Fantasy Football, Week 2: Matchups to Exploit

Here’s a look at four fantasy football matchups that just might help you and your fantasy team come away with a victory in Week 2.

1.  New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Defense

Trailing from shortly after the opening kickoff until late in the fourth quarter, the New York Jets took the training wheels off of third-year quarterback Mark Sanchez en route to a Week 1 Sunday Night Football triumph over the Dallas Cowboys.

Sanchez attempted a record-number 44 pass attempts last week and 26 completions for a career-best 335 yards, a pair of touchdown throws and one pick. It remains to be seen whether New York’s pass-heavy approach is a sign of things to come or one-off strategy.

Whatever the case, Sanchez has a savory Week 2 matchup with a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that ranked 28th against the pass in 2010. Jacksonville faced a ho-hum Tennessee Titans passing offense in Sunday’s season opener.

While the secondary held up statistically, they flashed their true colors when Titans receiver Kenny Britt took a fluttering, partially-deflected pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck 80 yards to the end zone.

2.  St. Louis Rams RB Cadillac Williams vs. New York Giants Defense

St. Louis Rams workhorse Steven Jackson ran for a 47-yard score on the team’s first play of the day. Near the end of Jackson’s run, he pulled up with a quad injury and received only one more carry before departing for the afternoon.

With Jackson out, free-agent signee Cadillac Williams filled in as the Rams featured back and put on quite a show, touching the ball 24 times for 140 yards.

Jackson is almost certain to be ruled out for Week 2’s Monday night matchup against the New York Giants. That means Williams gets a full workload with only the Giants injury-riddled defensive line standing in his way.

Williams is worth a pickup in most league formats (including shallower ones). He is Jackson’s unquestioned handcuff and likely short-term starter on a St. Louis team stocked with offensive-line talent. 

3.  St. Louis Rams WR Brandon Gibson vs. New York Giants Defense

With Danny Amendola out indefinitely with a dislocated elbow, fellow third-year wide receiver Brandon Gibson gets another shot to distinguish himself among the St. Louis Rams' largely indistinguishable corps of pass catchers.

Gibson was targeted five times and caught three balls for 50 yards in the team’s Week 1 loss at home to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Rams run a potentially dynamic passing offense, and Sam Bradford has to throw to someone, so Gibson stands to see an uptick in targets in Week 2. 

Gibson has a decent matchup against the New York Giants' leaky secondary on Monday Night Football. Consider him a lower-end WR3 in deeper leagues.

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