Week 1 was filled with excitement, surprises, let-downs, and questions answered for Fantasy Football. Some players we expected to ball out left us hanging. Some players sitting on waivers were dominant. We had plenty of role questions answered, but we also need to understand that this was just one week in the NFL. But damn, was it fun.
This Weekly Winners series is my pride and joy for Fantrax each week. I spend a lot of time reviewing the NFL matchups for a given week and determining who should have a big Fantasy Football or DFS week. This involves looking at individual players, what their opposing defense gave up for yardage last week, what the opposing defense gave up for Fantasy Football last week, game scripts, and other contextual details. There are many moving pieces to my suggestions and advice, with the emphasis on always providing a contextual WHY. My goal has always been to help you “Play 2 Win”, so that is what we are getting after here in this series. Week 2 is upon us, so let’s get it
More Week 2 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings
2025 Fantasy Football: Weekly Winners – Week 2
Drake Maye vs. Miami
Drake Maye opened up the season completing 30/46 to nine different Patriots against the Raiders, which is a great sign for volume as the attempts were tied for the most of all quarterbacks for the week. Maye finished with 287 passing yards (#6 for the week) with both a touchdown and an interception. Maye rushed for 11 yards, which is a number that will be much higher weekly, and finished with 15.8 Fantasy Points.
Up next is a Miami defense that let another mobile quarterback, Daniel Jones, produce 29.5 Fantasy Points in Week 1. Danny Dimes tossed 272 yards at a 75.9 completion percentage, threw a touchdown, rushed for 26 yards, and scored two rushing touchdowns. All signs point to Maye having a solid Week 2 leap as a dual-threat.
Justin Fields vs. Buffalo
Justin Fields had a great Jets debut in Week 1, finishing with 29.5 Fantasy Points on the week. In my preseason rankings, I had Fields ranked as QB6, because we have historically seen such high upside out of the mobile quarterback. Across Fields’ last five games played, he has averaged 24.1 Fantasy Points. Fields threw 16/22 (72.7%) in Week 1, with a passing touchdown, 48 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns. The passing touchdown of course, went to his former college teammate, Garrett Wilson, and these two should be solid the rest of the year.
Up next is a Buffalo defense that allowed Lamar Jackson to throw for 209 yards, pass for two touchdowns, rush for 70 yards, and rush for a touchdown, which was a solid 29.4 Fantasy Points. We cannot bank on other quarterbacks to produce like Jackson, but when you see a mobile quarterback racking up the rushing statistics against a defense, it should bring optimism for another mobile quarterback to do the same.
Justin Herbert vs. Las Vegas
After Week 1, one of my first conclusions was that I was too low on Justin Herbert for Fantasy Football. Herbert looked great beating the Chiefs, who were just in the Super Bowl last season. Herbert’s 318 passing yards ranked third, three passing touchdowns were tied for second, 32 rushing yards were tied for 11th, and 27.9 Fantasy Points ranked fifth for the week vs. the position. All of Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston looked great in Week 1, and you still have rookie Tre Harris, who can make splash plays to utilize. Slept on receiving core to say the least.
The Chargers face the Raiders in Week 2 for an important AFC West matchup, with both teams sitting at 1-0. Drake Maye completed 30 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders in Week 1, with a lesser core. Rookie Omarion Hampton rushed 15 times for 48 yards last week, fairly inefficiently, so the game plan for me should again to let Herbert sling it in Week 2. 34 attempts at a 73.5 completion percentage last week should be encouraging, especially seeing the production. In Week 18 last season, Herbert threw for 346 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushed foor 42 yards against the Raiders for 28 Fantasy Points.
Kyren Williams vs. Tennessee
Volume with touchdown upside has been very closely tied to Kyren Williams since being the Rams’ RB1. We saw that in Week 1, with him rushing 18 times for 66 yards and a touchdown for 13.9 Fantasy Points. Maybe not the best Fantasy performance, but Blake Corum only touched the ball twice, which shows the continued workhorse role of Williams in this LA offense. Williams has produced over 1,100 rushing yards and scored 15+ touchdowns the last two seasons.
Up next for the Rams is a Titans defense that allowed rookie RJ Harvey to rush six times for 70 yards, and JK Dobbins to rush 16 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos found success in their run game against the Titans, and I think the same will happen for the Rams and Williams in Week 2. Especially if the game script allows the Rams to game manage this one against a weaker offense led by a rookie quarterback who does not have many reliable weapons. This could be a two-touchdown day for Kyren.
Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings
Breece Hall vs. Buffalo
There were concerns about Breece Hall entering Week 1, with many talks of a running back by committee approach for the Jets. Braelon Allen ended up scoring a rushing touchdown, but finished the game with a mediocre six carries for nine yards stat line. Isaiah Davis rushed twice for 18 yards. Breece Hall on the other hand, rushed 19 times for 107 yards (5.6 yards per carry), and his 38 receiving yards were the second most behind Garrett Wilson. 16.5 Fantasy Points to open up the season, playing 58% of the snaps.
Derrick Henry rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against the Bills’ defense in Week 1. While some will say, “Well, it’s Derrick Henry.” I would counter and say the Bills defense knew who they were facing and were also a friendly running back matchup last season. Lamar Jackson also added 70 rushing yards. Seeing the Week 1 usage and production for Breece Hall, on top of understanding the rushing matchup at hand, should be encouraging as long as the Jets keep this one a good game. In one of the two Buffalo matchups last season (Week 6), Hall rushed 18 times for 113 yards and also caught five balls for 56 yards, which was 21.9 Fantasy Points.
Javonte Williams vs. New York
There were many questions regarding the Cowboys’ backfield heading into Week 1, but Javonte Williams made it known he is the RB1 following the Eagles game. Williams played 77% of the snaps, rushing 15 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns while catching three of his two targets for 10 yards, which was 20.4 Fantasy Points. Miles Sanders had an explosive rush, but also had a crucial fumble, finishing with just five touchdowns to Javonte’s 17. While we cannot bank on Williams to score a pair of touchdowns weekly, we should project this Dallas offense to often be in scoring positions, which could mean more touchdowns to come.
Javonte Williams will now face a Giants defense that allowed rookie Jacory (“Bill”) Croskey Merritt to rush 10 times for 82 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and a score, Jayden Daniels to rush for 68 yards on 11 carries (6.2 yards per carry), Austin Ekeler to rush six times for 26 yards (4.3 yards per carry), Jeremy McNichols to rush four times for 25 yards (6.2 yards per carry), and Deebo Samuel to score a 19 yard rushing touchdown. That sort of rushing efficiency and production from Washington in Week 1, should be encouraging for Williams in Week 2. My guess would again be that William sees some quality red zone opportunities as well in this game.
James Conner vs. Carolina
James Conner opened up 2025 rushing 12 times for 39 yards, catching four passes for five yards, and scoring a receiving touchdown, which meant 14.4 Fantasy Points. It was a very inefficient day that was saved by a touchdown, but he did out-touch Trey Benson 16 to nine and played 65% of the snaps. As a running back who has averaged over 15 Fantasy Points the last four seasons straight, we know Conner will have plenty of big games this year.
The Cardinals will face the Panthers this week, who just allowed Travis Etienne Jr. to rush 16 times for 143 yards in Week 1. Carolina allowed an additional 57 rushing yards from other Jaguars as well. The Panthers struggled offensively in Week 1, which can continue in Week 2, and ultimately, game script could dictate plenty of touches for Conner in Week 2. In Week 16 last season, Conner rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers as well as caught four passes for 49 yards, which was a solid 26.6 Fantasy Points.
AJ Brown vs. Kansas City
Week 1 for AJ Brown was…ugly. One catch on one target for eight yards. The Eagles still managed a 24-20 win over the Cowboys last week, guided by touchdowns from Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. It is easy to bank on a bounce-back week for a guy like AJ Brown, who finished his last three full seasons over 1,400 receiving yards and was on pace to eclipse that last season, where he averaged 83 receiving yards through 13 games. A Super Bowl rematch in Week 2 should mean Philly getting their guy going.
The Chiefs allowed Justin Herbert to throw for 318 yards and three touchdowns last week. Quentin Johnston caught five balls for 79 yards and two touchdowns, Ladd McConkey caught six passes for 74 yards, and Keenan Allen caught seven passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Three solid wide receiver performances should be encouraging for AJ Brown heading into this same matchup for Week 2. The last time Brown played the Chiefs, in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, he scored a touchdown. Week 2 feels like a good time to score another against KC.
Brian Thomas Jr. vs. Cincinnati
Brian Thomas Jr. was saved by a nine-yard rushing touchdown in Week 1 from completely busting for Fantasy Football, with his one catch for 11 yards stat line. Brian Thomas earned seven looks but failed to connect well with Trevor Lawrence. Other contexts could include the Panthers not really competing with the Jaguars last week, along with Jaycee Horn’s coverage of BTJ. BTJ produced 1,282 yards, 10 touchdowns, and averaged 16.7 Fantasy PPG as a rookie last season, so in a positive Bengals matchup this week, you can bank on a major bounce-back.
Joe Flacco finished with 290 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions on 45 attempts last week against the Bengals. Jerry Jeudy produced 66 yards, Dylan Sampson 64 yards, Harold Fannin Jr. 63 yards, and Cedric Tillman 52 yards and a touchdown. Joe Burrow and gang will be looking to step their offense up after a poor showing, and I would bank on a ton of passing happening in this matchup. The Bengals were a positive wide receiver matchup last season, and look the same in 2025.
Keenan Allen vs. Las Vegas
Keenan Allen’s return to LA meant immediately reconnecting with Justin Herbert as if he never left. All of Allen, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston had solid outings in Week 1, but it was the veteran who led the team with 10 targets. Allen produced 68 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. 19.8 Fantasy Points. The old reliable for Herbert.
Up next for the Chargers is a matchup against the Raiders, who allowed Kayshon Boutte to catch six passes for 103 yards, Stefon Diggs to catch six balls for 57 yards, and Demario Douglas to secure a receiving touchdown from the wide receiver position. Allen’s weekly targets should remain fairly consistent, and his connection to Herbert will have plenty of weekly upside.
Mike Evans vs. Houston
In Week 1, Mike Evans led the team in both targets (eight) and receptions (five) while producing 51 yards. Rookie Emeka Egbuka was the star of the show, though, as he scored two touchdowns in his NFL debut. All eyes seem to be on Egbuka as the WR1 for the Buccaneers, with many forgetting the Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans connection that resulted in Evans averaging 17.2 Fantasy PPG last season.
Puka Nacua caught 10 passes for 130 yards against the Texans last week, while Davante Adams caught four balls for another 51 yards. While I do think Egbuka will continue to ball out during his rookie campaign, I do also believe there will be plenty of splash Fantasy moments for Evans, as we have seen across the previous 11 seasons. Although Baker tossed three touchdowns last week, he completed just 17 of his 32 passing attempts (53.1%). So if Mayfield is more efficient in Week 2, this could be a big day for Evans.
Jakobi Meyers vs. Los Angeles
Jakobi Meyers is consistently a reliable target, and with a new quarterback in Geno Smith this year, he was just that in Week 1. Meyers led the Raiders in both targets (10) and receptions (eight) against his former New England team, and finished with 97 receiving yards, which was a solid 17.7 Fantasy Points. Brock Bowers left Sunday’s game with a knee injury we will have to keep tabs on, but I like Jakobi with OR without Bowers for Week 2.
The Chargers allowed Hollywood Brown to catch 10 balls for 99 yards, JuJu Smith-Schuster to catch five passes for 55 yards, and Tyquan Thornton to catch two passes for 41 yards as far as the KC receivers went. With Ashton Jeanty averaging 2.0 yards per carry behind that Raiders offensive line in Week 1, paired with how solid the Chargers offense looked last week it likely is going to mean plenty of passing from Geno. Smith finished 24/34 (70.6%) for 362 yards with a touchdown and an interception last week. In Week 18 last season, Meyers caught nine of his 10 targets for 123 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers for 27.3 Fantasy Points.
Jerry Jeudy vs. Baltimore
Week 1 meant all of Dylan Sampson (17.3), Cedric Tillman (16.2), and Harold Fannin Jr. (13.6) finishing ahead of Jerry Jeudy (11.6) in Fantasy Points. I am still convinced Jeudy will be the best Fantasy asset for the rest of the season. This is a guy who produced 1,229 receiving yards after earning 144 targets just last season, when he finished as a top 12 Fantasy wide receiver. Jeudy’s target total in Week 1 was decent with eight, and he caught five of those for a team-high 66 receiving yards. While the ball was distributed evenly in Week 1, I think Joe Flacco leans more on Jeudy for Week 2 as the most talented pass-catcher on the team.
Josh Allen finished Week 1 with 394 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens. Keon Coleman caught eight passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, Khalil Shakir caught six passes for 64 yards, and Joshua Palmer caught five passes for 61 yards as far as the Bills’ wide receivers go. This is encouraging for Jerry Jeudy, as a guy who can easily have a Keon Coleman-type of stat line in Week 2, especially if Joe Flacco again is forced to throw the ball 40+ times in this one. Everyone is hyping up Harold Fannin Jr., Sampson, and Tillman while I am remembering the big games Jeudy had just last season.
Jonnu Smith vs. Seattle
While 15 receiving yards did not seem ideal for Jonnu Smith in his Steelers debut in Week 1, it was encouraging to see him finish tied for second on the team with six targets and leading the team in receptions with five. Jonnu caught one of Aaron Rodgers’ four touchdowns and played a healthy 66% of the snaps with Pat Freiermuth on the roster. Rodgers finishing with 244 passing yards was a sign of better yardage days for Smith, who finished last year with 884 yards.
Up next for Smith is the Seahawks, who last week conceded touchdowns to both George Kittle and Jake Tonges. Kittle left the game with an injury, so the combination of him and the next man up, Tonges, was seven catches and two of them for touchdowns. Brock Purdy finished Week 1 with 277 yards through the air against the Seahawks. So, after a solid passing day from Rodgers, with positive signs for Jonnu in Week 1, there can be confidence in this matchup for Fantasy Football.
Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Baltimore
One of the biggest surprises from Week 1 in Fantasy Football was the usage of third-round rookie Harold Fannin Jr. In his NFL debut, he led Cleveland in targets with nine. Fannin caught seven of those for 63 yards and even rushed the ball once for three yards for a 13.6 Fantasy Point outing. Fannin playing 72% of the snaps was encouraging, being perceived as the TE2 behind David Njoku, but obviously carving out a role himself. Don’t forget that this man led College Football in both receptions and receiving yards just last season for Bowling Green.
The Browns face the Ravens in Week 2, who allowed tight ends Dalton Kincaid to catch four balls for 48 yards and a touchdown, Dawson Knox to catch two passes for 20 yards, and Jackson Hawes to catch a 29-yard pass. Quality upside examples from three tight ends last week, paired with the upside we saw out of Fannin in Week 1, should be encouraging in this matchup. Joe Flacco also threw the ball 45 times last week, which likely is going to be a similar need against a quality Ravens offense.
Hunter Henry vs. Miami
Hunter Henry’s eight targets tied for the team lead in Week 1, and he caught four of them for 66 yards (16.5 yards per catch) against the Raiders. 10.6 Fantasy Points. Henry played 93% of the snaps and was a clear outlet for Drake Maye after leading the Patriots in targets just last season.
The Patriots will now face a Dolphins defense that allowed Daniel Jones to throw 272 yards and a touchdown against them in Week 1. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren caught seven of his nine targets for 76 yards in that game, which is encouraging for Henry. Drake Maye spread the ball out in Week 1, throwing to nine different pass-catchers, but Henry feels like the most solidified pass-catching role in this offense when looking for consistency.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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