Week 2: Game Previews

There are a couple of good fantasy matchups this week, capped on Sunday night by the New England-San Diego game. This early in the season, however, no clear and solid patterns have emerged, and it might take another week or so for the offenses to catch up with the defenses.

A reminder about this column: I tend to be more yardage-oriented in my analysis, so keep that in mind while reading. Also, skill players are divided into these four categories:

Must start: If you have certain players on your team - LaDainian, Peyton, Chad the Mouth - they should be in your starting lineup no matter the matchup.
Favorable situation: These players are not guarantees week after week, or are to be considered as No. 2 or No. 3 options. They will be in your lineup more often once the bye weeks roll around, unless the opponent is just too formidable.
Unfavorable situation: Sometimes even above-average players will be placed in this category if they are going against a strong defense. Injury or weather could also cause a player to slip into this category.
Don't start: This one pretty much is easy enough to figure out, yes?

Cincinnati at Cleveland
The Bengals' defense was a frenzied bunch against Baltimore, causing turnovers and making big plays, including two sacks of Steve McNair. That is bad news for the Browns' offense, which is in so much turmoil that Week One starter Charlie Frye was shipped off to Seattle after his poor performance against Pittsburgh. Derek Anderson gets the start over Brady Quinn this week, although it is now clear that the Browns won't tolerate sub-par performances. Cleveland fans will be happy if Quinn is named the starter sooner than later, but that would be a white-flag move from the coaching staff. The Bengals should not have any trouble moving the ball against Cleveland.

Cincinnati
Must start: Carson Palmer; Rudi Johnson; Chad Johnson; T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Favorable situation: Reggie Kelly had just one catch for 13 yards against the Ravens, but the Browns allowed Pittsburgh's tight ends to catch five passes for 40 yards and a TD.
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Any other players

Cleveland
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Braylon Edwards caught four passes for 110 yards in Week Two last season against Cincinnati; Kellen Winslow had a decent game against the Steelers, but considering the offense is in such disarray, his production might suffer.
Unfavorable situation: Anderson; Jamal Lewis
Don't start: Any other players

Buffalo at Pittsburgh
The Bills must feel deflated after their last-second loss to Denver, and owners of Lee Evans must feel frustrated after his ultra-weak performance against the Broncos. Life doesn't get any easier against the Steelers this week, although Pittsburgh's secondary is not as fearsome as Denver's. Ben Roethlisberger went wild with four TD passes, even though his yardage output of 161 yards put him at No. 27 on the yardage rankings for the week.

Buffalo
Must start: None
Favorable situation: Evans started slowly last season and you don't want to him on the bench when he breaks out; Josh Reed.
Unfavorable situation: J.P. Losman's average of seven yards per completion will likely increase this week, but he is still a risk to start; Marshawn Lynch had 99 yards of offense against Denver, but Pittsburgh will likely focus on stopping the run and force Losman to throw.
Don't start: Any other players

Pittsburgh
Must start: Willie Parker; Hines Ward, especially after Javon Walker torched the Bills for nine catches and 119 yards.
Favorable situation: Roethlisberger; Santonio Holmes; Heath Miller
Unfavorable situation: None
Don't start: Najeh Davenport - his nine touches for 60 yards look decent on a stat sheet, but nearly all of that came in the fourth quarter after the game was decided.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay
This is a matchup between two teams that find themselves at 0-1 and wondering what happened in Week One. The big difference between the two squads, however, is that the Saints have the firepower to bounce back from their loss. The Bucs have a proud bunch of veterans playing defense - the Seahawks had just 13 points after 53 minutes of play - and could surprise with a strong outing in their home opening. Expect the Bucs to attack the Saints' secondary - especially Jason David - even if Cadillac Williams is healthy enough to play.

New Orleans
Must start: Drew Brees - you can't sit him based on one game; Marques Colston; Eric Johnson
Favorable situation: The Bucs had trouble stopping Shaun Alexander and Maurice Morris, but Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush performed poorly against an alleged "weak" Indianapolis run defense - if there was a category between "favorable" and "unfavorable," I'd stick these guys there.
Unfavorable situation: Devery Henderson and David Patten combined for just five catches and 52 yards last week.
Don't start: Any other players

Tampa Bay
Must start: Joey Galloway, mainly because of Jason David.
Favorable situation: Jeff Garcia spent a lot of time on the turf against Seattle, but the Bucs will need his arm to win this game; Michael Pittman, if he gets the start for the injured Williams - he catches a lot of passes out of the backfield.
Unfavorable situation: Williams, even if he is cleared to play.
Don't start: Even though David Boston was cut from the team, no other WR is making a clear case for being the No. 2 guy.