Welcome to The Fantasy Football Universe Week 2 Fantasy Football IDP Matchup Guide. This column will not tell you specifically who you should start or sit with, rather it will show you which players have the best and worst matchups from there. This isn’t meant to convince you to sit your studs in favor of streaming options it’s meant to help you determine which lower-ranked players could be streaming options best on a favorable matchup and which studs could be in for a down week based on a bad matchup.
*The information average of the team logo indicates the team and their matchup. I chose to list it by team instead of by players due to the wide variety of options at each position. Instead of “Sauce Gardner” it will simply say “Jets DB”. It’s up to you to decide which player from that position you like best. The other reason for this is due to the nature of the position. Some defenders will shadow a specific player while others will stay on their side of the field. This can be unpredictable and is open to interpretation and personal preference. The number next to that position group indicates their opponent’s matchup against that position. 1 indicates the best fantasy matchup for that position, while 32 indicates the worst.
The information under the team logo shows their opponent and the deviation from the average points allowed to that position.
Defensive Lineman Matchups
Must Start: Jonathon Allen put up only two tackles in the Commander’s Week 1 matchup with Tampa Bay. This week he is a must-start as he faces off with the New York Giants who allow the most fantasy points to opposing defensive linemen. Fire up Allen this week and look for him to get home against a weak Giants squad and a frantic Daniel Jones running for his life.
Must Sit: Sit Bud Dupree in Week 2. The new addition to the Chargers only played in 30% of the team’s defensive snaps in Week 1 and didn’t look impressive. This week he goes up against a Panthers squad that was so bad that they simply haven’t allowed for much production by opposing defenses because their offense was never on the field. Dupree is going to need some time to get acclimated to his new system and should be left on the bench in Week 2.
Linebacker Matchups
Must Start: In Week 1, Josh Hines-Allen recorded only two tackles and little production. This week he faces off with the Cleveland Browns that were the best matchup for opposing linebackers in Week 1. Deshaun Watson looked terrible and so did the Browns as a unit. Look for Hines-Allen to be productive in Week 2 as he rebounds from a slow start to the season.
Must Sit: Jeremy Chinn recorded three tackles in Week 1 and was passable in his debut with the Washington Commanders. In Week 2 he faces a New York Giants squad that is the second-worst matchup for opposing linebackers. The Giants are such a mess that they have a difficult time sustaining long drives which leaves their opponents little opportunity to produce on defense. Chinn should bounce back in the coming weeks and be a usable asset, but this week he is a must-sit.
Defensive Back Matchups
Must Start: In Week 2, Derwin James might be the best start of the week. The perennial fantasy stud faces off with Bryce Young who looked awful in his rookie season and Week 1. Look for James to have ample opportunity for both tackles and interceptions and fire him up with confidence. He could be the DB1 on the week when it’s all said and done, the matchup is perfect.
Must Sit: Xavier Woods posted an impressive eight tackles in Week 1, but in Week 2 he goes up against the Los Angeles Chargers who were the worst matchup for opposing defensive backs in Week 1. The main issue here is that the Panthers are so bad that they give up points at will with little resistance. Whether it’s offense or defense, it’s best to avoid the Carolina Panthers altogether in all formats.
If you enjoyed our Week 1 Fantasy Football IDP Matchup Guide, check out our weekly Sit & Start column to see all the players we are targeting and fading this week, and head over to The FFU YouTube Channel to see our daily videos.
