After a wild and unpredictable Week 1, the fantasy football world was shocked by the countless number of developments that changed how team owners would strategize for the upcoming season.
With no openly gay players in the league, we formed a fantasy team from players who have shown their support for LGBT issues in interviews with Outsports and other media.
Here are Team Outsports Equality’s Starts and Sits for Week 2:
Quarterback
Start: Aaron Rodgers vs. Vikings
Even though his status is in question this week, what Aaron Rodgers pulled off Sunday night was nothing short of greatness. His three TD’s last week in pure Rodgers fashion were a sight to see. He does have a tough matchup against the Vikings, but given what he did last week, who wouldn’t start A-Rod?
Sit: Cam Newton @ Falcons, Derek Carr @ Broncos, Andrew Luck @ Redskins, Russell Wilson @ Bears (MNF)
Most of these QB’s face tough pass rushes next week. The Falcons stifled the Eagles offense last Thursday night, Derek Carr will be running away from Von Miller on Sunday, and Wilson will be running away from Khalil Mack on Monday. Meanwhile, Andrew Luck faces a Redskins defense that held the Cardinals to just six points last weekend.
Running back
Start: Jordan Howard vs. Seahawks (MNF)
Broncos rookies Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay rushed for more than 100 yards combined last week against Seattle, so something tells me the two-time Pro Bowler won’t have an issue against this front seven.
Start: Frank Gore @ Jets
Gore gained 61 yards and ended as the team’s leading rusher in their win vs. Tennessee on Sunday. With our running back depth thin, Gore slides in to the RB2 slot, but he could be a sneaky play given he is not the Dolphins back you would expect to play.
Sit: Giovani Bernard vs. Ravens (TNF), Kyle Juszczyk vs. Lions
Juszczyk had a 56-yard reception last week, but don’t expect him to play a major role in gaining stats for the Niners as he blocks for Alfred Morris and Matt Brieda. As for Bernard, he has continued to fade away from the team’s offensive plans as he saw only two touches in last week’s win vs. the Colts.
Wide receiver
Start: DeAndre Hopkins @ Titans
Hopkins started slow on Sunday, but he is easily the best weapon in the Texans’ offense. His 78 receiving yards led the team last week and Deshaun Watson will look to target him early and often against the Titans.
Start: Adam Thielen @ Packers
Thielen reached the 100-yard mark against the 49ers last week, and against a young Green Bay secondary, Thielen has potential to match that number again this Sunday as he heads to Lambeau Field.
Sit: Davante Adams vs. Vikings, Marquise Goodwin vs. Lions, T.Y. Hilton @ Redskins, Kenny Stills @ Jets, Robert Woods vs. Cardinals
Adams will line up against Xavier Rhodes on Sunday, who is possibly the best cornerback in the league. He held Marquise Goodwin to a goose egg on Sunday, so I’d watch out for him. Goodwin and Woods need to earn my trust still, and even though Hilton and Stills had good showings in Week 1, I need them to prove to me that Week 1 is not a fluke.
Tight end/Flex
Start: Rob Gronkowski @ Jaguars, Travis Kelce @ Steelers
Let’s be real. You aren’t benching any of these two. The amount of quality tight ends in fantasy football are so few that you can’t afford to bench either of these two, especially with Team Outsports Equality’s Delanie Walker out for the season with an injury.
Out of these two, Kelce has the more favorable matchup as Gronk faces the stiff Jacksonville defense that will give him fits all day long, but both of these guys should deliver on Sunday.
Defense
Start: Los Angeles Chargers @ Bills
The Bills lost 47-3 last week. Questionable rookie Josh Allen is probably their best hope at QB and will likely make his first NFL start on Sunday. Casey Heyward and the LA defense should have a field day in Buffalo.
Kicker
Start: Brandon McManus vs. Raiders
This is simply based off Week 1 performance. McManus made two field goals beyond 50 yards and will kick in the altitude again this week.
Sit: Matt Prater @ 49ers
Prater struggled Monday night, missing two of his three FG attempts in an indoor stadium. This week, he heads outdoors, on the road, against a stingier defense. I don’t like his chances.
LGBT Focus
Aaron Rodgers
Read more on these players’ LGBT views:
- These eight players would support a gay teammate (from 2018)
- These New England Patriots linemen would support a gay teammate (from 2018
- 14 NFL Pro Bowlers say they would welcome a gay teammate (from 2017)
- NFL players react to Michael Sam coming out (from 2014)
- 62 active NFL players who have made statements in support of gays (from 2013)
- Carson Palmer, 12 Indianapolis Colts would embrace openly gay teammate (from 2013)
Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.