Happy weekend, and welcome to Week 2 of the Fantasy Football season. Mike Hubbard Jr here, helping you week in and week out of the fantasy football season. Follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) for all things fantasy football.
There are a ton of great matchups on Sunday’s slate and I’m here to give you some obvious and some not-so-obvious decisions to start/sit players in your fantasy league.
49ers @ Eagles
Start – Jalen Hurts – Hop on the Jalen Hurts bandwagon before it gets too crowded. After an impressive start in week 1, Jalen has another opportunity to silence his critics. The 49ers let Goff throw for 338 yards and 3 TD’s. Hurts should be able to hurt the 49ers with his arm and with his feet in Philadelphia’s home opener.
Sit – Brandon Aiyuk – Raise your hand if you were personally victimized after starting Aiyuk in Week 1 (my hand is raised). I do think he will still have a good year, but I’m not feeling anywhere near comfortable starting him until I see some production.
Bengals @ Bears
Start – Ja’Marr Chase – The LSU duo of Burrow and Chase was on full display last weekend and, this week, playing a sketchy Bears secondary, I expect more of the same. The chemistry appears to have never dissipated and Ja’Marr had ZERO drops.
Sit – Darnell Mooney – Mooney is a good deep threat for the Bears, but what good is a deep threat if your QB is Andy Dalton, who in week 1 didn’t throw down field much. I think his ceiling will grow if and when Justin Fields is under center, but until then I will be fading Mooney.
Texans @ Browns
Start – Kareem Hunt – The Browns like to run the ball and Hunt is going to get opportunities, mainly on third down and in the red zone. Unless the Texans can stop the run, both Hunt and Chubb should have a nice day in Cleveland.
Sit – Mark Ingram – Ingram had a nice workload in week 1. Week 2 might be a different narrative. I’d be a little shocked if the Texans weren’t trailing the Browns for most of this game, forcing Tyrod Taylor to air it out and lower the number of touches for Ingram. A tough Browns D line playing at home is enough for me to fade Ingram.
Rams @ Colts
Start – Tyler Higbee – Higbee is one of the many receiving options that will benefit from the QB change from Goff to Stafford. Higbee played all 52 snaps for LA week 1, showing promise in volume and usage with 6 targets. The Colts struggled with the Seahawks TE’s and Higbee should be able to keep that trend going.
Sit – Parris Campbell – Campbell struggled week 1 even though he participated in 48 of 76 offensive snaps. The Colts were without TY Hilton, yet both Michael Pittman Jr and Zach Pascal were ahead of Campbell in snaps and targets. Even without Hilton again this weekend, Campbell could have another tough week.
Bills @ Dolphins
Start – Emmanuel Sanders – Sanders seems to be part of a 3-headed receiving attack with Diggs and Beasley. Josh Allen and the Bills love to throw the ball which boosts Sanders stock, making him a good FLEX option this week and for weeks to come.
Sit – Mike Gesicki – Gesicki had 3 targets and no catches against the Patriots. He only played 21 snaps week 1 which was 17 less than TE Durham Smythe. If Gesicki is on my team I would be a little more than worried even though one week is a small sample size.
Patriots @ Jets
Start – Damien Harris – Yes Harris had a fumble, but no I am not worried. The patriots face an underwhelming Jets defense making Harris a must start in fantasy. His 23 carries in week 1 could slightly decrease but not enough to impact your decision on starting him. I expect the Patriots to continue running their offense through Harris.
Sit – Corey Davis – Davis was the lone bright spot for the Jets who played the Panthers last weekend. I’m sure the Patriots noticed and have a plan to stop his production. Expect the Patriots to put pressure on rookie Zach Wilson making nothing easy for him. It also doesn’t help Davis that Jamison Crowder could play this week and take opportunities away from him.
Raiders @ Steelers
Start – Najee Harris – Harris is one of my more obvious starts this week after playing in 100% of Pittsburgh’s snaps in his rookie debut. His usage and potential make him an easy must start at home against the Raiders who struggled to defend RB’s last year. Najee should easily be a top-10 fantasy RB this week.
Sit – Kenyan Drake – Josh Jacobs is already confirmed OUT this week, making the Raiders back field consist of Drake and Peyton Barber. Coach Gruden didn’t seem to commit to either player, making it difficult to predict Drake’s usage in an already difficult matchup with an impressive Steelers defense.
Saints @ Panthers
Start – DJ Moore – DJ Moore and Robby Anderson are clearly the Panthers top receiving options not named Christian McCaffrey. DJ was used in numerous ways in the receiving game, and his chemistry should continue to grow with Sam Darnold. Moore could be a determining factor in Carolina’s chances to upset the Saints.
Sit – Juwan Johnson – Juwan is one of this week’s top waiver wire pickups. His 2 TD’s have the attention of the fantasy football community. 2 TD’s are nice, but he only played in 12 snaps compared to Adam Trautman’s 51 snaps, and Garrett Griffin’s 17 snaps. I don’t feel safe starting Juwan until his usage and targets rise.
Broncos @ Jaguars
Start – Noah Fant – Noah had a solid outing against the NYG racking up 6 receptions for 62 yards on 8 targets. Fant’s role should increase even more after Jerry Juedy’s injury. Jags defense is anything but intimidating, setting up Fant for a nice day in Jacksonville.
Sit – James Robinson – James has a tough matchup this week against a Denver team that shut down Saquon Barkley in week 1. Robinson only ran the ball 5 times and had less touches than HB Carlos Hyde against Houston. Robinson remains RB1 for the Jaguars but as long as I have other options, I’m sitting him until his volume increases.
Vikings @ Cardinals
Start – Kirk Cousins -– Kirk threw the ball 59 times in his loss to the Bengals. The Cardinals offense looks great, making it very possible that Cousins will need to throw to keep his guys in the game. Even if his stats are a result of garbage time, I’m expecting his fantasy production to be worth the start.
Sit – AJ Green – AJ Green had a forgettable performance against the Titans in a game where the Cardinals exploded for 38 points. His 2 receptions for 25 yards were fifth best in receptions and fifth best in receiving yards for Arizona. Kyler Murray has options at his disposal and Green didn’t prove to be a reliable one.
Falcons @ Buccaneers
Start – Kyle Pitts – Pitts owners should not be afraid to start Pitts after his 4 receptions for 31 yards against the Eagles. Matt Ryan targeted the rookie 8 times and that could increase this week where the Falcon’s will most likely need to air it out often to try to keep pace with Tom Brady and the defending champs.
Sit – Mike Davis – Davis is RB1 in Atlanta but draws a very tough matchup against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay who kept Ezekiel Elliot in check with just 33 yards on opening night. This game should be high scoring, but I expect it to be more pass oriented than run heavy.
Cowboys @ Chargers
Start – Jared Cook – This game has passing yards and touchdowns written all over it. I expect Dak and Herbert to throw it early and often making most receiving options must starts on both teams. Cook led the TE’s for LA with 47 snaps which resulted in 5 receptions on 8 targets. Cook is a sneaky start that could benefit immensely in this potentially high scoring game.
Sit – Either DST – I usually don’t talk defense’s, but I couldn’t think of many sit options in this game. Zeke is obviously another bust option this week, but I’m not ready to put him on anyone’s bench. That being said, Both Cowboys and Chargers defenses could easily be lit up and are easy to sit this week.
Titans @ Seahawks
Start – DK Metcalf – The Seahawks let Russ cook in week 1. He had 4 passing TD’s on only 18 completions. DK benefited to the extent of 60 yards and a score. If the Titans show up offensively this week, Russell Wilson could throw more and continue to light up defenses. DK is usually good for at least one TD and that should continue Sunday in Seattle.
Sit – Julio Jones – The Titans looked bad last week in Arizona. Even if they get their act together, Julio is nothing but a weak FLEX for me and will be on my bench unless I have no other options. I’m not saying he won’t be elite again like he was in Atlanta, but until I see promising stats and chemistry between him and Tannehill, AJ Brown is the only WR in Tennessee that is a must start.
Chiefs @ Ravens
Start – Clyde Edwards-Helaire – CEH had an average game week 1 but could be in for a great day against the Ravens. Mahomes is the obvious must start, especially with his history of beating the Ravens, which bodes nicely for CEH. The carries should be plentiful if the Chiefs lead grows, and also targets could be plentiful in a pass happy offense.
Sit – Ty’Son Williams – Ty’Son had a decent stat line in his MNF loss to the Raiders. Moving forward I am concerned with his usage. Latavius Murray is fighting for a heavier role, while Le’Veon Bell and Devonta Freeman are both looking to be a part of the offense. I don’t feel comfortable starting any Ravens running backs this week, especially with Jackson stealing rushing yards.