It is week two of the NFL season! Check out the starts and sits from resident fantasy football analyst, Dan Portillo, host of Another (Damn) Fantasy Podcast presented by Stadium Rant!
Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow @ Cowboys – Start
Burrow had a rough first Sunday of the 2022 NFL season. Not only did he get pummeled in the backfield to the tune of seven sacks, but he turned the ball over five times. For most quarterbacks, this would tank their fantasy value, but not Joe Burrow as he still ended up a top 12 fantasy option. This week, the Bengals travel to a battered Cowboys team where you should expect much better results.
Trey Lance V. Seahawks – Sit
Trey Lance had a less than impressive showing in week one against Chicago. Of course, the weather was a very difficult situation for both QBs in this affair, but the numbers were not great for Lance. Rotate in another QB this week and let Lance earn his opportunity to make his way back into your lineup.
Derek Carr V. Cardinals – Start
Derek Carr, another victim of immense pressure, had a rough week. Outside of Davante Adams, he seemed to struggle to find anyone else in the passing game. Getting sacked over six times and throwing three picks doesn’t help either. Look for him to bounce back in a big way this week as the Raiders take on the Cardinals, a defense Patrick Mahomes pick apart just a week ago.
Ryan Tannehill @ Bills – Sit
Tannehill didn’t look great against the Giants, just imagine what the Bills are going to do to the poor guy. The Titans and Bills play in the Monday night doubleheader and the last thing you will want is your game to hinge upon Tannehill’s performance. Give the reigns to another QB this week.
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson @ Lions – Start
Gibson is the clear starter for the Commanders and handled the bulk of the work n the backfield last week against the Jaguars. Washington draws an opponent in Detroit that allowed 38 points to the Eagles just a week ago, including multiple TDs to their running backs. Gibson has done enough to earn a spot in the lineup and should be a priority this week.
Dameon Pierce @ Broncos – Sit
I certainly expect more from the rookie based on the offseason moves the Texans made. However, we did not get the RB1 workload that was expected as Rex Burkhead did the bulk of the work. Until we see him earn more reps, I have Dameon Pierce on sit status.
Kareem Hunt V. Jets – Start
Hunt and Chubb proved yet again that two RBs can thrive in the Cleveland offense last week against the Panthers. Hunt scored two TDs himself and proved to be the prime option in the backfield in the passing game. I like Hunt as a high-end RB2 against the Jets this week.
Any 49ers RB – Sit
Do not play these guys! Since Elijah Mitchell will be out for the next two months, the 49ers need to figure out who will be the primary RB. Talks of multiple backs getting the RB1 honor include Tyrion Davis-Price, Jeff Wilson, Jordan Mason, and maybe even Marlon Mack eventually. Until we start to see trends, I am advising any and all to avoid them. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick them up, but let this shake out before you start any of them.
Wide Receivers
Mike Williams @ Chiefs – Start
Mike Williams put up a stinker against the Raiders last week. Even after the Keenan Allen injury, it was mostly DeAndre Carter and Gerald Everett carrying the passing game. Well, Thursday against the Chiefs, Keenan Allen will be out again, so I expect Mike Williams to be that primary guy against a secondary that is missing their first-round pick and starter, Trent McDuffie. Keep Williams in that lineup.
Darnell Mooney @ Packers – Sit
Mooney did not do well in that weather, which pretty much puts him in line with all of the receivers that played in that game. The most important thing to note here is that he simply was not being looked at. Only three targets in the game is not a huge confidence boost. Add that with their matchup against the Packers and potentially Jaire Alexander, not a great look. Leave him on the bench.
Marquise Brown @ Raiders – Start
Hollywood was relatively quiet until the game was already out of reach last week, but the Cardinals offense as a whole could not get much going and fell behind in a hurry. With all of the struggles, you could tell that Brown was the true number one in that offense. This week, the Cardinals draw a weaker secondary in the Raiders and will look to be much more competitive.
CeeDee Lamb V. Bengals – Sit
CeeDee saw 11 targets in the Sunday Night Football game against the Bucs. However, the injury to Prescott seriously hinders his fantasy value. Until Prescott sees the field, I am using immense caution with Lamb. Cooper Rush makes his first start of the season against the Bengals at home this week, let’s see how he distributes the ball before rolling with Lamb.
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett @ Chiefs – Start
Gerald Everett is going to be that dude this year! No Keenan Allen means the offense opens up even more for the tight end who saw top-five production last week. A clear red zone option, Gerald Everett belongs in your line up this week.
Cole Kmet @ Packers – Sit
Much like Mooney, Kmet did not get the looks that were expected of him. Zero catches, targets, yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points is not where you want to start if you took the chance on Kmet this season. Let him bounce back before plugging him into the lineup.
Zach Ertz @ Raiders – Start
The basis for the Hollywood Brow start is where I am at with Zach Ertz this week. The Cardinals tight end was a bit banged up last week, but this week he should be all set. Ertz was a top ten TE with a TD to his name, so look for him to be a target in the end one again this week.
Hunter Henry @ Steelers – Sit
The Steelers defense is good. Linebacker Myles Jack and Devin Bush have great speed, their safeties are spectacular, and the DL can force pressure. All of these elements are not good news for Henry. If you are looking to stream a TE, this is not the guy you are looking for.
Defenses
Bengals @ Cowboys – Start
I just have two words for you: Cooper Rush. With the backup QB making his start, I like the Bengals this week. Expect Rush to make mistakes and expect this Dallas offense to put up minimal points. The Bengals defense is the go-to option this week.
Eagles V. Vikings – Sit
I like the Eagles long-term, but after what I saw from the Vikings offense last week, I am streaming another option this week. Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, it is too much for me and I expect this game to be a shootout.
Fantasy Football Sleepers
- Carson Wentz @ Lions
- Christian Kirk V. Jaguars
- Dontrell Hilliard @ Bills
- Tyler Boyd @ Cowboys
- Irv Smith Jr. @ Eagles
Dan Portillo
Check out some of Dan’s other Stadium Rant content here. You can follow him on Twitter @dan_tf40 and check in with his podcast The Fastest 40 & Another (Damn) Fantasy Podcast on Spotify, Anchor, Apple Podcasts, & anywhere you listen to podcasts!
