Every week, fantasy football services attempt to project out how many points a given player will score that week. Sometimes they are fairly spot on. Often though, they can be comically off. These are those stories. Here is a look at some of the biggest over- and under-achievers for Week 2 of the 2013 NFL season.
Fantasy football 2013: Overachievers and Underachievers in Week 2
Each week we see numerous fantasy football players over- and under-perform against their Yahoo! fantasy projections. We take a look at the best and the worst from Week 2.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Overachievers
Alex Smith, QB
Stat Line: 223 passing yards, two touchdowns, 57 rushing yards
Projected FF points: 16.09
Actual FF points: 22.62
Other quarterbacks out-performed their projections by more fantasy points, but Alex Smith is the one that could prove to be a hot waiver wire commodity. The Chiefs quarterback put together a strong, efficient performance as he is settling in quite nicely. And considering the Cowboys is not too shabby, this was a strong performance.
Sit or Start, Week 3: Smith is currently owned in 38 percent of Yahoo! leagues. While I do not think there will be a rush to add him, he has some decent value if your quarterback situation is not optimal. In Week 3, Smith faces an inconsistent Eagles defense. The best advice I have is that Matt Ryan owners should add Smith. Ryan goes on bye in Week 6, which is the week the Chiefs host the Raiders.
Eddie Royal, WR
Stat Line: 90 receiving yards, three touchdowns
Projected FF points: 5.02
Actual FF points: 27.00
Do we have to finally acknowledge Eddie Royal just might be for real? The Chargers wide receiver followed up two touchdowns in Week 1 with three touchdowns in Week 2.
Sit or Start, Week 3: The Chargers passing game appears to be for real, so Royal might as well be moved into your starting lineup. He is currently owned in 20% of Yahoo! leagues, but you know that will change. It may just be a hot streak, but you might as well ride it out. He is a worthy flex start at this point as the Chargers travel to face an inconsistent Titans defense in Week 3.
James Starks, RB
Stat Line: 132 rushing yards, one touchdown, 36 receiving yards
Projected FF points: 2.93
Actual FF points:22.80
Eddie Lacy went down with a head injury on Sunday, and James Starks jumped all over the opportunity. Most expected Johnathan Franklin to handle the duties, but the Packers were content going to a man who hasn't been fantasy relevant in a couple years.
Sit or Start, Week 3: If Lacy is out, Starks would appear set to take over running back duties. The Packers are likely to take things slowly with Lacy, so Starks could have some value the next week or two. He travels to face the Bengals in Week 3, so let's see how they perform against Isaac Redman and the Steelers before deciding on Starks.
Underachievers
Tom Brady, QB
Stat Line: 185 passing yards, one touchdown
Projected FF points: 19.37
Actual FF points:11.20
Is it actually time to consider benching Brady? He struggled mightily against the Jets, as he and his wide receivers are struggling mightily to get on the same page. The Jets are playing solid football early in the season, but this was an ugly day all around for Brady.
Sit or Start, Week 3: The Patriots host the Bucs in Week 3. If you have a legit backup, you might want to consider them instead. If you are scouring the waiver wire for other QB options, Brady is the guy you should stick with. That being said, it says a lot that we are even considering benching him.
Roddy White, WR
Stat Line: 21 receiving yards
Projected FF points: 8.61
Actual FF points: 2.10
Earlier this week, Roddy White informed fantasy owners they should not play him if he does not practice during the week. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, and was limited on Friday. We should probably heed his advice a bit more.
Sit or Start, Week 3: Keep an eye on the injury report. At this point, you probably want to wait for White to complete at least one full practice session. When healthy, White is a must start. Right now, though, he is not healthy.
David Wilson, RB
Stat Line: 17 rushing yards
Projected FF points: 10.59
Actual FF points: 1.70
It's official. The Giants running back situation is a fantasy disaster zone. The upside is Wilson did not fumble. That is the only upside to his Week 2 performance. Brandon Jacobs got goal line work, ending up with the same number of carries (7) as Wilson.
Sit or Start, Week 3: It only took two weeks, but you officially have to bench David Wilson. He could very well bounce back, but there is no reason to think it will happen anytime soon. You cannot release him yet, and you probably do not want to trade him at a rock bottom price, so you are more or less stuck with him on your bench.
