An unfamiliar face joined the top fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1. Alex Smith had the second-highest passing yardage of his career and ran for the game-winning score in overtime. It’s doubtful that the Kansas City Chiefs are leaning towards a pass-heavy attack -- probably more a case of an opportunity being taken advantage of against a poor San Diego Chargers defense. Smith will be leaning on the run game in Week 2 against a tough Houston Texans defense.
Fantasy football rankings, Week 2: Quarterbacks
The SB Nation fantasy team reveals which quarterbacks rank in the top 25 heading into Week 2.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kirk Cousins had a rough start to the season on Monday night. He threw two interceptions and no touchdowns, but garbage time pushed him into a 300-yard passing game. Cousins will probably rebound against a weak Dallas Cowboys defense. He never went over 300 yards passing against them last season, but threw four touchdowns and no interceptions in two games. If the running game gets on track, he won’t have to carry the offense by himself.
Injuries have already taken a toll after the first week. Russell Wilson was able to finish the game on a severely sprained ankle, but he looked limited while gutting out the second half. As it stands right now, he’s planning to start this week. Keep a close eye on his practice participation, because he may end up being limited or in danger of missing the game. Trevone Boykin would be his replacement. Boykin’s potential is great, but the team would lean heavily towards the run.
Robert Griffin III was placed on injured reserve and he’ll miss at least the next eight weeks with a fractured shoulder blade. The Cleveland Browns will reevaluate his status at that time. Josh McCown will take over as the starter and holds value during the upcoming bye weeks, especially when Josh Gordon returns from his suspension.
My sleeper for this week is Brock Osweiler. Osweiler will face a tougher test versus Kansas City than he faced against Chicago in Week 1. He’s still playing at home and it seems like he’s developed some real chemistry with his receivers. I think Osweiler will throw for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterbacks, Week 2
(ZS: Zach Senvisky, JM: Jason Marcum, AP: Adam Patrick, SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, KB: Kyle Bennett, DG: Derek Gordon)
| Rk | Consensus | Tm | Opp. | ZS | JM | AP | SK | JG | KB | DG |
| 1 | Cam Newton | CAR | vs. SF | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Eli Manning | NYG | vs. NO | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 3 | Drew Brees | NO | at NYG | 2 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Derek Carr | OAK | vs. ATL | 4 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| 5 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | at MIN | 5 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
| 6 | Blake Bortles | JAC | at SD | 12 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
| 7 | Carson Palmer | ARI | vs. TB | 7 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| 8 | Matthew Stafford | DET | vs. TEN | 14 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 16 |
| 9 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | vs. CIN | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| 10 | Andrew Luck | IND | at DEN | 8 | 10 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 6 |
| 11 | Russell Wilson | SEA | at LA | 11 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 12 | 4 |
| 12 | Philip Rivers | SD | vs. JAC | 9 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
| 13 | Kirk Cousins | WAS | vs. DAL | 10 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 11 |
| 14 | Jameis Winston | TB | at ARI | 18 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 18 |
| 15 | Marcus Mariota | TEN | at DET | 15 | 18 | 14 | 16 | 12 | 15 | 14 |
| 16 | Matt Ryan | ATL | at OAK | 19 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 15 | 16 | 20 |
| 17 | Andy Dalton | CIN | at PIT | 13 | 17 | 21 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 13 |
| 18 | Joe Flacco | BAL | at CLE | 17 | 14 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 17 |
| 19 | Tyrod Taylor | BUF | vs. NYJ | 16 | 19 | 18 | 25 | 18 | 20 | 15 |
| 20 | Brock Osweiler | HOU | vs. KC | 22 | 21 | 17 | 24 | 17 | 17 | -- |
| 21 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | NYJ | at BUF | 24 | 22 | 24 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 23 |
| 22 | Carson Wentz | PHI | at CHI | 23 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 24 | -- |
| 23 | Jay Cutler | CHI | vs. PHI | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 22 | 22 |
| 24 | Alex Smith | KC | at HOU | 21 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | -- |
| 25 | Dak Prescott | DAL | at WAS | -- | 23 | 20 | -- | -- | -- | 19 |
| -- | Jimmy Garoppolo | NE | vs. MIA | 25 | -- | -- | 19 | -- | 25 | -- |
| -- | Trevor Siemian | DEN | vs. IND | -- | -- | -- | -- | 19 | -- | -- |
| -- | Josh McCown | CLE | vs. BAL | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 21 |
| -- | Blaine Gabbert | SF | at CAR | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 24 |
| -- | Ryan Tannehill | MIA | at NE | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 25 |
