by Dick Blake

LAST WEEK IN REVIEW:

Last week’s results for my picks weren’t exactly ideal, but they were exciting nonetheless. My Stud of the week in Detroit receiver Golden Tate was quiet. My Dud of the week Jamaal Charles was slowed, only rushing for 57 yards. He did catch a short touchdown from Alex Smith, who had a career day. I picked the wrong rookie in my gutsy player of the week. Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota had the memorable debut that I predicted for Jameis Winston, going 13-16 for 209 yards and 4 TDs (tying the record for most TDs in a quarterback’s debut). This week we’ll do better.

STUD:

WR Brandin Cooks: After rookie Marcus Mariota picked the Buccaneers’ secondary apart, I look for Drew Brees to do even better against them in week two. While the Saints like to run screen plays to their plethora of running backs, they also like to take shots deep. Cooks was quiet against a talented Cardinals secondary holding him to four catches and 49 yards in week one. I look for Cooks to come through and have a big game in week one.

Prediction: Five catches, 107 yards, two TDs, 15 rushing yards

DUD:

WR Alshon Jeffery: After a decent week one (5 catches, 78 yards) Jeffery remains Chicago’s number one target and a top fantasy receiver. However, this week doesn’t look good for Jeffery as he goes against a tough Arizona secondary. I still don’t trust Jay Cutler, and I see Jeffery struggling mightily in week two with Cardinals corner Patrick Peterson locking him down.

Prediction: Five catches, 42 yards, zero TDs

GOT GUTS?

Tight end Ladarius Green: I was impressed with what I saw from Green week one. Rivers has wide receivers Keenan Allen, Stevie Johnson and Malcolm Floyd all to throw to, so Green is a gutsy play. However, Rivers looked like he trusted Green more and more as the game went on. I look for that to continue, since Antonio Gates remains sidelined.

Prediction: Four catches, 74 yards, one TD

Dick Blake can be reached at neil@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @SagebrushSports.