Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 2 (2025)

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 2 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

The opening week of NFL action did not bring much in the way of fantasy studs. Oh boy, were the duds plentiful. In a week in which hardly any games hit the over on their scoring line, fantasy managers paid with many fantasy teams failing to score 100 points in PPR formats. This is not uncommon for Week 1 of the NFL season, when defenses often have the upper hand.

Alas, Week 2 is a new day, which brings new torture for fantasy players. Why do we even play this game if all it does is cause frustration? Fortunately, many of the players we like to play in fantasy have solid matchups this week. The fantasy fun should be more apparent this week.

With players such as Drake Maye poised for a bounce back and other players such as Justin Herbert and Travis Etienne Jr. in line for an encore, let's take a look at the best and worst fantasy football matchups this week. Your guide to Week 2 start/sit matchups begins here.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
• Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
• Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchups We Love

Drake Maye - New England Patriots
Opponent: at MIA
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 31st

Maye flashed big-play ability in Week 1 against the Raiders, but he struggled over the second half of the game once the Raiders turned up the pressure. However, Maye still managed 287 passing yards and a touchdown pass. The upside is clear, and the fantasy stardom appears to be knocking at the door.

Miami's secondary just got torched by the Daniel Jones-led Colts in Week 1. To make matters worse, they lost cornerback Storm Duck for a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury. If the Patriots can replicate some of their Week 1 first-half success in Week 2, it could be a long day for Miami and a great day for Maye.

Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: at LV
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 16th

Herbert just came out and showed the world who he is and what he can be in Week 1. After notching 318 passing yards and 32 rushing yards in Week 1, Herbert looks like a potential top-five quarterback in the making. Las Vegas just demonstrated that they have a chance to be a quality defense if everything breaks correctly. However, the Chargers present a much different challenge than the still burgeoning Patriots offense.

been tryna tell them https://t.co/iMfBdQyjbF pic.twitter.com/0753n8X1iv

— #1 DEPRESSED CHARGERS FAN⚡️ (@vngelzzz1020) September 8, 2025

Simply, if the Chargers continue to put the ball in Herbert's hands, he will make plays. The Raiders' offense was serviceable in Week 1, which suggests that the Chargers may not be able to steamroll their way to victory by running the ball. Look for Herbert to continue to play like he is in midseason form, and for the Chargers to continue trusting him to lead the way.

Fantasy Football Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Daniel Jones - Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: DEN
2024 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 1st

Sure, Denver's Week 1 opponent was a rookie Cam Ward in his first start, but this is still a dominant defense that should be avoided when possible. Jones is likely to be a popular pickup this week after he carved up the Dolphins' defense. However, he is not a streaming option in Week 2.

Jones could very well be on his way to a 2024 Sam Darnold-esque season. He looked comfortable in this offense in Week 1. Jones was able to use his legs effectively, and his ball placement was unbelievable. Still, he is a tough bet to play at that level in Week 2 with cornerback Patrick Surtain II looming on the other side of the field. If you pick up Jones, leave him on your bench this week.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchups We Love

Travis Etienne Jr. - Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponent: at CIN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 26th

Etienne enters Week 2 as the unquestioned No. 1 running back in Jacksonville. After months of speculation surrounding the Jaguars' backfield breakdown in 2025, Etienne responded by dominating the snap count and running for 143 yards on 16 carries. Etienne looked spry and explosive. So much so that the Jaguars decided they could trade away backup running back Tank Bigsby this week.

Insert the Cincinnati Bengals' defense that got lucky against the Browns in Week 1. The Bengals limited the Browns' rushing attack, but the Browns were able to move the ball up the field with ease overall. Drops leading to interceptions and missed kicks were Cleveland's undoing. With a potential cupcake matchup in front of him, Etienne can be deployed as an RB2 with upside this week.

Travis Etienne Jr. owners the last two days pic.twitter.com/khtnJsDvKP https://t.co/OUJSD0G3Wr

— 🦉 (@kat_wrld) September 8, 2025

James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: CAR
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 21st

Why not deploy one of the league's most reliable running backs against the team that just got torched by Etienne? The Panthers do not seem to have remedied their issues stopping opposing running attacks. Conner was not the most efficient running back in Week 1, but he is still the team's No. 1 option, and as good a bet as anyone to score a touchdown.

With Carolina looking like a potentially vulnerable defense once again, the Cardinals may have a chance to get right on offense on Sunday. Conner should have lanes to run through all afternoon. If the Panthers get their own offensive act together, Conner could have plenty of opportunities in the passing game as well.

Fantasy Football Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: at KC
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 5th

The Chiefs may have been carved up through the air in Week 1, but this team is as good as ever at stopping the run. The Eagles just ran into issues by their standards running the football in Week 1. It may be another week before we see a quintessential Barkley game.

The Chiefs' offense may have an easier time in Week 2 against an Eagles defense that seemed more vulnerable than a very talented Chargers defense last week. As such, this could be another Jalen Hurts game for the Eagles' offense. Of course, Barkley has as good a chance as anyone at ripping off a 60-yard touchdown run. However, his play-to-play production could fall behind his S-tier standards.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

CeeDee Lamb / George Pickens - Dallas Cowboys
Opponent: NYG
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 24th

Lamb and Pickens have a chance for a massive bounce-back game in Week 2. While Lamb had a great game himself, it could have been even better had he held onto the ball down the stretch. Both players should be motivated on a team that truly believes it can make some noise this year.

The Giants' defense held up ok in Week 1 against the Commanders, but there were a couple of missed opportunities down the field that would have told a different story. The Giants simply looked bad in Week 1. Alternatively, the Cowboys looked pretty solid against a quality Eagles team. As such, Dallas should come out with a vengeance against their division rivals on Sunday, and Pickens and Lamb should have a field day.

Marquise Brown - Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: PHI
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 17th

No Rashee Rice and likely no Xavier Worthy means that  Brown is the next man up in Kansas City. Brown responded in Week 1 with 10 receptions on *checks notes* 16 targets for 99 yards against the Chargers. He is going to be a busy man with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, known for peppering his best option with targets over the last several years.

Marquise "Hollywood" Brown : 10 catches for 99 yards on 16 targets pic.twitter.com/bDd2XxV6Cc

— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 6, 2025

The Eagles' secondary demonstrated that they have some holes in Week 1. They did well to stop Pickens, but Lamb ran wild on this team. The Chiefs' offensive line held up well in Week 1 and will look to repeat that feat in Week 2. If they do, Mahomes will have all day to find his preferred target.

Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders
Opponent: at GB
2024 Opponent Rank vs. WR: 12th

McLaurin was out of sync in Week 1. That is to be expected from a player who spent the majority of the offseason not practicing. He is going to need to shake off some rust, and it could take him a couple of weeks to do so. He is going to have a tough matchup in Week 2 with the smothering Packers defense.

Green Bay just completely shut down the Lions' passing attack in Week 1. If the Commanders want to make headway in this game, they may need to come on the ground. The Packers are going to key in on McLaurin, and it may not be until Week 3 or later once he finally gets going for fantasy managers.

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup We Love

Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: DEN
2024 Opponent Rank vs. TE: 11th

Vance Joseph's defenses are historically bad at stopping tight ends. Tyler Warren looks like he may be a historically good rookie tight end. That seems like a combination destined for fantasy fun. After a big debut in which Warren caught seven passes for 76 yards, the sky could be the limit in Week 2.

The Colts' game plan was to feed Warren early and often. He even received a carry in Week 1. The corners in Denver will be all over Indianapolis' outside wide receivers, but Warren should have plenty of room to operate in the middle of the field. Look for him to dominate.

Tyler Warren is a certified BALLER. Colts are lucky he was there at 14 pic.twitter.com/p6eOkkJIpS

— White Out Recruiting (@NittanyNatRec) September 7, 2025

Fantasy Football Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

Cade Otton - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at HOU
2024 Opponent Rank vs. TE: 12th

Otton was in a great position to succeed in Week 1, but he did not end up notching a single reception. Otton has demonstrated an ability to be fantasy relevant in the past, but he seems to be phased out of this offense. With no Chris Godwin or Jalen McMillan in the lineup, Otton should be producing, but he simply is not.

The Texans have a quality defense that should make life hard on quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 2. As such, Otton's opportunities for a bounce-back could be lacking this week. You should look elsewhere.

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