Week 2 Where to Put 'em

Saturday, Sep 19, 2009 at 12:00 pm ET

fantasy football rankings
Where to Put 'em is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for the week. Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.

Put 'em In The Game: Brett Favre
If the Lions gave up 358 yards and 6 touchdowns to Drew Brees, surely ol' man Favre can get a few. The Vikings won't be airing it out because their run game will keep them ahead, but if there was ever a week to start him, this is it.

Put 'em In The Game: Trent Edwards
Tony Romo ripped apart the Tampa Bay secondary last week and Trent Edwards has the ability to do so as well. Edwards did pretty well against the NE Defense throwing for 212 yards and 2 TD's (of which none went to T.O.). Owens should spread the D and look for him and Evans to have good games.

Put 'em In The Game: Darren McFadden
I'm not a big fan of Run DMC, but even I have to admit that he'll have a big, big game against the Chiefs who rank 31st against the run. Looking back at last year's matchup, Run DMC had 164 yards and a touchdown. Look for a repeat.

Put 'em In The Game: Clinton Portis
Portis may not have had a stellar outing last week, but look for that to turn around against the Rams who allowed 167 rushing yards and a TD last week against the Seahawks. Portis is arguably better than any Seattle RB.

Put 'em In The Game: Santonio Holmes
Nobody expected last week's performance from Santonio. He was inconsistent last year and only put up solid numbers in the post-season. I'm looking for my spot on the Holmes-bandwagon and recommending his start this week. I like Ward in the red zone, but Holmes for the yardage.

Put 'em In The Game: Chris Cooley
Chris Cooley could be "THE TE" to start this week. He faced a tough Giants D last week and came away with a very respectable 7 reception, 68 yard, 1 TD game. This week he faces the Rams who are fresh off a dismal performance giving up 6 receptions, 95 yards, and 2 TDs to John Carlson from Seattle.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jay Cutler
The Packers took out Matt Forte and Greg Olsen which left Jay Cutler with no weapons. Cutler looked simply awful in the first half and only slightly better in the 2nd. Let Cutler lose the jitters and get in rhythm with his new team before you even think about starting him. Move over Jake Delhomme - Jay's going to the bench with you.

Put 'em On The Bench: Matt Cassel
Word is that Cassel will most likely suit up and start this game, but check the Injury report prior to game time to be safe. There are plenty of questions regarding his readiness and Oakland only allowed 1 TD to Philip Rivers last week. I know you drafted Cassel thinking he would repeat last year's performance, but it's not safe to start him yet. Put 'em on the bench this week. You'll thank me later.

Put 'em On The Bench: LaDainian Tomlinson
Yes - that's right. LT was probably your #1 or #2 pick in the draft, but he's most likely not going to play. Even if he did, you don't want him against that brutal Baltimore defense. Get better soon LT.

Put 'em On The Bench: Steve Slaton
Just like LT, Slaton was most likely one of your first draft picks. Sorry guys but he's not worthy of a starting job this week. He turned in a poor performance last week and he faces the ridiculously tough Titans D this week. I know you're not supposed to sit your studs, but Slaton won't score big for you this week.

Put 'em On The Bench: Kevin Smith
Let's see...Kevin Smith Vs Pat and Kevin Williams. Yuck! Smith could not rush the ball last week and he's going to perform even worse this week against a very, very tough Minnesota run defense.

Put 'em On The Bench: Dwayne Bowe
I nicknamed Dwayne Bowe "Mr. Consistency" last year because he turned in the same performance week after week. As much as I'd like to start him, I'm recommending you sit him ONLY if you have a better option. The QB situation is up in the air and Bowe will have to contend with Nnamdi Asomugha all day which is very tough to do. If you do start him, temper your expectations for this week. I hope I'm wrong on this one.

Put 'em On The Bench: DeSean Jackson
Jackson's value took a hit when McNabb got hurt. With McNabb most likely out and Vick not eligible to play, the QB duties fall to Kevin Kolb with Jeff Garcia as a backup. This isn't a good situation for any Philly wideout.

Put 'em On The Bench: Braylon Edwards
Will Braylon Edwards ever return to fantasy relevancy? I just don't know, but I'm confident that if it does happen, it won't be this week. Champ Bailey will have something to do with that.

Put 'em On The Bench: Benjamin Watson
If you're one of the hundreds of thousands of people who scrambled to pick up Watson from the waiver wires this week, slow down. I find it hard to believe that his 2 TD game will be repeated this week. Not with Welker, Moss, and the other TE Chris Baker in Tom Brady's arsenal. There's nothing in Watson's 2008 season to suggest that he'll repeat last week's performance. Sorry guys.

Put 'em On The Bench: Jeremy Shockey
Like Watson, Shockey is unlikely to repeat last week's performance. I am among those fantasy owners who went and grabbed Shockey off the waiver wires this week, but even I'll be sitting him. He doesn't have a good history against the Philly D. Drew Brees could make me eat my words on this one, but I think there are safer plays this week.

Join the Discussion

DT CommentedSep 20, 2009 11:00 am

I must comment on this.....How can Tom Brady be listed at #10 on your QB rankings this week if you are using the average ranks of the sites to use? I find that impossible actually. You tellign us the almost every site to are using has him listed as there #10 QB this week? That just cant be right. I use five sites and none have him below $5..so i must question how you got that ranking for Brady this week?

Nerd CommentedSep 20, 2009 11:00 am

I think Brady is a great QB this week even facing the Jets who looked very, very good last week (2nd best in the league against the score, 5th best in the league against the pass, 5th best in the league against the run). Welker may not play either. I have him in one of my leagues and I'll of course be starting him, but the rankings are based on projections. Disagree with whatever you like.

Here's an example: ESPN Week 2 Projections. They have him listed #10 with a projected 225 yards, 2 TD's, and 1 INT.

Here's another: FOX Sports Week 2 Projections. They have him listed at #17 with a projected 226 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT.

Thanks for the comment.

Nerd CommentedSep 20, 2009 11:00 am

Quick update on this comment. Looks like Brady finished the day at 216 yards, 0 TD, and 1 INT.

As a reminder, the projections are just that: projections. They're based upon the best information known at the time. In the case of Tom Brady, they were actually too optimistic and Brady should have been ranked worse than #10. They may not be perfect (only Vegas bookies can predict the future), but they still serve a purpose by giving me a consensus view. Your 5 sites may have Brady in the top 5 of each, but mine was a little better in this example by showing me that perhaps Brady wasn't worth a top 5 ranking this week.

That doesn't mean that the consensus rankings are always right, nor does that mean that I always listen to them. I use the rankings as part of my decision-making process. Had I listened to my own site, I would have started Favre instead who did produce more points than Brady.

Thanks again for the comment.

imfromjersey CommentedSep 23, 2009 11:00 am

I was going to Sit DeSean Jackson and play Justin Gage instead last Sunday. Lucky for me my 3rd WR, Wes Welker was out, so Jackson played and had a great game. So much for the start/sit recommendations. Guess Kevin Kolb is not so bad as we thought, or Desean Jackson is just that good. I won't be sitting him again until the bye week...

Nerd CommentedSep 23, 2009 11:00 am

LOL You know, I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw the highlight for Jackson. Kolb played beyond expectations. I was expecting a JaMarcus Russell-type performance and I was wrong (but I wasn't alone!!).

There were quite a few WTF's in Week 2. While Jackson did very well, guys like Greg Jennings, Reggie Wayne, and Tom Brady went in the opposite direction.

That's why I preface the Where to Put'em list with "Decisions are based upon the FFN rankings and matchup analysis. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid."

A healthy dose of gut instinct helps a lot (and apparently so did Wes Welker's inactive status!!).