Week 2 NFL DFS Picks & Predictions: Main Slate Top Matchups
NFL Week 1 brought plenty of surprises, and tons of revelations about how players will be used in 2024. The biggest shock was the Patriots knocking off the Bengals in Cincinnati.
As we turn our attention to Week 2, there are a ton of top picks and projections to consider on PrizePicks. Let’s dive into some of the best matchups for Week 2 and highlight some ways to try and exploit them to stay in the green on PrizePicks.
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Week 2 NFL Injury Report
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey "Long Shot" to Play
Leading up to Week 1, all reports indicated that Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) was likely to play against the Jets. He was ruled out just before the game with Achilles tendinitis, leaving Jordan Mason to start in his place.
The team is saying that McCaffrey is day-to-day, but he's also being called a "long shot" to take the field in Week 2 against the Vikings. Mason had 147 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Jets, so he certainly looks to be a capable replacement if McCaffrey is out again.
Packers QB Jordan Love Out 3-4 Weeks
Jordan Love injured his knee towards the end of the Packers’ loss against the Eagles. While he will not be placed on injured reserve, he is expected to miss at least three weeks, slating him for a Week 4 or 5 return.
For their Week 2 matchup against the Colts, Malik Willis is expected to start. Willis failed to eclipse 100 passing yards in any of previous three career starts, so we could see some muted stat lines from the Packers’ wide receivers. Outside of Josh Jacobs, avoid any Packers players in all fantasy football formats.
Rams WR Puka Nacua To Placed on IR
The Rams lost more than just their matchup against the Lions in Week 1. WR Puka Nacua left the game early with a knee injury that will land him on injured reserve with designation to return. Nacua will now miss at least six weeks.
Cooper Kupp caught 14 of an absurd 21 targets against the Lions and should lead the way for the Rams with Nacua sidelined. Behind Kupp, Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson filled in behind Kupp, with seven targets each, which should be the case again for the Week 2 game against the Cardinals.
Other NFL Week 2 Injuries for DFS
- Falcons QB Kirk Cousins looked very immobile in his first game back from his Achilles injury. He has high re-injury risk as of now, and we should temper expectations for the Falcons pass game.
- Chiefs WR Marquise Brown (shoulder) is close to returning. He should be ready to go for Week 2, and nearly at 100 percent.
- Bears WR Rome Odunze has a mild MCL sprain and is likely to miss 2-3 weeks. That should open up additional targets for WRs Keenan Allen (who led the team in targets in Week 1) and DJ Moore.
- Browns TE David Njoku sprained his ankle in the win against the Titans. He is expected to miss at least two weeks.
- Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson has a sprained MCL and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. Luke Schoonmaker should play the TE1 role for the Cowboys while he’s out.
- Steelers RB Jaylen Warren was limited in Week 1 due to a hamstring injury. It seems that the Steelers will lean on Najee Harris while Warren gets ramped up.
NFL Week 2 Pass Defenses to Target
Washington Commanders
Last season, the Commanders allowed the most passing yards per game (272.2 yards) and the most receiving touchdowns (39) in the league. They didn’t show any signs of improvement in Week 1, allowing 289 passing yards and four touchdowns to Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Taking on the Commanders in Week 2 will be the Giants. Daniel Jones threw for 186 yards and two interceptions against the Vikings on Sunday, but he’ll have a chance to bounce back in this matchup. He at least has a dangerous wide receiver now in Malik Nabers, who had five receptions for 66 yards against the Vikings
PrizePicks to Consider: Daniel Jones 209.5 pass yards / Malik Nabers 66.5 receiving yards
Detroit Lions
The Lions allowed the sixth-most passing yards per game (247.4) in the league last season. In Week 1, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for 317 yards and a touchdown against them, albeit in a comeback effort.
Looking to exploit that weakness this week will be Mayfield, who already torched the Commanders in Week 1 and looked every bit as good as he was in 2023.
Pick to consider: Baker Mayfield 252.5 pass yards/ Mike Evans 69.5 receiving yards
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NFL Week 2 Run Defenses to Target
Green Bay Packers
Last season, the Packers gave up the fifth-most rushing yards per game (128.3) in the league. In their Week 1 matchup versus the Eagles, Saquon Barkley piled up 109 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. Up next will be the Colts, who have their own star running back in Jonathan Taylor.
PrizePicks to Consider: Jonathan Taylor 72.5 rush yards
New York Giants
Aaron Jones only needed 14 carries to rack up 94 yards and a touchdown against the Giants in Week 1. Last year, the Giants allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (132.4) in the league.
A juicy stat line could be on the horizon for Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., who finished with 40 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries versus the Buccaneers in Week 1. It also could open more opportunities for rookie QB Jayden Daniels on the ground, who consistently looked to run in the Week 1 start with 16 rushing attempts.
PrizePicks to Consider: Brian Robinson Jr. 52.5 rush yards
Week 2 NFL DFS Picks for PrizePicks
Rams RB Kyren Williams: 75.5 rush yards — MORE
The Cardinals gave up the most rushing yards per game (143.2) in the league last year. In Week 1, running back James Cook and quarterback Josh Allen combined for 110 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against them.
Week 2 brings a matchup with the Rams, who have one of the most dangerous running backs in the league in Williams. Williams took 18 of the team’s 23 carries in Week 1, and should continue to be a workhorse for the Rams, so he has a high floor regardless of matchup.
Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson: 34.5 receiving yards – MORE
We never love relying on Daniel Jones, but Wan’Dale Robinson has been one of Jones’ favorite targets since he entered the league. With all of the attention given to Nabers in Week 1, Robinson caught six of 12 targets for 44 yards.
Last season, Robinson finished with at least 35 receiving yards in seven of 15 games despite all of the problems that the Giants had at quarterback. Plenty of targets versus a bad pass defense leaves Robinson with a favorable opportunity to exceed this projection.
Demon Pick: QB Kyler Murray: 1.5 passing touchdowns – MORE
The Cardinals allowed the second-most points per game (26.8) in the league last season and didn’t show any improvement in their Week 1 loss to the Bills. Even with Nacua out, the Rams have enough weapons on offense to put plenty of points on the board in this matchup and push this Cardinals offense to push the ball up field.
Murray should need to throw a lot to keep pace, so taking a chance on him to finish with at least two touchdown passes is appealing. Also look for a bit more from rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. after his Week 1 dud.
Note: Demon picks add a payout boost to your lineup on PrizePicks, as they are more difficult projections to hit.
Goblin Pick: RB Breece Hall: 0.5 rushing + receiving touchdowns – MORE
Hall was busy in the Jets’ loss to the 49ers. He received 16 carries and six targets, finishing with 93 total yards, despite the Jets trailing the entire game. He also found his way into the end zone with a rushing touchdown in garbage time.
The Jets should be able to move the ball easier with Aaron Rodgers under center this year, and this matchup against the Titans isn’t nearly as imposing as the 49ers. When they get in close, expect the Jets to give Hall opportunities to reach the end zone.
Note: Goblin picks reduce your payout on PrizePicks, as they are easier projections to hit.
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Build Your Week 2 NFL DFS Lineup on PrizePicks
After an action-packed Week 1, we’ll have another busy slate of games for Week 2. There is no better way to enhance your NFL Sunday experience than by building a team on PrizePicks for a Sunday sweat.
There are no salary constraints on PrizePicks, so pick two or more projections from your favorite players, lock in your lineup, sit back, and enjoy the games.
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