BY MITCHELL WESTALL, STAFF WRITER

What We Learned:

1. Matty Ice is the real deal. Coming into last week, there was a lot of doubt about whether or not Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan’s strong start to the season is sustainable. He responded by posting 35.52 points and breaking the 500-yard mark against one of the NFL’s top defenses. This week, he faces an even bigger challenge in the form of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos allow an average of just over 13 points per game. This will be another measuring stick game that will tell us 100% if Matt Ryan is the top quarterback in fantasy for weeks to come.

2. Frank Gore is ageless. Last season, Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore averaged just under 10 points per game. These numbers are very serviceable for a depth fantasy running back and a sometime RB2. This season, the 33-year-old has averaged 12.48 points per game. Gore is likely on his last leg as a starting running back, and he is doing a fantastic job in an offense that was supposed to lean on the pass. Gore is worth a play as a flex option or RB2 and has definitely proven his worth as a late round draft pick.

Disappointments:

1. Stefon Diggs (wide receiver, Minnesota Vikings) – after his impressive start this season, Diggs has come back down to earth in the last two weeks. It doesn’t help that those games were against the Carolina Panthers and the surprisingly stout New York Giants defenses. However, based on his production in the first two games, there was a lot of thought that Diggs was a must-start in all leagues. Unfortunately, that thought pattern has come back to bite fantasy owners who started him the last two weeks. Furthermore, Diggs has a tough ride again this week against the Houston Texans, who are the third stingiest team against opposing receivers.

2. DeAndre Hopkins (wide receiver, Houston Texans) – Hopkins started the season off playing exactly how you would expect him to play. However, he has posted just 60 total receiving yards in his last two games, including just four last week. Like Diggs, things won’t be getting any easier for the star receiver as he faces the second toughest defense against opposing receivers this week in Minnesota.

3. Odell Beckham Jr. (wide receiver, New York Giants) – when Beckham is playing well, his numbers are off the charts. That hasn’t been the case this season since he’s put up respectable numbers, but not what you would want out of a top five pick. Last week’s game saw Beckham post a career low in yards with 23. He hasn’t scored a single touchdown all season, but that’s bound to change. This week his matchup is favorable against the Green Bay Packers who allow the third most points to opposing Wide receivers.

Biggest Surprises:

2. Terrance West (running back, Baltimore Ravens) – Sunday morning before the Ravens played the Oakland Raiders, West was announced as the starter after running back Justin Forsett was benched. West has taken the opportunity by the horns and won’t be looking back. Following the game, Forsett was cut and West will be the starter for the foreseeable future. West ran for 113 yards and a touchdown against Oakland. If your team is thin in running back depth, West is worth an add.

2. Jimmy Graham (tight end, Seattle Seahawks) – welcome back to fantasy relevancy, Mr. Graham! After being traded to Seattle, Graham failed to assimilate with the offense, and he functioned more as a run blocker than a receiver. Graham posted 14 and 11.3 points in back to back weeks. He hasn’t had two consecutive games over ten points since he was a Saint. In a year where tight ends are thin, Graham might be working his way back into the conversation as a top play at that position.

3. Eddie Royal (wide receiver, Chicago Bears) – it seems like every year, Royal has one of those games where he forces fantasy owners to roster him. Could this be the first time in years that he shows consistent production? Only time will tell, but with Alshon Jeffery on the limp and Kevin White having a little bit of trouble in his first year of actual NFL action, Royal is in a pretty good spot. He’s not necessarily worth a spot unless you’re really thin at the position, but keep an eye on his production.

Picks to Click:

Last Week: Trevor Siemian left the game early, Matt Jones clicked, Doug Baldwin was mediocre, and Zach Miller clicked.

Quarterback: Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Running Back: Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears

Wide Receiver: Julian Edelman, New England Patriots

Tight End: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

Picks to Sit:

Last Week: Jameis Winston was poor, Carlos Hyde played well, Allen Robinson played well, and Eric Ebron was bench worthy.

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

Running Back: Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons

Wide Receiver: T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

Tight End: Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings