Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice for Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

Experienced fantasy football enthusiasts know that the game isn't as easy as it might seem. In theory, managers can simply draft the most productive NFL stars, set their Week 1 lineups and only make changes when injuries and bye weeks occur.

Unfortunately, things aren't that simple. Difficult matchups can derail even the brightest of stars—as evidenced by Ja'Marr Chase's disastrous two-catch, 26-yard outing in Week 1.

Of course, managers are usually going to lean on their biggest names and top draft picks far more often than not. It's those second-tier players for whom matchups really start to dictate lineup decisions.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the toughest remaining matchups of Week 2, along with start/sit recommendations based on Week 1 results, past performances and projected roles.

Start: De'Von Achane vs. New England Patriots

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

Look, there's no getting around the fact that the Miami Dolphins were terrible in Week 1. After the team held a players-only meeting this week, Miami may be closer to a complete collapse than a rebound.

The New England Patriots, meanwhile, held up pretty well against the run last week. Only five teams allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs.

All of this adds up to a fairly daunting situation for Dolphins running back De'Von Achane—who isn't a matchup-proof, high-volume back in the mold of Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley. Achane had just 10 touches in Week 1, though he bailed out managers with a touchdown.

That said, Achane's involvement in the passing game gives him a reasonable floor in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, and the Dolphins should be willing to lean on him a little more now that he's put another week between himself and the calf injury that ailed him in August.

Sit: Isiah Pacheco vs. Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The Philadelphia Eagles surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in Week 1, but they also played the entire game without star defensive tackle Jalen Carter. He was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, and the NFL is considering that equal to a one-game suspension already served.

Carter will be back in Week 2, which presents a problem for Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. A bigger problem is the fact that he doesn't appear to be a high-volume player in Kansas City's offense this year.

We're only one game into the season, of course, but the Chiefs utilized a true 50-50 backfield against the Los Angeles Chargers last Friday. As a result, Pacheco played just 51 percent of the offensive snaps and logged a mere seven touches. He did have two receptions, but so did Kareem Hunt.

Pacheco's PPR floor simply isn't high enough to start him against an Eagles defense looking to bounce back from a subpar Week 1 performance.

Start: Tee Higgins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

The Cincinnati Bengals got the win in Week 1, but they didn't have the explosive start to the season they wanted. Joe Burrow was repeatedly stymied by the Cleveland Browns defense, which left managers of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both disappointed.

Now, managers won't consider sitting Chase, who was the top overall pick in a lot of leagues. They may be more hesitant to start Higgins, though, especially with Noah Fant entering the mix. Fant led the Bengals with four receptions in Week 1.

The visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, meanwhile, looked fantastic in Week 1, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. Of course, Jacksonville also played a Carolina Panthers offense that did plenty to limit itself.

The Bengals' passing attack should be fine once it finds its rhythm. That could very well happen this week against the Jags, and Higgins should benefit from the defensive attention that Chase will command. He should be a solid WR2 play this week.

Sit: Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Darron Cummings

It's hard to suggest sitting Michael Pittman Jr. after a six-catch, 80-yard, one-touchdown performance. The Indianapolis Colts' No. 1 receiver has a much higher fantasy stock with Daniel Jones than he did with Anthony Richardson.

Pittman averaged just 50.5 yards per game last season.

However, Pittman is Indy's top wideout, which means he's likely to see a heavy dose of Patrick Surtain II this week. As a unit, the Denver Broncos' defense is far better than the Dolphins D that visited Indianapolis last week. Only the Browns allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

This doesn't mean that every Colts player should be avoided in Week 2. Jones' scrambling ability gives him a reasonable floor, and Indy will likely use Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren in the quick-passing game to counter Denver's pass rush.

Pittman, though, can see the bench this week, unless managers are extremely thin at the receiver position.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.