Lions Insider

LIONS FIVE
Calvin Johnson, WR, Start: This isn’t a bad idea each and every week, but maybe more so in Week 2. For as good as the 49ers defense is, they did allow 12 plays of more than 40 yards last year in the pass game (5th most in NFL). They also surrendered 113 yards against Johnson in their game last year.

Kevin Smith, RB, Sit: If you have another option at running back, use it. The 49ers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in their last 20 home games or a rushing touchdown in their last 10 at Candlestick Park.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Start: Because the 49ers defense is so good against the run, Pettigrew could become an extension of the run game like he was in last year’s contest. Against the 49ers in Week 6 last year, Pettigrew was targeted 14 times and had 10 fantasy points.

Lions defense, Sit: The majority of fantasy points on defense come from turnovers, sacks and the occasional kickoff or punt return touchdown. While the 49ers did surrender a punt return touchdown last week against the Packers, their offense hasn’t turned the ball over in 26 consecutive regular-season quarters. They also put up 377 yards of offense and 30 points on Packers last week.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Start: Like Johnson, this is never really a bad idea, unless he goes interception-happy like he did in the first half of last week. Stafford can become the first player in NFL history to have five straight 350 passing games in the regular season Sunday night. Not much is expected by way of the ground game against the 49ers so the Lions are bound to throw it a lot.

START-EM FOR WEEK 1
C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo: Last season, Spiller took over for an injured Fred Jackson in the final six game, finishing with double digits in Fantasy points in four of those outings, and he's now taken over for Jackson again. Spiller finished with 14 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 25 yards against the Jets last week.

Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins: Okay, so, I was wrong about Roy Helu last week. So sue me. Lets try this Redskins running back thing again. Morris had the most carries in the NFL in Week 1 (28) and he finished with 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Rams gave up 83 yards and two touchdowns on only 18 carries to a Lions team that isn’t known for running the football.

Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers: The Bears have surrendered 105 yards and four touchdowns to Finley in their last two meetings. Finley had a good start to the 2012 season with seven catches (11 targets) for 47 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers. His targets could go up even more if Packers receiver Greg Jennings (groin) doesn’t play tonight.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins: Griffin rewarded fantasy owners with 28 points against the Saints last week on 320 passing yards, two touchdowns and 42 yards rushing. He’s a must-start against the Rams this week.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: He didn’t have great numbers last week against the Panthers, but he still led the team with 10 targets. No team gave up more fantasy points to opposing receivers in Week 1 than the Giants against the Cowboys.

SIT-EM WEEK 2
Shonn Greene, RB, Jets: The Steelers ranked eighth against the run last season and allowed Denver’s backs an average of 3.5 yards per carry (94 total yards) last week. Greene had 94 yards and a touchdown against the Bills, but it will be difficult to repeat that performance against a Steelers defense ready to do anything to avoid an 0-2 hole.

Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: Wells is coming off knee surgery and is also battling a sore hamstring, and was held to just 14 yards on seven carries last week. The Cardinals' offensive line opened zero holes for Wells last week and also got quarterback John Skelton hurt. With Kevin Kolb under center, the Patriots defense will feast on the run game and make Kolb beat them through the air. The Patriots held the Tennessee running backs to a mere nine yards on 14 carries last week.

Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks: The Cowboys and their upgraded defensive backfield with cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne held Giants receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks to a combined 96 yards and no touchdowns in Week 1.

Michael Vick, QB, Eagles: Next on the schedule for Vick is a date with the Ravens, who have allowed one touchdown pass or less in each of their last 19 games (which is an amazing stat). Vick is also coming off a four-interception performance last week.

Cedric Benson, RB, Packers:  Benson gave fantasy owners a whopping 18 yards on nine carries last week. Even against the 49ers, that is a tough performance. It doesn’t get much better this week against a Bears defense that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 12 straight games. The last one was Jahvid Best (163 yards) last year.

UNDERRATED PLAYERS FOR WEEK 2
Michael Bush, RB, Bears: As most Matt Forte owners feared, Bush took a couple goal line carries away from Forte and turned them into two touchdowns last week. He had 12 carries total for 42 yards. If he continues to get red-zone carries he’s a sleeper option.

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts: Yes, I saw him struggle last week. But the Vikings allowed 260 passing yards and two touchdowns against Blaine Gabbert in Week 1. Luck could have similar success.

Jacob Tamme, TE, Broncos: Tamme started strong in Week 1 with five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers on five targets. This week he faces a Falcons defense with a banged up secondary. The Chiefs’ tight ends had five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown against Falcons last week.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals: Green-Ellis had 15 fantasy points against a tough Ravens defense last week. This is a much easier matchup this week against the Browns, and Green-Ellis should be able to find the end zone early, and possibly often.