What You Need to Know From Week 2

Washington at Green Bay 

• Jayden Daniels struggled to get anything going against the Green Bay defense, which appears to be the best in the league by a significant margin through two games. Daniels managed to scrape out an acceptable fantasy game with two late, meaningless scores, but at the cost of a knee injury that could sideline him for Week 3.
• Austin Ekeler went down with a torn Achilles. Jacory Croskey-Merritt will lead the backfield in touches going forward, with Jeremy McNichols in a utility role, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. expects to be active for the first time in Week 3. Croskey-Merritt is an upside flex play against the Raiders and could evolve into an every-week RB2 if he plays well. The Commanders could rely more heavily on the run if Daniels sits and Marcus Mariota starts in Week 3.
• Deebo Samuel Sr. had a solid game as the Commanders could not pass downfield, limiting Terry McLaurin's value in this game. Mariota fed McLaurin in the short passing game in Week 18 last year, including a score, but it's not clear if there are many short passes called for McLaurin now that Samuel is aboard. Samuel is a better play for Week 3, no matter who starts at quarterback.
• Zach Ertz scored for the second straight week. He's a viable high-floor/low-ceiling TE1 against the Raiders. Ertz posted a 5-44-1 line with Mariota last year in Week 18.
• Jordan Love was outstanding, even though for the second straight week, he didn't throw much in the second half of an easy win. Love has some hidden upside if the Packers ever face a team that can move the ball on their defense. The Browns are up this week, and they won't be that team. Love is still worth a look as your QB1; if he had made a more accurate throw to Matthew Golden on fourth down, he would have had over 300 yards and three scores, with most of it coming in one half. On that note, we should expect a bounce-back game from Geno Smith against Washington in Week 3. Consider a buy-high offer for Love if you just lost Joe Burrow.
• Speaking of Golden, he also missed another possible long score. It looks like he is going to have a similar weekly outlook to Jameson Williams, but in an offense less likely to run up the score. Don't give up on him yet.
• Jayden Reed made a spectacular touchdown catch. But it was nullified by a holding call, and he broke his collarbone on the play. He'll be out at least 6-8 weeks. 
• Tucker Kraft picked up the slack with a huge game. The Commanders often left him open, which set up run-after-catch opportunities for Kraft. He's a top-five tight end going forward.
• Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks didn't put up big stat lines with Reed out for most of the game and are probably just bye/injury depth at best despite the narrowing of the target tree.

NY Giants at Dallas

• Russell Wilson was just two yards short of a career high as the vertical passing game was working against the Cowboys. Caleb Williams will get to take aim at them in Week 3. The talk of Wilson getting benched for Jaxson Dart should subside for at least a few weeks now. Wilson is a viable boom/bust QB1 against the Chiefs this week.
• Cam Skattebo scored, and it appeared that he moved ahead of Tyrone Tracy Jr. as the game went on. Skattebo is the top pickup at running back this week, and Tracy will have to prove he's worth a roster spot in fantasy leagues against the Chiefs.
• Wan'Dale Robinson caught a long touchdown when he got behind the defense, confirming the talk this summer that he wouldn't just be a short-range target in this year's Giants offense. He's a priority pickup at wide receiver if he's still out there. Consider him a WR3/Flex play against Kansas City.
• Dak Prescott came alive in the second quarter and outdueled Wilson in the 40-37 overtime instant classic. The Cowboys' defensive shortcomings against the pass will give Prescott a high weekly ceiling. He's a must-start against the Bears in Week 3.
• Javonte Williams was even better in Week 2 and should be considered a strong RB2 going forward.
• Miles Sanders got a red zone carry after he fumbled there last week, and he converted the well-blocked run into a score. He's one of the best backup running backs to stash on your bench because of the quality of this offense.
• George Pickens caught a touchdown and seemed to earn more trust from Prescott this week. He's a high-ceiling WR3/Flex against the Bears. Err on the side of playing him against their banged-up secondary.
• Kavontae Turpin caught four balls and a score, and added two carries, accounting for 53 total yards on only 14 snaps. He left with a neck injury, but could still play in Week 3. He's worth an add in deeper leagues, and may prove to be worth rostering in typical leagues if Prescott keeps playing like this.
• Jake Ferguson was Prescott's favorite target in the short-range passing game, racking up nine catches. He's a high-floor TE1 against Chicago after somewhat disappointing Week 1 against Philadelphia.

Seattle at Pittsburgh

• Sam Darnold and the Seahawks' passing game came alive, almost hitting 300 passing yards. The Steelers made Justin Fields look good as a passer in Week 1, so we should consider Drake Maye a good start against them in Week 3. Darnold is a reasonable streamer/injury fill-in at home against the Saints coming off of this performance.
• Ken Walker III looked like his old self and was a strong play, with the first 19 or longer yard run for a score on 3rd or 4th down in NFL history. He is back to being an upside RB2 play. Zach Charbonnet was still in on more snaps and got more carries than Walker, but he was held in check. Charbonnet is a what-the-heck flex against the Saints and still a must hold because of his Walker-injury upside.
• Cooper Kupp caught multiple balls in the short zones, turning them into nice gains after the catch. With the connection between him and Sam Darnold coming online, he's back to being a PPR WR3/Flex against the Saints.
• Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' passing game fell back to earth against a very tough Seattle defense. Rodgers has an easy matchup on paper against the Patriots in Week 3. If he doesn't have a strong game, it will be tough to trust him as even a bye/injury spot starter going forward.
• Jaylen Warren seized control of the backfield after Kenneth Gainwell led the running backs in snaps in Week 1. His 65-yard catch and run was one of the highlights of Week 2. He's a solid RB2 against the Patriots in Week 3.
• Calvin Austin III only caught one ball in the game. He's not an essential hold, but if you need a Hail Mary wide receiver play for Week 3, the Patriots are among the worst pass defenses in the league, at or near the bottom in long gains and long air yards plays allowed.
• DK Metcalf caught a short touchdown to bail out an otherwise quiet afternoon against his old team. Metcalf is an upside WR3/Flex play against the Patriots in a big game for determining his value going forward. 
• Jonnu Smith caught all four of his targets and Pat Freiermuth caught all three of his, and almost caught a long ball from Rodgers - one of the veteran quarterback's best throws of the day on a play where a flag was thrown because Austin was held.

LA Rams at Tennessee

• Matthew Stafford had a better game in Week 2 against an easier-to-solve Titans defense. He is back in play as a streamer - although Week 3 vs. Philadelphia isn't an ideal matchup. We're not worried about Stafford's back issues after they were the subject of a lot of talk this summer.
• The Rams got Davante Adams more involved, as reported. Adams should be in lineups every week as a WR2/WR3/Flex.
• That didn't stop Puka Nacua from having another huge game, including a 45-yard run for a score on a rushing touch. He might go in the top 5 if we were drafting today.
• Blake Corum's snap count went up to about 30% of the team's plays, and he scored the clinching touchdown. He also had more juice than Kyren Williams and could be a league winner if Williams goes down. Williams' value slips a little to that of a low-ceiling RB2, while Corum becomes one of the best backup running backs to stash on your bench if roster size allows.
• Jordan Whittington had a big play and was on the field more than Tutu Atwell. His value is up in dynasty leagues, and he's the player we'll target on the waiver wire if Adams or Nacua go down.
• Cam Ward still had his typical rookie ups and downs, but one extended goal to play where he directed fellow rookie WR Elic Ayomanor to the wide side of the end zone while scrambling was a glimpse of what is to come as he gets things figured out. Ayomanor was the most valuable Titans receiver ahead of Calvin Ridley, and he's an add in all leagues. Don't be surprised if Ayomanor is worth more than Ridley going forward.

Buffalo at NY Jets

• Josh Allen suffered a bloody nose early in this game. The Bills didn't pass much because they controlled the game throughout, so it was a floor game for him and the entire passing game. This is the kind of variance we will need to consider when the Bills have a matchup they can win comfortably.
• James Cook's 44-yard touchdown run was a work of art, and he showed that he can be a big part of the offense when the Bills are nursing a lead after being a big part of their comeback effort in Week 1. He's a fantasy RB1 going forward and one of the biggest hits at running back so far.
• Dalton Kincaid still had four catches and an ok game by fantasy tight end standards, even though the rest of the passing game was a bust, and fellow tight end Dawson Knox got five targets. Kincaid is looking like a safe-ish TE1 play against Miami on Thursday.
• Justin Fields reverted to very rough form as a passer and eventually left with a concussion. Tyrod Taylor would start in Week 3 against the Bucs if Fields can't go. Taylor is a reasonable streaming play if he starts.
• The Jets' running game was thwarted after a very successful Week 1 against Pittsburgh. Maybe the Steelers' run defense isn't what it used to be. Consider this when making lineup decisions involving Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 3. Breece Hall was held in check, so he's back to being a boom/bust RB2 in a tough matchup against the Bucs after being an elite RB1 he was in Week 1.
• Braelon Allen isn't an essential hold as an injury-upside backup running back after the Jets' running game failed to get traction against the Bills' defense, which Derrick Henry blew to smithereens in Week 1.
• Garrett Wilson wasn't a complete bust, but he was on his way to being one before Taylor entered. He's a WR3/Flex play in Week 3, no matter who starts at quarterback, but he'll be a safer play if Taylor starts.

New England at Miami

• Drake Maye had an elite fantasy game against a Dolphins defense that is probably going to give up a lot of those to opposing quarterbacks this season. He is a strong QB1 play against a reeling Steelers defense in Week 3.
• Kayshon Boutte caught a score, but none of the Patriots' pass catchers were good plays as Maye spread the ball around, while Rhamondre Stevenson was actually the most productive receiver. Boutte and Stefon Diggs are high-ceiling, what-the-heck flex plays against the Steelers. D
• DeMario Douglas's involvement in the offense was sharply reduced from Week 1. He can be dropped in all but the deepest dynasty leagues.
• Hunter Henry was still on the field for most of the offensive snaps, but Austin Hooper's role increased from Week 1, and Hooper was actually the better fantasy play. Henry is droppable after a promising Week 1 gave way to a one-catch game that highlights his inherent unpredictability as a fantasy option this year in a more robust Patriots pass offense.
• Stevenson was great in his myriad of roles, and he remains a solid RB2 play against a soft Steelers run defense this week. TreVeyon Henderson isn't overtaking Stevenson any time soon, but his big-play upside makes him a what-the-heck flex in Week 3.
• Tua Tagovailoa turned back the clock to 2023 against a Patriots pass defense that looks like it will be one of the worst in the league this season. Tagovailoa is streamable against the Bills on Thursday, but if he has a rough night, we will have trouble trusting him in all but the easiest matchups going forward.
• De'Von Achane did little as a runner, but was a speedy pinball as a receiver, including a tough catch-and-run touchdown. He's going to find a way to be an RB1 for fantasy even with the Dolphins' running game struggling.
• Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had good fantasy games, buoyed by Tagovailoa's mostly quality performance. Much like with Tagovailoa, Week 3 will be a good litmus test of what to do with them in lineups going forward.

Jacksonville at Cincinnati

• Trevor Lawrence had a good fantasy game, but that might not be that hard against the Bengals' defense this season. He still missed a few throws, although Dyami Brown dropped a touchdown, and Brian Thomas Jr. dropped a ball that could have basically clinched a win. Lawrence isn't an advisable play against the tough Texans defense this week and might just be on our benches until the schedule gets easier and the offense plays better in the second half of the season.
• Travis Etienne Jr. was good again vs. the suspect Bengals defense and should be in lineups as an every-week RB2.
• Bhayshul Tuten was the clear #2 back with Tank Bigsby traded to Philadelphia. He touched the ball 10 times on only 18 snaps and turned that into 74 total yards and a score. He's a what-the-heck flex in good matchups, but this week vs. Houston isn't one. Still, he should be rostered in all leagues - even ones with a short bench - as a potential league winner if Etienne goes down.
• Brian Thomas Jr. had uncharacteristic drops and just didn't look sharp, coming up small despite having 12 targets. If he is underwhelming against the Texans in Week 3, it's time to consider benching him until he gets right. 
• While Thomas was struggling, Dyami Brown was the most valuable Jaguars wide receiver, and should have been a great play, but he dropped a ball that would have been a touchdown. Brown is worth rostering if bench size allowed.
• Parker Washington was actually the leading Jaguars receiver in yardage. He's not a good pickup, only getting on the field for 25% of the snaps, but his success highlights the team depth at receiver, which could make it hard for Travis Hunter to make an impact this season. Hunter was quiet again and is firmly in the "keep him on your bench until he goes off" zone.
• Brenton Strange was quiet in the box score after a strong Week 1. He's not an essential hold if he can't put up good numbers against a defense like Cincinnati.

San Francisco at New Orleans

• Mac Jones was terrific in place of Brock Purdy. Jones was a good fantasy play, and he created value for his passcatchers. The 49ers don't have to rush Purdy back, knowing Jones can play like this, but Purdy (toe) hasn't been ruled out for Week 3 yet. Jones is a fine streamer against Arizona if he gets the Week 3 start.
• Jauan Jennings had a long catch and run score, reminding us that he is ahead of Ricky Pearsall in the target pecking order when both are healthy. Unfortunately, Jennings suffered an ankle injury in the game and is day-to-day heading into Week 3. We'll keep you updated on his status, as it affects the quality of Pearsall as a fantasy start. Kendrick Bourne would be a waiver add in deep leagues if Jennings can't go.
• Spencer Rattler was a game competitor and kept the Saints in it until late in the fourth quarter again this week. He's a potential streamer in good matchups - not in Week 3 against the Seahawks - and he'll throw enough and effectively enough to make all three of Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and tight end Juwan Johnson viable plays in games where the team isn't facing a top defense like they are in Seattle this week.
• Alvin Kamara ran with the intensity of a younger back, and he caught six balls after a quiet Week 1 in the passing game. His RB2 value is rock solid heading into Week 3.