Latest Start Em, Sit Ems in Week 2

By Charles Vakassian

Welcome to Week 2 of the NFL season! I hope you found the Week 1 Start Em Sit Em to be helpful in assembling your squads. Without further ado, let’s get back into it!

Start Em-QB

Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (Vs. Cardinals, 4:25 EST)

The Cardinals were just lit up to the tune of 5 touchdowns and almost 400 passing yards by Patrick Mahomes. Now Derek Carr comes into town, having struggled a bit against a tough Chargers defense (2 TDs, 3 INTs). This is a get-right matchup if there ever was one. The Raiders love to throw the football, and with all the weapons at his disposal (Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow), Carr should have no trouble slinging the ball around and carving up a suspect Arizona defense.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (Vs. Falcons, 4:05 EST)

Stafford certainly had a game to forget against the Bills, turning the ball over four times and getting sacked seven times by a ferocious Bills pass rush. Better days are ahead though, as the Rams get a juicy matchup against a poor Falcons team whose defense just collapsed in the second half to give the Saints a win in Week 1. The Bills arguably have the best defense in the NFL and would give any QB fits. Give Stafford a pass for a bad Week 1, and reinsert him in your lineups for a rebound Week 2.

Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (Vs. Seahawks, 4:05 EST)

Lance didn’t have the best game Week 1, but the field conditions were simply horrendous in Chicago, with the field drenched from torrential rain. Lance was also missing a top weapon in George Kittle and lost Elijah Mitchell to a knee injury. Better days are ahead, are they get a Seahawks team on a short test following a Monday night game. Their best defensive player in Jamal Adams is out foir the season, and they were just carved up for 350 plus yards by Russel Wilson. I don’t expect Lance to throw for that many yards, but he will use his legs and make things happen to compensate, especially with Mitchell absent.

Sit Em-QB

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (Vs. Packers, 8:20 EST)

Similar to his Week 1 counterpart in Trey Lance, Fields struggled in the pouring rain in Chicago. He barely threw for over 100 yards and rushed for 28. A matchup against an angry Packers defense in their home opener spells disaster for the Bears. Fields should only be used as a QB2 option in Superflex leagues.

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Vs. Saints, 1:00 EST)

You will rarely ever see Brady on this side of the list, but this is the one matchup that gives him fits. With Chris Godwin out, and potentially his starting LT Donovan Smith out as well, Brady will be under duress all game long. The Saints have held Brady to less than five fantasy points multiple times in the last couple of seasons, and he could be in line for a repeat performance.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (vs. Bills, 7:15 EST Mon)

We saw what the Bills defense did to a much better team in the Rams, and to a much more talented QB in Matthew Stafford. Imagine what will happen to an inferior QB in Tannehill. If the Titans want to win it will be on the back of Derrick Henry and strong defensive performance. Tannehill couldn’t slice up a middling Giants defense last week, and there isn’t much hope here.

Start Em-RB

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs (Vs. Chargers, 8:20 Thurs)

Edwards-Helaire balled out against the Cardinals in Week 1, despite only having 10 touches, as he turned two of them into touchdowns. If the game had not turned into a blowout, he would have seen more touches. A high-scoring game against the Chargers awaits, and Edwards-Helaire will be used in the passing game and near the goal line. The Chargers were awful against running backs last year, adding more incentive to starting CEH in all your lineups.

Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders (Vs. Cardinals, 4:05 EST)

The Cardinals were brutal against the Chiefs last week and gave up multiple touchdowns to the running back position. Look for the Raiders to establish a lead early, and ground and pound most of the way with Jacobs. He could potentially see some early receiving work as well, putting him on the flex radar at worst.

Devin Singletary, Buffalo Bills (Vs. Titans, 7:15 EST Mon)

The Titans were just obliterated by Saquon Barkley for 194 total yards, and now have to face a dynamic Bills passing attack. But the run game should not be ignored. Singletary averaged six yards a carry in Week 1, and saw multiple targets in the passing game as well. He should see some goal-line opportunities this week with high volume.

Sit Em-RB

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears (Vs. Packers, 8:20 EST)

Montgomery struggled in a game that was friendly for the run, carrying 17 times for 26 yards. By contrast, backfield mate Khalil Herbert carried 9 times for 45 yards. Monty did see four targets to Herbert’s one, but the lack of efficiency is concerning, as this backfield becomes more of a committee by the week. A matchup against the Packers does Montgomery no favors either, as the ground game will be secondary towards passing to try and keep up with Aaron Rodgers.

Chase Edmonds, Miami Dolphins (Vs. Ravens, 1:00 EST)

Edmonds was the primary back in Week 1 against New England, getting 16 touches to the 6 by backup Raheem Mostert. He didn’t do much with it against a stout New England defense, only totaling 65 yards. A matchup with Baltimore doesn’t look favorable either, as they just held down the Jets rushing attack, only allowing yards when the clock and game were heavily in their favor. Edmonds is a desperation flex play this week only.

Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (Vs. Broncos, 4:25 pm EST)

Pierce was a disappointment his first career game after all the preseason hype. He was out-touched by Rex Burkhead, and Week 2 does not look any more promising. A matchup with the Broncos looms, and with the Texans likely to be trailing for a majority of the game, Burkhead could see even more work as the primary pass-catching back.

Start Em-WR

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars (Vs. Colts, 1:00 EST)

All of us in the fantasy community laughed when Kirk was given that monster contract by the Jags, but he certainly performed up to it in Week 1. Six catches on 12 targets for 117 yards was nothing short of spectacular, and he could quickly become a regular fixture in your fantasy lineups. His matchup this week is very friendly, as the Colts were horrendous against WRs for fantasy last year. Kirk is a solid WR2 this week.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (Vs. Panthers, 1:00 PM EST)

Shepard showed he was back and ready to roll with a 65-yard touchdown reception in Week 1 against the Titans. An even better matchup is on tap with a suspect Panthers defense. Daniel Jones will look to his security blanket, especially with Kadarius Toney questionable to play with a hamstring injury. With the Panthers wanting to key in on Saquon Barkley, the middle of the field will be wide open for Shepard to take advantage of.

Julio Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Vs. Saints, 1:00 PM EST)

Chris Godwin is out for multiple weeks, and Russel Gage is questionable for this week. The door is open for Jones to ball out, and he was very solid in his Week 1 debut ( 3 catches on 5 targets, 69 yards). Jones will be operating as the WR2 and will need to help take the heat off of Mike Evans. Jones is a solid flex play this week in what should be a competitive game.

Sit Em-WR

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns (Vs. Jets, 1:00 EST)

I remember being incredibly excited for the prospects of Cooper in fantasy after the Deshaun Watson trade. Not so much anymore. With Jacoby Brissett under center, Cooper had a bad Week 1 (3 catches, 17 yards) and this coming battle with the Jets will not serve him any better. Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed did a good job in holding down the Ravens offense and should be able to hold down Cooper pretty handily.

Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings (Vs. Eagles, 8:30 PM EST Mon)

This is Justin Jefferson’s offense. Thielen only had three catches for 36 yards and is becoming more and more dependent on the touchdown. A matchup against an improved Eagles secondary is no good thing for him either. Thielen is someone you should keep on your bench this week, as the offense will run through Jefferson and Dalvin Cook.

Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (Vs. Dolphins, 1:00 PM EST)

Bateman had a nice Week 1, finding the end zone and serving as the number one wideout in Baltimore. This week’s matchup is less then favorable, howeever. The Dolphins boast an elite secondary, and have held down opposing wide receivers in fantasy. Bateman will likely see a lot of Xavien Howard this week, and it will limit his ceiling, as Lamar Jackson looks elsewhere to find points (Mark Andrews).

Start Em-TE

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Falcons, 4:05 PM EST)

Higbee, much like most of the Rams offense, was held in check against the Bills despite having 11 targets But we can expect a big rebound this week against a subpar Falcons team. Higbee will serve as Matthew Stafford’s target over the middle and in the red zone. We likely won’t see 11 targets for Higbee again, but there is a much better chance for more yards per catch and a touchdown.

Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys (Vs. Bengals, 4:25 PM EST)

With Dak Prescott sidelined, most of the Cowboys pass catchers will take a big hit. Schultz is the exception, as he is the reliable short yardage machine backup QBs like Cooper Rush rely on. In a matchup against a superior Bengals team, the Cowboys will more than likely be playing from behind. This is a recipe for success with Schultz, as a conservative passing game with Rush will target him plenty of times.

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (Vs. Chiefs, 8:25 PM EST)

Keenan Allen will be absent from this game due to his hamstring injury, and Mike Williams is notoriously boom or bust. Justin Herbert will need a reliable target over the middle, and Everett can be that guy. In a high scoring matchup with the divisional rival Chiefs, in a pass-happy offense, this is a chance for Everett to thrive.

Sit Em-TE

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (Vs. Steelers, 1:00PM EST)

Henry was a disappointment Week 1, only catching two balls for 20 yards, and was out-touched and outperformed by fellow tight end, Jonnu Smith. In an offense that leans heavily on the run, and with a struggling QB in Mac Jones, Henry is best left on your benches or even on the waiver wire.

Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (Vs. 49ers, 4:05 PM EST)

Fant was supposed to be the TE1 in Seattle this year, but looks to be in a committee with Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson. Parkinson and Dissly each caught touchdowns and outperformed Fant. In an offense that is already projected to struggle with Geno Smith under center, Fant is best left on your bench until the TE rotation is figured out.

O.J Howard, Buffalo Bills (Vs. Titans, 7:15 PM EST Mon)

Howard burst onto the scene in his first game as a Bill, catching two touchdown passes. Now a matchup with the Titans looms and they did a good job against opposing TEs last year and this past week against the Giants. With Dawson Knox also there to take away targets, Howard is a hard fade this week.