Week 2: Team Fantasy Reports from SB Nation

Behind the Steel Curtain reveals all about the Steelers.

QB Ben Roethlisberger – Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and the running game struggled in Week 1 against a similar 4-3 defense to what the Steelers will face on Sunday. Roethlisberger threw for more than 350 yards last week and if the running game struggles like many suspect the Steelers will be forced to win the game on the strength of Big Ben’s arm.

RB Willie Parker – Parker took the blame for the Steelers problems running the ball last week and looks to turn it around, but there are far too many questions about the running game to count on Willie for a big game. Parker missed almost the entire preseason with an ankle injury and looked very hesitant last week. If you have another option on your fantasy team I would stay away from Parker like he was the Swine flu.

RB Rashard Mendenhall – Mendenhall got a plenty of carries during the preseason but he still didn’t look like the player the Steelers were drafting in the first round of the 2008 draft. Chicago is Mendenhall’s old stomping grounds though, so perhaps will come out and show his hometown team that they made a mistake not drafting him. Unless you are in an extremely deep fantasy league I don’t see Mendenhall deserving a spot on your lineup.

Blogging The Boys gives us the news out at the ranch.

K Nick Folk - The Dallas offense will score points on a weekly basis. Folk is solid on extra points and his field goal accuracy can be counted upon. His 51-yarder last week is proof of that.

Silver and Black Pride representing the Raiders.

JaMarcus Russell - (Bench) The Chiefs have about as much talent in their secondary as a High School Powder Puff team, so I expect JaMarcus to have a solid rebound from his poor performance on Monday Night. I would not start him though because his top 2 targets are out and he will be relying on two rookies and Javon Walker to get it done from the receiver position.

Oakland’s Defense – If you get points for turnovers and sacks then you will want to start the Raider Defense. They looked like world beaters on Monday Night and the Chiefs are not in the same class as San Diego, offensively.

You know Baltimore Beatdown likes the Ravens defense, but against the Chargers?

Baltimore Ravens Team Defense – While the Ravens didn’t intercept the KC Chiefs last week, they still dominated the game, allowing a total of only 188 yards of offense. The 24 points the Chiefs scored were mostly courtesy of a blocked punt and and interception return that set them up on the Ravens 7-yard line. Even though they are playing a tough Chargers offense, they are still a good play if they are your fantasy team defense (they’re mine!).

QB Joe Flacco – Don’t expect Flacco to put up over 300 yards every game. However, this is not Brian Billick’s pass offense, as Cam Cameron will continue to take the reins off of Joe and allow him to showcase that rocket arm of his. He will keep his interceptions down and complete a high percentage of his passes, as the Ravens offense is now on the verge of exploding. Grab him while he’s still available and stash him on your roster until you see the consistency that we in Baltimore expect. Good luck!

Ravens fans hang out at Baltimore Beatdown.

The Daily Norseman with Vikings fantasy advice – (short form: Play Purple Jesus!)

QB Brett Favre – Favre did pretty much what he was supposed to do this past Sunday in Cleveland. . .he completed a high percentage of passes (nearly 70%), he didn’t turn the ball over, and he made a couple of big plays in the passing game when called upon to do so. Favre has the potential to probably be a low-end starter for your team this Sunday against the Lions. He’s not going to go out and throw six touchdown passes and rack up 350+ yards like Drew Brees did last weekend, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility for him to double his output from last week, which would put him at about 220 yards and 2 touchdowns.

RB Adrian Peterson – Yeah, like you’re not starting Adrian Peterson regardless of what I tell you. Next!

Pride of Detroit breaks it all down with respect to the Lions fantasy value.

RB Kevin Smith – Coming off one of the worst performances of his career, Kevin Smith has vowed to play better this week against the Vikings. In his two games against the Vikings last season, Smith rushed for just over 60 yards both times. The interesting part is that he only had 5 carries in the first game and 21 in the second. I don’t expect the Vikings to quickly jump out to a big lead, so the Lions should be able to stick with their gameplan of establishing the run. I do expect Smith to play better, so he is a probably a good option for your second running back spot or the flex position if you have one.

RB Ryan Grant – He’s not the same back that ran for over 5 yards/carry in 2007. But the Packers have improved their goal line run blocking and he had one short yardage TD last week against the Bears. He’ll be the goal line back and certain to get at least a couple cracks at the end zone per game.

WR Greg Jennings – While Rodgers struggled, Jennings had a 50-yard game winning TD catch and another 100-yard game against a solid Bears secondary. He’s battling a wrist injury, but Mike McCarthy has said it’s just precautionary and Jennings will be ready to go on Sunday.

Chiefs Defense – Expect at least one turnover and one sack from the Chiefs defense. It’s not crazy to think the Chiefs secondary, with Brandon Flowers returning, could pick off an inaccurate (40% comp. last week) JaMarcuss Russell on multiple occasions.

For Chiefs fans, Arrowhead Pride is a must read daily.

It’s Friday, and we like to think of it as Fantasy Friday. Each week, we’ll gather team-specific fantasy reports from our SB Nation NFL blogs and post them here at SB Nation Fantasy Football. We’re tapping the knowledge-base of bloggers who follow their team’s players 365 days a year. So you know they know what’s really happening with the injuries, the position battles, the game plan; all that insider stuff that will help your fantasy team take the title.

First up, Niners Nation gives us the lowdown on the 49ers who are coming off an upset win last week.