Fantasy Football Week 2: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Locks to Win Your Matchup
Week 2 of the fantasy football season is just two days away from kicking off. That means it's time for you to figure out your roster for the week.
Who's going to be the starting running back? What about you wideouts and tight ends? Here are 10 surefire starts and 10 guys who should be riding the pine on your fantasy football teams.
Sit 'Em 10: Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins
1 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Brown had a solid week 1 performance, thanks to 65 rushing yards and a score. He's never going to give you huge numbers, but he seems to deliver consistently week in and week out.
Why You Should Bench Him: Brown is going up against a fearsome run defense in the Minnesota Vikings, which means his value would take a major hit even if he was the only quality back in Miami. When you add Ricky Williams to the mix, Brown's lack of carries equals no production this week.
Start 'Em 10: LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
2 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: McCoy could see some of his carries get poached by new starting quarterback Michael Vick in Week 2, since Vick is one of the most talented scramblers in the NFL.
Why You Should Start Him: While Vick will poach a few carries from his running back, the Detroit defense is pretty awful this year. If the Eagles get out to a lead, expect McCoy to still get a pretty steady dose of carries, and to make the most of what he gets. Plus, even if Vick steals some yards, McCoy will get the ball near the end zone.
Sit 'Em 9: Mike Williams, WR, Seattle Seahawks
3 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: It was clear in Week 1 that Williams was the Seahawks' go-to wideout, as he racked up 64 receiving yards on four catches. He'll still get looks in Week 2, as quarterback Matt Hasselbeck doesn't have many other options to throw to.
Why You Should Bench Him: Remember Mike Sims-Walker last week against the Broncos? Yeah. Expect more of the same from Bailey against Williams.
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Start 'Em 9: Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee Titans
4 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: The Titans take on the Steelers and their rejuvenated Steel Curtain defense. Vince Young isn't a great passer. Why take the risk?
Why You Should Start Him: While Pittsburgh's defense is formidable, Washington is Tennessee's most reliable wideout right now. He's a good deep threat, and will get plenty of looks from Young. Expect him to haul some of those passes in for big gains once again.
Sit 'Em 8: Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts
5 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Addai is the starting running back in Indianapolis, and he's getting the lion's share of the carries until head coach Jim Caldwell figures out that he's not the best back in Indy.
Why You Should Bench Him: Addai just isn't that talented of a running back. The Giants did a good job of keeping Carolina's two-headed monster in check last week; limiting Addai's impact shouldn't be too tough at all. Plus, New York's secondary isn't that great, and Peyton loves to throw the football.
Start 'Em 8: Brandon Jackson, RB, Green Bay Packers
6 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: Because Jackson isn't Ryan Grant, and you don't trust him.
Why You Should Start Him: While Jackson isn't quite as talented as Grant is in the backfield, that doesn't make him a bad runner. Far from it, in fact; Jackson should be able to have an excellent debut against a terrible Buffalo defense. He'll make you forget all about Ryan Grant this week.
Sit 'Em 7: Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
7 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Because you drank the Marcedes Kool-Aid after his two touchdown performance in week 1. You're convinced he'll be Jacksonville's best threat in the red zone, and he'll score bunches of points every week.
Why You Should Bench Him: You, unlike the Kool-Aid drinker in the above paragraph, realize that those two targets in the end zone were the only passes thrown Lewis' way in Week 1. You also know Mike Sims-Walker won't be locked down like that every week, and Maurice Jones-Drew figures to get most of this team's red zone work. Finally, you realize that there are better, safer plays this week than a man whose name is a poorly spelled brand of automobile.
Start 'Em 7: Jermichael Finley
8 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: You saw how well the Eagles kept Finley contained in Week 1, limiting him to just 47 yards and no touchdowns in Week 1. You don't trust him anymore, and have sworn to keep him on your bench.
Why You Should Start Him: Last week, the Eagles made it a point not to let Finley beat them, and they have talented, athletic linebackers who could keep up with the big man. Buffalo doesn't have the kind of depth in the secondary or the linebacking corps to keep up with him. Rest assured, Jermichael will get his points this week.
Sit 'Em 6: Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
9 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Best didn't have a ton of yards in Week 1, racking up just 20 against the Bears. What he did have, though, were a pair of rushing touchdowns. Surely, you think, this week he'll get those yards.
Why You Should Bench Him: Every aspect of Detroit's offense took a serious hit when Matthew Stafford went down with the shoulder injury. Suddenly, with the passing game neutered by the weak arm of Shaun Hill, Best is Detroit's primary offensive weapon. Don't you think the Eagles will key on him, and make Hill beat them with his arm?
Start 'Em 6: Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins
10 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: Portis was Washington's primary back against the Cowboys in Week 1, but only managed 63 yards on his 18 carries.
Why You Should Start Him: Dallas' defense is solid against the run, so it was logical that Clinton would have a mediocre game. Houston, on the other hand, is going to be without Brian Cushing in this game, which means their run defense takes a serious hit. Expect Portis to have more yards, and to add a touchdown to his stats this week.
Sit 'Em 5: Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
11 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Sims-Walker is the best wideout in Jacksonville. Last week was an aberration, as Champ Bailey shut him down completely and totally. He'll bounce back in Week 2.
Why You Should Bench Him: The Chargers' defense isn't great, but they are alright against the pass. While he won't have zero catches and targets like last week, he won't be setting the fantasy world ablaze with his production, either.
Start 'Em 5: Anquan Boldin
12 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: Boldin my have had an excellent debut against New York, but everyone knows Antonio Cromartie, who covered Boldin for stretches of the Monday night game, can't hang with him. He's not going to replicate that feat against a strong Bengals defense.
Why You Should Start Him: Boldin is one of the best wideouts in the NFL. If Cromartie couldn't hang with him, what makes you think Jonathan Joseph or Leon Hall can, either? There's nothing to suggest Anquan will have any trouble getting good numbers against the Bengals this week.
Sit 'Em 4: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
13 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: He looked decent in his first start in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz's system, and he's going to get better with each game in it.
Why You Should Sit Him: He threw a pick against a crappy Lions defense. The Dallas defense is going to harass him constantly, and the Bears' offensive line struggles in pass protection. There are all kinds of red flags for Cutler to have a serious howler on Sunday.
Start 'Em 4: Philip Rivers
14 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: Rivers had a mediocre game against Kansas City last week, and he still doesn't have a proven number one wideout to throw to.
Why You Should Start Him: Rivers is going up against a Jacksonville secondary that let Kyle Orton light them up in Week 1. Philip is practically drooling at the possibilities. Plus Antonio Gates is as reliable as any number one receiver, and Legedu Naanee looked pretty good against the Chiefs.
Sit 'Em 3: Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
15 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Wallace still got some catches with Dennis Dixon throwing the ball to him last week, and he figures to go off sooner or later.
Why You Should Bench Him: The Titans aren't going to let Wallace beat them; instead, they'll force Dixon to throw shorter passes in the flat, which he struggles with, and make Rashard Mendenhall beat them. Wallace could be left out in the cold.
Start 'Em 3: Legedu Naanee, WR, San Diego Chargers
16 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: You aren't convinced by Naanee's massive Week 1, when he went off for 110 yards and a touchdown. You see that he's still the number two wideout, and possibly the third option in the offense, behind Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates.
Why You Should Start Him: Naanee is the best wideout in San Diego right now. Jacksonville's pass defense is atrocious, and Naanee will give them fits all game long. Expect him to have a huge season, and to continue his strong play in Week 2.
Sit 'Em 2: Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
17 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Eli threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns against a solid Carolina secondary. He's got talented young receivers and should be looking to show up big brother Peyton in Week 2.
Why You Should Bench Him: Did you see what the Colts' secondary did to the Texans' passing game? It's not every day Matt Schaub only throws for 107 yards. Plus, Eli threw three picks last week, too, and Indy's secondary is better than Carolina's. This one screams trap game for Luigi Manning.
Start 'Em 2: Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos
18 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: He's Kyle Orton! The guy's got no arm, and he's a better fantasy quarterback than a real one. Plus, his numbers last week were against the Jags and their terrible secondary. He'll come back to earth this week.
Why You Should Start Him: Orton is the perfect quarterback for the Broncos offense. He's accurate, he spreads the ball around, and he's got just enough of an arm to keep defenses honest. Plus, Seattle's secondary isn't much better than Jacksonville's, and they rely heavily on pressure to force the quarterback into making mistakes. Orton is too poised for that, and he'll pick them to pieces come Sunday.
Sit 'Em 1: Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
19 of 20
Why You Would Start Him: Benson may have struggled against New England last week, but he was still trying to get his sea legs under him. The Benson we all know will be back this week against Baltimore.
Why You Should Bench Him: The Ravens shut down the Jets' vaunted rushing attack pretty completely. While Benson looked shaky in Week 1, backup Bernard Scott looked good in limited action and figures to get a few more carries this week. Plus, Baltimore's secondary has been an issue since training camp started, and unlike the Jets, the Bengals can throw the ball against them. Don't be surprised to see another stinker from Benson this week.
Start 'Em 1: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
20 of 20
Why You Would Bench Him: Seattle locked down Frank Gore in Week 1, so what hope does Knowshon have? Plus, Denver just traded for Laurence Maroney, who figures to vulture some carries from the second-year back.
Why You Should Start Him: Seattle's containment of Gore worked because San Francisco wasn't expecting that defense from Pete Carroll's Seahawks. Denver will be ready this week. As for Maroney, he's no real threat to Moreno, who is clearly the more talented runner. Denver will try to establish the running game early, and Knowshon will have a big day.
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