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Bucs-Panthers Preview: Is it safe to start Cam & Jameis?

Cam Newton and Jameis Winston looked like hot garbage in Week 1. The pair
combined for just 12.5 fantasy points. On a short week, they play against each
other. So, the question is, can we start either of them?  

Let's start this off with the question we actually want to ask both Cam Newton and Jameis Winston after their, let's just call it, grotesque, Week 1 performances.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?

Cam: 239 yards, -2 rushing yards 1 INT, 1 fumble lost ... 5.4 fantasy points

Jameis: 194 yards, 13 rushing yards, 3 INTs, 2 fumbles ... 7.1 fantasy points

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OK. Now that we've got that out of out system, the real question is: Are we starting Cam or Jameis in Week 2?

The answer is a bit convoluted when it comes to Winston.

Much of your decision depends on your roster. You might have another option. Chances are, if you drafted Winston, you knew going into the season the floor for Winston was a four-interception, two-fumble game resulting in being benched. It's in his range of outcomes.

A few guys you can start over Winston in Week 2:

Josh Allen is a good replacement-option at QB this
week if you're a Jameis Winston owner. 
  • Josh Allen
  • Dak Prescott
  • Philip Rivers
  • Jared Goff  

It is worth noting, I'm not giving up on Winston this early, I just wonder what Winston -- er, more like his offensive line -- is going to be able to do on the road AND a short week.

If they somehow get that offensive line to improve even a little, I like the upside he brings with those wide receivers and Bruce Arians running the show in Tampa.

Plus, I kinda have to believe, I've got A LOT of him in season-long formats.

Cam, on the other hand, you're starting. It's doubtful you have a better option at QB this week -- or have another QB on your roster at all at this point; and if you do, shame on you. Carrying multiple QBs after you've already invested in a top-tier QB like Newton is a no-no.

Newton is a Top 7 QB for me this week, so don't get cute. The matchup against Tampa is too good to pass up, and I think we've seen the worst performance of the year from him. It can only get better from here.

A look around the other fantasy-viable players from both teams:

Christian McCaffrey ... obvs.

Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are a bit of a different story. If you're not a believer in Winston, it's going to be hard to predict a ton of passing production to make BOTH of these guys worth starting. If you drafted Evans, you're likely "stuck" with him this week.

Evans, for me, is a lower-end WR2 option for me this week; and, as much as I love Godwin, I've got him as a WR3 or FLEX option. That's right around John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Tyler Lockett and D.J. Moore for reference.

That said, if I have the choice to start Moore or Godwin, my lean is Moore. Clearly, McCaffrey is going to have the largest market share of the targets in Carolina, but Moore got 26 percent in Week 1. And now that tight end Greg Olsen, who accounted for 24 percent of the target share, is -- surprise, surprise -- already nicked up, Moore is likely to see an uptick this week.

O.J. Howard's probably going to be a staple in your lineup if you invested some draft capital in him. If I had to project a touchdown from any pass-catcher on the Tampa Bay side, he would probably be my No. 1 option.

Best Questions 

Will Curtis Samuel be more involved this week?
Does the Tampa Bay backfield become ANY clearer?

Key Information

Spread: Carolina -7
O/U: 50
Implied Totals: Carolina 28.50; Tampa Bay 21.50
Starts: Cam Newton (CAR), Christian McCaffrey (CAR), D.J. Moore (CAR), Mike Evans (TB), O.J. Howard 
Iffy: Curtis Samuel (CAR), Ronald Jones (TB), Dare Ogunbowale (TB) Chris Godwin (TB), 
Sit: Greg Olsen (CAR), Jameis Winston (TB), Peyton Barber (TB)  

DraftKings Showdown Plays

Carolina 

D.J. Moore $8,000
Panthers DST $4,200
Ian Thomas $3,800 (especially if Olsen is out/limited)

Tampa Bay 

O.J. Howard $6,600
Cameron Brate $4,000
Dare Ogunbowale $2,400

-- By Nathan Joyce

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