Just because we have a week’s worth of game film to analyze and box scores to break down does not mean we should throw all preseason research to the wayside. However, we should take a moment to decide whether some of the things that occurred in Week 1 are sustainable or not. My Week 2 quarterback sleepers all had excellent performances in Week 1. I expect these performances to carry over into Week 2 primarily based on the matchups they face this week.
I am not ready to crown any of these quarterbacks Top-10 season-long plays quite yet. Although in the case of Patrick Mahomes, we are quickly approaching that territory. Mahomes has all of the tools and a ton of weapons around him. If you drafted him as your QB2, it looks like you made a wise investment. He will not be considered a quarterback sleeper much longer. He is in line for another nice game in Week 2. Here are my thoughts on Mahomes as well as some other Week 2 quarterback sleepers.
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Week 2 Quarterback Sleepers
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
As I just mentioned, “quarterback sleeper” is probably not the proper term to categorize Patrick Mahomes in, particularly after his standout performance in Week 1. But I wanted to emphasize the fact that I believe a lot of his success is sustainable in this matchup. Kansas City has a creative offense and playmakers at every skill position. It also helps when Andy Reid designs short-yardage layup touchdown passes, as he did on multiple occasions in Week 1. That may not always be the case, but it is a good sign that Reid is willing to pad his new starting quarterback’s stats on occasion. Mahomes is in line for another solid performance in Week 2 in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh does not have an elite defense. I believe the Steelers will continue to primarily play zone knowing that they have nobody who can keep up with Tyreek Hill. Mahomes should be able to find holes in the zone and effectively move the football. He also can make plays with his legs. We just saw Tyrod Taylor rush for 77 yards and a score last week, so we know Pittsburgh is susceptible to dual-threat quarterbacks. The Steelers also were on the field for a whopping 78 plays last week, so they could be a little fatigued in Week 2. Mahomes can be in line for another Top-10 fantasy finish this week.
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Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns at New Orleans Saints
I am going to the well again this week with Taylor, who put up Top-6 fantasy numbers in sloppy field conditions last week. He now gets a dome game against the New Orleans Saints, who just made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like Aaron Rodgers. The Saints were not able to generate much of a pass rush on Sunday. I don’t expect that to change much against Cleveland’s offensive line. I believe Taylor will have clean throwing lanes and will utilize Jarvis Landry and Josh Gordon down the field.
As we all know, Taylor always has the safeguard of rushing production in any given matchup. In addition to their woeful Week 1 passing defense, New Orleans also gave up 36 rushing yards and a score to Fitzpatrick. It is safe to say that the Saints’ defense will do better in Week 2 than they did in Week 1. But if this game becomes another shootout in the dome, Taylor has a chance to put up another QB1 fantasy performance in Week 2.
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Flacco was efficient last week, completing 74 percent of his passes. He ended Week 1 with 236 passing yards and three touchdowns. He looks to build on a Top-7 fantasy finish when he heads to Cincinnati to kick off Week 2 on Thursday night. Many will take Flacco’s Week 1 effort with a grain of salt considering it took place against the Buffalo Bills. But I think he’s in line for another nice game this week.
Cincinnati was victorious in Week 1, but their defense can be exploited. They permitted Andrew Luck to throw for over 300 yards while surrendering completions at the same 74 percent clip that Flacco enjoyed against Buffalo. When Baltimore approaches scoring territory, I believe they will try to attack Cincinnati through the air and avoid targeting the Bengals’ strong front. I see Flacco throwing for 250 yards and two scores in this game, making him a nice play. Odds are that you have better Week 2 options on your roster, but I believe Joe Flacco makes for one of the better Week 2 quarterback sleepers.
Case Keenum, Denver Broncos v. Oakland Raiders
Case Keenum lit up Seattle for 329 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1. Yes, he also threw three interceptions, which was the only thing that knocked him out of weekly QB1 territory. But that figures to be less of a likelihood in Week 2 when he and the Broncos host the Oakland Raiders. Oakland’s defense predictably struggled on Monday night following the trade of Khalil Mack to Chicago. I do not believe Oakland has the players in the secondary to handle Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders. Both wideouts hit paydirt in Week 1 and I can see a repeat performance against Oakland this week.
The primary concern for Keenum from a fantasy perspective in this matchup is that this game may get out of hand relatively quickly. But I think Keenum will put up enough numbers early to make him a reliable fantasy quarterback this week. As is the case with Flacco, owners of Keenum likely have a better option at the ready. Still, Keenum should be in line for another nice day at the office in Week 2.
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Mick Ciallela has been writing for FantraxHQ since July 2017. He has also written for Bleacher Report. He is a lifelong sports fan and has been an avid fantasy sports player for many years. Mick was the Overall Champion of both the 2016 Football Challenge – Roto and 2017 Play 3 Football contests hosted by CDM Sports. MIck was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in New London, Connecticut.