Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Who Are the Smart Matchup Plays?

With all but the Monday night doubleheader in the books, we're through the first week of the 2011 NFL season. While there were some things we expected (such as Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy having a big day in St. Louis), there were also some things that caught us off guard (such as Cam Newton's record-setting performance at Arizona).

It's never too early to start looking ahead to Week 2 (especially if your fantasy team got smoked in Week 1), so here's an early take on some players whose matchups this coming weekend bode well for their fantasy prospects.

1. Matthew Stafford: QB, Detroit Lions (vs. KC)

Week 1 Stats: 24-of-33, 305 yards, three touchdowns, one interception.

After a stellar 2011 debut in a win over Tampa Bay, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford gets a date at home with a Kansas City Chiefs defense that allowed four touchdown passes to Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills.

Stafford could easily post big fantasy numbers for the second consecutive week.

2. Rex Grossman: QB, Washington Redskins (vs. ARI)

Week 1 Stats: 21-of-34, 305 yards, two touchdowns, one fumble.

Washington Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman was very effective in leading the 'Skins to a win over the New York Giants in Week 1, and he gets to follow that up with a home tilt against an Arizona Cardinals defense that Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers lit up like a Christmas tree.

3. Rashard Mendenhall: RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. SEA)

Week 1 Stats: 12 carries, 45 yards, one fumble.

Running back Rashard Mendenhall and the Pittsburgh Steelers laid a collective egg in getting walloped by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. It's a pretty safe bet that they're going to take their frustrations out on the Seattle Seahawks when they come to the Steel City in Week 2.

4. Adrian Peterson: RB, Minnesota Vikings (vs. TB)

Week 1 Stats: 16 carries, 98 yards, two receptions, six yards.

The NFL's newest $100 million man had a so-so first week of the season by his standards, but Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson could be in for a big day against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that allowed 114 total yards to running back Jahvid Best in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

5. Cedric Benson: RB, Cincinnati Bengals (at DEN)

Week 1 Stats: 25 carries, 121 yards, one touchdown, one reception, two yards.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson was a big part of the Bengals' opening-week win over the cross-state rival Cleveland Browns. He now matches up with a Denver Broncos team that gave up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the NFL last season.

6. DeSean Jackson: WR, Philadelphia Eagles (at ATL)

Week 1 Stats: Six receptions, 102 yards, one touchdown.

DeSean Jackson started the season strong in the Philadelphia Eagles' blowout win over the St. Louis Rams. Given the way that Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler torched the Atlanta Falcons secondary in Week 1, a second fat stat line in a row seems to be on tap for Jackson.

7. Santana Moss: WR, Washington Redskins (vs. ARI)

Week 1 Stats: Six receptions, 76 yards.

Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss had a decent, if unspectacular, first game in a victory over the New York Giants. He should improve on those numbers against an Arizona Cardinals secondary that got abused by Cam Newton and the Panthers in Week 1.

8. Hakeem Nicks: WR, New York Giants (vs. STL)

Week 1 Stats: Seven receptions, 122 yards.

The New York Giants' Week 1 defeat at the hands of the Washington Redskins can't be blamed on Giants wideout Hakeem Nicks, who had a strong outing and should notch his first score of 2011 against a St. Louis Rams defense that had loads of trouble covering DeSean Jackson in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

9. Owen Daniels: TE, Houston Texans (at MIA)

Week 1 Stats: One reception, 12 yards.

Owen Daniels barely made a dent in the box score in Houston's thrashing of the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, but with wide receiver Kevin Walter now sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury, the tight end's role in the Texans offense should increase considerably.

10. Pittburgh Steelers Defense/Special Teams (vs. SEA)

Week 1 Stats: 35 points allowed, one sack.

After one of the National Football League's most feared defensive units got the snot knocked out of them by the Baltimore Ravens, expect a very angry Pittsburgh Steelers defense to pound the Seattle Seahawks into ketchup at Heinz Field in Week 2.