Week 2 of the NFL season is underway setting us up for another week of intense and meaningful fantasy matchups. Despite if you won or lost last week, there is still plenty of time to turn your season around, whether that is through strategic trading or calculated waiver wire pickups, the fantasy season is still young and full of life.
The time to panic is not here (yet). Trust your gut and understand the decisions needed to play the best starting lineup possible. With understanding your team comes the opportunity to pinpoint potential breakout games and sleepers along the way, a theme I am attempting with my Bold Prediction article.
On that note, let’s dive into the players I believe will have massive games this week, bringing fantasy managers alike immense joy.
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Week 2 Bold Predictions
Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN) is a top-10 WR in Week 2.
Following an offseason where the media and many fantasy football analysts ran with the story that Chase was struggling with drops in camp and the preseason, the number five overall pick in the 2021 draft silenced the doubters by posting five receptions from seven targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. Chase will look to continue his impressive start against a vulnerable Bears secondary that allowed 300+ passing yards to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams last week. Start Chase with absolute confidence this week and the rest of the season. Look for Chase to exceed his stat line from Week 1 as he illustrates why he was the first wide receiver taken in the draft this year.
Javonte Williams (RB – DEN) is an RB1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Williams drew a lot of hype after receiving high praise from the Denver coaching staff following the draft, as well as loft comparisons from QB Teddy Bridgewater. Despite growing expectations, Williams’ debut went exceedingly well. Williams split duties with running mate Melvin Gordon, but Williams still showcased why the Broncos traded up for him in the early second round. Williams has a favorable matchup this week and will look to use his opportunities to truly break out and showcase why the fantasy community was so high on the North Carolina product this summer. I expect Williams to go over the century mark in total yards while finding the end zone for the first time of his career.
Josh Allen (QB – BUF) throws for 400+ yards and scores five total touchdowns.
After a somewhat disappointing Week 1 against a star-studded Pittsburgh Steelers defense, Josh Allen will look to bounce back this week in a tough divisional matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Although the Dolphins have a strong defense, it will be Allen and the Bills with complete control over the flow of the game. Allen’s dominance from last season took a brief detour last week but will return in Week 2 with a vengeance. Allen should always be in your starting lineup regardless of the matchup, but Allen will look to redeem himself after a down performance in Week 1, leaving fantasy managers that invested an early draft pick on the young signal-caller with a feeling of hope and excitement after Allen posts a ridiculous stat line this week.
Nick Chubb (RB – CLE) is THE RB1 in Week 2.
Nick Chubb showcased why he is one of the league’s best RBs in Week 1 after running for 83 yards and two scores, dominating the ground game, and leaving defenders in their tracks. Chubb enters Week 2 with an enticing matchup against the Houston Texans. Chubb’s ceiling will always be somewhat limited due to sharing snaps and touches with Kareem Hunt, however, Chubb’s ability to make those opportunities extremely valuable and turn his touches into meaningful fantasy points is almost unmatched throughout the league. Chubb will against split time with Hunt, however, Chubb will continue his hot start this week as he finishes as the number one overall running back. Chubb will rush for over 100 yards on the ground while finding the end zone multiple times. Chubb is always a locked-and-loaded RB1 but you should expect to see Chubb atop of the leader board after this week is finished.
Mac Jones (QB – NE) outscores Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ) and the New England Patriots beat the New York Jets.
A divisional showdown. A battle of first-round QBs. Mac Jones and Zach Wilson is a budding rivalry that the AFC East, and the NFL as a whole, needs. Both QBs were impressive in their debut yet fell short of securing their first career win. However, in Week 2, one of these rookies will bring home their first W, but which one will it be? Despite Wilson being the higher draft pick and receiving higher acclaim for his skillset this offseason, it will be Jones who will get the best of the BYU product. Wilson could be in for a rude awakening against a defense that is notorious for making rookie QBs crumble, which is a high in the range of outcomes for Wilson this week. Jones will look to build off his solid start from last week in which he only had 10 incompletions. Jones has a natural ability to remain composed in big moment situations, which will ultimately lead him to outlast and out-perform his draft classmate.
Conclusion
I look forward to continuing my in-season Bold Prediction series throughout the entirety of the 2021 season. I hope these write-ups serve the reader well in our quest towards fantasy football glory. If Week 1 did not go as planned, do not overreact or panic. The season is long and grueling, but sometimes your best player might take a week or two to get started. Trust yourself, trust your gut, know your team, and you will beat your opponent!
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Joshua Lefkowitz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joshua, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JLefkoNFL.