Every Thursday on 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party, Anthony Maggio and Bo Mitchell field their Ballsy teams—a full fantasy lineup comprised only of players available in at least half of ESPN leagues. Each week Zoneblitz.com will publish a preview, with Maggio’s top-rated at each position among the Ballsy-eligible players.

Kirk Cousins at Philadelphia

Though in the top half of the league in passing yards allowed, the Eagles have ceded five touchdown passes in two weeks—tied for most in the NFL. And when Cousins entered for the injured Robert Griffin III in Week 2, Washington’s passing game showed signs of life. With so many weapons at receiver and tight end and a balanced attack thanks to Alfred Morris, I expect Cousins to take this starting job and run with it.

 

Matt Asiata at New Orleans

He may not be the fastest running back you’ve ever seen—heck, he may be the slowest running back you’ve ever seen. But the guy knows how to collect fantasy points. He’s either surpassed 100 yards rushing or scored at least once in all three of his career starts, and he’ll be starting in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. The Saints defense, meanwhile, has been below average pretty much across the board. On volume alone, Asiata should produce once again this Sunday.

 

Mohamed Sanu vs. Tennessee

Sanu won’t throw 50-yard bombs every week, but he is one of the few guys Andy Dalton has left to throw to. AJ Green is hobbled at best, out at worst, which is also where Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert are. Sanu isn’t a true No. 1, but he’s the best playmaker in the passing game outside of Geovani Bernard, so should see plenty of targets in this contest.

 

Travis Kelce at Miami

Kelce has been in on less than 40 percent of Kansas City’s offensive snaps each of the first two weeks, yet tallied a team-high 81 yards in Week 2. The Chiefs offense is starving for playmakers in the passing game, so I expect that percentage to continue to rise, if not exponentially increase as soon as this week.

 

Robbie Gould at NY Jets

The Jets defense is solid against the run, but obviously susceptible to the pass as evidenced by Jordy Nelson a week ago. Unless Jay Cutler continues his lights out play from the second half of last week’s contest against San Francisco, the Bears likely stall out a few times in field goal range to go with the handful of extra points Robbie should tack on.

 

Ravens DEF at Cleveland

Baltimore struggled a bit at Cincinnati in Week 1, but still kept the Bengals out of the end zone until Green got loose late in the game. Cleveland’s offense is less of a threat, and the Ravens are coming off an even more impressive performance against the Steelers. The Browns will put up some yards, but a low score and turnovers are coming, too.

 

For even more Ballsy picks of the week, listen to 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party.