First Tier – Must Starts

1. Chicago – Ride ‘em while they’re hot.   Actually, just ride ‘em all season. 
2. Baltimore – Blew up the Raiders, as expected.  Now they travel to their “old home”, Cleveland.  This should be interesting.

Second Tier – Solid Starts

3. Philadelphia – Alex Smith could revert to the Alex Smith of old at any time.  Will it be this week?  Loss of Kearse hurts, but they have replacements.    
4. Atlanta – Posted consecutive solid defensive efforts.  Now they get to try and contain Reggie Bush and a pumped-up New Orleans crowd. 
5. Buffalo – They’ve played two solid, consistent games, fantasy-wise.  Facing the Jets at home could mean big things.      
6. New England – They’re at home, and something tells me Denver QB Jake Plummer is very close to cracking.
7. Seattle – Tough, tough matchup against the G-men, but they’ve put up consecutive 13-point fantasy outings. 
8. Carolina – What’s wrong with them?  Who knows.  Well, they should be able to pound the Bucs with the way the Buc offense has looked thus far.    

Third Tier - Best of the Rest

9. Pittsburgh – Playing against Palmer & Co. will be a tough go, but they’ll be eager to perform after last week’s stinker.    
10. Cincinnati  – After a big Week 1, disappointed last week.  Will need to play stellar D at home against their rivals, the Steelers.    
11. Jacksonville – They absolutely manhandled the defending champs, but going to Indy is a totally different ballgame.      
12. Detroit – Don’t laugh.  They’re playing Green Bay at home.  That almost ensures 2 INTs.    

Note: League scoring used for this column is 2 points for safety, fumble recovery, blocked punt or FG, 1 point for blocked PAT or sack, 6 points for defensive or special team TDs, and anywhere from 10 to 2 points based on points allowed.