National Football League

Fantasy Football: Top 10 Start 'Em Picks For Week 2

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:06 p.m. ET

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Heading into Fantasy Football Week 2, make sure to start these top 10 players to reap many points straight to victory.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) catches a touchdown pass against Cleveland Browns cornerback Tramon Williams (22) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Week 1 of fantasy football is officially over. If you won congratulations and if you didn’t this is your opportunity to fix that and start some new players.

Last week’s season opener games offered us a glimpse into what the season will hold for players. Last week we saw running back Todd Gurley get shutdown barely earning five points; this week isn’t look better.

Running back Jamaal Charles is going to be out longer than expected; I would definitely consider drafting a filler if you didn’t handcuff him. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall didn’t even earn double-digit points in some leagues.

Every week there are going to be different opportunities for different players. Don’t start the wrong players. Check out these 10 players that have ideal matchups in Week 2!

10. Jordan Matthews, WR Philadelphia Eagles

Tight end Zach Ertz is out with a rib injury, which could only mean one thing for Jordan Matthews; he’s going to eat! His Week 1 performance was enough to convince me he is fantasy official.

Last week, Matthews completed half of his 14 targets for over 100 yards and a touchdown. He doubled his projected fantasy points for Week 1.

This week he takes on the Chicago Bears. In Week 1, wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller both scored touchdowns against the Bears with a combined total of over 50 fantasy points.

There is no way this week’s game will be a problem for him. Expect Matthews to have a repeat of last week’s domination.

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) carries the ball as Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

9. LeGarrette Blount, RB New England Patriots

I think my disclaimer, for now, will be, whoever is playing against the Miami Dolphins should always start. This week’s lucky winners are division rivals, the New England Patriots.

I never suggest starting a running back from the New England Patriots because they don’t use them as often as other teams that primarily focus on a running game. However, last week we saw the Patriots use LeGarrette Blount.

Blount had 70 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries during the season opener. Shockingly, he gave fantasy owners a little over 16 fantasy points.

The Dolphins rank 21st against backs and quarterback Tom Brady is still suspended. Expect to see Blount have another valuable week.

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

8. Eli Manning, QB New York Giants

Shame on you if you didn’t start quarterback Eli Manning in last week’s season opener; he was one of my sleeper picks! Manning completed a little more than 200 passing yards; his one interception was forgiven after his three touchdowns.

Manning earned over 20 fantasy points in his Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Manning has an impressive offensive line that offers him endless options on the field.

This weekend the Giants take on the New Orleans Saints, a team Manning is pretty familiar with. In his last three games against the Saints he averaged about 340 passing yards and 12 touchdowns; six of those were last season alone.

This is an ideal matchup for Manning and the Giants. Take the opportunity to get some extra points with him in your lineup.

Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Terence Newman (23) tackles San Diego Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

7. Travis Benjamin, WR San Diego Chargers

Some may argue that wide receiver Travis Benjamin should appear on my sleeper list and not my start ’em one but, with wide receiver Keenan Allen out for the season, I expect his workload to increase. I am also hoping Sunday’s Week 1 loss to the Chiefs was him dusting the rust off!

Benjamin completed 7-of-8 targets for just 32 yards and no touchdowns. His best play of the game was an eight-yard catch; yes, I am serious!

Week 2 looks more promising for Benjamin as he takes on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Yes, the Jaguars held quarterback Aaron Rodgers to less than 200 passing yards but, it was Week 1.

Last season, the Jaguars allowed the third most passing yards per game to opposing teams, there’s no way that drastically changed in one offseason. Start Benjamin this week! The Chargers will host the Jaguars in Week 2, who finished 29th in passing yards per game allowed last season. All signs point towards giving Benjamin a start in week two.

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) celebrates after his team scored against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

6. Spencer Ware, RB Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles is still not ready to start which means running back Spencer Ware will have another amazing week. I don’t even think the Kansas City Chiefs expected him to excel so greatly.

Ware had 11 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown in last week’s victory. He also completed 7-of-8 for almost 130 yards.

He earned fantasy owners over 30 points last week and it doesn’t seem like this week will be any different. This week Ware is projected to earn about 18 points against the Houston Texans.

Not only did Ware double his last week’s projected points but, the Texans rank 31st versus running backs. Expect Ware to take full advantage of Charles missing Week 2.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) goes after Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) during the second half of a football game at EverBank Field.The Green Bay Packers won 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

5. T.J. Yeldon, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

I’ll start off by saying running back T.J. Yeldon is only a starting option if Chris Ivory remains out. After being released from the hospital, Ivory’s status is still unknown; he is now listed as questionable.

If Ivory is out, Yeldon’s matchup offers him a chance to have a few more carries than last week’s 21. Also, keep in mind if it wasn’t for his touchdown, he would have been a huge bust.

However, this week, Yeldon takes on the San Diego Chargers. Did you see what Spencer Ware did against them last week? 11 carries, seven catches, and two touchdowns.

Last season in the same matchup, Yeldon had nine carries and four passes totaling a little over 80 yards. Should Ivory be held out again in Week 2, Yeldon is a sure start or filler.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) celebrates in from of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) after catching a touchdown pass at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

4. Sterling Shephard, WR New York Giants

Since Manning made it to the start list, it was only fair I include a Giants’ wide receiver. Ironically it’s not Odell Beckham Jr. who was a huge fantasy bust in Week 1; he was the only receiver on Big Blue to not score a touchdown.

Wide receiver Sterling Shephard had a great NFL debut last week. He completed 3-of-4 targets for a little over 40 yards and a touchdown; not too shabby for the rookie WR3.

This week, the Giants take on the Saints. Like I stated earlier, the Giants scored six touchdowns in their last matchup. This is going to be a huge week for Shephard.

Shepard is projected to earn a little more than 14 fantasy points however, he went above his projections last week, which leads me to believe it will happen again. Actually, start any receiver from the Giants you own!

Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56)during the first half of the preseason game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jeremy Langford, RB Chicago Bears

If you didn’t start running back Jeremy Langford last week, you can still start him this week. Langford had the highest percentage of snaps in the league; falling right behind him was running back David Johnson.

Langford has 57 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. He also completed 2-of-4 targets for six extra yards bringing fantasy owners into the double-digits.

He has a tough matchup against a strong Philadelphia Eagles’ defense. However, the Eagles are 22nd against the position and they offered running back Isaiah Crowell 62 yards and a touchdown last week.

Langford will get the carries. His capabilities can take your team to the next level, as long as he continues to stay focused and healthy.

Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Joe Flacco, QB Baltimore Ravens

If you have a two-quarterback league, or just want to change things up, Joe Flacco is the way to go. He showed a glimpse of what looked like a decent NFL return.

Flacco completed 23-of-34 passes. He had a little over 250 yards and a touchdown; we can’t forget the fumble! Not terrible for being a little rusty.

Flacco also showed great chemistry with wide receiver Mike Wallace, because of this the Week 2 Cleveland Browns matchup predicts a great outcome. The Browns rank 20th against opposing quarterbacks and 23rd against wideouts.

If Flacco can connect with Wallace and Steve Smith Sr., the Ravens will shut down the Browns. Flacco is a must start in your Week 2 lineup.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) is tackled by Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carolina Panthers D/ST

I gave the No. 1 start spot to the Carolina Panthers D/ST because last week I had them on my sit ’em list. If you started them, you know why; yes, they earned points but, not like some other players.

Last week’s performance against the best secondary in the NFL is a perfect example of why they should start in this week’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The Panthers may have lost last week but, they kept quarterback Trevor Siemian on lock and had completed two interceptions.

Yes, the 49ers demolished the Los Angeles Rams but, who are the Rams? I don’t buy it, the 49ers had one good game. After all, Blaine Gabbert only had 170 passing yards.

The Panthers rank sixth against quarterbacks. This is their first home game of the season and they’re looking to have a comeback game. Don’t think twice, start the Panthers D/ST!