Joe Burrow vs. Tua Tagovailoa

September 13, 2024

In my personal league, I have Tee Higgins, Kyle Pitts, and Lamar Jackson — who all had trash Week 1 fantasy performances. I am high on them this week because…:

With J.K. Dobbins out, I expect Lamar Jackson to unleash his total package, utilizing his legs and arms to rack up points. We’re all familiar with what Lamar can do, and it seemed in Week 1 the running game plan was to go through Dobbins. With Dobbins down and a lackluster performance from Lamar, you have to anticipate the former MVP to come out and show he’s worth every penny of the new contract he received this offseason

The Cleveland Browns just seem to have Joe Burrow‘s number, as he has now lost five of six against them. This is a surprising stat and I have no explanation, but it is evident the Browns have The Burrow Blueprint. New Cleveland defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense executed to perfection, sending the NFL’s highest paid QB to the bench, giving the “Elves” — as Ja’Marr Chase referred to the Browns — a huge opening day win. That being said, I do not expect Tee Higgins to put up another goose egg. And Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase should have a great Week 2, as I see them all getting back on track.

Kyle Pitts also stunk it up from a fantasy perspective, but that is no fault of his. You absolutely have to expect head coach Arthur Smith to get first round draft pick Bijan Robinson into the game plan on opening day. I don’t see this happening in back-to-back weeks. Expect both of these ballers to get a heavy workload, winning their respective matchups and being Top Earners in Week 2. What no one foresaw was Tyler Allgeier being a bigger part of the Atlanta game plan than Drake London and Pitts. London is a baller and will definitely have a big game this weekend. I’d like to say I don’t see the Pitts usage happening back-to-back weeks but since last season, Arthur Smith hasn’t really used Pitts in his offense as he did Pro Bowler Delanie Walker for years in Tennessee. I have to be honest, drafting Kyle Pitts was me rolling the dice on his potential and anticipating him being a bigger part of Smith’s offense this year. Week 1 didn’t give me much hope, but I do know the tight end position can be a young quarterback’s best friend. I’m hoping Desmond Ridder and my guy Pitts start to become best friends this week — and every week this season.