2010 NFL Fantasy Football: Week 2 Players to Avoid

Carson Palmer, QB Cincinnati Bengals

Week One Line: 34-50, 345 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

Palmer's week one numbers are deceptively good. With his team trailing 31-3 before he even got to see the field in the second half, most of his damage came late in the game with the Patriots playing a soft, prevent defense. While it was nice to see Palmer have some success and continue to display solid chemistry with my man Ocho, the Ravens secondary is much stronger than New England's, even without Ed Reed. 

Despite a history of success against Baltimore, I'm steering far clear of Palmer this week as the Ravens will continually stuff Benson & the running game, forcing Palmer to air it out long distances and leaving himself very vulnerable throughout. I don't see him coming close to his week one output.

Week Two Projection: 23-40, 212 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

Jahvid Best, RB Detroit Lions

Week One Line: 14 carries, 20 YDS, 2 TD ; 5 receptions, 16 YDS, 0 TD

One of my favorite sleepers heading into the season, Best's first NFL game would've been much less impressive had he not found the end zone twice. Looking rather mediocre against a decent Bears defense, Best averaged just 1.4 YPC and just 3.2 YPR. 

Now with QB Matthew Stafford sidelined with a shoulder injury, Shaun Hill is poised to fill in and opposing defenses will be focusing in on the rookie RB even more. While I undoubtedly expect Best to emerge as a dangerous weapon sooner rather than later, this week's matchup against an athletic Philadelphia defense doesn't look very promising. 

Week Two Projection: 13 carries, 53 YDS, 0 TD ; 3 receptions, 22 YDS, 0 TD

Randy Moss, WR New England Patriots

Week One Line: 5 receptions, 59 YDS, 0 TD

Moss was unable to get into sync with QB Tom Brady last week and despite the Pats putting 38 points on the board, Moss was held relatively silent. No. 81 seems to be unhappy with his current contract situation, and as owners very well remember from his days in Oakland, all it takes is a little motivation to make all the difference in the world for Moss's game.

With a huge week two matchup against the division rival New York Jets, Coach Rex Ryan has already said that stud corner Darrelle Revis will be used to shadow Moss throughout the contest. The talented wideout made two previous trips to Revis Island in '09 and combined for 9 catches and just 58 yards. If that's any indication of how little Moss will be utilized on Sunday, he belongs on the bench.

Week Two Projection: 4 receptions, 37 YDS, 0 TD

Brent Celek, TE Philadelphia Eagles

Week One Line: 2 receptions, 32 YDS, 0 TD

After Michael Vick took over in week one, Celek's role in the offense really became diminished. Perhaps the biggest loser of the QB switch besides Kolb himself, Celek had remarkable chemistry with Kolb that he clearly doesn't share with Vick. In fact, Vick rarely even looked his way last Sunday unless all other options had been explored first.

Even though he heads into a favorable matchup at Detroit, Celek remains a shaky play so long as he and Vick remain on separate pages. Vick's ability to rack up the rushing yards certainly won't help Celek's fantasy value as the big target requires a little time to achieve separation up the field. Owners will have to hope by the time he looks for the ball that no. 7 hasn't already taken off running.

Week Two Projection: 3 receptions, 28 YDS, 0 TD

Knowshon Moreno, RB Denver Broncos

Week One Line: 15 carries, 60 YDS, 1 TD ; 1 reception, 4 YDS, 0 TD

Even though he managed to average 4.0 YPC last week, Moreno's week one may have been the most uninspiring performance I've seen out of a Denver running back in quite sometime. Looking awfully tentative and showing only a little of the burst that we became accustomed to when he was in Georgia, it's no wonder the Broncos traded for ex-Pats RB Laurence Maroney just yesterday.

Lined up to face a surprisingly stout Seattle run defense that gave up just 38 yards to Frank Gore (17 carries), Moreno could have a very tough time getting it going on the ground. He's not much of a physical runner, so if the Seattle linebackers can keep him from bouncing it to the outside early in the game, Moreno could very well find himself taking a backseat to Correll Buckhalter, who hasn't been fantasy relevant since his days backing up Westbrook in Philly. 

Week Two Projection: 12 carries, 32 YDS, 0 TD ; 3 receptions, 11 YDS, 0 TD