Jameson Williams Could be Facing Difficult Circumstances in Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
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
Amon-Ra St. Brown Looking to Get on Track in Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Jakobi Meyers Emerging as Raiders' Target Monster
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.
Source: Raiders.com
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Source: Raiders.com
Quinshon Judkins Questionable to Make NFL Debut in Week 2
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.
Source: Land on Demand - Tony Grossi
Cleveland Browns rookie second-round running back Source: Land on Demand - Tony Grossi
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Flashing Stash Appeal in Raiders' Offense
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.
Source: raiders.com
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Source: raiders.com
Jake Bates Looking to Continue Historical Success Against Bears in Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions kicker Source: RotoBaller
Lions Defense a Rebound Candidate in Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
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 Source: RotoBaller
Sam LaPorta Looking to Build on Encouraging Week 1 Showing Heading into Week 2
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.
Source: RotoBaller
Detroit Lions tight end Source: RotoBaller
Sauce Gardner Expected to Play Against Bills
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
Christian Kirk Appears Headed for Another Absence
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.
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
Houston Texans wide receiver Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
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
DaRon Bland Won't Play Against Giants
Russell Wilson and Company, with Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell likely to see more playing time in the slot. It could be great news for Giants wideout Wan'Dale Robinson, who was the Giants' clear No. 2 wideout in their Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) will be inactive for the Week 2 divisional clash against the New York Giants on Sunday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Bland is dealing with a foot sprain and could also be forced to miss Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. In his absence this weekend, Schottenheimer said that the team will use safeties to help in Bland's nickel cornerback spot against the G-Men. It will leave Dallas' secondary more vulnerable against Source: The Athletic - Jon Machota
David Montgomery Could Lead Lions in Carries Again in Week 2?
David Montgomery had a quiet Week 1. The 28-year-old rushed for 25 yards on 11 carries, adding 18 yards on four receptions out of the backfield. The re-worked interior of Detroit's offensive line struggled last week against the Green Bay Packers, but they have an easier matchup on paper against the Chicago Bears in Week 2. In three career games against Chicago, Montgomery has rushed for 230 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries. In the lone game last season where both Montgomery and fellow Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs were active, Montgomery earned 21 carries while Gibbs recorded just nine. Detroit's shaky offensive line play in Week 1 raises questions about Montgomery's effectiveness in Week 2, likely making him dependent on finding the end zone to be productive in fantasy. He profiles as a low-end RB3/flex option against the Bears.
Source: RotoBaller
Like most of the Lions offense,
Source: RotoBaller