Fantasy Football Instant Reactions: Week 2

Week 2 of the NFL season gave us everything we wanted. 

Shocking upsets, huge individual performances, and two overtime victories. Each Sunday night, I will provide my five instant fantasy football reactions from the slate of games. What were the key performances, surprises and disappointments from across the NFL? 

Let’s get into Week 2.

Reaction No. 1: What is wrong with the Chargers? 

Brandon Staley’s head coaching seat is getting hot. 

Hired by the Chargers in 2021 with the reputation as a brilliant defensive mind, Staley’s defense has been blowtorched in consecutive weeks by Miami and Tennessee. While allowing 466 passing yards to the explosive Miami offense is understandable, allowing 27 points to the limited Titans offense is shocking. 

Tennessee held an almost seven-minute advantage in time of possession, and avoided a single turnover in the game, including overtime. The Titans overcame three interceptions from Ryan Tannehill in their Week 1 victory at New Orleans. 

The Chargers are now 0-2 despite scoring 58 points, third-most in the NFL through two weeks. They entered Week 2 ranking last in defensive DVOA, an ominous sign for Week 2. 

Reaction No. 2: Brian Robinson Has Arrived

I strongly believed all summer that Brian Robinson’s ADP should be ahead of teammate Antonio Gibson. At 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, with 4.53 speed, Robinson’s potential impact was one of the most understated storylines of the offseason. With the near-tragic events of last season now behind him, Robinson appears to be thriving in new offensive coordinator’s Eric Bieniemy’s system both as a rusher and receiver. 

Robinson was superb at Denver in Week 2, rushing for 86 yards (5.7 YPC) with 42 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He now has a 34 to 5 advantage on Antonio Gibson in rushing attempts and a surprising one more target in the passing game. 

In a year where several “dead-zone” running backs (Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers, Alexander Mattison) have disappointed, Robinson appears to be one of the best early fantasy values of the season. 

Reaction No. 3: The Fantasy Dominance of Rams Reserves

Is Cooper Kupp a “system” wide receiver?

Fifth-round rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua is leading the NFL in receptions through two weeks. The BYU-product has tallied 25 receptions in two games, on a mind-blowing 35 targets. While clearly not sustainable, this is actually hilarious. 

With Kupp out until at least Week 5, Nacua hasn’t been the only Rams wideout with surprising production. Tutu Atwell followed up Week 1 (6 receptions, 119 receiving yards), with a solid 7 receptions and 77 receiving yards in the 30-23 home loss to the 49ers. 

Last, but certainly not least, has been the shocking development of Kyren Williams as the Rams RB1. The pregame news about RB Cam Akers shocked the fantasy world. 

Williams again posted two touchdowns (1 rushing, 1 receiving), totaling four touchdowns through two weeks. He also posted six receptions on 10 targets, displaying impressive versatility. 

The Rams offensive players were an afterthought for most fantasy drafters in the preseason, but these three players are among the NFL’s hottest waiver wire pickups. 

Reaction No. 4: Surprise 2-0 Teams

Cheers to both Tampa Bay and Atlanta, who are among seven 2-0 teams entering Sunday night. 

The Buccaneers backed up their Week 1 road victory at Minnesota with a solid 27-17 home victory over Chicago. Tampa Bay wideout Mike Evans continues to produce huge numbers, even without quarterback Tom Brady. Evans posted a touchdown for the second consecutive week, along with a massive 171 receiving yards. 

Atlanta executed a massive comeback, scoring 13 fourth-quarter points to earn an improbable 25-24 win over Green Bay. It was an impressive all-around game for second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder, who accounted for two touchdowns and 39 rushing yards. While there was still almost a 50/50 split in rushing attempts between Tyler Allgeier and rookie Bijan Robinson, the dynamic Texas rookie finished with 124 yards on a robust 6.5 yards per carry. 

Both teams sit atop the NFC South standings, with a Week 7 matchup at Tampa Bay on the distant horizon. 

Reaction No. 5: NFL Overs Dominate

Entering Sunday night’s game, NFL overs are an astounding 12-1 in Week 2. 

The only game to go under? The Jacksonville-Kansas City matchup, which carried the highest total (51 points) of the entire 16-game Week 2 slate. 

For fantasy purposes, this meant big points across all four major offensive positions. Fantasy drafters welcomed back tight ends Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews with happiness. Andrews was particularly impressive, seeing 8 targets and posting 5 receptions, 45 yards and this third-quarter touchdown catch: