Week 1 is basically a fever dream where we all overreact to things that probably won't happen again. You saw the Ravens get torched for 40 points and now you're staring at your roster wondering if you should just burn the whole thing down. Relax. Fantasy football is a marathon of adjustments, and getting your dst rankings week 2 right is the first step in digging yourself out of that early-season hole.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make right now is chasing last week’s points. Just because the Atlanta Falcons put up 21 points against J.J. McCarthy doesn't mean they’re the 1985 Bears. It mostly means McCarthy played like, well, a rookie on Monday night. This week is about finding the units that actually have the talent to sustain pressure, not just the ones that got lucky with a pick-six.
The Heavy Hitters You Can Trust
If you drafted the Denver Broncos, you’re probably feeling pretty smug. They’re sitting at the top of most expert boards for a reason. Last week they absolutely dismantled the Titans, sacking Cam Ward six times and looking like a brick wall. This week they get a date with the Colts. Now, Daniel Jones looked surprisingly decent in his Indy debut, but let’s be real—we’ve seen this movie before. The Broncos' secondary is elite, and until someone proves they can move the ball on them, they stay at number one.
The San Francisco 49ers are another unit that just feels safe. They held a sneaky-good Seattle offense to only 230 yards last week. Now they’re heading to New Orleans to face Spencer Rattler. Look, Rattler was careful with the ball in his debut, taking only one sack. But the Niners' pass rush is a different beast than what Arizona threw at him. Expect the pressure to mount until the rookie finally blinks.
📖 Related: The Brazil Team World Cup Squad Nobody Talks About
Tier One DST Rankings Week 2
- Denver Broncos (at Indianapolis Colts)
- San Francisco 49ers (at New Orleans Saints)
- Los Angeles Rams (at Tennessee Titans)
- Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants)
The Streaming Game: Low Ownership, High Ceiling
Let’s talk about the Los Angeles Rams. They are arguably the best pickup of the week. They pressured C.J. Stroud on 41% of his dropbacks in Week 1. That is a terrifying number. This week they get Cam Ward and a Titans offensive line that looked like a sieve against Denver. If you need a streamer, this is the one. They’re still available in a ton of leagues because people haven’t caught on to how much better this defense is playing.
Then there's the Dallas Cowboys. I know, losing Micah Parsons in the offseason was supposed to be the end of the world. But they just held their own against a high-powered Eagles offense and pressured Jalen Hurts on 42% of his dropbacks. Now they get the Giants. If Andrew Thomas is still out or even limited, Russell Wilson is going to be running for his life in the home opener.
The New England Patriots are a weird one. They looked surprisingly competent against the Colts, but now they go to Miami. Usually, you’d run away from the Dolphins, but Tua looked incredibly shaky last week. He had "happy feet" the moment his first read wasn't there. Mike Vrabel knows how to exploit that. If you're feeling spicy, the Pats are a high-upside gamble that could pay off big.
Why You Should Probably Sit These Units
Don't play the New York Jets. I don't care how much you spent on them in the draft. They're facing Josh Allen and the Bills. We just watched Buffalo put up 40 points on a Ravens defense that everyone thought was elite. Certain offenses are just "no-go" zones for fantasy defenses, and the Bills are at the top of that list right now.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a similar boat. They struggled against the Chargers last week and now have to deal with an Eagles offense that is currently steamrolling people. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are not the guys you want to bet against.
🔗 Read more: Why the New York Knicks 2012 Season Still Feels Like a Fever Dream
Making Sense of the Numbers
If you're looking at the data, pay attention to Pass Rush Productivity Rate. It's way more predictive than just looking at total sacks. The Seattle Seahawks actually led the league in pressure rate in Week 1 at 60%. That’s insane. They’re playing Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers this week. Rodgers isn't as mobile as he used to be, and if Seattle keeps that pressure up, he’s going to make mistakes.
- Arizona Cardinals: They're a solid "floor" play against Bryce Young and the Panthers. Carolina turned the ball over three times last week.
- Green Bay Packers: They’re an elite real-life defense, but the matchup against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders is tricky because of Daniels’ rushing ability.
- Baltimore Ravens: They need a "get right" game against the Browns. Joe Flacco looked mediocre at best last week, and the Ravens will be out for blood after that Week 1 embarrassment.
Actionable Insights for Your Roster
Stop holding onto two defenses unless one of them is the Broncos or Niners. Use that extra roster spot for a high-upside running back. If you are streaming, look at the dst rankings week 2 and target the teams playing against rookie quarterbacks or struggling offensive lines.
Check the injury report for Andrew Thomas (Giants) and Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers). If those tackles are out, the opposing defenses (Cowboys and Texans) become immediate top-10 plays.
Prioritize the Rams on the waiver wire if they're still sitting there. Their schedule over the next few weeks is actually pretty favorable, so they might be more than just a one-week rental. If you can't get them, the Patriots are the best backup plan for those in deeper leagues. Keep an eye on the weather in Miami, too; a sloppy track always favors the defense.
Focus on the pressure rates. Sacks are often a "right place, right time" stat, but consistent pressure is what forces the interceptions that win you your week. Trust the process, don't overreact to Week 1 flukes, and play the matchups.