Welcome to the Week 2 Fantasy Football Playbook!
This will be your game-by-game guide to the week's slate of NFL games, featuring score projections, over/unders, win probabilities and, of course, easily digestible fantasy advice for both season-long and DFS leagues. This guide should help you with all sorts of decision-making, including sit/start decisions, last-minute waiver adds and lineup choices.
The advice is centered on 12-team PPR leagues with relatively standard scoring and lineup settings (1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 Flex, 1 K, 1 D/ST), although I'll often mention "shallow" or "deep" leagues for borderline starters. The charts show all players who have been projected for at least 6.0 fantasy points this week, as well as all D/STs. "Matchup" is automatically determined using a proprietary metric that factors in both raw and volume-adjusted fantasy points allowed to each position by the opposing defense this season.
(Editor's note: Projections and rankings will align almost perfectly, but sometimes when a projection is close, a player might be ranked slightly higher or lower due to other factors, including upside or risk. This column is subject to possible updates during the weekend, though at the very minimum, rankings will updated on the site and projections will always be updated inside the game leading up to kickoff.)
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are big favorites at home against a Falcons' team that was crushed by the Eagles in Week 1. Tom Brady was terrific against Dallas and should be locked into lineups in a very good Week 2 matchup.
Leonard Fournette is on the RB2 radar after leading the Tampa Bay backfield in Week 1, but coach Bruce Arians says Ronald Jones II will start, so expectations should be kept in check. Jones and Giovani Bernard are too risky to start after quiet Week 1 performances.
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are weekly lineup locks and Antonio Brown is a viable flex. That opinion on Brown might seem low after an impressive Week 1, but he easily trailed both Evans and Godwin in routes and targets in that game and is averaging just 5.0 targets per game during his past eight outings in which Evans was also active.
Rob Gronkowski is back on the TE1 radar after scoring twice in Week 1, while O.J. Howard played on only six snaps.
Things aren't as appealing on the Atlanta side. Matt Ryan should be on benches after struggling against Philadelphia and Mike Davis is a flex option against an elite run defense, leaving Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts (8 targets each in Week 1) as the only lineup locks. In other words, the Buccaneers D/ST makes for a sharp Week 2 play.
Over/Under: 49.4 (5th-highest in Week 2)
Win Prob: Buccaneers 83% (3rd-highest)
Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins
The Bills are a good bet for a bounce-back performance at Miami this week after struggling against a good Pittsburgh defense in Week 1. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs are lineup locks. Devin Singletary got a value boost from Zack Moss being inactive last week and should be viewed as a flex option. Cole Beasley has a good matchup against Nik Needham, so he and Emmanuel Sanders are deep-league flex plays.
For Miami, Tua Tagovailoa isn't a recommended play against the Bills' tough defense. Myles Gaskin is the lead back for Miami, but is barely a top-30 play in this matchup. William Fuller V is done with his suspension, but may not play this week. Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker are flex options. Mike Gesicki was limited to 51% of the snaps and two targets in Week 1 and is now more of a TE2.
The Bills D/ST is a startable option, but avoid Miami against Allen and company.
DFS Alert: Allen is perhaps the best QB value at DraftKings this week. At $7,200, he's a full $1,000 cheaper than the top-priced Kyler Murray. Allen has been money in the bank throughout his career against the Dolphins, averaging 29.7 fantasy points per game. He has scored at least two touchdowns in all six games against Miami, reaching 29 points in four out of the five games in which he played in full.
Over/Under: 47.2 (9th-highest)
Win Prob: Bills 66% (7th-highest)
Cincinnati Bengals @ Chicago Bears
The Andy Dalton "Revenge Game" has the look of a low-scoring, close affair, but there are nevertheless plenty of fantasy-relevant players involved. It starts with the running backs, as both David Montgomery and Joe Mixon were top-eight fantasy backs in Week 1 and are again positioned for big workloads in decent matchups.
Allen Robinson II has a much better matchup this week and is a locked-in WR1. Running mate Darnell Mooney has some flex appeal against a Bengals' secondary missing Trae Waynes. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are the top wideouts in Cincinnati and both are lineup locks in a terrific matchup.
Tyler Boyd was limited to four targets and 23 air yards in Week 1, but he's on the flex radar in a good matchup against Marqui Christian. Cole Kmet racked up six targets in Week 1 and is good TE2 option. Neither quarterback is super appealing here, although Joe Burrow is the better option in superflex leagues.
DFS Alert: Despite an impressive Week 1 showing in which he posted a 5-101-1 receiving line and was WR15 in fantasy points, Chase checks in as only the 37th-priced WR in the DraftKings main slate this week. At $5,000, he's cheaper than Jakobi Meyers, DeVante Parker and Brandon Aiyuk. Chase played on 90% of the snaps and ran a route on 29 of 32 pass plays in Week 1. This week, he has a terrific matchup against Chicago perimeter corners Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor.
Over/Under: 44.2 (13th-highest)
Win Prob: Bears 53% (13th-highest)
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers
Both of these teams are coming off tough Week 1 matchups against very good defenses, so it wouldn't be any surprise to see a high-scoring affair in Dallas. As such, both quarterbacks belong in lineups. Dak Prescott was terrific in his return from injury and Justin Herbert is a major bounce-back candidate against a much less intimidating defense. Avoid both D/STs this week.
Austin Ekeler was shockingly not targeted in Week 1, but that is likely to change in Week 2. He and Ezekiel Elliott (locked down by Tampa Bay's elite run defense) are both mid-to-back-end RB1 plays this week.
Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb are lineup locks. Mike Williams could draw shadow coverage from Trevon Diggs (who locked down Mike Evans in Week 1), but he's still on the WR3 radar after a strong Week 1. Cedrick Wilson is a deep sleeper as Dallas' slot man while Michael Gallup is out.
DFS Alert: Jared Cook is the only viable tight end in this game after Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin split work for Dallas in Week 1. He is also a terrific value at DraftKings this week. The 11th-priced TE on the main slate, Cook's $3,900 price point is nearly half the cost of top-priced Darren Waller. Cook wasn't an every-down player in his Chargers debut, but posted a solid 5-56-0 receiving line on eight targets while edging Donald Parham Jr. 29-11 in routes. The Dallas defense was crushed for an 8-90-2 receiving line by Gronk and the rest of Tampa Bay's tight ends in Week 1.
Over/Under: 52.9 (3rd-highest)
Win Prob: Chargers 50% (15th-highest)
Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars
The Broncos are a comfortable favorite on the road this week against a Jaguars team that was crushed by rebuilding Houston in Week 1.
Teddy Bridgewater is on the sleeper radar and is a starting option in deep leagues. Trevor Lawrence should be avoided against an elite Denver defense.
James Robinson and Carlos Hyde split backfield duties in Week 1, but Robinson is the preferred RB2 play as the better rusher and primary pass-catcher. Melvin Gordon III had the long touchdown, but he and Javonte Williams also split snaps and touches. That leaves both as just Week 2 flex options, despite a decent matchup.
With Jerry Jeudy out, Courtland Sutton leaps up into the WR2 discussion despite a rough Week 1. His running mates Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler are deep-league sleepers in this matchup. Jacksonville will continue to spread targets to Marvin Jones Jr., DJ Chark Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr., which limits each of the trio's upside and positions them all as WR3/flex plays.
At tight end, Noah Fant is a TE1 after an eight-target Week 1, whereas we will need to see it again from Jaguars TE James O'Shaughnessy (also eight targets) before considering him for lineups.
Over/Under: 43.4 (14th-highest)
Win Prob: Broncos 71% (5th-highest)
Houston Texans @ Cleveland Browns
The Browns are heavy home favorites this week after falling just short to the Chiefs in Week 1. The Browns D/ST, in a good spot for a rebound, is a viable starting option. Meanwhile, the Texans blew out the lowly Jaguars, but will have their hands full against a loaded Cleveland offense. Neither team's quarterback is ranked as a starter in 12-team leagues, but Baker Mayfield is at least on the radar.
Cleveland RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt should never be benched, but Houston RBs Mark Ingram II, David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay should never be started ... at least for now. The trio split snaps 34-21-20, respectively, in Week 1, and Rex Burkhead also played on 10 snaps.
Brandin Cooks is the only Texans wide receiver who should be close to lineups this week. With Odell Beckham Jr. out again, Jarvis Landry leaps into the WR2 mix. Landry handled a massive 27% target share during the 11 games he played and Beckham didn't in 2020. He was WR23 in fantasy points during the nine of those weeks that fell during the regular season.
Keep an eye on Donovan Peoples-Jones as a sleeper after he ran 25 of a possible 30 routes but was targeted only once in Week 1. Anthony Schwartz racked up a team-high 122 air yards in Week 1, but he only ran 16 routes, which makes him a risky flex option.
Austin Hooper (13) ran fewer routes than David Njoku (14) in Week 1, leaving both as back-end TE2 plays.
Over/Under: 47.6 (7th-highest)
Win Prob: Browns 87% (Highest)
Los Angeles Rams @ Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are set to host an NFC West team for the second straight week and it will be tough sledding against a Rams side that showed well in Matthew Stafford's team debut. Stafford's hot start positions him as a back-end QB1, even against a good Colts' defense. He should be joined in fantasy starting lineups by Darrell Henderson Jr., who played on 47 of a possible 50 snaps in Week 1. He should be a solid RB2 until Sony Michel's role increases.
Cooper Kupp has a tough matchup against Kenny Moore II, but both he and Robert Woods should be locked into fantasy lineups. Consider Rams' No. 3 WR Van Jefferson for a bench spot, but don't place him in your flex just yet.
Tyler Higbee ran a route on 25 of the Rams' 27 pass plays in Week 1 and might finally be on the verge of a breakout. He's a fringe TE1.
The Rams' D/ST is quite startable against the Colts. Why? Well, Carson Wentz is still nowhere close to QB1 status. His top pass-catchers (Michael Pittman Jr., Zach Pascal, Parris Campbell and TE Jack Doyle) are all best left on benches this week. That leaves Jonathan Taylor (back-end RB1) as your only lineup lock from this team, although Nyheim Hines is a flex option. Hines (8) and Taylor (7) combined for 15 of the Colts' 34 targets in Week 1.
Over/Under: 45.7 (11th-highest)
Win Prob: Rams 63% (8th-highest)
Las Vegas Raiders @ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers will host the Raiders after both teams pulled off impressive upset victories in Week 1. Ben Roethlisberger is a borderline starting option in a decent matchup against the Raiders defense, but Derek Carr remains a poor QB1 option and should be on benches. The Steelers D/ST is definitely good enough to use this week despite facing a Raiders offense that put up 33 points against Baltimore in Week 1.
Granted he struggled a bit, but Najee Harris played on 100% of the offensive snaps in his first NFL game and has a better matchup this week. He should never be benched. Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake shared the backfield load in Week 1, but Jacobs is the preferred RB2 option of the two.
Pittsburgh's entire wide receiver trio (Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool) belongs in starting lineups, and all should be considered as WR2/WR3 options. On the other side of the coin, Las Vegas' entire wide receiver trio (Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow) belongs on benches, as not one of them sees enough volume to warrant flex consideration.
The lone bright spot for the Raiders is at tight end. Darren Waller and his league-high 19 targets belong locked into every lineup.
DFS Alert: Harris underwhelmed in his professional debut, but it can't be ignored that the rookie played on every single offensive snap. He racked up 16 carries and three targets in the game. This week, he checks in at $6,300, which places him behind the likes of Miles Sanders and James Robinson. That's a nice value in a good matchup against a Las Vegas defense that allowed 142 yards and two scores (on 26 touches) by a beat-up Ravens' RB room in Week 1.
Over/Under: 47.4 (8th-highest)
Win Prob: Steelers 62% (10th-highest)
Minnesota Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals
Arizona enters Week 2 fresh off a shocking blowout of Tennessee, whereas Minnesota is looking to rebound after stumbling against the Bengals. Neither D/ST is recommended, but Arizona is the preferred option of the two.
Kyler Murray and top target DeAndre Hopkins are lineup locks for Arizona. Chase Edmonds probably fits that bill, as well, after a good showing as lead back in Week 1. His running mate James Conner is best used as a flex option in non-PPR leagues.
Christian Kirk had a big Week 1 and A.J. Green has a good matchup against Bashaud Breeland, but with rookie Rondale Moore also getting work, none of Arizona's secondary receivers are safe flex plays.
Kirk Cousins lacks a ceiling and isn't a recommended streamer after Arizona embarrassed Ryan Tannehill. However, Minnesota's star RB Dalvin Cook and WR duo Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are lineup locks for the Vikings. Minnesota went heavy on three-WR sets in Week 1, which makes K.J. Osborn a fine waiver add, but he shouldn't be in lineups. The same goes for Tyler Conklin, who may lose work to Chris Herndon.
Over/Under: 48.1 (6th-highest)
Win Prob: Cardinals 60% (12th-highest)
New England Patriots @ New York Jets
Week 2 will feature the first of what may be many meetings between rookie QBs Mac Jones and Zach Wilson. Unsurprisingly, this game has one of the lowest projected totals on the slate. Neither quarterback is a recommended fantasy play, especially after the two combined for zero rushing attempts in their pro debut. Their primary pass-catchers are similarly unenticing. The Patriots D/ST should be in lineups this week.
For New England, Jakobi Meyers sees enough target volume to warrant WR3 consideration and Nelson Agholor is a deep-league flex. Jonnu Smith (5) and Hunter Henry (3) combined for eight targets in their Patriots' debut, with Henry holding an edge in both snaps (52-51) and routes (25-19). Neither has a clear path to consistent TE1 numbers right now.
Corey Davis showed well in his Jets' debut and is on the WR3 radar despite a matchup with a good Patriots secondary. Jamison Crowder is back from the COVID-19 list, but he and Elijah Moore (who was painfully quiet in his debut) both belong on benches.
Both teams are utilizing backfield committees and there are no safe fantasy options. Damien Harris and James White are on the flex radar, but Harris is in jeopardy of losing snaps after Sunday's game-losing fumble. Ty Johnson was the Jets' lead back in Week 1, but was limited to four carries and three targets.
Over/Under: 42.1 (15th-highest)
Win Prob: Patriots 66% (6th-highest)
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
The Panthers beat the Jets in Week 1, but they'll have a much tougher test this week against a New Orleans team that just crushed the Packers.
Christian McCaffrey lived up to his ADP and easily led all backs in fantasy points in Week 1. He joins DJ Moore and Robby Anderson as the only lineup locks in the Carolina offense. That duo will benefit from the absence of injured Marshon Lattimore. Terrace Marshall Jr. was the clear No. 3 WR in Week 1, but he's best left on benches. Sam Darnold isn't close to starting territory, especially against a defense that held Aaron Rodgers to 1.3 fantasy points.
For the Saints, Alvin Kamara is the only must start. Jameis Winston's stock is on the rise after an impressive Week 1 in which he tossed five touchdowns. He's a starting option in superflex. Game script (only 23 passing plays) bit Marquez Callaway in Week 1, but he was the Saints' No. 1 receiver (50 of 60 snaps) and better days are surely ahead.
Juwan Johnson scored twice in Week 1, but note that he played on only 11 snaps. That's not sustainable production. He and running mate Adam Trautman (50 snaps) aren't yet TE1 options.
The Saints D/ST is worth a start after dominating the Packers in Week 1. The unit will be missing Lattimore and Marcus Davenport, but will have Bradley Roby back from suspension.
Over/Under: 45.3 (12th-highest)
Win Prob: Saints 73% (4th-highest)
San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are set to host the 49ers after both teams came away victorious against inferior competition in Week 1. Despite the wins, neither D/ST is recommended this week.
Starting with the Eagles, Jalen Hurts was terrific against Atlanta and is a viable QB1 even against a good 49ers defense. Miles Sanders is deferring some work to Kenneth Gainwell, but he still played on 66% of the Week 1 snaps and is locked into RB2 status. Gainwell, meanwhile, should be on benches.
DeVonta Smith was outstanding in his pro debut and can be viewed as a WR3 with room for more. Jalen Reagor wasn't an every-down player in Week 1, so leave him on benches for now. Dallas Goedert remains a back-end TE1, but we'll bump him up a few spots if Zach Ertz (hamstring) surprisingly sits out.
For the 49ers, Trey Lance played on only four snaps in Week 1, but that was enough to steal a passing touchdown from Jimmy Garoppolo. That's enough evidence that Garoppolo should not be in fantasy lineups.
With Raheem Mostert out for the season, sixth-round rookie Elijah Mitchell suddenly finds himself atop the 49ers' RB depth chart. Mitchell racked up 19 carries, but wasn't targeted in his NFL debut. With third-round rookie Trey Sermon lurking, Mitchell should be viewed as a flex for now, whereas JaMycal Hasty and especially Sermon are both solid bench holds.
The 49ers also surprised us with their WR usage in Week 1. Deebo Samuel and his 52% target share should be locked into lineups. Brandon Aiyuk wasn't targeted in Week 1 and, while better days are ahead, he belongs on benches for now.
Over/Under: 45.9 (10th-highest)
Win Prob: Eagles 53% (14th-highest)
Tennessee Titans @ Seattle Seahawks
Seattle and Tennessee are set to face off in one of the highest-projected scoring games of Week 2. The Seattle offense showed well in Indianapolis in Week 1, whereas the Titans' defense struggled badly against Arizona, so it's another potential smash spot for the Seahawks.
Russell Wilson, Chris Carson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are all weekly must starts. That leaves only Gerald Everett as a close call. Everett found the end zone in his Seattle debut, but actually trailed Will Dissly in routes (16-15) and targets (3-2). It's safest to view him as a TE2 for now.
The Titans are riskier plays than they've been in a long time, but both Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown remain lineup locks. Julio Jones is a closer call, but he's still a viable WR3 against a Seattle "work in progress" cornerback room. Ryan Tannehill and Anthony Firkser (who ran 25 of 41 possible routes in Week 1) are ideally left on benches this week, as are both D/STs.
Over/Under: 53.2 (2nd-highest)
Win Prob: Seahawks 62% (9th-highest)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Baltimore Ravens
The most anticipated game of the week is also the highest-projected scoring game. Both teams are much better offensively than defensively (especially due to recent injuries for both defenses), which makes this game the most likely for lots of fireworks.
Both quarterbacks are must-starts, with Patrick Mahomes being the best QB play in fantasy this week, Lamar Jackson also is a top-five option. As for the top pass-catchers, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce are lineup locks for the Chiefs and Mark Andrews (despite a disappointing Week 1) is the only one for Baltimore.
Top Baltimore wideouts Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins both put up decent numbers in Week 1. While they lack upside in Baltimore's run-first scheme, both are flex options. Mecole Hardman ran 33 routes (good) but was targeted only three times (bad) against the Browns and is safest left on benches.
At running back, Clyde Edwards-Helaire's 14 carries and four targets in Week 1 help solidify his RB2 status. The picture isn't as rosy for Baltimore, as Ty'Son Williams and Latavius Murray are in a timeshare and Devonta Freeman was promoted to the active roster as a third wheel. Williams is no more than a flex.
Over/Under: 55.1 (Highest)
Win Prob: Ravens 50% (16th-highest)
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
The Packers are heavy Week 2 favorites at home against Detroit this week. This game has the potential to be high scoring after both of these defenses allowed 33-plus points in Week 1. While the Packers D/ST is primed for a rebound, they remain a risky play.
Despite an ugly Week 1, Aaron Rodgers should be locked into lineups in a bounce-back spot. Aaron Jones and Davante Adams should never be benched. AJ Dillon is only a flex option in deep, non-PPR formats. Allen Lazard and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were the clear No. 2 and 3 wideouts (over Randall Cobb) in Week 1, but they're both way too "boom or bust" on low volume to feel safe starting. Robert Tonyan remains a TD-dependent fringe TE1.
For Detroit, Jared Goff garbage-timed himself to a QB4 finish in Week 1, but he's too risky to play at Green Bay this week. D'Andre Swift won't see 11 carries and 11 targets again this week, but he's healthy and he is Detroit's lead man. He's a good RB2. Jamaal Williams will also see reduced volume (Detroit ran 84 offensive plays in Week 1), so he's best-viewed as a flex in deeper leagues.
Tyrell Williams (concussion) is expected to miss this game, but even if he's out, Lions wide receivers should be avoided. Never avoid T.J. Hockenson, especially after his 26-point effort in Week 1.
Eliminator Alert: The Packers got crushed in Week 1, but it's reasonable to expect a big rebound as heavy home favorites against Detroit in Week 2. Excluding a pair of recent games in which Rodgers was out/rested, Green Bay has won 27 of its past 28 home games against Detroit. The Packers arguably are your best Eliminator play this week. Check out our Eliminator Cheatsheet for the full rundown.
Over/Under: 50.2 (4th-highest)
Win Prob: Packers 84% (2nd-highest)
New York Giants @ Washington
If you like defense, this week's Thursday Night Football game may be for you. With Taylor Heinicke filling in for the injured Ryan Fitzpatrick against a good Giants defense on one side, and turnover-prone Daniel Jones facing Washington's loaded defense on the other, this checks in as the projected lowest-scoring game of the week. As a result, there are only a few fantasy must starts. Both quarterbacks should obviously be on benches, with Jones' legs the only thing making him a viable QB2 in superflex formats. And both D/STs are viable starting options this week, with Washington being an elite option against Jones, who has now fumbled 30 times in 28 career games.
Antonio Gibson is one of the weekly must starts and is in position for a better fantasy showing after racking up 20 carries and a 25% target share in Week 1. He played on 67% of the snaps in the opener after playing on just 38% in 2020. A PPR asset in 2020, J.D. McKissic played a reduced role for Washington in Week 1 and belongs on benches (or on waivers).
Terry McLaurin and Logan Thomas are the only must-start pass-catchers for Washington. Both were quiet in a Week 1 game in which Washington called only 22 passing plays, but better days are ahead. McLaurin has a tough matchup against James Bradberry and Adoree' Jackson, but the man had seen five-plus targets in 19 straight games before his three-target effort in Week 1. Thomas has played on 99% of offensive snaps over his last 11 games and will face a Giants team that allowed a league-high 10 receptions to tight ends in Week 1. Both McLaurin (6-75-0) and Thomas (5-74-0) put up solid receiving lines in the playoff game with Heinicke last season.
Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard should be in lineups in 12-team leagues, but they're the only locks among Giants pass-catchers. Despite missing a lot of practice time, Golladay played on 85% of snaps in Week 1 and put up a solid 4-64-0 receiving line against an elite Denver secondary. Even better days are ahead. Shepard is fresh off an impressive 7-113-1 receiving line in Week 1, but he has a tough matchup against Kendall Fuller in the slot. Shepard has seen six-plus targets in all but one of his last 28 games in which he didn't leave due to injury. However, he's still hunting for his first top-25 fantasy campaign.
Saquon Barkley was limited, as expected, in Week 1, playing on just 47% of New York's snaps. He'll be a candidate for more work this week, especially after handling 67% of the Giants' designed runs in the opener -- which is a good sign. If he's able to play, Evan Engram should be viewed as no better than a risky TE2.
Over/Under: 38.3 (Lowest)
Win Prob: Washington 61% (11th-highest)