Fantasy Football Week 2: Emergency Start Options That Will Help You Dominate

For some, Week 2 starts the stress. Down 0-1, some owners worry that another loss will severely damage their playoff hopes and dreams.

That typically isn’t so, but fantasy owners can be fickle and impatient. I know because I am at times, too. If you are dealing with some emergency-start situations, the following plug-and-play options could give you the winning edge in a tight matchup.

Quarterbacks

Rex Grossman, WAS 

  A hot commodity on some early-week waiver-wire advice lists, Grossman is coming off a very solid Week 1 performance and actually has several 300-plus yard passing games dating back to late last year.

Against an Arizona defense that made Cam Newton look like an All-Pro in his first-ever NFL game, Grossman should find plenty of stats to make your team competitive.

Chad Henne, MIA

 Another habitually disappointing QB who had an amazing Week 1 breakout, Henne isn’t a guy you want to count on every week. In fact, many would worry about starting him any week.

However, while Houston attempted to shore up a passing defense that was the worst in the league in 2010, the Texans are still suspect against the aerial attack. They’ll likely jump out early and force the Dolphins to play catchup. Henne should do OK in fantasy formats this week.

Running backs

Willis McGahee, DEN

 While he has most definitely lost a step from his glory days, McGahee finds himself in the perfect spot for Week 2 fantasy production. It’s all about the situation and matchup, and he has both.

For one, Knowshon Moreno is dinged up and there is no guarantee he’ll play this week. Even if he does, he won’t be getting a whole lot of stat-age. The Bengals may not be  the most savory of matchup for a running back, but there are many worse ones.

Jason Snelling, ATL

 Yes, we all know that Michael Turner is the main guy out of the Falcons backfield, but Snelling showed again last week why he can be dangerous. He didn’t have huge stats in the Falcons loss, but he was very active in the Falcons passing game, something that PPR owners can be happy about.

This week, the Falcons face off against an Eagles squad that is severely lacking in quality linebacker play. Steven Jackson shredded them on two plays last week and then his replacement, the past-his-prime Cadillac Williams, continued to roll down the field for solid yardage.

Turner will get his carries and stats, but I think Snelling has a good chance to post respectable numbers in what should be a high-scoring affair—especially if you are in a PPR league.

Wide receivers

Brandon Gibson, STL

Listed in this spot last week, Gibson was OK, but not exactly spectacular. I think this week he breaks out much more. The Eagles secondary did a good job of icing the Rams passing game, but the Giants this week will be a different story after numerous major injuries have depleted the G-men on defense.

It is still uncertain what the injured Danny Amendola will be doing this week. My money is on him not playing, leading to a solid bump up in targets for Gibson.

Braylon Edwards, SF

 Michael Crabtree was a non-factor in Week 1 and admitted his injuries will likely affect him all season. Edwards is currently the best receiver on the team, as long as he can hold onto the pigskin.

This week, the Niners face a Dallas team that allowed the typically conservative Mark Sanchez and Jets passing game to come alive and rally the team to victory. The Niners will also be fighting from behind, and Edwards will see plenty of targets.

Tight end

Ben Watson, CLE

 It didn’t take long for Watson to remind us that he’s the most trusted receiving option for Colt McCoy and the Browns, and against a majorly struggling Colts squad, Watson will once again be targeted early and often. He takes a value upswing in PPR formats.

Get completely ready for the Week 2 grind by checking out our extensive positional projections/rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | IDP

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