Week 2 Start Em Sit Em: Predictions for Week 1 Fantasy Surprises

Just as the analysis for NFL teams far exceeds the amount of time in games, fantasy owners spend more time analyzing what players do on a week-to-week basis to gain some competitive advantage.

Instead of using your precious time, we have put our efforts into making sure you know what to do. 

In particular, we want to look at the hottest names coming out of Week 1. These are players who weren't on the fantasy radar when the season started, or might have gotten a passing glance thanks to a strong preseason, but no one you were seriously considering starting. 

Some of the analysis has more to do with matchups than the player's ability; some of it is seeing the talent shine through and carrying it forward to Week 2. Whatever your questions might be, here are our Start 'Em, Sit 'Em predictions for last week's fantasy surprises. 

Terrance West, RB, Cleveland Browns

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

No one is getting pumped up more this week than Terrance West. The rookie running back had a phenomenal debut with 100 yards on 16 carries against Pittsburgh. He didn't score because Isaiah Crowell was put in during red-zone situations, which does cause concern for owners. 

However, there is no doubt about who Cleveland's feature running back is going to be. Ben Tate, shockingly, managed to get hurt in Week 1 and has already been ruled out for this week against New Orleans, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Cabot also provided a quote from head coach Mike Pettine about how the carries will be distributed in Tate's absence:

ESPN's Matthew Berry chimed in with his thoughts on Cleveland's running back situation:

West did pick apart a Pittsburgh run defense that has shown holes dating back to last season. The Steelers finished 21st against the run last year and aren't off to a better start this year.

He's got a favorable matchup this week against New Orleans, which allowed 123 yards and 4.9 yards per carry to an Atlanta team that came into the game with a banged up offensive line.

The Browns can't keep up with New Orleans' offense, so they have to control the clock with the running game. 

Even if the Browns face a huge deficit early, we saw last week that their running game can get them back into it. West is the lead runner and will eventually find the end zone.

Don't expect another week where he averages nearly seven yards per carry, but with 15-18 attempts, he should rack up 80 yards with a score. 

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Verdict: Start West as flex player

Allen Hurns, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Allen Hurns went from the hottest player in fantasy football to forgotten man in the span of 60 minutes against Philadelphia in Week 1. He wasn't forgotten by fantasy players, but Jacksonville's offensive weaknesses showed the limitations for fantasy owners. 

After burning the Eagles for two touchdowns in the first nine minutes and another 46-yard catch near the end of the first quarter, Hurns had one catch for nine yards over the next three quarters.

He finished the game with 23 points in ESPN standard scoring leagues, but do you feel better about him now?

You shouldn't, though it's got nothing to do with Hurns' talent. No one was able to take advantage of what is likely to be his best game of the year, at least judging by the number of people who owned him prior to Week 1 (via ESPN's Numbers Never Lie):

Any offense that is being run by Chad Henne isn't likely to be effective. He started the game well, going 11-of-17 in the first half before finishing 24-of-43 with 266 yards and those two touchdowns to Hurns.

That came against an Eagles secondary that allowed the most passing yards in the NFL last year. 

The good news is Week 2 brings with it another favorable matchup for Hurns, as Jacksonville travels to Washington. Jay Gruden's defense allowed more yards per attempt last year than any other team (7.58).

However, going back to the crux of the matter, how much do you trust Henne to find whatever he had working early in the game against Philadelphia? 

It doesn't matter how talented Hurns is if the quarterback isn't able to get him the ball. We saw Philadelphia adjust against the passing attack after getting burned early in the game. There will come a time when you want to start the rookie wide receiver on a weekly basis, it's just not this week. 

Expect a huge comedown in Week 2 for Hurns with a handful of receptions for 50-60 yards and no touchdowns. 

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Verdict: Sit Hurns in Week 2

Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Unlike Hurns, who is stuck with a bad quarterback situation until we get a chance to see what Blake Bortles is capable of, Kelvin Benjamin shined with a backup in Week 1 and only figures to get better this week with Cam Newton returning. 

The concerns we had about Benjamin coming out of Florida State were that he wasn't fast enough, as he posted the slowest shuttle time of any receiver at the 2014 Scouting Combine.

What made him so appealing, and why the Panthers took him in the first round, is that 6'5", 240-pound frame that no cornerback in this league can match. 

Derek Anderson knew that in Week 1, connecting with Benjamin on a touchdown pass in the red zone. He collected six total catches for 92 yards against Tampa Bay. 

Christopher Harris of ESPN.com listed Benjamin as one of his top free-agent finds heading into Week 2 because of that size and red-zone potential:

"

Benjamin saw eight targets and caught six of them, including a 26-yard TD where he simply outmuscled a defensive back on a jump ball in the end zone. The fact that Benjamin did this in his first NFL contest with Derek Anderson throwing him passes only adds to the feat. Cam Newton will return in Week 2, and Benjamin needs to be owned in every fantasy league on the planet.

"

We know Benjamin is going to play an important role in the offense throughout the season because of all the changes Carolina had at wide receiver this offseason. He's the kind of big-bodied playmaker who will catch a lot of touchdowns, even if everything else isn't up to No. 1 standards. 

It's hard to know how much of an advantage Benjamin will have against Detroit in Week 2 because the Lions played a New York Giants team last week that has been out of sorts on offense.

Going back to last year's numbers, the Lions ranked 21st in pass yards allowed. 

The Lions will have to double-team Benjamin in the red zone to prevent him from just leaping over everyone when Newton throws it up. He's quickly become one of the most interesting fantasy receivers to watch on a weekly basis, and he's certainly a must-start this week. 

Expect another week with a handful of catches for 70-75 yards and one touchdown. 

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Verdict: Start Benjamin in Week 2

If you want to talk sports, hit me up on Twitter.