Week Two NFL Rankings and Fantasy Football Matchup Analysis

 

Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings

The NFL season is now in Week 2, and after seeing an exciting opening week of fantasy football action we are all ready for more. Last night's game between the Ravens and Steelers was a pretty good one, featuring some nice performances from Flacco, Bell, Brown, Pierce, Forsett and Smith. Pittsburgh defense looks messy, and Baltimore's offense may be better than many of us expected.
 
Just in case you weren't sure, every week me and fellow RotoBaller Ryan Rufe will be posting our weekly fantasy football rankings, based on team matchups and player performances for the week. Below are RotoBaller's Week 2 fantasy football rankings for all positions including running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Hopefully our rankings can help guide you in Week 2, and every other week of the NFL season, when setting your fantasy football lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: Also included in these rankings are fellow RotoBaller and FantasyPros approved ranker Ryan Rufe’s Week 2 Rankings.

2014 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros
 

Week 2 Quarterback Rankings Analysis

QB Analysis (Wilkens)

It should be a nice rebound for Aaron Rodgers. I don't like Jets D-line vs Packers O-line matchup but Rodgers is so good and Jets secondary is so bad that I am not worried at all. Drew Brees is statistically worse on the road so he isn't a top-3 QB this week but should be more than fine still. I really liked what I saw from Stafford in week one. The Panthers are a much tougher matchup and if he proves he can play well here he'll be looking like a draft-day steal. I am pretty high once again on Kaepernick and Russell Wilson. Both played well in week one but didn't get a chance to play as an aggressive offense. I think Kaep could this week. Andy Dalton is the biggest surprise at 8. I was thoroughly unimpressed with Falcons defense and he plays much better at home (just 9 ints at home last year). Matt Ryan had a great game last week obviously but I'm not ready to say he's jumped ahead of everyone else in that tier.

Another player with a much tougher matchup this week. Tom Brady at QB11 actually had the worst completion percentage of any QB last week. That is pretty concerning, but Vikings allowed a 66.7% completion rate to Shaun Hill/Austin Davis. I'm higher than many on Cam Newton but his receivers really aren't that bad and it's a semi-decent matchup at home. Jay Cutler played well in Week One but had one terrible interception. Much like Romo last week if he makes a few more bad decisions this week it could get ugly quick. I'm still cautiously optimistic this week and very optimistic long-term. Jake Locker really impressed me last week and has the best matchup of anyone this week. I'm expecting big things. The Jags defense impressed me for a half against Nick Foles. I'm thinking they could impress for a full game against RG3.

Griffin was not at all mobile last week and only had one long completion to Niles Paul. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Hoyer both have nice matchups and should be alright if you are streaming in a deeper league. I was encouraged by what I saw from Geno Smith in week one. How he does this week will tell a lot. Alex Smith played horribly in week one. He did score 20 points on Denver both times he played them last year but his appeal is that he doesn't make mistakes. Three interceptions by Smith is a problem. Not touching Rivers against the Seahawks. If you own him you can try your luck but after seeing Aaron Rodgers as QB28 I am not touching him. I have serious concerns about Eli Manning and Josh McCown and their respective offenses. No thanks this week.

QB Analysis (Rufe)

Top honors this week go to Aaron Rodgers, who will likely throw the ball a ton against a weak Jets secondary. The Jets are strong against the run and with Eddie Lacy (concussion) ailing, Rodgers will lean on Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Jarret Boykin. After logging the 8th best QB performance of week 1, Andy Dalton (301 yards and a score vs. Baltimore) has a legit shot to score the most fantasy points among quarterbacks this week with a tasty matchup at home against the porous Falcons secondary. I expect big games out of him and A.J. Green. Other quarterbacks that I like this week more than the consensus include Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco.

 

Week 2 Running Back Rankings Analysis

RB Analysis (Wilkens)

I loved what I saw from DeMarco Murray last week, he justified my high preseason ranking and earned a top 5 play this week. I know they shutdown Jamaal Charles (whom I am not worried about at all) but I'm believing in the talent and offense there. Le'Veon Bell thoroughly impressed me as well, he could be a top 10 RB every week. In ranking Andre Ellington at RB12 I am assuming his injury is much better this week. I was impressed with how he played last week considering we were all under the impression he wouldn't even play. I am a Knowshon Moreno believer. I am thinking 100+ yards and a score this week again. Same thing with Chris Johnson. He looked legitimately good last week and should look good this week again. Both he and Chris Ivory break my top 30 in the first edition of the week 2 rankings.

Reggie Bush didn't do much as a runner but I thought he looked pretty good overall last week. The Panthers allowed the most receptions to running backs last season and Bush should get 6+ receptions again. The Saints generally do not get a ton of rushing touchdowns (just 10 last year total) but after seeing Le'Veon Bell crush the Browns I have to be optimistic that Ingram can have a nice game as well. I am high on Justin Forsett and I really think he could run away with the job this week. All three Browns RBs had over 6.0 yards per carry against the Steelers. If Forsett can get just 4.5 he should be a nice play with 20+ touches.

Toby Gerhart tweaked his ankle last week and it looked like it clearly affected him. My guess is it will continue to be an issue this week as well. If Doug Martin plays I don't want to start him. I need to see better things before I feel good about having him in the lineup. Granted, it was a really tough matchup. DeAngelo Williams looked really good against what I thought would be a stout run defense in week one. They need to get him more involved in the passing game though. In standard scoring, if Shane Vereen does not get a touchdown he isn't a good play. He had 71 total yards last week and my guess is it's less this week. Not a fan unless its PPR. I really liked Isaiah Crowell last week despite just five carries. My ranking of him guesses that Ben Tate is out and Isaiah Crowell/Terrance West split time. If Tate plays both CLE rookies fall far. Jeremy Hill only got four carries last week but looked like the better rusher of the two Bengals backs. Against a weak Falcons defense I see 10-12 carries for him here.

I just have no faith in Zac Stacy to get more than a 50/50 split of the work in St. Louis. He had 12 touches to Benny Cunningham's 9 last week, but Cunningham looked better. Start at your own risk. Again, I'm not touching T-Rich and I continue to be well below his consensus rank. Someone tell me what I am missing because I've seen over a year straight of well below average play. I correctly predicted Bradshaw would outscore him in week one and he'll do it again here. I have Ravens rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro ranked and there has been talk of getting him involved this week. Forsett should lock the job down but Taliaferro is a great insurance add there. I never liked Bernard Pierce to start and he looked like garbage. Bishop Sankey rounds out my rankings at RB60. He will have value this year but not yet. He'll be a buy low opportunity with another quiet week.

RB Analysis (Rufe)

I've never been a Doug Martin fan, but with a matchup against a Rams defense that permitted 185 yards on the ground to the Vikings last week, this will probably be the highest you'll see him in my rankings all season. Don't sleep on Ahmad Bradshaw, who is clearly the most talented back in Indianapolis. He's got a tough matchup this week against Philadelphia, but the role he plays in the Colts' passing game should see him top out around 75 combined yards with a likely score. In deeper leagues, I have my eye on Isaiah Crowell, James Starks and Lorenzo Taliaferro due to their expected usage this week.

 

Week 2 Wide Receivers Rankings Analysis

WR Analysis (WIlkens) 

Jordy Nelson at WR3 is the only big surprise in top 10. I was impressed with his play against the Seahawks last week and I have a hard time not seeing 100+ yards and a score against the Jets pathetic secondary. DeSean Jackson is a big surprise at WR12 I imagine. He is being used the same way he was in Philadelphia last year and caught all 8 of his targets in week one. We saw how Jacksonville is prone to allowing some big plays and DJax is much more likely to have a 50+ yard touchdown than Garcon. It's bold but I think he is a must start. Torrey Smith is another WR I am way above most. He had 6 catches for 93 yards and a score against the Steelers at home last year. It should be a really good game for him. Alshon Jeffery at 15 is a little low. I'm just worried he might not be 100%. Still a must start if you own him.

If we hear that Michael Crabtree is still hurting I will lower him from WR18. I definitely underestimated his injury last week. I love Justin Hunter and he flashed his skill with a 21 yards/catch in week one. Against Dallas there WILL be some blown coverage that allows him to have a couple big plays. He's almost a must start in all leagues to me. I really like Vincent Jackson still but that offense as a whole was so bad it's got me worried. I still like St. Louis a lot so I'm waiting to see if things improve before he gets back into must start territory. I am a little worried about Larry Fitzgerald's lack of targets. Floyd is the clear no. 1 but Fitz should still have plenty of value. He took a small value hit though. I am high on Golden Tate and Anquan Boldin, they both played well in week one and should continue to do so. I have the same concerns with Victor Cruz that I have with VJax. Not really wanting to start him until I see the offense mesh well.

Not touching Keenan Allen against the Seahawks. After two down weeks to start the season he will be a buy low. I am down on Marques Colston as well. Antonio Brown can handle Joe Haden, almost everyone else cannot. Avoid him. I will probably regret having T.Y. Hilton so low but he is so unreliable week-to-week that I am neve confident about him. He either gets his long catch or he doesn't. Rod Streater looks like the top option in Oakland. It might be a tough game vs Houston but he should be a nice play long-term. I am high on Steve Johnson for 49ers. He wasn't on the field much but caught both of his targets last week. It's taking time for Kaep and Johnson to click but I believe it will happen.

I really like John Brown. I wrote about him in my waiver wire column for this week. He is elusive and fast which makes him an excellent complement to Fitz and Floyd. Worth consideration in deeper leagues. I'm not buying into Allen Hurns long-term and I am low on him here. That said the Redskins are bad and he could definitely score this week. I am super low on Rueben Randle. I am starting to question whether he is an NFL talent. I am probably going too far with that statement. He has the body and athleticism but the route running and chemistry with Eli is close to a zero right now. I hate to say it but it reminds me of Stephen Hill.

WR Analysis (Rufe)

The Browns have had major problems covering No. 2 wide receivers, and with first-round cornerback Justin Gilbert struggling to adjust to the NFL, I expect a monster game from opposing rookie Brandin Cooks, who totaled 95 yards and a score in his debut. Cooks plays better in PPR formats, but I could easily see him approach 100 yards and a score against the Browns. Other wideouts than I'm higher on than most include Eric Decker, Kelvin Benjamin, Golden Tate and Markus Wheaton. A deep sleeper to look out for is Jake Locker favorite Nate Washington, who could show up Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter and Delanie Walker as the Titans' most productive receiver against the Cowboys.

 

Week 2 Tight End Rankings Analysis

TE Analysis (Wilkens)

I am within one or two of the consensus on every tight end in the top 12 so no major shock here. I still have Gronk over Julius but both are fantastic of course. Greg Olsen at 4 despite Vernon Davis' two touchdowns. I think Davis is a lot more touchdown dependent and Olsen's floor is significantly higher. Another great matchup for Zach Ertz who I still believe is the only tight end that could vault himself into the elite tier this year. It's a long shot but he has the body and athleticism to match the top three. Dennis Pitta really impressed me. He will be better in PPR but he looks like a top-10 play every week.

Long-term I'm not sure how well Dwayne Allen will be but it's a second good matchup to start the season so there is no reason he can't get a touchdown again. I am a little lower on Travis Kelce than I was but 49 yards on three targets is a good start. Larry Donnell impressed me in week one with a strong performance vs the Lions. Keep an eye on him and he is a potential start in deeper leagues. He could end up being a safer weekly play than any wide receiver on the team. Green Bay's tight end Richard Rodgers had a tough debut and got hurt. If he plays in week two he could surprise people. Niles Paul made a couple big plays in place of Jordan Reed last week. It could happen again against Jacksonville.

A Brandon Pettigrew extension and the drafting of Eric Ebron left many wondering if Joseph Fauria's promise would be nothing more. In week one he was the most prominent of the three with four targets, an end zone look and two receptions. He had impressive yards after the catch ability and I think he'll still be a red zone favorite despite new coaching. I didn't rank Jordan Cameron for the time being because of uncertainty. If he plays I would slot him around TE7.

TE Analysis (Rufe)

Browns tight end Jordan Cameron has been battling shoulder issues since camp. Not only did he aggravate the injury against the Steelers, but Cleveland just signed a tight end and worked out another, which doesn't bode well for Cameron's chances of playing this week against the Saints. Mike Pettine said Wednesday that his star tight end is day-to-day, but I'm skeptical of his week 2 status and have downgraded him as such in my rankings. I recommend Cameron owners try to back him up with Dwayne Allen, who is a more than viable insurance policy in case he can't go Sunday.

 

Week 2 Defense Rankings Analysis

D/ST Analysis (Wilkens)

I was burned by some of my big plays last week. The Texans vault up to number two after a strong week one performance. Another nice one here. The Cardinals looked decent in week one and now get the mess of the Giants. If they are available they are a must add. The Dolphins held Tom Brady to the worst completion % of the week. They are going unnoticed but I can only imagine the bad things that means for E.J. Manuel.

I'm not buying into the 49ers defense yet. At least two of Romo's interceptions were gimmes. On the bright side Jay Cutler has the same tendencies. I'm still buying into the Rams and Bucs defenses and they face each other. Both have pretty suspect offenses right now. The Rams D didn't work out last week but they allowed the third fewest passing yards and held Adrian Peterson to under 4.0 yards per carry. Without Cordarrelle Patterson or the defensive touchdown against them it would have been an impressive showing. Needless to say, the Bucs (and pretty much every other team) do not have a Cordarrelle Patterson.

D/ST (Rufe)

I really didn't expect to have all three NFL teams from Florida ranked among my Top 10 Defenses, but that's what the matchups dictated for week 2. Perhaps I'm way too high on the Jaguars after they gave up 34 second-half points last week to the Eagles, but the Redskins are far-less talented on offense and Gus Bradley should have us all raving about his defense by the time we're preparing for drafts next season.

 

Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.