Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
As you read the Week 2 start ’em sit ’em article, you probably are wondering how to adjust from whatever happened in Week 1. Think about it. We saw elite talents like Jalen Hurts, Sam LaPorta, and Mark Andrews struggle. Additionally, we saw NFL debut duds from Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. In other words, it wasn’t pretty for a lot of players. Our fantasy football recap certainly covered everything to do with Week 1.
We also saw some critical injuries to great talent like Jordan Love and Puca Nicua, which could change the fantasy football landscape. Unfortunately, injuries happen, forcing you to change your approach to what you will do. It even happened to rookie Rome Odunze, who might miss some time.
Like a lot of fantasy players, I had some hits and misses. I was very proud of the Chris Godwin pick as he went off. Ironically, I nailed almost all of my sit advice. Notably, D’Andre Swift, Diontae Johnson, Courtland Sutton, and Cole Kmet all finished well below their projected numbers.
But there were some hiccups, such as the Terry McLaurin pick, as he could not even cash in on garbage time, finishing with a measly 17 yards and a lame 3.70 fantasy points in PPR. That’s what you’re going to get from me and this column. When I nail some picks, I will remind you. When I don’t, I will acknowledge it.
The moral of the Week 2 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em will be all about adjusting but not overreacting to what happened in Week 1. Instead, you have to observe what happened and go from there merely. Remember, we are talking about players who you are debating to start. These players can make or break your week. Remember, you can always optimize your lineups and determine the best action.
Week 2 Starts
*Start Stat Percentage, Via Yahoo
Baker Mayfield
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. DET (35% starting)
Baker Mayfield almost made this column last week before I changed it to another. If you started Mayfield, you had a good time as he went off with a 24 for 30 performance and 289 yards while chucking four touchdowns and running for 21 on three attempts. This gave him 29.66 points. While I always advise never to chase the points, I would not put Mayfield here if I didn’t like the matchup. Mayfield faces a Detroit defense that allowed Matthew Stafford to pass for 317 yards on them. Plus, there is a great possibility that the Lions could be leading in this one, which would allow Mayfield to chase the points.
J.K. Dobbins
Los Angeles vs. CAR (50% starting)
Gus Edwards disappointed everyone, me included, as I had him as a start last week. But JK Dobbins was the opposite. Amazingly, he went off for 135 yards rushing while also getting into the end zone. Now, he will face a defense that allowed Alvin Karama to run 15 times for 83 yards and a touchdown on 5.5 yards per carry. Overall, the Panthers allowed a combined 180 rushing yards. While coach Jim Harbaugh has indicated he will still split the shares between Edwards and Dobbins, there is plenty of potential for Dobbins to replicate what he did last weekend. Likewise, Edwards could redeem himself with a solid game against a bad rushing defense.
Brian Robinson Jr.
Washington Commanders vs. NYG (90% starting))
Brian Robinson Jr. still managed to salvage what was a bad stat line. Despite rushing 12 times for only 40 times, he did get into the endzone to salvage what would have been a bad fantasy week. Robinson also caught three passes for 49 yards to add to the tally. Somehow, he did all that against a tough run defense. Robinson will face the New York Giants this week. They allowed Aaron Jones to rush 14 times for 94 yards and also let him push it in for a touchdown. Robinson rushed 17 times for 73 yards while also catching seven passes for 59 yards in his last showdown at FedEx Field against the Giants. I could see Robinson delivering better stats this time around and possibly mowing it into the endzone.
Amari Cooper
Cleveland Browns vs. JAX (97% starting)
Amari Cooper had an awful opening weekend, catching only two of nine targets for 16 yards. However, much of that involved Deshaun Watson making errant throws and Trevon Diggs shadowing him. Fantasy Football is not about overreacting to one lousy match but adjusting weekly. In this case, Cooper gets a showdown with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who allowed Miami Dolphins’ receivers to haul in 348 yards of catches, including two 100-yard receivers. Cooper had at least four games last season where he had at least 20 fantasy points, including 51.5 points in the finale. Furthermore, he caught seven of 14 targets for 77 yards in his last showdown with the Jags. Start him this week.
Chris Godwin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. WAS (93% starting)
Chris Godwin was on our start list last weekend, and he performed well against the Washington Commanders, leading the Buccaneers with eight receptions for 83 years on eight targets while also hauling in a four-yard reception for a touchdown. Now, he faces a Detroit secondary that is still vulnerable and capable of allowing slot receivers to find some open room. Cooper Kupp went off for 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown. It is possible we could see something similar from Godwin this week if Mayfield finds him the ball. If you are doubting that sample size, Tyler Johnson also had a productive day, catching five passes for 79 yards. This Detroit secondary is exploitable.
Brock Bowers
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Baltimore Ravens (90% starting)
This is all about the targets. Brock Bowers caught six passes on eight targets for 58 yards to lead the Raiders to finish with 11.8 fantasy points, beating his projections. Significantly, he has a good connection with quarterback Gardner Minshew, who targeted him more than anyone, even Davante Adams. But what’s more telling is that Bowers got eight targets compared to Michael Mayer, who had just three. While the Baltimore Ravens held Travis Kelce to just three catches for 34 yards, that had more to do with the Chiefs targeting Rashee Rice nine times. Bowers makes the Week 2 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em list because he seems to be high on the target list this early in his career.
Week 2 Sits
Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals vs. KC (98% starting)
Joe Burrow struggled mightily against the New England Patriots, going 21 for 29 with 164 yards passing and not even throwing a single touchdown. Yes, he did not have Tee Higgins available. But Burrow still had Ja’Marr Chase’s services. If this were any other month, he might be able to do well in this matchup. Yet, Burrow is just 6-8-1 in September games and has hit 20 points in just half his last 12 games. For whatever reason, he struggles in September. Ultimately, Burrow might be able to eclipse this prediction, especially if he is chasing points and finds some cohesion with Higgins. But he needs to prove it first.
Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns vs. JAX (35% starting)
Deshaun Watson has a somewhat favorable matchup, as the Jaguars allowed Tua Tagovailoa to pass for 338 yards in Week 1. However, Watson looked awful on opening weekend against the Dallas Cowboys, going 24 for 45 with only 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Watson looked utterly lost, not knowing how to make simple throws and playing off his back leg. The ridiculous part is that he was lucky it was not worse, as the Cowboys had numerous chances for more. Also, things got so bad that the fans booed him and chanted for backup quarterback Jameis Winston. He is a sit until Watson shows he can put together a trustworthy performance.
Javonte Williams
Denver Broncos vs. PIT (92% starting)
If you drafted Javonte Williams with the idea of having that excellent second or third running back in your lineup, you might have experienced some disappointment on Sunday. Williams rushed just eight times for 23 yards with one catch and no gain, finishing with just 3.3 fantasy points. Unfortunately, it won’t get any easier against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers also held Bijan Robinson to 18 rushes for 68 yards and a 3.8 yards per carry rate while allowing five catches for 65 yards. It also does not help that he is in a timeshare with Jaleel McLaughlin, who rushed 10 times for 27 yards, while new quarterback Bo Nix also rushed five times for 35 yards. Assuming that Williams gets half the touches, he will only deliver half the production that Robinson had, equating to about 8.5 fantasy points, which is not a recipe for success.
Zamir White
Las Vegas Raiders vs. BAL (93% starting)
Zamir White struggled in his first opportunity as the lead back for the Raiders, rushing 13 times for 44 yards on just 3.4 yards per carry rate while also catching his only two passes for one measly yard. Overall, he finished with 4.6 fantasy points. Now, he will face the Kansas City Chiefs, who held Isiah Pacheco to 15 rushes for 45 yards. While Pacheco did punch it into the endzone, that is a big risk you are taking if you are holding out hope for a score. Moreover, the Chiefs have a significantly better quarterback than the Raiders, which makes it easier for defenses to key in on White. He is a risky play this week.
Diontae Johnson
Carolina Panthers vs. LAC (91% starting)
Johnson will have some good games this season. However, he should only be a bye-week fill-in, especially after struggling in his first game. Johnson only caught two of his six targets for just 19 yards in a blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. It looks no more promising against the Las Angeles Chargers, who held Davante Adams to five catches for 59 yards and 10.9 fantasy points, well below his projected numbers. The Chargers are a sneaky good pass defense, which will cause trouble for Johnson.
Courtland Sutton
Denver Broncos vs. PIT (83% starting)
Sutton was another guy I said would struggle, and he did. Sadly, he only caught four of 12 targets for 38 yards and 7.8 fantasy points. While the targets are nice, it does not matter if he cannot form any chemistry with Nix. Furthermore, he will be facing a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that held Drake London to just 3.5 fantasy points. It is certainly possible that Sutton could finally break through. However, the odds of that happening are low against a tough defense from Steel City.
Dallas Goedert vs. ATL
Philadelphia Eagles vs. ATL (89% starting)
There was a time when Goedert was almost always an automatic start. Unfortunately, those days are likely over. Goedert was respectable in his opener, catching four passes for 31 yards. But he is also third in the pecking order behind AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. Additionally, he will face a Falcons team that just held super sleeper Pat Freiermuth to just 6.7 fantasy points. The Eagles also have another mouth to feed on offense, with Saquon Barkley also running the ball and catching targets. It will regretfully leave one out, and that looks like Goedert.
