Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: Predicting Top Performers on Monday Night

When the Denver Broncos take on the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, fantasy owners around the country will be eagerly awaiting arguably the most important fantasy football game of the week. 

There are a slew of valuable fantasy options on both rosters, and the fact that it's the last game of the week only highlights its importance. With that in mind, let's run down the top options for fantasy owners and rank them according to my highly scientific fantasy projections.

And by highly scientific, I mean what my I've learned from doing some research and following my gut. To the projections!

10. Jacob Tamme

If Tamme doesn't get into the end zone, he has limited fantasy value. I don't expect he'll get into the end zone on Monday night. 

9. Willis McGahee

I don't trust the Denver running game. Heck, I barely know which players will get significant carries. Until he proves otherwise, I don't trust McGahee in fantasy.

8. Tony Gonzalez

Generally speaking, I think a huge part of Gonzalez's fantasy value will be tied to touchdowns (like with Tamme).

However, in a game in which I expect the Falcons to try to control the clock and return more to the running game, Gonzalez should be a good weapon going across the middle as Ryan checks down to avoid the Denver pass rush.

7. Demaryius Thomas

I don't think the Falcons are going to let Thomas beat them deep.

5. (tie) Roddy White and Julio Jones

It's nearly impossible to know which one of these two will have the bigger week from game to game. With White, you know he'll see plenty of targets and catch a lot of passes. With Jones, you get a constant deep threat and dangerous red-zone option. 

Both should see plenty of work. Both should hit double-digit fantasy points. Trying to determine which one will score more, well, good luck with that.

4. Matt Ryan

Do I expect the Falcons to dominate as thoroughly in the passing game as they did against Kansas City?

No.

Do I think Ryan will get his and put up solid numbers?

I sure do.

3. Eric Decker

I think this is the week we see Decker prove he is Manning's most reliable, go-to receiver. Thomas may represent the best deep threat the team has, but I still think Decker can play the Wes Welker role in this offense and rack up the yards and catches.

2. Michael Turner

Yes, I know the Falcons are all about the passing game this year and Matt Ryan's elite now and blah, blah, blah. The truth is, given the Broncos' excellent pass rush, the Falcons would be wise to establish the running game early, dominate time of possession and stay out of long third-down situations.

Hence, I expect Turner to have a big game.

1. Peyton Manning

I still don't know if the Broncos will effectively run the ball this year. What I do know is that Manning looked sharp against a good Steelers defense a week ago and the Broncos receivers and tight ends looked solid as well.

I fully anticipate the Broncos having a ton of success in the air against the Falcons, and thus I think Manning will put up huge numbers.

Hit me up on Twitter—my Tweets are still in the Heisman race.