Week 1 of 2014 wasn't the best start to the season for some of the NFL's fantasy studs. Jamaal Charles, Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant were just a few stars who left owners disappointed in the early stages of the year.
Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 2
Who should you start and who should you sit in the second week of fantasy football?
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Last week's highlights from this list: starting Mark Ingram and Markus Wheaton, sitting Bernard Pierce and Robert Griffin III. Where I missed: sitting Kelvin Benjamin, starting Travis Kelce.
Keep in mind I’m not here to point out the best fantasy performers to start or the no-names to sit. The goal is to pinpoint value picks for your starting lineup, as well as some of the heavily owned players who should be on the bench.
Start
QB Jake Locker, vs. Cowboys
This could be the best matchup Locker sees all year. He looked solid in Week 1 with two touchdowns and no interceptions, and he should be able to do damage against a poor Dallas defense.
The Cowboys allowed opposing quarterbacks to score nearly 20 fantasy points per game against them last season. They started the year giving up 17.1 points to Colin Kaepernick, and that was in a game where the 49ers barely needed to throw the ball after taking an early lead. Start Locker with confidence.
QB Andy Dalton, vs. Falcons
Atlanta’s season-opening win helped overshadow the defensive struggles it displayed against New Orleans. The Falcons were the seventh-worst team against quarterbacks from a fantasy standpoint in 2013. They might not fare much better in 2014.
To their credit, Mike Nolan and the Falcons made impressive halftime adjustments to slow down the Saints' passing game. But now they're going on the road to a field where the Bengals have won nine games in a row. Dalton has thrown 17 touchdowns in his last five home games. He's a different player at home, and he has a good matchup to help those stats at Paul Brown Stadium.
RB Terrance West, vs. Saints
With Ben Tate leaving Week 1’s game with a knee injury, Terrance West took over as the lead back and rushed for 100 yards on 16 carries. He forced seven missed tackles and averaged 4.1 yards after contact per carry. Not a bad start to his NFL career.
Isaiah Crowell did vulture two touchdowns, but West will be the No. 1 back with Tate out of commission. West gets a shot at a Saints defense that gave up over 500 total yards to Atlanta in Week 1. While the Browns aren't quite on that same level offensively, after seeing the Falcons' backs combine for 108 yards and a touchdown, West is a smart play.
RB Chris Ivory, at Packers
Despite playing out of a timeshare, Ivory made the most of his touches in the Jets' season opener. He rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, with a big chunk of that coming on a 71-yard scoring play.
Ivory also forced eight missed tackles on just 10 touches. When he’s healthy, he’s dangerous against any defense. The Packers have allowed a running back to eclipse 100 yards in each of their last four games dating back to 2013. This matchup sets up to be another promising day from the Jets’ backfield.
WR Justin Hunter, vs. Cowboys
I put Hunter on the start list last week. He caught three passes for 63 yards, but the most notable stat came in the targets column. Hunter led the Titans in targets with eight total, and he was on the field for 52 of the offense's 82 snaps.
The Titans seem to realize the kind of talent they have in Hunter, and they’re going to give him chances to succeed. The Cowboys’ secondary performed at the level most expected from it in Week 1, which is not a positive note. I’m backing Hunter once again.
WR Marqise Lee, at Washington
Allen Hurns was the rookie receiver who made headlines in Jacksonville with his Week 1 performance, but Lee shouldn't be overlooked. Lee led the team in targets (10) and finished his NFL debut with six catches for 62 yards.
Cecil Shorts appears to be out of the picture once again for Week 2, so Lee gets a bump in value for the second straight game. Washington's secondary struggled to stop Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins even with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Lee and Hurns are not quite the same duo, but they're both worth starting as a WR3/4 this week.
TE Zach Ertz, at Colts
Ertz played 53 of the Eagles' 87 snaps in Week 1. That's more than any number he played in all of 2013. He finished the game with three receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown.
We saw what the Colts could do against a tight end like Julius Thomas (he scored three touchdowns last week). Ertz isn't going to put up Thomas-like numbers, but he's a good bet to make an impact in this uptempo offense again.
Sit
QB Philip Rivers, vs. Seahawks
In 2013, the Seahawks allowed 14.8 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. The next-best team in that category came in at 17.3 fantasy points per game. Seattle’s defense is on another level.
The Seahawks shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to start 2014. While their defense has shown some weakness against running backs on the road, the secondary will likely lock down Rivers. You can find a better quarterback matchup for Week 2.
QB Jay Cutler, at 49ers
Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall are dealing with injuries, and we don't know if either will be able to play on Sunday. Offensive linemen Roberto Garza and Matt Slauson are battling ankle injuries. At least Cutler is healthy?
Despite the constant talk of a down year, the 49ers' defense marched into Dallas and put on a strong showing against Tony Romo and the Cowboys' offense. With multiple injuries surrounding the offense in a road game, Cutler can be passed over for another option.
RB Zac Stacy, at Buccaneers
Go look at Stacy’s stats from his rookie season. What stands out to you? The first thing you should notice is volume.
Stacy carried the ball 26, 27, 28 and 33 times in the four games he went over the 100-yard mark. He needs volume to succeed, and after seeing him finish Week 1 with 11 carries and only one forced missed tackle, it's hard to endorse him until the Rams start feeding him the ball more. Plus, the Rams have little help at quarterback against an improved Buccaneers defense.
RB Bishop Sankey, vs. Cowboys
While I’m supporting everyone hopping on the Titans’ passing game bandwagon, the run game is a different story. Sankey is still earning his role in the offense, and now is not the time to take a chance with him.
In his first NFL game, Sankey played 11 snaps. Until he gets more involved, owners shouldn’t have him in the starting lineup. Sankey should be stashed.
WR Keenan Allen, vs. Seahawks
Sorry, Chargers fans, I'm just not endorsing any passing game against the Seahawks. Allen struggled to find consistency in Week 1, catching five of nine targets for just 37 yards. This week likely won't get much better.
Seattle allowed just five receivers to hit double-digit fantasy points (standard scoring) in all of 2013. Unless you’re completely out of alternatives, benching Allen for a week seems wise. He’ll be a great trade target after this week.
WR Victor Cruz, vs. Cardinals
Seven receivers finished in double-digit fantasy points against the Cardinals last year. They kept the Chargers’ receivers in check for the most part to start 2014.
The Giants' passing game looks completely inept right now. The line is giving Eli Manning little time to throw. Manning isn't in sync with his receivers. Cruz hasn't scored a touchdown in 11 consecutive games now. Another case of "wait and see," Cruz should be on your bench until the Giants prove they can make something happen in the passing game. Especially since he'll see Patrick Peterson on Sunday.
TE Dwayne Allen, vs. Eagles
Philadelphia only allowed three tight ends to score in 2013: Gavin Escobar, Jim Dray and Brandon Bostick. Those aren't quite the superstars you'd expect to find scoring touchdowns each week.
Allen's 41-yard touchdown in Week 1 was sort of a fluke. He cut up the sideline in garbage time and the Broncos never really seemed too interested in tackling him. Allen is the better tight end in Indianapolis, but it's a crowded offense facing a team that does relatively well against starting tight ends.
