NFL Fantasy Football Start and Sits for Week 2

Week 1 was interesting for all NFL Fantasy Football owners as you are looking to get a feel for your team and likely mad about the players you should've benched. But Week 2 is a new week and we all have matchups that we are circling in our league. So here is some advice cooked up by the Chefs as we look at potential starts and sits for your fantasy team.

Start ‘em: Quarterbacks

Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts

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Anthony Richardson has an impressive first start of his career against the Jaguars. Richardson threw for 223 passing yards, 1TD and led the Colts with 40 rushing yards before being knocked out of the game late . I expect Richardson to play in Week 2 and like his matchup against the Texans. I love that Richardson is a threat around the goal as he had two of the Colts three goal-line rushes. Richardson is a perfect streaming option for at least 20 points and a cheaper DFS option to load up on other positions.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Trevor Lawrence had a solid opener against the Colts by throwing for 241 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. I feel like that is dressed rehearsal for his big game against the Chiefs this week. I expect a lot of points to be scored on both sides of the ball (see my defense sits). The Chiefs' young secondary have allowed the most passing touchdowns and are in the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed since 2022. Chris Jones is back in the building but you can't expect him to be effective in his first week. Lawrence is obviously a must-start in all leagues as he's a top 10 QB, but for daily fantasy he's a great option.

Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

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This week, I love Jared Goff as a top-10 QB in the Lions' home opener against the Seahawks and I'll tell you why. Goff averaged 26.5 Fantasy points per game in all home games last season. In Week 4 against Seattle last season, Goff torched the Seahawks defense for 41.2 Fantasy points. He threw for 378 yards, 4 TDs and one pick in that game. Speaking of picks, Goff hasn't thrown a pick in his past 10 starts and 359 pass attempts. Start him if you got him, as I have him in two leagues. He's also a really good daily fantasy option.

Sleeper Starts:

DeShaun Watson vs.Steelers

Derek Carr vs Panthers

Baker Mayfield vs. Bears

Sit ‘em: Quarterbacks

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

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Prescott didn't have a good stat line in Week 1 against the Giants. This is in large part to the Cowboys defense spitting then an early lead and controlling the entire have. But Dak only scored 6.3 fantasy points, and in Week 2 he's facing the Jets defense. The Jets tormented QB Josh Allen last week as they forced 3 interceptions. I don't see how the Cowboys will muster a lot of offense, especially if the defense won't give up many points to Zach Wilson and the Jets offense. Prescott is only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues. I wouldn't touch him at all this week.

Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos

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The first game with the new combination of Russell Wilson and Sean Payton was a disaster to say the least. Wilson threw for 2TDs but only mustered 177 passing yards. That performance didn't directly lead to the loss, but a loss to the rival Raiders is not the way to start the season. The offense missed the big play ability of WR Jerry Jeudy and now they have a tough week 2 matchup against the Commanders defense. I lost faith in Russell last season and this is the week where you just can't start him.

Bust Alert:

Kirk Cousins vs Eagles

Matthew Stafford vs 49ers

Kenny Pickett vs Browns

Start ‘em: Running Backs

David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions

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Surprisingly for me, David Montgomery was the lead back for the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Against the Chiefs on Thursday night, he played in 79% of the snaps and finished with 21 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown. It's surprising to me because Jahmyr Gibbs is clearly more talented. But the experience must have won the coaching staff over. Gibbs only got 7 carries, but he nearly matched Montgomery's yardage total with 60 yards. For one more week I would stream Montgomery and then look at Gibbs in the coming weeks. In 2022, Seattle allowed the 3rd most fantasy points per game to running backs. That trend continued in week one as the Rams rushed for 92 yards against Seattle. I would play any Lions running back you have this week.

Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina Panthers

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In Week 1, Miles Sanders got 58% of the snaps on his way to 18 carries for 72 rushing yards and he also was targeted 6 times in passing situations. Sanders may have only got four catches for 26 yards, but it was the most targets in a game he’s gotten in almost 3 years. In Week 1, Titans RB Derrick Henry generated 56 receiving yards against the Saints, and he’s not known as a receiving threat. That’s a good mix for fantasy owners looking to steal some points with Sanders. He is a solid RB2 and a stronger FLEX option for most leagues this week.

James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

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Cook had a tough game in Week 1 at the Jets, but that was expected against a really good defense. But Cook cemented himself as the clear #1 back in buffalo as he played in 59% of the snaps according to PPF. He has a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders at home as the Bills are almost double digit favorites. The Denver running back were effective in the passing game in Week 1 against the Raiders and Josh Allen will likely be talked into dumping off the ball underneath to his TEs and RBs. after his reckless Week 1. I like Cook as a RB2 level performer this week.

Sleeper Starts:

Jamaal Williams vs. Panthers

Isiah Pachaco vs Jaguars

Tyler Allgeier vs Packers

Sit ‘em: Running Backs

Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

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Najee Harris is clearly in a split back situation as many speculated he would be in the preseason. Harris struggled in Week 1 against as really good 49ers defense as he finished with on 6 carries for 31 yards. What really stood out is the snap share he had with Warren, 33 snaps for Harris vs 25 snaps for Warren. This week’s matchup with the Browns isn’t looking good for the Steelers, as Garrett and the crew bottled up Joe Mixon for 56 yards in Week 1. Unfortunately, Harris is barely a flex option in 12-man leagues at this point.

Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears

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Roshon Johnson made Mr Controversy’s waiver wire pick in Week 1 and for good reason. John is the more exciting big-play back compared to Khali Herbert and will be the starter soon. But for Week 2, I’m rolling the dice on Herbert against Tampa Bay. Herbert struggled in Week 1 against the Packers as he only managed 27 rushing yards and 37 receiving yards. Honestly I would avoid both running backs against a solid Tampa Bay defense. But if you had to start one, Herbert is my gut pick.

Bust Alert:

Raheem Mostert vs Patriots

Antonio Gibson vs Broncos

Alexander Mattison vs Eagles

Start ‘em: Wide Receivers

Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

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Another rookie who impressed in week 1 was WR Zay Flowers. Flowers finished Week 1 with 9 catches for 78 yards. Lamr Jackson targeted Flowers 10 times as no one else had more than 3 targets with OBJ drawing more attention. This was without tight end Mark Andrews, so I expect those numbers to level out a bit but not that much. The coverage will just roll over to Andrews, leaving Flowers in single coverage situations. This week, I’m expecting a lot of points to be scored as the Ravens face the Bengals. Don’t leave Flowers on your bench this week, he’s an excellent FLEX option.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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In spite of Mike Evans’ unhappiness with the contract negotiations with the Bucs in the preseason, he didn’t let that affect his play on the field. Evans had a better expected debut with Baker at QB in Week 1 as he tallied 6 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. I like both Evans and Chris Godwin in Week 2 against Chicago (and Baker Mayfield is a sleeper QB pick up for me too). Week 1 may have been a nice showing for potential trade candidates at the October deadline. Evans is a solid WR2 and a great FLEX option this week.

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

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Nico Collins was one of the WR I was looking to fade late to steal in my draft, but I just missed him by 5 picks. Collins had a solid Week 1 against a solid Baltimore defense. Collins finished with six catches for 80 yards in his first game with rookie C.J. Stroud. Collins is clearly the #1 option for Stroud and is matched up against a Colts secondary that was torched by Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones as I mentioned on The NFL Free For All Show. These two combined for 13 catches for 156 yards and 2 TDs. Collins should be your WR2 starter and FLEX starter because of the matchup alone. In deeper PPR leagues, think about WR Robert Woods as a FLEX option.

Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

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I had Thomas sitting on my bench in Week 1 because I wasn’t sure what I would see from him. But in his first game with new quarterback Derek Carr, Thomas netted 5 catches for 61 yards on 8 total targets. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are the downfield threats for the Saints, and that leaves Thomas to operate underneath and get plenty of easy targets for Carr. I like Thomas as a starter in three-receiver leagues in Week 2 against the Panthers, a FLEX option in deeper leagues and a pretty solid DFS pick up. Remember, the Panthers won’t have cornerback Jaycee Horn available with a hamstring injury.

Sleeper Starts:

Mike Williams vs Titans

Romeo Doubs vs Falcons

Josh Reynolds vs Seahawks

Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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I started London in DFS and needless to say Week 1 was a nightmare for me. London had no catches and just ONE target against Carolina. The Falcons run game was really good with rookie Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, which led to QB Desmond Ridder attempting only 18 passes. London is the #1 WR with TE Kyle Pitts but for the first few weeks it’s going to be bumpy. Enter the Packers defense, a really good secondary and all world CB Jaire Alexander. I would avoid London in 10-man leagues, barely a FLEX option in 12-man or 3 WR leagues.

Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

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Marquise Brown was targeted only 5 times, and finished with a stat line of 3 catches for 28 yards against the Commanders defense. Brown will be the focus of every defense and opposing defenses will look to take him away. Plus, I can’t trust Joshua Dobbs to get Brown the ball. Brown is good, but risky week to week until Murray eventually comes back. I have him on my bench in one league, he’ll stay there until I can find a matchup for him.

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

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George Pickens is a talented WR that can make some spectacular catches. Pickens should see a bump in targets with Diontae Johnson out with a hamstring injury, but this isn’t the week to start him. The Steelers offense should struggle across the board against a Browns defense that held the Bengals offense to just 3 points in Week 1. Cleveland’s pass rush will get after QB Kenny Pickett all night and the Browns held Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to 5 catches for 39 yards. Pickett favored the secondary WRs like Robinson in Week 1 and I would think that continues in Week 2.

Bust Alert:

Terry McLaurin vs Broncos

Brandin Cooks vs Jets

Puka Nacua vs 49ers

Start ‘em: Tight Ends

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions

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Sam LaPorta is going to be a for the Lions for years to come, and I love the Lions offense this week against the Seahawks.In Week 1, he finished with 5 catches for 39 yards. While it’s not a big game, he’ll be trending up as games go on. The Seahawks also allowed the most fantasy PPG to tight ends in 2022 as they have no one that can cover that position. I like LaPorta this week as the tight end position is always hard to roster after the top 5 players are scooped up.

Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Evan Engram finished Week 1 with 5 catches for 49 yards on 5 targets. It’s not a monster stat line but he actually finished as TE5 overall in Week 1. I like him this week as most people are thinking the Chiefs/Jaguars game will be a high-scoring game as the over/under is currently at 51 points. Kansas City allowed double-digit fantasy PPG to tight ends in 2022, which makes Engram a must start this week.

Sleeper Starts:

Dallas Goedert vs Vikings

Gerald Everett vs Titans

Sit ‘em: Tight Ends

Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans

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Schultz was someone I started to fade in training camp, and his Week 1 performance was part of the reason why. He played a lot as the primary tight end for Houston, but he had just two catches for 4 yards on four targets against the Ravens. I'm not sure there's much upside for him with C.J. Stroud, and I would try to avoid him in all leagues in Week 2 against the Colts.

Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers

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Hayden Hurst was the top target for Bryce Young in the opener, catching five of seven targets for 41 yards and a touchdown. He finished as the TE2 in Week 1. He could be a useful fantasy tight end this season and is worth picking up if you don’t love your starting option. But this is not the matchup to start him. The Saints allowed the fewest fantasy PPG to tight ends last year. They’ve allowed the fewest yards to the position since 2022 (524) and the third-fewest touchdowns (two). Avoid starting tight ends against New Orleans.

Bust Alert:

Chigoziem Okonkwo vs. Chargers

Darren Waller vs Cardinals

Start ‘em: Defense

Browns Defense/ST

The Browns defense was outstanding in Week 1 as they held down the high-powered Cincinnati offense to 3 points and 142 total yards. Yes it was a rainy day in Cleveland, but Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith are a scary one-two punch that gets pressure on the QB. In Week 2, the Browns have a favorable matchup against the before mentioned Steelers. The Steeler lost WR Diontae Johnson to injury, the have injuries along the offensive line, no running game with Harris/Warren in a bad home loss to the 49ers. Kenny Pickett tossed two INTs to the 49ers defense and he might be running for his life on Monday Night. The Browns defense are one of those defenses that will be heavily used in DFS and is a top 5 defense in Week 2.

Giants Defense/ST

The Giants had a miserable performance in Week 1 against the Cowboys as we all know. But enter the best remedy for this team, the Cardinals. The Commanders were the popular stream last week and this week’s stream against a weak Cardinals offense is the Giants. LB Isiah Simmons returns to Arizona with a little revenge on the brain. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Sleeper Starts:

Saints DEF/ST vs Panthers

Steelers DEF/ST vs Browns

Lions DEF/ST vs Seahawks

Sit ‘em: Defense

Jaguars Defense/ST

Even though the Jaguars DST were solid in Week 1 against the Colts (4 sacks and 3 turnovers), I don’t like their matchup in Week 2 against the Chiefs. I feel like this will be a shootout and signs point to the Chiefs getting star tight end Travis Kelce back. Like I mentioned, this game has an over/under of 51 (the highest total this week). I’m avoiding defense in this game.

Chiefs Defense/ST

See above, I’m staying away from defenses in this game. Chris Jones is back, but he will likely be on a snap count after missing the entire offseason. The Chiefs gave up 368 total yards in Week 1 against a solid Lions offense, and the Jaguars can present the same type of problems for a young secondary. Avoid the Chiefs this week, there are plenty of better options in leagues that you can stream instead of this defense.

Bust Alert:

Titans DEF/ST vs Chargers

Rams DEF/ST vs 49ers

Raiders DEF/ST vs Bills