We made it, we are finally here- entering Week 2 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. I’m hoping that you got the wins to kick off your new season, and weren’t hurt by a combination of Aaron Rodgers/ Matt Ryan/ Brandon Aiyuk who all really struggled in the opening week.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start 'Em
Ryan Tannehill @SEA
This week, I’ve had a few questions about Tannehill and if he is worth owning still. The answer is yes. Sure, he struggled in the opening week against the Cardinals, but that pass rush massively disrupted them. Carson Wentz found holes in the Seattle defense last week, Tannehill should find the same.
Baker Mayfield v HOU
Cleveland looked like they might have taken a victory from the Chiefs. That would have been a huge scalp, but they fell short. This week they will be firing to get their season off with a win. Whether Mayfield does that, or they do it through the air is unknown, but in deeper leagues he is worth a start.
Teddy Bridgewater @JAX
Bridgewater looked good last week, certainly a very capable streaming option. This defense struggled against the Texans last week, an offense that many thought would struggle. Even with Jerry Jeudy on IR, the team should manage to be effective.
Chris Carson v TEN
Carson feels like a guy that I constantly get questions about. People just aren’t completely sold on him. But, he is a factor is every aspect of what the Seahawks do on offense. The Cardinals running backs did well against the Titans last week, Carson should have a solid week too.
Melvin Gordon @JAX
Javonte Williams had the majority of the touches out of the backfield last week, but Gordon was still used. Against Jacksonville, we could see the team do the same as Houston did and run them all day. It’s not time to move off of him just yet.
Kareem Hunt @HOU
Hunt should see more work this week, given the fact that the the Browns will be looking to get a win this week. The Jaguars weren’t able to do what they wanted to do last week, as the score got out of hand, but the Browns should. Hunt should be inline for more carries this week, as the team look to kill the clock.
Damien Harris @NYJ
Harris did everything I hoped he might have. The Patriots backfield may finally have a lead man, with Harris shouldering the majority of the work with James White doing the work on passing downs. This matchup should be a good one for Harris.
Mike Williams v DAL
Is this finally the season we wanted from Williams? He certainly performed well against Washington last week, and had a great number of targets narrowly behind Keenan Allen. In what should be a high scoring game against Dallas, Williams has another chance to build on his impressive start.
Diontae Johnson v LV
Johnson continued his role as the favored target for the Steelers offense. It isn’t a certainty that will be the case in each game, but going into a positive matchup against the Raiders, it should be a good game for the Steelers receivers. Start any of them, Johnson is just my favorite.
Tim Patrick @JAX
Patrick is having another season that he seems to have an important role in the offense. Denver are without Jerry Jeudy for an extended amount of time, Courtland Sutton wasn’t given the targets that many hoped either. In a deep league where you have a few tough matchups, you could do worse than Patrick.
Noah Fant @JAX
Fant was a start last week, and really lived up to it. Currently leading the Broncos in targets, Fant could be one of the top finishers at the position this week against Jacksonville. I’ve also just noticed that I’ve got a Denver player in each of my starts this week.
Rob Gronkowski v ATL
Gronkowski I’ll admit I was worried about this season. I thought the weapons that the team had, along with O.J. Howard returning from injury, would mean that he wouldn’t be good for fantasy. I don’t want to overreact to one game, but that was a healthy target share last week. Against Atalanta, he could have another week.
Green Bay Packers v DET
The Packers will be looking to make a statement at home. Jared Goff looked good, but he isn’t Matthew Stafford. I’m comfortable starting the Packers this week.
Cleveland Browns v HOU
The Browns weren’t going to have a good game last time out against the Chiefs offense. Against the Texans, at home, the Browns should have a solid week.
Matt Prater v MIN
Prater might be a tough start this week. The reason being, that the Cardinals offense is almost too efficient, but if they do stall out Prater has a long leg that could keep the scoreboard ticking.
Rodrigo Blankenship v LAR
Last week Blankenship did well when called upon. This week we could see the Colts stall out on a few more drives, and that means more attempts for Blankenship to convert FGs.
Sit 'Em
Jared Goff @GB
Jared Goff had a decent outing last week. Garbage time is a great thing isn’t it? This week you might expect the same, but that’s a tough thing to gamble your week on. I’m instead expecting the Packers to be making statements both sides of the ball at home.
Jameis Winston @CAR
Winston performed well against the Packers last week. But that was equally down to the fact that the Packers defense never really got a foothold in the game. The Panthers may have struggled to keep Zach Wilson from carving up their secondary, but they did manage to bring pressure to the pocket. Two solid weeks from Winston and I’m in on him (I think).
Mike Davis @TB
Atlanta didn’t look great last week. Meanwhile, the Tampa defense managed to keep Ezekiel Elliott limited. Even if he gets the touches that are expected, he has limited upside. If you do have a better option this week, use them. If you don’t, then the volume may be a saving grace.
Josh Jacobs @PIT
Jacobs might not even play in this game, which would make him an automatic sit. But if he does manage to get onto the field, don’t expect too much. He might’ve scored 2 TDs, but outside of that he had limited production. Against a tough Steelers defensive front, his production is likely to be limited again.
Michael Pittman v LAR
I missed on recommending Pittman last week. This week I was going to out on Pittman anyway, I promise. The Rams secondary is a solid unit and should have enough to keep Pittman quiet.
Brandon Aiyuk v PHI
Aiyuk goes in here, because I might not be fully over how he struggled last season. I still believe in Aiyuk for the season, but I need to see him on the field before I can put him back in my lineup.
D.J. Chark v DEN
Chark had a massive amount of targets last week. But that is partly due to the game script. Even if he sees a similar level of targets this week, he isn’t going to be able to do what he did against a Denver defense that is very talented.
Mike Gesicki v BUF
Gesicki feels like a player that every year I could see having a good season, but not living up to it. Last week he struggled against the Patriots, ultimately finishing with just three targets. This week, he matches up against another tough defense in Buffalo. Avoid if you can.
Zach Ertz v SF
Ertz played last week, but struggled to really make an impact, catching both of his targets for 34 yards. This week, he is now dealing with a hamstring injury, so don’t expect too much against a tough 49ers defense.
Los Angeles Chargers v DAL
The Chargers defense is a unit that is good enough in real life, but doesn’t always translate to fantasy output. The Dallas offense is high-powered, so I’m not sure they’ll manage to be an effective fantasy option.
Seattle Seahawks v TEN
The Seahawks defense were solid last week against the Colts, but they could struggle against a Titans unit that will be looking get back to dominating the clock on the ground.
Mason Crosby v DET
Crosby is going to be that kicker that is going to kick everything, but only get a handful of points as he is only going to get limited opportunties, likely to be PATs.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 2 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Jake Roth – USA TODAY Sports
