Fantasy Football Week 2 Starts & Sits
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Week 2 is officially underway, and it’s time to make some decisions for your fantasy football lineup. With no bye weeks happening, there is a total of 15 games between Sunday and Monday night. That means a lot of players to choose from on your squad that comes in question.
Luckily, I have some must starts and sits to hopefully help you make the correct decision for your rosters. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing who you think is the right play on a week to week basis, and I’m hoping that I have gathered enough information to make it easy for you.
MUST STARTS
Quarterbacks:
Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs ATL – The Rams come in this week off a tough loss to the Bills. They’re at home against the Falcons where they are 10 point favorites. We know Stafford can sling it. I don’t see a world where the Falcons defense can slow down Stafford and the offensive weapons once they turn it on. It can’t get worse for Stafford, who finished as the QB29 last week which never happens. Him and the Rams are going to come out and wreak havoc on the Falcons in what I think is going to be a complete blowout. This is his chance to completely market swap his showing from Week 1.
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Derek Carr (LV) vs ARI – Carr is my start of the week for week 2. The Raiders are at home against a Cardinals defense that is pretty much irrelevant. The Cardinals got made fools of last week against Patrick Mahomes who put up 5 touchdowns on their secondary. I know, Carr is far from Mahomes, but I don’t know if you realize how bad the Cardinals pass defenders are. They have no one in that secondary that will be able to cover Carr’s weapons, and in a game with an o/u of 51.5 I’m all in on Carr having a top 5 week.
Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs CHI – Green Bay got embarrassed by my Vikings last week and the Packers offense looked out of sorts. Rodgers didn’t look anything like his normal self and finished as the QB32, and you could tell he missed his WR1 Allen Lazard. He will return this week, and that in itself will give Rodgers a better outlet to throw the ball. Rodgers, the self proclaimed owner of the Chicago Bears is ready to reign down points on them in a serious bounce back game. The last 4 games against Chicago Rodgers has totaled 987 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he should continue that trend tomorrow night.
Running Backs:
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Nick Chubb (CLE) vs NYJ – Besides Derrick Henry I truly believe Chubb is the best pure runner in the NFL hands down. Here’s the deal; the Jets don’t have a bad rushing defense in the slightest, but the Browns are going to need to run the ball to win. Jacoby Brissett just isn’t the answer, and he never will be. Chubb has the ability to pound through the line, and then use his speed to break away for a long touchdown run. Chubb has had a touchdown in each of his last 2 match ups against the Jets so it isn’t out of the question. Chubb finished as the RB14 last week, and I expect him to finish at the point at the least.
Antonio Gibson (WAS) @ DET – The Lions gave up a massive 216 yards on the ground and 4 rushing touchdowns to the Eagles in week 1. Gibson who was once looked at as the odd man out in Washington remains the starter. Not only did he have a decent game on the ground last week, but he also generated 8 targets, that turned into 7 receptions and 72 yards receiving. If you know me, you know I absolutely love running backs that accumulate receptions because ½ PPR and PPR is the new norm. I think this game could end up putting up a high point total, which right now the o/u is at 48.5. I could see Gibson having a similar game and turning one of of those receptions into a touchdown.
Dalvin Cook (MIN) @ PHI – The PHI/DET game was very giving in the rushing stat category for both teams. Last week Philly gave up 181 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to the Lions and D’Andre Swift looked as advertised. Personally, I think Cook is the better back between the two. You didn’t see a whole lot of Dalvin last week and he finished as the RB20. However, Dalvin had the 4th most routes run for the Vikings last week, and that is when he can be dangerous. If Cook catches the ball, and gets past that second level of the defense it is a house call. Look for Cook to have a much more efficient and prolific game on Monday Night Football.
Wide Receivers:
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Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) v WAS – Amon-Ra St. Brown’s stats have been something of pure beauty for fantasy football. Here’s a fun fact that might just blow your mind. In his last 7 games dating back to December 5th of last season ARSB has accumulated at least 10 targets and at least 8 receptions in every single one of those games. He is THE ONLY wide receiver to do that in a 7 game stretch. He is going to be a focal point on this Lions offense, and they’re going to need to continue to do that if they want to win because their defense is trash. This should be a game where he continues that trend, especially if D’Andre Swift isn’t 100%. Look for ARSB to have another great game.
Allen Robinson (LAR) v ATL – This goes with Stafford’s hopefully upcoming big game. Robinson was putrid in week 1 against the Bills, only getting 1 catch off 2 targets for 12 yards. That is going to change. I think the Rams come out swinging in a big way, and Robinson is going to be involved. Kupp is going to get his, as always, but Robinson is going to be that WR2 that they need to really push them further into offensive greatness. You might be nervous about putting him out there, but he still ran 45 routes last week. He is going to get open, and he is going to score fantasy points.
Marquise Brown (ARI) @ LV – Brown had a modest game last week in the ass kicking they received from Kansas City. He tallied 4 catches off of 6 targets for 43 yards and did salvage a touchdown. The way I see it, is those numbers should continue to rise as I think the Cardinals will most likely be down a lot this season. You’re not going to keep up with these other offenses running the ball, and Brown is going to continue to generate targets more often. The Raiders gave up 3 touchdowns through the air last week, and if the Cardinals want any chance at all, they’re going to have to get Brown the ball.
Tight Ends:
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Dalton Schultz (DAL) v CIN – Everyone is writing off Dallas for the season already with the loss of Dak Prescott, and that’s fine. But I don’t think you can completely throw ALL of the fantasy options for the Cowboys out the window. Schultz is going to end up being Cooper Rush’s security blanket, and he should see a bunch of targets come his way. The Cowboys offensive line is awful, and Rush isn’t going to have a ton of time to look downfield. Hence why I think Schultz ends up getting a bunch of targets his direction. If they are able to get into the red zone, it’s either going to be him or CeeDee that gets the call, because I don’t think Zeke will be able to cash in down there on account of the line being a mess.
Pat Freiermuth (PIT) v NE – Freiermuth might be a bit of a dart throw in some people’s minds, but this guy had 9 targets last week in the opener. If you have a tight end generating that amount of targets you are a happy fantasy owner. PF put up 75 yards last week averaging 10 yards per reception. I don’t think that Trubisky is going to go far from where he found success in a game against a Pats defense that is decent against wide receivers. I also think there’s a strong chance he finds the end zone, and if Najee doesn’t perform, the Steelers are going to have to go to the air. Why not the guy who ran 31 routes at the tight end position?
Evan Engram (JAX) v IND – Call it a hot take, call it idiotic, call it what you want. I’m calling my shot this week on Evan Engram who ran the 3rd most routes for the Jaguars last week. This game might end up being closer than you think with Indy losing Michael Pittman for the game, and I think Trevor Lawrence has a better day under center. Engram has the tangibles to be a good tight end but has never really came through since his rookie season. But if he is going to run 35+ routes and have 5+ targets like he did in week 1, there is some potential that it cashes in this week.
SIT ‘EM DOWN
Quarterbacks:
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Matt Ryan (IND) @ JAX – This solely goes on the shoulders of losing Michael Pittman Jr. for this game, and I just don’t know if the other wide-outs are able to step up to fill his shoes. This very well could end up being the Jonathan Taylor show where he sees 30+ carries. Without Pittman I don’t even know if Ryan can provide the stats on his own to produce great fantasy numbers. You get no rushing baseline with him, and losing your WR1 is dreadful. I think you’re far better off putting him on the bench until Pittman returns.
Marcus Mariota (ATL) @ LAR – It’s safe to say that Mariota outperformed everyone expectations last week by a mile. He finished week 1 as the QB10, and I feel like that is the last time you’ll see him that high on the list. I know he has a nice running baseline and the Falcons had designed runs for him. But I’ll say it again, these Rams are pissed off, and they are going to bring the heat to try to make his day a living hell. I think Ramsey and the boys shut down London and Pitts, and the Rams destroy the Falcons at home.
Tom Brady (TB) @ NO – You might’ve seen TB12’s name here and immediately started cussing at me. That’s fine. What isn’t fine is the Bucs wide receiver room. Godwin is out, Mike Evans and Julio Jones are both questionable at this time (Saturday Night), and there is a possibility they don’t see the field. If they do, will they be 100%? Will they be productive? I don’t see it. Last week Brady had them both and still only finished as the QB26. It might be tough sledding with a beat down line for Brady, and the Saints defense is actually good. Oh and I’ll leave you with this; as a Buccaneer Tom Brady has never beat the New Orleans Saints (0-4).
Running Backs:
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Ezekiel Elliot (DAL) v CIN – I know Zeke looked decent last week averaging 5.2 YPC, but this offensive line is a mess as I’ve stated before. Not to mention the Bengals defense is quite good and might be overlooked at times. With Cooper Rush being under center, and the Cowboys in store for a game script where they need to pass the ball, Zeke could be very quiet. In fact, I think Pollard will have a much better game than Zeke. I personally wouldn’t start either, but if you do roll out a Cowboys running back I think you need to go with Pollard who only played 2 less snaps than Zeke last week.
Dameon Pierce (HOU) @ DEN – Here’s another redemption game for a team that normally has a pretty great rushing defense in Denver. Not only am I worried about that, I’m worried about the lack of snaps Pierce played in week 1. He was only on the field for 20 offensive snaps compared to Rex Burkhead’s 48. If my Minnesota math serves me correct that is less than half. I know Coach Lovie Smith came out and said they need to get him the ball more, but are they going to be able to in a game script that I think favors Brandin Cooks immensely? I need to see it first, and honestly Cooks should be the only Texan in your lineup this weekend.
Cam Akers (LAR) v ATL – I’m not going to be the guy who said “I told you so” here on Akers. But Cam Akers all the part of awful on his mere 3 carries in week 1. He didn’t gain a yard to be exact. He had no targets, and it was Darrell Henderson’s backfield. I think that continues, and I think Henderson is going to be the RB1 on that team as I mentioned this off-season. Akers has some work to do, and maybe he gets more work in this game in what I think should be a blowout. But I don’t think it’s going to be enough work to make him fantasy relevant for the second week in a row.
Wide Receivers:
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Amari Cooper (CLE) v NYJ – I’m going to keep Cooper’s demise short and sweet this time around. Jacoby Brissett ain’t it people! He just isn’t. Yeah, Cooper was targeted 6 times, but he only caught 3 of them because Brissett couldn’t get it within 30 yards of him half the time. I’m 100% out on Amari Cooper, and you should be too. The Browns are going to use their 2 headed monster of a backfield to contend in games, because otherwise Brissett is going to give them all away with his lack of throwing capability.
Brandon Aiyuk (SF) v SEA – First throw last week’s game out. You can’t count it due to the fact that they were playing in a monsoon in Chicago. However, 3 targets isn’t enough, and he should see more this week, but it’s also supposed to be raining again in San Francisco. If Trey Lance can’t get him the ball on account of weather, it’s hard to throw him in your starting lineup. Yeah, he ran the most routes last week by 2 over Deebo. But more weather screams a Deebo Samuel and possibly a Jeff Wilson Jr. game. I’ll wait and see how the targets distribute after a clean weather game before putting him in.
Tyler Lockett (SEA) @ SF – I’ll keep it in San Francisco for my 3rd receiver. Last Monday night in the win over Denver Lockett was definitely the quiet of the 2 receivers for Seattle. I don’t think Geno is a good quarterback, but I also don’t think he’s terrible. Geno Smith obviously has a connection with Metcalf on account of him getting 7 targets to his 3. Between my uncertainty with Smith, and Lockett’s presumably inability to generate targets in week 1, I’m going to wait and see if that corrects itself before starting him.
Tight Ends:
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David Njoku (CLE) v NYJ – Do you see the pattern here yet with Cleveland Browns pass catchers? It’s obvious that I have zero faith in Brissett. Njoku only had 1 target in the opener, and I’m not sure that is going to get any better. The Browns are a ground and pound team, and unfortunately for Njoku, that’s not in his abilities. I’m out on him, and any pass catcher from Cleveland until further notice.
Hunter Henry (NE) @ PIT – I was optimistic about Henry going into 2022, but that was before I saw the Patriots offense in action. I don’t know if they honestly have a clue what they’re doing or what they’re identity truly is. Between splitting carries of 3 different backs, and Jakobi Meyers being the favorite target, I don’t have a ton of faith in Hunter Henry until he gets more involved than the 2 targets he had.
Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN) v HOU – I think brighter days are indeed ahead for Albert O, and I know he had 6 targets in week 1. But I need to see some major production out of him before I get all giddy for his future. Russ should be cooking this week at home, but I think it is going to end up being big games for his wide receivers and probably the running backs too. I guess I just need proof first here, because 5 for 33 isn’t always going to cut the cheese.
Good Luck this week!
SKOL
JD