spells good news for Chiefs tight ends and running backs, most namely Kelce and running back Kareem Hunt. I predict an impressive performance by Kelce with over eight catches for over 80 yards and two touchdowns.
FLEX: Matt Breida
We already know the Kansas City Chiefs are going to put up a lot of points in their matchup this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, so the onus now lies on 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the rest of the team’s offense to match their counterparts and keep them in the game. Kansas City boasts one of the league’s worst units, but Garoppolo has to prove he can execute in hostile environments. Week one in Minnesota, Garoppolo looked flustered and confused as he threw three picks in the eventual loss. This week Garoppolo faces a much easier test and must do better. He will rely heavily on the production of running back Matt Breida, who has stepped into the role of lead running back with the season-ending injury to Jerick McKinnon. Against a shaky Kansas City run defense, Breida should see the ball early and often as San Francisco looks to establish the run game. If Breida sees early success, the 49ers could ride him to a huge early season win. I see over 20 total carries for Breida resulting in over 120 yards rushing and a touchdown in what should be an absolute shootout.
D/ST: Seattle Seahawks
Many experts prophesized a disappointing season from the Seattle Seahawks, and they have yet to do anything to prove them wrong. Their offense looks disjointed and poorly orchestrated, while their defense looks inexperienced and unprepared. It’s a strange look for one of the league’s most well-respected franchises, and reflects poorly on the job of head coach Pete Carroll. Seattle is off to a disappointing 2-0 start, but finally have their first home game of the season against a struggling Dallas Cowboys squad. Emotions should be riding high for a Seahawks team desperate for a win, and against a Cowboys offense that has failed to find its rhythm thus far Seattle should be able to put together an all-around dominant performance. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has not looked strong in his two games so far this season, and star running back Ezekiel Elliot is significantly less effective behind a simply average offensive line. The Seahawks aren’t as bad as their record suggests, and they should get back on track this week with a decisive victory against the Cowboys.