Week 1 of the fantasy season gave us some surprises, and Week 2 looks ready to do the same. Some players have dream matchups that could turn them into must-starts, while others face tough defenses that make them risky bets. Let’s break down the matchups that could make or break your lineup.
Quarterbacks
Best: QB Justin Fields, New York Jets
QB Justin Fields accounted for three touchdowns in the Jets’ opener, two of them on the ground, while completing 16 of 22 passes with far more poise than we’ve seen in past seasons. That blend of efficiency and rushing production is exactly what makes him a fantasy difference-maker.
Week 2 brings a Buffalo defense that just struggled to contain Lamar Jackson, allowing the NFL’s best dual-threat QB to rush for 70 yards and a score on 11 attempts. Fields’ legs provide one of the safest floors at the position, and if the passing volume holds, he’s firmly in the QB1 mix with top-8 upside this week.
Worst: QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
QB Daniel Jones couldn’t have scripted a better Colts debut, leading scoring drives on all seven possessions while tossing a touchdown and rushing for two more. His mobility remains a clear fantasy asset, and Indianapolis’s offensive line gave him the cleanest pocket he’s had in years. That said, Week 2 brings a reality check against Denver’s defense, which ranked among the league’s best in 2024 and just held rookie QB Cam Ward to 112 passing yards with no scores.
Jones is a viable play in superflex formats thanks to his rushing upside, but he’s a risky bet in standard 1-QB leagues.
Running Backs
Best: RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
RB Travis Etienne Jr. set the tone in Jacksonville’s opener, ripping off 143 yards on 16 carries and adding three receptions to finish as a top-six fantasy back in PPR. With RB Tank Bigsby now in Philadelphia, Etienne owns the Jacksonville backfield.
He gets another appealing matchup in Week 2 against Cincinnati, a defense that surrendered an average of 20.6 fantasy points per game to running backs last season. Even if the Bengals looked stronger in their opener, Etienne’s combination of volume, explosiveness, and three-down usage in Liam Cohen’s offense makes him a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside.
Worst: RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
RB Isiah Pacheco had a disappointing Week 1 in Kansas City’s 27-24 loss to the Chargers, totaling just 25 rushing yards on five carries while adding three receiving yards. With Patrick Mahomes likely to be forced into a pass-heavy game script, Pacheco faces a tough test in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia ranked fourth in the NFL against the run in 2024, and while they surrendered 119 rushing yards to Dallas last week, the return of Jalen Carter should sure up lots of those inefficiencies. With limited volume and a top-tier run defense ahead, Pacheco is firmly a low-end RB3/FLEX this week, with his ceiling capped by both matchup and usage.
Wide Receivers
Best: WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
WR Tyreek Hill managed to lead Miami in catches and yards despite the Dolphins’ offense falling flat in Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa was limited to just 114 passing yards and a pair of interceptions, as the Dolphins limped their way to a 33-8 defeat to the Colts. Even in that negative game script, Hill commanded a 26% target share and maximized his limited chances (4 receptions for 40 yards on 6 targets), despite his public displays of frustration.
Week 2 sets up far more favorably: New England surrendered 362 passing yards to Geno Smith and the Raiders in their opener and ranked in the bottom half of the league against opposing wideouts last season. Expect Hill to rebound with WR1-level production at home.
Worst: WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
WR Calvin Ridley was Tennessee’s most targeted receiver in Week 1 with eight looks but managed to haul in just four catches for 27 yards as rookie Cam Ward struggled in his NFL debut. Ridley remains the clear No. 1 in the Titans’ passing game, but Week 2 brings a tough matchup against a Rams defense that limited Houston’s WR Nico Collins to just 25 yards in their opener. If Ward can clean up his accuracy, Ridley has flex appeal, but a poor matchup and uncertain QB play keep him risky for managers with safer options.
Tight Ends
Best: TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
TE Trey McBride picked up right where he left off last season, catching 6 of 9 targets for 69 yards in Arizona’s opener and leading the team in both receptions and targets. Even with Marvin Harrison Jr. grabbing the headlines, McBride was clearly the focal point of the passing attack, staying on the field for all but two snaps.
That heavy usage sets him up for another strong outing in Week 2 against Carolina. The Panthers surrendered the second-most fantasy points to tight ends a year ago and just allowed Jacksonville’s TE Brenton Strange to pace the Jags in receiving yards. McBride should feast.
Worst: TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
TE Colston Loveland looks to build on a modest Week 1 as the Bears travel to Detroit in Week 2. He caught both of his targets for 12 yards in Chicago’s close loss to Minnesota, while fellow TE Cole Kmet saw four targets, catching one for 31 yards. The rookie first-round pick is still finding his role in the offense, and Week 2 brings a tough matchup against a Lions defense that has historically limited tight ends.
The Lions were the second stingiest fantasy defense in the league last year against the tight end position, allowing an average of only 7 fantasy PPG. In Week 1, Green Bay TE Tucker Kraft caught only two of four targets for 16 yards against Detroit (albeit one of those was for a score). Look elsewhere for tight end help in Week 2.
Defense/ST
Best: 49ers, D/ST
The 49ers opened the season in dominant fashion, holding Seattle to just 14 points and 230 yards while forcing two turnovers. That level of disruption makes them one of the premier fantasy defenses heading into Week 2, where they’ll face a Saints team with an expected point total of only 18.5 points. New Orleans showed some life offensively in their opener, but with shaky quarterback play and limited firepower, this is a matchup tilted heavily in San Francisco’s favor. Expect the Niners’ defense to control the game and finish as one of the week’s top-scoring units.
Worst: Commanders, D/ST
Despite putting up the 8th most fantasy points for a defense in Week 1, the Commanders are a defense to steer clear of in Week 2. They travel to Green Bay to take on an offense that just dominated a Lions defense that ranked in the top 10 fantasy defenses in 2024. Washington took advantage of (yet another) dysfunctional Giants offense in Week 1, and while they may not be overtly overmatched this week, the Commanders should still be avoided with plenty of other quality streaming options available.
