Week 2 - Players to Start and Sit
This is the Fantasy Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FN. Rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Justin Jefferson, Patrick Mahomes, or Christian McCaffrey. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Anthony Richardson (IND, QB)It's not a great matchup, but Anthony Richardson is startable this week. The rookie surprised many in his first start putting up 20 fantasy points last week. Not only did he rush for 40 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw for 223 yards and a score. Although he got a bit banged up, he should still suit up for Week 2 and could be a fringe QB1.
Start 'em Daniel Jones (NYG, QB)It was tough for fantasy owners to watch the Sunday night game. Daniel Jones was essentially running for his life that entire game. Fortunately the Cardinals defense is going to be much more favorable than the Cowboys. Sam Howell put up 15 points against them last week. With Jones' rushing upside, he should be able to do similar or better.
Start 'em David Montgomery (DET, RB)While Jahmyr Gibbs certainly looked far more dynamic, it was David Montgomery who had the lion's share of the carries toting the rock 21 times for 74 yards and a score. Don't be surprised if Gibbs eats into that workload as the season progresses, but there's enough here, especially in this matchup, to keep Montgomery locked in as a solid RB2.
Start 'em Miles Sanders (CAR, RB)Another guy on a new team this year is Miles Sanders who saw high usage last week in his Carolina debut. The Saints are not a great matchup (they held Derrick Henry to 13 fantasy points), but the potential volume makes Sanders a RB2/Flex option. He should have a fairly safe floor even if his ceiling won't be particularly high in this one.
Start 'em Tee Higgins (CIN, WR)You won't normally see Tee Higgins on the start list because it's assumed that you will always start him. After last week's doughnut, fantasy owners may be a bit rattled. Don't be. The conditions in that game were awful and Burrow had one of his worst games. Things should turn around nicely against the Ravens who gave up double-digit points to both Nico Collins and Robert Woods last week.
Start 'em Michael Pittman (IND, WR)Not knowing how Anthony Richardson's first game was going to go made it very difficult to project how Pittman's day would go. Fortunately, it appears that Richardson favored his star WR to the tune of 8-97-1. If he keeps targeting him like that (11 targets last game), Pittman's fantasy value should easily keep him in the high-end WR2 discussion.
Start 'em Evan Engram (JAC, TE)Let's face it. The TE position was in shambles last week with the top two tight ends inactive. Hopefully you started him, because this is a good week to leave him in the lineup. We're expecting a high scoring game when the Jaguars face the Chiefs, and Kansas City may struggle to contain Engram.
Start 'em Sam LaPorta (DET, TE)If you're willing to take a chance, Sam LaPorta could be a sneaky option this week. He caught all five of his targets in Week 1 and will face a Seahawks defense that was one of the most favorable defenses to tight ends last season. Don't be surprised if she sneaks into the Top 12 this week.
Start 'em New Orleans Saints (NO, DEF)The New Orleans Saints are a MUST START this week. They had pressure on Ryan Tannehill the entire game picking him off three times. What do you think is going to happen to Bryce Young who looked every bit the rookie in his season debut? This doesn't even seem fair...unless you have the Saints defense of course.
Start 'em Riley Patterson (DET, K)Riley Patterson started his Lions career with a perfect game. This week he'll have a great opportunity to repeat against a Seattle defense that was mediocre against kickers last season and favorable to them in Week 1.
Sit 'em Dak Prescott (DAL, QB)The 6.3 points that Dak Prescott delivered last week was...underwhelming. He didn't really need to throw much as Tony Pollard and the Dallas defense did most of the damage. He may struggle to put up points this week against a Jets defense that forced four turnovers and kept Josh Allen to a very pedestrian 9 fantasy points.
Sit 'em Russell Wilson (DEN, QB)We all had higher hopes for Russell Wilson under HC Sean Payton. While he only had 177 yards through the air, he was able to throw a pair of scores. He'll face a Washington defense that is going to present a bigger challenge for him. If you have a better option than Wilson, this would be a good week to play it.
Sit 'em Khalil Herbert (CHI, RB)Khalil Herbert is atop the Bears RB chart, but you may have missed that fact watching the game. The Bears have more options at RB and they did a nice job sharing the workload - good for the team, not so good for fantasy. Limited opportunities and a middle-of-the-pack Bucs defense leaves Herbert as a flex option at best.
Sit 'em Dalvin Cook (NYJ, RB)Anyone watching the Monday night game could see that Breece Hall was both in excellent form and the more explosive runner. Dalvin Cook was a nice change of pace option, but he lacked the speed and shiftiness that Hall brings. We would not expect Cook to suddenly get five years younger and more explosive leaving him relegated to flex status.
Sit 'em Jakobi Meyers (LV, WR)While the defense focused on Davante Adams last week, Jakobi Meyers had a big game hauling in 9 passes for 81 yards and two scores. Assuming he clears the concussion protocol (he looked a bit out of it after a tough hit in the 4th quarter), be cautious about starting him. A repeat performance is not likely and the defensive matchup is going to be tough.
Sit 'em JuJu Smith-Schuster (NE, WR)Targeted 7 times last week, JuJu Smith-Schuster managed to haul in just four for a disappointing 33 yards. He looked lost on some plays and there was definitely some miscommunication on others. He may struggle quite a bit against the Dolphins in this one. JuJu should probably sit on the bench until we can see some consistency.
Sit 'em Hayden Hurst (CAR, TE)In his first game with the Panthers, Hayden Hurst hauled in five of his seven targets and found the endzone. He actually finished the week as the second best TE in fantasy, but this is a new week and we cannot count on a repeat. The Saints gave up the fewest points to tight ends last season and it looks like they'll be a contender to repeat that feat in 2023.
Sit 'em Zach Ertz (ARI, TE)It's tough to put much positive spin on what we saw last week from the Cardinals. Zach Ertz led the team with six catches on ten targets, but ultimately netted just 8 points. If your draft strategy had streaming TE's as a component, Ertz will have some value for you this season, but a matchup with the Giants might not be favorable. He's a sit for us this week.
Sit 'em New England Patriots (NE, DEF)The Patriots fared better than most thought they would when they faced the Eagles last week. It wasn't great, but it was ok. Unfortunately for the Pats, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle present a far greater test - one that we're going to side with the Dolphins on.
Sit 'em Greg Joseph (MIN, K)It's not a question of whether or not the Vikings can move the ball. They can, but Greg Joseph missed 21% of this field goal tries last year. Facing a Philly defense that gave up the 7th-fewest fantasy points to kickers last year means that you should stream a different kicker this week.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
jamisdiablo CommentedSep 14, 2023 9:36 am
sup NERDS!! Minor dilemma here... in a PPR league, in my final flex... roll with BHall (scary matchup), DSwift (tough to predict workload), IPacheco (eh) or Scary Terry (another tough matchup)... leaning Hall but very unsure... any thoughts? thanks!
Nerd CommentedSep 14, 2023 10:50 am
Not a bad dilemma to have. I'm leaning Breece Hall as well. Good luck!
jamisdiablo CommentedSep 15, 2023 9:57 am
swift has a career day! lol i love fantasy
mrock CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:16 am
wouldn't have predicted swift to put up that many points but he looked good. I think McLaurin is the guy to start
c30341 CommentedSep 15, 2023 9:16 am
Here's a WR choice to make & share your thoughts... Allen Robinson, Bateman, Beckham, Brandin Cooks, or Michael Thomas?? feel foolish with my lean-to Thomas right now.
mrock CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:17 am
Thomas
jamisdiablo CommentedSep 15, 2023 9:59 am
Who wins this trade?
I get Mandrews/Flowers (I have Lamar; league is a full PPR)
Opponent gets Chubb/Waller
I need WRs and my other backs are Pollard/Hall/Pacheco/Swift
Thanks!
Nerd CommentedSep 15, 2023 3:19 pm
As much as I'd hate to give up Nick Chubb, I'd probably do that trade. There's enough depth at RB to make it worthwhile.
mrock CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:17 am
I would do this trade
Ed Chan CommentedSep 16, 2023 1:01 pm
Agree with Nerd and mrock
nick831 CommentedSep 15, 2023 9:04 pm
looking for good week 2 QB Richardson or Goff i like Richardson don't like the matchup.
Nerd CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:13 am
Agreed - I'd still go with Richardson. Good luck!
mrock CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:19 am
Roll with Richardson
mrock CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:20 am
Do you guys trust Joshua Kelly? I picked him up and want to start him. I have Dameon Pierce and Javonte Williams. Can only start 2.
Smashed toad CommentedSep 17, 2023 9:21 am
I would not start Kelly over those guys
Smashed toad CommentedSep 17, 2023 9:21 am
LaPorta
Eric Paukune CommentedSep 16, 2023 2:41 pm
Hey guys should new here and need some help. 2 questions
Amari cooper or Aiyuk?
J Cook or J. Williams?
Ed Chan CommentedSep 16, 2023 4:30 pm
I'd go with Aiyuk and Cook
Rbeezie CommentedSep 16, 2023 7:55 pm
Cooper is out and won't play Sunday
Smashed toad CommentedSep 17, 2023 9:22 am
Aiyuk and Williams
Eric Paukune CommentedSep 17, 2023 1:01 pm
Locked in boys, thanks for the help. Went with cook, even though Williams is going against Carolina.
Ed Chan CommentedSep 16, 2023 4:40 pm
I have both Falcons RBs, starting Bijan and currently flexing Allgeier. They both are going to get their share of carries in a run heavy offense, but is it a wise move to have them both starting? Have Herbert, Lockett, Dotson and Moss on the bench. Moss is an interesting play, as are Lockett and Dotson. The 2 WRs were disappointing last week, but their matchups look better this week.
Nerd CommentedSep 16, 2023 5:38 pm
Interesting dilemma. You could feasibly play both, but I'm not sure I'd go with Allgeier over Lockett if that's an option.
jamisdiablo CommentedSep 16, 2023 8:25 pm
not starting 2 backs in same backfield unless it’s a proven productive timeshare - rare
jamisdiablo CommentedSep 16, 2023 8:25 pm
i’d flex a wr especially if it’s a PPR
Smashed toad CommentedSep 17, 2023 9:22 am
Bijan and flex Lockett
Eric Paukune CommentedSep 17, 2023 1:03 pm
After this week, depending on how they do. You should trade for eitehr for a high end WR2 or even a WR1
Hinzie22 CommentedSep 16, 2023 10:34 pm
Thanks for the great advice as always! .5 ppr league. Have to sit 1 of these 4 wr’s: G Wilson, J Dotson, G Davis, or P Nacua?
Also, Hunter Henry or Friermuth at TE?
Thanks
T-BONE ROADDOGS CommentedSep 17, 2023 7:27 am
Henry
Smashed toad CommentedSep 17, 2023 9:23 am
Sit Nacua
Start Friermuth
TimmyT CommentedSep 17, 2023 10:38 am
1/2 pt ppr, Doubs or E Moore. Looks like Watson is leaning to be out for GB today.
TimmyT CommentedSep 17, 2023 10:40 am
Also, planning to start Nacua, but that could that could be a let down?
Nerd CommentedSep 18, 2023 5:33 pm
Not sure I would do that yet, but I understand the desire
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