It’s week two of the 2021 NFL season. The Los Angeles Rams are visiting the Indianapolis Colts as LA looks to go 2-0 to start the season. The Colts on the other hand are still looking for their first win of the season. As always, there’s plenty of key matchups and players in this game. Let’s take a closer look at this fantasy football preview: Los Angeles Rams vs Indianapolis Colts.

Must play:

Cooper Kupp

Now that Kupp has Matthew Stafford as his quarterback, Kupp is a must play every week. Last week he torched the Bears defense (which shouldn’t be surprising to anyone). Now, Kupp is going up against a secondary that was rocked by the Seattle Seahawks in week one. Kupp will do what he does best and get behind the defense and make plays in the open field. Last week, Cooper Kupp had seven receptions for 108 yards and one touchdown for a total of 18 fantasy points. So what kind of numbers will Kupp put up this week?

Prediction: 8 catches, 115 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Jonathan Taylor

It’s a bounce back week for Jonathan Taylor. Last week, Taylor underperformed with 17 carries for 56 yards. That won’t happen again. Taylor will gain more yards this week. Yes, the Rams have one of the best defenses in the NFL, but, the Colts have a top offensive line that will create lanes for Taylor to run through, Jonathan Taylor fantasy owners should not have to worry about his 17.6 performance a week ago.

Prediction: 20 carries, 100 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 2 catches, 15 receiving yards

Also start:

Matthew Stafford

Stafford had quite the debut in a Rams uniform last week. He went 20-26, 321 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Now, he looks to build off that momentum against a Colts secondary that outside of Xavier Woods and Darius Leonard, is not that special. The Colts will present more a challenge than the Bears did to the Rams a week ago, but expect Stafford to find Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson at will.

Prediction: 24-32, 310 passing yards, 4 touchdowns

Zach Pascal

Zach Pascal will play a significant role all throughout the season for the Colts. In this matchup with the Rams, Pascal will be the top wide receiver for Carson Wentz to throw to. Obviously, there’s a chance Wentz is going to be on the move in the pocket often. But, Pascal is good enough to make adjustments on the field in order to get open. Last week, Pascal had four catches for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Put Pascal in the flex position in the starting lineup.

Prediction: 5 catches, 70 yards, 1 touchdown

Toss up:

Carson Wentz

It’s a 50-50 shot in regards to starting Carson Wentz this week. The Rams do have a top defense in the NFL that can get to the quarterback and can cover the field. After all, it wouldn’t be a Rams game if Aaron Donald’s name isn’t called. Which is exactly why it’s a risk to play Wentz this week. Yes, he has protection, but with the focus mainly being on Aaron Donald, other players on the Rams defense could give Wentz a hard time. If fantasy owners are in a jam for a starting quarterback, then sure start Wentz.

Avoid:

Colts defense/special teams

Avoid the Colts defense. The Rams offense will be too much to handle for this defense that’s coming off of Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett having their way with. Now, they have to worry about Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson and Darnell Henderson Jr. That’s just too much to handle for a defense that needs help outside of Darius Leonard and Xavier Rhodes.

One last prediction:

Darnell Henderson Jr.

Last week Henderson had 16 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. Henderson was running hard all throughout the game and looks he has improved as a runner. 2021 is poised to be a career year for Henderson and he will have to shine with a limited backfield. Henderson will have another similar game compared to last week.

Prediction: 18 carries, 90 rushing yards, 1 touchdown

Images from: nfl.com, theramswire.usatoday.com, coltswire.usatoday.com, theeagleswire.usatoday.com, coltswire.usatoday.com

Use the Promo code “couchguy20” or “LLP” at Manscaped.com. Grab some of the best tools in men’s below the belt grooming. Furthermore, using the code you’ll get 20% off of your order AND free shipping. Help out the site and help out yourself by buying some products from Manscaped TODAY.

Tired of soreness and pain slowing you and your workouts down? Change that. Melt stress away anytime, anywhere with the ExoGun. Designed to give you the ultimate recovery utilizing percussive therapy and deep tissue massage, it will change your recovery life FOREVER. Follow this link (Exogun) for 10% off or use code promo code CGS10 at checkout!

– Matt Burnett (@mattthew_jordan on Twitter)