6 Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 2 (2023)

Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.

These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.

Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face this week.

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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 2

Anthony Richardson (QB – IND) 

While the Colts didn’t get the Week 1 win, Richardson was outstanding for fantasy players. He was the QB4, scoring 20.9 fantasy points against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The rookie outscored several superstar quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes and Trevor Lawrence. Richardson had 47.8% of his fantasy production in Week 1 come from his legs, totaling 10 rushing attempts for 40 yards and a rushing touchdown (10 fantasy points). Yet, the rookie also had a solid performance in the passing game, completing nearly 65% of his passes for 223 yards and a 39-yard touchdown to Michael Pittman Jr.

However, don’t hand the former Gator the title of a “must-start player every week” yet. Richardson will have his first career-challenging matchup in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Last year, the Texans held quarterbacks to only 13.6 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the NFL. More importantly, Houston shut down Lamar Jackson in Week 1. The superstar quarterback had only 169 passing yards and two turnovers, scoring 6.6 fantasy points. While that game turned into a blowout, the Texans held Jackson to only 3.8 fantasy points on the ground. Richardson is a risky boom-or-bust QB2 this week.

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

It was awesome to see Hall play on Monday night, especially after Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Yet, fantasy players should be concerned about the second-year running back this week. His first two rushing attempts in Week 1 were outstanding, totaling 26 and 83 yards. However, he got chased down from behind on the 83-yard run. More importantly, those two rushing attempts accounted for 85.8% of his rushing yards in the game. By comparison, Hall averaged only 2.3 yards per rushing attempt on his other eight attempts in Week 1.

The former Iowa State star also was part of a three-headed attack against the Buffalo Bills. Hall finished ahead of Michael Carter in snaps played (17-12) but behind Dalvin Cook (27-17). Meanwhile, the second-year star has an awful matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Last year, the Cowboys surrendered only 16.1 half-point PPR fantasy points and six rushing touchdowns to running backs, both the second-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they held Saquon Barkley to 4.3 yards per rushing attempt and 7.8 fantasy points in Week 1. Dallas will have no trouble disrupting New York’s offense with Zach Wilson under center.

Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA) 

Last week, Mostert was a popular start with Jeff Wilson Jr. and De’Von Achane out against the Los Angeles Chargers. The veteran was the RB17 in Week 1, scoring 12 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, his fantasy performance was saved by a rushing touchdown. Mostert had only 10 rushing attempts for 37 yards and two receptions for 13 yards despite no competition for touches in the backfield. Unfortunately, that won’t be the same in Week 2, as Achane should make his NFL debut. More importantly, Mostert showed up on the injury report Wednesday with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, the New England Patriots held the Philadelphia Eagles’ running backs to only 3.8 yards per rushing attempt and 11.7 fantasy points in Week 1. Furthermore, Jalen Hurts had only 37 rushing yards and zero touchdowns against New England’s talented run defense. Last year, the Patriots surrendered only 16.8 fantasy points per game to running backs, the fourth-fewest in the NFL. They also held running backs to only five scrimmage touchdowns, the fewest in the league. Mostert is a risky flex option with limited upside. Keep him out of your lineup.

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ) 

Injuries are part of the game, but seeing Aaron Rodgers go down four plays into his tenure with the Jets was heartbreaking for him, the team, fantasy players, and Wilson. Thankfully, Zach Wilson played well enough off the bench for the second-year wide receiver to total five receptions on five targets for 34 receiving yards and an impressive touchdown. The former Ohio State star ended Week 1 as the WR22, scoring 11.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, fantasy players need to prepare for a rough season from Wilson, especially this week.

The Dallas Cowboys obliterated the New York Giants in Week 1. Their defense was dominant, totaling three turnovers, seven sacks, and a touchdown. They also had a blocked field goal returned for a score. The Jets’ offensive line struggled against the Buffalo Bills, giving up numerous pressures and three sacks. Meanwhile, Wilson will see plenty of Stephon Gilmore in this contest. The star cornerback allowed only a 37.5% completion rate and a 12.5 quarterback rating when targeted in Week 1. If you must start the second-year receiver this week, temper your expectations.

Zay Flowers (WR – BAL)

Flowers had an impressive NFL debut in Week 1, totaling 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points. The former Boston College star was the WR20 last week, scoring 3.5 more fantasy points than Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham Jr. combined. However, fantasy players need to pump the brakes on the hype surrounding the rookie wide receiver. Flowers had a 2.6 aDOT. Furthermore, nearly 70% of his receiving yards came after the catch. More importantly, he had a 47.6% target share but won’t see a target share anywhere near that high in Week 2.

After missing last week with a quad injury, Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, Mark Andrews, should play against the Cincinnati Bengals. More importantly, the Bengals have a talented secondary. Last week, they held the Cleveland Browns wide receivers to only seven receptions for 92 receiving yards and 14.6 fantasy points. By comparison, the Bengals surrendered 25 fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2022, the eighth-lowest in the NFL. Between the tough AFC North division matchup and the return of Andrews, Flowers will need to make more plays downfield to avoid being a bust.

Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)

While the Steelers’ offense looked outstanding during the preseason, they fell flat on their face in Week 1. Freiermuth was the TE9 last week, scoring 6.8 half-point PPR fantasy points despite briefly leaving the game with a chest injury. The third-year tight end’s fantasy performance got saved by Pittsburgh’s only touchdown of the contest. The former Penn State star caught only one of his four targets for three yards against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, Freiermuth’s fantasy outlook for Week 2 is similarly grim.

Last week, the Cleveland Browns held Irv Smith Jr. to three receptions on five targets for 17 receiving yards and 3.2 fantasy points. His poor performance isn’t surprising, given how the Browns made Joe Burrow look like a high school quarterback. However, Freiermuth has always struggled against Cleveland. The former Penn State star has averaged 2.8 receptions on 4.8 targets for 26.8 receiving yards and 5.6 fantasy points per game in four career contests against the division rivals. Furthermore, he hasn’t totaled more than 44 receiving yards in any matchup against the Browns.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.