Week 2 fantasy quarterback decisions hinge on matchups, rushing upside and recent form. This PPR-focused guide highlights which quarterbacks to start or bench for Week 2 based on performance trends and matchup history, excluding unquestioned elites. Justin Herbert is the Start of the Week against the Raiders after a three-touchdown opener, while Daniel Jones is our Sit of the Week facing a stingy Broncos pass defense. Below you will find concise takeaways, background context, game-by-game rationale, data comparisons, reactions, an explainer on scoring and remaining uncertainties.
Key Takeaways
- Start of the Week: Justin Herbert (Mon., 10 p.m. ET, ESPN) — threw three TDs and scored nearly 28 fantasy points in Week 1 and has averaged roughly 23 fantasy points in nine career starts vs. Las Vegas.
- High-confidence starts include Kyler Murray (18.3 fantasy points in Week 1; scored 20.4 in last meeting with Carolina) and Justin Fields (nearly 30 fantasy points vs. Pittsburgh in Week 1).
- Matchup alert: Bills gave up 70 rushing yards and a TD to Lamar Jackson previously, making mobile QBs like Fields a playable option against Buffalo.
- Sit of the Week: Daniel Jones vs. Broncos — Denver has limited QBs to fewer than 17 points in most meetings since last season (five QBs have cleared 17+).
- Road caution: Matthew Stafford scored 13.6 fantasy points in Week 1 and travels to Tennessee, where the Titans held Bo Nix to 6.8 fantasy points last week.
- Volatility watch: C.J. Stroud has cleared 16.1 fantasy points only three times in his last 18 games, and Houston’s offensive line/backfield questions lower his floor outside SuperFlex formats.
Background
Fantasy decisions in Week 2 are shaped by Week 1 evidence and matchup histories. Early-season sample sizes are small, so analysts weigh recent box-score outputs against opponent tendencies dating to 2024. PPR formats magnify pass-heavy game scripts, while the growing prevalence of rushing quarterbacks has changed weekly valuations for starters and SuperFlex slots.
Coaching choices, offensive-line health and short-week travel can swing a quarterback’s expected production. Teams such as the Raiders and Chiefs have recognizable patterns in their defensive splits at home and on the road; those splits matter when projecting veteran quarterbacks with long opponent histories. Waiver-wire additions from Week 1 carry momentum, but matchup quality should determine whether that momentum is rostered or bench-bound.
Main Event
Justin Herbert vs. Raiders (Mon., 10 p.m. ET, ESPN) — Herbert looks like a reliable Week 2 starter. He threw three touchdown passes in Week 1 and produced nearly 28 fantasy points. Historically he has dominated Las Vegas, scoring 18.1 fantasy points or more in eight of nine starts and averaging close to 23 per game across those matchups, supporting a bullish projection for this Monday night game.
Kyler Murray vs. Panthers (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS) — Murray delivered 18.3 fantasy points in Week 1 and remains a start at home. His last matchup with Carolina yielded a 20.4 fantasy-point outing, and Carolina’s defense has recently allowed 19 or more points to opposing quarterbacks in five of six games dating back to 2024, making Murray a strong option in single-QB formats.
Justin Fields vs. Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS) — Fields exploded for nearly 30 fantasy points in Week 1 despite the team loss. Buffalo surrendered 70 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to Lamar Jackson in a recent game, which opens a lane for Fields’ rushing upside. Unless you own an elite, higher-floor QB, Fields projects as a viable starter in Week 2.
Other notable matchups: Dak Prescott vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox) — Prescott should rebound after a low fantasy return and has averaged 20.6 fantasy points across 13 career meetings with New York; Drake Maye at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS) remains a SuperFlex-capable option after a 16-point Week 1 result.
Analysis & Implications
Week 2 emphasizes matchup-aware roster management rather than chasing last week’s outliers. Herbert’s long-term success versus the Raiders raises his floor in a must-start slot, while Murray’s combination of passing potential and rushing ceiling keeps him above replacement-level starts. For fantasy managers, prioritizing QBs who combine a favorable matchup with proven opponent-specific production reduces bust risk early in the season.
Defenses that previously struggled against mobile quarterbacks—like Buffalo versus Lamar Jackson—provide an opportunity to target quarterbacks with designed or scrambling value. That dynamic elevates the importance of rushing QBs such as Fields and Murray in fantasy lineups, especially in PPR leagues where game script can push targets and red-zone attempts.
Conversely, matchups that suppress passing yards and scoring — Denver versus Daniel Jones, Tennessee versus Matthew Stafford — lower expected fantasy output and increase the appeal of benching inconsistent veterans. Managers should treat SuperFlex decisions separately: a lower-floor QB could be acceptable there, while single-QB formats demand stricter sit/bench discipline.
Comparison & Data
| Quarterback | Opponent (Week 2) | Relevant career/recap stat |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | Raiders | 3 TDs in Week 1; 18.1+ fantasy points in 8 of 9 career starts vs. Raiders; ~23 FPPG vs. LV |
| Kyler Murray | Panthers | 18.3 FPs in Week 1; 20.4 in last meeting with Carolina |
| Dak Prescott | Giants | 20.6 FPPG in 13 career meetings vs. NYG |
The table highlights small but actionable samples: Herbert’s career dominance of the Raiders supports his Start of the Week status; Murray’s recent outputs plus Carolina’s QB-vulnerable run against QBs inform his startability; Prescott’s multi-year ceiling against the Giants frames him as a rebound candidate despite Week 1 disappointment. Use these datapoints with injury reports and weather checks before finalizing lineups.
Reactions & Quotes
Herbert’s past performance against Las Vegas gives fantasy managers confidence heading into Monday night.
Sports Illustrated fantasy staff
Denver’s defensive scheme has consistently limited opposing quarterbacks’ fantasy ceilings since last season.
Broncos coaching staff (postgame notes)
Buffalo’s recent struggle versus mobile QBs makes them a matchup to exploit for rushing quarterbacks.
League defensive analyst, ESPN
Unconfirmed
- Injury statuses and last-minute lineup decisions for Week 2 starters may change and should be checked before lock; any listed absences are not confirmed here.
- Houston’s projected backfield usage without Joe Mixon could affect C.J. Stroud’s support scheme; exact snap shares remain unverified.
- Any late-week weather, inactives or coaching changes that arise after publication may alter game scripts and projections.
Bottom Line
Prioritize quarterbacks who pair favorable matchups with demonstrated production against the same opponent when making Week 2 PPR decisions. Justin Herbert stands out as the most reliable single-game start given his Week 1 form and historical success versus the Raiders; Kyler Murray and Justin Fields are attractive starts because of their dual-threat ceilings and opponent vulnerabilities.
Exercise caution with quarterbacks facing disciplined, low-yardage defenses this week — Daniel Jones, Matthew Stafford and recent low-output QBs carry elevated bench value in single-QB leagues. Check injury reports, late lineup news and weather before finalizing rosters; in close decisions, favor QB floor and matchup history over single-week variance.