Lance's 2024 Week 2 Predictions

Every week I’ll be putting out my predictions, they will include my winner for each game with a brief explanation, and 1 start and 1 sit for each fantasy football position. I will start making my spread picks after week 5, once I have more statistical data to go on. As usual, I’ll start with my picks:

Head-to-Head record: 8-8

Buffalo over Miami

A lot of Buffalo doubters out there this year, so primetime game against a Miami team that's gotten some AFC East love from the pundits this offseason? I think Josh Allen and company make a statement.

Baltimore over Las Vegas

If Vegas' offense had shown me more last week I would list this as a potential trap game. Vegas' defense looks like the real deal and Baltimore could get caught looking ahead to their matchup next week with Dallas. But the Raiders offense looked flat, making it easier for Baltimore to skate by for the win.

LA Chargers over Carolina

The Bryce Young we saw last week was uncomfortable, scared and clearly didn't trust his O-Line (unwarranted on a few of the plays I caught, but that's the psychological aspect, especially after the rookie season he had). Until he's make strides in changing that stuff up, it'll be difficult to pick Carolina in just about any matchup.

New Orleans over Dallas

I'm going to go against the grain here. Trust me, I'm nervous that the Saints' offensive performance last week was mostly due to who they were facing. However, Dallas' strength on offense is their pass game, and we know Prescott is susceptible to turnover heavy games against defenses that can matchup, which the Saints can, so give me the upset.

Detroit over Tampa Bay

More of a toss-up than I was expecting. The main key here is I don't see Mayfield having his way like he did against Washington, Detroit ekes out a win with their playmakers, St. Brown and LaPorta, getting back on track.

Indianapolis over Green Bay

This would've been a really good matchup, but the Jordan Love injury takes the air out of it. There's the unknown aspect for Malik Willis, but if it resembles any bit of the guy we saw for those last two plays of the game, I'm not putting a lot of stock in Green Bay.

Cleveland over Jacksonville

Jacksonville looked lost in the second half of week 1. Cleveland looked bad against Dallas, especially on offense, no surprise there, but at least we know the level that this defense can play at, and that's what I'm banking on this week.

San Francisco over Minnesota

I would love to say I'm all in on my Vikings, but San Fran made beating the Jets look like child's play, despite not having CMC and despite a rough outing by Brock Purdy. Minnesota may be able to make things harder on them, but I think the Niners' stockpile of talent pulls out the win.

Seattle over New England

Cincy has struggled early season the last couple years and that seems to have carried over to this year, so I'm still not buying the Patriots being an actual competitor this year. Macdonald's working his magic with Seattle's defense, as shown last week, we'll see if the Pats can handle that this week.

NY Jets over Tennessee

Tennessee's best chance at winning is going to be running the ball and relying on their defense. In this game, that formula favors the Jets who have the better defense. Maybe it's too obvious of a pick.

Washington over NY Giants

Washington's pass defense is bad enough to lose them most of their games this season. After that performance by Daniel Jones last week, I'm going to say this isn't one of those games.

LA Rams over Arizona

Both teams looked good in their losses, which tells me the NFC East is going to be fun to watch this year. I'll take the Stafford to Kupp connection against a lacking Cards secondary.

Pittsburgh over Denver

Pittsburgh's defense just wrecked Atlanta's gameplan, and Denver's rookie QB looks like a rookie, feels like the perfect formula for a Pittsburgh win. You gotta feel for Nix drawing T.J. Watt in his second career game.

Kansas City over Cincinnati

Like I said in the New England portion of this write-up, Cincy's early season struggles continue. They even played most of their starters a little in the preseason and they still looked like they were sleep walking out there. In a tough matchup, I'm going to take the opposing team until the Bengals start showing signs of life again.

Houston over Chicago

Chicago's defense looks scary, and I think Stroud will find the secondary suffocating at times, but the Texans have so many pass catching options that their likely to find enough opportunities to get the job done. Plus, I don't believe Williams and company are going to suddenly turn it around in one week against a better defense.

Philadelphia over Atlanta

Philly can follow a similar defensive strategy to what Pitt just did against Atlanta. Plus, Philly's offense won't have to rely on only field goals for points.

Fantasy Starts and Sits

Record for QBs, TEs, and Ds is based off if they finished top 12 or not

Record for RBs and WRs is based off if they finished top 24 or not.

QB Record: 2-0

QB Start: Matthew Stafford at Arizona

There aren't too many QBs outside of the top 12 that I would feel good about starting. Arizona's pass defense performed about as bad as expected, so even with Nacua out, Stafford feels like a safe start.

QB Sit: Brock Purdy at Minnesota

No CMC again, plus another defense that can make life difficult on him. If he can get the ball out quick, he could bounce back, but that new front seven Minnesota rolled out last week is primed to tear up San Fran's O-Line.

RB Record: 0-2

RB Start: Jaylen Wright vs Buffalo

I'm banking on Miami dressing him because Mostert has been ruled out, and I'm hoping it doesn't still hinge on Achane's health. If Wright dresses he will get the chance to show off his explosiveness and given Miami's offense, he could really go off. If you think you got the stomach for it, put him in! Personally, I hope they make an announcement well in advance of kickoff.

RB Sit: Rachaad White at Detroit

White's volume took a little hit last week, he was also inefficient on the ground, it was only his pass catching that kept him afloat in fantasy. I don't like the matchup, and I don't like the chances of Bucky Irving cutting into those targets.

WR Record: 2-0

WR Start: Ladd McConkey at Carolina

McConkey had a solid first outing, that included an awesome touchdown and he led the team in targets. This is an even more favorable matchup than that one was, so if you got him, start him.

WR Sit: Nico Collins vs Chicago

I know, I'm going out on a pretty big limb on this one. Collins is likely to see a lot of Jaylon Johnson this week, and I'm taking Johnson in that matchup.

TE Record: 1-1

TE Start: Colby Parkinson at Arizona

A hook-up for Stafford, if Kupp is out of the question for you. Nacua's injury already handed Kupp the top dog label back, but the #2 role is up for grabs and Parkinson has a favorable matchup. He's worth a shot this week at a position that underperformed in week 1.

TE Sit: Mark Andrews vs Las Vegas

The matchups are pretty favorable for the top 12 projected Tight Ends right now. Vegas isn't that bad of a matchup, but the number of targets Isaiah Likely saw compared to Andrews was concerning. I'd urge caution until we get a few more weeks under our belts.

Defense Record: 0-2

Defense Start: Philadelphia Eagles vs Atlanta

Pittsburgh just finished shredding Atlanta's offense to pieces. Cousins is clearly not back at full health and it hurt the rest of the offense. It's a great setup for Philly to follow suit.

Defense Sit: Denver Broncos vs Pittsburgh

Denver's defense is somehow in the top 12 projected Defenses for the week. I guess because of Pitt's QB situation, but given Denver's holes on defense, I definitely wouldn't go start here.