Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 2: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
In Week 1, fantasy football lineup decisions were made on what we thought would happen. No games had taken place yet, so it was all up to predictions and projections. It wasn't exactly clear how various players may perform.
In Week 2, there's now some data to analyze. We've seen how teams' offenses are going to operate, and we learned more about the roles of numerous players who were on the start/sit fence for fantasy managers.
It's not a ton of info, but it's some. And that should help with some of the more difficult lineup decisions for Week 2.
Here's start/sit advice for several borderline players for this week.
Start 'Em: Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions
D'Andre Swift is questionable for the Lions' Week 2 matchup against the Washington Commanders due to an ankle injury. If he doesn't play, then Jamaal Williams is a must-start running back. Even if Swift plays, however, Williams is also a solid option.
The Commanders struggled to stop a pair of running backs in their Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. James Robinson rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown while also recording a three-yard TD catch. Travis Etienne had 47 yards on four carries and 18 yards on two receptions.
Perhaps the Lions will follow a similar offensive game plan, which could lead to strong showings for both Swift and Williams. Detroit got both involved in its Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, as Swift (175 total yards and a touchdown) and Williams (30 total yards and two touchdowns) each were productive starters in fantasy.
Williams should again get enough opportunities for a solid performance, especially if he continues to get touches when the Lions get close to the end zone.
Sit 'Em: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Even if Rashaad Penny wasn't a big fantasy performer in Week 1, he was productive as the Seahawks' starting running back. He averaged five yards per rushing attempt, finishing with 60 yards on 12 carries in Seattle's win over the Denver Broncos.
But the Seahawks rushing attack will face a much tougher challenge in Week 2 on the road against the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers. The Niners restricted Chicago Bears starting running back David Montgomery to just 26 yards on 17 carries in Week 1.
Also, rookie Kenneth Walker III will be making his NFL debut after missing Seattle's opener while recovering from a hernia surgery and could eat into Penny's touches.
While Penny should still be the clear lead back for now, he and Walker may both struggle on the ground in San Francisco.
Start 'Em: Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson had a huge Week 1 performance in the Vikings' win over the Green Bay Packers. He notched nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns, and he was quarterback Kirk Cousins' clear top option in the passing game, getting targeted 11 times.
While Jefferson had a big game, the rest of Minnesota's receiving corps did not. That includes Adam Thielen, who had three catches for 36 yards and was only targeted four times.
But the rest of the Vikings' key playmakers should get in on the action soon enough. Perhaps even as soon as the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night.
The matchup is likely to be a high-scoring affair with big offensive numbers on both sides. The Eagles are coming off a 38-35 over win over the Lions in which they allowed two passing touchdowns to an offense led by Jared Goff. So expect a bounce-back performance from Thielen, who is worthy of starting in fantasy this week.