Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 2: 25 Players You Should Bench

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Ah, Week 2 of the NFL season.

This is the week where everyone has usually knee-jerked and overreacted to one game and declared their team an overnight sensation or a complete letdown.

Truth is, it's one week and there is still a long way to go. Anything can happen in the course of 15 more games left on the schedule. 

The same rule applies to fantasy football, too.

Some guy who rushes for 150 yards in Week 1 isn't a lock to do it in Week 2. A guy who unexpectedly has 178 yards receiving isn't necessarily going to match that against a tougher defense. And let's be honest, certain quarterbacks aren't going to throw for 400 plus yards again in another game this season, much less on consecutive weeks.

If you're in it to win it, you can't jump to conclusions on a key player or two based off of one good week. With that said, here are 25 players I'm thinking it would be wise to bench if you have better options in Week 2.

Zach Miller, TE, Seattle Seahawks

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Last Week: Two receptions, 19 yards, zero touchdowns

Miller, who signed a fat free agent deal with Seattle this offseason, had a less than stellar debut for the Seahawks last Sunday in San Francisco. He was targeted only four times, and I fear this is about the output you should expect for him this season.

I'd keep him as your second tight end if you have another starter this week because against an angry Pittsburgh defense that is looking to rebound after their pummeling last week is not likely to be the team Miller has a good day against.

In all truth, I wouldn't start anyone from the Seattle offense all season if you have any other options.

Lee Evans, WR, Baltimore Ravens

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Last Week: Zero Receptions, zero yards, zero touchdowns

I realize that Lee Evans was brought in to be the home run hitter for the Baltimore offense, but he isn't quite acclimated to said offense quite yet. His goose eggs in a Week 1 rout by the offense speaks volumes to that fact. He was targeted only four times and he was unable to reel any of them in.

Also, the news that he was in a walking boot earlier this week is definitely a red flag to look for another option at wide receiver.

Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

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Last Week: five receptions, 71 yards, zero touchdowns

I've been very vocal about my expectations for Julio Jones in the Atlanta offense this year, and his numbers from last week weren't bad for an NFL debut. But he draws arguably the best corner in the game this week in the person of Nnamdi Asomugha.

I'd keep Julio at about third on your wide receiver depth charts at this point, but he could be huge late this season after getting some time under his belt. So while you should definitely hang onto him, sit him down against Nnamdi this week.

Hakeem Nicks, WR and Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

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Last Week: Nicks: seven receptions, 122 yards, zero touchdowns, Manning: 268 yards, one touchdown (rushing), one interception

Even though it was a lopsided loss against Washington last Sunday, Hakeem Nicks made some fantasy owners very happy. However, his knee is still hurting him, and he will literally be a game-time decision in Week 2. I wouldn't risk it, and I would look for a backup plan now and give Nicks the night off.

With his main weapon possibly not playing, I would go ahead and have Eli Manning join him if you have another quarterback on your roster.

Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins

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Last Week: 416 yards, two touchdowns, one interception

Look, I'm not going to knock the performance Chad Henne had on Monday Night Football against the Patriots. But what I will say is it is highly unlikely he throws for 400 yards again this season, possibly his career. Sure, he has improved over last season no doubt, but I'm not ready to say he leaps into the second tier of NFL quarterbacks just yet.

With the new Wade Phillips led Texans defense that is just raising hell in the pass rush, it might be wiser to sit Henne this week, as he could turn the ball over easily if he gets rattled. Week 1 was fools gold. It's that simple. 

Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers

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Last Week: 1 reception, 4 yards, 0 touchdowns

If you really need a reason why to sit Michael Crabtree this week, you probably didn't watch any of the 49ers and Seahawks game last Sunday. Not only was he not a factor, but he has said himself that his foot surgery has never healed properly and is still giving him trouble.

He's practiced very little this week, and while it may upset San Francisco fans in my saying this, I would never have a guy on my fantasy roster that has Alex Smith trying to throw him the ball. I say try seeing if you can goad anyone in your league into a trade, but if not, you'll find a better option on the waiver wire this year.

Knowshon Moreno, RB and Willis McGahee, RB, Denver Broncos

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Last Week: Moreno: 22 yards, zero touchdowns, one fumble, McGahee: three yards, zero touchdowns, one fumble

I think the only reason people always flock to draft running backs from Denver is because they still think that they use the scheme that produced numerous 1,000 yard rushers regardless of who it was. However, those guys and their scheme are gone now, and you're not going to see Joe average sunning back putting up sick fantasy numbers anymore.

No one ever mistook Knowshon Moreno as a revelation in the NFL, and he hasn't had defensive coordinators game-planning for him since he was wearing University of Georgia red. But I don't think anyone anticipated him looking as bad as he did against Oakland Monday night. But with him also nursing a hamstring injury, look for Willis McGahee to get the carries this week. But I'd sit both of them personally, because neither look to be any factor in the fantasy game at all this season.

A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

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Last Week: one reception, 41 yards, one touchdown

The talent that A.J. Green embodies is endless, no doubt. But his lone catch came on a quick snap before the Cleveland defense could set last week. So don't get excited thinking that Green is going to be a fantasy stud...yet.

It's still questionable whether or not Andy Dalton will be able to go in this game, but even if so. it is still too early to be starting Green with the other options out there. Drawing Champ Bailey this week, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get shut out.

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

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Last Week: one reception, 20 yards, zero touchdowns

I can't get on anyone for drafting Maclin onto their team. He's a good piece to hang on to and hope his value can be a good trade piece, or even an injury replacement if you have batter options out wide.

However, I'd still sit him this week because he is clearly not into game shape yet. But he will be a valuable fall back guy later, for sure.

Dwayne Bowe, WR and Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

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Last Week: Bowe: two receptions, 17 yards, zero touchdowns, Cassel: 119 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Besides the revelation that Buffalo is better than we all thought, the thing I took from that game the most was that Matt Cassel is playing hurt. He never looked comfortable out there, and his passes had next to no zip on them. And with a matchup against the aggressive Lions defensive front this week, those ribs will be hurting just at the sight of Ndamukong.

Bottom line here is that if Cassel is struggling and needs to be sit in fantasy this week, Dwayne Bowe should join him.

Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints

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Last Week: 40 yards, zero touchdowns, zero fumbles

Probably a less than stellar debut than many were expecting out of the young man, but the fact that New Orleans had to air it out to try and get back into the game almost made running the ball an after thought.

Against a tough Chicago Bears defense this week, I wouldn't be counting on the rookie to compile very many fantasy points Sunday. There are better running back match ups out there, and that's the way you should go.

Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Last Week: Two receptions, 28 yards, zero touchdowns

Lewis had little effect on the offensive output by the Jags against Tennessee on Sunday, and this is likely to continue as long as he has Luke McCown throwing the ball to him. I wouldn't start anyone besides Maurice Jones Drew from Jacksonville right now.

Lewis should, at best, be a back up or even available off the waiver wire if you're in a pinch this year. With his calf still being a problem, he isn't a sure thing to go against the Jets this weekend.

Chad Ochocinco, WR, New England Patriots

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Last Week: one reception, 14 yards, zero touchdowns

If I'd have told you before the Monday Night Football game this past week that Tom Brady would throw for 517 yards and four touchdowns, you would have assumed that Chad Ochocinco would have had more than 14 yards on one catch, huh? Not the case.

The Patriots offense already looks in midseason form, but it is abundantly clear that Chad isn't a part of the game plan yet and some more time with his face in the playbook is needed. There are certainly better options at this point in the season at receiver.

Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

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Last Week: Did Not Play

I know, all the reports coming from Schefter and other sources on Twitter are saying Foster should be back for Houston on Sunday. But many, like me, who follow the team know how Gary Kubiak is. Even if Foster is the starter, I still think Ben Tate will get the load in the rushing attack.

It's risky to bench a guy who is capable of what Arian is capable of, but if you have another solid back I recommend sitting Foster one more week, at least, and pick up Ben Tate if he is available.

Pierre Garcon, WR and Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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Last Week: Garcon: three receptions, 39 yards, zero touchdowns, Collie: zero receptions, zero yards, zero touchdowns

The fact here is that these two guys are not going to be a factor as long as Kerry Collins is standing in for Peyton Manning. 

Peyton has that ability to make an average receiver great, and these two are a classic case. Reggie Wayne is the only one on Indy I would be starting this season.

Cam Newton, QB and DeAngelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart, RB's, Carolina Panthers

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Last Week: Newton: 422 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, Williams: 30 yards, zero touchdowns, zero fumbles, Stewart: 26 yards, zero touchdowns, zero fumbles

After Week 1, Cam Newton is the most claimed quarterback off of waivers. This is expected after he and Steve Smith torched the Cardinals this past weekend. However, this week, they draw the defending Super Bowl champions, and it won't be so easy.

Just like with Henne, don't buy in to the hype quite yet. Newton could very well end up being a fantasy stud by the end of the season this year, but I believe he comes back down to earth this week.

As for the running duo, both looked bad last Sunday, and if you have any other options, I would look at them this weekend instead of rolling either out against the Packers run defense.

Chris Johnson, RB, Matt Hasselbeck, QB and Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans

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Last Week: Hasselbeck: 263 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, Johnson; 24 yards, zero touchdowns, zero interceptions, Britt: Five receptions, 136 yards, two touchdowns

I realize that most people who aren't actually reading each slide here are thinking I'm crazy for telling everyone to sit Arian Foster and Chris Johnson. I've already covered Foster, but this one is much more absolute, as Johnson is still in preseason form from his holdout this preseason. I'm not thinking that he gets into game shape this week against a Baltimore defense that just annihilated the Steelers. 

Same goes for Hasselbeck and Britt. I realize Kenny had good numbers last week, but they still struggled against the mediocre Jacksonville defense. One can only imagine what the Ravens defense can do to them. I wouldn't start anyone from Tennessee this weekend.