Football is back! The Patriots are the favorite and the Patrick Mahomes is still the MVP! Just as we all thought. But some guys who laid an egg on Sunday could still rebound with big performances. Here are a few guys to slot in alongside your studs and duds in Week 2.

Quarterbacks…

• Josh Allen, Bills @ Giants … Has a nice floor because of his legs and the Giants can’t cover anyone right now
• Andy Dalton, Bengals v. 49ers … If he throws the ball 51 times, like he did in Week 1 resulting in 418 yards, then he might go for 500 yards against a poor San Francisco secondary
• Derek Carr, Raiders v. Chiefs … Kansas City just gave up 275 yards and 2 touchdowns to a rookie coming off the bench. Carr can’t do worse right?

Running Backs…

Opportunity because of injuries...

• Giovani Bernard, Bengals v. 49ers … Will be the starter if Joe Mixon is out but will get touches if Mixon hurts his ankle again
• Raheem Mostert, 49ers @ Bengals … with Tevin Coleman out, Mostert have some opportunities after rushing for 40 yards on 9 carries against Tampa
• Adrian Peterson, Redskins v. Cowboys … Derrius Guice will be sidelined for a few weeks, so Peterson should get the bulk of the carries, behind an O-line that possibly will include Trent Williams

Upside...

• Malcom Brown, Rams v. Saints … Saw big carries near the goal line in a close game
• Chris Thompson, Redskins v. Cowboys … Was the most targeted receiver last week for Washington and has popped off in the past
• Ronald Jones, Buccaneers @ Panthers … He won’t catch passes but he could emerge as the lead back in Tampa

If you are desperate or are looking for a DFS tournament play...

• Mike Davis, Bears @ Denver … while he didn’t do much Davis is a versatile player who will be in the mix until the starting RB job is solely David Montgomery’s
• Dion Lewis, Titans v. Colts … the Derek Henry show rolls on from the end of last season but Indianapolis hates covering running back out of the back field.
• Carlos Hyde, Texans v. Jaguars … saw 10 carries in  a close match up and could be in line for more with a positive game script and Houston opening up as an 8-point favorite

Wide Receivers…

• Jamison Crowder, Jets v. Browns … Target monster will be getting lots of love on Monday Night Football
• John Brown, Bills @ Giants … 7 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. He should be in for more against a secondary that was just torched by the Cowboys receiving corp
• John Ross, Bengals v 49ers … 12 targets point to Ross being a focal point in the passing game with A.J. Green still out and he offers home run potential on every play
• D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks @ Steelers … Led the team in targets and you should always just trust Russell Wilson to get the ball to his playmakers
• Marquise Brown, Baltimore v. Cardinals … Has the feel of a boom-bust guy but if the Ravens passing game is for real he could be in for a big season
• Mecole Hardman, Chiefs @ Raiders … With Hill banged up he’s worth a flyer because of his speed

Tight Ends…

• Darren Waller, Raiders v. Chiefs … Should see consistent targets against a defence that struggles to cover tight ends
• Vernon Davis, Redskins v. Cowboys … If Jordan Reed is sideline again the veteran has proven to be a reliable fill in
• Jimmy Graham, Packer v. Vikings … caught a touchdown on Thursday night could he do it again? Also the Vikings gave up catches on 9 of 10 tight end targets in Week 1

Defense…

• Panthers v. Buccaneers
• Bills @ Giants
• Broncos v. Bears
• Texans v. Jaguars
• Chiefs @ Raiders

Kickers…

• Matt Prater, Lions v. Chargers
• Joey Slye, Panthers v. Buccaneers
• Dan Bailey, Vikings @ Packers
• Chris Boswell, Steelers v. Seahawks
• Aldrick Rosas, Giants v. Bills

Questions, comments, suggestions, and other feedback on this piece are always welcome. Follow me on twitter @b_muell for takes my mildly depressing Skins, Caps, Terps, and O's as well as funny memes.