RADIO
The excitement of the NFL season is in full swing as we enter Week 2 of the 2023 fantasy football season. After an exhilarating start in Week 1, fantasy football managers are eagerly looking for the best strategies to find players that will boom (or bust) in their lineups. This week's matchups bring both challenges and opportunities, with standout performances and surprising disappointments from some of the league's biggest stars. In this article, we'll break down some key players to consider starting and sitting in your fantasy football lineup for Week 2, helping you gain that all-important edge over your competition.
In Week 2, fantasy managers should pay close attention to emerging stars who showed their potential in the opening week. Rookie sensations, breakout candidates, and established veterans who had a strong start are prime candidates to stay in your starting lineup. Additionally, favorable matchups and injuries to opposing defenses can also influence your start decisions. Players like Mac Jones, Tyler Allgeier, and Jakobi Meyers came out of nowhere to surprise fantasy managers and boom in Week 1. We'll delve into potential players like these and more, providing insights into why they should be in your fantasy lineup for Week 2.
Meanwhile, determining players primed to bust is just as crucial as finding the perfect matchups. Sometimes, even star players can face tough matchups or injuries that warrant benching them for a week. Fantasy managers should be wary of overreacting to one-week performances and carefully consider the matchups and trends when deciding whom to sit in Week 2. We'll discuss some players with tough matchups and why it may be wise to give them a week on the bench. Approaching these players with caution in Week 2 can help you avoid the pitfalls that could cost you a victory.
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Week 2 Woos - Fantasy Football Booms
Ryan Tannehill - QB, Tennessee Titans vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The 2023 NFL season could not have started worse for Ryan Tannehill. He was outwardly abused by the Saints defense to the tune of 198 yards passing and three interceptions. His 47.1% completion rate for the game shows just how erratic and out of rhythm the passing game was for the Titans. A lot of that had to do with the Saints having Tannehill under duress all day with 17 pressures (third most in the league) and three sacks. His paltry 5.4 fantasy points landed him at QB30 to begin the season.
Tannehill should get back on track in Week 2 as he returns home and the Titans will be facing the Los Angeles Chargers; a defense that was torched by the Dolphins' passing attack for 28.1 FP in Week 1. With this game currently one of the higher implied totals for the week (45-point total), there is a chance that this could become a back-and-forth affair. If that is the case, Tannehill and the passing attack will have to step up their game. And with a solid matchup ahead, he should be viewed as a startable QB2 in Superflex leagues.
Rachaad White - RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Chicago Bears
Speaking of players who got off to rough starts, Rachaad White gave all of his doubters ample ammunition to begin the year. His 3.9 FP landed him at RB39 in Week 1 and was one of the least efficient games of the week. His 13 yards before contact wasn't terrible compared to others at the position, but his 1.5 yards after contact per attempt was one of the worst on the week.
This shows an inability to create space in the open field. To make matters worse, he was not much of a factor in the passing game either with only two receptions on his two lone targets. The lack of usage could be concerning if it continues to stay consistent.
But heading into Week 2, look for the Buccaneers to involve him in the gameplan early and often. The team will be back at home and facing a Chicago Bears defense that was just run all over by the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. A defense that allowed 32.5 FP last week should have White licking his chops to erase the memory of the bad start and hopefully get back on track. Fantasy managers should expect production at an RB2 level this week as I also expect him to find the end zone as well.
Nico Collins - WR, Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Much to the surprise of many fantasy managers, Nico Collins turned in quite a solid performance to begin his 2023 campaign. His 14.0 FP was good enough for WR26 on the week, far beyond where many had him ranked coming into the game. But some things that popped out were his 11 targets and impressive 162 air yards, which had him behind only Tyreek Hill for the week (227 air yards).
Throughout much of training camp, the buzz was that Collins was without a doubt C.J. Stroud's top target in the passing game. After Week 1, that narrative held and may only be building as the weeks continue.
The Week 2 matchup is shaping up to be yet another advantageous one for Collins as the Texans will be at home to face the Indianapolis Colts. Indy's secondary was not at its best in Week 1 as they were one of the worst in the league at points allowed to the receiver position, surrendering 35.3 FP.
In a matchup of rookie quarterbacks, it could be the connection between Stroud and Collins that comes out ahead as I expect to see the latter produce at a WR3 level with WR2 upside. Collins is a player who should be in starting lineups for fantasy managers.
Luke Musgrave - TE, Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons
Week 1 was a solid debut for rookie tight end Luke Musgrave. He finished the week as TE13 with 8.0 FP, but this could have been such a bigger performance had a couple of potentially big plays--that narrowly missed--ended up hitting.
Although he was only officially targeted four times in the game, he hauled in three receptions for 50 yards. On top of that, he paced the position for the week with 68 air yards on just 21 routes run, indicating that the team will be looking to get the ball into his hands while he's on the field.
Going into Week 2, expect an increase in routes and targets as he will be looking at a plus matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. A defense that just allowed Hayden Hurst to produce TE2 numbers last week with his five receptions for 41 yards and a score. With Christian Watson still nursing a hamstring injury, there may be a chance that Musgrave will be the second option in the passing game this week.
If his targets increase from four to seven this week, he will undoubtedly produce TE1 numbers. This makes him worthy of a pick-up and play for fantasy managers who could be looking to stream at the position in Week 2.
Week 2 Boos - Fantasy Football Busts
Geno Smith - QB, Seattle Seahawks @ Detroit Lions
The question of whether Geno Smith would turn into a pumpkin again looked to be true if Week 1 was any indication. In what many were expecting to be a tune-up game against the Rams, Smith struggled to a QB25 finish on 112 yards passing with only one touchdown.
With a game script in his favor as the Seahawks were trailing throughout, he just simply could not find his way to start off the 2023 season. Defensive pressure cannot be the culprit for his struggles either as the Rams defense only mustered 10 pressures and eight hurries in the game. We just simply saw a shade of the old Geno in the opening game.
Week 2 may not get any better for Smith as the Seahawks go on the road to face a Detroit Lions defense that will be playing with loads of confidence after beating the Chiefs in Week 1. Although this game has one of the higher implied totals for the week (47.5), this could be a long day for the Seahawks, unless Smith and the passing attack can find some consistency.
Add in the fact that the team will be missing pieces along the offensive line and you have a recipe for a game in which Smith may not find much time to let plays develop.
Najee Harris - RB, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
The much talked about Pittsburgh Steelers backfield situation got off to the frustrating start that many were worried about in Week 1. Although Najee Harris commanded a higher snap percentage over Jaylen Warren (53% to 40%), it was Warren who produced the better numbers for the week (7 FP for Warren, 5 FP for Harris).
Both were not great and finished outside the Top 30 at the position to begin the 2023 season. A lot of that had to do with the matchup, as the Steelers were facing the vaunted 49ers defense. All in all, after one game, Harris showed that he may not be getting the bulk of the work that many fantasy managers were hoping for.
Week 2 may not see much improvement for Harris as the Steelers will have a home matchup against the hated Cleveland Browns. A defense that allowed just 11.1 FP to the Cincinnati Bengals a week ago. This game is currently tied for the lowest implied total for the week (38.5) which means that the scoring opportunities may be scarce.
Unless Harris sees an uptick in passing game usage this week, his production potential may be that of a FLEX play at best. Fantasy managers will likely be in a position where he is locked into the starting lineup due to a lack of options, so temper expectations.
Garrett Wilson - WR, New York Jets @ Dallas Cowboys
Amid the Aaron Rodgers fallout, the sound you hear is the fantasy value of Garret Wilson plummeting back down to Earth. A late touchdown salvaged his totals for Week 1, but outside of that, it was as bad as you could imagine.
With just five receptions and 34 yards, he wasn't screaming WR1 production that fantasy managers were banking on. With Zach Wilson now assuming the role of Jets' starting quarterback, expecting any consistency from the second-year wideout will prove to be fool's gold.
To make matters worse, the situation for Wilson may indeed get uglier in Week 2 as the Jets travel to Dallas to face a Cowboys defense fresh off a road shoutout win against the Giants. After pacing the league with 24 QB pressures a week ago, Garrett Wilson will be at the mercy of Zach Wilson and his ability to get the ball out quickly.
With the Jets having the lowest team total on the board for the week (14.75), Wilson now goes from a guaranteed starter each week to a potential matchup play. And this matchup may not be one that you want to take part in given all the variables. Expecting anything higher than WR3 production is a best-case scenario for Fantasy managers in Week 2.
Kyle Pitts - TE, Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers
A bounce back for Pitts was expected by fantasy managers heading into the 2023 season. But that is already off-script after the subpar performance of two receptions for 44 yards on three targets in Week 1. Most of those yards didn't come until very late in the game either.
On a surface level, his advanced numbers were not terrible. He was at 91% in routes run and an ADOT of 16.33. But a catchable target rate of just 67% from the struggling Desmond Ridder capped his potential in the matchup.
Going into Week 2, there are not a lot of hopeful expectations for fantasy managers as many have a sour taste in their mouths because of head coach Arthur Smith's lack of offensive creativity. The Falcons will be facing a strong Packers defense that surrendered just 6.9 FP in Week 1.
With the passing attack sputtering, any upside that Pitts could have is currently limited. Although it may be tough to stomach, Pitts now finds himself in a territory where you should think about subbing him out in your lineups for a tight end with a better matchup.
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