Everyone wants to make the bold call each week. Well, here at BretskyBall, we’re not overly concerned about being bold, but moreso about being right. You often hear the mantra “don’t get cute” from fantasy writers and analysts and that what our not-so-bold prediction piece is geared towards. Sure, we step out on a limb every now and again, but mostly, we want to highlight a couple of things that we see as very likely to happen this weekend. Enjoy our Week 2 predictions!
Matt Forte is a top-5 back this week… And for the rest of the season.
We’ve seen elite production form Forte in the past and he’s proven to be a yardage monster with one of the most consistent workloads in the NFL over the past several seasons. Forte gets plenty of work in the passing game (6 targets in week 1) and should see 15-20 carries per week as well. Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of his game, however, is the new coaching staff’s commitment to go to Forte as the team’s short yardage back. He hit pay dirt on a short yardage score last week and we expect him to find the end zone once again in Week 2 against a Vikings team that was absolutely gashed by Reggie Bush and Joique Bell last week. The Viking were particularly susceptible to Detroit’s running backs when they caught passes out of the backfield, an area in which Forte thrives. Expect to see Forte near the top of the scoring leader board in week 2 and beyond.
The Eagles offense will keep on rolling.
While we don’t doubt that some defensive coordinator will crack the code and slow down the Eagles’ fast-break offense, it’s not happening in Week 2 when Chargers come into town. The San Diego defense showed very little as the Texans furiously climbed back into their Week 1 matchup against, and now, coming off of a short week… traveling across the country… for a one o’clock game, we are not optimistic in their ability to keep up with the Birds. Start your Eagles with confidence.
Calvin Johnson will find the end zone.
This whole Megatron touchdown thing is getting a bit ridiculous. After he literally struggled to break the plane last season and was taken down inside the five yard line on numerous occasions last season, Johnson put together a pretty frustrating Week 1 to kick of 2013. He had not one, but two touchdowns taken off he board in the season opener and finished with a disappointing 4 catches for 37 yards. Still, you’ve gotta love the nine total targets and the three balls that Matthew Stafford tossed his way inside the 20, and as one of the game’s most dynamic playmakers, there’s little doubt that the TDs will start coming sooner than later. You’re obviously starting him is you’ve got him, but Johnson is also a recommended play this week in salary cap games, even in a tough matchup with Arizona stud corner Patrick Peterson.
Brian Hartline will see double-digit targets.
Mike Wallace got all the attention draft day after signing with the team in the offseason, but the speedy wideout continues to trail Hartline in terms of QB trust. Not to say that the plays won’t come for Wallace eventually, But Hartline and Tannehill simple have a whole lot more in-game experience with one another. Trust is a huge issue in the wide receiver-quarterback relationship and Hartline clearly haa that with his second year signal callers. He snagged 10 passes last week on 15 targets, turning in a highly successful PPR performance. Hartline was a top-30 receiver last season in PPR formats and there is little reason to doubt that he’ll put up another similarly productive year in 2013. It continues in Week 2.