What a first week of football! There were plenty of great performances, upsets and unfortunately, injuries.
The season keeps rolling on with more interesting matchups in Week 2 that could leave you scratching your head and wondering "Whom do I start?" Lucky for you, we here at RotoBaller break down the matchups for you every week, letting you know who should be in your lineup, and who should ride the pine.
Make sure you check out our other matchup articles, as well as the the RotoBaller chat rooms for any advice you may need. Here you can see the Start/Sit & Matchups Analysis for Games 1-8, and Start/Sit & Matchups Analysis for Games 13-16.
Editor’s Note: make sure to also bookmark our famous fantasy football waiver wire pickups list to find those waiver wire gems, and dominate your football leagues. Our waiver wire list is updated throughout each week of the fantasy football season, for all positions. Good luck RotoBallers!
Falcons @ Bengals - Sunday 9/14, 1 PM
Fantasy Football Matchups We Love
QB Andy Dalton - I'm not the biggest Dalton guy, but he was a top-five fantasy QB in most leagues last year; he has weapons, and the Atlanta defense stinks.
RB Geovani Bernard - He's close to must-start every week, but against a Falcons defense that got abused by all three of the Saints running backs, Bernard could be in for a monster game.
Fantasy Football Matchups We Hate
RB Steven Jackson - Atlanta ran the ball in Week 1, but Jackson was part of a three-man rotation. His 12 carries for 52 yards in Week 1 is probably his ceiling, and he goes up against a tough Cincy D at home.
WR Devin Hester - Week 1 performance was a fluke. He's the fourth offensive option against a tough defense. Unless you get points for return yardage, sit him.
High Risk, High Reward Fantasy Football Matchups
RB Jeremy Hill - Sure he had only four touches in Week 1, but that was against the Ravens defense. The Falcons defense allowed all three Saints running backs to score at least eight fantasy points last week, so it's entirely possible that both Bengals' backs end up with good fantasy numbers. I think Hill plays much more this week.
Lions @ Panthers - Sunday 9/14, 1 PM
Fantasy Football Matchups We Love
Lions DST - If Cam Newton plays, I like them slightly less, but I love the Lions D-line against that suspect Caroline O-line.
WR Kelvin Benjamin- I loved him before the season, but after watching him torch Tampa Bay in Week 1, I'm completely sold. The Lions secondary is the weakest part of their defense, and Carolina showed they plan to get him the ball as much as possible. Start him.
Fantasy Football Matchups We Hate
WR Golden Tate - Don't expect a repeat of Week 1's 93-yard performance against the stout Carolina defense. He's a flex play at best this week.
RB DeAngelo Williams - He showed that he's still fantasy relevant in Week 1, but I'm not using him against that Lions front line.
High Risk, High Reward Fantasy Football Matchups
QB Cam Newton - I was so sure Newton would play last week, that I got burned myself by starting him. I'm worried about him against Detroits defense, especially if his O-line doesn't hold up. He's a gamble, but one that could pay big.
Rams @ Buccaneers - Sunday 9/14, 4 PM
Fantasy Football Matchups We Love
Buccaneers DST - Did you see the Rams offense last week?
Rams DST - I like them against most matchups, but the Bucs passing game was terrible in Week 1, and they may be without Doug Martin.
Fantasy Football Matchups We Hate
Any Rams offensive player - Did you see the Rams offense last week?
WR Vincent Jackson - I wasn't that high on him going into the season, and after watching him catch only four passes for 36 yards in Week 1, I'm really down on him. The Rams did give up points to wideouts in Week 1, but I have a feeling the Bucs passing game is going to be a mess this year. He's a flex play at best.
High Risk, High Reward Fantasy Football Matchups
WR Mike Evans - I think Evans will end up being Tampa's number one receiver by the time the season ends, as I think teams will take their chances with a rookie rather than Vincent Jackson. Josh McCown looked terrible last week, however, and I'm not sold on the Bucs passing game as a whole. Still, if Doug Martin misses the game, someone is going to have to make plays on offense.
Seahawks @ Chargers - Sunday 9/14, 4 PM
Fantasy Football Matchups We Love
Seahawks DST - They're by far the best defense in the NFL, and a must start every week.
WR Percy Harvin- There were times in his Week 1 matchup against the Packers where Harvin looked like the best player on the field. He can get your team points rushing, receiving, and with his returns. He'll probably end up on IR eventually, but while he's healthy, he's a must start.
Fantasy Football Matchups We Hate
WR Keenan Allen - The Arizona secondary gave Allen fits last week, as he was only able to haul in five of his ten targets for 37 yards. His matchup doesn't get any easier this week against Seattle. Play him if you have no other options, but I'd look for a better match-up elsewhere.
QB Phillip Rivers - Seattle gave Aaron Rodgers all he could handle last week, and Rivers is no Aaron Rodgers. You probably have to start him in a two QB league, but in single QB leagues, there has to be a better option out there.
High Risk, High Reward Fantasy Football Matchups
RB Ryan Matthews - I'm not fond of this matchup, but if the Chargers are going to win, they'll probably have to target Matthews a lot. He's usually good at home, and did put up very good numbers against a good Arizona defense, so there's upside here.
Good luck this week everyone. Be sure to check out our other fantasy football matchups & start/sit articles this week as well.