September 12, 2025
If Week 1's performance is any indication, Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle is nothing more than a handcuff for fantasy managers. The 1,000-yard rusher from last season with the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle, touched the ball just five times in Week 1, while starter
Chuba Hubbard had 19 touches. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect this dynamic to change much for Dowdle in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. While he is not a starter-level option, Dowdle's high-end skillset makes him a very valuable player to roster. If you have room at the end of your bench, Dowdle is a strong stash candidate. If Hubbard were to miss any time, Dowdle would immediately jump into a workhorse role, making him a decent stash in redraft leagues. However, he should not be started in any format in Week 2 vs. Arizona.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Chuba Hubbard rushed for 57 yards on 16 carries and caught a 27-yard touchdown on three receptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. The good news for fantasy managers is that the offseason addition of
Rico Dowdle did not cut into Hubbard's workload, as Dowdle had just five touches. The bad news is that Hubbard averaged a pedestrian 3.6 yards per carry. In Week 2, Hubbard will look to get the ground game going against the Arizona Cardinals, who surrendered 107 rushing yards to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. While the Cardinals' run defense is far from elite, the Panthers' offensive struggles could limit Hubbard's upside. Hubbard should continue to be treated as an RB2/Flex play in Week 2, with more value in PPR leagues. If the Panthers can figure out their passing game, Hubbard should be able to find more room to run. However, don't expect a top-tier performance unless the offense takes a significant step forward.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams was quiet in Week 1, hauling in four of five targets for just 23 receiving yards in his team's 27-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Williams will now face the Chicago Bears in Week 2, whom he recorded 10 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown against across two games last season. However, there's reason to think this Sunday could be a struggle for Williams. For one, Chicago is likely to get star corner Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin) back in the lineup after Johnson missed Week 1. Secondly, Detroit could be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker, which could speed up quarterback
Jared Goff's time-to-throw and make it difficult for Williams to earn downfield targets. Williams still has big-play potential, but he profiles as a boom/bust low-end WR3/flex option in Week 2.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (hamstring) practiced in full on Thursday and did not appear on the injury report ahead of a Week 2 matchup with the Chargers. Smith opened the year strong, finishing as the QB11 in standard formats after throwing for 362 yards while leading all quarterbacks in yards per completion (15.1). Chip Kelly's creative offense appears to be unlocking the best in Smith, positioning him as a steady low-end QB1/high-end backup option moving forward. This week's matchup offers upside, as the Chargers surrendered the 11th-most passing yards in Week 1, giving Smith a prime opportunity to exploit an underwhelming secondary.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young completed 18 of 35 pass attempts (51.4%) for 154 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the Panthers' Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Young looked sharp on quick passes (3-step drops), completing 11 of 15 attempts for 92 yards. However, he struggled on plays that needed time to develop, finishing just 7 of 20 attempts for 62 yards and an interception. Young and the Panthers will travel to Arizona in Week 2 to take on the 1-0 Cardinals. In the Cardinals' Week 1 victory (20-13) against the New Orleans Saints, Arizona’s defense surrendered 315 total yards (214 through the air and 107 on the ground). Given that Week 1 is a tiny sample size, it is also essential to consider their 2024 performance, where they allowed only two players to pass for over 300 yards. Young's struggles in Week 1 make him an impossible fantasy start in 1QB leagues until he significantly improves. The former No. 1 overall pick is mainly an option in 2QB or superflex leagues against the Cardinals in Week 2.
--Jp SticcoSource: ESPN
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown was held in check by the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, recording four catches for 45 yards on six targets. As a player who typically does his best work out of the slot, St. Brown has an easier matchup on paper in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears, who could be without starting nickel corner Kyler Gordon (hamstring). The Lions could be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), which may incentivize quarterback
Jared Goff to prioritize St. Brown as a short-area target. In eight career games against Chicago, St. Brown has recorded 46 catches for 515 yards and two touchdowns. He profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 2.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Jakobi Meyers cemented himself as the offense's most reliable option in Week 1, drawing 10 targets and converting eight into 97 yards. As the veteran presence in a young receiving corps, Meyers has quickly earned the trust of
Geno Smith, thriving as a chain-mover while
Tre Tucker and Dont'e Thornton Jr. stretch the field vertically. His high-volume role makes him a consistent fantasy asset, and if
Brock Bowers (knee) is sidelined, Meyers could see an even larger workload as the Raiders lean on his reliability. Ranked as RotoBaller's WR22 for Week 2, Meyers should be locked into starting lineups across all formats.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back
Quinshon Judkins is officially listed as questionable to make his NFL debut in Week 2 versus the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Tony Grossi. The Browns think Judkins is in good shape, but the 21-year-old practiced with the team on Thursday for the first time since mandatory minicamp in the spring due to a domestic-violence incident. Even if Judkins is active on Sunday, he'll likely work as the team's RB3 behind
Jerome Ford and fellow rookie
Dylan Sampson, making him one to fade in all fantasy formats. Although nothing is official yet, there are rumblings that the NFL could come down hard on Judkins and suspend him for two to four games, even though he wasn't formally charged in his domestic-violence case. The Browns have until Saturday afternoon to officially activate him and put him on the 53-man roster.
--Keith HernandezSource: Land on Demand - Tony Grossi
September 12, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver
Dont'e Thornton Jr. was quiet in the team's Week 1 win over New England, logging just two catches on four targets for 45 yards while playing 60% of the snaps. Encouragingly, he drew more targets than
Tre Tucker despite fewer snaps, and the Raiders leaned on the passing game as
Geno Smith threw for 362 yards. With Chip Kelly determined to stretch the field, Thornton's speed keeps him in play as a stash with big-play potential. The Week 2 matchup adds intrigue, as the Chargers just allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in Week 1, giving Thornton an outside chance to make noise if he sees increased usage. Until his role grows, he's best kept on benches, but the upside is worth monitoring.
--Shaun AlbinSource: raiders.com
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions kicker
Jake Bates held up his end of the bargain in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, nailing both of his field goal attempts and an extra-point try in his team's 27-13 loss. Bates will not have to worry about any potential weather issues in Week 2, as the Lions return home to the domed Ford Field to take on the Chicago Bears. Bates has more career points scored (21) against Chicago than any other NFL team. The Lions should also have an easier time moving the football and generating scoring opportunities against the Bears than they did against the Packers. Bates profiles as a low-end top-12 fantasy kicker in Week 2 against Chicago.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
The Detroit Lions' defense allowed 27 points without recording a sack or forcing a turnover against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. They should have an easier matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 2, particularly in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback. Bears signal-caller
Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times in 2024, the most of any NFL QB. Detroit suffered an injury scare in Week 1 when cornerback Terrion Arnold (groin) was forced to leave early with a groin injury, but Arnold has practiced in full this week and is expected to play on Sunday. The Lions D/ST profiles as a low-end top-12 unit for fantasy in Week 2 against Chicago.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta was one of the few Lions who delivered a decent fantasy performance in Week 1, hauling in six of his nine targets for 79 yards against the Green Bay Packers. LaPorta will now face the Chicago Bears in Week 2, a team he has scored three touchdowns against in four career games played. Chicago allowed just three catches and 15 yards to Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson in Week 1. LaPorta's Lions have health and productivity questions along their offensive line, but that could actually help LaPorta's outlook by forcing
Jared Goff to target the short and intermediate areas of the field more often. LaPorta is a must-start fantasy tight end against Chicago in Week 2.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 12, 2025
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (groin) was limited in practice again on Friday, but head coach Aaron Glenn expects him to play in Week 2 against the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. It's good news for the Jets' defense this weekend, but it doesn't mean we wouldn't fade their defense/special teams unit in fantasy against the high-octane Bills offense, especially after the Pittsburgh Steelers just put up over 30 points against the Jets in Week 1. Gardner could end up being listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, but it looks like he'll be able to suit up on Sunday. When fully healthy, Gardner is one of the NFL's best lockdown corners.
UPDATE: Gardner was removed from the final injury report and will play on Sunday.--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
September 12, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Christian Kirk (hamstring) is missing his second straight day of practice on Friday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Kirk missed the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday and looks primed to miss his second straight game to begin the 2025 season in Monday night's tilt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the 28-year-old has one more chance to practice on Saturday. But as of now, fantasy managers shouldn't like Kirk's chances of playing in Week 2. Rookie
Jaylin Noel was expected to see most of the slot duties in Week 1 with Kirk out, but he caught just one of two targets for seven yards. The Texans spread the ball around and couldn't do much on offense against the Rams. Expect
Nico Collins to continue to see the vast majority of looks in the passing attack if Kirk sits, with Noel, rookie
Jayden Higgins, and
Xavier Hutchinson battling for secondary looks.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
September 12, 2025
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff averaged just 5.8 yards per pass attempt in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. He was also sacked four times, and could now be without starting left tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) in Week 2. Goff does have an easier matchup on paper this Sunday against the Chicago Bears, whom he torched for 523 passing yards and five touchdowns across two games in 2024. However, particularly if Decker cannot play, Detroit's offensive line looks significantly worse in 2025 and may prevent Goff from consistently pushing the ball downfield. He profiles as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 in Week 2 against the Bears.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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