Week 2 Predictions: Fantasy Football Players to Start

It’s easy to panic based on a poor performance from one or more of your fantasy football teams in Week 1, but staying the course is important at this stage if your key players are healthy. Also, taking calculated risks based on matchups beyond your quintessential “studs” can be the difference between a win and a loss this or any week.

Our “Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems” for Week 2 will help you identify which players it’s worth taking that risk on at each position.

Jay Cutler (Chicago Bears) at New Orleans

Cutler looked good in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, going 22-for-32 for 312 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the game. The Bears did struggle to protect him though; he was sacked four times and hit multiple more times. 

Week 2 brings another NFC South opponent, with the New Orleans Saints, in what looks to be a favorable matchup. The Saints allowed 312 passing yards and three touchdowns to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and they failed to intercept a pass. 

If Cutler can be kept upright this week, and with Saints defensive end Will Smith serving the last game of his two-game suspension, it’s possible the New Orleans secondary will have trouble holding him down. 

There is always the possibility of multiple turnovers with Cutler, given his tendency to be erratic at times, but he should be throwing the ball plenty as the Bears try to keep up with the prolific Saints offense. 

He is a solid QB1 option for this week. 

Cedric Benson (Cincinnati Bengals) at Denver

Benson had 25 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns and also added one reception. Another favorable matchup is coming in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, as the Broncos allowed a league-high 191 rushing yards to Oakland Raiders running backs last week (150 by Darren McFadden) and also allowed a receiving touchdown to the position.

Just who will start under center for the Bengals this week is unknown right now, but whether it is rookie Andy Dalton (wrist) or Bruce Gradkowski should be of little consequence. 

Benson is not a significant option in the passing game, but he is lined for 20-plus carries again; another 100-yard effort would not be surprising. 

He is a solid choice as a RB2 for Week 2.

Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens) at Tennessee

Boldin had four receptions (on seven targets) for 74 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1; he looks to rebound from a disappointing 2010 campaign. He will look to make it two straight solid performances to open the season in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. 

Tennessee allowed 12 catches for 108 yards to the Jacksonville Jaguars' wide receivers last week, which is not astronomical, but they did allow eight receptions (on 11 targets) for 55 yards to the Jaguars’ No. 1 wide receiver, Mike Thomas. Boldin is the Ravens’ top wide receiver and could post a similar—or even better—stat line since he will have a better quarterback throwing him the ball.

In any case, he has an easier matchup than last week against Pittsburgh and Boldin is usable as a WR2 in standard leagues. PPR league owners should bump him up slightly.

Also Consider Reading:

Week 2 Start Ems

Week 2 Sit Ems

Week 2 Quarterback Rankings

Week 2 Running Back Rankings

Week 2 Wide Receiver Rankings