Bloggers of Seattle Fantasy Football League: Week 2 Recap

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Two weeks into the NFL season, we begin to learn a lot about which players are viable in fantasy football and which are not. This, in turn, helps us assess which teams will be dominant and which need improvement, and this past week did just that.

Sodo Mojo’s “Bloggers of Seattle” fantasy football league is off to a highly competitive start. As we enter the third week of the season, only four of 12 teams are undefeated, and four are 1-1. Even for those that are winless, there is still plenty of time to turn things around and get on the right track.

After an extraordinarily high-scoring first week, the league saw an even more impressive league-wide performance, as all 12 teams once again cracked 100 points. This led to quite a few close battles that could have bigger implications as the season progresses.

Before we get into the results, let’s take a look at where the standings were entering Week 2:

Grant Bronsdon (1-0) [173 points]
Lee Vowell (1-0) [156.5 points]
Tyler Hogg (1-0) [144 points]
Ty Gonzalez (1-0) [139.7 points]
Colby Patnode (1-0) [128.2 points]
Ben Rhodes (1-0) [120.7 points]
Jeff Nooney (0-1) [145.4 points]
Daniel Haug (0-1) [125.3 points]
Luke Allen (0-1) [117.3 points]
Jim Daleske (0-1) [104.4 points]
Jordan Newberry (0-1) [102.4 points]
Todd Vandenberg (0-1) [101.4 points]

Now, let’s take a look at how our Week 2 matchups went, starting with the biggest blowout of the week.

GRANT BRONSDON (1-0) VS. JIM DALESKE (0-1)

ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 16: Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Bronsdon 160.6, Daleske 108

Last week’s top performer was Lookout Landing’s Grant Bronsdon and he didn’t disappoint in his Week 2 match with Sodo Mojo reader Jim Daleske. Bronsdon’s Week 1 success came on the heels of fantastic game by Melvin Gordon, who once again led Bronsdon’s team in points in Week 2 with 30.6.

At the heart of this match was a battle between the team’s quarterbacks, Matt Ryan (Daleske) and Cam Newton (Bronsdon). Coincidentally, Ryan and Newton were both playing each other in real life as well. Ryan’s Falcons overcame Newton’s Panthers, and Ryan also outscored the Carolina quarterback 30.7 to 27.6.

But as the score indicates, the match was ultimately very lopsided in Bronsdon’s favor. While Daleske received good performances from Mike Evans (22.3) and the aforementioned Ryan, the rest of his team failed to follow suit.

Bronsdon’s team, on the other hand, featured four 20-plus point scorers, as well as a 19-point outing by the Chicago Bears’ defense. As of now, Bronsdon looks to have the team to beat in this league until further notice.

Bronsdon improves to 2-0 on the season, while Daleske is off to a shaky 0-2 start.

LEE VOWELL (1-0) VS. COLBY PATNODE (1-0)

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 13: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field for the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 34-23. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Vowell 138.8, Patnode 120.7

Sodo Mojo co-site expert Colby Patnode was able to take down one 12th Man Rising rep in Luke Allen last week, but couldn’t do the same against the Seahawks blog’s co-site expert Lee Vowell.

Vowell, coming off of Week 1’s second-highest scoring performance, didn’t see the same success as the week before but still got enough out of his team to secure the win. Led by a dominant 29.9-point game on Thursday night by A.J. Green and 24.4 Sunday night game by Saquon Barkley, Vowell was just too much to handle.

O.J. Howard (18.6) and Tyler Lockett (17) gave Vowell enough cushion to hold off Patnode, who also received some pretty big contributions across the board. For Patnode, the Detroit duo of Golden Tate (18.8) and Kenny Golladay (20.9) combined to make things interesting, as Christian McCaffrey (27.9) and Alvin Kamara (17.7) greatly assisted in the success.

But poor outings from Chris Carson (2.4), Jack Doyle (4), and the Arizona Cardinals defense (0) hurt Patnode in the end and cost him a win.

Vowell now moves on to 2-0, while Patnode falls to 1-1.

TY GONZALEZ (1-0) VS. TODD VANDENBERG (0-1)

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 16: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 16, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Gonzalez 147.2, Vandenberg 143.7

The closest game of the week was, of course, the most exciting one. With a bit of luck, Sodo Mojo co-site expert Ty Gonzalez was able to edge out his 12th Man Rising counterpart in Todd Vandenberg to remain undefeated.

Vandenberg appeared to be in control on Sunday, backed by Patrick Mahomes’ historic six touchdown day that resulted in a 38.8 points. DeAndre Hopkins (23), Zach Ertz (20.4), Chris Hogan (19.2), and Kenyan Drake (17) added to the board and it looked as if Vandenberg would stroll to his first victory of the season.

But Gonzalez’s team clawed back, riding on another huge performance from Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (30.9). Deshaun Watson (22.8), Ezekiel Elliott (19.7), and Bilal Powell (19) helped keep things alive and gave Gonzalez a 147.2-140.2 lead heading into Monday.

However, Gonzalez’s team was done for the week and Vandenberg still had Bears running back Tarik Cohen due to start. Cohen, going up against an injury-plagued Seahawks defense, was projected to put up 10-plus points and seal the deal for Vandenberg. Instead, Cohen (3.5) fell flat and cost Vandenberg the game.

With the help from Tarik Cohen’s dud, Gonzalez improves to 2-0 and Vandenberg falls into an 0-2 hole. That’s fantasy football for ya.

JEFF NOONEY (0-1) VS. TYLER HOGG (1-0)

GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 16: Stefon Diggs #14 scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on September 16, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Hogg 165.8, Nooney 117.8

After losing in Week 1 despite having the third-highest scoring total, Sodo Mojo contributor Jeff Nooney looked to reverse his fortunes in Week 2. Instead, he once again faced the week’s highest scorer, this time in fellow Sodo Mojo contributor Tyler Hogg.

Nooney, however, did not receive the production from his team that he was hoping for, becoming the second-lowest scorer in Week 2. After a 31.1-point game from Adam Thielen, the rest of Nooney’s team was average at best and didn’t do a whole lot to keep him in the game.

On the other side, everything went right for Hogg. Only two of his starters finished below 10 points, though Jay Ajayi was extremely close with 9.7. Of all the great performances, Thielen’s Minnesota teammate Stefon Diggs led Hogg’s team in points with 35.9.

Nelson Agholor (23), Philip Rivers (22.7), and Jimmy Graham (15.5) added to the pounding and Hogg’s squad never looked back. If there is any team that is built well enough to take on Grant Bronsdon’s, it’s Hogg’s.

Hogg is now 2-0, while Nooney drops to 0-2.

BEN RHODES (1-0) VS. JORDAN NEWBERRY (0-1)

JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: Keelan Cole #84 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts to run past Jason McCourty #30 of the New England Patriots during the game at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Newberry 145.3, Rhodes 131.6

Week 1’s lowest overall scorer (Newberry) met its lowest-scoring winner (Rhodes) when Sodo Mojo readers Jordan Newberry and Ben Rhodes squared off this past week. Both teams were able to turn things around and give us one of the week’s closest games.

Led by Keelan Cole’s 24.6-point game that included an insane Odell Beckham Jr. impression, Newberry was able to secure his first win and quickly turn his season around. All three of Newberry’s receivers found the end zone, as Cole, Anthony Miller (9.1), and Davante Adams (20.4) combined for a solid 54.1 fantasy points.

After a disappointing Week 1, Matthew Stafford also got things turned around helped out Newberry in a big way with a 24.7-point game against the 49ers. This ultimately put Newberry over the hump, as the numbers from Stafford and the receivers made up for the lack of production from David Johnson (6.1) and Joe Mixon (9.7), who just underwent a knee surgery that will sideline him for a few weeks.

Rhodes had the highest-scoring player of the game in Kirk Cousins (33.5), as well as big contributions from Chris Thompson (22.3), Allen Robins (18.3), and Chris Godwin (16.6), but things went off the rails from there. With three players finishing below six points, Rhodes didn’t get enough balance to push him over the top and Newberry’s team took advantage.

Rhodes and Newberry both come out of this game 1-1, hoping to increase the scoring numbers once again in Week 3.

LUKE ALLEN (0-1) VS. DANIEL HAUG (0-1)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams carries in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

FINAL SCORE: Allen 163.2, Haug 122.9

Both Daniel Haug and Luke Allen entered this game 0-1, making this somewhat of a desperation game for both sides. Allen, considering the talent level on his team, had a very disappointing Week 1 outing, while Haug had a decent go of it but fell short in the end.

Things significantly shifted in the right direction for Allen while Haug’s results remained roughly the same in the scoring column. Allen’s team dominated with a four-player onslaught of 114.6 points from Todd Gurley (32.3), JuJu Smith-Schuster (31.1), Travis Kelce (29.9), and T.Y. Hilton (21.3).

Haug received a solid balance of production, led by the likes of Amari Cooper (21.6) and Sammy Watkins (19.1) but it just wasn’t enough to compete with Allen’s superstars. Five of Haug’s six bench players scored double figures, though they still wouldn’t have put his team into the conversation.

Allen’s team was just too much, and such a flashy turnaround makes his squad one to look out for as the season progresses.

Allen survives the 0-2 hole, while Haug is now down in its depths.

WEEK 3 PREVIEW

STANDINGS

Grant Bronsdon (2-0) [333.6 points]
Tyler Hogg (2-0) [309.8 points]
Lee Vowell (2-0) [295.4 points]
Ty Gonzalez (2-0) [286.9 points]
Luke Allen (1-1) [280.4 points]
Ben Rhodes (1-1) [252.3 points]
Colby Patnode (1-1) [248.9 points]
Jordan Newberry (1-1) [247.7 points]
Jeff Nooney (0-2) [263.2 points]
Daniel Haug (0-2) [248.1 points]
Todd Vandenberg (0-2) [245.2 points
Jim Daleske (0-2) [212.4 points]

Week 3 Matchups

Ty Gonzalez (2-0) [Proj. 137.2] vs. Lee Vowell (2-0) [Proj. 114.9]
Colby Patnode (1-1) [Proj. 133.2] vs. Daniel Haug (0-2) [Proj. 136.9]
Todd Vandenberg (0-2) [Proj. 118.3] vs. Luke Allen (1-1) [Proj. 143.3]
Grant Bronsdon (2-0) [Proj. 129.2] vs. Tyler Hogg (2-0) [Proj. 114.1]
Jordan Newberry (1-1) [Proj. 129.8] vs. Jim Daleske (0-2) [Proj. 107.8]
Ben Rhodes (1-1) [Proj. 121.1] vs. Jeff Nooney (0-2) [Proj. 130.9]

Read. Week 1 Recap. light

Thank you all for checking once again and keeping up to date with our fantasy league. As always, leave us a comment down below or on Twitter or Facebook about your thoughts on last week’s results and who you think will win in this week’s matchups.