T.J. Yeldon

Fantasy football: Top 10 Week 2 matchups to attack

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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As you get your fantasy football lineup set for Sunday, check out these top 10 week 2 matchups to attack for big-time fantasy points.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) is in one of the best fantasy football week 2 matchups, so get him in your lineup if you can. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s already Week 2 in the NFL this Sunday, and teams in the NFL and fantasy football will try to show that they really are contenders. Some teams are looking to bounce back from a Week 1 loss while others are trying to show their Week 1 win was no fluke. To help you make sure you have your best lineup in place for this week, check out the top week 2 matchups to attack on the following slides. The players listed are set up for success this Sunday since they will face opponents that are vulnerable to their attack.

Fantasy football week 2 has already produced some nice performances for fantasy owners. The Bills lost at home and lost their offensive coordinator as a result while the Jets had a 300 yard passer, two 100-yard receivers, and a huge game from Matt Forte. Whether you come into tomorrow ahead, behind, or with your game still un-started, getting players in good week 2 matchups should be a key piece of your strategy.

To help you with your lineup decisions for the week, my Week 2 rankings have been updated, and you can also use our cool new start/sit advice tool. If you’re still uncertain based on your league’s rule quirks or other issues, you can always find my on Twitter @FansidedFantasy to ask your specific question. It’s also a great idea to set a bookmark on our fantasy football hub to keep up with all our content throughout the season. Tomorrow morning you can find last-minute sleepers to give you a boost, and make sure to check back Monday for the leading scorers, biggest busts, and most pleasant surprises of Week 2.

Heading into NFL Sunday, there are once again some key injuries to consider as you make your lineup decisions. Demaryius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski are shaping up to be true gametime decisions while Jamaal Charles (doubtful), Chris Ivory (out), and Tyler Eifert (out) will need at least one more week before returning.

Whether you’re managing around an injury or are just trying to make that final lineup decision for your DFS or season-long team, make sure to consider the players’ Week 2 matchups. While over-weighting matchups can result in leaving good starts on your bench, analyzing some of the best matchups to attack can help you get players in a place where they could have monster weeks in fantasy football week 2.

To see the 10 Week 2 matchups that I think you should try to attack, check out the following slides starting with an entire offense getting an upgrade.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass attempt to running back Rashad Jennings (23) while Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (92) defends in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Giants offense vs Saints

The Saints defense was one of the best matchups to attack last season especially through the air, and based on their week 1 showing not much will change this season. The Saints gave up 486 yards of offense at home to the Raiders while losing on a last-minute two-point conversion.

New Orleans allowed the ninth most fantasy points to opposing QB in week 1 allowing Derek Carr to rack up 319 yards and passing TD. They allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs surrendering 151 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and they also allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WR giving up 243 yards a touchdown and the two-point conversion. All those numbers are made even worse by the fact that they gave up those numbers at home.

This week, the Saints head to New York City where they’ll face the Giants. New York and New Orleans fans are sure to remember last year’s 52-49 shootout in New Orleans, and fantasy owners are sure to want a piece of the action with that many points flying around.

Eli Manning is my top QB to start this week as a result of the matchup and Odell Beckham Jr. is a great play as always. While Beckham should have been in your lineup regardless of matchup, a fringe option to play this week as a result the matchup is rookie receiver Sterling Shepard. Shepard had a good debut hauling in three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, and he’s a good start this week since he’s in out of the best week 2 matchups.

Don’t overlook the fact that it wasn’t just the Saints pass defense that struggled week 1. Rashad Jennings is a great play this week after a strong finish to the Giants’ Week 1 win in Dallas. Jennings totaled 75 yards on 18 rushes and clearly performed as the teams lead back. In the best of the week 2 matchups, Jennings has RB1 upside but I see him as a very strong RB2 who should be started in almost all formats. Shane Vereen is an interesting flier as well in this matchup, but he’s clearly behind Jennings on the depth chart making him high risk.

If you have any Giants in your lineup, you should feel confident that there will be plenty of fantasy points to go around as they look to drop Drew Brees and the Saints’ struggling defense to 0-2.

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball during the third quarter as Chicago Bears outside linebacker Willie Young (97) attempts to make a tackle at NRG Stadium. The Texans won 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Miller vs Chiefs

While Will Fuller and Brock Osweiler got a lot of attention after the Texas Week 1 win, Lamar Miller looks poised for a monster fantasy season and will look to continue his production this week. Miller is in one of the better week 2 matchups as he faces the Chiefs defense in Houston.

Miller started the season with a career-high 28 carries and 32 touches totaling 106 yards on the ground and 28 more through the air. He didn’t get into the end zone but was clearly the team’s go-to option in the red zone and everywhere else on the field. After years of under-utilization in Miami, Miller looks ready to become a fantasy star in coach Bill O’Brien’s offense.

O’Brien and the Texans will look to move to 2-0 as they welcome in Kansas City this week. While the Chiefs have a reputation for having a pretty good defense, they’re actually one of the better week 2 matchups for running backs. They opened the year with a big comeback win at home, but they allowed the Chargers running backs to find the end zone three times while totaling 177 yards rushing and receiving.

Miller has more fantasy potential than Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead, and he should be heavily involved again on Sunday. I have him as the no. 3 ranked running back this week based on his workload and matchup. He’s an elite-tier running back and should continue to produce big fantasy points for as long as he’s healthy in Houston.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) celebrates the win against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Anderson & Emmanuel Sanders vs Colts

It seems like a long time ago, but the Broncos looked pretty solid when they won their season opener against the Panthers on Thursday Night Football. The Colts defense, on the other hand, looked anything-but-solid against the Lions in their Week 1 loss to Detroit.

C.J. Anderson was one of the heroes from fantasy football week 1, and he has an even better draw in the week 2 matchups. Anderson ran for 92 yards on 20 carries and added 47 more yards on four catches. He got into the end zone once as a receiver and once as a rusher as one of the best running backs in week 1.

The Colts had no success stopping the Lions’ backfield committee week 1 allowing four touchdowns to Detroit’s backfield. Detroit’s running backs scored two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns totaling 229 yards on ten catches and 21 rushes. While Anderson probably won’t reach those loft heights on his own, he is set up for one of the best week 2 matchups and should be started in almost all formats.

Another Broncos player who will have a chance to step up with a big game is wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders led the team in targets in their Week 1 win hauling in five of the eight passes thrown his way for 49 yards.

The reason I like Sanders so much this week is that a number of injuries should help him take advantage of his week 2 matchup. Sanders will take on a badly banged up Colts’ secondary, and he’ll be the Broncos top receiver since Demaryius Thomas will likely be limited even if he does give it a go. Thomas is officially questionable for this week as he tries to play through a hip injury. My best guess is that he gives it a go, but that his limitations open the door for a big game from Sanders.

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Ryan @ Raiders

The Falcons took a tough home loss to their divisional rivals the Bucs in Week 1, but it was the start of what could be a bounce back year for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta passing game. Ryan’s yards were there last year, but his touchdowns dropped as Atlanta struggled in the red zone.

This season, things started to look a little bit better as Ryan through a pair of touchdowns while completing 27 of his 39 passes for a total of 334 yards. It was one of Ryan’s better games recently, and he looked like he could be turning things around after regressing the last few seasons.

While I’m not sure I’m all in on Ryan just yet, I do love him this week as he and the Falcons fly west to take on the Raiders. Oakland gave up more fantasy points to the opposing QB than every other team in the NFL except the Lions. They allowed Drew Brees to throw for 423 yards and four touchdowns.

Ryan should be able to get to around 300 yards again and will have a one-week healthier Julio Jones to utilize on the outside. Both Jones and second receiver Mohamed Sanu practiced on a limited basis this week but are not on the injury list for Sunday’s contest. With Jones and Sanu available and the Raiders porous secondary to attack, Ryan is a fringe QB1 and a strong option in dual-QB leagues since he’s in one of the best week 2 matchups for QB’s.

Sep 11, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) rushes against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Miami, 12-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas Rawls @ Rams

The Seahawks survived a scary week 1 where they almost dropped a game at home to the Dolphins, but some late Russell Wilson heroics bailed them out. The Seahawks weren’t able to get much going on the ground as they shared time between preseason-standout Christine Michael and the just-returning Thomas Rawls.

Rawls ended up running the ball 12 times for just 32 yards and caught three passes for 26 more yards. Michael got the start and played more snaps finishing with 15 carries for 66 yards and two catches for just five more yards. While Michael had better production, Rawls is the better option going forward since he will be the starter going forward.

Rawls returns to his starting job this week in a tasty matchup against the Rams. LA will host a regular season NFL game for the first time since 1980 as the Seahawks visit this Sunday, and Rawls should be ready to crash the party. The Rams gave up three rushing touchdowns to the 49ers’ running backs on Monday Night Football surrendering 130 yards rushing and receiving to San Francisco’s backfield.

Another reason why Rawls is in one of the better week 2 matchups is that Russell Wilson will be playing through an ankle injury. Since Seattle will try to limit his exposure to the Rams pass rush, expect plenty of work for Rawls with a little bit of C-Mike mixed in as a change-of-pace option. Last year when Rawls was the starter he got a heavy workload, and I expect him to be a strong RB2 with RB1 upside as a result of his return to the starting lineup this week.

Jun 14, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) tries to catch a pass during minicamp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Benjamin vs Jaguars

The most brutal fantasy football injury of Week 1 was the Chargers’ losing Keenan Allen for the season. Allen was a target monster and Philip Rivers’ go-to option in San Diego’s pass-heavy attack. Without Allen going forward, there will be chances for several Chargers receivers to step up.

The first player to get into your lineup for the Chargers at wide receiver is their offseason addition Travis Benjamin. Benjamin is a great deep threat, but he also got very involved in the shorter passing game last week. After Allen departed, Benjamin stepped into a lot of attention from Rivers totaling seven catches on his eight targets. He only managed 32 yards against the Chiefs’ secondary on those catches, though.

This week, Benjamin will be the team’s go-to receiver against the Jaguars. Jacksonville gave up six catches to both Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson in their Week 1 matchup. Nelson and Devante Adams found the end zone in Green Bay’s 27-23 win.

As the Jags roll into Southern California, Benjamin should be targeted enough to have a floor as a WR3 and the upside to be a WR2 if he can get loose for a few games. Depending on his availability and price in DFS, Benjamin could be a great value as he replaces Keenan Allenas the go-to target in one of the more interesting week 2 matchups to watch to see who steps up.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Damarious Randall (23) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) during the first half of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Yeldon @ Chargers

On the other side of that same Jacksonville-San Diego game, the Jags will look to get their first win as they travel across the country to try and take on the Chargers. For the second week in a row, the Jags will be without their big free agent singing Chris Ivory.

Ivory is back with the team after an emergency hospitalization last week, but he is out again for this week. His absence leaves T.J. Yeldon in one of the better week 2 matchups as he gets another chance at being a feature-back for Jacksonville.

In week 1, Yeldon only managed 39 yards on 21 carries. He was able to add 30 yards on four catches and punched the ball into the end zone from five yards out for his first touchdown of the year. He should be very involved in the Jags’ attack again this week as they take on San Diego.

The Chargers allowed Spencer Ware to put up huge numbers in week 1 as both a rusher and a receiver. He ended up with 129 yards on seven catches and 70 yards on 11 carries. Ware made it into the end zone as well against a Chargers run defense that struggled all last season.

With no Ivory, Yeldon gets another chance to establish himself as the leader in the committee, and I think he’s a fringe RB2 despite his struggles last week. Get him in your lineup if you need running back help, but he isn’t “automatic” as he reminded us last week.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills strong safety Duke Williams (27) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Wallace @ Browns

Last week, I had Wallace at the top of my list of last-minute sleeper wide receivers as he and the Ravens opened the year against the Bills. Wallace got off to a good start hauling in three passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ 13-7 low-scoring victory.

Wallace spent the preseason developing a clear connection with Baltimore QB Joe Flacco, and the two showed their vertical potential on a 66-yard touchdown strike. Wallace and the Ravens will look to take advantage of the same kind of route this week as they take on the Browns.

Cleveland looked horrible in their Week 1 loss to the Carson Wentz-led Eagles. In one of the week 2 matchups to attack, look for Wallace to continue his re-emergence as a fantasy option after spending last year lost in the run-heavy Minnesota attack.

Wallace’s six target were second on the team behind Steve Smith’s eight, and he should continue to be a WR3 this week in a very getable matchup.

Sep 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs after a catch during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Rudolph vs Green Bay

The Vikings got a win last week with Shaun Hill at the controls, but this week it looks like Sam Bradford’s time to step up. The Vikings host the Packers on Sunday Night Football in what should be an entertaining NFC North rivalry game in primetime.Rudolph showcased a good connection with Hill catching four passes for 65 yards on eight targets. His fantasy owners will hope he can continue his profitable production this week with Sam Bradford who did make Zach Ertz a solid fantasy option coming down the stretch last year.

For the last few years, Rudolph has looked like an option on the verge of breaking out, but he has yet to put everything together for a huge year. He did stay healthy last year, but in Minnesota’s run-heavy attack had just 495 yards on his 49 catches.

He got the season off to a good start last week, but he is risky since he likely will have a new QB to work with. The Packers are one of the better week 2 matchups for TE after allowing seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown to the Jags’ tight ends in week 1.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Connor Barwin (98) and free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III (not pictured) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles defense @ Bears

If you’re streaming defenses this week, there are three Week 2 matchups to keep an eye on. The Ravens are a good option against the Browns, the Lions host the very giving Titans, and the Eagles are in my favorite matchup against the Bears on Monday Night Football.

Tennessee, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Miami, and Seattle all gave up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Bears in Week 1, but no team allowed more sacks than the Bears. Chicago’s offense let Jay Cutler get dumped five times by the Texans, and they turned the ball over on a second-half interception.

The Eagles looked solid on Sunday albeit against RG3 and the Browns. Their attacking front totaled three sacks and five tackles for loss, and Rodney McLeod picked off RG3 for their one forced turnover of the game.

While the Eagles defense may not be an every-week starting unit, they are a nice play in the last of the week 2 matchups against the Bears on Monday Night Football.