Week 2 Fantasy Football Projections: WRs with Favorable Matchups

Even if your top wide receivers didn't perform well in Week 1, it's way too early to give up hope on them. But you already know that.

Any star who got shut down in Week 1 still deserves another chance in Week 2—especially if he has a great matchup ahead of him. Would you bench Chris Johnson after his career-worst outing on opening weekend?

No, you wouldn't. He's still Chris Johnson.

Similarly, here are some wide receivers who will be the beneficiaries of favorable matchups in football's second week of action. 

Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)
vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

It may not be as easy to beat up on Jacksonville as it was to beat up on Miami—but then again, maybe Houston's offense is capable of making any defense look inept.

A big part of that, of course, is Johnson. The fourth-rated wideout in the NFL started off his season right, registering 119 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins in Week 1.

Now, he gets the opportunity to go up against the Jags defense, which allowed 389 total yards to Minnesota in the season opener.

Houston is quickly proving to have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, and that doesn't figure to change in the upcoming week, especially where Johnson is concerned. 

Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)
vs. New Orleans Saints

It's still hard to say how tough the Saints are going to be in 2012, but given the way they played against the Robert Griffin III-led Redskins last weekend, it doesn't look good.

Smith figures to be a game-time decision this weekend, as he was limited in practice this week, according to CBSSports.com. But if he's active, you have to start him. 

Granted, the Panthers didn't look awesome in Week 1, either, dropping a 16-10 contest to Tampa Bay. But facing a defense that allowed a whopping 459 in its season opener—to a rookie-led offense!—is a good omen for a top-10 receiver like Smith.

Against the Bucs, Smith still managed to finish with 106 yards on seven targets. There's also the fact that Cam Newton is a similar type of quarterback to RG3, and given the way RG3 victimized the Saints last week, this weekend is looking pretty good for this Panthers offense. 

Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings)
vs. Indianapolis Colts

This has more to do with the Colts' lack of effectiveness than the Vikings' own abilities, but still: A top receiver facing a defense that allowed 428 yards last week, including 314 in the air, bodes well for the Vikings heading into Week 2.

Minnesota emerged from its season opener with a slim 26-23 win over Jacksonville, and Harvin was OK, registering 84 yards in the air and another 20 on the ground. Against a weak defense like Indy's, though, the entire Vikings offense should be able to take advantage.