Each week, you can try to predict the perfect fantasy lineup on NFL.com for a chance to win $1 million. Never played before? Don't worry, it's super simple and completely free. All you have to do is select who you think will be the highest scoring player at each position in a given week. Easy. And it gets better. Each week I'll collect the perfect lineup from each of our fantasy experts to try and help guide you all to the $1 million prize. Haven't joined NFL Perfect Challenge yet or bothered to play? Don't worry, you can get started in just a few seconds **RIGHT HERE**.
Below are the Perfect Challenge picks for Week 2 from Marcas Grant, Matt Franciscovich, Alex Gelhar and myself, Matt Harmon.
Marcas Grant's Week 2 lineup (on Twitter @MarcasG)
Marcas went with the popular choice of Drew Brees as his Week 2 highest scoring quarterback. It makes plenty of sense. I mean, did you see the Buccaneers defense give up four touchdown passes to a mere rookie quarterback in Marcus Mariota in Week 1? Marcus is clearly buying into the idea that New England cannot stop the run. The Steelers blew them off the ball in the kickoff game. Marcas also isn't buying into what looked like a committee approach to the running back position by the Bills on Sunday. No one can argue with Julio Jones as a choice for the highest scoring wide receiver (spoiler alert) he's in all of our lineups. With the target level he's sure to rack up every week, he'll always threaten the WR1 spot. Marcas sees a bounce-back game for Greg Olsen against the Chiefs, who just gave up two touchdowns to Travis Kelce.
Matt Franciscovich's Week 2 lineup (on Twitter @mfranciscovich)
Franchise likes the Matt Ryan and Julio Jones stack to repeat as a top scoring dup for Week 2. The Falcons are a little less impressive on the road as a team, but has anyone seen the New York Giants defense? They're not stopping anyone. There's a pair of Week 1 superstars in Franchise's lineups in Jordan Matthews and Tyler Eifert. This duo had 19 catches between them in the opening week of the season, and Franchise must envision a repeat level performance. He's the second one of use to slot Marshawn Lynch into his lineup. The Seahawks are coming off a disappointing Week 1 loss, and could look to Lynch as a stabilizing force. I like his call of the Panthers defense. While most will take the Rams and Dolphins D/ST in Week 2 (for good reason), they're both playing on the road. The Panthers at home are a safer choice, and their matchup against either Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer dictates they have just as much upside.
Alex Gelhar's Week 2 lineup (on Twitter @AlexGelhar)
Here I thought that I'd be the only hipster to take Carson Palmer as my quarterback. Alas, Gelher is also a very smart man. The Bears held up better than expected against the Packers aerial attack, and still allowed a 140.5 passer rating to Aaron Rodgers. Given their personnel, it's more than reasonable to wonder if that was the best defensive performance they could possibly muster. Palmer has a litany of weapons at his disposal, and looks better than he has at any point since leaving Cincinnati. We now know that Antonio Brown's floor is five catches for 70 yards. Given that he regularly beats that mark with ease, he's a great staple for these perfect challenge lineups.
Matt Harmon's Week 2 lineup (on Twitter @MattHarmonBYB)
Most of the guys in my lineup you've already seen featured in my NFL Fantasy compatriots' compilations. So, I'll just add a few notes. First, how were Gelhar and I the only ones who took Rob Gronkowski? I'll probably slot him in my perfect challenge choice each week and not think twice about it. My running backs were different choices compared with my co-workers. Maybe picking Carlos Hyde here is a way for me to apologize for missing on not liking his redraft price this year. I loved the talent, but hated the situation. It looks like Hyde is a situationally transcendent player, and his matchup with Pittsburgh this week is a favorable one. Mark Ingram is another player I like this week. Look, if you couldn't see in the offseason that the Saints were transitioning to a more backfield oriented offense, than Week 1 should have helped you correct your stance. The three Saints backs combined for 33 offensive touches (rushes and receptions) compared to just 16 catches from their five targeted receivers and tight ends. The Saints get a great matchup at home against the Bucs, and if I am betting on a New Orleans offensive player to be the highest scoring player, it's Ingram.
Anyway, that's how we're rolling for Week 2. We aren't in this for ourselves though. We are men of the people. We want you to use our picks to make your own perfect lineup and come away with the $1 million prize. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for NFL Perfect Challenge and prove that you're indeed smarter than all of us. We will gladly celebrate with you if and when you take home that grand prize. Please keep us posted.
In the latest episode of the NFL Fantasy LIVE podcast the gang recapped all of the Week 1 action and analyzed injuries to stars like Dez Bryant, T.Y. Hilton and Andre Ellington. They also broke down some key waiver wire targets heading into Week 2. Don't forget to subscribe and listen in HERE!
Matt Harmon is an associate fantasy writer/editor for NFL.com, and the creator of #ReceptionPerception, who you can follow on Twitter _**@MattHarmonBYB**_.
