DFS NFL QB COACH: Week 2

DFS NFL QB Coach

The relevant player data can be found right here with all of my recommendations on Page 2.

RED ZONE DATA

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ELITE OPTIONS

Cam Newton didn’t complete a pass that was targeted over 20-yards downfield in Week 1 against the Broncos. He was only 3-for-9 for 40 yards on the nine pass attempts that he was under pressure as he also took three sacks. Still, he is a dominant talent who can score through the air or with his legs. Line has to help him out there and give him some help.

Derek Carr completed his only two pass attempts of 20-yards in Week 1. He posted a 125.2 QB Rating on pass plays in which he was only rushed by four defensemen, but when the Saints brought the pressure he appeared extremely unsettled, the opposite of how he looked last season when he was smooth when pressure closed in on him. Still threw for well over 300-yards.

Eli Manning had a passable day in Week 1, though he was strong on deep balls going 4-for-4 for 103 yards and a score. The o-line really showed up allowing Eli to be pressured just five times and that will lead to a lot of success long-term.

Drew Brees lit up the Raiders down the middle of the field going 17-for-19. He was also clutch, and then some, with a 142.2 QB Rating when he had a clean pocket which seemingly always happened (he was pressured on 16.3 percent of his dropbacks, the lowest number in football).

Matthew Stafford lit up the Colts going 27-for-30 for 247 yards and three scores on passes under 10-yards as he carved them up with elite levels of efficiency. He was also pressured on just over 19 percent of his dropbacks.

Aaron Rodgers was 10-for-19 on 22 dropbacks when he took at least 2.6 percent to let go of the football. He didn’t come close to looking great… but he still produced three touchdowns (one rushing).

SOLID PLAYS

Andrew Luck was a monster in the second half in Week 1, and when he threw the ball at least 10-yards in the air he was 11-for-13 for 203 yards and three scores (on passes in the middle of the field he posted a QB Rating over 150 on 11 passes for 203 yards). He made good decisions, didn’t force the ball, and he moved the offense up and down the field. Luck was also only pressured seven times on 51 pass plays in a very heartening performance.

Joe Flacco completed 81.8 percent of his passes in Week 1 with no pressure. He was at just 41.7 percent on the 16 passes in which he was under pressure. The Browns stink. #EliteAnalysis

Russell Wilson is dealing with a bad ankle. That’s a concern though reports suggest he will play. Also of worry is that Mark Glowinski and J’Marcus Webb, Seattle’s two guards, graded out extremely poorly according to Pro Football Focus. Wilson isn’t likely to toss the pigskin 40+ times either.

Carson Palmer was absolute money on passes under 10-yards going 17-for-19. He hit only one pass over 20-yards and he was 7-for-13 under pressure. He also continues to look shaky as he did at the end of last season, this preseason, and in Week 1.

Andy Dalton was sacked on seven of 12 pressures in Week 1. When he wasn’t blizted he torched the Jets for 306 yards and a touchdown on just 21 pass attempts. Pittsburgh’s D doesn’t inspire fear.

Jimmy Garoppolo was 20-for-26 with 216 yards, a score, and a 113.6 QB Rating in a “clean pocket” against the Cardinals. He looked very Brady like, even without Rob Gronkowski.

RISKY PLAYS

Ryan Fitzpatrick only attempted one pass over 20-yards, and he was just 4-for-10 on passes between 10-19 yards as he seemed to lack his normal zip. With Marshall a bit beat up, it’s unclear if Fitzpatrick will be able to provide the impressive numbers he usually posts against divisional opponents (5-straight with at least two touchdowns).

Matt Ryan posted solid numbers in Week 1, but was just off with his targeting including down the stretch in the 4^th quarter. Numerous times his pass catchers helped him by making nice grabs on passes that were far from where they were supposed to be. He only completed one pass over 20 yards though he did have statistical success when given a clean pocket (23-for-31, 294 yards, one score).

Philip Rivers struggled after Keenan Allen went down and the offense struggled against the Chiefs as Rivers threw just eight passes that traveled over 10-yards in the air. On the plus side, the o-line, a concern, allowed just one sack and seven pressures on 41 pass attempts.

Brock Osweiler was 18-for-25 on passes under 19 yards. He also had two potential touchdowns dropped by DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller and performed pretty well. Taking on the Chiefs is never a cakewalk.

Marcus Mariota really needs to get the ball out quickly, a position enforced by his Week 1 effort. He completed just 42 percent of his passes when held the ball for more than 2.5 seconds while the mark was 69 percent when under 2.5 seconds.

Keep the pocket clean, success follows. Jameis Winston was 17-for-22 for 193 yards and three scores when under pressure. He was even 8-for-12 when blitzed. He also displayed nice touch on multiple passes, including two of the scores. Arizona blitz’s a lot and the game is on the road though.

Dak Prescott was 25-for-45 in Week 1. That’s a horrible 55.6 percent completion rate, and they can’t have him tossing 45 passes a week and hope to win. When under pressure he also hit just 35.3 percent of his 17 passes for 66 yards. At least he didn’t turn the ball over, though 27 of his 45 pass attempts were nine or fewer yards in the air.

Alex Smith was great statistically in Week 1 including going 9-for-14 for 176 yards and a score on passes that were in the air for more than 10-yards. He will not repeat against a stout Texans club.

QUARTERBACKS TO AVOID

Jay Cutler posted a 42.6 QB Rating when under pressure in Week 1. He didn’t throw the ball at all down near the goaline.

Trevor Siemian hit all five of his throws on passes from 10-20 yards. He also completed 12 of 18 passes for 113 yards when there was no pressure. He was even 6-for-8 when under pressure displaying enough talent to get by, though that’s far from excelling. He also seemed to lack ideal arm strength in Week 1, which was a bit odd.

Ryan Tannehill’s numbers weren’t good, but not all hope is lost as he was under pressure on 48.5 percent of his dropbacks last week, the highest rate in football. However, things may not change much in Week 2 as the Patriots always represent problems (just ask Mr. Palmer).

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).