Week 2 Fantasy Football Start 'Em-Sit 'Em
- Fans Only Sportz Network
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen 9/11/2025 Sportz Nation
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Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)
Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa vs NE
Tua Tagovailoa had a rough Week 1 performance, posting 114 yards, one TD, a fumble lost, and two INTs. However, if there is any team to rebound against, it is a team he has never lost to in his career. Tua is 5-0 against the New England Patriots, posting positive performances in each one of them. With the Pats' D looking shaky in Week 1 and likely to have Christian Gonzalez out once again, Tua is in line for a start-worthy performance in Week 2 at home.
Trevor Lawrence vs CIN
Trevor Lawrence was uninspiring in Week 1 under a brand new offense, putting together a 178-yard, one TD, and one INT performance. Though it was not good for Lawrence, like I said, he is under a brand new coaching staff with a brand new offensive scheme. I expect Trevor to be a lot more comfortable this week against the Bengals, who allowed 290 passing yards to Joe Flacco last week.
Geno Smith vs LAC
Geno Smith was fantastic in Week 1, as he finished with 362 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. The passing game was extremely promising for the Raiders, and should open up even more once their star rookie RB Ashton Jeanty gets going. Geno faces a Chargers defense that allowed the 6th most fantasy points to QBs and the 9th most passing yards in Week 1.
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Running Backs
Javonte Williams vs NYJ
Javonte Williams was one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, finishing with 15 carries for 54 yards and two TDs. He also added two catches on three targets for 10 yards. Against a stout Eagles defense, Williams was the clear RB1 in a high-powered Cowboys offense. His red zone touches are also extremely promising going forward. Williams should carry this momentum over against a Jets defense that imploded against the Steelers last week.
Dylan Sampson vs BAL
Dylan Sampson was another surprise performer in Week 1, as he posted 12 carries for 29 yards, but also caught all of his eight targets for 64 yards. In PPR formats, Sampson could be the waiver wire add that managers hope to snag before anyone else. Though the imminent introduction of fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins into the offense is near, Sampson's receiving upside alone is worthy of a start this week against a Ravens defense that let up over 400 yards of offense in Week 1.
Jordan Mason vs ATL
Jordan Mason was the clear RB1 in Minnesota last week, posting 15 carries for 68 yards while hauling in his only target for seven yards. The receiving upside is nonexistent with Aaron Jones Sr. still in the mix, but there is no doubt Mason will be the go-to rusher and redzone threat for the Vikings going forward. Mason faces off against a Falcons team that allowed over 100 rushing yards in Week 1.
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Wide Receivers
Devonta Smith vs KC
I think it is safe to say that last week will be an anomaly for the Eagles' receivers, as neither AJ Brown nor Devonta Smith was involved in the offensive scheme. Nevertheless, I think Smith is in for a big week in Week 2 with Chiefs' Cornerback Trent McDuffie likely to shadow Brown. With KC having no real threat at corner besides McDuffie, Smith should thrive against a defense that allowed the 3rd most passing yards and most points to Wide Receivers during Week 1.
Khalil Shakir vs NYJ
Khalil Shakir had a solid Week 1 outing, snagging six of his nine targets for 64 yards. As one of Josh Allen's favorite targets, Shakir is in line for a better performance against a Jets defense that gave up the 4th most fantasy points to WRs last week.
Keenan Allen vs LV
Keenan Allen is back like he never left with the Chargers, as the chemistry with QB Justin Herbert still remains. Allen put together a fantastic 7 catch (10 targets), 68-yard, and one TD performance against the Chiefs, causing me to believe he can replicate it against an average secondary of the Raiders. Allen fit into the offensive scheme perfectly from the get-go, with his target share being too good to ignore for Week 2.
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Tight Ends
Juwan Johnson vs SF
Juwan Johnson put together a stellar performance in Week 1, posting an 8/76 line on 11 targets. With the Saints' offense likely to be one of the worst in football in 2025, they might heavily rely on Johnson to make Spencer Rattler's life easier, which we saw in Week 1. Johnson is a must-start in this offense until proven otherwise.
Dalton Kincaid vs NYJ
Dalton Kincaid did exactly what he needed to do for fantasy managers in Week 1, securing all four of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. He almost had a second TD had his knee not been down less than a yard before the end zone. Kincaid's red zone route running and target share are enough to warrant a Week 2 start against the Jets, whose defense could not make a red zone stop in Week 1.
Zach Ertz vs GB
Zach Ertz showed he still has some gas left in the tank, as he caught three of his five targets for 26 yards and a touchdown. Though the numbers may not jump off the page, what is promising is that most of those targets came in the red zone, with one of them exciting for a touchdown. This sort of red zone target share could make Ertz a sneaky start against a good Green Bay defense.
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Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels at GB
Jayden Daniels had a good but not great game last week against a New York Giants defense that looked well below what their expectations were for 2025. One defense that did not fall short of expectations was the Packers'.
Patrick Mahomes vs PHI
Patrick Mahomes may have had a terrific game against the Chargers once Xavier Worthy went out with an injury, but next week against Philadelphia will be a much different case. Philly's defense will once again have Jalen Carter for their game, and with Mahomes' weapons limited, this might turn into a long game for Mahomes and his Chiefs.
Justin Fields vs BUF
Justin Fields ended up playing one of his best games against the Steelers in Week 1, but I just can't see it happening against the Bills. Especially after a dual-threat QB like Lamar Jackson carved them up on Sunday night, the Bills will be coming to the Meadowlands looking to make a statement out of Fields and the Jets.
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Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty at LAC
Ashton Jeanty did not jump out of the gate last week, and a matchup against the Chargers shouldn't make things any easier. Likely to be the bell cow, especially down in the red zone, Jeanty still has touchdown upside, but his likelihood of only 13-18 carries for less than 60 yards is too strong and should at most be your FLEX option.
Kenneth Walker at PIT
Well, it looks like Charbonnet is RB1 in Seattle now. After out-touching Walker 13-12 last week only because of 3 safety net passes, Walker was clearly the second-best runner with only 2 yards per carry. Even if Walker somehow manages to get more carries this week, he'll do it in Pittsburgh where he will have even less success than against the 49ers.
Jonathan Taylor at DEN
Taylor left the Week 1 matchup versus the Dolphins with a neck injury but seems ready to go this week. Unfortunately for him and the Colts, despite their close game in Week 1, Denver still has one of, if not the best, defenses in the sport. Holding the Titans' running backs to 62 yards on 20 carries, the Broncos will challenge most of the opposing offensive weapons they face on this list, and that includes J.T.
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Wide Receivers
Tyreek Hill vs NE
There's still a chance that last week's meltdown in Indianapolis was just a fluke and Tyreek and crew will turn it around, but it sort of seems like they won't. The Patriots proved last week that their passing defense was not good, but even so, until the Dolphins prove they can get the ball to Hill with regularity, he belongs stashed on the bench until he's hopefully traded midseason.
Zay Flowers vs CLE
Flowers had the most points of any wide receiver last week after a huge day in Buffalo but has to face Cleveland this week, who allowed Ja'Marr Chase only 26 yards on 2 catches last week. Most fantasy owners won't heed my warning thanks to his outburst last week, but this is a trap game for Baltimore and Flowers, and one where I can see them really struggling to throw the ball.
Mike Evans at HOU
Mike Evans will always have touchdown upside in this offense, but his role in Tampa may be changing thanks to Emeka Egbuka. Add that to the fact that Houston gave up 23 points in PPR leagues to Puka Nacua, and Egbuka has the same role in Tampa. Evans may be, at best, a FLEX option this week.
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Tight Ends
Travis Kelce vs PHI
Kelce's 12.7-point performance last week was almost solely from his 37-yard TD in the 4th quarter. Now, up against the Eagles this week, Kelce is likely to stay around his 2-catch performance, but without another big play or touchdown, his fantasy performance may very well be a dud.
Mark Andrews vs CLE
Another year, another slow start to Mark Andrews' season. After his 1.5-point performance and only being targeted on 1 of Lamar's 19 pass attempts, Andrews has taken on a much heavier blocking role in this offense. With the Ravens clearly run-heavy this season, a matchup with Cleveland should see the same thing and means Andrews is a definite bench player.
Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith vs SEA
Combining for 8 catches and 43 yards last weekend, the two Pittsburgh tight ends have a role in this offense, but not one that will be liked by fantasy owners. Everyone in Pittsburgh not named Metcalf will be nothing more than one of seven legitimate options that they will use. George Kittle may have looked great in Seattle before his injury, but I don't think that will repeat for either of these two.
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