Fantasy Football 101: Week Two Quick Hits

After one week, it can be hard to contain ones excitement over a breakout first week or avoid the panic of the underperformer.  

After two weeks, it gets easier to gauge the roster as trends begin to emerge.  

While patience remains important, a team's true needs have likely emerged.   Be sure to check the waiver wire for upgrades but be sure not to make rash decisions.  Also be on the look for buy low opportunities from panicky owners looking to make a move.

Here are some thoughts to consider as you review as you look to tweak your roster this week:

Arizona vs. Atlanta

Cardinals - Tim Hightower continues to perform well thanks to Beanie Wells' injury, but concerns about the passing game are very real.  Steve Breaston returned to earth and Larry Fitzgerald is mortal. 

Falcons - Michael Turner owners must handcuff Jason Snelling before it is too late (if it is not already).

Cincinnati vs. Baltimore

Bengals - The defense showed it is ready for the AFC North slug-fests and Mike Nugent proved he is fantasy worthy with 5 FGs.  Cedric Benson did not light up the stat sheet but his 23 carries should ease any concerns owners may have had. 

As for the passing game, expect inconsistency all season - Ultimately this remains a defense oriented team not a high powered passing attack.

Ravens - The defense remains a force going two games without allowing an offensive touchdown.    Offensively, the Ravens were anemic, especially QB Joe Flacco who led a sluggish attack with 4 picks. 

Kansas City vs. Cleveland

Chiefs - The defense is vastly improved and the offense showed its struggles were not the result of a monsoon.  This is a ball control team not the wide open attack you'd expect from Todd Haley and Charlie Weis. 

Expect running backs Thomas Jones and Jammal Charles to continue to alternate the hot hand.  TE Tony Moeaki maintains deep league sleeper status leading the team with 10 targets (no one else had more than 5)

Browns - The Browns got a big play from Josh Cribbs but did little aside from that.  RB Jerome Harrison failed to make an impact despite a larger role.  

Remain patient if you can hold him on your bench but he does not show flex ability right now. The passing game under Seneca Wallace did little to excite.

Chicago vs. Dallas

Bears - Martz-ball does not excite on the ground but Matt Forte's impact in the passing game makes him one of the fantasy season's pleasant surprises.  Johnny Knox is emerging as the top receiver.  Jay Cutler has exceeded expectations.

Cowboys - The vaunted ground game has screeched to a halt rendering each of the Cowboys timeshare backs as risky plays.  Through two weeks Miles Austin has cemented himself as one of the league's best. 

Jason Witten (injury) and Martellus Bennett combined for 12 catches.  The defense got just 1 sack against one of the league's worst offensive lines.

Philadelphia vs. Detroit

Eagles - Michael Vick proved his Week 1 magic was not a fluke with a 284 yards passing and 2 TDs.  Kevin Kolb may keep his job but his leash just got a little shorter (my apologies for the dog reference.)

LeSean McCoy had the breakout game owners have been waiting for.  DeSean Jackson owners breathed a sigh of relief with his 135 yard 1 TD effort.  The defense has not played up to expectations through 2 weeks.

Lions - Jahvid Best had a breakout performance with 232 total yards and 3 touchdowns, giving him 5 touchdowns through two games.  While consistency won't be his strong suit, he is living up to the team's lofty expectations. 

Best's strong performance should only opening things up for Calvin Johnson in the passing game.  Brandon Pettigrew surprised with 107 yards.  Don't expect a huge impact each week but he is a solid backup option.

Buffalo vs. Green Bay

Bills - The Buffalo offense was horrific as Lee Evans was shutout and CJ Spiller received just 1 carry.  Marshawn Lynch may have been featured as trade bait but did little to impress (17-64)

Packers - Aside from a goal line touchdown Brandon Jackson did little (39 total yards) in his first start.  The 11 carries is esp. concerning considering the Packers were playing with the lead. 

TE Jermichael Finley broke the 100 yard mark and reminded us why he is ranks among the elite tight ends but WR James Jones led the team in targets with 7. 

Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee

Steelers - The Steeler offense is treading water until Ben Roethlisberger gets back and the defense has been so dominant they are getting away with it.

Titans - Chris Johnson is mortal but there is no need for long-term concern.  Kenny Britt re-emerged in the passing game.  Vince Young was given a wake up call after a dismal start. 

His starting job is not in jeopardy but Jeff Fisher proved he won't hesitate to pull him to give the team a spark.  By the way, Chris Johnson owners need to handcuff Javon Ringer to protect their investment.

Miami vs. Minnesota

Dolphins - The defense is stellar and worthy of weekly play.  The offense, aside from Ronnie Brown and Brandon Marshall, is anemic.

Vikings - Brett Favre failed to shake the rush in week 2 and to make matters worse WR Percy Harvin's bad hip flared up.  Bench Favre if you can until he shows signs of improvement or the team acquires Vincent Jackson.  Adrian Peterson was more of a factor this week and expect his role to remain this way until a receiver emerges.

Tampa Bay vs. Carolina

Buccaneers - Mike Williams and Josh Freeman continue to impress expect them to continue to improve as the season progresses.  Cadillac Williams' 1.9 ypc is cause for concern.

Panthers - The passing game is so bad it is limiting the team's ability to run the football leading to DeAngelo and Stewart's inconsistency.   The vaunted offensive line allowed 4 sacks.

Seattle vs. Denver

Seahawks - The timeshare in the backfield continues much to Forsett owners frustration.  The offense in general lacks firepower.

Tight end John Carlson led the passing game with 10 targets boding well for his future.  Mike Williams on the other hand had just three getting shutdown by Champ Bailey.

Broncos - The story of the day was the emergence of WR Demaryius Thomas who showed he may be more than just a deep threat with 8 catches for 97 yards and a team leading 9 targets. 

If you need a wideout, he should be near the top of your list of pickups this week. Jabar Gaffney was MIA for the 2nd straight week. 

Knowshon Moreno has had minimal impact on the ground through two games but his 4 catches for 67 yards makes him a factor in PPR leagues. 

Lastly, if Kyle Orton is on your waiver wire pick him up or consider trading for him if you have an unsettled QB situation.  You can question his actual talent but the offense is very fantasy friendly.  

St Louis vs. Oakland

Rams - As usual Steven Jackson struggled to find the end zone but he managed 125 total yards.  Mark Clayton followed up his breakout performance with just 25 yards but both of his questions were touchdowns.  He is clearly the receiver to own in this offense.

Raiders - Darren McFadden may be for real and as long as Michael Bush is out you should consider putting him in your lineup.  He is finally showing the talent many expected when he was drafted 4th overall in 2008. 

Gradkowski quarterbacking in the 2nd half was a surprise and don't be surprised if he stays in the lineup.  Young wide receivers Louis Murphy and Darrius Heyward-Bey appeared to come off age against the porous Rams secondary. 

It is too early to trust them but keep an eye on them as someone other than Zach Miller will likely emerge this season.

New England vs. New York Jets

Patriots - Brady, Welker and Moss looked mortal against the Jets vaunted defense and the ground game came to a halt.  Don't be surprised if TE Aaron Hernandez continues to emerge as the No. 3 receiving option - pick him up for your bench and hope he continues to develop.

Jets - Sanchez bounced back with Dustin Keller being the primary beneficiary but the Jets fantasy story is LT's increasing role and the disappointing start for Shonn Greene.  Greene will likely pick up steam as the season progresses but LT is not going away anytime soon.

Jacksonville vs. San Diego

Jaguars - Out of the shackles of Bailey Island, Mike Sims-Walker reminded us why he was a top 20 wide receiver in many pre-season rankings with a 10-105 performance.  Expect continued inconsistency but the upside remains.  David Garrard reminded us why he should never be played on the road.

Chargers - The possible loss of Ryan Mathews for an extended period of time will leave fantasy players debating whether Darren Sproles or Mike Tolbert is this week's pickup of the week. 

Philip Rivers spread the ball around which is why Naanee and Floyd will fluctuate from week to week New Orleans style.

Houston vs. Washington

Texans - Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson owners breathed a sigh of relief as both bounced back with stellar performances.  Arian Foster was not dominant but his 138 total yards are proof he is not a fluke and needs to be started every week.  

Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones both performed well, but TE Owen Daniels was not a factor for the second straight week.

Redskins - Donovan McNabb was stellar with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley performed well as did blast from the past Joey Galloway (not that i would pick him up).  Clinton Portis score 2 TDs but did little to inspire confidence.

Indianapolis vs. New York Giants

Colts - Joseph Addai and Donald Brown tantalized with their potential and the Colts D re-surfaced.  On the passing front, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon owners are realizing the spurt-ability and inconsistency.

Giants - Ahmad Bradshaw has solidified his hold on the starting running back job but overall night a good week for the G-men. Despite only two catches, Hakeem Nicks managed to stay fantasy relevant with a TD.

New Orleans vs. San Francisco

Saints - Pierre Thomas has top 10 potential especially in PPR leagues after Reggie Bush's injury.  Aside from Marques Colston good luck relying on a Saints receiver.  

49ers - Frank Gore and Vernon Davis lived up to their early round status and Alex Smith showed potential, but Michael Crabtree has done very little through 2 games to live up to lofty expectations.

Chris Maier is senior editor for NFLDraft101.com.  He can be reached at [e-mail].  Follow me on twitter: nfldraft101