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The second week of the 2015 NFL season means another chance to start figuring out what things are looking like from a fantasy football perspective. Carlos Hyde was clearly a beast in Week 1, but the San Francisco 49ers were otherwise kind of quiet. The defense had a solid day, with five sacks and an interception adding up to a strong showing. But the offensive skill positions were quiet, other than Hyde.
The 49ers face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, which provides some different challenges. We know Carlos Hyde will get plenty of work, but how will the Steelers look to contain him? Given their secondary struggles in Week 1, do they just sell out against the run, and hope for the best? This is a big opportunity for the 49ers offense, which means upside for the skill position players. There is still the floor, but maybe the offense opens up further.
49ers
Start 'em: Carlos Hyde, Phil Dawson - Hyde will be a workhorse, particularly with Reggie Bush out ... The 49ers will find some opportunities in the red zone, which at least means some easy points for Phil Dawson.
Maybe start 'em: Colin Kaepernick, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, 49ers D/ST - Kap started slow, but his legs and that Steelers secondary make this an upside kind of matchup. If he struggles again, he will become a guy you sit for the near future until he proves otherwise ... Boldin is the guy who remains the primary target for Kap. In PPR leagues he is particularly valuable, but even in standard leagues, the Steelers secondary is rather inviting ... Gronkowski dominated the Steelers. Davis once had the skills to put up a similar performance, but he is officially a huge question mark. There is upside there, but enough downside that this is a maybe ... The 49ers defense faces a fairly stationary Ben Roethlisberger. Even with big passing totals, the 49ers defense should still get enough sacks to create some value.
Sit 'em: Torrey Smith - Smith is a big play threat, but it is hard to tell just what to expect week-to-week from a fantasy perspective. I think it is a wait and see for him.
Steelers
Start 'em: Antonio Brown, Ben Roethlisberger - Brown is an easy call. You start him every day, and he will provide a significant challenge for the 49ers young secondary ... While Roethlisberger does face a potentially tough pass rush, I think the bend-but-don't break 49ers defense will provide some easy garbage yards for Roethlisberger, even if the Steelers struggle. Given the
Maybe start 'em: Health Miller - He is not exciting, but Miller is a safe and capable player. Kyle Rudolph led the Vikings pass-catchers on Monday, and I think we see Roethlisberger connecting with Miller on Sunday.
Sit 'em: Markus Wheaton, Josh Scobee - Neither impressed in Week 1, with Scobee in particular struggling. Wheaton has an opportunity with Martavis Bryant suspended, but he did not do much in Week 1.