Week 2
Games through September 15

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START

QB:

Kelly Holcomb, Cle: We had him on this list last week, and his outing was disappointing, thanks to a surprising defensive performance by the Colts. However, we still think Holcombe is capable of producing good numbers. Baltimore’s defense, which may be vulnerable through the air, should give us the opportunity to find out.

Joey Harrington, Det: Harrington has improved his play significantly, and the Green Bay secondary is very suspect. On the other hand, the Packers should put up a decent number of points themselves; if the Lions wind up having to play catchup, their only chance will be by letting their young quarterback air it out.

Others to start: Tommy Maddox, Pit; Trent Green, KC; Drew Bledsoe, Buf; Aaron Brooks, NO; Steve McNair, Ten

No-brainers: Daunte Culpepper, Min; Rich Gannon, Oak; Brett Favre, GB; Peyton Manning, Ind; Matt Hasselbeck, Sea; Jeff Garcia, SF; Donovan McNabb, Phi

RB:

Warrick Dunn, Atl: As last week showed, Dunn will still get the majority of the carries in Atlanta. That alone would not make him worth starting, but he also is a good option for Doug Johnson in the passing game and will get a lot of looks against Washington this Sunday.

Marshall Faulk, StL: Normally firmly entrenched on the no-brainer list, we thought it would make sense to highlight him this week. After a frustrating opening day for the entire St. Louis offense, some owners may be tempted to bench him, especially following San Francisco’s excellent defensive showing a week ago. But with Kurt Warner out, Faulk will be the cornerstone of the Rams’ attack and will produce solid numbers.

Others to start: Tiki Barber, NYG; Edgerrin James, Ind; Fred Taylor, Jax; Jamal Lewis, Bal; Travis Henry, Buf; Moe Williams, Min

No-brainers: Ricky Williams, Mia; Ahman Green, GB; Priest Holmes, KC; LaDainan Tomlinson, SD; Deuce McAllister, NO; Clinton Portis, Den; Charlie Garner, Oak; Shaun Alexander, Sea

WR:

Javon Walker, GB: With both starters highly questionable for this weekend, the Packers signed Antonio Freeman, reuniting him with Brett Favre. Freeman should play respectably this week, but Walker will get the majority of looks. Against a Detroit defense that gave up 217 yards against rookie Anquan Boldin in week 1, Walker might be in for a stellar performance.

Joey Galloway, Dal: Quincy Carter has improved a lot, and he looks to favorite target Galloway more and more frequently. After some ups and downs last season, Galloway finally may again be the reliable option that he was earlier his career in Seattle. That being said, it should be safe to play him even against the Giants, who kept St. Louis in check last week.

Others to start: Amani Toomer, NYG; Troy Brown, NE; Isaac Bruce, StL; Rod Smith, Den; Peerless Price, Atl; Marty Booker, Chi, Derrick Mason, Ten; Plaxico Burress, Pit; Quincy Morgan, Cle; Jerry Rice, Oak; Corey Bradford, Hou; Laveranues Coles, Was

No-brainers: Terrell Owens, SF; Marvin Harrison, Ind; Randy Moss, Min; Torry Holt, StL; Hines Ward, Pit; Eric Moulds, Buf; Koren Robinson, Sea; Donte Stallworth, NO

TE/K/D:

Josh Norman, TE; SD: Norman was one of the lone bright spots on a disappointing Chargers team in week 1. Look for him to continue to be a factor at least until Stephen Alexander gets back into the lineup.

Jeff Chandler, SF: Chandler should be one of the top-producing kickers this weekend. The San Francisco offense looked good against the Bears, and with the Rams on the opposite side, another high-scoring game is guaranteed.

Cleveland: The Browns shut down Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and the Colts last week. Their task should be even easier on Sunday with Baltimore and struggling Kyle Boller as opponents.

 
BENCH

QB:

Mark Brunell, Jax: Brunell played a solid game last week, but now faces a Buffalo defense that already shut down the Patriots. The Bills unit might be the most improved in the league and is especially tough to throw against. Bench him, and look for a safer option.

Marc Bulger, StL: This is a very tough call, of course, but Bulger did not look very good in the preseason, and the Rams will run, run and run this weekend. St. Louis will build their game plan around Marshall Faulk, so it might be better not to take the risk and start someone else. If you have other options, wait until next week before inserting Bulger into your starting lineup.

RB:

Stephen Davis, Car: Davis looked very good last week against the Jaguars, but he will have a tougher time against Tampa Bay. The Bucs shut down the Eagles in Philadelphia, and they will shut down Carolina and Davis on home turf.

Any Washngton RB: Not only do the Redskins use the dreaded running back by commitee, with Ladell Betts and Trung Canidate splitting carries, but this week’s opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, have one of the toughest defenses to run against. Even the combined stats of both Betts and Canidate might not be terribly impressive, much less those of just one member of the committee. Keep these two on the bench.

WR:

Jermaine Lewis, Jax: Lewis was one of last week’s surprises, amassing 90 yards and a touchdown. But don’t forget, most of the yards came on the long TD catch, and this likely won’t happen again this week. Facing the Bills solid pass defense, Lewis will disappear as quickly as he came out of nowhere last week.

David Boston, SD: Boston was not a factor in the Chargers game last week, and the odds are high that he won’t contribute for another week (or even longer). Don’t even think of giving up on him yet, but bench him for now and watch his progress in San Diego closely.

TE/K/D:

Matt Schobel, Cin: Schobel had a great game last week against a Denver defense that was still working out a few kinks. The Raiders are a far more streamlined unit at this point, so don’t expect Schobel to approach last week’s numbers.

John Kasay, Car: See Stephen Davis. Carolina won’t get a lot scoring chances, if any. There are many better options at kicker this week.

Chicago: The Bears may have plenty to offer in a league which uses individual defenders, but as a team, they should be avoided, especially against a Vikings offense that looks to be one of the best in the league.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.