Fantasy football Week 2 stat projections
Some predictable names rose to the top of the Week 1 fantasy rankings, with Calvin Johnson, Peyton Manning, Matt Forte and Julius Thomas among the leading scorers. They were joined atop the leaderboard by second-tier players like Matt Ryan and Le’Veon Bell, and late-round draft day fliers like Allen Hurns and Knowshon Moreno. You never know who is going to bust out and lead fantasy owners to weekly glory.
MORE FANTASY COVERAGE: Week 1 recap | Target report | Waiver wire
What will Ryan do for an encore after his career day against the Saints last week? Is Bell the breakout running back of 2014? Can Hurns keep alive his Week 1 momentum? Find out in the SI.com fantasy football projections for Week 2.
Dolphins at Bills
QB: Ryan Tannehill – 269 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Knowshon Moreno – 84 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Lamar Miller – 38 rush yards, five receptions, 53 receiving yards
WR: Mike Wallace – six receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD
WR: Brian Hartline – five receptions, 51 yards
TE: Charles Clay – five receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
K: Caleb Sturgis – 3 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Dolphins D – 10 points allowed, four sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR
Are Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller this year’s Reggie Bush and Joique Bell? They can both certainly be fantasy starters every single week. Consider Moreno an RB2 and Miller a flex for now.
QB: EJ Manuel – 191 yards, 2 INTs, 13 rush yards
RB: C.J. Spiller – 57 rush yards, three receptions, 18 receiving yards
RB: Fred Jackson – 53 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 10 receiving yards
WR: Sammy Watkins – five receptions, 73 yards
WR: Robert Woods – three receptions, 35 yards
WR: Mike Williams – two receptions, 22 yards
TE: Scott Chandler – one reception, 6 yards
K: Dan Carpenter – 1 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Bills D – 27 points allowed, two sacks, 1 FR
Spiller and Jackson will continue to keep each other’s ceilings limited. Both are good options, though it’s hard to get excited about either against the Dolphins.
Week 1 Winners, Losers | Challenge friends in our weekly fantasy game
Jaguars at Redskins
QB: Chad Henne – 242 yards, 2 INTs
RB: Toby Gerhart – 78 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 22 yards
RB: Jordan Todman – 16 rush yards
WR: Allen Hurns – four receptions, 60 yards
WR: Marqise Lee – three receptions, 42 yards
WR: Cecil Shorts – three receptions, 48 yards
TE: Marcedes Lewis – four receptions, 50 yards
K: Josh Scobee – 1 PAT, 2 FGs
DST: Jaguars D – 17 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
Hurns is no doubt a legitimate playmaker. He caught two passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air last week, going for a total of 70 yards.
QB: Robert Griffin – 281 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 47 rush yards
RB: Alfred Morris – 116 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 17 rec yards
RB: Roy Helu – 22 rush yards, one reception, 8 rec yards
WR: Pierre Garcon – eight receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD
WR: DeSean Jackson – five receptions, 103 yards
TE: Niles Paul – three receptions, 33 yards
K: Kai Forbath – 2 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Redskins D – 13 points allowed, three sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR
Washington has to give Morris more touches until the passing game finds its way. Garcon had 12 targets last week, suggesting that the usage concerns surrounding his fantasy value during the preseason were overstated.
Audibles Podcast: Buy or sell Week 1 performances; Week 2 picks
Cowboys at Titans
QB: Tony Romo – 287 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: DeMarco Murray – 112 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 26 rec yards
RB: Lance Dunbar – 14 rush yards, one reception, 5 rec yards
WR: Dez Bryant – seven receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
WR: Terrance Williams – five receptions, 61 yards
WR: Cole Beasley – three receptions, 26 yards
TE: Jason Witten – four receptions, 53 yards
K: Dan Bailey – 2 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Cowboys D – 27 points allowed
Murray was the only thing to like about the Dallas offense a week ago. That will be the case again this week.
QB: Jake Locker – 285 pass yards, 3 TDs, 6 rush yards
RB: Shonn Greene – 82 rush yards, two receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Bishop Sankey – 18 rush yards
WR: Kendall Wright – seven receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD
WR: Justin Hunter – six receptions, 109 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Nate Washington – three receptions, 26 yards
WR: Dexter McCluster – 21 rush yards, one reception, 15 rec yards
TE: Delanie Walker – 3 receptions, 31 yards
K: Ryan Succop – 3 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Titans D – 17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
Hunter had eight targets last week, while the Dallas cornerbacks struggled mightily in coverage. His breakout begins this week.
King: Time to pay attention to Titans | Romo lets 'Boys down in Week 1
Cardinals at Giants
QB: Carson Palmer – 322 pass yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RB: Andre Ellington – 68 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 48 rec yards
RB: Jonathan Dwyer – 17 rush yards
RB: Stepfan Taylor – 21 rush yards, one reception, 8 rec yards
WR: Michael Floyd – five receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD
WR: Larry Fitzgerald – seven receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD
WR: John Brown – four receptions, 60 yards
WR: Ted Ginn – one reception, 7 yards
TE: John Carlson – no receptions
K: Chandler Catanzaro – 3 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Cardinals D – six points allowed, four sacks, 3 INTs, 1 FR
Monitor Ellington throughout the week, but it appears that fantasy owners can trust him once again. His foot held up well on Monday night, though he did appear to slow down as the game progressed.
Cardinals make Monday night magic | Giants O falls flat in debut
QB: Eli Manning – 279 pass yards, 3 INTs
RB: Rashad Jennings – 67 rush yards, five receptions, 60 rec yards
RB: Andre Williams – 22 rush yards
WR: Victor Cruz – five receptions, 72 yards
WR: Rueben Randle – five receptions, 68 yards
WR: Jerrel Jernigan – three receptions, 21 yards
TE: Larry Donnell – three receptions, 28 yards
K: Josh Brown – 2 FGs
DST: Giants D – 27 points allowed, one sack, 1 INT
This Giants offense is just in complete disarray. At 35 years old, could Eli Manning potentially find his way to the bench at some point this season?
Patriots at Vikings
QB: Tom Brady – 330 pass yards, 3 TDs
RB: Shane Vereen – 40 rush yards, five receptions, 58 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Stevan Ridley – 52 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 12 rec yards
WR: Julian Edelman – seven receptions, 81 yards
WR: Kenbrell Thompkins – five receptions, 44 yards
WR: Danny Amendola – three receptions, 30 yards
TE: Rob Gronkowski – seven receptions, 101 yards, 2 TDs
TE: Tim Wright – one reception, 4 yards
K: Stephen Gostkowski – 4 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Patriots D – 19 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
Kudos to Cameron Wake and the Dolphins, who totally shut down the Patriots in the second half last week. The bet here is that the Pats take out their frustrations on Minnesota.
QB: Matt Cassel – 257 pass yards, 1 INT
RB: Matt Asiata – 38 rush yards
RB: Jerick McKinnon – 14 rush yards, two receptions, 12 receiving yards
WR: Cordarrelle Patterson – six receptions, 89 yards, 57 rush yards
WR: Greg Jennings – seven receptions, 75 yards
WR: Jarius Wright – two receptions, 18 yards
TE: Kyle Rudolph – two receptions, 30 yards
K: Blair Walsh – 1 PAT, 4 FGs
DST: Vikings D – 31 points allowed, two sacks, 1 FR
Sure, Patterson had the big highlight play. He also had just three receptions on five targets in Week 1.
Saints at Browns
QB: Drew Brees – 335 pass yards, 4 TDs
RB: Pierre Thomas – 41 rush yards, six receptions, 57 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Mark Ingram – 57 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Khiry Robinson – 27 rush yards
WR: Marques Colston – six receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandin Cooks – five receptions, 69 yards
TE: Jimmy Graham – eight receptions, 110 yards, 2 TDs
K: Shayne Graham – 5 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Saints D – 17 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR
Regardless of matchup, the Saints could boast as many as six fantasy starters on a regular basis this year. Our projections call for that to be the case this week.
QB: Brian Hoyer – 238 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Terrance West – 66 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Isaiah Crowell – 17 rush yards
WR: Andrew Hawkins – five receptions, 74 yards
WR: Miles Austin – four receptions, 36 yards
WR: Taylor Gabriel – three receptions, 27 yards
TE: Jordan Cameron – five receptions, 70 yards, 1 TD
K: Billy Cundiff – 2 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Browns D – 38 points allowed, one sack
The Terrance West takeover begins this week with Ben Tate out due to the knee injury he suffered last week. West should get at least two weeks as the starter, and that could be enough for him to entrench himself in the role. The only reason his projected stats aren't a bit higher is because of the very real possibility of a blowout. Brian Hoyer may be forced to put the ball in the air a lot on Sunday.
Banks: Hoyer takes hold of Browns' starting job in a losing effort
Falcons at Bengals
QB: Matt Ryan – 311 pass yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
RB: Steven Jackson – 44 rush yards
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers – 27 rush yards, one reception, 7 rec yards
RB: Devonta Freeman – 12 rush yards, two receptions, 12 rec yards
WR: Julio Jones – seven receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD
WR: Roddy White – six receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
WR: Harry Douglas – four receptions, 53 yards 1 TD
WR: Devin Hester – two receptions, 45 yards
TE: Levine Toilolo – one reception, 5 yards
K: Matt Bryant – 3 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Falcons D – 28 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT
Ryan threw for more than 4,500 yards and 26 scores last year with his receiving corps in shambles. He has top-five potential at the position, as he showed last week. The Bengals, however, present a much tougher matchup.
QB: Andy Dalton – 327 pass yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
RB: Giovani Bernard – 77 rush yards, six receptions, 68 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Jeremy Hill – 46 rush yards, 1 TD
WR: A.J. Green – eight receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD
WR: Mohamed Sanu – three receptions, 38 yards
WR: Brandon Tate – five receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD
TE: Jermaine Gresham – three receptions, 19 yards
K: Mike Nugent – 4 PATs
DST: Bengals D – 24 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
Dalton is usually good for a few huge games each season. An early-season game at home against a potentially weak defense is a good spot for one of those games.
Lions at Panthers
QB: Matthew Stafford – 308 pass yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RB: Reggie Bush – 81 rush yards, five receptions, 47 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Joique Bell – 47 rush yards, four receptions, 42 rec yards
WR: Calvin Johnson – six receptions, 94 yards, 1 TD
WR: Golden Tate – six receptions, 88 yards
TE: Brandon Pettigrew – one reception, 8 yards
TE: Eric Ebron – two receptions, 10 yards
K: Nate Freese – 2 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Lions D – 14 points allowed, two sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR
The Lions looked like one of the best teams in the league in dismantling the Giants on Monday Night Football. This game should be close, and that would likely mean more Bush and less Bell.
QB: Cam Newton – 261 pass yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 13 rush yards
RB: DeAngelo Williams – 55 rush yards, one reception, 10 rec yards
RB: Jonathan Stewart – 38 rush yards, three receptions, 16 rec yards
RB: Mike Tolbert – 7 rush yards, one reception, 6 rec yards
WR: Kelvin Benjamin – six receptions, 89 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Jerricho Cotchery – four receptions, 47 yards
WR: Jason Avant – two receptions, 12 yards
TE: Greg Olsen – six receptions, 76 yards
K: Graham Gano – 2 PATs
DST: Panthers D – 20 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT
All of these projections are contingent on the return of Newton. Fantasy owners would have to reassess if Derek Anderson gets the nod again.
Rams at Buccaneers
QB: Austin Davis – 173 pass yards, 3 INTs
RB: Zac Stacy – 73 rush yards, one reception, 8 rec yards
RB: Benny Cunningham – 32 rush yards
WR: Brian Quick – four receptions, 52 yards
WR: Tavon Austin – two receptions, 25 yards
WR: Kenny Britt – four receptions, 41 yards
TE: Jared Cook – three receptions, 39 yards
K: Greg Zuerlein – 1 PAT, 2 FGs
DST: Rams D – 17 points allowed, four sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD
At this point, there’s just no way to trust the Rams offense. This could be a headache all season long.
QB: Josh McCown – 253 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Doug Martin – 80 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 32 rec yards
RB: Bobby Rainey – 20 rush yards
WR: Vincent Jackson – five receptions, 97 yards
WR: Mike Evans – six receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins – three receptions, 34 yards
K: Patrick Murray – 2 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Buccaneers D – 13 points allowed, three sacks, 3 INTs
Martin’s knee injury isn’t thought to be serious. If he plays this week, he should help the Tampa Bay offense get on track.
Seahawks at Chargers
QB: Russell Wilson – 239 pass yards, 1 TD, 28 rush yards
RB: Marshawn Lynch – 127 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Robert Turbin – 25 rush yards
WR: Percy Harvin – seven receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD, 14 rush yards
WR: Doug Baldwin – five receptions, 56 yards
WR: Jermaine Kearse – three receptions, 28 yards
TE: Zach Miller – three receptions, 40 yards
K: Steven Hauschka – 2 PATs, 3 FGs
DST: Seahawks D – 13 points allowed, four sacks, 2 INTs
Harvin played a low number of snaps last week, but the Seahawks made it a priority to get the ball in his hands when he was on the field. Expect that to be the case again in San Diego.
QB: Philip Rivers – 225 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RB: Ryan Mathews – 58 rush yards, three receptions, 20 rec yards
RB: Danny Woodhead – 14 rush yards, four receptions, 29 rec yards
WR: Keenan Allen – five receptions, 70 yards
WR: Malcom Floyd – four receptions, 45 yards
TE: Antonio Gates – four receptions, 35 yards
TE: Ladarius Green – two receptions, 17 yards
K: Nick Novak – 1 PAT, 2 FGs
DST: Chargers D – 23 points allowed, 1 FR
The Chargers sputtered on offense against the Cardinals, and their task only gets harder with the Seahawks coming to town. It’s not 2013 anymore. This offense needs to prove it to us again.
NFL Power Rankings: Seahawks, Broncos assert their dominance
Texans at Raiders
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 248 pass yards, 1 TD
RB: Arian Foster – 111 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 22 rec yards
WR: Andre Johnson – seven receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD
WR: DeAndre Hopkins – four receptions, 77 yards
TE: C.J. Fiedorowicz – two receptions, 18 yards
K: Randy Bullock – 2 PATs, 3 FGs
DST: Texans D – 17 points allowed, four sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR
Somehow, Foster and Johnson continue to get it done with a whole lot of nothing around them. The Raiders' suspect defense provides a great matchup for both veterans.
QB: Derek Carr – 218 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Latavius Murray – 46 rush yards, three receptions, 24 rec yards
RB: Darren McFadden – 55 rush yards, three receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: James Jones – four receptions, 55 yards
WR: Rod Streater – five receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
WR: Andre Holmes – three receptions, 40 yards
WR: Denarius Moore – two receptions, 28 yards
K: Sebastian Janikowski – 2 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Raiders D – 23 points allowed, one sack, 1 FR
Quite literally, this is the last offense a fantasy owner wants to be invested in this year. Even with Jadeveon Clowney out, the Texans should feast.
Jets at Packers
QB: Geno Smith – 255 pass yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 21 rush yards
RB: Chris Johnson – 65 rush yards, 1 TD, five receptions, 37 rec yards
RB: Chris Ivory – 59 rush yards
WR: Eric Decker – eight receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD
WR: Jeremy Kerley – three receptions, 34 yards
TE: Jeff Cumberland – four receptions, 38 yards
TE: Jace Amaro – three receptions, 33 yards
K: Nick Folk – 3 PATs, 0 FG
DST: Jets D – 41 points allowed
There could be some prime garbage-time scoring for the Jets this week. Smith had perhaps his most efficient game in the NFL last week, but in fairness, it was against the Raiders.
QB: Aaron Rodgers – 359 pass yards, 4 TDs, 17 rush yards
RB: Eddie Lacy – 87 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 21 rec yards
RB: James Starks – 24 rush yards, one reception, 9 rec yards
WR: Jordy Nelson – eight receptions, 125 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Randall Cobb – eight receptions, 85 yards, 2 TDs
WR: Jarrett Boykin – four receptions, 50 yards
TE: Andrew Quarless – three receptions, 34 yards
K: Mason Crosby – 5 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Packers D – 21 points allowed, three sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FR
You think this team is frustrated? They’re about to take out all of last week’s frustrations on the Jets.
Snap Judgments: Star quarterbacks endure frustrating Week 1
Chiefs at Broncos
QB: Alex Smith – 203 pass yards, 1 INT
RB: Jamaal Charles – 127 rush yards, 1 TD, four receptions, 39 rec yards
WR: Dwayne Bowe – five receptions, 47 yards
WR: Donnie Avery – four receptions, 53 yards
TE: Travis Kelce – three receptions, 60 yards
K: Cairo Santos – 1 PAT, 2 FGs
DST: Chiefs D – 31 points allowed, one sack
Jamaal Charles had just 11 touches last week. That should never happen again.
QB: Peyton Manning – 319 pass yards, 3 TDs
RB: Montee Ball – 107 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 15 rec yards
RB: C.J. Anderson – 18 rush yards
WR: Demaryius Thomas – nine receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD
WR: Emmanuel Sanders – five receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
WR: Andre Caldwell – three receptions, 25 yards
WR: Cody Latimer – two receptions, 20 yards
TE: Julius Thomas – four receptions, 58 yards, 1 TD
K: Brandon McManus – 4 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Broncos D – 13 points allowed, three sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
Ball’s per-carry numbers from a week ago don’t look great, but he had the least yards before contact of any starting running back in the league. With the Kansas City defense wracked by injuries, he should find more room to run this week.
Niesen: Peyton Manning embraces new Mile High home with Broncos
Bears at 49ers
QB: Jay Cutler – 319 pass yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RB: Matt Forte – 73 rush yards, 1 TD, six receptions, 47 rec yards
WR: Brandon Marshall – eight receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD
WR: Alshon Jeffery – six receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD
WR: Santonio Holmes – three receptions, 27 yards
TE: Martellus Bennett – three receptions, 20 yards
K: Robbie Gould – 3 PATs, 3 FGs
DST: Bears D – 31 points allowed, 2 INTs
The Bears offense did basically whatever it wanted for large chunks of last week’s loss to the Bills, but Cutler's two interceptions were killer. They have little to fear from the 49ers.
QB: Colin Kaepernick – 233 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 34 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Frank Gore – 113 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Carlos Hyde – 64 rush yards, 1 TD, two receptions, 11 rec yards
WR: Michael Crabtree – five receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD
WR: Anquan Boldin – seven receptions, 80 yards
WR: Steve Johnson – three receptions, 24 yards
TE: Vernon Davis – three receptions, 40 yards
K: Phil Dawson – 4 PATs, 1 FG
DST: 49ers D – 30 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT
With the way the Bears have struggled against the run, expect Gore, Hyde and Kaepernick to have a field day.
Eagles at Colts
QB: Nick Foles – 305 pass yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RB: LeSean McCoy – 126 rush yards, 1 TD, three receptions, 31 rec yards
RB: Darren Sproles -- 38 rush yards, three receptions, 30 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Maclin – five receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD
WR: Riley Cooper – three receptions, 43 yards
WR: Jordan Matthews – four receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD
TE: Zach Ertz – four receptions, 60 yards
K: Cody Parker – 3 PATs, 2 FGs
DST: Eagles D – 24 points allowed, two sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR
It took this offense some time to find a rhythm last week, but once it did it looked like the dominant unit from 2013. The Eagles should overwhelm the Colts.
QB: Andrew Luck – 334 pass yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 19 rush yards
RB: Trent Richardson – 18 rush yards
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw – 37 rush yards, four receptions, 47 rec yards
WR: Reggie Wayne – nine receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD
WR: T.Y. Hilton – five receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
WR: Hakeem Nicks – five receptions, 37 yards
TE: Coby Fleener – three receptions, 28 yards, 1 TD
TE:Dwayne Allen – two receptions, 17 yards
K: Adam Vinatieri – 3 PATs, 1 FG
DST: Colts D – 27 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 INT
Bradshaw has to be considered the No. 1 back in Indianapolis. He’s not quite a starter for fantasy owners yet, but he is already moving in that direction. Luck, meanwhile, matches up well -- for fantasy purposes -- against a team that is going to pressure him to put up points, like the Eagles will.
