This article is part of our Exploiting the Matchups series.
Benching Doug Martin for Mark Ingram last week was the risky but right call. And it might have won me the week had I not also had Aaron Rodgers in that particular league. Studs aren't always studs when the matchup isn't right, just like your backup may really be your No. 1 in any given week given the right circumstances. It's difficult to decipher just what defenses present those chop-licking matchups so early in the season, so that's what makes the decisions tougher in the early going.
So far it seems safe to say teams will run effectively on Chicago, Green Bay and Atlanta - three teams that were also awful against the run last year - while they will struggle to find any room versus the Jets, Panthers and Seahawks, three of the best stopping ground games in 2013. Seattle still boasts an elite pass defense as well, whereas the Eagles likely will continue to get beat through the air. If you take advantage of these details in small doses you can maximize your potential for victory without getting too silly. The adage of "starting your studs" still remains the best way to go in my book; however, you can catch a few extra points with a chance or two in every week. So don't be too quick or too generous in labeling your "studs." Those no-brainer, weekly guys are few and far between. After all, there's a reason I'm starting Mark Ingram and Hakeem Nicks over Zac Stacy in a league this week. Stacy may have been consistent as a starter last year and looked like a top-10 back at one point in the offseason, but that is not the case entering Week 2. Far from it actually.
Of the Upgrade calls I made last week, Ingram was my home run, so say let's ride him again. On the Downgrade side Martin, the Raiders backfield and Keenan Allen were all pretty spot on. And guess what? I wouldn't start any of those players again this week (well maybe Darren McFadden if Maurice Jones-Drew sits after his hand procedure). Just like last week, don't consider this a straight start/sit column. I'm upgrading players you wouldn't roll out every week and downgrading players that are generally lineup mainstays. With that out of the way, let's get to it.
UPGRADE
QUARTERBACK
Jake Locker, TEN vs. DAL
Locker took advantage of a thin Kansas City secondary in an efficient Week 1 showing and an even better result could come against the pitiful Dallas defense. If Tony Romo can get Dallas on the scoreboard earlier, Locker may even find himself pitching it more often to his underrated receiving corps.
Carson Palmer, AZ at NYG
Palmer looked like a 25-year-old again avoiding the San Diego pass rush in Week 1. It was under similar scramble circumstances when the Giants defense broke down against the Lions and gave up big plays. With a bevy of weapons at his disposal, Palmer should repeat his strong opening performance.
Geno Smith, NYJ at GB
If there's a game that Smith will top 300 yards, this could be it. The Jets will want to run the ball plenty and should have success doing so, but their secondary is still too weak to keep an angry Aaron Rodgers off the scoreboard. When New York has to score with the Pack, they'll need to call on Smith's arm to keep pace.
RUNNING BACK
Shonn Greene, TEN vs. DAL
The Titans are a backfield by committee this season (Dexter McCluster and Bishop Sankey combined for 15 carries), but Greene is still the leader for now. With 71 yards at 4.7 YPC, he proved he has some juice left in his beefy legs. A Cowboys defense with little punch doesn't figure to slow him in Week 2.
Justin Forsett, BAL vs. PIT
The Steelers were among the worst run defenses in Week 1, getting gashed repeatedly by any Browns tailback who touched the ball. The 6.1 YPC they allowed was topped though by the 6.4 YPC Forsett gained on a stout Bengals defense.
Terrance West, CLE vs. NO
The Saints allowed a trio of Falcons rushers to tally 101 yards on 20 carries (5.0 YPC). Meanwhile, West flashed serious explosiveness with two runs of at least 20 yards in a triple-digit performance on just 16 carries. With Ben Tate (knee) out, West will have a great shot at an encore.
Mark Ingram/Pierre Thomas, NO at CLE
Cleveland couldn't stop Le'Veon Bell on the ground or through the air. Ingram will take care of the ground part while Thomas continues to produce as one of the game's premier pass-catching backs.
WIDE RECEIVER
Larry Fitzgerald, AZ at NYG
A lot has been made oF Fitzgerald's lack of targets, and of course, the company line for Arizona is that IT won't force feed their Hall-of-Fame caliber wideout. After seeing how well the Giants covered Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, however, it doesn't seem like Carson Palmer will have to "force" anything.
Reggie Wayne/Hakeem Nicks, IND vs. PHI
Wayne showed he's back with a nine-catch opener while Nicks appeared to be an Andrew Luck favorite near the goal line. The Eagles were last against the pass in 2013 and just allowed the Jags to go for 266 and two TD's. You do the math.
Steve Smith, BAL vs. PIT
There is an awful lot to be said about opportunity, and Smith saw a ton of it in Week 1 getting targeted 15 times by Joe Flacco. In a rivalry game expect the fighter in Smith to keep him heavily involved again, especially if the Ravens get off to another slow start.
Marqise Lee, JAC at WAS
Allen Hurns burst onto the scene in Week 1, but after making noise in the first quarter with 101 yards and two scores, he was awfully quiet. With the Skins likely to pay him his due attention, Lee - who led Jacksonville with 10 targets - can exploit a Washington defense that lets receivers get behind the secondary. Of course, this is all provided Lee is ok after a hammy tweak in Wednesday's practice.
TIGHT END
Delanie Walker, TEN vs. DAL
Walker caught a touchdown in Week 1 and could repeat against a Cowboys defense that has serious coverage breakdowns from its linebackers and safeties. And after former teammate Vernon Davis torched Dallas for two scores, you can be sure the prideful Walker will want to represent well.
Larry Donnell, NYG vs. AZ
The massive 6-foot-6, 265-pound Donnell was the surprise leader in targets for the G-Men in Week 1, including multiple targets in the end zone. Arizona has excellent corners, but its linebackers and safeties are liabilities in coverage. After witnessing Antonio Gates torment them it's a safe bet Eli Manning will also be looking for his monstrous security blanket in the belly of the defense.
DOWNGRADE
QUARTERBACK
Philip Rivers, SD vs. SEA
The Cardinals had next to no pass rush and yet Rivers still struggled mightily against them, largely due to a suffocating secondary. The Seahawks can bring the pressure in the pocket as well as squeeze the receivers all over the field, so expecting much more from Rivers in Week 2 is a mistake.
Matthew Stafford, DET at CAR
Stafford looked more nimble than ever last week evading defenders, but the class of defender in Carolina is much higher than what the Giants put on the field. His volume of passes should result in a solid statline, but a regression should be expected against what remains an elite Panthers defensive unit.
RUNNING BACK
Eddie Lacy, GB vs. NYJ
Even if Lacy is cleared of a concussion and suits up, the ferocious front seven of New York will almost surely limit him. The Jets held opponents to a league-low 3.4 YPC in 2013 and started in Week 1 where they left off, stoning the Raiders for just 25 yards on 15 rushes.
Reggie Bush/Joique Bell, DET at CAR
Bush and Bell combined for just 66 yards on 24 carries versus the Giants. The front seven for the G-Men looks like a bunch of pussycats compared to the Panthers group, last year's second-best run defense. This dynamic pair is already stealing from each other's value, and this week will leave little to steal.
Doug Martin, TB vs. STL
He may go, he may not, but considering that Adrian Peterson could only muster 75 yards on 21 carries against the Rams' talented front, Martin at least belongs on the fantasy bench after an embarrassing Week 1 showing.
Jamaal Charles, KC at DEN
The Kansas City defense is a shambles. The offensive line is a mess. The Chiefs were just smoked all over the field at home by the Titans and that left Charles with just 11 touches as they played from behind. Think they'll get a lead in Denver? Think again, and think seriously about benching 2013's top fantasy back.
WIDE RECEIVER
Keenan Allen, SD vs. SEA
Allen saw nine targets from Philip Rivers but could not create any separation from Patrick Peterson past 10 yards, catching only underneath throws to tally a highly underwhelming 37 yards. Even if Richard Sherman isn't checking him, the "Legion of Boom" will give Allen little breathing room again.
Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN vs. NE
Patterson was not force fed the way you may expect a Norv Turner offense to take advantage of an elite athletic receiver, so had it not been for an amazing run he would have had a subpar fantasy day. With Adrian Peterson likely gouging a surprisingly weak run defense (191 yards allowed to Miami) and Darrelle Revis leading the secondary, it may be tough to get Patterson going in the air yet again.
TIGHT END
Dwayne Allen, IND vs. PHI
Allen's return to the field following a hip injury that cost him his second season was a big success, as he turn four grabs into 64 yards and a score. Facing an Eagles defense that limited Marcedes Lewis to just 35 yards on nine targets and has the athletic linebackers to run with Allen should rein in this Colt.
Antonio Gates, SD vs. SEA
Tight corner coverage and slower linebackers often left Gates as Philip Rivers' go-to in the loss to Arizona. The Seahawks have the corners to make Rivers look elsewhere, but faster backers and the presence of Earl Thomas figure to keep the future Hall-of-Famer in check.
