Fantasy Football 2019: Start or sit for Week 2

Defense

Start: Buffalo Bills (vs. Giants)

The Bills are coming off of a great performance giving up only 16 points to the up and coming Jets. The Giants are coming off of being clearly overmatched against the Cowboys, a game in which they only scored 17 points — and one of the touchdowns was in garbage time. The Bills held the Jets to only 243 yards of total offense all game.

They surpassed their projected points as they finished with 11 fantasy points with only eight points allowed, one fumble recovery and four sacks, (a pick-six by the Jets defense counted for New York’s other score). That’s the production you’re looking for in a starting defense. The struggling Giants offense bodes well for Bills D/ST owners as the Bills look to pick up right where they left off.

Sit: Los Angeles Rams (vs. Saints)

The Rams are coming off of a game in which they gave up 209 total yards and two scores — to Carolina running back Christian McCaffery alone. That equates to 32.9 fantasy points. While they did hold perennial Pro-Bowler Cam Newton in check with only 5.4 fantasy points, the damage had been done on the ground already.

While the Rams did surpass their projected 6.2 points, finishing with nine points with one interception, two fumble recoveries and three sacks, I wouldn’t count on a repeat performance. The Saints are coming off of the best win of the week where Drew Brees had 370 yards passing and two scores to total 20.9 fantasy points. Plus, the Saints are going to want revenge after the critical no-call in the 2018 NFC Championship game.

Kicker

Start: Harrison Butker (vs. Raiders)

Oakland is running on fumes right now with the loss of Antonio Brown. But their defense will continue to keep them in games, which is exactly what I anticipate in Week 2. The Chiefs high-powered offense will be met with some young, scrappy and energetic players.

Look for the Chiefs to be stopped on a couple of drives early in the game while they get into the flow of the game — and that’s where Harrison Butker comes in. Butker had a very impressive Week 1, posting 17 fantasy points with three kicks within 0-39 yards, one kick between 40-49 yards and four extra points. He should surpass his projected nine points against the Raiders.

Sit: Stephen Gostkowski (vs. Dolphins)

There’s only one reason I’m sitting Stephen Gostkowski: He can’t help you win by simply kicking six extra points. As oddsmakers have the Patriots as massive favorites, I anticipate the Patriots to do whatever they want on offense and go up and down the field with ease against the Dolphins.

His projection is 8.2 points, but expect that to be lower solely based on the Patriots offensive power, especially after adding All-Pro Antonio Brown. Gostkowski is one of the best kickers in the NFL but this week, against a porous, defeated and gutted Dolphins team, I’m leaving him on my bench.