With all but two games (MNF and the Ravens at Texans match-up moved to November 9 because of Hurricane Ike) said and done in Week 2, it’s time once again to award those who put forth influential fantasy performances. And, when seven teams post 30+ points, a lot of guys are going to be deserving of recognition.
 
We’ll start in Denver where seven passing touchdowns and more than 940 yards of combined offense tell the tale of two division rivals who found themselves in the middle of a good old fashioned shootout. Also, be sure to take note of Week 2’s dream lineup. If you had any piece of this team, there’s a good chance you embarrassed the rest of your league.
 
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Jay Cutler, QB, DEN
“The best Broncos gunslinger that isn’t John Elway” took it to the air at home against the now 0-2 Chargers Sunday afternoon. With 350 yards and four touchdowns it’s safe to say that Cutler played MVP on a lot of fantasy squads this weekend. And after engineering a late touchdown drive and winning two-point conversion, many Broncos fans are starting to put him in a similar light to Elway.
 
RUNNERS-UP
Anquan Boldin, WR, ARI
Though it came against the Miami Dolphins, Boldin had 140 yards receiving and three touchdowns on Sunday. Over his last four games, Boldin has averaged 110 yards per contest and gone for six scores.
 
Brandon Marshall, WR, DEN
This Broncos wideout said prior to the start of the season that he planned on catching 140 passes this season. Considering his one game suspension to open up the ‘08 season, he’d have to average more than nine catches a game to pull off the feat. After his team-record 18 receptions for 166 yards and a score, Denver’s stud receiver is on pace for his prediction.
 
Philip Rivers, QB, SD
With LT nursing a sore foot and the Broncos offensive attack proving relentless, the Chargers called on Rivers to step up and make plays. Rivers answered the call with 377 yards and three touchdowns in nearly leading his team to victory Sunday. In doing so, he likely led fantasy teams to Week 2 wins.
 
SURPRISING PERFORMANCE
J.T. O’Sullivan, QB, SF
In his second start for the Niners, Sullivan threw for 321 yards and a score. O’Sullivan had less than 400 yards and only one touchdown in his entire career heading into Week 2, so nearly doubling his career numbers - in a San Francisco win no less - came as a big surprise to most.
 
RUNNERS-UP
Darren McFadden, RB, OAK
The former Razorback was clearly combatting high expectations entering his rookie campaign. And, with Justin Fargas and Michael Bush also in the Raiders’ backfield, most people thought McFadden would struggle for opportunites to meet those high expectations. After he took his 21 carries for 164 yards and a score against KC in Week 2, McFadden may have gained the edge in his position battle in Oakland.
 
Jason Campbell, QB, WAS
The Skins’ starter has often been labeled the question mark in their offense, and rightfully so. Campbell, who has a career passer rating of 77.3, eclipsed 300 yards for the third time in his career. His performance on Sunday included a 64-yard touchdown toss to wideout Santana Moss late in the fourth quarter as Washington rallied to beat New Orleans.
 
Julius Jones, RB, SEA
The former Cowboy stepped in and ran for 127 and a score while filling in for Maurice Morris. In the fantasy world, only 41 percent of leagues on ESPN had a team starting Jones this week. 
 
DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE
Larry Johnson, RB, KC
Johnson had 12 carries for 22 yards against Oakland on Sunday, a matchup that many - ourselves included - projected as a big plus for him. After the game, Johnson issued a statement alluding to his workload, or lack there of, in a statement following the game. LJ continues to let fantasy owners down in the two years since his 1,700+ yard campaign in 2006.
 
RUNNERS-UP
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, CIN
For a second straight week the Bengals’ No. 1 wideout drastically underachieved. With only three catches for 26 yards, Housh proved to be no help to his fantasy owners once again.
 
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD
The all-too familiar-image of LT watching his team try to pull out a win in a close game once again became a reality on Sunday as he left early in Denver to nurse a sprained right toe. Before leaving, Tomlinson took his 10 carries for only 26 yards - not exactly the type of day most of his fantasy owners were hoping for.
 
Brett Favre, QB, NYJ
After a great Week 1 performance, Favre hoped to make his home debut just as successful. Instead, he threw for only 181 yards, one touchdown and an interception against the Pats. He connected with No. 1 wideout Jerricho Cotchery only once and with his No. 2, Laveranues Coles only three times
 
WAIVER WIRE SPECIAL
Ryan Longwell, K, MIN
Usually kickers play minimal roles in the fantasy world. However, Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell has seven field goals in the first two weeks (including one over 50 yards and two more over 40). Any kicker who posts 19 points in one week is worth looking at. On top of that, he’s only owned in 38 percent of leagues on Yahoo!
 
CUTTABLE PLAYER
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, SEA
The former Pro-Bowler has been a serious let down in both of Seattle’s games this season. He’s thrown for a combined 379 yards, one score and three interceptions while dealing with a decimated receiving corps and persistent back problems. It’s soon becoming time to cut your losses in favor of an upside guy like Buffalo’s Trent Edwards. 
 
WEEK 2 DREAM LINEUP
QB - Jay Cutler, DEN
RB - Darren McFadden, OAK
RB - Julius Jones, SEA
WR - Anquan Boldin, ARI
WR - Brandon Marshall, DEN
TE - Tony Scheffler, DEN
K - Ryan Longwell, MIN
D/ST - Green Bay Packers
 
WEEK 2 NIGHTMARE SQUAD
QB - Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
RB - LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
RB - Larry Johnson, KC
WR - Randy Moss, NE
WR - T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN
TE - Jeremy Shockey, NO
K - Lawrence Tynes, KC
D/ST - New Orleans Saints
 
HIGHLIGHT REEL (Best Play)
Denver’s Cutler hooked up with rookie wideout Eddie Royal for a touchdown and a gutsy two-point conversion to give the Broncos a one-point lead with 24 seconds left in the game. The throw was a tight spiral fit between three defenders and, had it been tipped, could have resulted in a Denver loss. The Chargers were left with little time and no timeouts.
 
RUNNERS-UP
Jason Campbell’s 64-yard touchdown to Santana Moss that gave the Skins a 29-24 lead.  With less than four minutes to play, Moss went deep and Campbell took a seven-step drop in the pocket. Feeling the pressure as the pocket collapsed, he stepped up, shrugged off an arm tackle, and delivered an accurate ball to his primary target.
 
Adam Vinatieri was at it again on Sunday as he hit a 47-yard, game-winning field goal against the Minnesota Vikings. He missed earlier from 30 yards, but came back and lived up to his legacy by nailing the kick that counted.