Start ‘Em

Cordarrelle Patterson

Patterson has so many different ways to put up fantasy points.

Cordarrelle Patterson picked up right where he left off last season. The duel threat receiver was on the top scorer of fantasy points in the second half of the 2013 season. The Vikings showed in the first week of this regular season that they want this guy involved. He was targeted five times in the passing game and took three handoffs. The result was Patterson became the first Vikings’ wide receiver to rush for over 100 yards. Looking ahead to a week two matchup against the Patriots, Patterson will once again be used in a number of different ways. He is locked in as the team’s main guy outside of Adrian Peterson. The Patriots were very weak against the Miami Dolphins run game. Though he more than likely will not rush for 100 yards this week, a 100 total yard game is never out of the question for him.

Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks had a huge week one debut. He caught seven passed for 77 yards and a touchdown. He also added 18 rushing yards to the total and was an effective punt returner. Cooks major opportunity came due to an injury to Kenny Stills. Normally, Stills would take a lot of opportunities from this young guy since the Saints really try to spread the ball around. It looks like Stills will once again be out of the Saints’ lineup in a week two matchup against the Browns. The Browns did not look very good against Steelers offense last week. Cooks should be able to have a nice follow up to his week one outing.

Terrence West

Terrance West looked good in his rookie debut. Now he will have a chance to be the Browns’ workhorse running back.

Things have already turned out like fantasy owners had feared. The Browns’ high profile offseason acquisition, running back Ben Tate, is going to miss some time due to injury. Terrence West was a popular sleeper choice in drafts due to Tate’s injury history. West will be given the start this weekend against the New Orleans Saints. In the first week of the season, West took 16 handoffs for 100 yards. It should be expected his workload will increase this week.

Sit ‘Em

Reggie Bush

It is hard to make an argument for starting Reggie Bush this week. He had a great opportunity in week one against the New York Giants, but after a hot start he fizzled out. By the end of the second half, Bush had to hand his workload over to Joique Bell. Bell looked great. He looked much stronger and faster than Bush. Now the Lions are going to have to play a road game against the Carolina Panthers. This does not bode well for Bush. The Panthers’ front seven will man handle him. Bell may be the better option for this matchup, but honestly avoid starting any Lions’ running backs this week.

Robert Griffin III

RGIII has no excuses this season. His play in week one is highly discouraging to anyone who was thinking about a bounce back season.

Once again, Robert Griffin III did not look like the RGIII we remember from his rookie year. His amazing speed and rushing capabilities were held to just two yards. He only threw for 267 yards and failed to throw a touchdown. He even fumbled. That is not what any fantasy owner wants to see. Now he has to play the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a classic trap game for fantasy owners. Do not be fooled, the Jaguars have a good defense. Their defense was good last year. They are stingy in the red zone. RGIII and the Redskins are not the Eagles. They lose this game, and RGIII loses a lot of fantasy games for owners who did not take him out.

Victor Cruz

Where to begin? Eli Manning looked horrible against the Lions. It may be another long season for the Giants quarterback. Victor Cruz was not target until the end of the second half. A number of the few good passes Manning threw, Cruz dropped. Now he has to take on the Cardinals secondary. He will be followed all night by Patrick Peterson. This does not look good.