In Fantasy Football, who you keep out of your starting lineup is just as important as who stays in it. Last week, several sleepers went off for big games, while other fantasy players (like Le'Veon Bell) produced duds. Now we would never recommend benching a player like Bell, but fantasy owners can protect themselves by playing the matchups when necessary. Let's take a look at which players should be kept on the bench in Week 2.
1. QB Alex Smith
Yes, he had a great performance against the Patriots in week 1. Yes, he threw for four touchdowns and more than 300 passing yards.
But can he repeat that performance? Not against an Eagles team that has a far better defense and pass rush than the Patriots. Don't get caught up in the Alex Smith hype and keep him out of your starting lineups in week 2.
2. QB Tyrod Taylor
Taylor was a decent fantasy quarterback last season, and remains a decent play depending on the matchup. The Panthers are not a team you want to start a quarterback against, so leave Taylor out of any starting lineups in week 2.
3. RB Terrance West
You know how many points Terrance West scored against the Browns last season? Twelve in two games, for an average of six. Le'Veon Bell did nothing against Cleveland's run defense last Sunday, so what is making anyone think West will have success?
Leave him on the bench.
4. RB Isaiah Crowell
I want no part of this Browns Ravens game for fantasy, so the Browns running back lands on this list as well. Crowell scored just five fantasy points against the stout Ravens defense last season, and Baltimore is coming off a shutout. I don't expect Cleveland to produce much offense against a really tough Ravens defense.
5. WR Adam Thielen
The Steelers defense is miles better than the Saints', which allowed Thielen to rack up 157 yards receiving and 15 fantasy points in week 1. This time, the Vikings offense won't find holes so easily, which will result in a far lower output for the Minnesota wide receiver.
6. WR Pierre Garcon
The 49ers already don't have a great offense, and now they have to play the Seahawks?
I'll pass on Garcon, who will only have fantasy value if he manages to grab a garbage time touchdown.
7. TE Jason Witten
It seems like the Cowboys tight end shows up in the first week of every fantasy season and then disappears for the rest of it. Against a tough Denver defense, Witten won't score many fantasy points.
8. TE Austin Hooper
Yes, Hooper was the league's highest scoring tight end in week 1. But he was also the beneficiary of a 88 yard touchdown, and he caught only two passes. It's too early to trust a player like Hooper just yet, especially with the bevy of weapons that Matt Ryan has in his arsenal. Keep Hooper on the bench in week 2.
9. Eagles D/ST
The Eagles made the most of their opportunities in week 2, as they scored 23 fantasy points against the Redskins.
In week 2, it's best to keep this defense on the bench, as the Eagles will have to play a quarterback in Alex Smith who almost never turns the ball over.
10. Jaguars D/ST
Jacksonville took advantage of a bad quarterback situation in Houston and turned it into 29 fantasy points for the defense. Now they'll take on Marcus Mariota and the Titans in what should be a much different game. The Titans run a conservative offense that shouldn't give the Jaguars many opportunities to score fantasy points.
