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So it was not exactly a sterling start for my first start or sit column. For starters, I didn’t get it published until after the Thursday game, meaning one of my best “sits” Cam Newton, was not available to use.

As far as my “starts” go, my two quarterbacks failed to live up to my lofty expectations. Robert Griffin III broke a bone in his shoulder and is out for at least half the season. Dak Prescott was undone by drops with both Cole Beasley and Dez Bryant dropping touchdowns.

Michael Crabtree had a solid game and surpassed my expect point total, as well as Kyle Rudolph.

My best “sit” was Delanie Walker who was held in check against Minnesota. Even more so, DeMarco Murray seemed to take some of the Red Zone looks that went to Walker last year. That is bad news for me, since I have more shares of Delanie Walker on my teams than any other tight end.

Once again, I am going to focus on guys that were drafted outside of the Top 30 RB/WRs and Top 12 QB/TEs for my “starts,” and inside the Top 20 RB/WRs and Top 8 QB/TEs for my “sits.”

(All consensus rankings are based off the staff consensus rankings for each position.)

Week 2 Start or Sit

Start

Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans

I had Stafford as my QB12 in the preseason, but my colleagues and the majority of analysts had him closer to QB20. He has been bumped up to a Top 5 quarterback in our weekly rankings this week.

After a strong start with 26.1 points against Indianapolis, Stafford will further show that he will be more than okay post-Calvin Johnson. Give me 320 yards and three touchdowns.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders

Matt Ryan was also seen as a non-starter entering the season, and he began to prove doubters wrong with 24.4 points in Week 1. That was good enough for sixth best among quarterbacks.

This week he gets the Raiders who just gave up 423 yards and four touchdowns to Drew Brees. Mohamed Sanu seems to be the second option the Falcons have missed since Roddy White was going strong and Ryan will continue his bounce back with 315 yards and three touchdowns.

Tevin Coleman, RB, Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders


The other main beneficiary of Matt Ryan’s resurgence will be Coleman. The former Hoosier actually led the Falcons in receiving and rushing yards last week. I think he continues his dominance in the Falcons’ backfield to the tune of 110 total yards and a touchdown.

Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

Something that the Giants showed us last week is that Dallas can’t stop the run. Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen both gashed the Cowboys up the middle, even in situations that Dallas knew they were running the ball. Matt Jones will get the opportunity this week and I think he takes advantage of it. Give me 115 yards and a score.

Travis Benjamin, WR, San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Aaron Rodgers showed last week that the Jaguars’ defense is not quite the staunch unit that they project to be just yet. This means Philip Rivers will get his share of yards, but with Keenan Allen out for the year again, who it will be?

Some think the Tyrell Williams, but I am on the Travis Benjamin train. Benjamin was a quality Fantasy starter last year in Cleveland with awful quarterback play. As Rivers’ top option, I think Benjamin busts out for 10 catches, 125 yards and a touchdown.

Eli Rogers, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals


After watching the Pittsburgh offense Monday night, I am all-in on Eli Rogers. The former Louisville Cardinal caught six of seven targets in his first NFL game and had quick reactions to catch a deflected touchdown.

I think Ben Roethlisberger loved having Rogers’ smooth route running in the slot and looked more and more his way when Antonio Brown was double-teamed. With division foe Cincinnati this week and knowing how to concentrate on Brown, I see Rogers pulling in 9 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings

I’m going back to the well with the Vikings’ tight end. Julius Thomas had the most non-Colts tight end points last week against the Packers and Rudolph gets them this week. Whether it’s Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford under center, Rudolph will be the security blanket for 7 catches and 75 yards.

Ravens D/ST

Baltimore was not seen as much of a strong defense entering the year, but after a decent showing against Buffalo, they get the Josh McCown-led Browns. Available in the majority of leagues, they are a perfect streaming starter this week.

 

Sit

Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

 

Although Luck came out firing last week, the difference between the Lions’ defense and the Broncos’ unit is like night and day. It is doubtful that you have a better option. I just don’t think Luck cracks the Top 16 at the position this week. Give me Kirk Cousins, Jameis Winston or Philip Rivers over Luck this week.

Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers

Going into the season, San Francisco was not seen as a strong defensive team. Then they went and absolutely shut down Todd Gurley. While I don’t expect Cam Newton to play as badly as Case Keenum, Stewart will be kept in check yardage wise. With his lack of scoring opportunities, he will not be starter-worthy this week.

Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets

Forte started his Jets’ career off strongly finishing with 20.5 PPR points. However, I think it best to stay away from him this week if at all possible. The Bills are not a good football team, but they can stop the run. They held the Ravens to just 83 yards on 28 carries. They also kept the Ravens’ backs to just over 4 yards per reception. When you factor in the Jets will be traveling on a short week, and Forte will not be RB2 this weekend.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills


This is an easy way out, but there just aren’t that many receivers I don’t like this week. Watkins is questionable to begin with, but even if he plays, I don’t like his chances on Revis Island. A.J. Green torched Revis a few times, meaning I expect him to be even stronger this week.

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Bucaneers

Arizona is going to bounce back in a strong way this week and Mike Evans will be the casualty. Patrick Peterson will lock down Evans, and while you probably don’t have a better option, I would stay away in Daily/Weekly leagues.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Witten had his most catches in a game since 2013 last week in Dak Prescott’s first start. The Giants made it known that they were taking away Dez. They also stacked the box so that Dak could only hit the underneath throws. I’m sure that Jason Garrett and company will figure out how to get their two big playmakers the ball, meaning Witten will suffer.

There’s your Week 2 Start or Sit plays! If you have any lineup questions, shoot them to us on Twitter at @Tomlin3 or @SoCalledFanEx.

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