Tua Tagovailoa Is a Shaky QB2 Against the Patriots
Tua Tagovailoa will be looking to bounce back after a brutal Week 1 when the Dolphins host the Patriots in Week 2. Coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier have come under fire after the team's brutal 33-8 loss in Indianapolis during Week 1, and change could be on the horizon if Tagovailoa can't turn things around. He only completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 114 yards and a late touchdown. He threw a pair of bad interceptions and was sacked three times, also losing a fumble. The entire offense seemed completely out of sorts, with timing that was off and shaky pass protection. He was one of the lowest-scoring fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1, and even in a favorable matchup against the Patriots, he's only the No. 26 QB in the RotoBaller rankings for Week 2. Even in two-quarterback leagues, there are probably stronger options available.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins quarterback Source: NFL.com
Aaron Rodgers Set for Encore After Four-Touchdown Week 1?
Aaron Rodgers' biggest supporters may have been surprised that he turned back the clock to throw four touchdowns in a 34-32 Week 1 win over his former team, the New York Jets, last Sunday. Rodgers did it on 22-for-30 passing while throwing for 244 yards. Only one time last year did Rodgers throw for four TDs with the Jets, and it came in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer's back was tight and limited his mobility against the Jets, but he was not on Pittsburgh's injury report this week and is cleared for a Week 2 meeting with the Seattle Seahawks in his Steel City debut. Seattle allowed Brock Purdy to throw for 277 yards and two TDs against them in Week 1, but they also picked him off twice. Rodgers proved he still has a little magic in him, but the ceiling and floor remain low for fantasy purposes, and the bottom line is that most weeks, the Steelers are hoping he won't have to wear a cape.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Even Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Justin Fields Definitely in the QB1 Picture Against Bills
Justin Fields for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, the former first-rounder does have a similar dual-threat skill set at the position and could give the Buffalo Bills defense more issues after they couldn't stop Jackson and the Ravens offense at all in Week 1. Fields and the Jets offense looked much better in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Fields accounting for three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing). The 26-year-old went 16-for-22 passing for 218 yards while rushing 12 times for 48 yards. Buffalo's defense also gave up three total touchdowns to Jackson while allowing 40 total points, so on that logic alone, Fields and the Jets offense could keep it going in Week 2 at home. Field's rushing upside alone should give him a high floor with QB1 potential every week in fantasy.
Source: Pro Football Reference
While nobody is mistaking New York Jets quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Dak Prescott Ready to Drop a Giant Game
Dak Prescott's Week 1 line against the Eagles didn't tell the full story. His night could have been much bigger if his pass-catchers had simply held onto a few well-placed throws -- his fantasy performance would've looked completely different with those extra yards (and potential scores) on the board. Now he heads into a divisional matchup with the New York Giants, a defense that just kept rookie Jayden Daniels to a QB13 finish in their opener and loves to bring heat from every angle. Prescott, however, has historically torched the Giants at home, averaging 274.1 passing yards per game with multiple four-touchdown outings in his career against them. That kind of track record makes any heavy passing script far less intimidating. Lock Prescott in as a steady low-end QB1 with sneaky upside. If his receivers cooperate, another big night against a familiar rival is well within reach.
Source: NFL
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Source: NFL
Jayden Daniels Gets MRI on his Knee?
Jayden Daniels (knee) got an MRI exam done on his knee on Friday after getting banged up in the Thursday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. Daniels never left the 27-18 loss, but he was limping "pretty good" at the end of the game, and Paulsen suggests it's something worth keeping an eye on. The good news is that the Commanders have a long layoff until their Week 3 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 21. The 24-year-old second-year QB threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 24-for-42 passing on Thursday night, adding seven rushes for 17 yards. Washington's offense looked sluggish on a short week against a strong Packers D. If his knee isn't an issue, Daniels will have a prime chance to bounce back in Week 3 as a high-end QB1 in fantasy.
Source: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan says that he heard that Washington Commanders quarterback Source: 106.7 The Fan - Grant Paulsen
Baker Mayfield has Mid-Range QB1 Value for Week 2
Baker Mayfield wasn't excellent in the season opener, but he got the job done. Mayfield completed 17-of-32 passing attempts for 176 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win over the Atlanta Falcons. The passing yardage was low for Mayfield, but he is missing two of his wide receivers in Chris Godwin (ankle) and Jalen McMillan (neck) right now. The three scores gave fantasy managers a good game, so they don't have much to complain about. The Bucs should continue being a pass-heavy offense which should make Mayfield a viable weekly option. Mayfield should once again remain in the mid-range QB1 territory for the upcoming Monday night matchup against the Houston Texans in Week 2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
J.J. McCarthy Showing Superflex Potential
J.J. McCarthy is a high-end Superflex option as his team plays host to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Following a brutal first half in the season-opener at Chicago, the Michigan product came alive in the second half, accounting for three fourth-quarter touchdowns and his first NFL win. Now playing behind a home crowd and facing a friendlier matchup from a fantasy perspective, McCarthy has a reasonable opportunity to improve on a lackluster Week 1 from a completions and yards perspective. Attached to a strong supporting cast, McCarthy should give managers some value at the Superflex spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Brock Purdy Officially Ruled Out Against Saints
Brock Purdy (toe) for Week 2 action against the New Orleans Saints, according to NBC Sports' Matt Maiocco. Purdy is dealing with turf toe despite playing the entirety of the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks last weekend. Not only will the 25-year-old miss this Sunday's game, but reports this week have suggested that he could be out multiple weeks. It's more bad news for an extremely battered Niners team early in 2025. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is also out this weekend and will miss at least four games after being placed on Injured Reserve. Former New England Patriots QB Mac Jones will run San Fran's offense against the Saints. Expect plenty of short and intermediate throws while they lean heavily on running back Christian McCaffrey. At best, Jones is a desperation QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
The San Francisco 49ers have officially ruled out quarterback Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
Geno Smith Positioned to Feast on Chargers' Secondary
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.
Source: Raiders.com
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Source: Raiders.com
Bryce Young Must Improve in Week 2
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.
Source: ESPN
Carolina Panthers quarterback Source: ESPN
Jared Goff Could Be Without Key Offensive Lineman in Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Daniel Jones Gets Imposing Denver D in Week 2
Daniel Jones will get a much more difficult test in Week 2 when his team lines up with the visiting Denver Broncos. Jones was remarkable in his first start with the Colts, racking up 298 total yards and scoring three combined touchdowns -- a feat he'd accomplished just once in ten tries last season. He'll be put to task this Sunday, however, when the Broncos -- a top defensive unit in the league -- comes to town. The veteran looked excellent in Week 1, but whether that was more a product of his team's offense or the Miami Dolphins' defense will become clearer following Sunday. Jones presents as a fringe QB2 for now, but another solid showing and we'll have to start taking him seriously. He's RotoBaller's QB25 ahead of this week's slate of action.
Source: ESPN
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Source: ESPN
Sam Darnold Should Remain on Waivers in Week 2
Sam Darnold will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first start as a Seahawk. Darnold posted just 150 passing yards on 16 completions. 124 of those yards went to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks' offense lacks rhythm and cohesiveness, although that is to be expected with a new scheme and so many new pieces. Week 2 presents a new opportunity, but it may not bring fantasy fun. The Steelers' defense should improve upon its poor outing in Week 1 against the Jets. On the flip side, the Seahawks' offense can also go nowhere but up. Either way, Darnold should not be rostered right now. While he has a great chance to play well for Seattle this year, his 2024 fantasy breakout was fueled by his 35 touchdown passes. That seems like an unlikely feat for Darnold to achieve in this scheme. Unless the Seahawks' pass rate grows substantially, Darnold should not be on the fantasy radar.
Source: RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Josh Allen Poised for Strong Week 2 Showing
Josh Allen put on a show in a 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, earning AFC Player of the Week honors after going 33-for-46 for 394 yards and accounting for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). The reigning MVP is a plug-and-play option every time out, and this Sunday, he'll take on a New York Jets defense that had difficulty stopping the Pittsburgh Steelers' aerial attack in a 34-32 loss in Week 1. The Jets allowed Aaron Rodgers to complete 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four TDs. They didn't have to worry about the 41-year-old Rodgers hurting them with his legs, but that's not the case with a superb dual threat in Allen. Realistically, Allen will have a hard time approaching his video game-like production from last Sunday, but he looks primed for another strong outing in Week 2. Allen combined to go 35-for-52 for 397 yards, six TDs (four passing, two rushing), and no picks in two wins over the Jets last season.
Source: ESPN
Buffalo Bills quarterback Source: ESPN
Cameron Ward Facing Second Consecutive Brutal Matchup in Week 2
Cameron Ward struggled in his first NFL game, completing 12 of 28 pass attempts for just 112 yards and zero touchdowns against the Denver Broncos. Ward will face another excellent pass defense in Week 2 in the Los Angeles Rams, who held the Houston Texans offense to nine points and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to 188 passing yards in Week 1. Ward, who was sacked six times in Week 1, may have a tough time avoiding negative plays once again in Week 2. The Rams have a dominant front four led by star edge rusher Jared Verse, and the Titans will be without starting right tackle JC Latham (hip) due to a hip injury. Ward has some long-term fantasy appeal, but he should not be started in Week 2, even in Superflex leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Source: RotoBaller