♥”Week 2 Fantasy Football Playbook: Expert Tips & Winning Strategies on ESPN+”

Introduction

The NFL season is underway, and fantasy football players are already in full swing, analyzing stats, reviewing Week 1 performances, and gearing up for Week 2. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a fantasy newbie, winning in Week 2 is crucial to building momentum for the rest of the season.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into expert tips and winning strategies that will help you dominate your fantasy football league in Week 2. Using insights from ESPN+, we’ll cover key player matchups, waiver wire targets, and lineup decisions. Whether you’re playing PPR, half-PPR, or standard leagues, this guide will offer tailored advice to maximize your points.

Let’s dive into the must-know strategies for Week 2!

1. Week 2 Matchup Breakdown

Understanding NFL team matchups is critical to winning in fantasy football. In Week 2, several key matchups could make or break your lineup. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones to focus on.

• Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: With Patrick Mahomes leading the offense and a high-powered attack, the Chiefs look to dominate Jacksonville’s defense. For fantasy managers, expect Mahomes, Travis Kelce (if healthy), and Skyy Moore to be top plays. Jacksonville’s defense struggled in Week 1, making this a golden matchup for the Chiefs’ offensive players.
• Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets: With Aaron Rodgers leading the Jets, this game is a defensive showdown. But for fantasy purposes, the Cowboys’ defense could be a sneaky play, especially after a dominant Week 1 performance. On offense, look for CeeDee Lamb to bounce back and Dak Prescott to improve against the Jets’ tough secondary.

  

Additional Matchups to Watch:

• Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Love looked impressive in Week 1, and he’ll face a beatable Falcons defense. Christian Watson and Aaron Jones are solid fantasy plays.
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams: This divisional game is all about defense. Still, Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey are must-starts given their playmaking ability.

Key Takeaways:

• Always study matchups before setting your lineup.
• Target games with high point totals predicted by oddsmakers.
• Watch for defensive rankings that may limit fantasy output.
• Also read: ESPN+ Cheat Sheet: Our best fantasy football advice for Week 2
• Also read: 1″Dominant Canelo Alvarez Outclasses Edgar Berlanga in Unanimous Decision Victory”

2. Expert Waiver Wire Picks

Week 2 waiver wire pickups are critical to staying competitive throughout the season. Here are some expert-recommended players to target:

• Romeo Doubs (WR, Green Bay Packers): Doubs is emerging as a top target for Jordan Love, especially with Christian Watson dealing with injuries. He saw a significant number of targets in Week 1, making him a valuable asset in deeper leagues.
• Justice Hill (RB, Baltimore Ravens): After JK Dobbins went down with a season-ending injury, Hill is primed for a bigger role in the Ravens’ backfield. He’s a must-add in all leagues for managers needing running back depth.
• Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams): A rookie sleeper, Nacua had a surprisingly large role in Week 1. He’s likely to remain involved in the passing game with Cooper Kupp still out, making him a smart waiver wire addition.

Other Players to Consider:

• Zach Charbonnet (RB, Seattle Seahawks): A potential breakout candidate later in the season.
• Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots): A solid red-zone target for Mac Jones.

Pro Tip:

• Always prioritize players in high-scoring offenses or those with increased roles due to injury.

3. Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em for Week 2

Making the right lineup decisions is the key to winning. Here are the top players to start and sit for Week 2.

Start ‘Em:

• Kirk Cousins (QB, Minnesota Vikings): Cousins faces a soft Eagles secondary that was torched in Week 1. Expect him to light up the stat sheet with Justin Jefferson as his go-to target.
• Miles Sanders (RB, Carolina Panthers): Sanders faces a weak Saints defense, and his role in both the rushing and passing game makes him a solid RB2 or flex option this week.
• Chris Godwin (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Godwin remains the most consistent target in Tampa Bay’s offense, and Baker Mayfield showed enough in Week 1 to keep his receivers fantasy-relevant.

Sit ‘Em:

• Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals): Burrow looked shaky in Week 1, and the matchup against the Ravens’ defense won’t make things any easier. If you have another top option, it may be best to bench Burrow for Week 2.
• Cam Akers (RB, Los Angeles Rams): Akers struggled in Week 1, and with the 49ers defense looming, this is not the week to trust him in your starting lineup.

Key Tips:

• Always evaluate matchups and injury reports before deciding your lineup.
• Consider game scripts—players on teams expected to trail might see more targets in the passing game.

4. DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) Tips

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) is all about finding value and building the perfect lineup. Here are some tips to dominate Week 2 DFS contests:

• Stacking: Pair a quarterback with one or two of his receivers in games projected to be high-scoring. For example, a stack of Patrick Mahomes and Skyy Moore can capitalize on the Chiefs’ offensive production.
• Value Picks: Look for under-the-radar players who could outperform their price tags. In Week 2, consider Romeo Doubs as a value wide receiver or Justice Hill as a low-cost running back.
• Avoid Chalk: While it’s tempting to pick high-ownership players like Justin Jefferson or Tyreek Hill, avoid too much chalk in GPP tournaments where you need to differentiate your lineup.

DFS Targets for Week 2:

• QB: Kirk Cousins – Good matchup at a reasonable price.
• RB: Miles Sanders – A dual-threat option in a favorable matchup.
• WR: CeeDee Lamb – High target volume and big-play ability.
• TE: Hunter Henry – Involved in the red zone with upside.

5. Sleeper Picks for Week 2

Every week, certain players exceed expectations and provide huge value. Here are some sleeper picks for Week 2 that can help you secure a win.

• Tank Dell (WR, Houston Texans): With limited options in the Texans’ passing game, Dell has a real shot at becoming a favorite target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.
• Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Philadelphia Eagles): In the crowded Eagles backfield, Gainwell stood out in Week 1. If the trend continues, he could have a breakout game against the Vikings.
• Zay Flowers (WR, Baltimore Ravens): Flowers looked explosive in Week 1 and could quickly emerge as a WR2/3 in fantasy lineups, especially in PPR leagues.

Why Sleeper Picks Matter:

• Sleeper picks often provide a competitive edge in deeper leagues and DFS tournaments.
• They offer great value and can outperform bigger names, especially in favorable matchups.

  

6. Injury Updates and Their Impact Injuries can change the landscape of fantasy football in an instant. Here are some key injury updates for Week 2 and their potential impact:

• Cooper Kupp (WR, Los Angeles Rams): Kupp remains out, leaving a void in the Rams’ passing game. Expect Van Jefferson and Puka Nacua to continue seeing increased targets.
• Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City Chiefs): If Kelce returns from his knee injury in Week 2, he’s an automatic start. Monitor his practice status closely.
• JK Dobbins (RB, Baltimore Ravens): With Dobbins out for the season, the Ravens’ backfield is in flux. Justice Hill and Gus Edwards are the primary beneficiaries.