by Roger Rotter

Tom Brady's season-ending knee injury wreaked havoc with many fantasy teams. Knowing to draft strong fantasy backups in the mid-rounds like Donovan McNabb, Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler is central to protecting against devastating quarterback injuries.

Another injury to a high fantasy draft pick in Marques Colston weakened the wide receiver position for numerous squads. Having quality depth at wide receiver and being active on the waiver wire can alleviate early injuries.

Serving as draft sleepers, rookies like Tennessee running back Chris Johnson and Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson have shown they can contribute immediately to the drive for a fantasy title.

Helping the causes of many owners, a fantasy player can benefit from facing weak defenses. McNabb terrorized St. Louis' secondary while Michael Turner scorched Detroit in the opener. Both defenses appear doomed to helping fantasy players produce prodigious fantasy points.

Check out my top 10 moves for Week 2, including making the best starts, finding the right sleepers and avoiding a potential flop.

10. Bench Cincinnati WR Chad Ocho Cinco

Carson Palmer targeted Ocho Cinco only four times in the opener, resulting into just one reception for 22 yards. He's battling a shoulder injury and is facing Tennessee's strong defense that intercepted David Garrard twice in the first game.

Rotter's Week 2 projection — 8.8 points, Ocho Cinco: 4 receptions, 48 yards

9. Start sleeper Dallas RB Felix Jones

In just his first game as a pro, Jones ran for 62 yards and one score against Cleveland when Marion Barber left the game with sore ribs. While Philadelphia's defense offers a stiffer challenge, Jones will likely spell Barber more to prevent further injury.

Rotter's Week 2 projection — 15.1 points, Jones: 71 total yards, 1 TD (56 yards, 2 receptions for 15 yards)

8. Start sleeper Kansas City D/ST

The Raiders offense looked dismal in the opener while the Chiefs played superbly on defense, limiting New England to just 17 points on the road. Oakland scored both of its touchdowns in the fourth quarter when Denver was already leading 27-0 entering the final period.

Rotter's Week 2 projection — 11 points, Kansas City D/ST: 17 points allowed, 3 turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery), 4 sacks

7. Start sleeper New Orleans WR David Patten

Marques Colston is out 4-6 weeks with a torn thumb ligament, leaving Patten as one of Drew Brees' primary wide receiver targets against Washington. Both Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem are speedsters, so expect Patten and tight end Jeremy Shockey to be involved in the short and intermediate routes. Reggie Bush will also be heavily involved as a receiver.

Rotter's Week 2 projection — 16.1 points, Patten: 5 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD

6. Start Kansas City RB Larry Johnson and WR Dwayne Bowe

Oakland allowed 41 points to Denver in the opener, permitting Eddie Royal to catch nine passes for a Week 1 high of 146 yards and a score and Denver's running backs to total three touchdowns. Both Johnson and Bowe will lead Kansas City's offense against Oakland. Johnson totaled 133 yards and a score in the first meeting against the Raiders last season. Boding well for Week 2, Bowe scored in the opener against New England's strong defense.

Rotter's Week 2 projections — 49.5 points, Johnson (27.5 points): 125 total yards, 2 TD (100 yards, 3 receptions for 25 yards); Bowe (22 points); 5 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

5. Start Detroit WR Calvin Johnson

In Detroit, Calvin Johnson has emerged as Jon Kitna's favorite target, and he'll be a frequent target against Green Bay. Detroit allowed Atlanta and its rookie quarterback to post 34 points. The Lions will have little choice but to play catch up for the second straight game against Green Bay's potent offense.

Rotter's Week 2 projections — Calvin Johnson (25 points): 8 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

4. Start Tennessee RB Chris Johnson

Cincinnati allowed Baltimore to total 229 yards and two touchdowns (one to a rookie QB on a 38-yard run) on the ground in the opener. On the other hand, Tennessee ran for 137 yards against Jacksonville's vaunted defense. Playing his first NFL game, Johnson totaled 127 yards and one score to lead the Titans' running backs against the Jaguars. Expect more high fantasy scoring from Johnson, along with teammate LenDale White contributing.

Rotter's Week 2 projection — 23.5 points, Johnson: 135 total yards, 1 TD (100 yards, 4 receptions for 35 yards)

3. Start Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning and RB Reggie Wayne

Minnesota's pass defense ranked as the league's worst last year and showed little improvement against Green Bay in the opener. Center Jeff Saturday may return Sunday to boost Indianapolis' interior blocking. Wayne caught 10 passes for 86 yards despite a rusty Manning struggling against Chicago's swarming defense. Expect Wayne and the All-Pro quarterback to be smoother and connect early and often.

Rotter's Week 2 projections — 55.6 points, Manning (29.6 points): 315 yards, 3 TDs; Wayne (26 points): 9 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD

2. Start Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Willie Parker and WR Hines Ward

Roethlisberger totaled seven touchdowns; Parker recorded two 100-yard rushing days and Ward scored twice vs. Cleveland last year. This season, Cleveland started poorly on defense, allowing Tony Romo to throw for 320 yards, Marion Barber to total 101 yards and two TDs and Terrell Owens to score.

Rotter's Week 2 projections — 76.4 points, Roethlisberger (27.9 points): 210 yards, 3 TD; Parker (29.5 points): 115 total yards, 2 TD (110 yards, 1 reception for 5 yards); Ward (19 points); 6 receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD

1. Start New York Giants QB Eli Manning, RB Brandon Jacobs and WR Plaxico Burress

Jacobs averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the opener, finishing with 116 yards. Burress had a Week 1 high of 10 catches for 133 yards. Their Week 2 foe St. Louis was ravaged by Philadelphia in the opener, allowing 361 yards and three scores to McNabb and two scores to Brian Westbrook. Led by Manning, Look for the Giants to excel in the dome that is safe from any inclement weather.

Rotter's Week 2 projections — 85.3 points, Manning (24.8 points): 295 yards, 2 TD; Jacobs (29.5 points): 155 total yards, 2 TD (135 yards, 2 receptions for 20 yards); Burress (31 points); 10 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD