Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.
You have to make sure you do not overreact too much to the events of Week 1. In the second week of games, you may see rebound performances from some of your higher draft choices who did not deliver as expected in the opener. At the same time, some players who defied statistical expectations may regress to their previous standards. Keep the faith in proven performers and those you drafted high who have helped you win before. Don't overanalyze matchups either. You should not bench Tom Brady against Jacksonville. Superstars like him and Russell Wilson have earned such labels in Fantasy Football because they can deliver at least respectable totals in any Fantasy matchup.
Running Backs To Start
Jay Ajayi vs. Tampa Bay: He rushed for two touchdowns in the season opener and should see his workload expand this week. The Eagles have some injury issues to deal with in the passing game and will use Ajayi to take pressure off the QB and also control time of possession against a Buccaneers offense that looked very explosive last week. The Tampa Bay defense did allow 33 points on NFL.com to the New Orleans RBs last week, most of it to Alvin Kamara, of course.
Alfred Morris vs. Detroit: Pushed into a starting role for the 49ers, Morris has experience playing in a Kyle Shanahan system, and should fare better this week after a very daunting matchup vs. Minnesota in the opener. The Lions allowed 30.80 Fantasy Points to the Jets RBs on Monday night, and the 49ers offense should move the ball much more smoothly in their first home game of the year. Morris will have some chances to finish off drives with TD runs near the goal line while also posting quality rushing numbers.
Royce Freeman vs. Oakland: He was regarded as one of the best rookies in this year's RB class, and should have some opportunities to score against Oakland this week. The Raiders defense is looking like a highly vulnerable unit right now in all facets. Freeman will be viable as a RB2 in both standard and PPR formats as he gets into the end zone at least once, and possibly twice.
Chris Thompson vs. Indianapolis: He is the most dangerous pass-catching RB in the league once he threatens to get past the second level of an opposing defense. Thompson totaled 128 yards and a TD in Week 1 and is going to overwhelm the Colts defense, which allowed 65 receiving yards to Bengals RBs last week and is set to surrender more vs. Washington's speedy receiving threat out of the backfield. Thompson is a must-start PPR play.
Wide Receivers To Start
Brandon Marshall vs. Chicago: Throughout the preseason and in the first week, Seahawks fans have watched this impressive veteran prove he is not quite done yet. Russell Wilson likes to pass downfield and now has a very sizable target for such throws. Marshall is also an apparent threat to score near the goal line. He will play a more significant role in the Seahawks passing game, and for the second consecutive week, he will face one of his former teams. Players often have fun facing their old ballclubs and Marshall would enjoy finding the end zone for the second consecutive game to open the season.
Jamison Crowder vs. Indianapolis: If you are feeling a distinct Washington flavor here this week, it's because the Colts defense is a fine matchup. It is soon going to become very apparent that Alex Smith to Crowder will become a featured connection for the Redskins. Crowder runs good routes and gets open in the middle of the field frequently, and will suit a high percentage passer like Smith very well.
Mike Williams vs. Buffalo: The second-year wide receiver is healthy now, and caught five passes for 81 yards in the season opener vs. Kansas City. He is going to quickly emerge as the clear No. 2 target for Philip Rivers opposite Keenan Allen. Williams is also going to make his mark as a consistent goal-line area pass-catching playmaker this year. The Bills allowed 31.70 Fantasy Points to WRs in Week 1, sixth-most on NFL.com.
Kenny Stills vs. New York Jets: Known in the past as a big-play artist, Stills is starting to show he can be an even more dependable pass-catcher as he has claimed the No. 1 WR job for the Dolphins. The Jets allowed 31.30 Fantasy Points to Detroit WRs in Week 1, while Stills totaled 106 receiving yards and two scores in an opening week win vs. Tennessee, which does have a very respectable secondary.
Quarterbacks To Start
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Kansas City: The Steelers-Chiefs matchup is shaping up to be one of the top possible shootouts vs. Week 2. It is going to be very difficult for the highly vulnerable Kansas City secondary to contain the likes of Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs allowed an AFC high 28.96 Fantasy Points to an opposing QB in Week 1. Roethlisberger has 300-yard, three-TD Fantasy upside this week.
Philip Rivers vs. Buffalo: The most underrated QB in Fantasy Football just keeps cruising along. Rivers scored 28.96 Fantasy Points in the season opener, third-most on NFL.com at his position. The Bills allowed 28.34 Fantasy Points to the position in Week 1, second-most in the AFC. Rivers is one of the safest plays in Fantasy Football, even while traveling across the country this week.
Tight Ends, Defenses and Kickers
Ricky Seals-Jones is a good option to start vs. the Rams if you need TE help this week . … Jared Cook should continue to build on his Week 1 momentum as he faces Denver. … Houston should display its better form on defense vs. Tennessee, and the Jets defense will perform well vs. Miami after a fine showing in the opener. … Brandon McManus should be in for a good outing vs. Denver.
Seahawks Fantasy Focus
Russell Wilson is my top-rated QB in my Week 2 lineup rankings on RotoExperts.com. … The Bears allowed 341 passing yards and three TD passes in Week 1. Tyler Lockett again deserves consideration as a WR3 play in larger leagues. Continue to monitor Jaron Brown, as he could start to make more significant contributions this week. If you added Will Dissly off waivers he could soon push for your Fantasy starting lineup with another quality outing. Chris Carson deserves flex consideration as the Seahawks offense should earn scoring chances within the 10-yard line for him.
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