The Week 2 Sunday Night Football game is a tale of two teams coming off of differing opening games. The Chiefs stormed back against the talented Browns to earn a win. Conversely, the Ravens lost in overtime against the Raiders. The game’s spread is only 3.5 points. However, I think there’s boat race potential, and my favorite options reflect that.
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Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
The Week 2 Sunday Night Football game is a tale of two teams coming off of differing opening games. The Chiefs stormed back against the talented Browns to earn a win. Conversely, the Ravens lost in overtime against the Raiders. The game’s spread is only 3.5 points. However, I think there’s boat race potential, and my favorite options reflect that.
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Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens
Chiefs Analysis: Patrick Mahomes is unreal. He was brilliant in the opener, passing for 337 yards and three scores, adding 18 yards and one touchdown on the ground. The recipe for success was the same as it always is; force-feed studs Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
Hill parlayed 15 targets into an 11-197-1 line, adding a four-yard run. According to Sports Info Solutions, his 222 Intended Air Yards were the most by a whopping 27 yards.
Ranking third is Darren Waller with 190. Why is that noteworthy? Waller opposed the Ravens in Week 1. He caught 10 of 19 targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. Still, there were misfires, and Waller dropped a pass. In other words, there was room for a bigger line.
Travis Kelce's the next tight end up facing the Ravens, and he reached pay dirt twice as part of a 6-76-2 line on seven targets last week against the Browns. Obviously, the all-world tight end is capable of furthering Baltimore's woes defending the position. I prioritize rostering Mahomes, Hill, and Kelce on the Sunday Night Football single-game slate.
The Ravens defense was dreadful last week, coughing up 33 points to the Raiders. I'm bullish on the Chiefs blowing them out this week. If that happens, the game script would be favorable for Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He could also provide value as a receiver. The second-year back caught all three of his targets for 29 yards last week. In addition, the Ravens ceded five receptions for 59 yards to Kenyan Drake, one for six yards to Josh Jacobs, and four receptions for 22 yards to fullback Alec Ingold. Could the Chiefs more heavily utilize CEH in the passing game after watching the Raiders have success using their backs as receivers last week? Maybe!
I'm also digging Mecole Hardman on this slate. At first blush, it looks like more of the same from the unpolished speedster. He was targeted only three times, reeling in all three for only 19 yards. However, his usage provides a reason for optimism. According to Pro Football Focus, Hardman played 38 passing snaps, running 34 routes. Both totals were the second-highest marks among receivers. As a result, he's jostling with CEH for the best odds to emerge as the third passing-game option behind the supremely talented combo of Hill and Kelce.
To roster all of the studs, you'll need to make some salary concessions. Further, to differentiate from the field, you need to take some chances. Blake Bell could help you do both. He's not going to have a sizable role in the offense. However, he could be a threat in scoring territory.
First, the Chiefs played him on nine passing snaps, having him run a route on each. Perhaps they'll find his big frame desirable in scoring territory. Second, he could be a short-yardage threat to run for a score after they showed a wrinkle, motioning the former college quarterback into the backfield to take a snap for a short-yardage carry. The most likely scenario is zero fantasy points. Nonetheless, he merits consideration as a sneaky dart throw.
Ravens Analysis: The case for using Lamar Jackson is simple. He's a dynamic player who can pile up points with his arm and legs. As evidence, look at his Week 1 performance when he passed for 235 yards and a score and rushed for 86. However, I'm not going to dive in further about Jackson's upside, because it's apparent. More importantly, I intend on fading him.
The offensive line struggled mightily last week. Pro Football Focus graded the unit dead last in pass blocking. According to Pro Football Reference, the Raiders generated pressure at a 20.5% clip while blitzing only 7.7% of the time (tied for the second-lowest rate). No matter how you slice it, they didn't get the job done. Unfortunately for Jackson and Baltimore's offense, it looks like things are going to get worse before they get better.
Since I'm expecting the Ravens to play from behind, their pass-catchers are who I'm interested in rostering. Sammy Watkins led the team in passing snaps (38), routes (37), Intended Air Yards (83), targets (eight), and receiving yards (96). He also ranked second with four receptions. Marquise Brown is tending to an ankle injury, making Watkins even more appealing as the healthier receiver. I like Watkins more on FanDuel than DraftKings, but he's a viable option on both sites.
Mark Andrews is my favorite pass-catcher from the Ravens, though. He had an underwhelming first game, catching three of five targets for 20 scoreless yards. However, he tied Watkins for the team lead in passing snaps and routes on a more positive note. In addition, the Chiefs struggled with tight ends in the opener. Cleveland's tight ends combined for seven receptions for 120 yards on 10 targets.
Rummaging around the bargain options from the Ravens unearths Devin Duvernay, Devonta Freeman, and Josh Oliver. Duvernay played 23 passing snaps and ran 22 routes as the only other receiver to play for the Ravens. It's possible he could step up if Brown's ankle injury limits him this week.
The Ravens elevated Freeman from the practice squad. I'm expecting him to be behind Ty'Son Williams and Latavius Murray. However, maybe he was brought up to serve a pass-catching role.
The player in the bargain bin I'm most intrigued by is Oliver. He played only three passing snaps last week. Three snaps aren't exciting. However, he ran a route on all three, lining in the slot twice, and netting a target. After seeing the Browns enjoy success using multiple tight ends against the Chiefs in Week 1, I don't think it's crazy to consider the possibility the Ravens could follow suit.
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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.
