If we learned one thing about the NFL in week one: the lockout certainly did not slow down the offensive numbers. A ridiculous 14 quarterbacks had more than 300 yards, four of which went over 400. 13 receivers topped 100 yards, including seven double-digit touchdown performances. Needless to say, fantasy teams weren’t suffering. Now it’s time to build on that success and dominate week two of the fantasy season.
Quarterbacks
Could Impress: Matthew Stafford. I think so much of Stafford’s upside that he makes this list for the second straight week. KC’s defense made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like an elite quarterback. Stafford should be feasting on the defense all day. This could be a historically big week.
Could Disappoint: Cam Newton. All the credit in the world goes to Cam for his stellar week one performance, but he will not be following it up against the Packers defense this week. Green Bay will apply a ton of pressure, and Newton will look like the rookie he is. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid just yet.
Keep an eye on: Rex Grossman. Yes, that is the sound of your own laughter stops ringing in your ear. But hear me out. Grossman looked good last week, and he’s going against a Cardinals offense that made Cam Newton look like the second-coming of Peyton Manning. He’ll become Bad Rex again, but I think he’s got at least one more week until that happens.
QB Rankings
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB (@ Carolina)
2. Tom Brady, NE (vs. San Diego)
3. Michael Vick, PHI (@ Atlanta)
4. Drew Brees, NO (vs. Chicago)
5. Philip Rivers, SD (@ New England)
6. Matthew Stafford, DET (vs. Kansas City)
7. Matt Schaub, HOU (@ Miami)
8. Tony Romo, DAL (@ San Francisco)
9. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs. Seattle)
10. Josh Freeman, TB (@ Minnesota)
11. Eli Manning, NYG (vs. St. Louis)
12. Joe Flacco, BAL (@ Tennessee)
13. Jay Cutler, CHI (@ New Orleans)
14. Matt Ryan, ATL (vs. Philadelphia)
15. Rex Grossman, WAS (vs. Arizona)
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF (vs. Oakland)
17. Kevin Kolb, AZ (@ Washington)
18. Sam Bradford, STL (@ New York Giants)
19. Mark Sanchez, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
20. Kyle Orton, DEN (vs. Cincinnati)
21. Chad Henne, MIA (vs. Houston)
22. Kerry Collins, IND (vs. Cleveland)
23. Cam Newton, CAR (vs. Green Bay)
24. Matt Cassel, KC (@ Detroit)
25. Colt McCoy, CLE (@ Indianapolis)
Running Backs
Could Impress: Tim Hightower. Hightower proved in week one that he has the confidence of Mike Shanahan, getting 25 carries and three catches for just under 100 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy owners have to love the work he’s getting in the offense and he should get into the end zone against Arizona.
Could Disappoint: Mike Tolbert. The converted fullback’s three touchdowns were impressive against the Vikings, but an argument can be made that Ryan Mathews was actually more effective. Mathews got the same number of carries, rushing for ten more yards. He also racked up 73 yards on just three catches. With the number of weapons at Philip Rivers’ disposal, it is unlikely Tolbert will match his big week.
Keep an eye on: Cadillac Williams. Steven Jackson is likely out this week (if he does play, he’ll be limited), and Williams did a nice job filling in last week. More importantly, he got involved in the running game (19 carries, 91 yards) and the passing game (5 catches, 49 yards). He looks like a strong flex play this week.
RB Rankings
1. Ray Rice, BAL (@ Tennessee)
2. Adrian Peterson, MIN (vs. Tampa Bay)
3. LeSean McCoy, PHI (@ Atlanta)
4. Darren McFadden, OAK (@ Buffalo)
5. Matt Forte, CHI (@ New Orleans)
6. Rashard Mendenhall, PIT (vs. Seattle)
7. Peyton Hillis, CLE (@ Indianapolis)
8. Jamaal Charles, KC (@ Detroit)
9. Michael Turner, ATL (vs. Philadelphia)
10. Chris Johnson, TEN (vs. Baltimore)
11. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG (vs. St. Louis)
12. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (@ New York Jets)
13. Arian Foster, HOU (@ Miami)
14. Tim Hightower, WAS (vs. Arizona)
15. Frank Gore, SF (vs. Dallas)
16. Felix Jones, DAL (@ San Francisco)
17. DeAngelo Williams, CAR (vs. Green Bay)
18. Mike Tolbert, SD (@ New England)
19. Beanie Wells, AZ (@ Washington)
20. Cedric Benson, CIN (@ Denver)
21. Shonn Greene, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
22. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, NE (vs. San Diego)
23. James Starks, GB (vs. Carolina)
24. LeGarrette Blount, TB (@ Minnesota)
25. Fred Jackson, BUF (vs. Oakland)
26. Jahvid Best, DET (vs. Kansas City)
27. Reggie Bush, MIA (vs. Houston)
28. Mark Ingram, NO (vs. Chicago)
29. Cadillac Williams, STL (@ New York Giants)
30. Joseph Addai, IND (vs. Cleveland)
31. Ryan Mathews, SD (@ New England)
32. Ben Tate, HOU (@ Miami)
33. Ryan Grant, GB (@ Carolina)
34. Willis McGahee, DEN (vs. Cincinnati)
35. Marshawn Lynch, SEA (@ Pittsburgh)
36. Pierre Thomas, NO (vs. Chicago)
37. Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs. Green Bay)
38. Darren Sproles, NO (vs. Chicago)
39. Brandon Jacobs, NYG (vs. St. Louis)
40. Danny Woodhead, NE (vs. San Diego)
41. Michael Bush, OAK (@ Buffalo)
42. Knowshon Moreno, DEN (vs. Cincinnati)
43. C.J. Spiller, BUF (vs. Oakland)
44. LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
45. Ricky Williams, BAL (@ Tennessee)
46. Deji Karim, JAX (@ New York Jets)
47. Delone Carter, IND (vs. Cleveland)
48. Jerome Harrison, DET (vs. Kansas City)
49. Daniel Thomas, MIA (vs. Houston)
50. Jerious Norwood, STL (@ New York Giants)
Wide Receivers
Could Impress: Reggie Wayne. Yes, the Colts are in trouble. Yes, Kerry Collins does a terrible Peyton Manning impression. But in the week 1 loss, Wayne was thrown the ball 11 times, catching seven for 106 yards and a score. Even if this is a lost season, the Colts will try to give this soon-to-be free agent his touches. Feel confident that Wayne will get his.
Could Disappoint: Mike Thomas. As if losing his starting quarterback was not bad enough, Thomas has to match up with Darrelle Revis this week. Thomas caught eight balls against Tennessee, but averaged just seven yards per catch. He could be in for a rough week.
Keep an eye on: Jordy Nelson. The Packers showcased Nelson’s unique combination of size and speed early and often against the Saints. Jordy’s 6 catches for 77 yards and a score were good for fantasy owners, but here’s the telling stat: Nelson had just as many targets as Jennings (both had a team-high eight). If he’s locked down the number two spot, he’ll see a nice boost in his fantasy production.
WR Rankings
1. Calvin Johnson, DET (vs. Kansas City)
2. Andre Johnson, HOU (@ Miami)
3. Roddy White, ATL (vs. Philadelphia)
4. Greg Jennings, GB (@ Carolina)
5. Mike Wallace, PIT (vs. Seattle)
6. DeSean Jackson, PHI (@ Atlanta)
7. Larry Fitzgerald, AZ (@ Washington)
8. Hakeem Nicks, NYG (vs. St. Louis)
9. Miles Austin, DAL (@ San Francisco)
10. Vincent Jackson, SD (@ New England)
11. Reggie Wayne, IND (vs. Cleveland)
12. Brandon Marshall, MIA (vs. Houston)
13. Steve Johnson, BUF (vs. Oakland)
14. Mike Williams, TB (@ Minnesota)
15. Dez Bryan, DAL (@ San Francisco)
16. Wes Welker, NE (vs. San Diego)
17. Santonio Holmes, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
18. Kenny Britt, TEN (vs. Baltimore)
19. Steve Smith, CAR (vs. Green Bay)
20. Anquan Boldin, BAL (@ Tennessee)
21. Mario Manningham, NYG (vs. St. Louis)
22. Santana Moss, WAS (vs. Arizona)
23. Percy Harvin, MIN (vs. Tampa Bay)
24. Brandon Lloyd, DEN (vs. Cincinnati)
25. Dwayne Bowe, KC (@ Detroit)
26. Jeremy Maclin, PHI (@ Atlanta)
27. Jordy Nelson, GB (@ Carolina)
28. Robert Meachem, NO (vs. Chicago)
29. Julio Jones, ATL (vs. Philadelphia)
30. Plaxico Burress, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
31. Mike Thomas, JAX (@ New York Jets)
32. Hines Ward, PIT (vs. Seattle)
33. A.J. Green, CIN (@ Denver)
34. Malcom Floyd, SD (@ New England)
35. Mike Sims-Walker, STL (@ New York Giants)
36. Johnny Knox, CHI (@ New Orleans)
37. Deion Branch, NE (vs. San Diego)
38. Nate Burleson, DET (vs. Kansas City)
39. Chad Ochocinco, NE (vs. San Diego)
40. Lee Evans, BAL (@ Tennessee)
41. Braylon Edwards, SF (vs. Dallas)
42. Sidney Rice, SEA (@ Pittsburgh)
43. Lance Moore, NO (vs. Chicago)
44. Pierre Garcon, IND (vs. Cleveland)
45. Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE (@ Indianapolis)
46. Devery Henderson, NO (vs. Chicago)
47. Davone Bess, MIA (vs. Houston)
48. Mike Williams, SEA (@ Pittsburgh)
49. Austin Collie, IND (vs. Cleveland)
50. Brandon Gibson, STL (@ New York Giants)
Tight Ends
Could Impress: Aaron Hernandez. Tom Brady looked Hernandez’s way 10 times, with the tight end snagging seven balls for over 100 yards. The Patriots might not have a prototypical deep threat, but Hernandez is as close as it gets. Week 1 showed that he and Gronkowski can co-exist. Fantasy owners can feel comfortable playing both.
Could Disappoint: Chris Cooley. Backup Fred Davis got double the looks and five times the yards. Cooley owners should be concerned.
Keep an eye on: Scott Chandler. Well, who saw that coming? Chandler exploded in week one, catching five balls for 63 yards and two scores. Starting TE David Nelson also had four catches in the game. Keep an eye on Buffalo splits up the time between the two tight ends. Chandler’s big week could be an aberration, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
TE Rankings
1. Antonio Gates, SD (@ New England)
2. Jason Witten, DAL (@ San Francisco)
3. Jermichael Finley, GB (@ Carolina)
4. Jimmy Graham, NO (vs. Chicago)
5. Vernon Davis, SF (vs. Dallas)
6. Aaron Hernandez, NE (vs. San Diego)
7. Owen Daniels, HOU (@ Miami)
8. Kellen Winslow, TB (@ Minnesota)
9. Dallas Clark, IND (vs. Cleveland)
10. Brandon Pettigrew, DET (vs. Kansas City)
11. Greg Olsen, CAR (vs. Green Bay)
12. Rob Gronkowski, NE (vs. San Diego)
13. Tony Gonzalez, ATL (vs. Philadelphia)
14. Marcedes Lewis, JAX (@ New York Jets)
15. Dustin Keller, NYJ (vs. Jacksonville)
16. Fred Davis, WAS (vs. Arizona)
17. Jermaine Gresham, CIN (@ Denver)
18. Zach Miller, SEA (@ Pittsburgh)
19. Ed Dickson, BAL (@ Tennessee)
20. Lance Hendricks, STL (@ New York Giants)
21. Scott Chandler, BUF (vs. Oakland)
22. Chris Cooley, WAS (vs. Arizona)
23. Evan Moore, CLE (@ Indianapolis)
24. Benjamin Watson, CLE (@ Indianapolis)
25. Tony Scheffler, DET (vs. Kansas City)
Defense/Special Teams
Could Impress: Detroit. Kansas City’s offense has yet to look comfortable, as evidenced by the putrid 213 yards put up against Buffalo. That’s 2/5ths as many yards as Tom Brady. Ouch. Detroit looked solid against Tampa bay and could have another big week.
Could Disappoint: San Diego. The Chargers have a tough matchup with the Patriots, and the special teams struggled against Minnesota. You might want to consider sitting the Chargers this week.
Keep an eye on: San Francisco. The 49ers had the most fantasy points in week one, and Dallas’ offense didn’t exactly light it up against the Jets. If the special teams can continue to make big plays, the Niners could be a top-15 fantasy defense.
D/ST Rankings
1. New York Jets (vs. Jacksonville)
2. Green Bay Packers (@ Carolina)
3. Pittsburgh (vs. Seattle)
4. Baltimore Ravens (@ Tennessee)
5. Detroit Lions (vs. Kansas City)
6. Dallas Cowboys (@ San Francisco)
7. Philadelphia Eagles (@ Atlanta)
8. Chicago Bears (@ New Orleans)
9. Houston Texans (@ Miami)
10. New Orleans Saints (vs. Chicago)
11. Atlanta Falcons (vs. Philadelphia)
12. New England Patriots (vs. San Diego)
13. San Francisco 49ers (vs. Dallas)
14. Buffalo Bills (vs. Oakland)
15. New York Giants (vs. St. Louis)
16. Washington Redskins (vs. Arizona)
17. Oakland Raiders (@ Buffalo)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Minnesota)
19. St. Louis Rams (@ New York Giants)
20. San Diego Chargers (@ New England)
21. Cleveland Browns (@ Indianapolis)
22. Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati)
23. Kansas City (@ Detroit)
24. Arizona Cardinals (@ Washington)
25. Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Denver)
Stephen Kelley is a contributor at The Sports Bank where he covers Fantasy Sports and Pro Drafts. You can follow him on Twitter @stephen_tsb.