Remember several years ago, when Reggie Bush was lighting the world on fire at USC, returning kicks and breaking off enormous runs leaving us in awe, thinking “How did he do that?” Remember when the New Orleans Saints selected Reggie Bush with the second overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, and he never lived up to the expectations the Saints and every other football fan set for him? Remember last year, when Reggie Bush rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career? Remember last Sunday, when Reggie Bush racked up 175 yards and two touchdowns? There’s a recurring theme in these questions. Yes. Obviously, it’s Reggie Bush. 

There were many players last week, Bush being one of them, who delivered performances that not many of us saw coming (Danny Amendola, Pierre Thomas, and Ben Tate, to name a few). On the other hand, like always, there were a number of top-notch players that failed to come through, some costing your team a win. 

It’s frustrating; I get it. You just never know what’s going to happen; who’s going to jump out of the gates hot and die off by Week 4; who’s going to have a slow start, get dropped by all those impatient people out there, then all of a sudden get hot. But one of the most addictive things about fantasy football, something that continually brings us back to our computer screen to set our lineup week after week, is the unpredictability factor. There really is no way to tell what’s going to happen — but, hey, it’s fun to try. 

Players I Love

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: If Romo can put his awful performance at Seattle last week behind him, he should be able to deliver a quality performance against a Tampa Bay defense that surrendered 510 passing yards the previous week. I just can’t see Romo failing to come through in Dallas’ home opener, especially against such a lousy defense. 

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles: I know this is a bit risky, but despite Vick’s turning the ball over a head-scratching six times in the first two games of the season, he has managed to surpass the 300-yard mark in each game; I wouldn’t be surprised if he did so again against an Arizona Cardinals team that will likely come crashing back down to earth after this game (they somehow defeated the Patriots last week to improve to 2-0). 

Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins: Hindsight is always 20/20, and, with that being said, in hindsight, Reggie Bush should’ve been on the love list last week. Bush has looked good this year — scary good. I think we can finally move on from the “I wonder if this is just a fluke” talk and accept, and embrace, the fact that Reggie Bush is for real. Courtesy of Matthew Berry, ESPN’s Senior Fantasy Analyst, Bush has recorded 100 yards from scrimmage in six straight games, the longest streak in the NFL. 

Michael Bush, RB, Bears: “It’s Deja Vu all over again” (good ol’ Yogi Berra). Remember last year, when Darren McFadden went down with a foot injury? Michael Bush, who’s always been capable of a starting role, filled in quite nicely for the injury-riddled McFadden. This offseason, Bush decided to sign with the Bears, where he would again be stuck behind one of the better running backs in the league (Matt Forte). Here we go again; Forte, who has struggled with injuries the past few years, sprained his ankle last week, and Bush is planning on answering the calls once again. 

Trent Richardson, RB, Browns: When the Browns spent their third round pick on the former Crimson Tide running back, Jim Brown, one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game of football, said Richardson is just an “ordinary” back. I think Richardson put that comment to rest last week with his 109-yard, one-touchdown performance last week against the Bengals. I wouldn’t be surprised if he duplicated that type of performance this week when he goes up against a laughable Bills defense, which has allowed 134 rushing yards per game in 2012. 

Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears: This applies to all the top receivers who suffered from something called a “bad game” last week (Julio Jones, Wes Welker, Dez Bryant); relax, all players have one every once in a while. I like Marshall the most this week, mainly because he and Jay Cutler will be trying to quiet all the critics after last week’s embarrassing performance against the Packers; plus, they’ll be opposed by the St. Louis Rams, which is never a bad thing.

Danny Amendola, WR, Rams: Easy, now. Amendola was incredible last week, and was probably the deciding factor in many fantasy games last week, but let’s not get greedy. Penciling him in the WR2 slot is a generous, bold move, the flex spot, on the other hand, is a safe place for him. 

Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: Just when I thought there would be no way Reggie Wayne would continue to be an impact fantasy player, he puts up two solid games in a row. While Coby Fleener was Andrew Luck’s safety net at Stanford, Wayne is Luck’s new safety net, and who better to trust than one of the best wide receivers over the last decade? 

Dennis Pitta, TE, Ravens: I wasn’t sold on Pitta after his impressive Week 1 against the Bengals, but he followed it up with another solid game last week. Let’s not totally forget about Ed Dickson, though (the other tight end who is capable of doing everything Pitta has down in these first two games). Proceed with caution.

Players I Hate

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans: He’s a good quarterback, but here lies the problem: The Texans have the most rushing attempts (84) and are tied for the eleventh fewest passing attempts (66) this season. As long as Arian Foster is healthy, the Texans have no reason to start throwing more. 

Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Let’s face it, Turner’s decline is moving faster than he was when he was arrested for speeding and driving under the influence after the Falcon’s Monday night game against the Denver Broncos. Another thing that really doesn’t help his case this week: He’ll be opposed by the number one rush defense (the San Diego Chargers) so far, which has had no trouble stopping Chris Johnson and Darren McFadden in the its first two games. 

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: If this were the old Adrian Peterson, he would never ever be on the hate list. But since the Vikings are still slowly increasing his workload, the hate list is exactly where Peterson finds himself, and here’s why. He’s playing the 49ers.

Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: The man has no offensive line. End of story. 

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: I can’t believe I just put Larry Fitzgerald on the hate list. It’s nothing against him. He’s still one of the best receivers in the game, but it’s difficult to succeed when you have Kevin Kolb and John Skelton trying to get you the ball. All Fitzgerald needs is one good game and he’ll be off and running, it just won’t be this week. 

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Eric Decker, WR,  Jacob Tamme, TE, Broncos: Houston has allowed just one passing touchdown and have three interceptions through two games this season. Peyton Manning did a great Rex Grossman impersonation and threw three interceptions in the first quarter of last week’s Monday night game against Atlanta. While I don’t think Manning will throw three interceptions again, I do think his young receiving core will struggle against Houston’s suffocating, veteran pass defense. 

Choose wisely.