Fantasy Football Week 2 Lineup Decisions

Week 1 of the fantasy football season is in the books, and it was no doubt full of surprises. But whose performances were flukes and whose were previews of what the expect for the 2011 season? I've got some guys you could consider benching that need to be in your lineup, and I've got some guys you might usually start that need to be sitting on your bench. Let's get this party started.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions (Start)

I have just got three questions for you. Have you heard of Ryan Fitzpatrick? Have you heard of Calvin "Megatron" Johnson? Have you heard of Eric Berry? Why do I ask? (OK, fine; that's four questions.)

Matthew Stafford, who dissected Tampa Bay's defense in Week 1, will be going against the Chiefs defense, who made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like Drew Brees. Ryan Fitz is no Stafford, and he has no one like Megatron to throw to, either. I could line up on the other side of the field while Johnson is quadruple teamed, and he is still going to get his.

In addition, one of the only bright spots of the Kansas City secondary, Eric Berry, is out for the season. Expect big things from Stafford in Week 2.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins (Start)

Cam Newton may have been just a little bit nervous about his NFL debut..... but only until he realized he was going against the Arizona Cardinals. Steve Smith and Newton put up monster numbers in a losing effort against the Cardinals in Week 1, and we can expect more of the same from Grossman and Santana in Week 2. Besides, Smith and Santana wear the same number (89). The number obviously throws off the secondary and allows receivers wearing the number to break off huge plays. Lock Santana in your lineup and don't look back.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets (Start)

I know, I know, you think this is some kind of joke. You're asking "How could I start this guy again? He screwed me over in Week 1!" You may also be asking "If Chris Johnson couldn't put up any numbers against the Jaguars, then why should we expect Shonn Greene to be able to?"

Well, to answer your questions, Chris Johnson doesn't play for the Jets, and don't let Greene's performance against the stout run defense of the Cowboys get you down just yet. The Jets are going to spank the Jaguars in Week 2, and they aren't going to waste whatever energy LT has left to run the clock out. Don't be surprised if Green ends up with more than 25 carries and two touchdowns this week.

Robert Meachem, WR, Saints (Start)

Did you see Meachem's touchdown grab in Week 1? I've got to say, it was pretty darn impressive. I'm going to keep this short and sweet. There's a guy named Marques Colston, and he won't be playing this week. Even with Colston on the field. Brees threw Meachem's way eight times in Week 1. Robert Meachem makes for a great play in Week 2.

James Starks, RB, Packers (Start)

Remember when Cam Newton threw for 400 yards and their game was a hard fought battle in Week 1? Well, that's not happening in Week 2. The Panthers are going to get slaughtered by the Packers, and Cam will be missing the good ole' Auburn days. And remember when Ryan Grant scored that touchdown in Week 1? Oh, right, neither do I because it was James Starks. Don't worry about who is placed where on the depth chart in Green Bay, because Starks is the guy. If you have Starks on your bench this week, it could cost you the game.

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers (Bench)

Of course, Frank Gore is an outstanding running back. But let's face it. Alex Smith is not very good at throwing the football. Defenses know that limiting Gore's production gives the 49ers little chance to win a football game. I understand Ted Ginn Jr. ran back a couple touchdowns in Week 1, so that didn't bode well for how much Gore was on the field to put up some fantasy numbers. But when he was given the ball, he didn't do much with it. He ran 22 times for only 59 yards. This was against the Seahawks, and he's going against the Cowboys in Week 2. It's hard to bench him, but look hard for another option this week.

Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers (Bench)

Most people drafted Mike Williams as their No. 2 wide receiver this year, and for good reason, but this week, he'll be matched up with the Vikings and Antoine Winfield. It looks like the Vikings have a plan to bottle up teams' stand out No. 1 receivers given that Vincent Jackson had only two catches for 31 yards against them in week 1.

I feel comfortable saying Philip Rivers is better than Josh Freeman and Jackson is better than Mike Williams, so I'm not expecting big things from Williams this week. Also after their Week 1 loss, I expect them to get back to what brought them success last year and get Blount the ball a great deal more this week.

Deangelo Williams, RB, Panthers (Bench)

This won't take long if, and only if, we forget that Williams had only 36 yards from scrimmage against the Arizona Cardinals. We must remember that this week, he is playing against the Green Bay Packers.

Kenny Britt, WR, Titans (Bench)

Yes, he did have a monster Week 1 in the fantasy world against the Jaguars, but 80 yards and one touchdown of that performance came off an embarrassing display of defense by the Jags, and that is something you will not see when the Titans play against the Ravens in Week 2. And I realize that even without this touchdown, Britt still had a productive day, but this week Hasselbeck, will hardly have enough time to look Britt's way much less complete more than a couple passes to him.

Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons (Bench)

Matt Ryan was rumored to be one of the quality sleeper quarterbacks of the 2011 fantasy season, but just as the sleeper tag usually entails, it looks like Ryan still needs some work. Chicago's defense is one of the best in the league, but Ryan is going against the Eagles in Week 2 and their pass defense is even better. When he's trying to avoid Nnamdi Asomugha, he will be throwing towards Asante Samuel and Rodgers-Cromartie. Avoid Matt Ryan for now until he finds his groove.