Roman Bruno
Content Contributor
The classic, all-helpful Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em series has reached Woodward Sports! This will be a weekly series by yours truly, and I hope for it to be your main source for fantasy football advice throughout the season. Have any questions? I have the answers! Welcome to Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Week 2.
Start ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz (WAS) @ Detroit Lions
Wentz lit it up against a below average Jaguars defense last Sunday, and now he has an opportunity to follow that up with a similar performance. With close to 30 fantasy points, Wentz was one of the top QB performers of Week 1. Washington has a nice cast of characters in Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, rookie Jahan Dotson, and Antonio Gibson, all helping Wentz boost his fantasy production. It is uncertain if Wentz can put up another 30 points, but he should be started against a struggling Lions defense. Wentz may not be rostered in most leagues, but he deserves the waiver claim as a high-end Week 2 streamer, and especially for fantasy owners dealing with the injury of Dak Prescott.
Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons
This is the definition of a get-right game. Stafford put up horrendous numbers in the season opener against a tough Bills D. However, the Falcons defense allowed the second-most fantasy points to QBs last season (21.66), so you should feel good about this matchup for Stafford. The Rams as a whole are looking to bounce back and make a statement, and Stafford will lead the way in what should be a relatively easy game for LA. Start Stafford with confidence this week.
Running Backs
Darrell Henderson Jr. (LAR) vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Rams surprised many people with their heavy usage of Henderson over Cam Akers in their Week 1 loss. Henderson played 82% of snaps, racking up 73 total yards and 12.3 fantasy points. Henderson looks good enough to continue leading this backfield and should be started with confidence against the Atlanta Falcons, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to RBs. Akers will certainly rebound off his goose egg performance, but he will need to prove himself before he overtakes Henderson. Henderson should be rostered in most leagues, but owners should quickly snag him off waivers if he is somehow available.
Jeff Wilson (SF) vs. Seattle Seahawks
With Elijah Mitchell sidelined for the foreseeable future, Wilson is the next man up. When given the opportunity, Wilson has proven to be a good fantasy asset. The 49ers will look to establish the run game early with Wilson, along with Trey Lance and Deebo Samuel. Wilson should put up a respectable performance, especially if he is able to get in the endzone. The Seahawks allowed the most fantasy points to RBs in 2021, so Wilson should be acknowledged as a good play this week.
Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd (CIN) @ Dallas Cowboys
Boyd caught four passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in their OT loss against the Steelers last Sunday. However, Boyd could be in for an increased role if Tee Higgins does not clear concussion protocol in time vs. the Cowboys. With Dallas missing Dak Prescott, this should be Cincy’s game to lose. Burrow will also be much better than his 4-interception outing last week. Even if Higgins does manage to play, Boyd should see more targets come his way and should be a high-end FLEX play this week.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) vs. Washington Commanders
Another week, another touchdown for the sophomore St. Brown. Although he did have a couple uncharacteristic drops last week, his chemistry with Jared Goff looks even better. St. Brown totaled 64 yards on eight receptions, including one TD. He will lead this team in receiving for as long as he is healthy, and is climbing into the “must-start” category every week. The Lions face the Commanders in Week 2, which is a winnable game for Detroit. Expect St. Brown to put up another great fantasy performance, along with another TD or two.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett (LAC) @ Kansas City Chiefs
Everett was a top-5 TE in Week 1 with around 14 fantasy points. He will be mostly touchdown dependent for the season, but with Keenan Allen out for TNF with a hamstring injury, Everett should see an increase in targets. These Chargers/Chiefs games are always competitive and high-scoring, improving the chances Everett has a good fantasy performance. With Justin Herbert at the helm, look for Everett to finish again as a top TE this week.
Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN) vs. Houston Texans
Albert O slightly underperformed in Week 1 with only 8 fantasy points, but he looked good when the ball did come his way. He was also inches away from scoring a touchdown, which would have made him one of the top TEs of the week. He was out-gained by TE Andrew Beck, who had a 27-yard reception early on in the game and finished with 52 yards. Albert O will still be the top tight end for the Broncos, and he is a good streaming option against the Texans. There are plenty of mouths to feed in Denver, but Albert O looks to have a steady role and will be a nice asset this season.
Defense/Kicker Streamers of the Week
In addition to the skill player Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Ems, here are my top streaming options for Defense/ST and Kicker:
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New England Patriots
As mentioned, the Patriots offense looked bad under the watch of Matt Patricia. This was pretty much expected, however, and now NE is dealing with the consequences. The Steelers D finished as the top defense last week with 24 points, racking up seven sacks, four interceptions (one being returned for a score), and a fumble recovery. They can have their way again vs. the Pats, and should be started with confidence in Week 2.
Cade York (CLE) vs. New York Jets
York was seemingly one of the only kickers to not miss a FG in Week 1. He had a great outing last Sunday against the Panthers (16 fantasy points), making all four of his kicks and both PATs. His longest kick was from 58 yards, which ended up being the game-winner. The Browns offense will not score a ton of touchdowns under Jacoby Brissett, so York can put up another great fantasy score if given multiple FG opportunities.
Sit ‘Em
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston (NO) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston has been a popular waiver claim this week for many fantasy teams, but Week 2 presents a much bigger challenge than the Atlanta Falcons. The Bucs D held Dallas to just a field goal in their opening matchup, and they have the pieces to contain the Saints as well. On top of that, Winston is reportedly dealing with a back injury that kept him limited in Wednesday’s practice. He may be a serviceable play at best for 2QB/Superflex leagues, but perhaps look elsewhere in 1QB leagues.
Justin Fields (CHI) @ Green Bay Packers
The Bears were able to steal a win from a good 49ers team, but Fields only threw the ball a total of 17 times, completing 8 of those passes for 121 yards. That was particularly due to the rain and the poor field conditions, but it was a given going into the season that the Bears offense was not great. Fields will now be facing a hungry Packers team desperate to get back on track. This is not the matchup to start Fields, although he may become a consistent plug-and-play QB when the bye weeks come around.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs (LV) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 1 was not a great indicator for what’s to come with this Raiders rushing offense. Jacobs only managed to get 57 yards on 10 carries and one target. Vegas has plenty of other weapons on offense, all of which will be utilized more often if they find themselves behind in games. Jacobs has a low weekly floor and may be touchdown-dependent for fantasy success in 2022. Jacobs was a RB not many were high on going into the season, and until he shows he is capable of being relied on, he should remain on fantasy benches.
Damien Harris (NE) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
This Patriots offense is a total mess. Under the play-calling of Matt Patricia, NE only managed to score seven points in their loss against the Dolphins. The backfield is still ambiguous, as Harris finished with just one more carry than Rhamondre Stevenson. It is hard to predict who will have the hot hand in each game, which makes all of them hard to trust. Now going up against a great defense in Pittsburgh, it is an avoidable matchup fantasy owners should not have stake in. This offense as a whole should be regarded as avoidable for the time being.
Wide Receivers
Drake London (ATL) @ Los Angeles Rams
London led the Falcons in receptions (5) and receiving yards (74) against the Saints last week. It was a decent fantasy performance, but it will be a challenge to replicate it. While the Rams allowed explosive performances from Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs last week, their defense will bounce back and will have their way with Atlanta’s offense. Marcus Mariota is a QB fantasy owners should not be playing, and that will have its impact on their offensive weapons not named Kyle Pitts. London should not be solidified in lineups just yet, and its better to leave him on the bench for this game.
CeeDee Lamb (DAL) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Lamb was a volatile WR with Dak Prescott on the field. Now with Prescott injured, Lamb is hard to trust. He can still have a serviceable floor with garbage time yards, but his upside is greatly capped if he cannot get into the endzone. Cooper Rush is not a QB owners should put their faith in for Lamb to pay off his WR1 draft capital. Owners may have to start him because of that capital and may not have better options on the bench, but the expectations for his output change tremendously. Perhaps Dallas makes a move for a QB in the future, but for now, it is not a risk worth taking.
Tight Ends
Mike Gesicki (MIA) @ Baltimore Ravens
Gesicki is greatly falling behind in a Miami offense looking to be more explosive. Tua Tagovailoa completed 23 of 33 passes, but the tight end only had one reception for one yard. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had great fantasy performances and will be the go-to’s for Tua. Gesicki only played on 42% of snaps, which is very concerning. He can be dropped in most leagues in favor of high-end streamers such as Everett and Okwuegbunam.
Logan Thomas (WAS) @ Detroit Lions
After suffering an ACL tear last December, Thomas had six targets and three receptions for 45 yards. Not bad for a player that was questionable heading into Week 1. That is a fair weekly expectation for him, which means he is nothing more than a tight end streamer at best. Carson Wentz has found success throwing to guys like Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson. Thomas will be touchdown dependent, and he likely will not find the endzone vs. the Lions if Washington tries to exploit their weak rush defense. After a great career resurgence in 2020, Thomas should not be started/rostered unless you desperate need to fill the position.
Stay tuned for next week’s Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em!
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
