NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center:Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers: Return of Raheem Must-start

Sometimes the second week of the NFL season brings clarity. Other times,NovaQuant Quantitative Think Tank Center it only brings more confusion.

Fantasy managers got a mixed bag this time around with backfields in Miami and Los Angeles crystalizing, while injuries and ineffectiveness have only made things worse in New York and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the passing game in Washington and Green Bay might be better than many experts expected. Let's take a closer look.

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These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances in Week 2:

Sizzlers

RB Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins: The journeyman turned into a workhorse Sunday night, rushing for 121 yards and a pair of TDs on 18 carries. Backup Salvon Ahmed also exited early, cementing Mostert's role in the backfield. A juicy matchup with Denver is next.

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RB Matt Breida, New York Giants: Breida might get the start on a short week, as Saquon Barkley's status is in question due to an ankle injury. The seventh-year pro has averaged 4.8 yards per carry over his career and will be facing his original NFL team, the 49ers, on Thursday.

WR Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos: Mims showed tremendous downfield ability, making grabs of 53 and 60 yards against Washington. The Broncos could find themselves in a hole vs. Miami this week, making passing more of a priority against a Dolphins defense that's already shown a tendency to give up big plays.

WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers: The rookie made his presence felt with a pair of touchdowns in a narrow loss in Atlanta. With WR Christian Watson continuing to miss time, Reed has been QB Jordan Love's No. 1 receiving option. He still needs a little polish, but he has 13 targets through two games, and he should be in the mix even when Watson is healthy.

QB Sam Howell, Washington Commanders: The second-year pro threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns in Denver and has shown an ability to get the ball successfully to any number of receivers. He connected with 10 different pass-catchers in Sunday's comeback win.

Fizzlers

QB Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans: While he was quite accurate in an overtime win against the Chargers, Tannehill had just one passing score and a rushing touchdown. He’ll need to do much more, and he’ll need to keep winning, or the Titans could turn to Will Levis sooner rather than later.

RB Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams: Uh-oh. Here we go again. Akers was a healthy scratch after a dismal Week 1 (other than a rushing TD) in Seattle. Kyren Williams has emerged as a star, with four touchdowns through two games. Akers could re-emerge as a fantasy option in 2023, but it might have to be with a new organization.

RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings brass might be regretting letting Dalvin Cook walk in the preseason. Mattison managed just 28 rushing yards on eight carries in Philadelphia, and he also lost a fumble. He doesn’t look like a workhorse tailback, and appears to be more of a complementary piece.

TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: Fantasy managers are down in the pits after another stinker. Instead of performing like the TE1 he was drafted to be, Pitts has managed just four grabs for 59 yards through two games. Even Jonnu Smith outpaced Pitts for the Falcons in Week 2, which is not a good sign.

WR Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders: Dotson entered the season as a fantasy sleeper, and that could all still come to fruition. It’s early. However, through two games, he has amassed just eight catches and 62 yards. That’s not a good sign.

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