They say in life that "sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you're the windshield!" This saying holds true for fantasy football. Last season, Mr. Tom Brady was the windshield, squashing everything in sight on the way to a record breaking season. This year, as you might have guessed, Brady was the bug, squished in week one and now out for the year. But, it's not only full seasons that abide to this. It's also a weekly phenomenom. Sometimes a guy is a great start, while others he's a must sit. To find out who is who for week 2, read our Week 2 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em article below.
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QUARTERBACKS - START 'EM
Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers) @ Denver
The match-up that will get played up in fantasy circles heading into this game is the battle that will ensue between LaDainian Tomlinson and the weak Broncos rush D. And, rightfully so, the Broncos were ranked 30th in the league last year against the run and gave up 150 rushing yards to the Raiders in week one of the 2008 season. Yes, LT2 should be in for an incredible day. But, don't lose sight of Philip Rivers among all the LT2 hype. Rivers has developed nicely since taking over the starting quarterback duties in 2006, and the Chargers seem to feel more and more confident when it comes to giving him opportunities to run the show. Expect Rivers to get plenty of those opportunities in week 2 as he'll face a Denver Broncos team that he has a 106.4 quarterback rating against during his career. In 5 games against Denver, Rivers has gone for 1075 yards, 7 TDs, and just 3 INTs.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) @ Detroit
With his performance on Monday Night against the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers showed why the Packers' brass wasn't extremely worried about life after Favre. Completing 81.8% of his passes for 178 yards and a score, Rodgers played with poise and put zip on his passes that would make Brett Favre proud. Week 2 should bring another fine outing from the new Green Bay starter as Rodgers meets up with a Detroit Lions team that made rookie, Matt Ryan look like a grizzled vet.
Damon Huard (Kansas City Chiefs) vs. Oakland
So, it's bye, bye Brady, and you're stuck looking for a replacement from slim pickings for week 2. Well, why not go with the back-up that entered that infamous New England Patriots - Kansas City Chiefs match-up in which Brady went down. No, not Matt Cassel. The other guy, Damon Huard. After starter, Brodie Croyle left this past Sunday's game, Huard came in and nearly orchestrated an impressive come back, completing 8 of 12 passes for 116 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. He has a favorable match-up in week 2 against a Raiders defense that gave up 300 passing yards and 2 passing TDs the first week of the season.
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QUARTERBACKS - SIT 'EM
Carson Palmer (Cincinnati Bengals) vs. Tennessee
Ok, sitting Palmer is a difficult thing to do, especially since you probably snagged him early in your league's draft, while grabbing a back-up QB late. After all, that back-up was simply going to be a bye week start. But, consider this, since week 9 of the 2007 season, Palmer has thrown 12 INTs and 12 TDs. Not exactly the type of ratio you'd see from an every week fantasy play, right? The Bengals offense has looked out of sync for sometime now, and we don't envision a match-up against a tough Tennesee Titans D the things that gets them back on track.
David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) vs. Buffalo
David Garrard finished the 2008 season with just 3 INTs in 12 games, after one game in 2007, he already has 2 INTs. Garrard is a talented quarterback, he showed that last season, but even the most talented quarterbacks will struggle when not given a decent amount of time to get rid of the ball. Right now, Garrard's not getting that time. With more than half of the Jaguars offensive line injured, Garrard's pass protection is like Swiss Cheese, filled with plenty of holes. He'll struggle against a Bills' defense that gave up just 167 yards to Matt Hasselbeck in week 1.
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) @ Tampa Bay
Matt Ryan had a stellar debut to his NFL career, completing his first regular season pass for a 62 yard TD and finishing the day with a 137.0 quarterback rating, but don't get enamored with this rookie just yet. It's obvious the Falcons want to keep the pressure off Ryan this season. In week 1, the young QB threw a total of just 13 passes, while the Falcons simply pounded the ball with Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. They'll continue to abide to that game plan all season long. Though the Lions made Ryan look like Drew Brees, Drew Brees he isn't, and he won't come close to matching Brees' 343 yard and 3 TD week 1 outing against the Bucs.
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RUNNING BACKS - START 'EM
Clinton Portis (Washington Redskins) vs. New Orleans
The Washington Redskins couldn't get much going on the offensive side of the ball in week 1, putting together just one scoring drive. However, they will have had more than a week to prepare for their week 2 match-up with the Saints. You can bet that a lot of that preparation focused on the running game, as the Skins' will look to pound the ball down the Saints' throats, especially after the Saints gave up 146 rushing yards in week 1 against the Bucs. It only took Earnest Graham 10 carries to tally 91 yards, and it's a near certainty that Portis will get 20+. Even if he can't improve on his 3.7 ypc average, the shear number of carries alone should guarantee a solid day.
Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants) @ St. Louis
The St. Louis Rams' defense would like to forget week one after they allowed 38 points and 522 yards to the Philadelphia Eagles; the only problem is that after this weekend, they'll also want to forget week 2. Brandon Jacobs was a tractor in week one, plowing through defenders like it was nothing to the tune of 116 yards. A gaudy number, but one he could easily approach and surpass when playing against this horrid D.
Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) @ Cincinnati
The Baltimore Ravens were able to steal a week one victory from the Cincinnati Bengals by running the ball, running the ball, and running the ball some more. You can bet the Tennessee Titans will adhere to the same philosophy in week 2 with their two headed monster of Chris Johnson and LenDale White. Despite being the rookie, Johnson will once again get more carries, and if he's anywhere near as explosive in week 2 as he was in week 1, when he went for 15 rushes for 93 yards and 3 receptions for 34 yards and a TD, he should once again have a easy double digit day against a Bengals rush D that ranks 31st on the short year.
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RUNNING BACKS - SIT 'EM
Selvin Young (Denver Broncos) vs. San Diego
It looked like Young would be primed for a huge week one as he drew the Oakland Raiders, and while he did manage 9 fantasy points thanks to a TD, it's not what his fantasy owners were looking for. Blame that demigod, Mike Shanahan. Once again, the Broncos' head coach, unleashed his wrath on fantasy owners, not only giving Andre Hall more carries than Young, but also, inexplicably, giving Michael Pittman two goal-line scores. We'd keep Young grounded until his role in Denver's offense is a bit more defined.
Darren McFadden (Oakland Raiders) @ Kansas City
McFadden appears on this list not because he lacks talent, nor is he facing a particularly tough opponent; however, we're still not starting him because, well, because he plays for the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders offense looked god awful with QB JaMarcus Russell at the helm this past Monday night with drive after drive stalling. And, we expect the struggles to continue as JaMarcus continues to adjust to NFL life. Add that to the fact that Justin Fargas appears dead set to holding onto his starting job (18 carries for 97 yards), and you see, why we believe McFadden's a sit.
Steve Slaton (Houston Texans) vs. Baltimore
Slaton is the Texans starting running back...by default, and he may wish he wasn't. The rookie had to face a stout Pittsburgh D in week one and managed just 43 yards on 13 carries. While Slaton should see more touches in this one as Houston won't be trailing by so much so early, it may not matter as he'll be running into a strong Raven's rush defense that gave up just 65 yards in its opener. Talk about a rude welcome to the NFL!
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WIDE RECEIVERS - START 'EM
Plaxico Burress (New York Giants) @ St. Louis
Not only does Burress have a solid shot at being the top wide receiver this week, he has a decent shot at being the top fantasy player in week 2 as he gets set to take on a Rams' secondary that just got burned, giving up 100 yard games to Hank Baskett, Greg Lewis, and DeSean Jackson. If those guys can do that to the Rams, it's scary to think what Burress will do.
Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Cleveland
Don't be misled by Holmes' poor fantasy performance in week one, in which he caught just two balls for 19 yards as it was largely due to the game situation. The Steelers jumped out to a huge lead against the Texans leading to rush after rush. That shouldn't be the case for week 2, which is exactly why Holmes must be in your line-up. The Browns' D couldn't slow down Tony Romo and the Cowboys passing game, and they won't be able to slow down Big Ben and the Steelers' wide receivers.
David Patten (New Orleans Saints) @ Washington
With Marques Colston out, the top wide out slot is a wide open competition in New Orleans. We're going to give the edge though to Patten. A more consistent wide receiver than Devery Henderson, Patten put up 5 double digit performances in 2007 to Henderson's 2. Brees will look to and trust in this veteran to step it up, and you should too. He makes a solid match-up against a Redskins' defense that ranks 20th against the pass after one week of football.
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WIDE RECEIVERS - SIT 'EM
Torry Holt (St. Louis Rams) @ New York Giants
Holt has surpassed the 1000 yard mark for 8 straight seasons. In fact, the only year he missed the plateau came back in 1999, his rookie season, and he still had a solid 788 yards that year. The streak though appears to be in jeopardy. I know it is just one week, but the Rams offense was abysmal in week one. And, it all starts with their o-line. While the Rams have Orlando Pace healthy this season, they don't have much else up front blocking for Marc Bulger. That has caused Bulger to look uncomfortable in the pocket, understandable when big huge defensive linemen are barreling down on you. An uncomfortable Bulger is bad news for Holt, and it showed in week one as the stud receiver had just one catch for 9 yards. It doesn't help that defenses can now key their whole secondaries Holt's way, especially with Drew Bennett out. Stay away for now!
DeSean Jackson / Hank Baskett / Greg Lewis (Philadelphia Eagles) @ Dallas
This trio filled in nicely for the injured Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, with each going for over 100 yards in their week one match-up against the Rams. However, the group may not get to the 100 yard mark combined in week 2 as they get set to face a Dallas D that gave up just 114 passing yards to the Cleveland Browns in week 1, with 47 of those yards going to the tight end. Week 2 will be the first true test for McNabb and this bunch.
Roddy White (Atlanta Falcons) @ Tampa Bay
We're not worried about the fact that Matt Ryan will be under center, when it comes to Roddy White's production. After all, he topped 1200 yards in 2007 with Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, and Byron Leftwich throwing him the ball. We are worried about his week 2 match-up. White has struggled against the Bucs, last year gaining just 32 yards against them in 2 games. If you have a better option, go with it.
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TIGHT ENDS - START 'EM
Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers) @ Seattle
Perhaps this time it's not false promises, perhaps this time the 49ers are really looking to involve Davis in the offense as much as possible. Davis had a solid but not spectacular week 1, but we must say his 51 yards are a promising sign of what could be the tight end's breakout season. Look for the tight end to capitalize on some vertical routes this week against a Seahawks D that gave up 52 yards and a score to TE Robert Royal in week 1.
John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) vs. San Francisco
With the Seahawks wide receivers being knocked off one by one, QB Matt Hasselbeck is going to have to look elsewhere for his completions. Carlson will be elsewhere. In his first NFL regular season game, Carlson caught 4 balls for 52 yards. He could better those numbers in week 2 against the 49ers.
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TIGHT ENDS - SIT 'EM
Tony Scheffler (Denver Broncos) vs. San Diego
72 yards is an impressive week one, but be cautious with Scheffler as all of those yards came on one catch. Not only does Scheffler have a tough match-up with the San Diego Chargers in week 2, but the Broncos will also welcome back wide receiver, Brandon Marshall. With Marshall in the mix and Jay Cutler showing rookie wide out, Eddie Royal, the love, Scheffler may see his opportunities dwindle.
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KICKERS - START 'EM
John Kasay (Carolina Panthers) vs. Chicago
Kasay was phenomenal in week one as he hit 4 of 4 Field Goals and 2 of 2 Extra Points in the Panthers upset over the San Diego Chargers. The Panthers are the perfect type of offense to kick for. They have enough fire power to move the ball down the field, but not the big weapons to always punch it in the end zone. That leads to numerous Field Goal attempts and Kasay is solid at converting them.
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KICKERS - SIT 'EM
Jason Elam (Atlanta Falcons) @ Tampa Bay
There were concerns surrounding Elam's move to Atlanta. For one, the aging kicker wouldn't benefit any longer from the Mile High air, but more importantly, he was joining a lesser offense. Well, someone forgot to mention that to the Falcons as they lit up the score board in week 1, allowing Elam to compile 12 fantasy points. Plain and simple though, the Falcons won't score as much in week 2, so keep Elam on the bench.
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DEFENSE - START 'EM
Chicago Bears @ Carolina
I'll keep it short and sweet, but offenses beware because.....THEY'RE BAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!
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DEFENSE - SIT 'EM
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee
It may be tempting to start the Bengals in week 2 as ; Kerry Collins will be taking over for the Titans' offense, but don't. While the Bengals may grab an interception or two, those points will be offset by the amount of yardage and points they give up as a result of not being able to stop the dynamic duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White.
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WEEK 2 RANKINGS (click to view)
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Team Defense
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Past Waiver Wire Articles (click to view)
Waiver Wire - Week 1 (Sunday Edition)
Waiver Wire - Week 1 (Monday Edition)
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