[Editor’s note: this was originally published on September 13th, but I’m bringing back to the front of the site for easy Sunday morning access.]
If there is one word of advice I could give you before week two of your fantasy league this year, it would be this: “Don’t overreact. Panic time doesn’t hit until week 4.”
Every player is due to have a bad week or two; and luckily for Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson owners, they already got one of theirs out of the way.
Does that mean that we should take nothing from week one? Of course not. It’s possibly time to drop Colts’ players not named Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.
But don’t go scrambling for Cam Newton just yet.
If you missed the $250 MSF Week 1 Freeroll Challenge at FanDuel, shame on you.
Click here to sign up at FanDuel to play the best weekly fantasy football game around and so you don’t miss the next MSF Freeroll (likely Week 3)!
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Em, Sit Em
Week 1 In Review
Before we move on to this week’s Start Em, Sit Em picks, let’s recap how we did last week.
Of course, it would be impossible to be right on EVERY guy every single week, but as Jerod always stressed to you the last two years: I would encourage you to at least look at the reasoning behind each pick. For instance, I let my emotions get the better of me when thinking about QBs last week, and it showed when I completely whiffed on Mark Sanchez and Joe Flacco. However, I didn’t miss on a single Colts’ player as I predicted a great game from Reggie Wayne and nobody else.
Overall, I went 28 1/2 out of 50…a little under 60%. Let’s do better this week!
(Important note: “Best Player Prediction” will often be someone that is a no-brainer to start. I’m just trying to predict who will have the biggest week. I try to choose guys for the Start Em/Sit Em portion that are actually on the line between starter and bench player. Any idiot could tell you to start Aaron Rodgers every week and have nearly 100% success rate…but that wouldn’t help anyone.)
Best Player Predictions: 2 for 4
Picks: Phillip Rivers, Jamaal Charles, Larry Fitzgerald, and Jason Witten.
Two great games from Rivers and Witten…and two fantastic flops on Charles and Fitzgerald. The KC game was surprising, and Charles actually put up some decent numbers despite trailing the entire game…but the Fitzgerald thing might be a little worrisome. I still think he and Kolb will end up having good years, but it might take a few more weeks to develop some continuity.
Worst Player Predictions: 1 for 3
Picks: Chad Henne, Fred Jackson, and Dwayne Bowe. (No tight end chosen)
Fred Jackson had a solid game, and Henne was obviously a fantasy stud despite his team getting manhandled by New England, but Bowe started off 2011 with a big thud.
Start Em Predictions: 3 for 4
Picks: Ben Roethlisberger, Tim Hightower, Reggie Wayne, and Aaron Hernandez.
Roethlisberger was a fantastic flame-out. He played worse than he has in over a year, and the Ravens defense looked feisty yet again. However, Hightower had a solid game and Hernandez and Wayne were both top five guys at their position. At least I seem to have the Colts’ picks on lock down…it’s probably the only part of the Colts’ season that will bring me joy this year.
Sit Em Predictions: 1 1/2 for 4
Picks: Tony Romo, Ray Rice, Dez Bryant, and Jermichael Finley
Romo and Rice both had fantastic fantasy days. If anything, Rice just showed us that he is worthy of consideration as the #1 overall running back. If he can do that on Pittsburgh’s defense…look out. Jermichael Finley got in the flow early, but only ended up with 3 catches without a TD. Bryant was a mixed bag. He was fantastic early…until Revis switched over on him. So my prediction came true…eventually. Bryant still ended up with 70 yards and a TD before Revis switched over though, so I’m only giving myself a half point.
Other Guys I Liked: 11 for 19
Hits: Tom Brady, Colt McCoy, Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, LeSean McCoy, Peyton Hillis, Megatron, Brandon Marshall, Percy Harvin, Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, and Greg Olsen.
Misses: Matt Schaub, Matt Ryan, DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson, Mario Manningham, Roddy White, Owen Daniels, and Brandon Pettigrew.
Other Guys I Didn’t Like: 10 for 16
Hits (Not Including Manning and Foster which were slam-dunks because they did not play): Rashard Mendenhall, Knowshon Moreno, Colts’ Running Backs, LeGarrette Blount, AJ Green, Santonio Holmes, Mike Thomas, Zach Miller, Marcedes Lewis, and Dallas Clark.
Misses: Michael Vick, Josh Freeman, Joe Flacco, Greg Jennings, Anquan Boldin, and Tony Gonzalez.
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Now onto the Week 2 picks!
Fantasy Football Week Two Start Em, Sit Em: Quarterbacks
Projected Best Performer: Michael Vick
Vick will be visiting Atlanta for the first time since he was in prison. He will be playing on a fast surface, in front of a raucous crowd, against a defense that barely put up any resistance against a Bears’ team with less weapons this past weekend. Look for Vick to have one of his “I’m winning this week for you singlehandedly today” fantasy weeks.
Michael Vick fantasy football Week 2 projection – 290 Passing Yards with 2 TDs, 108 Rushing Yards with 2 TDs
Projected Worst Performer: Cam Newton
I actually think Newton will become a good player in this league. But in his second week ever? Against the defending Super Bowl Champions? Against those DBs? AND those LBs? Forget about it.
Cam Newton fantasy football Week 2 projection – 118 Passing Yards with 1 TD and 3 INTs, 4 Rushes for 18 Yards
Start Em: Tony Romo
Despite being on everybody’s hate list this morning, Romo played a great game Sunday Night against one of the best pass defenses in the league…for 55 minutes. Even with the fumble and terrible interception, he was still a top ten QB in week one. Look for him to come out this week with something to prove on the road in San Francisco.
The 49ers are improved, but the Cowboys’ will have too many weapons on the offensive side of the football. The man everybody loves to hate will definitely bounce back in week two.
Tony Romo fantasy football Week 2 projection – 330 Passing Yards, 3 TDs
Other QBs I Like in Week Two:
- Jay Cutler and Drew Brees (shootout in New Orleans)
- Tom Brady and Philip Rivers (shootout in NE)
- Matthew Stafford (against KC…huge game)
- Kerry Collins (yes, really. He will get a lot of yards against a Browns defense that will be much better against the run in week two.)
Sit Em: Matt Ryan
Saying that I didn’t like what I saw in week one against Chicago would be an understatement. Obviously, you don’t want to overreact after one week, but Ryan has always been one of those guys that was a much better QB in real life than in Fantasy. During week one, he didn’t even look good in real life.
If the Eagles come out and put on a full court press like I think they might, the Dirty Birds could be looking at 0-2…just like Matty Ice owners.
Matt Ryan fantasy football Week 2 projection – 210 Passing Yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Other QBs I Don’t Like in Week Two:
- Donovan McNabb (he won’t be starting by week five)
- Sam Bradford (banged up and playing AT New York)
- Matt Hasselbeck (against Baltimore with almost no weapons outside of Kenny Britt).
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Em, Sit Em: Running Backs
Projected Best Performer: Ray Rice
Dear Ray Rice,
I’m sorry I ever doubted you. You are the best running back in fantasy this year. Have fun against Tennessee.
Sincerely, Jon
Ray Rice fantasy football Week 2 projection – 150 Rushing Yards, 1 TD; 48 Receiving Yards, 1 TD
Projected Worst Performer: DeAngelo Williams
Is it too early to be talking about “worst contracts in history?” It is? Ok. Well then let’s just say this: if Williams couldn’t run against Arizona, there is no way on earth he’s doing anything against BJ Raji, Clay Matthews, and the rest of the gang in Green Bay.
DeAngelo Williams fantasy football Week 2 projection – 38 Rushing Yards; 12 Receiving Yards
Start Em: Shonn Greene
While the Jets got out of Sunday Night with a win throwing the ball often, I think they will get back to their roots against Jacksonville this week. Mark Sanchez looked great against a secondary that was beyond banged up, and it will only help the Jets’ running game in the future as they hope to become a more balanced attack. All that said, Rex Ryan loves to pound it out on the ground, and that’s what Shonn Greene will do in Week 2.
Shonn Greene fantasy football Week 2 projection – 114 Rushing Yards, 1 TD
Other RBs I Like in Week Two:
- Matt Forte (could be turning into Marshall Faulk in Chicago)
- Darren Sproles (maybe the quickest guy since Barry Sanders…he will give Chicago fits)
- Felix Jones (gets a lot more opportunities against SF)
- LeSean McCoy (always…but still…I REALLY like him this week).
Sit Em: Michael Turner
Last year, he only had 49 yards TOTAL against this same Eagles’ team. Look for more of the same this year. If Atlanta starts trailing in this game (and I think they will), Turner will take a back seat…and crush your hopes for a win in week two.
Projection – 46 Rushing Yards; 10 Receiving Yards
Other RBs I Don’t Like in Week Two:
- Colts Running Backs (not even a little bit)
- LaDainian Tomlinson (week one is the best you will get from him this year…and it was only 8 points)
- Mark Ingram (just too many guys in NO)
- LeGarrette Blount (I think TB airs it out a little more in Minnesota)
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Em, Sit Em Wide Receivers
Projected Best Performer: Calvin “Megatron” Johnson
The dude is just unstoppable right now. If KC’s defense looks AT ALL like they did in week one, Johnson should have another monster day.
Calvin Johnson fantasy football Week 2 projection – 8 Catches for 140 Yards and 2 TDs
Projected Worst Performer: Mike Thomas
Revis Island. Moving on.
Mike Thomas fantasy football Week 2 projection – 2 Catches for 14 Yards
Start Em: Jabar Gaffney
He only had 3 catches for 54 yards in week one, but he was targeted by Rex Grossman seven times. The two clearly have a strong history together, and they should be able to connect a lot against Arizona’s atrocious pass defense (they were 8th worst in the league last year and that was before losing DRC).
Jabar Gaffney fantasy football Week 2 projection – 6 Catches for 105 Yards and 1 TD
Other WRs I Like in Week Two:
- Jacoby Jones (very solid #2 emerging in Houston)
- Devin Hester (big day in NO)
- Hakeem Nicks (he’s just really good…assuming he’s healthy)
- Both Cowboys’ WRs (big day for Romo = big day for them).
Sit Em: Santonio Holmes
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Plaxico Burress actually looked really good on Sunday night. More importantly, Sanchez was looking his way in the red zone on a regular basis. Holmes will still get a lot of targets throughout the game, and will probably be a possession guy for the Jets, but Plax and Keller are both better options in the red zone, and Holmes might be the odd man out in the end zone.
Santonio Holmes fantasy football Week 2 projection- 6 Catches for 48 Yards
Other WRs I Don’t Like in Week Two:
- AJ Green (not with those QBs against Champ Bailey)
- Mike Thomas (Revis Island)
- Steve Smith 1.0 (not against GB)
- Dwyane Bowe (his owners will begin to start freaking out).
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Em, Sit Em Tight Ends
Projected Best Performer: Jermaine Gresham
Dude is really talented, and he will get lots of looks with a young QB at the helm. Also, Denver’s secondary isn’t exactly scary, and Gresham will take advantage.
Jermaine Gresham fantasy football Week 2 projection – 88 Yards and 1 TD
Projected Worst Performer: Brandon Pettigrew
It looks like Tony Scheffler will be the big play TE in Detroit, and with Megatron and Burleson also stealing balls. There just isn’t much to go around for the talented big man.
Brandon Pettigrew fantasy football Week 2 projection – 4 Catches for 30 Yards
Start Em: Dallas Clark
Dallas had a bad first week, but don’t expect to see it happen again. The Colts will try to get the ball out quicker against the Browns, and get Collins some confidence early on. Joe Haden will probably do a reasonably good job of slowing down Reggie Wayne as well, and that will give Clark a lot more opportunities against the Browns.
Dallas Clark fantasy football Week 2 projection – 9 Catches for 70 Yards and 1 TD
Other TEs I Like in Week Two:
- Jason Witten (big day for Dallas)
- Dustin Keller (good for 1 TD at least)
- Ed Dickson (crazy athleticism…could have a big season)
- Aaron Hernandez (he’s just really good).
Sit Em: Scott Chandler
One of the first rules in Fantasy is that you can’t “chase touchdowns.” While it looked like Chandler had a fantastic opener against KC, he would have had less than 5 points without both TDs. Don’t be fooled – more than likely, he won’t repeat the formula this week.
Scott Chandler fantasy football Week 2 projection – 2 Catches for 28 Yards
Other Guys I Don’t Like:
- Ben Watson (will have to play more pass protection against Freeney/Mathis)
- Greg Olsen (Green Bay Packers)
- Todd Heap (might not even be the #1 TE in Arizona right now).
Jerod and I will be monitoring the comments all week, and someone will be here Sunday morning to help out with your last minute lineup questions. Best of Luck in Week Two!
The post Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Em, Sit Em Lineup Advice, Projections, and Roster Q&A appeared first on Midwest Sports Fans.