DFS: NFL Week 2 Lineup Optimizer

FanDuel's main tournaments don't include the Thursday night game, and it's just as well as that contest between the Chiefs and Broncos could be Fantasy kryptonite. Between the short time off and the potential falloff of superstar QB Peyton Manning, that's a hard game to touch.

If you want to play a slate featuring the Thursday game, your best option might be to go into it with the intention of fading Denver and Kansas City. Let your opponents take the risk of Manning finding the fountain of youth or Alex Smith finding a deep ball against what could be one of the toughest defenses in football, and rely on the much better Sunday and Monday slate instead.

As for that Sunday/Monday slate, there is a lot to like there, and our Optimizer has built a pretty impressive lineup. We've got the top projected scorer at quarterback, the top two at WR, and No. 2 at RB. Of course, sacrifices had to be made elsewhere, so don't think you can just roll this team out in a H2H or 50/50 and rely on it. This is a tournament lineup all the way, and it could be a very good one if a few things go the right way.

Here is the Optimal Lineup for FanDuel's Sunday/Monday slate, as of 11:30 a.m. ET Thursday.

Note: The Optimizer will produce multiple lineups throughout the week based on news and other factors leading right up to kickoff. The lineup Chris spotlights in his column may be significantly different than the lineup you receive from the Optimizer later.

QB Andrew Luck vs. N.Y. Jets $8,900
Key Stat: Top projected player of the week

When 19.7 points is considered a disappointing performance, you know you're dealing with pretty rarified air. Luck is looking to bounce back from an ugly showing in Week 1, but he'll have his work cut out for him again with a very tough Jets' secondary. He is our top projected player, but you might feel just a little safer going with Drew Brees, who is playing at home against a much easier defense in the Buccaneers for the same price.

RB Marshawn Lynch @ Green Bay $8,500
Key Stat: Scores 15+ FD points in 76 percent of simulations

Lynch was a bit disappointing in Week 1, and still ended up with 14.9 FD points without finding the end zone. He's that good, and that also points to just how high his ceiling is. Green Bay can be a tough matchup, but not one you should be particularly worried about; Lynch scored 24.8 FD points against them in last year's playoffs, and Matt Forte had 25.1 against them in Week 1. Lynch isn't projected for quite as much as Forte, but he is the next-best thing at $400 less.

RB Theo Riddick @ Minnesota $4,500
Key Stat: Only RB projected for more than 6.0 FD points at $4,500 or less

This is the bottom-of-the-barrel price for a running back, which makes Riddick look a lot better than he otherwise might. Unlike the other minimum-price options, we can be fairly confident that Riddick will feature into the Lions' gameplan, even if it is just for a few touches, like in Week 1 when he hauled in two passes for 37 yards and a touchdown. It is a major gamble, but Riddick should see about 10 snaps on offense, and could be a huge boost if he gives you anything at all.

WR Antonio Brown vs. San Francisco $9,200
Key Stat: No. 1 projected player at position

Brown has just as much upside as Odell Beckham or Julio Jones, but dwarfs either when it comes to a very important factor: consistency. He has at least 10.9 FD points in each game dating to the start of last season, and at least 20 in 8 of 17 games. You know you'll never get a dud from Brown in this offense, and he has the upside to go along with it.

WR Odell Beckham vs. Atlanta $8,700
Key Stat: Scores 18+ FD points in 65 percent of simulations

Expectations for Beckham were sky-high, and rightly so after a historic rookie season. Some regression was expected, but nobody should be panicking because he struggled to get going in Week 1 against the Cowboys. Beckham has a tough individual matchup with Desmond Trufant lining up for the Falcons, but this game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, so expect Eli Manning to look his way plenty. With Beckham's ability, opportunity will eventually give way to production, and you want to be there when it does.

WR Marques Colston vs. Tampa Bay $5,300
Key Stat: Scores 12+ FD points in 61 percent of simulations

Colston is more like a tight end at this point in his career, because his production is so touchdown-dependent. He hasn't had much luck finding the end zone in the previous two seasons, and was held out in Week 1, but he's a decent low-cost gamble against this Buccaneers' defense. It isn't a sure thing by any means, but you have to cut corners somewhere. If you can find an extra $100, Pierre Garcon might be a better option coming off a busy Week 1.

TE Heath Miller vs. San Francisco $5,400
Key Stat: No. 2 tight end of the week

Miller doesn't have Travis Kelce or Tyler Eifert upside, but there's one thing we know about him; he's safe. The Steelers are going to throw the ball around a ton, and with Martavis Bryant and Le'Veon Bell still out, he should be the No. 2 option in the passing game yet again. He is worth his dollar value in 35 percent of simulations for the Optimizer, even if he has a lower chance of 15+ points than Kelce or Eifert. At that price, it's hard to beat safety.

DST St. Louis @ Washington $4,900
Key Stat: Highest projected score at position

The Rams gave up 31 points to the Seahawks, however some of that was on special teams and turnovers; they largely held Marshawn Lynch in check and recorded six sacks and a pick. With Kirk Cousins up next, an opportunistic Rams defense should have another chance to put up good numbers, and St. Louis won't have to deal with the Seahawks' special teams on the other end.

K Josh Brown vs. Atlanta $4,500
Key Stat: Highest projected score at the position

The Falcons' offense looked improved in Week 1, but still gave up 24 points and could have given up more if Jordan Matthews didn't drop a key pass late to end the game. This could be a high-scoring one, and Brown has a chance to finish as a top-10 kicker for the week at a low price. Zack Hocker is another fine minimum-price option against the Buccaneers.