created. Among NL position players, he is second in bWAR and

Heading into the second full week of the fantasy football season, its important to not overreact too much to the opening games.One full slate is not enough to establish pure trends yet.Heres what to watch and plan for in Week 2:---TIGHT END TURNAROUNDSGary Barnidge was shut out in Week 1. He should bounce back against the Ravens with Josh McCown taking over at quarterback again. Delanie Walker was held to three catches for 42 yards in the first week, but the Titans should make more of an effort to get him the ball against the Lions. Coby Fleener caught one ball for 6 yards in his Saints debut. He has a better matchup against the Giants this week. Barnidge and Walker should definitely be started, and Fleener has to prove himself with his new team, but this may be the week to do it.---COWBOY UPDez Bryant was held to eight yards on one catch last week, and Ezekiel Elliott ran for just 51 yards. Look for both Dallas playmakers to rise in Week 2 against the rival Redskins. Dak Prescott will make a strong effort to get the ball to Bryant often, as the offense may open up a bit more this week. Elliott is a key if the Cowboys want to control the clock, and he should get a lot of usage to balance the offense and take some pressure off Prescott.---MINNESOTA FLATSAdrian Peterson was very disappointing in the first week, as he rushed for 31 yards on 19 carries. Now, owners who drafted him in the first round are quite concerned. His Week 2 outing against Green Bay will be a pivotal performance. Peterson is likely going to be fired up to show that his clunker against the Titans was just a fluke. In a rivalry game against the Packers, with Sam Bradford likely taking over controls of the offense, Peterson should display his better form. Keep the faith and expect a strong statement that he is still not close to being done.---HIGH FLYING BIRDSCarson Wentz led a seemingly explosive offensive attack in a Week 1 opener against the Browns. Now the Eagles have another good matchup at Chicago, but this is the first road start for the rookie, and he is expected be without tight end Zach Ertz. Look for Philadelphia to rely heavily on Ryan Mathews, who is a good start as a second running back, and Jordan Matthews will be peppered with a lot of targets. If Wentz can pass his first road test, the Eagles may be a better fantasy resource than projected in the preseason.---POWER OUTAGEWithout Keenan Allen, the Chargers offense becomes less dynamic. Travis Benjamin may now be overmatched as the potential No. 1 wideout, and Tyrell Williams must prove himself before he cracks your lineup. Philip Rivers now becomes much less of a sure thing as a top-12 quarterback. But Danny Woodhead should get a lot of additional work in the passing game and Antonio Gates can bounce back from a quiet opener as the Bolts host the Jaguars this week. Dont start any of the San Diego WRs, but Woodhead and Gates should be in point-per-reception lineups, and Melvin Gordon deserves some flex consideration after a good opener.---HURTING `HAWKSThe Seahawks frustrated fantasy owners in Week 1, scoring only 12 points against Miami in what seemed to be a very good matchup for their passing game. Russell Wilson suffered an ankle injury, and Tyler Lockett dropped a pair of passes. Wilson is ready to go for Sundays matchup, but it wont be an easy assignment for him, although its hard to bench him if you drafted him as your starter. The Rams have a strong defensive line and always give the Seahawks fits no matter where they are in the standings. The Seattle offense may be erratic in what could be a close and low-scoring NFC West matchup. Thomas Rawls has regained the starting RB job, though, and is worth a start as a second running back. Hope for a respectable outing from Wilson and for Lockett to boost his totals with some yardage after the catch.---HIGH-SCORING SAINTSNew Orleans exploded for 34 points in its season opener, led by 424 passing yards and four TD passes by Drew Brees. But they also allowed 35 points, and the Giants offense appears poised to hurt the Saints defense this week. Eli Manning could be headed for three TD passes or more, and even his secondary targets, such as promising rookie Sterling Shepard, and Victor Cruz on the comeback trail, are worthy of starting consideration. Rashad Jennings could finish off a TD drive or two. The New York defense has improved, so dont expect Brees and co. to roll quite as easily as they did against the Raiders.---DENVER DILEMMAThe Colts legitimately looked like they had the worst defense in the league last week against the Lions. But how much advantage can the Broncos take of the matchup this week? Demaryius Thomas has a hip issue that may prevent him from fully exploiting the Indianapolis secondary, and the teams only true playmaker in the passing game besides Thomas is Emmanuel Sanders. Thomas is likely to be a game-time decision and is a risky fantasy start despite the friendly matchup. The Broncos play in a late game Sunday and there will be safer alternatives in the earlier games. Sanders is a must-start as a third wide receiver, though, and C.J. Anderson is a great daily play. The Broncos may lack the firepower to make the best of the situation if Thomas is not himself, and their defense may get overworked against Andrew Luck as well. Do not bench Luck despite the fact that he faces Denver.---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com. Arizona Diamondbacks Gear .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. Diamondbacks Jerseys China . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/ . - Levi Browns tenure at left tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers is over before it even began. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Fake Diamondbacks Jerseys . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. The Chicago Cubs remain the unanimous No. 1 team, but there was a bit of a shakeup in the rest of the top five. The Boston Red Sox, riding an 11-game win streak, are the new No. 2 team, after getting all five votes for the second spot. The Los Angeles Dodgers, winners of five straight, also moved up from No. 6 to No. 4, while the Washington Nationals fell back three spots to No. 5.Could Boston and Chicago be headed for an October showdown? Or are the Dodgers ready to get in the way of the Cubs postseason plans?This weeks voters are Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider, Eric Karabell of ESPN Fantasy, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, David Schoenfield of the SweetSpot Blog Network/ESPN.com and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Most of the team comments come courtesy of the SweetSpot Blog Network.Past rankings: Week 24 |?Week 23 |?Week 22?|?Week 21?|?Week 20 |?Week 19 |?Week 18 |?Week 17 |?Week 16 |?Week 15 |?Week 14 |?Week 13 |?Week 12 |?Week 11 |?Week 10 | ?Week 9 |?Week 8 |?Week 7 |?Week 6 |?Week 5 |?Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason1. Chicago CubsRecord: 99-56 Week 24 ranking: No. 1The Cubs finished up their home schedule on Sunday with a win, pushing their record at Wrigley this season to 57-24. It was a special night for David Ross, who homered in his final regular-season game at Wrigley and received four standing ovations and two curtain calls.?-- ESPN.com2. Boston Red SoxRecord: 92-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 4It has been an incredible season for Rick Porcello, who ranks first in the AL with 22 wins, third with a 3.11 ERA and second with 217 innings pitched. He is also tied for first with 25 quality starts. He has averaged 6.8 innings per start and has not once thrown fewer than five.?--?Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona3. Texas RangersRecord: 92-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 3After clinching the AL West on Friday, the Rangers have turned their attention to getting healthy and, potentially, securing the best record in the American League. On Friday and Saturday, respectively, Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish each tossed seven scoreless innings as they attempt to gear up for the postseason.?--?Brandon Land (@onestrikeaway), One Strike Away4. Los Angeles DodgersRecord: 90-66 Week 24 ranking: No. 6The last week of the regular season will see Los Angeles battling Washington for the No. 2 seed and home-field advantage in their division series. Sunday was the final home game broadcast by the legendary Vin Scully. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit5. Washington NationalsRecord: 91-64 Week 24 ranking: No. 2Bryce Harper is day-to-day after injuring his thumb on an awkward slide into third base on a triple. Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang deked Harper with a fake tag, even though there wasnt a throw -- a no-no in baseballs unwritten rules. That led to A.J. Cole throwing at Kang, which led to a benches-clearing meet-and-greet. Harper will have X-rays on Monday.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot6. Cleveland IndiansRecord:?90-65 Week 24 ranking: No. 5Despite the teams 3-0 loss to the White Sox on Sunday, it was the third consecutive strong outing by RHP Josh Tomlin. After a rough August, Tomlin has allowed just one earned run in his past three starts and has allowed zero home runs over that span.--?Stephanie Liscio (@stephanieliscio), Its Pronounced Lajaway7. Toronto Blue JaysRecord: 86-69 Week 24 ranking: No. 7With a precarious lead in the wild-card race, the Jays on Tuesday start a three-game series versus Baltimore and then finish the regular season in Boston. The Red Sox will be fighting for the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.?-- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit8. Detroit TigersRecord: 83-72 Week 23 ranking: No. 11Last week, the Tigers split with the Twins while losing a series to the Indians. This week, they swept the Twins but lost a series to the Royals. Their fate was in their hands, but now theyre 1.5 games back of the second wild card with seven games to play. They might need a favor to get to the playoffs, considering they werent able to do it themselves.? -- Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers9. Baltimore OriolesRecord: 85-71 Week 24 ranking: No. 8The Orioles offense has been more down than up lately. So how about the boost that rookie Trey Mancini has provided? Mancini made his major league debut on Tuesday, and he has homered in all three of his starts. As the Os prepare for a crucial road trip to Toronto and then New York to finish the season, they could need another timely blast or two from Mancini to eke out a playoff berth.?--?Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer), Camden Depot10. New York MetsRecord: 83-73 Week 24 ranking: No. 10T.J. Rivera has hit in nine straight games, going 15-35 (.428). In his past 11 games, hes hitting .442 (19-43) with three homers and 11 RBIs. The Mets have set a franchise record with 13 pinch-hit homers this year, which is second in MLB to the Cardinals 15.?-- Joe Janish (@metstoday), MetsToday.com11. San Francisco GiantsRecord: 82-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 9San Francisco remains locked in a contentious, three-way battle with St. Louis and New York for the National League wild card. The Giants bullpen has kept things interesting, with an MLB-high nine blown saves in the past 30 days. San Francisco faces the Rockies and Dodgers to end the season. -- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona12. St. Louis CardinalsRecord: 81-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 13Despite two 10-run outbursts last week, the Cardinals offense still mostly continues to struggle, as theyve scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their past 14 games and rank 26th in the majors in runs per game in September. -- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot13. Seattle MarinersRecord: 82-73 Week 24 ranking: No. 12Seattle likely needs help to reach the postseason after a tough loss to Minnesota on Saturday and Baltimores recent sweep of Arizona. The Ms have three with Houston and four with Oakland to close the season. Nelson Cruz hit his 40th and 41st home runs on Sunday but left the game with a sore wrist.?-- Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona14. Houston AstrosRecord: 82-74 Week 24 ranking: No. 15The Astros had beaten the Angels 11 times in a row this season before losing Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- the ffinal two in crushing fashion.dddddddddddd On Friday, Ken Giles allowed six runs in the ninth inning, and Houston lost 10-6. On Saturday, the bullpen allowed nine runs in the final two frames, and the Astros lost 10-4.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot15. New York YankeesRecord: 79-76 Week 24 ranking: No. 14A week ago, the Yankees were, against all odds, legitimate contenders for a wild card. Now, on the heels of being swept by the Blue Jays, their season has effectively been ended. Nevertheless, this has been a successful campaign, if only because of should-be Rookie of the Year Gary Sanchez and the rebuilt farm system. --Domenic Lanza (@DomenicLanza),?Its About the Money16. Pittsburgh PiratesRecord: 77-78 Week 24 ranking: No. 18In his second MLB season, Jung Ho Kang has shown that his impressive power last year was no fluke. With 19 doubles and 20 home runs in 348 plate appearances, he has nearly as many extra-base hits (39) as singles (40).?-- Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona17. Kansas City RoyalsRecord: 79-77 Week 24 ranking: No. 17The Royals are still aiming to finish above .500 for the fourth straight season, which the franchise hasnt done since it had six such seasons in a row from 1975 to 1980.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot18. Miami MarlinsRecord:?77-78 Week 24 ranking: No. 16Horrific news, as ace pitcher Jose Fernandez was killed in a boating accident over the weekend. Fernandez, the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year, was only 24 years old. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit19. Colorado RockiesRecord: 73-83 Week 24 ranking: No. 19Although the Rockies had a .500 record as late as Aug. 6, Saturdays loss ensured that they would finish 2016 with their sixth straight losing season. With an All-Star or Rookie of the Year candidate at virtually every position and their best starting pitching staff in years, its hard to see the Rockies giving manager Walt Weiss a contract extension, no matter how integral he has been in mentoring their young stars.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers20. Chicago White SoxRecord: 74-81 Week 24 ranking: No. 20With the attention this season focused on All-Star pair Chris Sale and Jose Quintana, with the emerging Carlos Rodon not far off the pace, it has been easy to miss center fielder?Adam Eatons breakout. With a solid bat and excellent defense, hes one of the ALs best and someone Chicago can retool around. --?Jeff Wiser (@OutfieldGrass24), Inside the Zona21. Milwaukee BrewersRecord: 70-86 Week 24 ranking:?No. 21Coming into the year, one of the main goals for the Brewers was to develop young players. Thats exactly what they have done with Zach Davies, whom they received in the deal that sent Gerardo Parra to the Orioles at last years trade deadline. Davies wrapped up his 2016 campaign Friday against Cincinnati and finished his first full MLB season with an 11-7 record and 3.97 ERA in 28 starts.?-- Gabe Stoltz (@Stoltzy3), Disciples of Uecker22. Los Angeles AngelsRecord: 69-87 Week 24 ranking: No. 25They finish with six home games and need to draw 164,529 to reach 3 million fans for the 14th consecutive season. Thats about 27,400 per game -- below their season average of 37,000.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot23. Oakland AthleticsRecord: 67-88 Week 24 ranking: No. 23Ryon Healy continues to impress, hitting .303/.336/.522 in 65 games and playing better than expected at third base (he split time between third and first in the minors). Pencil him in as a starter for 2017.?-- David Schoenfield (@dschoenfield), SweetSpot24. Tampa Bay RaysRecord: 65-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 22For the third time in franchise history, the Rays will have three batters with more than 60 extra-base hits. Much has been made of Evan Longorias resurgence, and Brad Millers 30 homers have garnered some attention. Corey Dickerson was the last to join the group, but this is the culmination of a solid second half (115 wRC+) that has seen his BABIP regress to expectations. --?Jason?Hanselman?(@sandykazmir), The Process Report25. Philadelphia PhilliesRecord: 70-86 Week 24 ranking: No. 23We know?Jerad Eickhoff?led the National League in home runs allowed (29), but we also know he isnt Kyle Kendrick. Among qualified starters, Eickhoff was fifth-best in the National League at limiting walks, allowing just 1.97 free passes per nine innings, and in terms of WHIP, he was 16th in the NL at 1.19.?--?Richard Bergstrom (@rbergstromjr), Rockies Zingers26. San Diego PadresRecord: 66-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 27Jarred Cosart left his Saturday start after one inning, as he has apparently been dealing with a bone spur in his elbow for the past month. Also in that game, Yangervis Solarte singled in his first game action since his wife passed away one week prior. --?Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit27. Atlanta BravesRecord: 63-92 Week 24 ranking:?No. 29Freddie Freeman is among the NL leaders in nearly every offensive category this year, leading the league in extra-base hits, OPS+ and runs created. Among NL position players, he is second in bWAR and third in fWAR. Even while playing for a last-place club, he should be in the top-five in MVP voting. -- Martin Gandy (@gondeee), Chop County28. Arizona DiamondbacksRecord: 64-91 Week 24 ranking: No. 28Against the Padres last week, Paul Goldschmidt unleashed three long home runs in two games. They were the first blasts hed hit in an away game since Aug. 9 at Citi Field, and Wednesday was his first multi-homer game since April 24.?--?Ryan P. Morrison (@ryanpmorrison), Inside the Zona29. Cincinnati RedsRecord: 65-90 Week 24 ranking: No. 26The Reds lost their 90th game of the season this week (after losing 98 last year). The last time Cincinnati lost 90-plus games in back-to-back seasons? That was 1930-1934. --?Chad Dotson (@dotsonc), Redleg Nation30. Minnesota TwinsRecord: 56-100 Week 24 ranking: No. 30The Twins lost their 100th game on Sunday. Its their first time reaching the ignominious century mark in three decades. On the bright side, they have locked up the No. 1 pick in next Junes draft. -- ESPN.com ' ' '