Week 2 of the fantasy football season proved one thing loud and clear — nothing goes according to script. Whether it was breakout performances from unlikely heroes, frustrating flops from trusted stars, or injury shakeups that sent managers scrambling, the week was full of surprises that tested even the most seasoned fantasy players. As the dust settles, it’s clear that adaptability is key in this ever-unpredictable game. Here’s a look at the biggest headlines, standout performances, and waiver-wire revelations in preparation for a wild Week 3 in the NFL.
One Man Show; Can McCaffery Hold up?
Through the first two weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Christian McCaffrey has once again looked like the engine of the San Francisco 49ers offense. He’s averaged over 23 touches per game, racking up explosive plays on the ground and remaining a focal point in the passing game. From a fantasy perspective, he’s been nothing short of elite—likely sitting near the top of RB rankings and delivering exactly what managers hoped for when they spent a top-3 pick on him.
But here’s the concern: sustainability.
McCaffrey has a well-documented injury history, especially from his later years in Carolina, where heavy workloads led to a string of soft tissue injuries in 2020 and 2021. Since joining the 49ers, he’s stayed remarkably healthy, thanks in part to smart usage and the depth of weapons around him. However, through Weeks 1 and 2 of this season, San Francisco has leaned heavily on CMC, giving him a touch on nearly 45% of offensive plays—a usage rate more reminiscent of his Carolina days than the balanced Shanahan-era Niners.
- Short-term: Fire him up with confidence. McCaffrey is in elite form, and the offense is humming even with Mac Jones at the helm.
- Medium/long-term: Monitor usage trends and injury reports. If San Francisco builds a lead in the division or starts managing snaps, expect a decrease in touches around midseason to preserve him for a playoff run.
- Handcuff alert: Brian Robinson Jr. is a must-stash for McCaffrey managers. Even though he’s barely touched the ball so far, he’s the clear backup if an injury occurs.
In summary, while McCaffrey’s usage has been a fantasy goldmine, history tells us that this pace may not be sustainable across a full season. He’s currently healthy and dominant—but as always with CMC, enjoy the ride while it lasts, and be prepared for a possible shift later in the season.
Burrow Injury Ripple Affect
Joe Burrow is once again battling injury concerns, this time dealing with turf toe, an ailment that may seem minor but can significantly hinder a quarterback’s mobility and throwing mechanics—especially someone like Burrow, who relies heavily on pocket footwork and subtle movement to extend plays. Turf toe can linger for weeks; in this case, Burrow needs surgery and will be out for a minimum of three months.
If history is any indicator, fantasy managers should prepare for a significant downturn in production across the board. The last time Burrow missed time (back in 2023), Jake Browning stepped in as the starter. While Browning had a few serviceable fantasy outings, his presence led to a noticeable decline in passing volume and efficiency. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins both struggled with inconsistent target quality, and the Bengals’ offense became more conservative, relying heavily on Joe Mixon and the short passing game.
I would expect a slight uptick in targets for tight ends and running backs, and a lowered ceiling for the receiving corps. Chase might still have big plays due to his talent, but he’s far less likely to deliver top-5 WR performances without Burrow. Higgins becomes more of a boom-or-bust FLEX play on a week-to-week basis. I would expect Chase Brown‘s fantasy owners to benefit the most from this injury in terms of fantasy production; however, the first two weeks of the season have not been flattering for Chase Brown and the Bengals’ run game.
Heating Up in Miami
Through two games, the Dolphins’ offense has been a mixed bag for fantasy managers — high upside, but also frustrating inefficiencies. In Week 1 vs. the Colts, Miami was largely shut down (just 211 total yards, 133 passing, 78 rushing) with Tua Tagovailoa throwing for one touchdown but coughing up two interceptions, plus a fumble.
In Week 2, they bounced back somewhat: Tua threw for 315 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while Tyreek Hill caught 6 passes for 109 yards. Achane emerged as a dual-threat in that game, posting 92 receiving yards and a TD and showing that his role in the passing game will make him fantasy-relevant. Overall, while Hill and Achane remain must-starts in PPR formats, the run game has been inconsistent, and Tua’s turnovers in game 1 serve as a warning: this offense has the potential for big weeks, but also enough volatility that you can’t treat every matchup as a lock.
Although Miami did lose in Week 2, things do not look good for the 2025 season. There are a few players on this team that are going to stay relevant no matter how bad the Dolphins’ record is in 2025. The big play potential is enough to keep me invested in the likes of Tyreek Hill and Devon Achane. Miami is a powder keg, and when it blows, the points will be plenty, but expect a bit of a wait for the next eruption of points.
Pocket Passers Rejoice; Goff Lights It Up
This game reinforced that Goff remains a high-ceiling fantasy QB (334 yards, 5 TD), especially when he has favorable matchups and the offense is clicking. When the Lions get up early, where defenses are forced to respect both the run and pass, Goff’s upside (touchdown-wise) shoots up.
A game like this boosts confidence in starting Goff. After a down Week 1, this performance shows he (and the offense) can bounce back. Fantasy managers can view him as less “boom or bust” when he has a clean pocket and a healthy offensive line (which seemed to be the case here)
Goff’s fantasy value rises when his weapons are producing. Amon‑Ra St. Brown is clearly a top-tier target, and Williams is dangerous in big‑play situations. Also, a competent running back tandem that can force defenses to commit bodies to stopping the run (like Gibbs & Montgomery) helps open up the pass game even more. So, fantasy return on Goff is tied closely to how well the team can keep all parts healthy and involved.
While Week 2 was a blowout against a vulnerable Bears defense (52-21), not every opponent will be so forgiving. Fantasy managers should be cautious in harder matchups — strong pass‑rushing defenses, cold weather (Goff has had some environmental struggles in the past), or when the Lions are expected to run more to control tempo. These games may limit his ceiling even if he’s still usable.
Ayomanor Becoming a WR 2
In Week 1, Ayomanor pulled in 2 receptions for 13 yards, but what was more interesting was that he got 7 targets — second on the Titans behind only Calvin Ridley. He played a high percentage of snaps, indicating the Titans are already giving him a lot of opportunity. By Week 2 vs. the Rams, he had a 4‑catch, 56‑yard game including his first NFL touchdown, on 6 targets. He also solidified a status as the presumed No. 2 receiver in Tennessee’s passing game behind Ridley, as he tied Ridley in targets.
Ayomanor has climbed the depth chart fast. If Tennessee leans more on the pass, or if Cam Ward’s play improves, Ayomanor has the potential to deliver solid PPR returns as the second option. Games with favorable matchups (weak secondaries, shootout potential) could lead to big upside. His early yards (13 yards on 7 targets in Week 1) show inefficiency — high target share but low yardage. Until that efficiency improves, expect some boom/bust weeks. The leap from college to NFL defenses will test him. The catch rate, contested catches, route separation, etc., all matter—if those aren’t tight, his fantasy output may lag even when opportunity is there.
Ayomanor shines in dynasty or deep PPR/superflex/keeper formats. Given his college production (1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns over two years at Stanford) plus his size‑speed profile (6’2″, ~206 lbs, 4.44 40‑yard dash), he has the pedigree of a long‑term asset.
As we head into Week 3, one thing is certain: fantasy football rarely goes according to plan. Injuries, breakout performances, and underwhelming duds continue to shake up lineups and challenge even the most seasoned managers. With stars like Joe Burrow battling injuries and rookies like Elic Ayomanor emerging as potential contributors, the fantasy landscape is shifting quickly. Week 3 holds more questions than answers, and if the first two weeks have taught us anything, it’s this — expect the unexpected. Stay flexible, trust your research, and be ready for the chaos that only fantasy football can deliver.
