Welcome Fantasy friends and foes to my weekly Start and Sit advice column with the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Sit.
The advice didn't start well with the Quarterback Start of the Week with Geno Smith. Smith finished dead last in QB fantasy production! Smith and the rest of the Seahawks took the Rams too lightly and failed to show.
My Running Back Start of the Week J.K. Dobbins started well with a touchdown early, but his horrific luck continues with Dobbins suffering a season-ending torn Achilles injury. Miles Sanders did OK with 72 rushing yards but zero scores.
Calvin Ridley saved my Wide Receiver Starts of the Week calls with an outstanding Week 1: eight receptions for 101 yard and a score. However, Van Jefferson watched Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell catch passes from Matthew Stafford all day. Tyler Higbee, my TE Start of the Week, also fell into the trap of watching Stafford throw the ball to everyone but him.
My other Start/Sit calls were a mixed bag. The highlights were to start Tua, Courtland Sutton, and sitting Najee Harris, Jamaal Williams, and Marquise Brown. Lowlights consisting of the incorrect calls on Anthony Richardson and Breece Hall,
Here is to turn it around this week with the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Sit.
2023 Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Sit
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Quarterbacks
Maybe Jared Goff's best throw from Thursday, imo anyway pic.twitter.com/4kiWhehxpq
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 9, 2023
Start - Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff had modest fantasy numbers to kick off the 2023 NFL Season in the Lions matchup against the Kansas Chiefs. Goff threw for 253 yards and one score in their huge win, and he is to build upon that production with the Seattle Seahawks visiting Ford Field.
The Seahawks' defense made Matthew Stafford look like he turned the clock back to his days with the Lions, allowing Stafford to throw for 334 yards. Goff should enjoy a similar fantasy day but add a couple of passing touchdowns.
Other QBs to Start: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay BuccaneersÂ
Sit - Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Many Cleveland Browns and fantasy fans felt that Deshaun Watson was shaking off the rust off last season after not playing for a season and a half. However, his Week 1 play has to be concerning. Watson did rush for a score. However, he threw for only 154 yards and a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Watson did not look sharp and this week heads to Pittsburgh to take on the division-rival Steelers. Don't look for the improvement to start on Monday Night Football.
Other QBs to Avoid: Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks, Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh SteelersÂ
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson spin cycle and tumble dry. pic.twitter.com/39IhtqPbIQ
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 10, 2023
Start - Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Stevenson finished as the Week 1 RB20 based chiefly on his contributions in the passing game with six catches for 64 yards but struggled on the ground with only 25 rushing yards.
Week 2 brings the Miami Dolphins to Gillette Stadium. The Dolphins look to be easy sledding for Stevenson after watching the Chargers running back duo of Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley for 208 yards on 38 rushes.
The Patriots need to keep the Dolphins' offense off the field if they have any chance of winning, so look for a fantasy productive day from Stevenson.
Start - James Cook, Buffalo Bills
A quick glimpse of the box score of the Bills' game against the New York Jets on Monday Night, and you will not be overwhelmed with the stat line of James Cook. Cook rushed 12 times for 46 yards and had four catches for 17 yards. Cook did establish himself as the main Bills back against the run-stuffing Jets.
The Bills are ready to welcome the Las Vegas Raiders this week, and Cook will continue his ascension as the Bills featured back with an RB1 Week 2 breakout.
Other RBs to Start: Joshua Kelly, Los Angeles Chargers, Dameon Pierce, Houston TexansÂ
Sit - Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
Many fantasy analysts had Cam Akers as one of their top running back targets heading into the season. Akers fell flat with 22 rushes for only 29 yards but scored in garbage time.
Kyren Williams outproduced him with 52 yards and two touchdowns, and he has made his case to be the Rams featured back.
I am not sure what Akers continues to do to be in Sean McVay's doghouse, but fantasy managers need to avoid Akers until and when he climbs out.
Other RBs to Avoid: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers, James Conner, Arizona CardinalsÂ
Wide Receivers
Brandon Aiyuk is a top __ route runner in the league? pic.twitter.com/WOpUD101s0
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 13, 2023
Start - Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk was a fantasy stud in Week 1, finishing as the WR2 among all wideouts. H helped the 49ers beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-7 with eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Aiyuk gets overshadowed by Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel in the Niners offense, but the 2023 season is where this ends.
The Niners take on the Los Angeles Rams in a NFC West matchup. Watch Aiyuk build upon his recent success against the Rams with another WR1 performance in Week 2.
Start - Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers shined in his NFL debut with nine receptions for 78 yards against the Houston Texans in Week 1. Flowers was the primary target for Lamar Jackson and proved that he can be a playmaker in the Ravens offense.
He built upon his successful preseason and capitalized that tight end Mark Andrews was out last week. The Ravens now head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in an AFC Central matchup. Flowers has established chemistry with Jackson, and Flowers is a must-start this week.
Other WRs to Start: D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears, George Pickens, Pittsburgh SteelersÂ
Sit - Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy managers were projecting Drake London to build upon his rookie season, where he pulled in 72 receptions for 866 yards and four touchdowns. Plenty of burden was placed on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Desmond Ridder to expand the Atlanta Falcons.
While Ridder had issues, he was not the entire issue. There was not an issue. The Falcons do what they did last season and pound the ball. Now they have a new weapon in Bijan Robinson in the running game.
The passing game continues to suffer, especially Drake London, who had as much as I did on Sunday-zero! It is hard to believe in any component in the Falcons passing game. London was being drafted as one of the breakout wideouts this season, but the momentum stopped.
Until they figure out their passing game, do not inset London in your starting lineups.
Tight Ends
DeVonta Smith had 0 catches in Week 1 last year
The next week he had 7 catches for 80 yards — including the first catch of the game
Look for a big bounce-back game from Dallas Goedert tonight vs. Minnesota, who doesn’t have anyone to cover him @betPARX #Eagles pic.twitter.com/HikVx6UFxg
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 14, 2023
Start - Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert disappointed fantasy managers in Week 1 with zero catches and only one target. Goedert vows to get back on track starting with the Thursday Night Matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings' defense just allowed Baker Mayfield to throw for two scores. Look for Jalen Hurts and Goedert to bounce back this week as connect for a score and much more in Week 2.
Other TEs to Start: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, David Njoku, Cleveland BrownsÂ
Sit - Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee had a disappointing fantasy line in Week 1, with only three receptions for 49 yards in what should have been a favorable matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Matthew Stafford threw for 334 yards, but not enough went to Higbee to make him fantasy-relevant.
Week 2 brings the 49ers to SoFi Stadium in a tough matchup against a formidable Niners defense. Look elsewhere.
Other TEs to Avoid: Jake Ferguson, Dallas CowboysÂ
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