Week 2 Start 'Em or Sit 'Em

Nick Mensio dives into the matchups and identifies 25 of his favorite fantasy starts and sits for Week 2.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em is geared toward season-long leagues but can also be used for daily fantasy purposes.

QUARTERBACK

Start of the Week: Anthony Richardson at Texans – Sans Jonathan Taylor (ankle, PUP), No. 4 overall pick Richardson was the Colts’ offensive engine in Week 1’s loss to the Jaguars, a game that was closer than the final score indicated. After largely struggling with accuracy in college and his first preseason, Richardson completed 24-of-37 throws (65%) for 223 yards (6.0 YPA) and a 1:1 TD:INT ratio while adding 10/40/1 with his legs. He finished as the week’s overall QB4, and first-year coach Shane Steichen carried over his fast-paced play-calling. The Colts were third in average play-clock seconds remaining, and featured a 23.2% no-huddle rate, trailing only the Seahawks. Similarly, the Texans also played fast under OC Bobby Slowik, averaging 19.8 seconds per snap. This game has some sneaky shootout appeal despite its ugly 39-point total after both offenses were top-10 in Week 1 offensive plays. Richardson took a big hit at the end of the loss to the Jaguars but avoided the injury report this week. A Cam Newton clone, there’s little reason to expect the Colts to back off of Richardson. He’s a legit QB1.

Starts

Daniel Jones at Cardinals – Throttled 40-0 by the Cowboys at home last Sunday night, Jones was under siege behind an overmatched offensive line. Dallas’ pass rush compiled 24 QB hurries and seven sacks in a dominant effort. Jones will get a breather versus an Arizona unit that hurried Sam Howell just seven times in Week 1. Howell was able to hang the overall QB11 week on the Cardinals, completing over 61% of his throws with a touchdown each through the air and as a rusher. Jones carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards versus Dallas, a sign he’s going to remain heavily involved as a runner. Jones is a viable QB1 streamer and is always on the DFS tournament radar.

Brock Purdy at Rams – Purdy has thrown multiple touchdowns in seven straight starts to begin his career and picked up right where he left off as a rookie in Week 1’s dismantling of the Steelers, going 19-of-29 for 220 yards (7.6 YPA) and two TDs. His 91.3 QBR was the top mark among all quarterbacks last week. Los Angeles’ defense surprisingly shut down Seattle’s offense, particularly in the second half, but I’m still not buying this team as a contender. The defensive talent is lacking, and Kyle Shanahan is someone who can exploit it. Having averaged just 27.1 pass attempts per game in his seven starts, Purdy is never going to be a volume thrower, but he’s shown to be an efficient one. He also brings nothing to the table with his legs, but Purdy’s supporting cast is among the best in football. He’s probably still more of a two-quarterback/Superflex league option than a QB1 streamer.

Geno Smith at Lions – 2022’s Comeback Player of the Year and accuracy king, Smith’s Week 1 performance was one to forget, finishing as the week’s overall QB25 after going 16-of-26 for 112 yards (4.3 YPA) and one touchdown at home against the Rams. If Smith doesn’t bounce back under the Ford Field roof, one of fantasy’s most friendly confines, then we may need to revisit this offense. But I’m willing to go back to the well with this group. Seattle’s 30.4% no-huddle rate in Week 1 was tops in the league, and Seahawks-Lions sports a lofty 47.5-point total, third-highest of Week 2. When these two teams met at Ford Field last Week 4, they combined for 93 points in a 48-45 thriller. Concerning for this one is the Seahawks’ injuries to LT Charles Cross (toe) and RT Abraham Lucas (knee) after both were hurt against the Rams. Seattle was forced to sign 41-year-old Jason Peters earlier in the week and could start him versus Aidan Hutchinson and Co. after the Rams pressured Smith relentlessly. Still, the overall voluminous game environment and possible big-play nature of this one keeps Smith in the QB1 crosshairs.