RandBall's Week 2 Fantasy Football Challenge

September 17, 2015 at 12:43AM
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Week 2 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses one QB, WR and RB. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. This week's guest — Stuart Lieberman, a freelance sportswriter who is back in his native Twin Cities after three years in Germany — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 at their respective positions by NFL.com:

Stuart Lieberman's WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Drew Brees, Saints

NFL.com QB projection: No. 3

Matchup: Buccaneers

If rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota threw for four touchdowns against Tampa Bay last weekend, just imagine what a nine-time Pro Bowl passer and Super Bowl champion can do against a meager Bucs defense.

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RB: Matt Forte, Bears

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) cuts though the Green Bay Packers defense while carrying the ball during the second quarter at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. The Packers won, 31-23. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1173713
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 2

Matchup: Arizona

The all-purpose running back carried the ball 24 times and was targeted eight times in Week 1. Sounds like a trendy pick. He also sports the same colors as my alma mater, the Fighting Illini.

WR: Antonio Brown, Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) slips from the grasp of New England Patriots safety Malcolm Butler (21) in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 3

Matchup: San Francisco

After a big game against the Patriots, Brown will show Vikings fans the 49ers' defense isn't actually that great. Also, I owned a Steelers lunchbox in elementary school, which has to be good luck.

MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Sam Bradford, Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) stands on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Sept. 14, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com QB projection: No. 19

Matchup: Cowboys

A quarterback in a new system playing on a gimpy ankle? Sign me up! OK, but seriously after a rough first half against the Falcons, Bradford looked very sharp in nearly leading a comeback. I think he'll thrive in a high-scoring division game.

RB: Chris Ivory, Jets

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2015, file photo, Atlanta Falcons' Paul Worrilow (55) and Ricardo Allen (37) tackle New York Jets' Chris Ivory (33) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Ivory is a possible breakthrough for the 2015 season. A powerful runner with an upright style that can invite big hits from defenses, if Ivory can stay healthy and determined, he could be a force in the Meadowlands. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 13

Matchup: Colts

This is the classic anger pick. I had Ivory last week in one of my leagues and didn't start him. So now I'll take a chance that he can repeat his two-touchdown performance.

WR: Calvin Johnson, Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 18

Matchup: Vikings

With apologies to the Vikings and their fans, when you get the rare chance to pick Megatron (who isn't often outside the top 10 WR projection), you have to do it.

SCOREBOARD WEEK 1 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)

Winner: David Rosen — Tom Brady (27.6), Jeremy Hill (18.6), Julio Jones (26.1). Total: 72.3.

Loser: Michael Rand — Ben Roethlisberger (18.1), Marshawn Lynch (12.4), Jordan Matthews (10.2). Total: 40.7.

Overall standings: Guest pickers 1-0.


about the writer

about the writer