Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season got underway with a game between the Buffalo Funds and Miami Dolphins that featured about a fantasy studs and duds.
Running backs James Cook and De’Von Achane both had solid outings, while receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Prance largely underwhelmed. Reckoning on who managers admire in their lineups—and who they’re facing—there will be some ground to arise over the leisure 15 video games.
While there are about a easy lineup decisions to be conceal in Week 2, there are some very tricky ones as properly. We are going to dive into the latter category here and procure about a initiate-or-take a seat ideas.
Initiating: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Unusual York Jets
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Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played his first stout game as a member of the Unusual York Jets on Monday, and it used to be a long way from a stellar efficiency. Rodgers had about a shimmering moments against a stiff San Francisco 49ers defense, but he did not exactly rack up the stats.
Rodgers performed with 167 passing yards, one landing and one interception.
This week, Rodgers will be on the highway again, facing a Tennessee Titans defense that allowed the 2d-fewest fantasy gains to opposing quarterbacks in Week 1. Of direction, Tennessee confronted a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams final week, and Rodgers is as skilled as they reach.
Attach a matter to Rodgers to fare better in his 2d game back from final one year’s torn Achilles. He’ll admire extra chemistry with teammates be pleased Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and he might well possibly not face the shut to 2-1 time-of-possession disparity he saw against San Francisco.
Sit: Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith also had a so-so game in Week 1, finishing with 171 passing yards, one landing and one interception. His fantasy be conscious used to be salvaged by a solid speeding efficiency against the Denver Broncos.
Smith tallied 30 yards and a landing on four carries.
It be laborious to monetary institution on Smith discovering the waste zone as a runner for a 2d consecutive week. It be also complex to appear at Smith having a leap-back passing game against a Unusual England Patriots defense that is, per chance, extra aggressive than most expected.
The Patriots stymied Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow while on the highway in Week 1 and ended up allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy gains to opposing quarterbacks. They’re going to now be at home fighting Seattle in an early East Wing matchup.
The lag, the timing and the matchup procure Smith a extraordinarily unhealthy play, even as a streamer, in Week 2.
Initiating: Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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There are a couple of causes to be pondering about Tampa Bay Buccaneers working back Rachaad White entering Week 2.
For starters, he used to be outperformed on the bottom by rookie Bucky Irving. While Irving averaged 6.9 yards per raise, White averaged moral 2.1 yards per raise while speeding for 31 yards.
Secondly, the Bucs will be on the highway against a paunchy Detroit Lions defensive front—Detroit allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy gains to opposing RBs in Week 1.
On the opposite hand, White is calm price a initiate this week because of his level-per-reception (PPR) ground. He caught six passes for 75 yards final Sunday, and he is at risk of preserve a job as Tampa’s major receiving back.
And Baker Mayfield might well possibly furthermore fair rely on White as an outlet receiver repeatedly in this matchup. The Lions will ogle to steal away Mike Evans and Chris Godwin while pressuring Mayfield with an aggressive circulation hotfoot. White might well possibly furthermore fair not admire a ambitious yardage entire, but one other half-dozen receptions is fully imaginable.
Sit: Javonte Williams, RB , Denver Broncos
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Managers who drafted Javonte Williams watching for him to be Denver’s every-down back in 2024 had been disenchanted in Week 1. Williams saw two fewer carries and caught two fewer passes than Jaleel McLaughlin.
The Broncos’ backfield spoil up might well possibly furthermore fair at final pass back in Williams’ decide, but it doesn’t appear approaching near. Here also can be a bad week to have faith either of Denver’s top backfield alternate strategies.
The Broncos, by the manner, not too long in the past placed rookie working back Audric Estimé on injured reserve.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Broncos are inserting rookie RB Audric Estime on injured reserve on account of an ankle smash; Estime now will plod away out at the least four weeks.
Denver will play host to a unhealthy Pittsburgh Steelers defense—one that allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy gains to opposing working backs in Week 1, despite facing the talented Bijan Robinson.
The Steelers will in all probability clamp down on the lag and power rookie quarterback Bo Nix to beat them. That isn’t a recipe for solid Broncos backfield manufacturing, so managers might well possibly be smart to leave Williams on the bench this week.
Initiating: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
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Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins had a solid 2024 debut, finishing with six catches for 117 yards. On the opposite hand, he used to be overshadowed a chunk by novel teammate Stefon Diggs, who tallied six catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns.
Collins used to be also listed as restricted in enlighten on Thursday with an illness. Additionally, the Texans are set up to host a extraordinarily appropriate Chicago Bears defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy gains to opposing receivers in Week 1.
We would calm counsel starting up Collins this week, with a caveat. His properly being is price monitoring. Though it’d be a ultimate indispensable shock to search him take a seat out Houston’s home opener, the Texans might well possibly not play until Sunday evening, so managers might well possibly furthermore fair wish to procure an early call.
That talked about, if Collins appears appropriate to head by Sunday afternoon, he might well possibly furthermore be started with self assurance. Chicago’s defense is referring to, but there is a extraordinarily appropriate likelihood that Diggs attracts sufficient defensive attention to enable Collins to shine.
Sit: Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos
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With Pittsburgh coming to town, there’s if truth be told no reason to have faith any people of the Broncos squad this week—with the exception of, per chance, for his or her defense.
That goes for No. 1 target Courtland Sutton, who used to be in all probability drafted as a high-waste flex option in most leagues. Top receiving alternate strategies, even on frightening groups, most steadily provide a stable ground in fantasy.
On the opposite hand, we’re calm speaking a couple of appropriate-not-gargantuan receiver twiddling with a rookie quarterback and facing one in every of the league’s most aggressive defenses. Pittsburgh allowed the third-fewest fantasy gains to opposing receivers in Week 1.
Sutton is at risk of scheme typical matchups with budding enormous title cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday. With T.J. Watt and Co. repeatedly harassing Nix, Sutton is extremely not at risk of admire a solid day.
In opposition to the Seahawks final week, the 28-one year-outdated caught moral four passes for 38 yards. His numbers in Week 2 will be even worse.
*Delusion scoring data from FantasyPros.
Source: Bleacher Report
