If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably noticed a series of tweets I share on a weekly basis regarding player and team defensive performances, all from a fantasy lens. I’m going to be sharing some of that same information with you here. I use this each week as I am making my own lineup and waiver wire decisions and thought you might find this valuable as well.

Looking at how teams have performed against certain positions and then targeting or avoiding those players each week has been a huge game-changer in my weekly lineup decisions. With that in mind, this year, I’ll focus most of my attention on that weekly matchup info, giving you a few must-start or must-sit players each week, based on the trends and numbers.

There are several running backs who are off to disappointing starts to their respective seasons through two weeks, but I think Week Three could change that for a trio of ball carriers. Thanks to a friendly matchup, these three could enjoy their best week of the young season.

Derrick Henry, BAL

After leaving the Titans to sign with the Ravens this off-season, expectations for the veteran Henry quickly skyrocketed. Many suggested Henry was made to play in this Baltimore offense. While the big man has found the end zone in each of his first two games, he hasn’t been able to produce in accordance with his off-season ADP, finishing as the RB31 and RB14 in the first two weeks. This week, the Ravens face Dallas, who allowed Alvin Kamara to go off last week and even helped make Browns back Jerome Ford a Week One top-12 scorer. After bad losses last week, both the Cowboys and Ravens should be desperate for a win and I expect Baltimore to ride Henry to give them a chance to win.

Javonte Williams, DEN

The off-season narrative was that Broncos back Williams was fully recovered from his previous ACL injury that slowed him last season. That, paired with being the lead back in a Sean Payton offense made Williams a popular target outside of the top-tier of backs. The entire Denver offense has struggled over the first two weeks, which has limited the back’s workload and effectiveness. Williams has finished as the RB53 and RB25 in the first two games, totaling just 40 rushing yards in both. The good news this week is that the Buccaneers, Denver’s Week Three opponent, has been stung by opposing backs through two games. In the opener, Tampa gave up the RB14 performance to pedestrian back Brian Robinson before both Jahmyr Gibbs (RB9) and David Montgomery (RB13) pounced on them last week. I’m keeping my expectations in check here, but this should be Williams’ best performance of the season.

Zamir White, LV

Although I never believed in it, the off-season hype around White was strong. The Raiders back ended the 2023 season on a high note as he took over for an injured Josh Jacobs and produced well. That was enough for Vegas to stick with him as their lead back but the start to his season has not gone well. With fantasy finishes of RB46 and RB38, dynasty managers who made him a low-end RB2 have to be questioning their decision. A matchup with the Panthers can cure a lot of ills though and that’s what White has this week. Carolina has been the worst team in football through two weeks, so bad that they just benched former top-overall pick Bryce Young. I doubt that is enough to spark their defense to stop the run. The Panthers have allowed a top-six fantasy score to their first two running back opponents. White should have a big game against Carolina. If so, he becomes an immediate sell-high candidate.

Note: The scoring system used is always PPR with four points for passing touchdowns and all stats and info are provided by Fantasy Data.

Quarterbacks

Week 2 QB1s

Season-Long QB1s

Most QB1 Games Allowed

Four teams have allowed a QB1 performance in each of the first two weeks of the season. The Commanders were among the worst pass defense a year ago and that has continued so far this season. Washington is the only team to allow more than 26 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. That’s good news for Joe Burrow this week. Their division-rival Eagles are another defense to target at the quarterback position, which means the current QB2 on the season, Derek Carr, could continue his hot streak. The Jaguars (vs. Josh Allen) and Chiefs (vs. Kirk Cousins) are other teams that offer quarterback-friendly matchups.

Along with the Chiefs and Commanders, the other teams allowing more than 23 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks are NFC West foes Arizona (vs. Jared Goff) and the Rams (vs. Brock Purdy.) Goff and Purdy have been borderline top-12 options through two weeks but each should enjoy a solid game in Week Three.

While over one-third of the league has yet to allow a QB1 game, three of those teams really stand out, surrendering less than a dozen fantasy points per game to the position. These teams are the Dolphins (vs. Geno Smith), Titans (vs. Malik Willis), and Chargers (vs. Justin Fields.) These are players I’d avoid this week, although Willis in the “revenge game” against the team that drafted him and then traded him away just a few weeks ago is very intriguing.

Running Backs

Week 2 RB1s

Season-Long RB1s

Most RB1 Games Allowed

We’ve already discussed three backs who could finally live up to expectations this week, but those are not the only ball carriers with plus matchups. Red-hot 49ers back Jordan Mason is in line to post his third consecutive RB1 game as he meets the Rams’ flailing defense. The Bills (vs. Travis Etienne), Dolphins (vs. Zach Charbonnet), and Giants (vs. Jerome Ford) are three other teams allowing more than 27 fantasy points to rival backfields.

Meanwhile, a trio of backs who are off to solid starts to their seasons face challenging defenses this week. The Texans (vs. Aaron Jones), Saints (vs. Saquon Barkley), and Lions (vs. James Conner) are allowing less than 15 fantasy points per game to opposing backfields. While this is not nearly enough to push Barkley out of fantasy lineups, I would consider my options when starting Conner or Jones.

Jordan Mason | Credit: Brad Rempel

Wide Receivers

Week 2 WR1s

Season-Long WR1s

Most WR1 Games Allowed

Through just two games, there are already five teams who have given up three top-24 performances to opposing wide receivers. It’s no surprise that these defenses align with the teams that usually struggle to slow down the quarterback position, as well. The Commanders and Eagles are two of the top three when it comes to points allowed versus wideouts. This could be a huge week for Ja’Marr Chase (vs. WAS) and the Saints duo of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed (vs. PHI.)

The Ravens (vs. CeeDee Lamb), Packers (vs. Calvin Ridley), and 49ers (vs. Demarcus Robinson) are other defenses who have already given up three big games to wide receivers. Although they’ve “only” allowed a pair of top-24 performances, the Lions are also worth mentioning as they have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position and now face off against rookie superstar Marvin Harrison, Jr. Good luck!

Six teams have yet to allow a top-24 game to a foe wideout. Of course, that could make for a challenge for several receivers this week, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams (vs. ARI), Brian Thomas (vs. BUF), George Pickens (vs. LAC), Ladd McConkey (vs. PIT), Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle (vs. SEA) and Jayden Reed et al (vs. TEN.) Finally, it is actually the Denver Broncos who have allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers and have the challenge of trying to stop veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin in Week Three.

Tight Ends

Week 2 TE1s

Season-Long TE1s

Most TE1 Games Allowed

The Rams defense has been a theme in this week’s article and that’s not a good thing. They are the only team to have allowed three TE1 games already this year and face a challenging task this week in the form of George Kittle.

Other teams to target when choosing a tight end include the Bills (vs. Evan Engram?), Panthers (vs. Brock Bowers), Chiefs (Kyle Pitts), and Ravens (vs. Jake Ferguson?)

A large chunk of the league has not allowed a TE1 game yet this season but four teams have been especially impressive, allowing less than three fantasy points per game. Those teams, along with their Week Three foe, include the Jaguars (vs. Dalton Kincaid), 49ers (vs. Colby Parkinson), Titans (vs. Tucker Kraft), and Commanders (vs. Mike Gesicki.)

Finally, here is the chart summarizing how teams have fared against each position. I’ve also included the schedule for this week for reference.

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Ryan McDowell

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

In addition to his senior leadership role here at DLF, Ryan is also a husband, father of three and PE teacher. Ryan is the commissioner of multiple dynasty leagues, most notably the Kitchen Sink Dynasty Leagues. Here at DLF, Ryan’s focus is on identifying, monitoring and analyzing player value.

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