Greetings and welcome to Week 2 of Fact or Fiction with The League Winners! Erika Brown is joined by special guest Jesse Moeller, who was one of the original creators of the article in 2021. Jesse is filling in for Dustin Brown this week, and we will discuss some of the most disputed opinions circulating around fantasy football and the NFL. We aim to give you a definite answer on whether they are true or false.
Fantasy Football Fact or Fiction – Week 2
Nico Collins will be a top-30 Wide Receiver by the end of the season
Jesse – Fiction
I’ve been really impressed with Nico Collins lately. He’s a player I’ve admired from a distance for a while now, and it’s great to see him playing with the best quarterback of his career. Things are definitely looking up for him. However, my concern for Nico is that the Texans have already attempted 91 passes in just the first two games, which is a lot. If they keep up this pace, CJ Stroud will break the single-season passing record for attempts. While this high-volume offense is currently boosting his numbers, I expect that they will likely regress at some point. In fact, Nico only ran the third most routes today. Overall, I see him as a low-end WR3 for the rest of the season. There are too many other good options for me to feel confident in having Nico as one of the top 30 WRs.
Erika – Fact
Through two games, Nico Collins has been the go-to receiver for rookie C.J. Stroud. He has reeled in 13/20 for 226 and a touchdown. He sits at WR25 through the first slate of Sunday games, but expect him to rise. I expect him to finish in the top 30 or better this year. Stroud favors Collins, and I expect the rapport to grow throughout the season.
The Jets make the playoffs with Zach Wilson at QB
Jesse – Fiction
It’s apparent why many are skeptical about the Jets making the playoffs with Zach Wilson as quarterback following their defeat against the Cowboys. Breece Hall must return to his pre-injury form, and Garrett Wilson is doing his best to overcome Wilson’s throws. The offensive line faces ongoing issues throughout the season. However, the Jets have a strong defense, which should keep them competitive in games. Despite this, New York will fall short of making the playoffs in the AFC.
Erika – Fiction
While the Week 1 comeback for the Jets was exciting, don’t expect them to pull that off every week. Their Week 2 game against the Cowboys left a lot to be desired. Zach Wilson only completed 12/27 passes, the majority going to tight end Tyler Conklin. Breece Hall was non-existent, with 4 carries for 9 yards. The offense isn’t clicking, and I don’t expect the ship to right itself enough to make the playoffs this year.
Tyler Allgeier will have more fantasy points than Bijan Robinson in Week 3
Jesse – Fiction
Despite both players splitting the carries, Bijan Robinson‘s superior receiving skills give him an edge over Allgeier in the NFL. In Week 2, Bijan ran 79% of the routes and shared work inside the 5-yard line. Since he handles all the passing down work and has managed some goal-line work, Bijan’s touches are more significant than Allgeier’s. Unless Allgeier scores a touchdown or two every week, he will remain the Falcons RB2 in fantasy football and in real life.
Erika – Fiction
Somehow, some way, the Falcons are 2-0 on the season. And that is despite their quarterback play. Allgeier and Robinson have split snaps fairly evenly for the first two games, but Robinson has been more productive, outgaining Allgeier by 57 yards. Allgeier got the touchdowns in the first game, and Ridder the goal-line touchdown in the second. But look for Robinson to be featured more against the Lions in Week 3, bruising his way through this stout run defense. He out-touches Allgeier this week and moving forward.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win the NFC South
Jesse – Fiction
I must tip my cap to Tampa. The team’s 2-0 start to the season has been a dream come true. However, I have concerns about their upcoming games against Philadelphia and New Orleans. These teams are more difficult opponents than the Vikings and Bears, who have two of the worst defenses in the NFL. While the Bucs have a chance to win their division due to the weaknesses of other teams, it remains to be seen how they will perform against stronger opponents. Tampa is the clear candidate for this season’s version of the 2022 Seattle Seahawks through two weeks. Ultimately, New Orleans will prevail as the top team at the end of the year, but the race will be close.
Erika – Fact
I didn’t want to believe in the Baker Mayfield-led Buccaneers, but they have pulled out a couple of wins to be 2-0 to start the season. Baker has looked better than he has in a while, especially against a Vikings team that many thought would push for a playoff and Super Bowl run. He has this offense clicking, with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin being equally productive. The NFC South could end up being closer than people would have thought, with both the Falcons and Buccaneers sitting atop. The Saints could make a push as long as they stay healthy, but I think the Buccaneers could make a push, even with their tough schedule. Look for this team to surprise everyone.
Zay Flowers will have the most targets for the Baltimore Wide Receivers
Jesse – Fact
Zay Flowers has been an exceptional player for Baltimore ever since he joined the team. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to play in any position on the field, be it X, flanker, or slot. Zay is a very versatile player and remains an integral part of the Baltimore team, leading the team in the number of routes run. Unlike Odell Beckham or Rashod Bateman, Zay is staying on the field. He is a highly skilled wide receiver and ideally suited for his role on the team. While there may be games where someone like Agholor gets more targets, Zay’s talent and versatility make him a standout player who will continue to shine throughout the season.
Erika – Fact
In Week 1, Flowers racked up 10 targets and another five in Week 2. Only Nelson Agholor had more targets in Week 2, and he only had 6. Lamar Jackson has been favoring the rookie, and Flowers has been productive. He has 13 total receptions and 140 yards and looks to be the go-to guy on the deep routes. I think Flowers is a talented receiver, and with the oft-injured Ravens, as long as he stays healthy, he could be the top target all season.
Jesse Moeller
Jesse Moeller is a fascinating character. By day, he's a restaurant manager, but during his free time, he transforms into a fantasy football analyst. He's been playing fantasy football since 1999, which means he's been around the block a few times. But his passion for the game has never waned. Jesse is a devoted husband to his wife Andrea, whom he's been married to for five years. They have a lovely daughter Cecilia, who is now four years old. Jesse's journey into content creation began with The League Winners in 2021, and he hasn't looked back since. Dynasty is his passion, and his love for the game is infectious. Jesse is a true degenerate who loves the fantasy football and the community that supports it.