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NFC
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Robert Woods - LA Rams
The former Trojan receiver had a solid day with six receptions for 81 yards in the Rams home debut. He looked very comfortable back home in the Coliseum, while he and fellow PAC 12 product Jared Goff appear to have a great chemistry with one another in year two. Expect a breakout performance from Woods very soon.
Clay Matthews - Green Bay Packers
Clay Matthews had somewhat of a quiet day with three tackles in a 29-29 tie against the Minnesota Vikings. Matthews was able to reach Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins late in the 4th quarter, but was called for a controversial roughing the passer penalty. As Matthews ages, he does not appear to be the dominating force he was a few seasons ago, but he is still an athletic freak nonetheless. He remains one of the main leaders of Green Bays defense, and they will likely go as he goes as the season continues to progress.
Nelson Agholor - Philadelphia Eagles
Nelson Agholor had a great day with eight receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, including a 50 yard strike from quarterback Nick Foles. While Alshon Jeffery remains out, Agholor is playing the interim role of the Eagles’ No. 1 wide receiver. After a slightly disappointing first two seasons, he is certainly hitting his stride with one of the NFL’s top offensive units. Expect him to continue putting up similar stat lines.
Ronald Jones - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Unfortunately, the 2018 second round running back was a healthy scratch against the Eagles today. At 5’11, he is a bit undersized, but his presence likely would not have made a difference in todays game, as Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a monster day in the air. If you are looking for an underground fantasy option, look elsewhere.
Nickell Robey-Coleman - Los Angeles Rams
Nickell Robey-Coleman may have had a quiet day, but his defense certainly did not. The Los Angeles Rams shut out the Arizona Cardinals 34-0 in a dominating home debut. The Cardinals offense did not even cross mid-field until the last play of the game (!). Yes, the very last play of the game. With the additions of Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, and Sam Shields, Robey-Coleman is not going to get as many reps as he did last year, but he is still an integral part of an exceptional defense after re-signing this past offseason, and there will be injuries. Regardless of his playing time, it is nice to see a former Trojan play in the Coliseum on Sundays.
AFC
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Sam Darnold - New York Jets
Sam Darnold did not have as great of a week as his debut, as the Jets fell to the Dolphins 20-12 in the rookie’s first regular season game at MetLife Stadium. While he threw for an impressive 334 yards and a touchdown, he also threw two interceptions, including an ugly red zone turnover. After the game, wide receiver Terrell Pryor took blame for the play, saying he, “Let the QB (Darnold) down.” As the youngest starter in NFL history, turnovers and miscommunications are to be expected, but Darnold will have to continue to work on consistency protecting the ball, just as he did at USC.
Adoree Jackson - Tennesse Titans
Adoree Jackson had a great day as he enjoyed his first career interception. While it may have taken a full season, the former Trojan standout stood out on Sunday with six tackles in the Titans 20-17 win over the Houston Texans. As one of the most athletic phenoms in Trojan history, expect a lot more of these to come as the young sophomore enters his prime.
Buck Allen - Baltimore Ravens
Although he ran six times for a measly eight yards, one of those carries included a touchdown run in the Ravens 34-23 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He was never drafted to be a high volume back, so it is nice to see Allen showing his effectiveness as a power runner in the red zone, something Trojan fans have always known Allen had in him.
Su’a Cravens - Denver Broncos
Su’a Cravens remained on the injured reserve in Week 2 with knee soreness. The Broncos came back to beat the Raiders 20-19, but Cravens’ Broncos debut will have to wait another week. It is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
JuJu Smith-Schuster - Pittsburgh Steelers
JuJu Smith-Schuster had a monster day with 13 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Ever since his first game, he has made the Steelers look smarter by the week for selecting him in the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a young star in the making, and as Antonio Brown progresses through his thirties, expect Smith-Schuster to slowly develop into the Steelers No. 1 wide receiver. If you have him in fantasy, you are lucky.