Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 2
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 2.
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Unfortunately, the Chiefs lost Xavier Worthy to a shoulder injury early in the matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving Mahomes with limited options in the passing game. Yet, he still finished as the QB6, scoring 26 fantasy points in Brazil. However, Mahomes needed a significant role on the ground to hit that fantasy total. He had 57 rushing yards and a touchdown, scoring 11.7 fantasy points on the ground, accounting for 45% of his production in Week 1. Fantasy players shouldn’t expect that to happen again on Sunday.
Last week, the Eagles held Dak Prescott in check. The veteran quarterback completed 61.8% of his 34 pass attempts for only 188 yards, zero touchdowns, and 7.8 fantasy points. Furthermore, Prescott had no impact on the ground, totaling three rushing yards. While Kansas City improved their offensive line this offseason, it is far from an elite unit. The last time he faced Philadelphia was in Super Bowl LIX, where Mahomes was sacked six times and had three turnovers in the loss. Don’t be surprised if he struggles in the rematch.
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND) vs. Denver Broncos
Fantasy players shouldn’t bench Taylor without question this week, as he is a superstar running back who can take any rushing attempt to the house. However, they should temper their expectations with the former Wisconsin star. Last week, Taylor finished as the RB23, scoring 12.8 PPR fantasy points against the Miami Dolphins’ awful defense. Yet, he only averaged 3.9 yards per rushing attempt and 4.7 yards per opportunity on his 21 touches. More importantly, the superstar running back had two goal-line rushing touchdowns stolen from him by Daniel Jones.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have arguably the best defense in the NFL. Last week, they gave the Tennessee Titans all sorts of problems. Denver held Tony Pollard to 18 rushing attempts for 60 yards, one reception for 29 receiving yards, and 7.9 fantasy points. Furthermore, according to Fantasy Points Data, the Broncos had the fourth-highest stuffed run rate in Week 1 (57.1%). Hopefully, Taylor can rip off a big run or two because, without it, the star running back will have a quiet performance against an elite Denver defense.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI) vs. Detroit Lions
While the fantasy community had high hopes for the Bears’ offense under Ben Johnson, Chicago vastly struggled after their opening series. They had three touchdowns in Week 1, with one coming off a pick-six by Nahshon Wright. More importantly, Caleb Williams was the Bears’ best rusher, leading the team with 58 rushing yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, Swift struggled despite seeing 100% of the running back rushing attempts (17). He finished Week 1 as the RB27, totaling 20 touches for 65 scrimmage yards and 9.5 PPR fantasy points.
Hopefully, Chicago’s offense will improve as the season progresses. Unfortunately, Swift should struggle against the Lions this weekend. Detroit held the Green Bay Packers running backs to 15.7 fantasy points last week, the eighth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, they gave up only 3.5 yards per rushing attempt to Josh Jacobs after he averaged 4.4 in 2024. More importantly, Swift has a history of struggling against his former team. Last year, he had 20 rushing attempts for 59 yards and 17.7 fantasy points in two matchups against the Lions.
Keon Coleman (WR – BUF) vs. New York Jets
Coleman had an outstanding performance in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. The former Florida State star finished the week as the WR2, totaling 25.2 PPR fantasy points, as Zay Flowers was the only wide receiver to score more (28.1). He led the Bills in receptions (eight), targets (11), receiving yards (112), and touchdowns (one). However, Coleman was barely a factor before Josh Allen’s all-time fourth-quarter performance. The second-year wide receiver had only three targets on 19 routes for one reception and 17 receiving yards over the first three quarters.
More importantly, Coleman’s performance in Week 1 likely means the Jets will shadow him with Sauce Gardner on Sunday. Last week, the star cornerback covered DK Metcalf on most of his routes. While New York gave up 38.5 fantasy points to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers in Week 1, Metcalf had only four receptions on seven targets for 83 receiving yards and 12.3 fantasy points. Furthermore, both Pittsburgh wide receiver touchdowns came off of blown coverage. Fantasy players should explore trade offers for Coleman before his value comes crashing down.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR – IND) vs. Denver Broncos
Many were shocked by Daniel Jones and the Colts’ offense in Week 1. While some drafted Josh Downs as the top Indianapolis wide receiver, Pittman was far and away the better fantasy option against the Miami Dolphins. The former USC star finished last week as the WR8, totaling six receptions on eight targets for 80 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 20 PPR fantasy points. After facing arguably the worst defense in the NFL in Week 1, the veteran will take on the best unit in the league on Sunday.
The Dolphins have the worst cornerback unit in the NFL. Unfortunately for Pittman, the Broncos have the best cornerback unit, led by Patrick Surtain II. Furthermore, Jones was pressured on 18.2% of his dropbacks in Week 1. By comparison, Denver pressured Cam Ward on 41.2% of his dropbacks last week (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, the Broncos held Calvin Ridley to four receptions on eight targets for 27 receiving yards and 6.7 fantasy points in Week 1. Fantasy players should sell high on Pittman before Sunday’s matchup against Denver.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL) vs. Minnesota Vikings
Last week, Pitts finished as the TE7, scoring 12.9 PPR fantasy points. The veteran tight end caught seven of his eight targets for 59 receiving yards. However, he faced a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that struggled to slow down Atlanta’s passing attack. Furthermore, the Falcons were without Darnell Mooney and lost Drake London in the fourth quarter to a shoulder injury. Yet, both were limited participants in Wednesday’s practice and should be on track to play Sunday night against the Vikings. Unfortunately, that limits Pitts’ fantasy upside in Week 2.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defense made life difficult for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears’ offense on Monday night. While Williams had a nine-yard rushing touchdown on their opening drive, the Bears had only one more offensive touchdown in the game. More importantly, Chicago’s tight ends had nearly no fantasy impact against the Vikings. Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland combined for three receptions on six targets, 43 receiving yards, and 7.3 fantasy points. Fantasy players encouraged by Pitts’ Week 1 performance should temper their expectations if London and Mooney play Sunday night.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
