The first week of the 2020 fantasy football season is officially in the books, and while many surprises for playing time and opportunities happened across the NFL, the quarterback position did not present too many outliers, although there were a few.
In his first game as a member of the New England Patriots, Cam Newton went out and proved every other team wrong for letting him sit out in free agency for as long as they did. Granted, it came against a not-hapless-but-not-great Miami Dolphins defense, but the healthy balance that the Pats’ offense used Newton in both passing and rushing situations was quite impressive.
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints’ start 'em sit 'em recommendations at running back, wide receiver, and tight end*
Aaron Rodgers shed any sort of washed labels he was thrust into this offseason with the draft of QB Jordan Love, and all he did was produce an offensive output not seen by him since his last MVP season – watch out league, he may be on one again this year.
Also, Josh Allen, Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan, Kyler Murray, and the two household names (Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes) all put up big lines to start the year, which was all pretty much expected.
Going into the second week, this turns into truly seeing who can bring it on an every-week basis and who is just more of a flash in the pan.
Here is the fantasy football Week 2 start 'em sit 'em for quarterbacks.
QBs to Start in Week 2 in Fantasy Football
Matt Ryan (Falcons) @ Cowboys
How does Matty Ice match up with his outstanding Week 1 turnout? By facing a defensive unit that is already down a defensive leader and lost its top cornerback this offseason.
With 450 yards and two TDs last week, Ryan is primed to start up a resurgent campaign that can hopefully lead the Atlanta Falcons back to the postseason and hopefully save Dan Quinn’s job in the process. While the latter seems a bit tougher to do, the former is reliant on his arm and the duo of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, both of whom should feast on Sunday.
With Ridley hauling in both TDs from Ryan, and the trio of Jones, Ridley, and Russell Gage commanding 12 targets each last week, the passing attack is alive and well for ATL.
With Todd Gurley showing that his two-way prowess is on its way back to when he was the league’s top back, another weapon at Ryan’s disposal is exactly what he needs – we could see a Hayden Hurst welcoming party this weekend too.
Aaron Rodgers (Packers) vs. Lions
Cornerbacks Justin Coleman (hamstring, IR), Jeffrey Okudah (hamstring), and Desmond Trufant (hamstring) all suffered hamstring injuries in their loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, something that has got to be making Rodgers super excited for Week 2.
With Davante Adams setting what was left of the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary on fire on Sunday, he looks ready to go to be that solid again this week, and it also represents their first home game of the year at empty Lambeau Field.
With how the veteran QB has been able to utilize his trust hard count to his favor, the Lions look to be in for a very, very long day in Green Bay.
Kyler Murray (Cardinals) vs. Washington
Did the Washington Professional Football Team shock everyone and come back and beat the Philadelphia Eagles? Yes. But should they be expected to put together a shockingly-good season this year? Not a chance.
With the team still trying to figure out what to do on the offensive side of the ball, combined with their over-abundance of defensive linemen, and this team has the right pieces in some places, but not everywhere they need them. Which is exactly why Kyler Murray can continue his breakout campaign against them.
Having a pretty established rapport with DeAndre Hopkins already, Murray looks super comfortable in his second year of Kliff Kingsbury’s offense, something that should continue against the Washington secondary.
Look for Kenyan Drake to get more involved in the passing game this week too, as well as Murray to utilize his legs more and add even more fantasy football points.
Other QBs to start: Daniel Jones (Giants) @ Bears, Josh Allen (Bills) @ Dolphins, Dak Prescott (Cowboys) vs Falcons, Ryan Tannehill (Titans) vs Jaguars
QBs to Sit in Week 2
Drew Lock (Broncos) @ Steelers
Hype trains are running rampant for the Denver Broncos’ offense this year, something that is spearheaded by the proclaimed breakout of second-year starter Drew Lock. The former Mizzou QB looks to have a full arsenal of weaponry at his sides, something that can help him ascend to be the next franchise QB for the Broncos.
But the Steelers, as everyone was privy to on Monday Night Football this past week, probably boast the stingiest defensive unit in the league, something that will give Lock fits all night. Their offensive line, while not bad, is not built to consistently withstand the pass-rush onslaught that Pittsburgh will throw their way.
Plus, their LB core and defensive backfield are quite stout as well, meaning that even if Lock has time to look around, there probably won’t be many options for him to take advantage of. Even in two-QB fantasy football leagues, if you can fade Lock for this week, do it.
Gardner Minshew (Jaguars) @ Titans
The near-perfect (only one incompletion all game) that Garner Minshew produced against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 was a showing of what the mustache man’s ceiling can be. But with the team surrounding him looking more and more like a free-agent scrap heap instead of a functioning team, Minshew’s time in the spotlight is running out much faster than he would like to admit.
Besides DJ Chark, Minshew is by himself on that offense in terms of established weapons, and the Titans, who were able to keep the Broncos’ hyped attack in check for most of the game, are looking to take advantage of Minshew and his hapless weapons.
While Minshew may have a few bright moments against the Titans on Sunday, don’t expect anything sustainable for fantasy output from him – find a better option (Ryan Tannehill would be a better find this week).
Drew Brees (Saints) @ Raiders
The matchup that pitted two old veterans against each other in the Sunday afternoon game saw the Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints come out on top of the Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and while Brees was able to showcase his weapons on a national stage in the Metrodome, this week in Las Vegas will be tougher.
WR Michael Thomas suffered a high-ankle sprain, an injury that can impede a receiver from making crisp cuts and furnishing a full route tree, and the expectation is that Thomas is out for a few weeks, making Week 2 the first game of the season that Brees is going to have to establish a connection with Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook, and a plethora of other average or below options.
The Raiders’ defense is improved, as their offseason spending spree and draft strategy brought in a bunch of fresh faces to try and give that unit an identity. While Brees should be able to find some success and so should RB Alvin Kamara, Brees may have to wait until the third game of the 2020 season to finally have that monster game that made him want to return and bypass retirement.
Other QBs to sit: Kirk Cousins (Vikings) @ Colts, Jared Goff (Rams) @ Eagles, Derek Carr (Raiders) vs Saints, Sam Darnold (Jets) vs 49ers
*Additionally, here are ClutchPoints’ start 'em sit 'em recommendations at running back, wide receiver, and tight end*
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