Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em & Sit ‘Em: Matthew Stafford rebounds like a champ against Falcons

It’s OK to panic, a little, after Week 1 when one of your stars struggles. We share your frustration when guys like Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts, Mike Williams and D.J. Moore, among others, had bad games. But you can’t overreact.

Now, there are some situations where you should be concerned. The Cowboys, namely Ezekiel Elliott and CeeDee Lamb, could be in trouble with Dak Prescott (thumb) out. David Montgomery, Cam Akers, Dameon Pierce and Travis Etienne don’t look good right now. And the Patriots might not have a player you can trust.

But let’s see what happens in Week 2. Things could change. And you might regret your initial overreaction.

Go back to last year in Week 1 with Aaron Rodgers when the Saints demolished the Packers 38-3. Rodgers was terrible in that game with 133 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He scored one Fantasy point.

Do you remember what happened next? He rattled off six games in a row with at least 23 Fantasy points en route to winning his second consecutive MVP award. As Rodgers would say, Fantasy managers need to R-E-L-A-X.

We know you want to win every Fantasy matchup. So do we. But one game shouldn’t be your sample size, and we’ll see what happens in Week 2 if these concerns become a trend. Hopefully, the stars you’re counting on this season deliver in a big way.  

Matthew Stafford was another player who had a disappointing Week 1 in the Rams’ 31-10 loss to the Bills. He struggled with 29-of-41 passing for 240 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Questions were raised about his elbow, the Rams having a Super Bowl hangover and if Stafford was already washed up.

I expect Stafford to rebound with a monster game in Week 2 against the Falcons, which is why he’s our Start of the Week. He’s had time to correct some of his mistakes from Week 1 since that game was Thursday night, and hopefully he’ll get on the same page with Allen Robinson, who is also a bounce-back candidate in this matchup.

The Falcons just allowed Jameis Winston to pass for 269 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, with 213 yards and both scores coming in the fourth quarter. That defensive letdown should carry over to this week on the road, and Stafford should be ready to go from the start.

Let’s keep in mind with Stafford’s struggles in Week 1 that the Bills might have the best defense in the NFL. The Falcons don’t have that level of talent. Sean McVay also has never been two games under .500 in his career, so the Rams should win this game, with Stafford leading the way. He could be a top-five Fantasy quarterback in Week 2.

• More Week 2: Waiver Wire | QB Preview | RB Preview | WR Preview | TE Preview | Trade Values

Browns (vs. NYJ)

The Browns got four sacks and an interception in Week 1 against the Panthers, and this defense should be able to make plays against Joe Flacco and the Jets at home. The Jets scored nine points in Week 1 against the Ravens while allowing three sacks and two turnovers.

• Bengals (at DAL)
• Packers (vs. CHI)
• Patriots (at PIT)

Vikings (at PHI)

The Vikings defense had a great opener against the Packers in Week 1. Minnesota allowed just seven points with four sacks and two turnovers, but the Philadelphia offense should be a tougher opponent this week. The Eagles allowed one sack with no turnovers in Week 1 at Detroit while scoring 32 points.