Week 2 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season got underway with a game between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins that featured a few fantasy studs and duds.

Running backs James Cook and De’Von Achane both had strong outings, while receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle largely underwhelmed. Depending on who managers have in their lineups—and who they’re facing—there may be some ground to make up over the final 15 games.

While there are a few easy lineup decisions to be found in Week 2, there are some very tricky ones as well. We’ll dive into the latter category here and make a few start-or-sit recommendations.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers played his first full game as a member of the New York Jets on Monday, and it was far from a stellar performance. Rodgers had a few bright moments against a stiff San Francisco 49ers defense, but he didn’t exactly rack up the stats.

Rodgers finished with 167 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

This week, Rodgers will be on the road again, facing a Tennessee Titans defense that allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in Week 1. Of course, Tennessee faced a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams last week, and Rodgers is as experienced as they come.

Expect Rodgers to fare better in his second game back from last year’s torn Achilles. He’ll have more chemistry with teammates like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and he won’t face the nearly 2-1 time-of-possession disparity he saw against San Francisco.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith also had a so-so game in Week 1, finishing with 171 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. His fantasy value was salvaged by a strong rushing performance against the Denver Broncos.

Smith tallied 30 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

It’s hard to bank on Smith finding the end zone as a runner for a second consecutive week. It’s also difficult to envision Smith having a bounce-back passing game against a New England Patriots defense that is, perhaps, more competitive than most expected.

The Patriots stymied Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow while on the road in Week 1 and ended up allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. They’ll now be at home battling Seattle in an early East Coast matchup.

The travel, the timing and the matchup make Smith a very risky play, even as a streamer, in Week 2.

There are a couple of reasons to be concerned with Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White entering Week 2.

For starters, he was outperformed on the ground by rookie Bucky Irving. While Irving averaged 6.9 yards per carry, White averaged just 2.1 yards per carry while rushing for 31 yards.

Secondly, the Bucs will be on the road against a stout Detroit Lions defensive front—Detroit allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs in Week 1.

However, White is still worth a start this week because of his point-per-reception (PPR) floor. He caught six passes for 75 yards last Sunday, and he’s likely to maintain a role as Tampa’s primary receiving back.

And Baker Mayfield may rely on White as an outlet receiver frequently in this matchup. The Lions will look to take away Mike Evans and Chris Godwin while pressuring Mayfield with an aggressive pass rush. White may not have an impressive yardage total, but another half-dozen receptions is entirely possible.

Managers who drafted Javonte Williams expecting him to be Denver’s every-down back in 2024 were disappointed in Week 1. Williams saw two fewer carries and caught two fewer passes than Jaleel McLaughlin.

The Broncos’ backfield split may eventually move back in Williams’ favor, but it doesn’t appear imminent. This is also a terrible week to trust either of Denver’s top backfield options.

The Broncos, by the way, recently placed rookie running back Audric Estimé on injured reserve.

Denver will play host to a dangerous Pittsburgh Steelers defense—one that allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in Week 1, despite facing the talented Bijan Robinson.

The Steelers will likely clamp down on the run and force rookie quarterback Bo Nix to beat them. That’s not a recipe for strong Broncos backfield production, so managers would be wise to leave Williams on the bench this week.

Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins had a strong 2024 debut, finishing with six catches for 117 yards. However, he was overshadowed a bit by new teammate Stefon Diggs, who tallied six catches for 33 yards and two touchdowns.

Collins was also listed as limited in practice on Thursday with an illness. Additionally, the Texans are set to host a very good Chicago Bears defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in Week 1.

We’d still recommend starting Collins this week, with a caveat. His health is worth monitoring. Though it would be a pretty significant surprise to see him sit out Houston’s home opener, the Texans won’t play until Sunday evening, so managers may have to make an early call.

That said, if Collins appears good to go by Sunday afternoon, he can be started with confidence. Chicago’s defense is concerning, but there’s a very good chance that Diggs draws enough defensive attention to allow Collins to shine.

With Pittsburgh coming to town, there’s really no reason to trust any members of the Broncos squad this week—except, perhaps, for their defense.

That goes for No. 1 target Courtland Sutton, who was likely drafted as a high-end flex option in most leagues. Top receiving options, even on bad teams, generally provide a safe floor in fantasy.

However, we’re still talking about a good-not-great receiver playing with a rookie quarterback and facing one of the league’s most aggressive defenses. Pittsburgh allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers in Week 1.

Sutton is likely to draw regular matchups with budding star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday. With T.J. Watt and Co. regularly harassing Nix, Sutton is highly unlikely to have a strong day.

Against the Seahawks last week, the 28-year-old caught just four passes for 38 yards. His numbers in Week 2 could be even worse.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.