Ride or Die: The Fantasy Footballers Predictions for Week 2

New name, same great segment. “Ride or Die” pits The Ballers against each other with three players to meet a certain number each week. Each Baller will pick the player to “Ride” or “Die” with the stat, similar to a “prop” bet.

Each week I will be here to recap where each of the Ballers took the wheel or gave a nice tuck and roll out of the vehicle for each one. Of course I’ll weigh in as well and we’ll keep score throughout the season so you can see how smart I really am.

As always, let me know if you’re jumping in the passenger’s seat with me or think I’m driving the crazy train here or on Twitter: @KurtKnowsBest.

“Ride or Die” Scoreboard

Let’s start with a look at where we stand on the season for “Ride or Die” Predictions! Jason led the way last week, getting 2 right, while Andy and myself each got at least one on the scoreboard and Mike posted a goose egg to start 2022.

Week 2 Podcast Ride or Die Predictions

The second week of the “Ride or Die” segment for 2022 can be heard on the September 14th episode: “Ride or Die + Withstanding Victories, TNF Preview”.

Marquise Brown (ARI) at Las Vegas: Top-15 WR

Hollywood flashed in Week 1 for the Cardinals, despite Arizona being run off the field in Kansas City. Brown only finished as the WR26 on the week despite grabbing a TD and getting the 2nd most targets on the team from Kyler Murray.

All three of the Ballers chose to “Die” on this prediction with not much optimism currently for the Cardinals offense as they head to Vegas. The upgraded Raiders pass rush may cause problems for the Cardinals, but if the Raiders are missing safety Trevon Moehrig, who exited Sunday’s game with a hip injury, Brown’s ability to get loose and post a top-15 finish goes up significantly.

I’ll ride with Hollywood in this one.

Aaron Jones (GB) vs Chicago: More opportunities than A.J. Dillon

The Week 1 split between Jones & Dillon is a pretty interesting one to break down and makes this a pretty hard line to make a call on. Dillon finished Week 1 with 16 opportunities (10 rush, 6 targets) while Jones only had 10 (5 rush, 5 targets).

Andy thinks Jones being involved is necessary for the Packers offense to be more successful than it was in Week 1, and Mike mentioned Matt LaFleur’s post-game comments that they have to get Jones more involved in the offense.

Jason is going to “Die” on this prediction, arguing he expects the Packers to win this game easily, which should lead to Dillon being more involved in grinding the clock out down the stretch. I’m going to “Die” as well on this one since it was Dillon that got the 5-zone carries last week for Green Bay.

D.J. Moore (CAR) at NY Giants: 68+ Receiving Yards

Moore averaged 68 yards per game last season so the line is fitting, but he only managed 43 yards in the Panthers’ Week 1 loss to Cleveland. Andy and Jason both chose to “Die” on this prediction due to having to depend on Baker Mayfield to get Moore the ball.

Mike is going to “Ride”, arguing that he expects Baker and the Panthers offense to settle in more as they play together more. I’m with Mike on this one. The Panthers ran the 2nd fewest plays in Week 1, but D.J. Moore was on the field for every one of them. I’ll bet on the talent of Moore shining through in a good matchup.

Here’s a recap of where everyone stands for Week 2’s Predictions:

Kurt’s Bonus “Ride or Die” Predictions

Mike Williams (LAC) at Kansas City: 66+ Receiving Yards

Thursday night should be loaded for fantasy options and Mike Williams will be primed to start fantasy managers out on the right foot. Keenan Allen isn’t expected to play due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1’s win vs the Raiders, so there should be plenty of opportunity there for Williams.

However, Williams wasn’t targeted at all in the Chargers’ passing game, with only 2 receptions for 10 yards to start the season. Kansas City’s offense should force the Chargers to go to the air early and often, and I’d expect LA to make a point to get their $60 million receiver involved and over the 66-yard mark.

I’ll ride with this one.

Jameis Winston (NO) vs Tampa Bay: 2+ Passing TDs

The Saints manufactured an impressive comeback to start their season off on the right foot against the Falcons in Atlanta. Jameis played a huge role in helping them “eat that W” finishing as the QB7 on the week.

Since taking over as the Saints’ starting QB to start the 2021 season, Jameis is averaging two passing TDs a game, but faces a much more difficult test in Week 2 when they host the Bucs. I don’t expect Jameis to have the same success he saw against the Falcons. I’ll have to “Die” on this one.

Miles Sanders (PHI) vs Minnesota: Top-15 RB

Philadelphia’s offense impressed in Week 1 putting up 455 yards of total offense in their win over the Lions. While the Eagles’ passing game with new wide receiver, AJ Brown, is getting plenty of attention, the offense was actually a very balanced attack between air and ground production.

Sanders led the Eagles in rushing with 96 yards and a TD and finished as the RB9 on the week. While predicting another top-15 RB finish may seem like asking a lot, Sanders has finished above that line in three of his last four starts dating back to last season.

It may be a risky bet, but I’m going to “Ride” with Sanders again this week.