NFL Week 2 Bangs & Busts

Week 2 is here, and after opening the season 8–4 on our Bangs & Busts, we’ve got real usage to lean on. Hubbard smashed, Egbuka flashed, and Warren delivered — but JSN cleared without a TD, the Cardinals D looked flat against a bad Saints team, Maye landed under, and Joey Slye rode Denver turnovers. That’s Week 1 chaos. Now we adjust and attack with our Bangs & Busts for week 2.

Quarterback

BANG: J.J. McCarthy vs. Falcons
Projection: 16.8 pts (QB20)
McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. meet for the first time since the 2024 CFP, when McCarthy got the upper hand. This time it’s prime time in Minnesota, and J.J. showed enough poise in Week 1 to buy in. Designed rollouts, keeper action, and quick-game timing routes should stress Atlanta’s defense and push him over projection.

BUST: Bo Nix @ Colts
Projection: 16.6 pts (QB21)
Nix looked flat against Tennessee in Week 1 — too many checkdowns, no vertical aggression, and little red-zone juice. Facing an Indy defense that thrives on keeping everything in front, this sets up for another underwhelming fantasy line. Even if he plays clean football, it’s tough to see him clearing projection.

Running Back

BANG: Breece Hall vs. Bills
Projection: 15.3 pts (RB13)
The Ravens just ran for 238 yards on Buffalo, and the Jets have the personnel to attack in the same way. Hall’s blend of chunk runs and receiving volume makes him the focal point of this offense, and 18–20 touches put him squarely in RB1 territory this week.

BUST: Omarion Hampton @ Raiders
Projection: 15.7 pts (RB12)
Hampton’s debut was underwhelming, and now he faces a Raiders front that held firm against the run in Week 1. Without clear passing-down involvement or guaranteed goal-line equity, this projection feels high. He profiles closer to a mid-RB2 until he shows more.

Wide Receiver

BANG: Nico Collins vs. Buccaneers
Projection: 16.9 pts (WR17)
Collins looked every bit like a WR1 in Week 1, and Stroud isn’t hesitating to feed him. Against a Tampa Bay secondary still prone to giving up chunk plays, Collins should command 8–10 targets with red-zone equity. Top-12 upside here.

BUST: Terry McLaurin @ Packers
Projection: 14.0 pts (WR28)
I see Jayden Daniels leaning heavily on Deebo Samuel and the short passing game for this tough road matchup. That leaves McLaurin with fewer high-leverage opportunities, especially on the road in Lambeau against a secondary that can tilt coverage his way. He’s more WR3 than WR2 this week.

Tight End

BANG: Tyler Warren vs. Broncos
Projection: 10.8 pts (TE12)
Warren saw the ball plenty in Week 1, and with Denver’s defense forcing Jones to check down and avoid the perimeter, he could be featured even more. Quick seams and red-zone play-action looks make him a strong candidate to outscore the projection. I also like Warren as a longshot for offensive rookie of the year.

BUST: Kyle Pitts Sr. @ Vikings
Projection: 8.5 pts (TE18)
Atlanta’s passing game funneled through London and Bijan in Week 1. Pitts still looks like a situational piece, and in a tough road environment at Minnesota, the odds of him clearing projection are slim.

Defense / Special Teams

BANG: Rams D/ST @ Titans
Projection: 7.4 pts (DST6)
Tennessee struggled in Week 1, and Cam Ward didn’t look ready to carry the offense against NFL pressure looks. The Rams’ front can create chaos and turnover equity, giving them real top-5 upside.

BUST: Seahawks D/ST vs. Steelers
Projection: 6.0 pts (DST14)
This game comes with extra juice — DK Metcalf faces his former team for the first time as a Steeler, and Rodgers isn’t going to let his guys down. Pittsburgh’s low-risk, ball-control offense caps Seattle’s splash-play chances and makes them a fade.

Kicker

BANG: Chris Boswell vs. Seahawks
Projection: 8.2 pts (K7)
Pittsburgh’s offense is designed to grind drives, and that creates field-goal volume. Against Seattle’s bend-but-don’t-break defense, Boswell has a path to double-digit points.

BUST: Nick Folk vs. Bills
Projection: 8.1 pts (K8)
The Jets lean on their run game and red-zone packages against Buffalo. If they finish drives on the ground like Baltimore did, Folk’s volume dries up. The projection is aggressive for this matchup.