Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Highlighting Matchups to Exploit and Avoid

You've seen plenty of "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em" articles for individual players, I'm sure. But what about taking that concept and applying it to an entire offense?

That's what we're about to do, folks. Curious to see if I could find any games where I felt strongly about either recommending every fantasy option on a team or shying away from them all, I identified four games I felt fit the bill. 

Sometimes a matchup is too tasty to ignore for your fantasy stars. And sometimes it's far too putrid to risk them in. These are those games.

All stats for standard-scoring leagues. Point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN.com.

Start 'Em: Washington

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For 30 minutes last week, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like a defense reborn, holding the electrifying Philadelphia Eagles to no points and making Nick Foles look like a European who had stumbled onto the field for a game of football only to remember that his preferred version of the game is called soccer in America.

And then the second half happened. Thirty-four unanswered points happened. A 49-yard touchdown run by Darren Sproles on fourth down happened. A 68-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin deep down the field, with barely a Jaguar in sight, happened. By the time all was said and done, 420 yards of offense had happened.

And now Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon get their chance to do the same. 

It's hard to imagine that the Jags won't blow at least one coverage and leave Jackson wide open down the field at least once. Or that a defense that just allowed 145 rushing yards will slow down Morris. Or that RG3 won't be better in Week 2 without J.J. Watt in his face all game.

Don't overthink this one, folks—start your studs on Washington and reap the rewards.

Sit 'Em: San Diego Chargers

There really is no reason to start Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd or either tight end against the league's best pass defense. I feel like that is obvious, bet let's review. 

Last season, the Seattle Seahawks gave up an average of 8.4 fantasy points per week to opposing quarterbacks (best in the NFL), 12.8 total points per week to opposing wide receivers (best in the NFL) and 6.5 total points to opposing tight ends (ninth in the NFL). And against the explosive Green Bay passing game in Week 1, they gave up a paltry 189 yards and a touchdown through the air.

If Aaron Rodgers and Co. can't make them pay, do you think Rivers and his crew will? 

I don't. And I'm not in love with the team's running backs, either. Yes, Ryan Mathews finished with 12 fantasy points against the stifling Arizona Cardinals rush defense last week, but a touchdown really saved his skin. To me, he's a low-ceiling flex play if you're in a pinch and nothing else. 

Maybe Danny Woodhead will do some damage in the short passing game, but it's hard to imagine him getting enough quality touches to have a big afternoon. This week, I think the only Charger worth even considering for a start is Mathews.

Start 'Em: Philadelphia Eagles

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After watching the Denver Broncos put up 361 yards and 31 points on the Indianapolis Colts, owners of Foles, Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Zach Ertz are probably licking their lips this week. 

McCoy is always a viable starter, of course, so that's nothing new. But Ertz could have a huge game after the Colts gave up seven receptions for 104 yards and three scores to Julius Thomas. If they don't figure out how to better defend the tight end, Ertz could have quite the evening. 

Foles was shaky in Week 1, turning over the ball three times. But he recovered nicely in the second half and should be able to hurt the Colts in the play-action passing game as they try to deal with the threat of Shady and Sproles. 

As for Sproles, well, he's a tougher call. He got off to a big start in his Eagles debut, but players in the scat-back role are always hard to rely on. I think he's a solid option in your flex role in deeper leagues, but I want to see him consistently produce solid fantasy numbers in this offense before I recommend him for anything beyond that.

Sit 'Em: New York Giants

At this point, Eli Manning probably shouldn't be owned unless you are in a two-quarterback league, so you weren't going to start him anyway. But against the tough Arizona defense, you should also be ignoring Rashad Jennings, Victor Cruz and even last week's surprise performer, Larry Donnell. 

Patrick Peterson and Antonio Cromartie represent a tough matchup for Cruz. The league's top run defense and the team that gave up just 43 rushing yards on 20 running back carries last week against San Diego spells trouble for Jennings. And honestly, Arizona's pass rush and Manning's inability to avoid turnovers spells trouble for everyone else. 

I cannot in good conscience recommend you start any Giants this week. Cruz, in a pinch, is a high-risk flex option, but that's about it. Things won't always be this bleak for the Giants, but wait for sunnier days than this one to rely on their players.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes too. It's more fun than karate class with Antonio Brown.