Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

Week 2 is arguably the most difficult week of the season for fantasy football. Do you trust your preseason expectations or overreact to the Week 1 results?

It's difficult to know which breakout performers to believe in and which struggling vets you should trust to bounce back. 

As you prepare to make last-minute lineup decisions for either season-long leagues or daily fantasy leagues, here are a few hypothetical lineup decisions you could encounter and which player you should trust this week:

Pos	Player A	Player B	Verdict
QB	Aaron Rodgers (GB) at MIN	Eli Manning (NYG) vs. NO	Manning
QB	Blake Bortles (JAC) at SD	Jameis Winston (TB) at ARZ	Bortles
RB	Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) at WSH	Jonathan Stewart (CAR) vs. SF	Stewart
RB	Theo Riddick (DET) vs. TEN	Carlos Hyde (SF) at CAR	Riddick
WR	Allen Robinson (JAC) at SD	Jordy Nelson (GB) at MIN	Robinson
WR	Dez Bryant (DAL) at WSH	Brandin Cooks (NO) at NYG	Cooks
TE	Coby Fleener (NO) at NYG	Dwayne Allen (IND) at DEN	Fleener
DEF	Ravens at CLE	Packers at MIN	Ravens
K	Blair Walsh (MIN) vs. GB	Graham Gano (CAR) vs. SF	Walsh

Aaron Rodgers (at Minnesota Vikings) or Eli Manning (vs. New Orleans Saints)

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Aaron Rodgers is generally in the must-start category at quarterback, but depending on your backup situation you might want to sit him this week in season-long leagues. 

The Minnesota Vikings played the Green Bay Packers tough last year, limiting Rodgers' production in both games: 

Week	Comp-Att	Pass Yds	TD-Int
Week 11 at MIN	16-34	212	2-0
Week 17 at GB	28-44	291	1-1

Rodgers will also have to contend with a hostile environment on Sunday night, as the Vikings will be playing in U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time. It's arguably the most anticipated game on the home schedule for Minnesota, which could give the Vikings a slight edge. 

A strong alternative to Rodgers could be New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who is coming off a three-touchdown performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. 

Manning could be poised for a dominant year in fantasy football thanks to the additions of rookie receiver Sterling Shepard and a healthy Victor Cruz. Shepard and Cruz combined for seven receptions on eight targets with two touchdowns in Week 1. 

Manning also benefits from one of his easiest defensive matchups of the season in the New Orleans Saints. 

In Week 1, New Orleans' defense yielded 35 points to Derek Carr and the Oakland Raiders. 

Verdict: Start Manning

Theo Riddick (vs. Tennesse Titans) or Carlos Hyde (at Carolina Panthers)

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Normally its best to go with the workhorse running back over a guy sharing the load. But this is a week to avoid San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde. 

Against a weak 49ers' defense, the Carolina Panthers will likely jump out to an early lead, limiting the 49ers' ability to get Hyde involved in the offense. Hyde isn't much of a threat as a receiver—he has just 25 career receptions—so when the 49ers are forced to throw the ball in the second half, his production will drop. 

Theo Riddick, on the other hand, may be on the verge of establishing himself as a must-start running back on a weekly basis. 

In past years, Riddick has been primarily involved in the passing game. But in Week 1, the Lions got Riddick 12 touches (seven carries, five receptions). In 2015, Riddick had just 43 carries in 16 games, an average of just 2.7 per game. 

The Lions' offensive game plan should remain the same against a relatively weak Tennessee Titans unit. 

Riddick may not duplicate his two touchdowns from Week 1, but he's a safe bet to have another solid week, especially in points-per-reception leagues. 

Verdict: Start Riddick

Allen Robinson (at San Diego Chargers) or Jordy Nelson (at Vikings)

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Allen Robinson's six receptions for 72 yards was a disappointing output in Week 1 for his fantasy owners, but don't jump off the bandwagon yet. 

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles targeted Robinson 15 times, and with that volume of targets, Robinson is going to produce big numbers more often than not. 

The Chargers nearly pulled off a nice Week 1 upset over the Chiefs. But after watching Alex Smith pick apart San Diego's defense for 363 yards and two touchdowns, it's hard to have much faith in their ability to slow down Jacksonville's passing attack. 

Assuming Robinson sees a similar workload, it's unlikely the Chargers will be lucky enough to keep him out of the end zone and under 100 yards again.

As for Jordy Nelson, it's difficult to feel confident about him for the same reasons this may not be a great week for Rodgers. The Vikings don't have a dominant defense, but they've proved capable of slowing down the Packers' passing attack. 

Verdict: Start Robinson