Photo: Imagn Images

We are two weeks into the season, and we're starting to get some clarity, which is always a good thing, whether it's good news or bad. The unknown and making important decisions involving the unknown make this hobby challenging. The more we know, the better off we are.

So What Do We Know? A Lot, Actually

The first three weeks of the season are my favorite. So much is being learned at this time. The cream is rising to the top. Opportunities are presented to players, and several have answered the bell with a successful first two games. Injuries are starting to mount at all positions. With every injury comes an opportunity for someone else to fill the void, and the cycle continues. Winning your league is about having key performers and knowing who to target before they rise to power. Although it's not a must, players on winning teams are generally more successful fantasy options.

• Teams that are 2-0: Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Houston, Kansas City, LA Chargers, Minnesota, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Seattle.
• Teams that are 0-2: Cincinnati, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Denver, NY Giants, Carolina, and LA Rams. 

What Makes a Successful Running Back?

1. Opportunity - There is more of a chance to have success if the opportunity for carries is high. The following teams lead the way in running plays per game. You want to have running backs on these teams. These are also the backs you should target for proactive waiver claims, if available.

• 38.5 Pittsburgh (Najee Harris)
• 37.5 Philadelphia (Saquon Barkley)
• 38.0 New Orleans (Alvin Kamara)
• 37.5 New England (Rhamondre Stevenson)
• 37.0 Green Bay (Josh Jacobs)
• 35.5 LA Chargers (J.K. Dobbins)
• 32.5 Arizona (James Conner)
• 32.5 Washington (Brian Robinson)
• 31.5 San Francisco (Jordan Mason, Christian McCaffrey)
• 31.0 Houston (Joe Mixon, Cam Akers)
• 29.5 Miami (DeVon Achane, Raheem Mostert)
• 29.5 Buffalo (James Cook)
• 29.5 Baltimore (Derrick Henry)

The more plays a team runs, the greater the chance of having positive fantasy success. Understanding which teams run more plays per game and which teams run fewer will give us a better indication of which players to target when it comes to setting a lineup.

Total Plays Per Game

Teams in green run more plays per game, so naturally, the chances are higher for more production. The opposite is true for teams in red. Logic suggests you should tend to start players on teams in green and shy away from players on teams in red. 

• 72.0 DET
• 71.0 PHI
• 70.0 MIA
• 68.5 SF, HOU, BAL
• 67.5 CLE
• 65.0 NE
• 63.0 LAR, SEA, DAL
• 62.5 DEN, GB, WAS
• 62.0 PIT
• 61.0 ARI
• 60.5 TEN
• 59.5 CHI, LAC, NYG, LV
• 59.0 NO
• 54.5 KC, CIN
• 54.0 TB, ATL
• 52.5 JAC, NYJ, MIN
• 51.5 BUF
• 50.5 CAR
• 48.0 IND

Total Plays Allowed Per Game

These teams are allowing the most plays per game. It would stand to reason that you would want to target your players who are playing against the teams in green and shy away from players who are playing against the teams in red.

• 71.5 IND
• 69.5 TB
• 67.5 KC, BUF, SEA, MIN
• 66.0 ATL
• 65.0 JAC, NYJ
• 63.5 CAR, GB
• 63.0 DAL
• 61.5 LAR, CIN
• 61.0 CHI
• 60.5 DET, NO
• 60.0 NYG
• 59.0 DEN
• 58.5 LV
• 58.0 PHI
• 57.5 CLE
• 57.0 NE
• 56.0 WAS
• 55.0 ARI, BAL
• 54.5 TEN, HOU
• 53.0 PIT
• 52.5 LAC
• 51.5 SF
• 47.5 MIA

Positive matchups favoring a high number of plays for Week 3 - Miami at Seattle is a favorable matchup for Miami. The Dolphins are in the top third in total plays per game, and the Seahawks are in the top third in total plays allowed per game. The Texans at Minnesota is another matchup to exploit, particularly for Houston.

Negative matchups in terms of the number of plays for Week 3 - ATL vs. KC, NJY vs NE, and CIN vs WAS