Welcome to Plays & Fades for Week 2 (2025)!
How’s everyone feeling after Week 1 of the NFL season? The draft was just the first step on the long climb toward Mount Championship. Success in this game we love comes from making the right calls week after week. My goal is to help steer your ship in the right direction and give you the best shot at that all-important win!
What a wild opening Sunday to the NFL season. The lowest betting total on the slate turned into a Meadowlands shootout, with Aaron Rodgers rolling back the clock and tossing four touchdowns. At the same time, Daniel Jones etched his name in the record books, leading a scoring drive on every possession he had during his first seven drives (per Scott Hanson, NFL Network).
If Week 1 reminded us of anything, it is that we all go in blind. Now that we have a small sample size to work with, it is time to start cookin’ with our first Plays & Fades for Week 2 (2025)!
Quarterbacks
Plays
Aaron Rodgers Vs SEA
- Rodgers completed the day with just eight incompletions, four touchdowns, and no mistakes in New York.
- The Seahawks struggled to stop Brock Purdy, who threw for 277 yards without George Kittle for most of the game. They recorded two interceptions, but Rodgers heads to the East Coast with something to prove.
Michael Penix Jr @ MIN
- Penix Jr looks to be the real deal in year two. He put on a show against Tampa with just under 300 passing yards.
- His touchdown passes were limited to one, but they will come. Start MPJ with confidence.
Justin Fields Vs BUF
- Fields was efficient, going 16 of 22 for 218 yards with 1 TD and zero interceptions against the Steelers.
- Buffalo’s defense allowed Lamar Jackson to do basically whatever he wanted on the ground and in the air, making Fields’ rushing ability a high-floor play.
Fades
Bo Nix @ IND
- He struggled in the season opener with one of the lowest YPA in Week 1. Now faces a Colts defense that just sacked Tua three times. Another long day could be coming for Bo Nix.
Patrick Mahomes Vs PHI
- Mahomes looked good in Week 1, but his aDOT sat at just 6.9, and Xavier Worthy is questionable with a shoulder injury.
- You can start him, but temper expectations against a defense designed to limit explosive plays.
Baker Mayfield @ HOU
- Houston’s pass rush is a tougher test than Atlanta’s, and Tampa’s line will still be missing LT Tristan Wirfs.
- With scoring likely limited, Mayfield is a risky Week 2 start.
Running Backs
Plays
James Conner Vs CAR
- Conner led the backfield with 63.9% of snaps in Week 1, even with Trey Benson seeing work.
- After Jacksonville rushed for 200 yards in Week 1, Conner is set for plenty of touches and yardage in a favorable game script.
Bill Croskey-Merritt @ GB
- Washington is a bit of a committee, but Croskey-Merritt is the RB to play. He out-carried Ekeler 10-6 and averaged 8.2 yards per carry against the Giants.
- Thursday’s short-week matchup should be tighter. Croskey-Merritt has a real chance to shine.
Jordan Mason Vs ATL
- I’ve been high on Mason all offseason. While Aaron Jones Sr still sees work, Mason actually out-snapped him 28-23 in Week 1.
- Besides receiving more snaps, Mason averaged 4.5 yards per carry compared to Jones Sr’s 2.8. There’s a new sheriff in town.
Fades
Jonathan Taylor Vs DEN
- Taylor remains a bellcow, but Denver’s front held Tony Pollard to just 60 yards on 18 carries in Week 1.
- With this projected defensive battle, his upside is limited despite heavy volume, making him a riskier start.
Chuba Hubbard @ ARI
- Hubbard carried 16 times but averaged only 3.5 yards per attempt, salvaging his day with a receiving touchdown.
- Arizona’s defensive front will key in on the run, limiting his upside in both the ground and passing game.
Isiah Pacheco Vs PHI
- Pacheco split touches evenly with Kareem Hunt, who once again outpaced him in the passing game.
- With the Chiefs likely leaning on the pass, Pacheco’s volume is fragile, keeping his fantasy ceiling modest.
Wide Receivers
Plays
Travis Hunter @ CIN
- Hunter led the team with eight targets and matched Brian Thomas Jr for first-read share.
- If you glance at the box score, six catches for 33 yards might look modest, but start him in what could be a shootout.
Tetairoa McMillan @ ARI
- McMillan led the Panthers in targets, catches, and yards despite a struggling offense.
- In a game Arizona should dominate, he could see 10+ targets, making him a solid volume play in a thin passing game.
Wan’Dale Robinson @ DAL
- Russell Wilson completed 17 passes, with Nabers and Robinson combining for 11 of them. Robinson caught six passes for 55 yards and presents a solid flex option as the WR2 in this offense against Dallas.
- Despite this being a divisional rivalry, the Cowboys no longer have Micah Parsons on the defensive side. Russ should have time to cook in the pocket, and Robinson is a solid floor play in Week 2.
Fades
Terry McLaurin @ GB
- You gotta continue to sit Terry McLaurin right now. After holding out all of training camp to secure his contract, the start to his season looks like it’ll be an uphill climb.
- He only had two catches for 27 yards against the Giants and now has a short week in Green Bay on Thursday Night Football.
Chris Olave Vs SF
- Last week, Olave caught seven balls for 54 yards against the Cardinals, but it’s gonna be hard for him to find the endzone again against the Niners.
- Outside of Alvin Kamara, it’s hard to be excited for anyone in this offense.
Calvin Ridley Vs LAR
- Ridley faces a tough Rams secondary that limited every Texans receiver under 40 yards last week.
- With a likely low-scoring game and tight coverage, his upside is limited, making him hard to trust.
Tight Ends
Plays
Juwan Johnson Vs SF
- We’re going to go back to Juwan Johnson, who had an incredible Week 1 debut. With Taysom Hill on the shelf, Johnson’s usage is real.
- With Spencer Rattler under center as a first-year starter, he looks to the big-bodied TE as a security blanket. He targeted him 11 times last week, and with the betting line at Saints +7, Rattler is likely to throw early and often. Wheels UP for Juwan Johnson!
Hunter Henry @ MIA
- Drake Maye loved himself some Hunter Henry in Week 1. He targeted him 8 times, which was tied for the team lead. He also looked his way downfield with a 14.6 aDOT.
- We have to pick on Miami a little, who made Daniel Jones look like Joe Montana by completing over 75% of his passes. If the Patriots can consistently reach the red zone, Hunter Henry has a high chance of finding the end zone. Let’s ride the Hunter Henry wave into Week 2!
Brenton Strange @ CIN
- I was encouraged by Strange, who caught all 4 of his targets for 59 yards. He didn’t score last week, but this game against the Bengals gives him a better chance.
- The O/U for this game is 50.5. Both teams should be airing it out, so Strange should see extra targets in this contest.
Fades
Mark Andrews Vs CLE
- Even in a 40-point game, Lamar Jackson threw just 19 passes, showing the passing game’s limited volume.
- With the Ravens favored by -12.5, expect Derrick Henry to get the workload and control the clock late.
Dallas Goedert @ KC
- Week 1 was a Goedert game, but don’t chase it. Since 2023, he’s topped seven catches only five times.
- His touchdown production has been nearly non-existent with just eight total scores since 2022. The odds of back-to-back spike weeks are slim. Fade Goedert in Week 2.
David Njoku @ BAL
- There’s real competition at the TE position. In Week 1, Flacco targeted Harold Fannin Jr 9 times compared to Njoku’s 6. Even in just one game, the addition of a reliable target at the position diminishes Njoku’s value.
- Even though Njoku ran more routes than Fannin Jr (38-29), shared playing time is a concern. You can start Njoku, but there’s some risk involved.
Defense
Plays
Arizona Cardinals Vs CAR
- I expected more from the Cardinals’ defense against the Saints, but I’m going back to them in another plus matchup. The Jaguars forced three turnovers on Carolina and held the Panthers to only 255 total yards of offense.
Los Angeles Chargers @ LV
- This is a much easier matchup now with Geno Smith and the Raiders on Monday Night Football. The Patriots ripped through that offensive line for four sacks. The Chargers should be able to do the same with plenty of dancing in the backfield.
Tennessee Titans Vs LAR
- Titans have a strong front that can pressure Matthew Stafford, who is a statue in the pocket. If the Titans keep this game close, it will be thanks to their defense. With one of the lowest betting totals on the slate, playing Tennessee is a calculated risk.
Fades
Buffalo Bills @ NYJ
- The Bills’ defense just got annihilated by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Justin Fields isn’t on Lamar’s level, but he plays a similar style. Until Buffalo proves otherwise, avoid starting them.
Green Bay Packers Vs WAS
- The Packers sacked Jared Goff 4 times and forced an interception in Week 1. The Lions’ offensive line has question marks, but the Commanders present a different challenge with Daniels’ rushing and passing ability. This won’t be an easy matchup.
Minnesota Vikings Vs ATL
- The Vikings didn’t impress in Week 1, recording just two sacks and a fumble recovery. Facing Bijan Robinson and Drake London this week could make things even tougher.
