Fantasy Football: Week 2 Kicker and Defense Rankings

MIAMI, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Now that you have nearly finished wrestling with the decision of who to start as your third wide receiver, second running back, or flex, it's time to consider your kicker and defense/special teams.

Although a lot of fantasy football owners waited until the later rounds to draft these positions, there are still good options available on the waiver wire in most leagues and also some solid match-ups in Week 2. There are also quite a few match-ups to steer clear of.

To make the choice of who to start in Week 2 easier, I have ranked my top 20 defense/special teams units and top 15 kickers for Week 2.

You can also view our top waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 and find out how to replace San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

TOP SHELF

My top fantasy football defense for Week 2 is the New England Patriots. The Patriots are hosting an unexciting offense in the Miami Dolphins. I don't see this as a high scoring affair and would be shocked if the Dolphins put up more than three scores in Foxborough. Expect some turnovers from Miami and some sacks on quarterback Ryan Tannehill behind a porous Dolphins offensive line. The Carolina Panthers are going to be hungry and have a chance to absolutely feast on the San Francisco 49ers at home, coming off of two straight losses to the Denver Broncos. I expect an enormous day from Cam Newton in maybe the biggest blowout of Week 2.

I also expect Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski to have another big day in Week 2. Last week, Gostkowski hit field goals from 32, 47, and 53 yards in the team's victory against the Arizona Cardinals. Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby should also be a solid play against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will definitely try to get Adrian Peterson rolling early in this one and try to keep Aaron Rodgers off of the field. Expect Crosby to come into play if the Packers stall.

SNEAKY PLAYS

The Baltimore Ravens are a good waiver-wire option this week if you are streaming defenses. The Ravens play the Cleveland Browns on the road in Josh McCown's first start in 2016. I expect Baltimore to win this game and not very much offensive explosion from the Browns. The Philadelphia Eagles, who put up a great defensive effort against the Browns in Week 1, face the Chicago Bears. We all know that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is prone to interceptions and will stare down his top target Alshon Jeffery. I see the Bears losing this one en route to becoming one of the worst teams of 2016.

Detroit Lions kicker Matt Prater and Indianapolis Colts' Adam Vinatieri should have sneaky-good days in Week 2. Both kickers have potential to sneak into the top-5. Although Vinatieri's Colts faces a brutal match up against Denver, expect Andrew Luck to keep his team in the game and allow for plenty of Vinatieri attempts. Prater is playing indoors and against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans game plan will be to control the clock with its talented backfield, while Detroit will look to come out firing to all of its talented pass-catchers. Expect the Lions to be in range early and often and for Prater to hold extremely high Week 2 value.

LONGSHOTS

Some fringe defensive starts/considerations for me include the Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams are facing the Seattle Seahawks, in a game that should not be extremely high scoring. Expect this game to be a running back battle, with the Rams' Todd Gurley and newly renamed Seahawks starter Thomas Rawls in the fold. This one has all the makings of an old-school brawl. The Jaguars are traveling to battle the San Diego Chargers. I expect some early struggles for the Chargers, now without Allen. The Chargers' strength will be the short to intermediate distance passing game, which typically doesn't allow for huge plays.

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and Atlanta Falcons' Matt Bryant should be great Week 2 options. Boswell is battling the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh. I expect this to be a great game and a possible shootout. Boswell has the leg for some long attempts, but should also get plenty of chances for extra points. Bryant gets to suit up against the Oakland Raiders. Although the Falcons theoretically have the firepower for a shootout, Atlanta could struggle against a sturdy Raiders defense in the red zone. Bryant should put up some points for you in this one.