America’s favorite game is back and The Sports Bank has you covered with the best and worst of what was Fantasy Football Week Two.
The quarterbacks continued to flash their brilliance, but it was the week of the receiver as three of the five top spots in fantasy went to those with the soft hands. After two weeks, we’re left asking ourselves if the running back position is the most important in fantasy anymore?
Follow the jump to receive up-to-date fantasy analysis and the best waiver wire pick-ups for week three! 
* Points and line-up statistics adapted from ESPN standard scoring leagues
Fantasy MVP: WR Miles Austin (9 REC, 143 YDS and 3 TD = 32 points)
The Cowboys’ Austin was an absolute beast in week two while grabbing nine receptions on a beautiful 15 targets (tied for league-high with Vincent Jackson and Jeremy Maclin). If you watched the game or caught the highlights, it was also apparent that Austin has an uncanny ability to find his way to the end-zone after the catch.
The downside to Austin’s MVP night is that he pulled his hamstring. Early speculation has him out through the Cowboys’ week five bye. That would be a shame because match-ups with Washington and Detroit could be extra juicy. If that is the case, Dez Bryant receives a huge bump when he returns from his quad injury.
Honorable Mention: WR Vincent Jackson (29 points), WR Jeremy Maclin (29 points), QB Tom Brady (28 points) and RB Adrian Peterson (26 points)
Worst Performance of the Week: RB Cedric Benson (16 ATT, 59 YDS, 3 REC and 17 YDS = 6 points)
Benson came into the week projected to get anywhere from 15-to-20 fantasy points, mostly because RB Darren McFadden shredded the Denver Broncos defense to the tune of 150 yards on the ground in week one. But, Benson didn’t look anything like McFadden in his 17 carries. Yes, the Bengals had to turn to Andy Dalton (21 points) in order to cut a 17-3 deficit in the second half, but nonetheless, I expected a lot more from Benson this week. Don’t expect a bounce-back next week, because the San Francisco 49ers are stout against the run.
The elite RB Chris Johnson could also be considered for this award as he also had six fantasy points, but his team actually won.
Wasting Away (Best Bench Player): QB Cam Newton (28/46, 485 Total YDS, 2 TD and 3 INT = 26 points)
Newton made the “Somebody Pick Me Up,” section last week and 89.4 percent of leagues followed pursuit, but against a stingy Packers defense, he had only a 20.2 percent starting rate. Last year’s Heisman Trophy winner currently ranks as the second best fantasy QB behind the Patriots’ Tom Brady.
I don’t see any reason Newton slows down next week against a Jaguars’ secondary that is middle-of-the-road. If Newton goes for over 400 yards again, can we award him the Rookie of the Year award early?
Somebody Pick Me Up: QB Jason Campbell (23/33, 323 YDS, 2 TDS and 1 INT = 24 points)
Owned in only 27.1 percent of leagues, Campbell is a steal. Not many people realize that Campbell has been in the league for seven years and has a veteran kind of swagger to his game-play. With a healthy stud running back in Darren McFadden, Campbell can finally utilize the speed and youth he has down-field. Through two games, Campbell is averaging 19 fantasy points per contest, I would take that from my starting quarterback.
The one knock on Campbell is his competition thus far, the Broncos and Bills aren’t exactly considered the cream of the crop in the NFL. With the Jets and Patriots next up on the schedule, we will really learn if Campbell is worthy of a starting position on your fantasy team. If nothing else, he’s worthy of a waiver-wire add with two games against the Kansas City Chiefs and another battle with the Broncos.
Raiders WR Denarius Moore (22 points, 0.6%), Broncos WR Eric Decker (21 points, 4.4%), Bengals QB Andy Dalton (21 points, 3.1%), Rams WR Danario Alexander (18 points, 2.0%) and QB Matt Hasselbeck (16 points, 9.3 %) should also be considered for roster spots in the upcoming week.
Hurts So Bad (Worst Injury): RB Jamaal Charles (Torn ACL)
We haven’t seen an injury this catastrophic in fantasy since QB Tom Brady injured his knee in the first week of the 2008 season. In a year that running backs are struggling to produce as much as they did in previous seasons, a loss of Charles could be a huge hit.
But, I’m all about staying positive and that’s why I’m saying you can get by without him. If you haven’t noticed, the Chiefs are beyond terrible and neither Thomas Jones or Dexter McCluster are going to save you from wasting your first round pick on Charles. If you’re stacked at other positions, go out and get Chris Johnson, Arian Foster or Steven Jackson who’s owners are very frustrated and just might give them up for a lower price than normal.
What surprised you the most in Fantasy Week Two? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.
2011 Fantasy Football Awards Archive
Week One
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