Expert Rankings for Week 2 of NFL Season
Introduction
As we enter the second week of the 2025 NFL season, fantasy football managers are looking to improve their lineups with the help of expert rankings. NBC Sports' Matthew Berry has released his highly anticipated rankings for Week 2, with some familiar names topping the list. Quarterback Lamar Jackson leads the way, followed by running back Christian McCaffrey, rookie receiver Ja'Marr Chase, and tight end Brock Bowers.
Key Details
Jackson, the reigning MVP, is coming off a strong performance in Week 1 and looks to continue his dominance against a tough defense. McCaffrey, who has been a top fantasy player for several years, is expected to bounce back after a slow start to the season. Rookie sensation Chase has already made a name for himself with a standout debut and is poised for another big game. Bowers, a rookie tight end for the Atlanta Falcons, has been a target for quarterback Matt Ryan and could be a valuable addition to any fantasy team.
Impact
Berry's rankings also highlight some under-the-radar players who could provide a boost to fantasy teams in Week 2. Running back Leonard Fournette, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, is expected to see an increased workload and could be a sneaky play. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, a top draft pick for the Philadelphia Eagles, has been targeted
About the People Mentioned
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson is a professional American football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Born on January 7, 1997, in Pompano Beach, Florida, he played college football at the University of Louisville, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 as the most outstanding player in college football. Jackson was selected by the Ravens with the 32nd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Jackson began his NFL career as a backup but quickly became the Ravens' starting quarterback during his rookie season after an injury to the incumbent starter. He is known for his dual-threat ability, combining exceptional passing skills with elite rushing talent, making him one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league. In his rookie season, he led all quarterbacks in rushing yards with 695 and scored five rushing touchdowns. His breakthrough came in the 2019 season when he earned the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award unanimously. That year, he accounted for 3,127 total yards and 43 touchdowns, leading the Ravens to a league-best 14–2 record. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl and named first-team All-Pro, highlighting his status as one of the NFL’s premier players. Jackson’s playing style emphasizes speed and agility, which has revolutionized the quarterback position by blending traditional passing with significant rushing contributions. Despite regular-season success, his teams have faced challenges in the playoffs, with the Ravens experiencing early exits. As of 2025, Jackson remains a key figure for the Ravens, although his availability has at times been affected by injuries. He continues to be regarded as a central player in the Ravens' efforts to compete for a Super Bowl championship, maintaining relevance as one of the NFL’s most exciting and influential quarterbacks.
Christian McCaffrey
Christian Jackson McCaffrey (born June 7, 1996) is an American professional football running back currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He played college football at Stanford University, where he was a standout athlete, notably setting the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a single season with 3,864 yards in 2015. That year, he was named the AP College Football Player of the Year and was a Heisman Trophy finalist[2][3]. Selected eighth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey quickly established himself as one of the most versatile and productive players in the league. In his rookie season, he showed promise as both a rusher and receiver. Over the next two seasons, he emerged as a superstar, becoming one of only three NFL players to record 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (2019). That year, he amassed 1,387 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns alongside 116 receptions for 1,005 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him First-team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl selection, and third place in Offensive Player of the Year voting. He accounted for 43% of his team's offensive yards, the highest individual percentage in the NFL that season[2][1]. In 2022, McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he continued to excel. He became the first 49ers running back and only the fourth player in NFL history to record passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in the same game. In 2023, he was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in scrimmage yards and touchdowns, helping the 49ers reach the NFC Championship and Super Bowl LVIII[2][3][4]. McCaffrey comes from a football family, with his father, Ed McCaffrey, having played in the NFL for 13 seasons. Beyond his athletic achievements, Christian McCaffrey is active off the field through the Christian McCaffrey Foundation, which supports community and youth initiatives[2][3].
About the Organizations Mentioned
NBC Sports
## Overview of NBC Sports NBC Sports is a leading sports programming division of NBCUniversal, itself a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation[1]. As a cornerstone of American sports broadcasting, NBC Sports is responsible for delivering a wide array of live sports events across NBC’s broadcast network, cable channels, and streaming service Peacock[1]. Its portfolio includes marquee properties such as the NFL (notably Sunday Night Football), the Olympic Games, the Premier League, NASCAR, PGA Tour golf, Notre Dame football, and the Tour de France, among others[1][2][4]. The division is structured to maximize reach across platforms—TV, cable, digital, and streaming—ensuring broad audience engagement and innovation in sports media consumption[2]. ## History and Development NBC Sports traces its origins to May 17, 1939, when it broadcast the first televised baseball game between Princeton and Columbia, marking a pioneering moment in sports television history[1][6][7]. Over the decades, the division evolved from a service of NBC News into a standalone powerhouse, especially after Comcast’s acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, which integrated Comcast’s own cable sports networks into what is now known as the NBC Sports Group[1]. This merger expanded its capabilities and solidified its position against competitors like CBS Sports, ESPN, and Fox Sports[1]. ## Key Achievements and Industry Impact NBC Sports is renowned for its production quality and technological innovation, having set industry standards for live sports coverage[2]. A standout achievement is its unparalleled Olympic coverage: NBCUniversal has broadcast every Summer Olympics since 1988 and every Winter Olympics since 2002, holding U.S. media rights through 2032[4]. The 2012 London Olympics attracted 217 million American viewers, making it the most-watched event in U.S. television history[4]. NBC Sports has also won over 100 Emmy Awards for its Olympics coverage and a Peab
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. Established in 1960, the team competes in the National Football League (NFL) and is a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Here is a comprehensive overview of the organization: ## Organization and Business As a sports organization, the Chiefs are primarily involved in managing and operating a football team, including player recruitment, training, and game operations. The team is owned by the Hunt family, led by Clark Hunt, and is managed under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Reid. The Chiefs play their home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, known for its electric atmosphere and record-breaking crowd noise levels. ## History The Chiefs have a rich history, having won four Super Bowl titles, including Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl LIV, Super Bowl LVII, and several division championships. The team has been successful under the guidance of notable coaches like Hank Stram and Andy Reid. The Chiefs are celebrated for their iconic red and gold uniforms and their passionate fan base. ## Key Achievements - **Super Bowl Titles**: The Chiefs have won four Super Bowls, with recent victories in 2020 and 2023. - **Division Championships**: They have won numerous AFC West division titles. - **Record-Breaking Crowd**: In 2014, Chiefs fans set the world record for loudest crowd noise at 142.2 decibels. ## Current Status As of the 2025 season, the Chiefs are competing in the AFC West alongside teams like the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. They currently have a roster featuring key players such as quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The team is working to maintain its competitive edge while adapting to changes in the NFL landscape. ## Notable Aspects - **Innovative Stadium**: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is one of the
Atlanta Falcons
The **Atlanta Falcons** are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia, competing in the National Football League (NFL) as part of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division. Founded on June 30, 1965, by Rankin Smith, the team joined the NFL in 1966 as an expansion team, designed to keep Smith from joining the rival American Football League (AFL)[1][2]. **History and Achievements:** - The Falcons have experienced periods of success, with division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016. A notable highlight was their 1998 season, finishing 14-2 and advancing to Super Bowl XXXIII, where they lost to the Denver Broncos[2][3]. - They also appeared in Super Bowl LI in 2017, losing to the New England Patriots in overtime[1]. - The team's first winning season was in 1971 under Coach Norm Van Brocklin, marking a significant milestone in their history[7]. **Current Status:** - The Falcons play their home games at **Mercedes-Benz Stadium**, which opened in 2017 and features state-of-the-art facilities, including the world's largest video board[4][5]. - The team is owned by **Arthur Blank**, who purchased the franchise in 2002[4]. - The Falcons are known for their strong fan base and have been a significant part of Atlanta's sports culture for decades. **Notable Aspects:** - Despite their achievements, the Falcons remain the oldest major professional sports team in the U.S. without a championship[1]. - The team has had notable players throughout its history, including Matt Ryan, who holds several franchise records[5]. - The Falcons are engaged in various community activities and initiatives, reflecting their commitment to both sports and social responsibility. While not primarily a business or technology organization, the Atlanta
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, competing in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the NFC East division. Founded in 1933, the franchise has a rich history marked by periods of strong defensive dominance, particularly from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, and significant success under head coach Andy Reid starting in 1999. Reid’s tenure transformed the Eagles into one of the NFL’s elite teams, winning six division titles and making nine postseason appearances, including a Super Bowl XXXIX appearance[7]. In recent history, the Eagles achieved their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history with a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, led by backup quarterback Nick Foles. They have remained competitive, winning the NFC Championship again in 2022 and 2024, facing the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowls LVII and LIX, respectively, and securing a second Super Bowl title in 2024 with star quarterback Jalen Hurts[7]. As of 2025, the Eagles hold a strong 5-2 record and lead the NFC East division, highlighting their ongoing competitiveness[1][5][8]. The team plays its home games at Lincoln Financial Field, which was built in 2003 and has a capacity of nearly 70,000. The Eagles' branding features midnight green and silver colors, with a passionate fan base deeply embedded in Philadelphia’s sports culture[6]. Ownership under Jeffrey Lurie is noted for a moderate but committed investment in team facilities and culture, receiving positive player feedback on leadership responsiveness, although some facility space and player amenities have been identified as areas for improvement[4]. From a business and technology perspective, the Eagles operate within the high-profile, technology-driven sports entertainment industry, leveraging advanced analytics, sports science, and fan engagement platforms to maintain competitive advantage both on and off the field. The organization exemplifies a blend o
